There is an old Mormon joke that says something like, Catholic doctrine is that the pope is infallible, but none of them actually believes it; Mormon doctrine is that the prophet is fallible, but none of them actually believes it.
When I’ve suggested over the years that prophets might have gotten some things wrong, or that the church as an organization still has a lot of evolving to do and improvements to make, I’ve been accused of steadying the ark, speaking ill of the Lord’s anointed, heresy, and lack of faith. I can’t even count how many times I’ve been asked, “If you don’t like the Church, or if you think there are so many problems with it, why don’t you just leave?” or told, “Once the prophet speaks, if you’re truly faithful, the decision has been made.”
I have been watching with part amusement, part horror over the past year at the way that many of these same people, the ones who treated me with disdain and deep suspicion for saying I thought the policy that forbade the baptism/blessing of gay people’s children was flat-out wrong, for example, or that it would sure be nice if the Brethren actively worked to seek inspiration for how to better include women in Church systems and policies, have reacted to the Prophet’s counsel–nay, urging–to wear masks and be vaccinated.
In response to the first presidency statement release last week, a man who is an acquaintance of mine posted on Facebook a quote from “the very same prophet that issued this letter”:
“I am optimistic about the future. It will be filled with opportunities for each of us to progress, contribute, and take the gospel to every corner of the earth. But I am also not naïve about the days ahead. We live in a world that is complex and increasingly contentious. The constant availability of social media and a 24-hour news cycle bombard us with relentless messages. If we are to have any hope of sifting through the myriad of voices and the philosophies of men that attack truth, we must learn to receive revelation.”
Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives, Russell M. Nelson, 2018
The man then encouraged everyone to “pray and seek their own revelation on this matter,” implying that the prophet was wrong about masks and the vaccine and that God would confirm as much if people took the time to ask.
I completely agree with him that we shouldn’t blindly accept what we’re told by church authority figures, that we should all do research and seek our own revelation, and that our conclusions may be different than what the Church advocates. Hearing viewpoints like these from extremely orthodox members is refreshing to me, even despite the concerning public health implications. If these black-and-white, “either all of it’s true or none of it is” thinkers can identify nuance in their beliefs or sit with their cognitive dissonance when the prophet says something they don’t agree with, perhaps in the future they will be able to better empathize with those who voice disagreement with the Church’s position on an issue or advocate for change in the church.
After all, if prophets can be wrong about wearing masks, how much of a stretch is it to consider that they’ve been wrong about some other things, too?
Amen, ElleK. It’s definitely been whiplash-inducing to see people who love to use “follow the prophet” as a club on others who aren’t sufficiently orthodox in their eyes suddenly discover free agency and personal responsibility. It’s appalling that it’s over a straightforward matter of public health, though. Yikes! Excluding women and LGBT people and people of color is all well and good, but don’t you *dare* ask them to wear an extra piece of cloth to maybe protect their neighbor’s health, because by golly, Jesus said “Look thou out for number one, and to hell with everyone else.”
ElleK’s piece and your comment perfectly sum up the weird emotional space I’ve been in watching these reactions infold. On the one hand, I’m thrilled that the orthodox set is experiencing a moment of nuance and recognition that maybe following the prophet is a sandier foundation than following Christ. I hold a sliver of hope that perhaps the next time a November-type policy comes out that they might remember and hold some compassion for those of us who struggle over different issues. On the other hand I’m heartbroken that THIS is the issue they can’t accept. You stated it so well!
Yes, it’s so crazy! But perhaps it takes all of us across the spectrum of the church a moment that leads to us personally disagreeing with church leadership to enact real change. If the rock solid people who never questioned a prophet’s counsel can finally question something, I hope it leads to greater compassion for those of us who question him on other issues as well.
I’m all for people deciding whether or not to take the FP’s advice in their lives and it would by hypocritical for me to tell them to follow the prophet (since I don’t like that line of reasoning).
But IMO there is NO valid excuse for declining to wear a mask during a church service in a church building when you’ve been asked by the building owner to do so. That’s not an issue of personal freedom it’s an issue of respecting the rules set by the building owner and meeting facilitator. So I really have zero patience for the 2/3 of my ward on Sunday who didn’t bother to wear a mask (which meant that my family and I, who were wearing masks, had to leave.)
Remember when Natasha Parker was apparently so dangerous that she wasn’t allowed in a church building for her own excommunication hearing? And yet we are letting potentially deadly super-spreader events to take place in those very buildings because apparently leaders are fine kicking women out of buildings but not the unmasked hordes.
Absurd.
These have been exactly my thoughts. My hope has been that one of two things will come of this — a shift toward reasonable public health, or a shift toward compassion and nuance. It would be great to have both of course, but I’m glumly thinking it’ll be more of neither.
I am trying to not turn around and do what they have — club them with “follow the prophet” or deny them grace in using agency in how they do so. But that is a lot harder when not following the prophet means hurting me. That has been the struggle all along though – how to have charity and compassion for the people whose actions are hurting me and my loved ones. It’s an unfortunately stark opportunity to try to love your enemies and do good to them that despitefully use you.
President Eyring – Faith to Ask Then to Act Oct 2021
“It is hard to keep the Lord’s commandments without faith and trust in Him. As some lose their faith in the Savior, they may even attack His counsel, calling good evil and evil good. To avoid this tragic error, it is crucial that any personal revelation we receive be consonant with the teachings of the Lord and His prophets. Brothers and sisters, it takes faith to be obedient to the Lord’s commandments. It takes faith in Jesus Christ to serve others for Him. It takes faith to go out to teach His gospel and offer it to people who may not feel the voice of the Spirit or may even deny the reality of the message. But as we exercise our faith in Christ—and follow His living prophet prophet—faith will increase across the world.”
It took faith for the children of Israel to put the Lambs blood on their door and to look upon the brass serpent, both of which are ineffectual and nonsensical by themselves, just as masks probably are today but there are blessing if we just humble ourselves and follow the council or urging we are given by the prophets. Just a few reminders here, and please sister stay on the covenant path.
D&C 1
14 And the arm of the Lord shall be revealed; and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people;
D&C 21
4 Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me;
5 For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.
D&C 64
34 Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.
35 And the rebellious shall be cut off out of the land of Zion, and shall be sent away, and shall not inherit the land.
36 For, verily I say that the rebellious are not of the blood of Ephraim, wherefore they shall be plucked out.
I could list a lot more from all the standard works, but these are the most direct and come from the Lord through the head of our dispensation.