Jan. 2022: When the Church Doubled Down on Advising Members to "Trust in the Arm of Flesh"

SUMMARY: 

• In the last two weeks, Elder Ballard and BYU-I President Henry Eyring both doubled down on the church's advocacy of following the "the wise and thoughtful recommendations of medical experts and government leaders" 
• Both leaders said we would win the "war" against Covid by following said recommendations, whereas there was no mention whatsoever of Jesus Christ, who has offered to win the war for us. 
•  Both leaders presented statements with significant errors which do not square with facts and could easily mislead others. 
• This has set up a situation where the church's leaders are clearly "Denying the Lord." 
• One could even say that by the actions and statements of the Brethren, a new church has formed at "the Altar of Covid," complete with saviors, gospel, temple recommends and more. 
• In turning to man instead of God for solutions, leaders have effectively become idolatrous, which always has and always will result in a cursing. 
• Contrary to popular belief that the Brethren are simply "urging" members to take the jab, they are allowing local-level leaders to coerce members to get the jab or not allowed to worship inside church buildings (video proof included in blog post).

(Note: Since my last post, I've been wanting to publish something other than the Church and its responses to the Covid issue. However, the situation is such that if I don't address this issue now, this post will lose its timeliness. Maybe we should pray that there's a brief respite in Covid so I can get on to some other juicy insights).

This last week, the church doubled down in encouraging members to trust in the arm of flesh.

First Up: Elder Ballard

In referencing the First Presidency's August 12, 2021 announcement to the world, [1] Ballard said on January 6th:

"Following the guidelines of the federal and state medical advisers has proven to be a wise thing for members of the Church to do. The Church invites its members to be wise and prudent and do the wise thing for their families."  [2]

(While it is true that church leaders "invite" members to get the jab, as we'll see below, it's doing more than inviting; it's constraining (forcing "by imposed stricture, restriction, or limitation") [3]  -- which is a synonym of compelling or compulsion (see D&C 121:37) - members to take the jab).

The rest of the article on Ballard raises more questions:

• Ballard tells readers to "Just keep smiling" and that "things will be OK." 
• How can he pronounce these reassurances when prophecies of the future found in 1 Nephi, 3 Nephi, Mormon, Moroni, Jeremiah, Daniel and Revelations paint a diametrically opposite (a very frightening and violent) picture of the future?
• "We've been dealing with it [the pandemic] wisely." 
• Is trusting in the arm of flesh - and encouraging members to do the same - a wise course of action? 
• Where in the scriptures do we read that it's OK to trust in the arm of flesh (which includes medical experts and government leaders)?
• Are those scriptures (which instruct us not to truth in the arm of flesh) now invalidated? If so, what else has been invalidated?
• "The Church has not stopped; the Church has gone forward. We've used wisdom and good judgment" and "The Restoration has not stopped. Missionary service has not stopped. The Church hasn't stopped. We're moving forward - all in preparation for the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ." 
• If the Church really has "gone forward" and is "moving forward", then why does the church's own 2020 statistical report [4] show that in April 2020, the convert baptismal rate was 0.6% -- the lowest in recorded recent history?

• If the Brethren truly have "keys" of the priesthood, then where are their fruits with respect to the church's first mission - "to proclaim the gospel"? [5] 
• How is this "moving forward"? 
• How does this decline in convert baptisms reflect "wisdom and good judgment"? 
• Is this what the Savior wants - nearly zero convert baptisms?
• "President Ballard pointed to state and national statistics that indicate vaccines are helping to quell the spread of the virus." How can this be said when:
• Hospital databases show a huge increase in "vaccine"-related injuries. [6] 
• The U.K. is reporting that 4x more "vaxxed" than "unvaxxed" people are dying. [7] 
• Fully "vaccinated" surpass "unvaccinated" in Australian hospitals. [8] 
• Australia now admits Covid "vaccines" are harming people, offers up to $600,000 in compensation for the seriously injured. [9] 
• "All of the Church's general authorities and their wives have chosen to be vaccinated, not only to protect themselves but to protect others."
• This establishes a dichotomy within the church's membership: The "vaxxed" (who "protect themselves" and "protect others") and the "unvaxxed" (who do not). This has been a prime source of frustration to many members, as evidenced in many social media groups. 

Ballard's statements may sound optimistic and encouraging, but with a miniscule amount of digging, they don't hold up in light of true facts. What kind of leader encourages others with statements based on outright lies?

Second Up: Pres. Eyring (the other one)

Five days later, BYU-Idaho President Henry J. Eyring doubled down on the "trust in the arm of flesh" rhetoric:

"COVID, it appears, is testing our resolve to follow the guidance of governmental and Church authorities. But, rather than seeing an unfair and perhaps even needless intrusion on our freedom, we can embrace the trials, tests and potential victories to be had." [10] 

He then quoted the First Presidency's August 2021 letter, which states:

"We know that protection from the diseases they cause can only be achieved by immunizing a very high percentage of the population ... We can win this war if everyone will follow the wise and thoughtful recommendations of medical experts and government leaders."

Three points regarding Eyring's address:

1. "the wise and thoughtful recommendations of medical experts and government leaders" - I have yet to see any recommendations which have been wise, because many of them have changed or been proven wrong during the Covid crisis. If they were truly thoughtful, they would not be unjustifiably shunning alternative treatments (which has led to many lawsuits and even more deaths). Instead, they would be emphasizing boosting the body's God-given natural immune system (which they have publicly neglected and rejected).
2. Church leaders have often equated battling the Covid pandemic with a war. Yet in Pres. Kimball's famous June, 1976 Ensign article, "The False Gods We Worship," he states,

"We forget that if we are righteous the Lord will either not suffer our enemies to come upon us-and this is the special promise to the inhabitants of the land of the Americas (see 2 Nephi 1:7)-or he will fight our battles for us (Exodus 14:14; D&C 98:37, to name only two references of many). This he is able to do, for as he said at the time of his betrayal, "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?" (Matthew 26:53.)

What are we to fear when the Lord is with us? Can we not take the Lord at his word and exercise a particle of faith in him?" 

3. Eyring quoted the First Presidency's announcement:

"We know that protection from the diseases they cause can only be achieved by immunizing a very high percentage of the population." 

"Immunization" is the "only" way? The same immunization that's proven ineffective even to those who have received the jab? The same immunization that's caused catastrophic adverse effects among those who received the jab?

