Two paragraphs added to the "How to Stay…" article

[Anonymous]

FYI to everyone, I finally got around to adding the following two paragraphs to the “How to Stay …” article we host on our site:

Word of Wisdom

Word of Wisdom compliance is one of the strongest contemporary, cultural identifiers related to belonging within Mormonism. Because so much is attached to this dietary law, we highly recommend you move slowly and consider changes carefully. For better or worse, you will find few things with less tolerance than this topic in our religion. It is a very outward, tangible practice related to adherence; which makes it much different than most other areas of faith transition we discus in this article. It is not a matter of simply thinking different. This comes down to potentially acting different.

The Word of Wisdom has an interesting history. Readers may have come across historical stories of early Mormon members and leaders who did not practice the Word of Wisdom as we understand it today, even after it was accepted by the saints as canonized revelation. This may have caused you to question the LDS Church’s current interpretations and minimum standards. Perhaps you simply read D&C 89 and noticed other inconsistencies. Regardless of any controversy, there are many positive aspects to the Word of Wisdom. As a broad concept, it embodies the idea of being healthy, strong and spiritual. It is certainly a good idea to avoid addictions that might sap your strength and even lead you to make other poor decisions. Eating healthy and taking care of yourself physically is its own reward.

The church provides an active and vibrant social environment supportive of “clean living.” This is an uplifting characteristic of our culture. It is an aspect to be valued and applauded. A person can certainly live a whole and productive life without coffee, tea, alcohol and tobacco. So what is really the harm in that? Even if there is too often a myopic focus on avoiding these “forbidden four” as the totality of Word of Wisdom practice, it does promote a good environment.

The bottom line is this: you are responsible for making good decisions about your health and spirituality. Decide what you want to do. Weigh the pros and cons of your personal practice of the Word of Wisdom. Move slowly making changes, if you decide to make them. If you decide to maintain an orthodox practice of the Word of Wisdom, it will make it socially easier to stay in the church.

Priesthood Blessings and Ordinances

For men in the church who experience a crisis of faith, or lose a literal belief in priesthood authority and power, giving priesthood blessings and performing ordinances can be a challenge. We commonly hear concerns from those whose faith has changed, or have doubts, that they feel like they are being dishonest serving others without an absolute belief they hold exclusive divine authority or supernatural magic power.

The decision to continue acting in a religious priesthood capacity or not is a deeply personal choice that you will have to make, in a way that you are comfortable living. There really isn’t a single correct answer for everyone making their way through a crisis of faith. Many decide they are not comfortable acting in the role of priesthood holder. That is fine. Perhaps that is the best choice while you sort out your faith and relationship with the church. You can change your mind later. If people in your life are expecting this role from you, find a way to confidently and peacefully tell them you aren’t in the right frame of mind and spirit to do those things right now.

So long as you are a member in good standing, and were ordained by the church, you have religious authority to perform rites as a service to members of the church. You may not see this as an absolute and exclusive authority from God, but it is certainly authority to do so from the organization itself. And the ordinances are not for your benefit, they are a service to the people who want to experience them. It is about their faith, not yours. It is between them and God, not you. This is an alternative way of viewing priesthood ordinances and blessings as a loving service given to your friends and family. The power comes from their faith and desire to make their experience meaningful.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for those clarifications. Well written.

[Anonymous]

I’d like to know what cwald thinks if the WoW section. I don’t have a problem with the WoW, in fact, that’s what attracted me to the Church, along with other things.

However, for the priesthood blessing section — you could consider expanding the section about how giving blessings is service. Perhaps expand that experiencing a blessing at the hands of someone who cares can act as a source of comfort for people in a way no form of advice or other measures can.

I have seen this a number of times. Most recently, my daughter was feeling physically sick the other night and asked for a blessing. I gave her one, and then she seemed relaxed and comforted afterwards. The next morning she thanked me and told me she felt better. Given how I’ve been feeling about my Church experience lately, I gave the blessing without any real expectation of its impact — whether good or bad — I just did it so as not to disappoint my daughter. And it appeared to have a calming, positive effect on her. I see that as an intrinsic benefit of giving a blessing, whether you are fully engaged with the whole concept of the priesthood or not.

[Anonymous]

I think the changes are a good step in the right direction – and as far as the priesthood section —- I agree with it and I have no guilt or problems with my service in the church.

[Anonymous]

Wow, I will probably get slammed for this, but I’m really old and most folks won’t kick old dudes when they are already lying on the payment… ha!

I couldn’t help but think, that in adding more paragraphs to the original “StayLDS” article (tailoring is another term), we are finding it necessary to add some meat with the milk. An LDS history buff, I know of so many sections of the D&C that were added extensively to by Joseph Smith, even after being published in the original “Book of Commandments.” It always bothered me, as if the original was deficient in some way. Has the idea of an “addendum” to the original article been considered? Another example of tailoring is the recent changing of the subject lines in the BofM, to dispose of the American Indian Lamanite problem. Also helpful, the unannounced decision to not mention Lamanite geography/parameters over the pulpit at GC.

I handed so many copies of the original StayLDS article out to bishoprics and TBM family. I hate to do a “corrected” copy. Just thinking through my fingers folks… Shalom.

[Anonymous]

It’s cool George. Whatever version helped people, that is a good all on its own.

[Anonymous]

Well, when I first read the article I was quite disappointed that the whole WoW was not addressed much. It was almost like the authors ran out of time and just made a blanket statement that we support living a clean and healhly lifestyle and recommend folks live that commandment.

Really?

I tend to believe I live a healthy and clean lifestyle, and I am quite healthy and make a point of being so, and yes, occasionally I drink tea, coffee and smoke a pipe, and I drink beer (more than occasionally).

So —- yeah, i think the additional WoW paragraphs were needed and merited.

[Author]

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