Press Conference with the Three New Apostles

[Anonymous]

Saw something a few minutes ago I’d never experienced — a press conference with the three new Apostles. Associated Press, Deseret News, Salt Lake Tribune, and a couple state newspapers asked questions. It was interesting to see these men on a toned down version of a press conference that our secular leaders face. We normally read a talk about them, or maybe see them in a World Wide Training Conference or at Conference. If you’re lucky, maybe at a Stake Conference, but rarely.

I have to say, some of their answers really impressed me. Many answers were typical Mormon answers, but here are the more controversial ones…

a) You are not a diverse group, and the church is very diverse. How will you ensure that members of the church from all areas of the world feel that you love them?

The best answer came from Redland who said that even Jesus and his Apostles came from a narrow geographical area, yet their message was for everyone. They cited their international experience, particularly Redland who was a Mission President in the Congo.

b) With being an Apostle comes a lot of adulation — how will you fight the adulation and also prevent people from seeing you as a CEO or manager.

They did not answer the CEO/Manager portion, and instead, Rasband focused on his humble beginnings (father a truck driver, mother a homemaker). Others spoke about their experiences with people in many different circumstances all over the world. They also mentioned that if you look at people through God’s eyes, it makes you humble.

c) What are the most important issues facing the church today?

Rasband nailed this one by saying that we have a prophet who is a seer and understands the future. Therefore, the subjects we heard in conference, and will hear over the weekend are the most important issues facing us today. Redland mentioned that it’s about family and the challenges to it, mostly. I wondered what they would say as there were about 1.5 hours into their new positions and its not their place to speak for the church as a whole when there is a prophet, and they have so little experience.

At the end, all their families came out and hugged them.

I wish we could see more of them in those kinds of circumstances where we get to see what their personalities are like.

[Anonymous]

Question a) about diversity doesn’t sound like it can be answered satisfactory by them…the real answer is to acknowledge it and focus on how Christ-like love goes beyond their own limitations because they are who they are, they are not diverse, and cannot assume to really know others just because they travel or spend a couple years in a mission. That is exposure…not true understanding of other cultures.

They should own up to their limitations as apostles from Utah. I’m not saying they are not inspired and up for the job…just simply they cannot be what they are not. And diverse they are not.

Apostles in Jesus’ day is a weak comparison, in my mind. That would be like saying my ancestors in Ireland mostly ate potatoes…so we really don’t need all these grocery stores filled with produce. All we need are potatoes. That’s silly. Back in history there were just not other choices, there were not other options…that doesn’t mean that today having diversity is not needed when they really do have choices. Diverse apostles would make it stronger in the long run for the church.

It would be better to just acknowledge the lack of diversity, but that God calls men to these positions, and we look forward to callings in the future from many other areas that are all loved and cared for by church leaders.

I sustain these leaders. But sustaining them doesn’t mean I believe they are something they are not.

[Author]

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