Satan's Plan of Compulsion Has a New Apostolic Friend

I'm going to assume you're pretty well-versed in the whole pre-existent Council in Heaven doctrine, in which plans from Lucifer and Jesus were presented to Father. 

"Lucifer, however, contended for an amendment to the plan whereby we would all be saved by compulsion." [1]  

"Satan's proposal of compulsion was rejected by the Father, and Lucifer "was angry, and kept not his first estate; and, … many followed after him. (Abraham 3:28)" [2]  

"Compulsion," or compelling/forcing one to do something, is "not compatible with the Lord's plan, but rather kindly persuasion through love and patience." [3]   These are concepts we've been taught since we were in Primary.

As we grow from childhood to adulthood, we become more familiar with human dynamics and politics. We learn that "Force and compulsion will never establish the ideal society. This can come only by a transformation within the individual soul-a life redeemed from sin and brought in harmony with the divine will." [4]  

As an adult, we become more familiar with the dynamics of Christ's gospel. We understand that "There is neither force nor compulsion in the gospel of Jesus Christ, only love, mercy, and opportunity." [5]   Over time, we arrive at one inescapable conclusion:

"We simply cannot force others to do the right thing. The scriptures make it clear that this is not God's way. Compulsion builds resentment. It conveys mistrust, and it makes people feel incompetent. Learning opportunities are lost when controlling persons pridefully assume they have all the right answers for others. The scriptures say that "it is the nature and disposition of almost all men" to engage in this "unrighteous dominion," [6] so we should be aware that it's an easy trap to fall into."  

Ultimately, we know two things:

• "That they [the principles of righteousness] may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man." [8]  
• "We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion." [9]  

In other words, compelling someone to do something -- compulsion -- isn't cool and doesn't align with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Follow me so far?

Setting the (American Heritage) Stage

On Tuesday, May 25, 2021, Pres. Dallin H. Oaks delivered the commencement address at the American Heritage School Commencement ceremonies. [10]  

American Heritage is a private, non-profit, non-church owned school with the motto of "Educating Hearts and Minds for Latter-day Families." It began 50 years ago with 30 students in grades K-6 and has grown to become an accredited school with over 600 students in grades K-12. The commencement ceremonies Pres. Oaks spoke at featured the school's first senior class.

It's serious education. "Many of the 23 seniors have received admission and scholarships to various colleges including Brigham Young University (Provo and Idaho), Purdue University, Southern Virginia University, University of California at Santa Barbara, Edmonds College, University of Utah and LDS Business College." [11]   

American Heritage already is one of the largest private schools in Utah. The school's campus in American Fork serves 1,100 K-12 students on 40 acres. 

And that's just for starters. American Heritage School plans to open a campus near downtown Salt Lake City in 2022. It will lease a building (currently a stake center) from the church, which will be repurposed as a K-8 school in a year, and will add high school students as soon as possible thereafter. [12]  

Drawing Compulsion with a Smiley Face

This is likely a lot of credibility (to the church) on the school's part, which makes Pres. Oaks' speaking at their first Senior Commencement even more plausible. 

We don't have a full copy of Pres. Oaks' address; he has reportedly asked that it not be released for a year. So, so much for the church's supposed commitment to being as transparent as it knows how to be. [18]

However, he has permitted a portion of it to be made public. You can read it here or below:

"Don’t limit your sources of information to media representing positions with which you agree. Be acquainted with what you can call “the other side.” And don’t limit your learning to what you can get in a few minutes on a hand-held device. Be a regular reader of newspapers and magazines.

Here is an example of the incomplete, fake, and distorted "niche-learning" I mentioned earlier. Any student of history knows that in order to associate in a community people must grant their public officials (government) the right to compel or forego some behavior detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare.

We can argue about what actions our governments should be allowed to compel or forego, but there is no doubt whatever that the whole idea of living in communities with others requires us to give up certain freedoms. It requires us to be subject to government authorities.

I am therefore discouraged when members of the Church write me letters saying that their God-given “free agency” has been impaired by government requirements they do not approve.

Please focus your efforts on what government laws and policies should be and who should make them and forego denouncing routine government action as an infringement on your free agency." [13]   

NOTE: A few have asked where I got the excerpt of Oaks' address. Well, it used to be online (https://courier.veracross.com/ahs/email/39244), but its since been taken down. Luckily, a member of the AHS staff sent the approved excerpt to a friend, who shared it with me. I have redacted the staff member's and my friend's email addresses for their confidentiality.