The church has never mentioned Matthew 26:53 during the entirety of this pandemic. Nor has it mentioned the power of prayer, the Word of Wisdom and/or the role of faith in healing and preventing disease. In fact, Jesus has been found nowhere in the church's public pronouncements.

Instead, it is now proven that the Church is relying on the mistaken notion that "we can win this war" if "everyone" follows "the wise and thoughtful recommendations of medical experts and government leaders" (who themselves have never quoted the Lord in their public pronouncements. Ever.) and endorse turning only to what? "Immunizing."

This is called "Denying the Lord" (see the 2 Nephi 28 quote below).

"The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh." [11] 

"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." [12] 

In fact, not any ordinary men. According to the church, the wars that are to be won over Covid rely not only on mortal men, but men who (as is agreed upon by both sides of the political aisles, and as history amply demonstrates) are very likely prone to self-aggrandizement and corruption (hence the statement "evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days" in the Word of Wisdom). [13] 

Because of this wholesale (and now very deliberate) denial of the Lord, and because there is no mention by the Brethren whatsoever of the power of faith or in the scriptures, I'm concerned - as is Dr. Scott Bradley of freedomsrisingsun.com - of the following (found in the video below, at the 8:25 mark):

"I'm so worried about so many other things one is that central to everything that's happening nowadays is a new god. I'm sorry to say that it's an altar that people have come to worship at called "The Altar of Covid," and the saviors in this new religion have become the physicians, the scientists, the researchers, the politicians and the big pharma companies." 

Carried further, I would also add that in this new religion: 

• Fear has replaced faith.
• Youth suicides have replaced youth activities.
• Adverse reactions (like death) have replaced healings.
• Loyalty to men has replaced trust in God.
• Cover-ups and redacted public documents have replaced transparency.
• "Vaccine" stations could be considered this new religion's temple.
• "Vaccine" passports are the recommend cards.
• Booster shots the new sacrament.
• The guidance of the CDC as the new gospel and, 
• The new garment to prove your devotion? You guessed it: masks. 

The Church is Now Worshipping Idols

Pres. Kimball continues in his article, "The False Gods We Worship":

"in all ages when men have fallen under the power of Satan and lost the faith, they have put in its place a hope in the 'arm of flesh' and in 'gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know' (Dan. 5:23)-that is, in idols."

"Whatever thing a man sets his heart and his trust in most is his god; and if his god doesn't also happen to be the true and living God of Israel, that man is laboring in idolatry."

"In spite of our delight in defining ourselves as modern, and our tendency to think we possess a sophistication that no people in the past ever had-in spite of these things, we are, on the whole, an idolatrous people-a condition most repugnant to the Lord."

Pres. Kimball said that in 1976. Here we are 44 years later. Do you think that "we are, on the whole, an idolatrous people" statement still applies? In speaking of our time - right now -- the Lord said in D&C 1:16 (italics added):

"They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall."

The Result of all this Idolatry? Cursing.

There should be nothing safe nor reassuring about trusting in the arm of flesh to "win this war." Without the Lord of Hosts as the church's battle cry, a disastrous outcome is assured.

I find it interesting that the August 19, 2021 letter was only sent out by the First Presidency and not the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (which would have been even more powerful and convincing to church members). This may be because not all of the Twelve concur with the First Presidency's message. One of those may be Elder D. Todd Christofferson. Although I'm not a big fan of his October 2020 General Conference talk "Sustainable Societies", he did have this to say:

"I think it safe to say that when people turn from a sense of accountability to God and begin to trust instead in the 'arm of flesh,' disaster lurks. Trusting in the arm of flesh is to ignore the divine Author of human rights and human dignity and to give highest priority to riches, power, and the praise of the world (while often mocking and persecuting those who follow a different standard)."

Pres. Kimball also said,

"We must leave off the worship of modern-day idols and a reliance on the 'arm of flesh,' for the Lord has said to all the world in our day, 'I will not spare any that remain in Babylon.' (D&C 64:24.)"

Are they right? Without question. The scriptures contain a curse on those who follow man or put their trust in man's arm. In 2 Nephi 28, Nephi's final address warns the gentiles how vulnerable they are to this mistake, and how they will be cursed as a consequence. He offers hope, however, conditioned on repentance and return to following the Lord. 

"Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Wo be unto the Gentiles, saith the Lord God of Hosts! For notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts." [14] 

"Oh Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yes, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm." [15] 

How this affects the local levels of the church

Pres. Ezra Taft Benson once said,

"Sometimes from behind the pulpit, in our classrooms, in our Council meetings and in our church publications, we hear, read or witness things that do not square with the truth. This is especially true where freedom is involved. Now do not let this serve as an excuse for your own wrong-doing. The Lord is letting the wheat and the tares mature before he fully purges the Church. He is also testing you to see if you will be misled. The devil is trying to deceive the very elect." [16] 

These days, what are we hearing or witnessing that does not square with the truth?

1. Members saying, "I know that taking the jab is wrong, but it's a 'Spiritual Obedience Test,' so I'll take it."
   
   Many members equate taking the jab with the Israelites' looking at the brass serpent on a pole. The serpent represented Jesus Christ -- the very same Jesus Christ who is never mentioned by medical experts, government leaders nor church brethren regarding Covid. Looking to Jesus should heal you. Instead, the jab has accumulated more adverse events than all other "vaccines" combined over the last 20 years, and many more who have taken it have still contracted Covid. Those aren't the same results as those who looked to the brass serpent and lived.

2. "Those who don't take the jab/wear a mask shouldn't attend church with those who have."

When Alma and Amulek visited the Zoramites, they observed that the people were not included in their services: 

"Therefore they were not permitted to enter into their synagogues to worship God, being esteemed as filthiness." [17] 

Later, Jesus instructed the Nephite disciples, 

"And behold, ye shall meet together oft; and ye shall not forbid any man from coming unto you when ye shall meet together, but suffer them that they may come unto you and forbid them not;" [18] 

And also warned his disciples, 

"They shall put you out of the synagogues" [19]  

In encouraging members to get the jab and wear masks, The First Presidency's usage of the word "urge" should not be considered as a simple recommendation or advice. Since the announcement's release, many wards and stakes have adopted it as an actual policy governing members' attendance to temples and local church meetings. I have received reports that non-adherence to these local policies has denied some members’ ability to worship alongside other church members. 

Because Church Headquarters has not clamped down on these restrictive actions, but has instead let them perpetuate, its silence and inactivity is a tacit approval of these local measures. Indeed, while the church's worldwide leaders hide behind the word "urge," many local leaders aren't. And the Brethren just let it continue.

