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Yesterday in High Priest’s group class, the instructor took a quote out of the Pres Hunter manual, and then said he did some research (I thought that was funny he called it that), and found some materials about The Priesthood to all worthy males. As he read, I realized, he was taking the essay on Priesthood and RaceHe never referred to it as “the essays” like he was aware of all of them, it just looked like he wanted additional material to add to his lesson and by searching LDS.org, the found it interesting to bring into his lesson.
The guy is an older man, prior bishop and served in many stake callings…in the past very conservative and orthodox in his lessons…not a controversial teacher by any means.
I thought to myself…I wonder how often the essays start to just become a part of our church lessons now, without deliberate attention…they are just like the bible dictionary…sources to use that members trust.
I would like to hear if others are hearing them being used. If you hear them…post on this thread what you are hearing and if you like how they are being used.
Interestingly, in priesthood yesterday the priesthood essay was mentioned. The teacher, a younger free thinker type, brought it up in relation to the manual as well. I don’t think he quoted from the essay directly, but he did reference material included in the essay during the discussion, and he told the class where to find it and encouraged everyone to read it. He did specifically mention how the racism has been disavowed by the church, and he also bore a fairly fervent testimony about his African American companion on his mission. I look for opportunities to share the essays but they don’t seem to come up as often as I would like. The topics just don’t come up that often.
Not the essays, but I brought up Elder Oaks April 2014 talk about the Priesthood and Priesthood keys in Gospel Essentials class this past Sunday. It is more current / up-to-date than the manual, and I thought everyone needed to know what he said. I applaud your instructor.
That’s nice how he just wove it in and even steered the conversation toward examining what it means. If you saw me at church, or listened to me teach a lesson from the manual, you would assume I was the biggest TBM in the ward. I think your teacher is politically savvy of the ways of church culture. He presented information in a way that give the info without rocking the boat.
I want to salute him and announce, “Well Played Sir. Well Played.”
I think this ex-Bishop, conservative guy probably knew exactly what he was doing. But he “leaked” the essay in a way that wouldn’t offend people. Consistent with the “creeping change” methodology the church leaders have adopted to deal with these thorny issues. It’s something I would do. Rocking the boat without sinking the ship was one of my favorite past-times when I was a HPG teacher. Sadly, I can’t teach much anymore in the church. It hurts too much. But I think I could teach something on the essays, on positive character, I thought it was interesting how the person in Sheldon’s class exercised cognitive dissonance by saying “there wasn’t an official FP statement on blacks and the priesthood”. My answer is that it was church policy. That’s good enough. A church where leaders are not responsible for their own policies doesn’t have much accountability to anyone, including God.
The essays have just been added to the Gospel Library app under the “Church History” section. nibbler wrote:The essays have just been added to the Gospel Library app under the “Church History” section.
Wow! It’s easier to find them there than on lds.org!
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