Honesty for the Saints versus the Church

[Anonymous]

Old-Timer wrote:

Cadence, it’s not just a few essays. It’s Pres. Uchtdorf – and the Joseph Smith Papers Project – and the essays – and the Bushmans – and the Givenses – and more.

Yes, absolutely, we have serious issues in our past and in our present, but the changes aren’t just cosmetic. If we criticize the past (and rightly so, in many cases), we need to acknowledge the present, as well.

I need to earn to appreciate the baby steps and not require giant leaps. It is just frustrating for me to read the essays because they do not always address the issues, and some especially the BofA essay do not answer any real questions.

[Anonymous]

I’m glad there is a place for discussion like this. I was baptized as a child in 1958 and have been frustrated by some of these situations. A few things have been helpful for me: Leaders have sometimes said that Truth is NOT the highest value—we do not seek and publicize truths that are meant to hurt or may weaken testimonies of new or waivering members. For example, it may not be wise to raise my hand in a class and talk about how many Apostles were excommunicated. That may not have a faith-promoting purpose. However, if the question come up by someone in class, a truthful answer needs to be given. My pet peeve is when someone–authorized or not–labels a member as having a critical attitude for asking or answering a question with uncomfortable truths involved.

LDS historians were automatically in an awkward position because some LDS Leaders would say that there is no faith-promoting purpose in digging up “old stuff” which will likely present the Church in an unfavorable manner.

So—should some things be left alone? Yes, at least in certain situations. Should some uncomfortable histories be examined? Absolutely! Individuals make judgment calls.

I have seen and heard some of then labeled “rebellious” or whatever because, in their judgment, uncomfortable truths needed to be examined. In 1969 when there were questions about the LDS stance on birth control, a BYU professor studied General Authorities’ Family Group Sheets and found they had 4.1 children, while other researched showed that American women not using birth control were capable of bearing 13 children. Another professor labeled the researching professor as “rebellious” for sharing his info in classes as an answer to the question about birth control.

To me, the labeling and judging and resulting contention are the worst part of those controversies.

I think that many “facts” have been passed along in our Church history as well-intentioned. I don’t see any reason why they can’t be quietly fixed. Some are. However, I think Church leaders do not like highly publicized corrections in the context of taking shots at Leaders or the Church.

I like a forum like this that is meant to be constructive. MOST Church classes have at least one person in any class who will put down sincere questions or observations.That’s unfortunate yet many a good conversation I’ve had after class with someone who has made a comment like that, received a zinger, then needed a hug!!

[Anonymous]

I cope with what I call Mormon agnosticism. In movies, we often see things we don’t believe, that we know are not possible, but we keep watching the movie for its entertainment or other value. They call it “willing suspension of disbelief”.

I take this attitude toward history, and toward the church’s whitewashing it. When I think of the many tens of thousands of dollars I gave the church over what I thought the church was, only to find it was something different, that Truth Restored was a watered down version of history, it seems highly unfair.

I have decided to live the gospel my own way now…that is my coping mechanism, as well as choosing to suspend my belief or disbelief over historical claims.

I think part of me has latent resentment toward the church for how it has negatively impacted my life. I deal with it by elevating my conscience above all else. I consider the church advice “input” and make the decision what to believe, myself.

[Author]

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