One communication I have received was from a member who lives in a ward and stake whose leaders make it abundantly clear that people are not welcome at church if they don't mask up.

Other wards and stakes have taken things a step further.  Here is one church member's report:

"This is New Zealand, This is MY Stake .. Yes, we have mandates but other Stakes and Wards have found ways around it, so this segregation and exclusion doesn't happen,  for example; getting smaller groups of people in different parts of the chapel , holding meetings outdoors or even continue Zoom meetings for everyone until everyone can meet face to face. (It doesn't have to be this way) 

Yes, these are the NZ government mandates and rules but no the majority of people are accepting these, we have signed petitions, we have being protesting on the streets ( all religious and non religious denominations) but nobody is listening, the Main Stream Media ignore us.. nobody shows what is really happening. We are loosing our jobs (especially health workers and teachers) lots of businesses have been force to close and we are being excluded from services and some retail shops.

No, This is not the Church doings!! These are some local leaders who have chosen this way.  The Church has to abide by the law of the land. Some other leaders have chosen to find ways to abide by the law and still don't add or promote the segregation and discrimination. 

I thought to show this, so we don't "normalise" or accept this as a norm! I want to make this clear "This is not the Church" just some leaders."

Here's the video proof:

When church members feel they can no longer worship God at church/their "synagogue", and/or feel shamed into having to wear a mask or get the jab, then they will often choose to worship God at home. [20] 

"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." [21] 

Sources

 1.   https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/first-presidency-message-covid-19-august-2021
 2.   https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2022-01-06/covid-19-pandemic-two-years-president-ballard-message-of-optimism-238887
 3.   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constrain
 4.   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_membership_history
 5.   https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1982/04/remember-the-mission-of-the-church
 6.   https://alexberenson.substack.com/p/internal-hospital-data-confirm-a
 7.   https://dailyexpose.uk/2021/11/17/covid-deaths-ratio-vaxxed-to-unvaxxed-41-corporate-media-should-be-censored-for-spreading-disinformation
 8.   https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_morningbrief/fully-vaccinated-australians-in-hospital-with-covid-19-surpass-unvaccinated_4207135.html
 9.   https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/human-body/pfizer-boss-says-two-doses-provides-limited-protection-if-any-against-omicron/news-story/9d76126d080e2010f05eb0b4ae5e0c45
10.   https://www.byui.edu/radio/interview-with-president-henry-j-eyring-and-kelly-c-eyring-about-their-devotional-address; https://www.rexburgstandardjournal.com/news/the-eyrings-welcome-byu-idaho-students-back-to-campus/article_6a2773f6-b598-526b-8060-07882394a0a4.html
11.   D&C 1:19.
12.   Psalm 118:8.
13.   D&C 89:4.
14.   2 Nephi 28:31-32; italics added.
15.   2 Nephi 4 :34; italics added.
16.   "Our Immediate Responsibility", BYU Speeches, October 25, 1966.
17.   Alma 32:3.
18.   3 Nephi 18:22.
19.   John 16:2.
20.   Alma 32:5-11; 1 Corinthians 3:16
21.   2 Nephi 31:20. Italics added.

VIDEO PROOF – Apostle: “Following the prophet” now "supersedes" all other primary Christian doctrines

Let’s cut right to the chase: As of October 2, 2021, the LDS Church officially ceased being a Christian denomination. 

And all those non-LDS Christian churches who for years have accused the church of not being Christian? Turns out they were right all along. 

First, let’s take a trip back to November, then October, 2021, to better understand what we will now call…

The Rasband Declaration

On Tuesday, Nov. 16, Elder Ronald Rasband presided over a live Facebook broadcast spanning 32 countries across the Africa Central and Africa South areas. During the broadcast, Rasband and others fielded questions posed by members from those areas.

The event was part of a busy 11-day visit to Africa by Elder Rasband, who was recently assigned as the supervising apostle for the Africa Central and Africa South areas.

In his remarks, Elder Rasband said:

“In fact, if any of our audience (and I hope they did) listen to my conference talk just last October Conference, I gave things of my soul points one through seven, do you remember? OK, and my point seven was, follow God’s living prophet. 

And as I have met with youth and young single adults all over the world, if they cause me to narrow down to one thing of my soul that they would like me to comment, my one thing, kind of first and foremost in my mind, is follow God’s living prophet."

This mirrors what Elder Rasband said in his aforementioned October 2021 General Conference address, “The Things of My Soul":

“What are the most important things I should know?”

I answered with the things of my soul, the things that prepare me to hear promptings, that lift my sights beyond the ways of the world, that give purpose to my work in the gospel and to my very life.

May I share with you some of the things of my soul? These things apply to all who seek to be true disciples of Jesus Christ. Ten would be a good, round number. Today I am giving you seven with the hope that you will complete eight, nine, and ten from your own experiences.

First, love God the Father and Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Jesus decreed the first great commandment: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”

President Nelson declared his devotion to God, our Eternal Father, and to His Son, Jesus Christ, when he was called to lead the Lord’s Church, saying, “I know Them, love Them, and pledge to serve Them—and you—with every remaining breath of my life.”

So first, love the Father and the Son.

Second, “Love thy neighbour.”

That is not just a good idea; it’s the second great commandment. Your neighbors are your spouse and family, ward members, work colleagues, roommates, those not of our faith, those needing a helping hand, and, frankly, everyone. The essence of “love thy neighbour” is voiced in the hymn “Love One Another.”

President Nelson reminds us, “When we love God with all our hearts, He turns our hearts to the well-being of others.”

Third, love yourself.

This is where many struggle. Isn’t it curious that loving ourselves seems to come less easily than loving others? Yet the Lord has said, “Love thy neighbour as thyself.” He values the divinity within us, and so must we. When we are heavy laden with mistakes, heartaches, feelings of inadequacy, disappointment, anger, or sin, the power of the Savior’s Atonement is, by divine design, one of the things that lifts the soul.

Fourth, keep the commandments.

The Lord has made it clear: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Strive each day to be and do a little better and to press forward in righteousness.

Fifth, always be worthy to attend the temple.

I call it being recommended to the Lord. Whether you have access to a temple or not, being worthy of a current temple recommend keeps you firmly focused on the things that matter, the covenant path.

Sixth, be joyful and cheerful.

“Be of good cheer, and do not fear,” the Lord has said. Why? How, when challenges face us at every turn? Because of the promise made by Jesus Christ: “I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you.”

President Nelson describes the restored gospel as “a message of joy!” And he explains, “The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.”

