New Official Doctrine article

[Anonymous]

cwald said:

Quote:

McConkie’s “Mormon Doctrine” Will No Longer Be Published

Even though I sometimes use the book, my response is simply:

[Anonymous]

I wrote a blog article to discuss the paper we host here on “Official Doctrine.” It is at Mormon Matters:

http://mormonmatters.org/2010/06/21/official-doctrine-vs-personal-speculation/#more-11689

[Anonymous]

I so enjoyed the conversation Brian started on Mormon Matters. I wish the comments weren’t cut off there, but I perhaps we can discuss an important question that I was brought up there. N. said:

Quote:

There has to be official Mormon doctrine. There has to be something common that brings people together in the religion

So what is that common ground, particularly if Official Doctrine is limited and abstract? I recently read an article quoting Richard Bushman which IMO answers this question at least partially.

Looking at the long history of the Church, there is any number of challenges that could very well have killed Mormonism for good. It’s improbable that the Church has survived and even thrived as it has

Satan’s attack on JS in the first vision.

Frequent mob attacks of JS, including attempting to shoot him

Mormons expelled from 3 states (once with an extermination order from the governor) Flight to a desert wasteland resulting deaths and injuries to thousands, hoping for a sanctuary.

Hounded by Johnson’s army in Utah

Vilification by the national press

Federal take-over of virtually all church property including threats to take over the temples

Teetering on bankrupcy

Challenges of Utah to statehood, (Abraham Smoot denied a seat in the U.S. Senate for 4 years)

Great Depression with 1/3 of Mormons unemployed

Divisive political issues like womens’ rights, blacks & the priesthood, intellectual freedom

Attacks from Evangelicals having “kanipchin fits” over legitimacy of Mormon beliefs.

Richard Bushman says

Quote:

“How can we account for the success of this lay-led Church, which seems to run against all expectations?” He answers by saying that its genius can be largely explained in the fact that the expectation of divine revelation has been built into the very administrative structure and offices of the Church, an expectation attributable to the Prophet himself.

“Latter-day Saints know in their bones that only leadership based on righteousness and spirituality will work,” Brother Bushman said, every new office holder knows it, and that, in itself, provides a check on the abuse of power within the Church.

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58903/Symposium-deals-with-the-institution-of-the-Church.html

I think the depth of conviction many members hold about righteous leaders receiving revelation in leading the Church is common ground that powerfully holds members together. Whether liberal or conservative, most active Mormons, especially when they have experienced spiritual confirmations themselves, feel unusually loyal to the leaders who they believe can receive spiritual guidance in their church callings.

I recall the author of the PBS special “The Mormons” a couple of years ago commenting that even though the program ran 6 hours (or more) still had much more info she could report. When asked what one other single subject she would like to add if she could, she replied that it was the strength of conviction exemplified by many members that really amazed her. I certainly do not share the conviction of most TBM’s but nevertheless I feel the expectation that the leadership is based on righteousness and spirituality. It doesn’t always work the way I think it should, but it seems to work more often than not. That’s more than I can see in other parts of life.

What do other people think?

[Anonymous]

Don, I think you’ve nailed a vital point – but it’s one that cuts both ways.

For those who are in wards and stakes that run as you’ve described, with leadership that generally is patient and humble and not into unrighteous dominion, there is a vibrancy that draws and keeps and empowers people. However, in areas where the leadership is controlling and demanding and prideful (and even coercive), there is an apathy (and even discord) that repels and oppresses people.

When people are raised in or converted into the first situation (or, at least, have lived in such an area), they tend to be more positive about “The Church” – but when people are raised in or converted into (or have lived in) areas like the second scenario, they tend to be more negative about “The Church”. Also, since human psychology says that one bad experience will be valued the same as six or seven good experiences, a bad leader can unravel all the good done by multiple good leaders – past and present.

I’ve said many times in many places that I believe the “genius of Mormonism” is its reliance on lay members leading at the local level – but I also have said that that same administrative structure is the biggest weakness, as well. One more central paradox with which to grapple.

[Anonymous]

Yes, Ray

I agree that leadership can be good or bad. And good leaders sometimes turn bad. The Lord warned JS about that in D&C 121.

Quote:

39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.

40 Hence many are called, but few are chosen.

41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—

43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.

45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

I have experienced both kinds, and when my experience with a particular leader was less than positive, I simply tried to avoid him. And when the whole Church appeared that way to me, I, for my own sanity, went AWOL for a number of years. But now that I’ve been able to come back, I can more easily let any negative pass without getting entangled in it, as I work to find more positive experiences with members exhibiting righteousness and spirituality.

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