She did not StayLDS

[Anonymous]

One of the church’s poster children for inclusion and diversity has chosen to leave the fold.

Julienna Viegas-Haws wrote an Op-Ed in the SLTrib here

The church’s “policy” of last fall with regard to gay parents is having real repercussions in the church, and bad PR all around.

[Anonymous]

Great piece. Thanks for posting it, Sheldon.

I particularly enjoyed this little shout-out to so many of us, because I think it is often over looked:

Quote:

I admire the members who stay with the hope of making changes of inclusion happen.

[Anonymous]

I read it this morning and I know it’s on the opinion page but I’m still wondering why the Trib felt the need to print it. It seems to be just a list of all the main sticking points for people and for her it was too much.

[Anonymous]

GBSmith wrote:

I read it this morning and I know it’s on the opinion page but I’m still wondering why the Trib felt the need to print it. It seems to be just a list of all the main sticking points for people and for her it was too much.

It is interesting they would print it. I wonder if there is any interplay with the new (potential) owners wanting to show they are not puppets of the LDS leadership. She isn’t a nobody. She has been active on many podcasts. But then again – she is very unique in her heritage and that alone gets some attention in Utah.

[Anonymous]

LookingHard wrote:

GBSmith wrote:

I read it this morning and I know it’s on the opinion page but I’m still wondering why the Trib felt the need to print it. It seems to be just a list of all the main sticking points for people and for her it was too much.

It is interesting they would print it. I wonder if there is any interplay with the new (potential) owners wanting to show they are not puppets of the LDS leadership. She isn’t a nobody. She has been active on many podcasts. But then again – she is very unique in her heritage and that alone gets some attention in Utah.

How was she the “poster child?”. Did she have an official role in the church, featured in commercials?

I have to say, I thought I was reading my own journal on these points:

Quote:

1. When the prophet speaks the thinking is NOT done because he could be wrong as many have been in the past and present time.

2. To properly develop mentally and spiritually, I must follow my own conscience whether it is in opposition to the leaders or not. (Mormons are taught from a young age to always follow the prophet no matter what.)

3. Using my feelings (feeling the “spirit”) to determine what is true or not is a very subjective and incomplete measurement of truth.

4. Beliefs/revelations/speculations do not equal knowledge. They are what they are: beliefs, revelations, speculations and not perfect knowledge. (Mormons love using the phrase “I know” when expressing their beliefs.)

5. I jumped off the “cliff” I was told my entire life to stay away from and I discovered I had wings. I started soaring and the view from where I stand is magnificent as I discover tastes and colors I never knew existed.

I can see the influence of the Bloggernacle in her points here, such as points 1-4. These are all things I have read and assimilated in the bloggernacle.

I am concerned, however, that people who start out being contrarion (a faithful dissident) seem to be more vulnerable to actually leaving than people who just stick with the textbook. It gets easier and easier to just leave the church altogether after you remove the scaffolding of expected obedience, culture, leadership worship, one true church concept, and stop caring what the local membership thinks of you.

[Author]

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