Seventh, follow God’s living prophet.

This may be seventh on my list of things, but it is at the top of my mind in terms of its importance today.

We have a prophet of God on the earth today! Never discount what that means for you. Remember the young woman I mentioned at the beginning. She wanted to know what things matter most. “Follow the living prophet,” I said then and I emphasize again today.

We are distinguished as a Church to be led by prophets, seers, and revelators called of God for this time. I promise that as you listen and follow their counsel, you will never be led astray. Never!”

Just so we’re straight on what’s most important to a prophet, seer and revelator – an apostle – of Jesus Christ, who has emphasized again and again to the world:

And to add further weight to this new doctrinal shift, neither Pres. Nelson, nor anyone in the First Presidency nor Quorum of the 12, have refuted Elder Rasband's claims. Nor have they demanded a public retraction of his comments. In Dutch, the phrase is Zwijgen is instemmen -- "Silence implies consent."

What kind of Christian church demotes loving the Father and the Son below glorifying a mortal?

What kind of Christian church demotes loving your neighbor and yourself below glorifying a mortal?

What kind of Christian church demotes keeping the commandments, joy and cheer below glorifying a mortal?

How can the church legitimately call itself Christian (which should worship Christ above all else)? The church is instead teaching its members to trust in the arm of flesh, to glorify Pres. Nelson, above all others, including and especially God. 

“Apostasy happened in part because
philosophies of men were given more
value than the teachings of Christ.”
(Elder Quentin L. Cook, Oct 2016 General Conference)

Hot Chocolate - A Word of Wisdom Violation

As a mortal, I believe I am afforded the opportunity to have a few indulgences which I know I will have to answer for at the pleasing judgment bar of God someday. 

Some may have indulgences like porn, video games, gambling, drinking and knowingly voting for socialists. I don't judge these people, and with the exception of the latter category, I tend not to avoid them, either. But if you want to avoid me after reading my #1 indulgence, I'll understand (I'll be sad, but understanding).

My #1 indulgence: I. Love. Hot. Chocolate.

I also confess that as Fall progresses and the advent of Winter is nigh, my wife and I plan to totally indulge in copious amounts of hot chocolate until next Spring. In fact, we plan to get some half-n-half, pour in 1-1/2 packets of hot chocolate, mix and nuke that sucker up until there is steam wafting from the chocolately deliciousness. 

Sinful? Decadent? Degenerate? Corrupt? Immortal? Damn straight it is, boss! It's a genuine, bona-fide Word of Wisdom violation: 

Yes, D&C 89:9 says my drinking hot chocolate runs contrary to the Word of Wisdom (ditto for soup, warm broth, Ovaltine, Postum, Japanese mugi-cha and herbal teas such as, chamomile, ginger and peppermint, which contain no caffeine at all, but let's just stick with hot chocolate for now).

I know there are many who would say "But…but…" and begin giving me interpretations of that scripture. BUT BUT do you see an asterisk or exception anywhere in or around "hot drinks are not for the body or belly"?  

Here, let's go back to the Joseph Smith Papers to see if there's an asterisk there:

[1]

Nope, no asterisk nor explanation there. There is an explanatory footnote (#15) in the right-hand panel, which says "Several other early nineteenth-century authors argued that any liquid taken at a high temperature could cause injury." But that provides no exception to the scripture. [2]

Explanations about Hot Chocolate's Sinful Status

In Bush's article (here), he admits that "The subject of "hot drinks" is a little more complicated. "While he admits that "Both tea and coffee were considered mild stimulants," here in the 20th and 21st centuries, drawing a conclusion that caffeine is the culprit is a little complicated. A cup of Swiss Miss cocoa mix has 5 mg of caffeine [3] - far less than a can of Diet Pepsi (35-38 mg). [4]

But I diverge from the issue of hot-ness. Bush's article correctly points out that at the time the Word of Wisdom was written (Feb 1833), liquids (such as soup, tea, and coffee, taken at a very high temperature) were considered "injurious." I always knew there was something about Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup that was injurious!

For more insight, I turned to the General Handbook of Instructions, which says:

Saying that Prophets have clarified that the teachings in D&C 89 include abstinence from hot drinks (tea and coffee) really doesn't tell me anything new. 

It may have started with Hyrum Smith, who said, "Again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly. There are many who wonder what this can mean, whether it refers to tea or coffee, or not. I say it does refer to tea and coffee." "I say" is hardly a definitive doctrinal statement per the Law of Common Consent. [5]

I found 22 references to "hot drinks" in the Scripture Citation Index. In a 1963 talk, Boyd K. Packer once said that "hot drinks -- understood by the Church to mean those with habit-forming potential, specifically coffee and tea" is the perpetuation of an unofficial interpretation of D&C 89:9. [6]   

In 1945, Joseph F. Merrill took things a step further, saying "hot drinks is enjoined, because they are not good for man. By hot drinks was meant primarily tea and coffee, though subsequent researches found that any drinks at high temperatures, such as hot water and soups, are harmful. The ideas voiced in the Word of Wisdom were expressed in words having the meaning current at the time. In those days hot drinks were commonly understood to be tea and coffee." [7] 

Yet Merrill's statement that "hot water and soups, are harmful" isn't accompanied by any double-blind, placebo-controlled studies (the kind which wise and thoughtful medical experts and government leaders gravitate to). It is, in fact, pure speculation ("the forming of a theory or conjecture without firm evidence"), which Ronald A Rasband recently denounced when it comes to seeking answers concerning our health. [8]

In the April 7, 1868 General Conference, George Q. Cannon gave us a definitive interpretation: "Almost every elder who has spoken from this stand has felt the necessity and importance of calling the attention of the people to this subject (the Word of Wisdom). We are told, and very plainly too, that hot drinks-tea, coffee, chocolate, cocoa, and all drinks of this kind are not good for man." [9]

But then again, a forgetful Apostle Mark E. Peterson said in 1962 that "At no time has cocoa or chocolate been included in the prohibitions of the Word of Wisdom, and at no time has the Church said that cocoa is as harmful as coffee. Those who make these claims do so on their own responsibility, and obviously without knowing the facts of the matter." [10]  So much for "clarification."

I've thought about writing a letter to Pres. Nelson and asking him for guidance. After all, who better than a worldwide cardiac expert / global faith leader / revelator all in one to answer my question about hot chocolate? But alas, I know that the Brethren would refer my inquiry back to my stake president. He would call me in for a meeting just to refer me back to the General Handbook of Instructions. This is known as an "endless loop" (which is very common among members seeking answers).

