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Note: I am NOT posting this article for its political content, and I do NOT want it to focus on the campaigns for POTUS. Please understand and don’t turn it into a debate about the two presidential candidates. The article linked above articulates what I see as the primary, often unrecognized reason why Donald Trump is not being supported by a large percentage of Mormons – even in Utah. I am sharing it for the sole reason that I think it does a masterful job of articulating the central place and key theological importance of paradoxes in Mormon theology – and also explains compellingly why it is so easy to reject paradox and gravitate toward one extreme or the other – or even reject both and support full tyranny.
Living in and embracing a world of paradox, as this article states, is hard work. I beleive, however, it is worth the effort – especially since our theology teaches such an embrace is a necessary, fundamental aspect of becoming like a Father-God who allows and values such paradox. It is the only way I know to walk one’s one way within the Church and allow others the same privilege, let them walk however they may.
I hope the article makes it into circulation. I haven’t read Terryl Givens’ book with “paradox” in the title, but maybe it inspired Holland. From Holland’s article: Quote:Among the elements of the Latter-day Saint tradition that I hold most dear is its tireless determination to embrace principles that others find incompatible. We loudly insist on the sacred coexistence of grace and work, body and spirit, law and mercy, personal inspiration and prophetic authority. These and other paradoxes have brought claims of heresy, hypocrisy and inconsistency from critics; they also provoke repeated bouts of soul-searching among ourselves that lead to fruitful introspection. It is not easy to live at the convergence of competing truths. It requires constant effort. But whatever else we may be, we have never been known to shirk from working hard for the things we value.
I absolutely love that quote, Ann. Old Timer wrote:
Living in and embracing a world of paradox, as this article states, is hard work. I beleive, however, it is worth the effort – especially since our theology teaches such an embrace is a necessary, fundamental aspect of becoming like a Father-God who allows and values such paradox. It is the only way I know to walk one’s one way within the Church and allow others the same privilege, let them walk however they may.I agree with you. A paradox can be a great opportunity for discovery. A few weeks ago, I was able to baptize my daughter. I moved into a new ward in May, and I’ve been working with my new bishop with the goal of baptizing her. He knows fully that I don’t believe in the doctrines of temples, polygamy, ‘the one true church’, the restoration, the BofM, etc. He’s a lawyer and knows how to ask questions!
😆 But, I’ve been grateful for the way that he probes in our discussions, because it has given him a very clear picture of where I stand with the church. I told him that I’d like to baptize my daughter, but I also would feel like a bit of a hypocrite baptizing her into a church that I don’t fully support. I do believe in the doctrine of baptism, so my goal was really to provide that baptism, but with the mindset that she’s baptized as Christ was, to fulfill all righteousness, and not because it’s a required ritual to join our church. The bishop has been very understanding and supportive. He said that I probably wouldn’t be able to give her the gift of the Holy Ghost (which I was okay with), but that I could stand in the circle when that was done. But, he also encouraged me to baptize my daughter. Knowing where I stand, and that it’s been a long time since I’ve taken the sacrament (my decision), worn garments, studied the BofM, etc., he still encouraged me to baptize her. So, on the day of her baptism, I found myself in the font, with this sweet little innocent 8 year old stepping down into the font to join me, a flawed and imperfect scoundrel, who was now supposed to perform this baptism. It made me think of how John the Baptist must have been feeling when Christ came to him to get baptized, and he felt like Christ should be the one baptizing him. That little paradox helped me get a little glimpse of the mercy that the real gospel offers. An imperfect person, like myself, is allowed to have flaws and faults. But, as long as I’m trying to be the best person that I can be, I could still join my innocent little girl in that ordinance. Pretty cool stuff. It’s really easy to get weighed down with all of the policies and practices that have been implemented by the church. But when we strip away ‘the church,’ and just focus on the gospel, the simplicity and beauty of it really is pretty incredible. Hey, there’s another paradox…the church and the gospel. They are supposed to go hand-in-hand, but it often feels like they’re at odds with each other.:think: Holy Cow wrote:So, on the day of her baptism, I found myself in the font, with this sweet little innocent 8 year old stepping down into the font to join me, a flawed and imperfect scoundrel, who was now supposed to perform this baptism. It made me think of how John the Baptist must have been feeling when Christ came to him to get baptized, and he felt like Christ should be the one baptizing him. That little paradox helped me get a little glimpse of the mercy that the real gospel offers. An imperfect person, like myself, is allowed to have flaws and faults. But, as long as I’m trying to be the best person that I can be, I could still join my innocent little girl in that ordinance.
I love this!
:thumbup: Help me understand this part:
Holy Cow wrote:He said that I probably wouldn’t be able to give her the gift of the Holy Ghost (which I was okay with), but that I could stand in the circle when that was done.
It was my understanding that if you were “good enough” to be in the circle you are good enough to do the blessing. Maybe he was torn between policy and people and this represented his compromise?
HC, that might be the most beautiful comment written at this site since its beginning. Do you mind if I share it on my personal blog, without attribution and without linking to this site? Thank you.
Holy Cow – I second Ray’s gratitude. I am crying over here as I read it. Bless you for sharing it. Ann – The paradox book by Givens is really good. Of course it Givens in his most academic space so I had to read, then rest between thoughts, but it was a solid read of hope for me.
nibbler wrote:
It was my understanding that if you were “good enough” to be in the circle you are good enough to do the blessing. Maybe he was torn between policy and people and this represented his compromise?This is what the bishop read to me from the Handbook of Instructions:
Quote:Only a Melchizedek Priesthood holder who is worthy to hold a temple recommend may act as voice in confirming a person a member of the Church, conferring the Melchizedek Priesthood, ordaining a person to an office in that priesthood, or setting apart a person to serve in a Church calling. As guided by the Spirit and the instructions in the next paragraph, bishops and stake presidents have discretion to allow priesthood holders who are not fully temple worthy to perform or participate in some ordinances and blessings. However, presiding officers should not allow such participation if a priesthood holder has unresolved serious sins.
A bishop may allow a father who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood to name and bless his children even if the father is not fully temple worthy. Likewise, a bishop may allow a father who is a priest or Melchizedek Priesthood holder to baptize his childrenor to ordain his sons to offices in the Aaronic Priesthood. A Melchizedek Priesthood holder in similar circumstances may be allowed to stand in the circle for the confirmation of his children, for the conferral of the Melchizedek Priesthood on his sons, or for the setting apart of his wife or children. However, he may not act as voice.
So, he explained that since I don’t hold, or even want, a temple recommend, it would probably be best if I didn’t actually do the confirmation, but that I could stand in the circle. But, it would be okay for me to perform the baptism. I was pretty happy with the result. I’ve only been in this new ward for about four months now, so I knew leadership roulette may be a factor. But, I lucked out and got a fantastic bishop and an incredible ward!Ray, yes, of course you can use anything you’d like to use. I’m an open book.
HC, thanks for your beautiful story. I doubt you’re really a scoundrel, 🙂 but I’ll just say as the grown-up daughter of a very flawed and intemperate father, my baptism is still a shining moment second to no other in my life. I’m glad you got to do this.
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