(Personally, I'm amazed (in a good way) that Pres. Oaks would encourage us to not limit our sources of information, and to "be acquainted with what you can call 'the other side.'" I'll remember that counsel the next time a church member encourages me to stick only with approved sources.)

But what really fascinates me is how gracious he is with the concept of governments compelling its citizenry to do something. In fact, we are supposed to grant our public officials, our government, with the right to compel some behavior detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare.

Pres. Oaks never specified what those behaviors might be, but he did say you should "forego denouncing routine government action as an infringement on your free agency." Just sit down, vote and shut up. And no complaining, k?

You just read quite a few quotes about Satan and his plan of compulsion. You also read D&C 121:39, where we read what happens when "almost all men" "get a little authority" - "they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion." Could this scripture also apply to national governments? It would be horribly naïve to think not.

Then, once a national government gets "a little authority" and begins to exercise unrighteous dominion, could D&C 121:37 kick into gear, allowing said government to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men?

According to Pres. Oaks, you are unjustified in complaining when your "God-given 'free agency' has been impaired by government requirements." You should "forego denouncing routine government action as an infringement on your free agency."

So, let's get this straight:

• It's perfectly natural and acceptable to grant public officials (government) with "the right to compel or forego some behavior detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare."
• You're required to give up certain freedoms (I invite Pres. Oaks to summarize all the times a government has handed back freedoms once they were "temporarily" taken away). 
• You're required to be subject to government authorities (which are taking away, or encouraging you, to give up said liberties)
• You should forego denouncing such actions. 

Ummm, hell no.

I have no idea what Captain Moroni would be saying about all this right now, but what I do know is that:

• "Moroni was angry with the [Nephite] government, because of their indifference concerning the freedom of their country." [14]   
• His "soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery." [15]  
• "if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men." [16]  

One of these years, Pres. Oaks may be the President of the Church. There is no doubt that he will (unapologetically, of course) continue to be an apologist for government overreach into individual liberties and a critic of those denouncing such government overreaches - a far cry from another man who was described as one who could shake the very powers of hell.

I have no doubt that if Pres. Oaks were given an opportunity to rebut my observations, I would get quite a schooling in what is legally permissible in the United States. But as we all know, just because something is legal doesn't mean it's right. Speaking some years ago to members of the legal profession, President James E. Faust cautioned: 

"There is a great risk in justifying what we do individually and professionally on the basis of what is 'legal' rather than what is 'right.' In so doing, we put our very souls at risk. The philosophy that what is legal is also right will rob us of what is highest and best in our nature. What conduct is actually legal is, in many instances, way below the standards of a civilized society and light years below the teachings of the Christ. If you accept what is legal as your standard of personal or professional conduct, you will deny yourself of that which is truly noble in your personal dignity and worth." [17]  

What a position to be in, as humanity prepares for the return of it's Lord, Savior and King.

I wonder what the very powers of hell are thinking now.

Sources

 1.   Joseph Anderson, October 1974 General Conference
 2.   Elder ElRay Christensen, October 1972 General Conference
 3.   Robert L Simpson, April 1954 General Conference
 4.   David O McKay, October 1962 General Conference
 5.   Theodore M Burton, April 1964 General Conference
 6.   D&C 121:39
 7.   Elder Larry Y Wilson, April 2012 General Conference
 8.   D&C 121:37
 9.   D&C 121:39
10.   https://american-heritage.org/2021-commencement
11.   https://www.ldsliving.com/SPONSORED-LDS-private-school-expands-to-accommodate-more-students/s/64952
12.   https://www.deseret.com/2021/7/20/22580364/american-heritage-school-to-open-campus-near-downtown-salt-lake-city-in-2022-lds-mormon
13.   Pres. Dallin H. Oaks, American Heritage School Commencement Address, May 25, 2021
14.   Alma 59:13
15.   Alma 48:11
16.   Alma 48:17
17.   "Be Healers," Clark Memorandum, Spring 2003, p. 3
18.  M. Russell Ballard, 11/20/17, https://www.thechurchnews.com/archives/2017-11-20/personal-revelation-homosexuality-and-dating-among-topics-discussed-in-face-to-face-broadcast-15199