Luckily, Pres. Nelson's 1st Counselor has come to the rescue. Dallin H. Oaks said, "The shield the Lord gives to the faithful also protects us against our own harmful impulses. The revelation that commands modern Saints to refrain from alcohol, tobacco, hot drinks, and other harmful things promises the faithful that "the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them (D&C 89:21)." [11]

If what Oaks says is true (and knowing that the church's prophets, seers and revelators would NEVER mislead us), I am now praying that the destroying angel has mercy on me and won't slay me…

…all because I drank hot chocolate.

Homework Assignments

Today: Please leave me a comment (below) with the best hot chocolate brand/recipe, and why. I figure if I'm going to sin and even be destroyed by an angel for sipping hot chocolate, I might as well do it with style and panache.

Whenever: The next time you're having some casual conversations with a member, ask them if they think it's important to obey the Word of Wisdom. (They'll likely say yes). Then ask them about abstaining from hot drinks. Then ask them about hot chocolate. If they say it's allowed, ask them where it says so in D&C 89. If they say church leaders have said it's just tea and coffee, then ask them when that revision to D&C 89:9 was voted on by church members. Let me know how it goes!

Sources

1.   https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/revelation-27-february-1833-dc-89/1
2.   Bush, Lester E. "The Word of Wisdom in Early Nineteenth-Century Perspective." In The Word of God: Essays on Mormon Scripture, edited by Dan Vogel, 161-185. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1990.
3.   https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/does-hot-chocolate-have-caffeine
4.   https://cspinet.org/eating-healthy/ingredients-of-concern/caffeine-chart
5.   "The Word of Wisdom," Times and Seasons 3 no. 15 (1 June 1842), 801.
6.   April 1963 General Conference
7.   October 1945 General Conference
8.   https://ldtruths.blogspot.com/2021/09/elder-rasbands-divinely-inspired.html
9.   Journal of Discourses V.12:221-223
10.   Patterns for Living, 1962, p. 235-37; https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1973/04/our-readers-write?lang=eng
11.   "Bible Stories and Personal Protection", October 1992 General Conference

Is the Church a cult? Let's look at it objectively.

It's a fascinating question: 

"What are the characteristics one would expect to find in a cult?"

Why do we think "cult" is a bad word? The base definition is "a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object. " In my opinion, the word isn't necessarily bad; rather, it's the attributes of the group (which are often irrational) which make it good or bad, safe or dangerous.

Once those characteristics and/or attributes are identified, the next question to ask might be, "Is the LDS Church a cult?"

For many decades, many have said that it is. 

But in my opinion, much like beauty, cult status may be in the eye of the beholder. After all, no church wants to be categorized as a cult. I mean, that puts them right up there with NXIVM, Heaven's Gate, Branch Davidians, Jonestown, Scientology and more, right?

Regardless, if you're in a cult, the perception is that not only are you whacked, but you're also helping to perpetuate the influence and power of the cult's chief whack-a-doodles as well. That's why there needs to be authoritative, objective criteria to determine if an organization is an actual cult.

Let's see what's out there, what works and what doesn't.

The BITE Model

What are the specific methods cults use to recruit and maintain control over people?

Steven Hassan's BITE Model may provide some answers.

Hassan's bio can be found here. I'll admit: With a resume including a PhD, M.Ed. and LMHC, who am I to argue with his credentials? Still there are others, like cults expert Rick Alan Ross, who dispute details of Hassan's resume.

And even beyond Hassan, one difficulty with the BITE Model is that it is supposedly only accepted by a fraction of all psychologists/sociologists of religion. But (1) even though the BITE Model may not be the academic gold standard, it does resonate with a lot of people and (2) BITE is based on research and theory by experts who studied brainwashing in China. So, while "BITE" may not have the credentials, the info it's based on certainly does. A quick Google search will bring up the info needed.

Which leads us to Hassan's book, "Combating Cult Mind Control." It provides a framework for assessing how cult-like an organization is (or isn't).  In it, he describes his BITE Model, which categorizes cult-like behavior into four domains:

Behavior Control,
Information Control,
Thought Control, and
Emotional Manipulation and Control.

Here's a video which explains BITE Model basics:

Now let's put this evaluation to practice. Below are the four components of the BITE model. Each point has a checkbox. Feel free to check any boxes you are absolutely positive are applicable to the LDS Church. 

Behavior Control

[ ] Regulate individual's physical reality
[ ] Dictate where, how, and with whom the member lives and associates or isolates
[ ] When, how and with whom the member has sex
[ ] Control types of clothing and hairstyles
[ ] Regulate diet - food and drink, hunger and/or fasting
[ ] Manipulation and deprivation of sleep
[ ] Financial exploitation, manipulation or dependence
[ ] Restrict leisure, entertainment, vacation time
[ ] Major time spent with group indoctrination and rituals and/or self indoctrination including the Internet
[ ] Permission required for major decisions
[ ] Rewards and punishments used to modify behaviors, both positive and negative
[ ] Discourage individualism, encourage group-think
[ ] Impose rigid rules and regulations
[ ] Punish disobedience by beating, torture, burning, cutting, rape, or tattooing/branding
[ ] Threaten harm to family and friends
[ ] Force individual to rape or be raped
[ ] Encourage and engage in corporal punishment
[ ] Instill dependency and obedience
[ ] Kidnapping
[ ] Beating
[ ] Torture
[ ] Rape
[ ] Separation of Families
[ ] Imprisonment
[ ] Murder

____ / 25

Information Control

[ ] Deception:

• Deliberately withhold information
• Distort information to make it more acceptable
• Systematically lie to the cult member

[ ] Minimize or discourage access to non-cult sources of information, including:

• Internet, TV, radio, books, articles, newspapers, magazines, media
• Critical information
• Former members
• Keep members busy so they don't have time to think and investigate
• Control through cell phone with texting, calls, internet tracking

[ ] Compartmentalize information into Outsider vs. Insider doctrines

• Ensure that information is not freely accessible
• Control information at different levels and missions within group
• Allow only leadership to decide who needs to know what and when

[ ] Encourage spying on other members

• Impose a buddy system to monitor and control member
• Report deviant thoughts, feelings and actions to leadership
• Ensure that individual behavior is monitored by group

[ ] Extensive use of cult-generated information and propaganda, including:

• Newsletters, magazines, journals, audiotapes, videotapes, YouTube, movies and other media
• Misquoting statements or using them out of context from non-cult sources

[ ] Unethical use of confession

• Information about sins used to disrupt and/or dissolve identity boundaries
• Withholding forgiveness or absolution
• Manipulation of memory, possible false memories

_____ / 6

Thought Control

[ ] Require members to internalize the group's doctrine as truth

• Adopting the group's 'map of reality' as reality
• Instill black and white thinking
• Decide between good vs. evil
• Organize people into us vs. them (insiders vs. outsiders)

[ ] Change person's name and identity
[ ] Use of loaded language and clichés which constrict knowledge, stop critical thoughts and reduce complexities into platitudinous buzz words
[ ] Encourage only 'good and proper' thoughts
[ ] Hypnotic techniques are used to alter mental states, undermine critical thinking and even to age regress the member
[ ] Memories are manipulated and false memories are created
[ ] Teaching thought-stopping techniques which shut down reality testing by stopping negative thoughts and allowing only positive thoughts, including:

• Denial, rationalization, justification, wishful thinking
• Chanting
• Meditating
• Praying
• Speaking in tongues
• Singing or humming

[ ] Rejection of rational analysis, critical thinking, constructive criticism
[ ] Forbid critical questions about leader, doctrine, or policy allowed
[ ] Labeling alternative belief systems as illegitimate, evil, or not useful
[ ] Instill new "map of reality"

_____ / 11

Emotional Control

[ ] Manipulate and narrow the range of feelings - some emotions and/or needs are deemed as evil, wrong or selfish
[ ] Teach emotion-stopping techniques to block feelings of homesickness, anger, doubt
[ ] Make the person feel that problems are always their own fault, never the leader's or the group's fault
[ ] Promote feelings of guilt or unworthiness, such as:

• Identity guilt
• You are not living up to your potential
• Your family is deficient
• Your past is suspect
• Your affiliations are unwise
• Your thoughts, feelings, actions are irrelevant or selfish
• Social guilt
• Historical guilt

[ ] Instill fear, such as fear of:

• Thinking independently
• The outside world
• Enemies
• Losing one's salvation
• Leaving or being shunned by the group
• Other's disapproval
• Historical guilt

[ ] Extremes of emotional highs and lows - love bombing and praise one moment and then declaring you are horrible sinner
[ ] Ritualistic and sometimes public confession of sins
[ ] Phobia indoctrination: inculcating irrational fears about leaving the group or questioning the leader's authority

• No happiness or fulfillment possible outside of the group
• Terrible consequences if you leave: hell, demon possession, incurable diseases, accidents, suicide, insanity, 10,000 reincarnations, etc.
• Shunning of those who leave; fear of being rejected by friends and family
• Never a legitimate reason to leave; those who leave are weak, undisciplined, unspiritual, worldly, brainwashed by family or counselor, or seduced by money, sex, or rock and roll
• Threats of harm to ex-member and family

_____ / 8

TOTAL: _____ / 50

Interestingly, there may be times in a member's life when a particular point is relevant, and other times when it's not. For example, if you're serving a mission or attending a church-owned school, then yes, the church will "Dictate where, how, and with whom the member lives and associates or isolates" and "Control types of clothing and hairstyles." But those points may not be applicable to all members. Some members may find "Control types of clothing and hairstyles" applicable because they wear garments, whereas others don't.

And sometimes, there can be variation within a church. Could a BYU-I student ward be a tighter fit to the BITE model than a Southern California ward? Would a Sandy, UT ward be a better BITE fit than a ward in France? How about any of those wards compared with a mission?

Here is one person's analysis of how the BITE Model interrelates with the church.

Cult Research & Information Center / The Lalich Model

If Dr. Hassan's resume isn't solid enough for you, you might want to check out Dr. Janja Lalich, Professor Emerita of Sociology at California State University, Chico. As the head of the Cult Research & Information Center. Dr. Lalich is a world-renowned expert in cultic studies, and has the credentials to prove it. You can read more about her here: http://cultresearch.org/about

Dr. Lalich also has a model of sorts, found here. Here is what she says about it:

"Concerted efforts at influence and control lie at the core of cultic groups, programs, and relationships. Many members, former members, and supporters of cults are not fully aware of the extent to which members may be manipulated, exploited, or even abused. The following list of social-structural, social-psychological, and interpersonal behavioral patterns commonly found in cultic environments may help you assess a particular group or relationship. 

Compare these patterns to the situation you were in (or in which you, a family member, or friend is currently involved). This list may help you determine if there is a cause for concern. Bear in mind that this list is not meant to be a "cult scale," or a definitive checklist to determine if a specific group is a cult; this is not so much a diagnostic instrument as it is an analytical tool:

[ ] The group displays an excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader, and (whether he is alive or dead) regards his belief system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as law.

[ ] Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.

[ ] Mind-altering practices (such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, or debilitating work routines) are used in excess and serve to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s).

[ ] The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act, and feel (e.g., members must get permission to date, change jobs, or marry-or leaders prescribe what to wear, where to live, whether to have children, how to discipline children, and so forth).

[ ] The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s), and its members (e.g., the leader is considered the Messiah, a special being, an avatar-or the group and/or the leader is on a special mission to save humanity).

[ ] The group has a polarized, us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society.

[ ] The leader is not accountable to any authorities (unlike, for example, teachers, military commanders, or ministers, priests, monks, and rabbis of mainstream religious denominations).

[ ] The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary. This may result in members participating in behaviors or activities they would have considered reprehensible or unethical before joining the group (e.g., lying to family or friends, or collecting money for bogus charities).

[ ] The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt in order to influence and control members. Often this is done through peer pressure and subtle forms of persuasion.

[ ] Subservience to the leader or group requires members to cut ties with family and friends, and radically alter the personal goals and activities they had before joining the group.

[ ] The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members.

[ ] The group is preoccupied with making money.

[ ] Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group and group-related activities.

[ ] Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members.

[ ] The most loyal members (the "true believers") feel there can be no life outside the context of the group. They believe there is no other way to be, and often fear reprisals to themselves or others if they leave-or even consider leaving-the group."

_____ / 15

Objective or Subjective?

In a way, the various cult models could be considered subjective in that somebody had to pick which things did and didn't belong on their list. It's sort of like how depression is diagnosed: People made a list of symptoms - symptoms they saw over and over again. They saw them so often, everybody pretty much agreed on their importance, and the list of symptoms was subsequently included in the DSM. Those who exhibited the symptoms found in the DSM were considered depressed.

Is such criteria arbitrary? One may believe so, but when you see the same characteristics/attributes over and over again in these various models, it must mean something. In this way, the subjective becomes objective.

The c word is offensive to many because it describes an organization that exercises undue/irrational influence on its members. It should be offensive. 

I'm not sure how your scoring of these various models went, but in my case, it's perfectly appropriate to use in evaluating today's LDS Church. 

After all, if it quacks like a cult and walks like a cult…

AN INVITATION I invite you to score the LDS Church in relation to the BITE Model (individual component and total scores) and the Lalich Model. Feel free to leave your scores in the comments below, as well as any comments you have as you scored the sections.

The new Primary song…about vaccinations! 😊

I'm not making this up (I'm not THAT creative). And this isn't a joke.

There's a new primary song being sung in the homes and (inevitably) classrooms of Latter-day Saints. Here it is:

Here's how it sounds:

The prophet said get vaccinated, so that's what we'll do.

For God has given us doctors, and masks and science too.

And if we wear a mask just right and wash hands carefully,

Before we know, good health will come to bless our family.

We'll obey Doctor Nelson's words: when close, a mask we'll wear,

And show we love our neighbors with the virus we won't share.

Oh, please get vaccinated, too, and share the many joys

A vaccine brings in health and love to happy girls and boys.

First popularized in the r/latterdaysaints Reddit group, "The Prophet Said Get Vaccinated" is, of course, a parody based on that timeless classic, "The Prophet Said to Plant a Garden" (Childrens Songbook, p. 237). [1] The lyrics weren't written by Mary Jane McAllister Davis, either (she passed away in 1988). [2]

But some families are taking this song seriously. As one member stated online,

The False Doctrines the Church Teaches Children

This isn't the first time Primary-age kids have been taught the wrong thing. Here's a screen capture from the Primary 5 (D&C and Church History) manual Lesson #15 ("The Prophet Receives Revelation for the Church") located here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/manual/primary-5/lesson-15 

This is, of course, NOT what the Law of Common Consent is all about (read more about it in my past post, "When the Church Breaks One of its Own Laws," here). It is 180 degrees the exact opposite. "Common Consent" used to mean that no action would be taken by the church without the common agreement of the members. "Common consent" never has and never will mean "Common subservience."

Not all votes per the Law of Common Consent are automatically member-endorsed just because the church president said they should be. Just ask Brother Joseph. At a conference in 1843, he questioned Sidney Rigdon's fitness to serve as a counselor in the First Presidency. Other leaders spoke out in support of Rigdon. The assembled Church members voted to retain Sidney in his calling against Joseph's initial wishes. Joseph begrudgingly accepted the result. [3]

But I doubt our kids will be taught that historical anecdote.

Welcome to a New Generation of God Doubters

Along with the funeral dirge [4] song "Follow the Prophet," [5] I think we can safely say that our young ones are being well-indoctrinated in a concept known as "Appeal to Authority" -- a belief that "a claim is true simply because a valid authority or expert on the issue said it was true, without any other supporting evidence offered." [6]

In 2020, church members were invited to #HearHim [7] - to seek God and hear his voice. And as dutiful servants, many church members did just that. 

But along the way, some were reportedly hearing clear messages from God which contradicted what others were feeling inspired to do: They felt inspired NOT to get the Covid-19 injection. Many who felt the opposite (inspired to get the jab) began persecuting those who felt differently, accusing them of being Un-Christlike, not being "good global citizens," [8] not loving their neighbors (see the lyrics, above) and disobedient by not "Following the Prophet." Members were systematically, routinely pressured - by other church members -- NOT to hearken to the promptings they received from God.

We've gone from "Doubting our Doubts" to now "Doubting God." No good will ever come of this.

This "The Prophet Said Get Vaccinated " song carries that pressure (to place the words of a man in front of the words of God) down into the ranks of members ages 0-11. A generation fully entrenched in not even seeking divine dialogues, but simply engaging in "Appeal to Authority." Because that's what the masses tell them to do.

Thus, I think we can safely say that 2020 and 2021 were the years in which both adults and children worldwide were instructed, by their church leaders, to fully accept the teaching of "trust in the arm of flesh." Adults are told to trust "medical experts and government leaders." Children are told that the prophet will never lead them astray, [9] despite there being a long list of doctrines which "prophets" contradicted themselves on (after all, then was the last time you heard a lesson on blacks being eternal servants, Adam-God, polygamy, interracial marriage and more?).

European Tyrants Would be Proud

In his book "Europe: A History," [10] historian Norman Davies summarized the five rules of propaganda that European tyrants perfected decades ago:

• The Rule of Simplification: Reduce all data to a simple confrontation between 'Good and Bad', 'Friend and Foe'.
• The Rule of Disfiguration: Discredit the opposition by crude smears and parodies.
• The Rule of Transfusion: Manipulate the consensus values of the target audience for one's own ends.
• The Rule of Unanimity: Present one's viewpoint as if it were the unanimous opinion of all right-thinking people, draining the doubting individual into agreement by the appeal of star-performers, by social pressure, and by 'psychological contagion'.
• The Rule of Orchestration: Endlessly repeat the same messages in different variations and combinations.

Where have you seen these ideas used lately?

Sources

 1.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fyj9XAt9ODQ

 2.   https://singpraises.net/people/1616/mary-jane-mcallister-davis

 3.   "Minutes of a Special Conference," Times and Seasons, vol. 4, no. 21 (Sept. 15, 1843), 329-30 as found on https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/common-consent

 4.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D05AB8xs7qA&ab_channel=gerubach

 5.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wPEVxuMfxQ&ab_channel=FunFollowMe

 6.   https://www.logicallyfallacious.com/logicalfallacies/Appeal-to-Authority

 7.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGhQym_vhFU

 8.    First Presidency News Release, January 19, 2021

 9.    https://youtu.be/6BavQ7i-vh0?t=106

10.   Norman Davies, "Europe: A History," p. 500; https://books.google.com/books?id=jrVW9W9eiYMC&pg=PA500&lpg=PA500

Elder Rasband’s divinely-inspired insights into “Approved Sources”

"The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears.

It was their final, most essential command." (George Orwell, 1984)

Brethren and Sisters,

Today, I stand before you grateful for this opportunity to address you. 

Recently, I've become a more passionate enthusiast in the inspired words of one of the Lord's mouthpieces, even our beloved apostle, Elder Ronald A. Rasband.

In a Sept. 8, 2021 Facebook post, even Elder Rasband blessed us with the following divinely-inspired insight:

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1819729454896250&id=167753940093818

  [1]

I must say, Brethren and Sisters, that I feel with every fiber of my being that there's so much to read, ponder and pray about here, it's difficult to know where to start.

"Speculation"

First, I'd like to start with Elder Rasband's statement that "We sometimes turn to our friends, associates, or the Internet with our questions. The adversary likes to stamp speculation as truth and cloud our thinking with frustration and disrespect." 

Here, Elder Rasband has demonized speculation -- "the forming of a theory or conjecture without firm evidence". 

I am anxious to someday ask Elder Rasband if the church was speculating, or if it was serious, that we should all trust "the wise and thoughtful recommendations of medical experts and government leaders." (the First Presidency's August 12, 2021 letter to Church members re: Covid). [3] Ask those who had to hastily exit  -- and those who have yet to exit, not to mention the families of those who never exited -- Afghanistan if our "government leaders" are "wise and thoughtful." While you're at it, ask those very same leaders if their continued support for killing unborn babies is "wise and thoughtful." Ditto for those "wise and thoughtful" government leaders who will again raise our national debt limit next month, facilitate illegal immigration and continue ignoring the ever-escalating Chinese military threat (which just violated Taiwanese air space). The implications are staggering.

Is it "wise and thoughtful" to force people to get a Covid injection (in flagrant disregard of the Nuremberg Convention)? Where are the thoughtful "medical experts" who consistently turn a blind eye to those with injection adverse effects? Where are those "vaccines" that are "proven to be both safe and effective"? According to the CDC, a vaccine specifically has to stimulate both an immunity within the person who is receiving it, but it also has to disrupt transmission. Yet the CDC's own director admits that the injections do not prevent transmission, [2] and news headlines regularly inform us of people dying of Covid who recently received a full dose.

Where is the "firm evidence" that those "medical experts" and "government leaders" are "wise and thoughtful"? And if there is no evidence of such, then who is Elder Rasband to be lecturing us on speculation, when the First Presidency's August 12, 2021 letter to Church members [3] around the world is filled with nothing but "speculation"?

"Questions" and "Answers"

Luckily, Elder Rasband got one thing right by saying we grow by asking questions. The problem is that (1) He demonizes our turning to "our friends, associates, or the Internet with our questions" presumably about the church or the gospel of Jesus Christ and (2) he wants you to limit where you can find the answers.

It is said that the truth does not mind being questioned, whereas a lie does not like being challenged. 

This is not the first time (and likely not the last) members experience the following:

On my about page (https://ldtruths.blogspot.com/p/about.html), I detail how many members (who are confronted with inconvenient information about the church) do as they are told: they sincerely turn to their Bishops and Stake Presidents for answers. Yet in many cases, these men don't have the answers. So the member often walks away not only lacking an answer, but they are also being unofficially branded as a potential troublemaker, a disobedient soul, a questioner, a doubter. Maybe even a sinner or apostate. If you doubt me, read some of the comments under Elder Rasband's Facebook post: 

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1819729454896250&id=167753940093818

So, where are members supposed to go for the answers?

“Sources”

Fortunately, our dearly beloved Elder Rasband has a solution, embedded in the words of our global faith leader, even President Russell Marion Nelson, who taught, “Take your questions to the Lord and to other faithful sources.” (“Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains,” General Conference, Apr. 2021). 

I actually agree with Pres. Nelson on one of his points: One should take their questions and concerns, worries and more to God. At least, that's what James 1:5-6 says:

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." 

Yet we are also told to study things out in our minds (D&C 9:7-9) and to "seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith." (D&C 88:118). In fact, in 1843, Joseph Smith said, "One of the grand fundamental principles of 'Mormonism' is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may." (please excuse my using that Satanic word 'Mormonism'; it's a direct quote from Joseph Smith). [4]

Many church leaders (including our dearly beloved Elder Rasband and even global faith leader Russell Marion Nelson) have criticized those who turn to "our friends, associates, or the Internet" for insights. Anybody -- apostle and ordinary shmo like yours truly -- is on truly shaky ground whenever they imply that "our friends, associates" are agents of "the adversary." What an insult. What utter nonsense. 

I have no idea what the Brethren are afraid of enough to be using such inflammatory rhetoric. As apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, I would assume that their confidence has "waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth." After all, aren't they supposed to be "men of a sound understanding" who have "searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God"? (see Alma 17:2) If so, then they should have no hesitation in our talking with others about the questions we have and the answers we seek.

Deliberating with others should be expected among members. For example: You've likely bought a car before. Before you did so, did you ever ask questions about the car you were thinking of buying? And was the only source of information you sought out the manufacturer of the car itself? Of course not. They will only tell you good things about it—whatever it takes to get you to buy it, even embellishing the details and outright lying. That's why when I buy a car, I read the reviews of the dealer and the car. I even read the negative reviews as well. What do people not like about it? What do the disinterested third party observers say about it? How does it rate compared to the other options? You’ll never get the full story from the salesman who’s trying to take your money.

God shouldn't be expected to be an information vending machine. He expects us to do our fair share of the research. And all facts considered, it looks like there's plenty of evidence (hence, it's not speculative) that Joseph Smith and the Lord are fine with us not only asking questions, but also seeking out a wide array of reputable information sources for answers. No asterisks, no exceptions, no prioritizations.

"Doubt"

Our beloved Elder Rasband also quotes Pres. Nelson: "Stop increasing your doubts and fears by rehearsing them with other doubters. Allow the Lord to lead you on your journey of spiritual discovery."

I am constantly amazed why the Brethren fear our developing doubts:

“If a faith will not bear to be investigated; if its preachers and professors are afraid to have it examined, their foundation must be very weak.” [5]

“If we have the truth, it cannot be harmed by investigation. If we have not the truth, it ought to be harmed.” [6]

Reading a book about Nazis doesn’t make you a Nazi. (And as much as I wish it were true), reading a book about martial artist Bruce Lee doesn't make you a Jeet-Kune-Do expert. And trust me when I say that watching Gordon Ramsey swear a string of expletives to junior chefs has yet to make me a kick-butt cook. 

In fact, doubts -- and searching for truth, wherever it comes from -- can be a fruitful thing. Here’s Hugh B. Brown:

"Doubt has a place if it can stir in one an interest to go out and find the truth for one's self. I should like to awaken in everyone a desire to investigate, to make an independent study of religion, and to know for themselves whether or not the teachings of the Mormon church are true. There are altogether too many people in the world who are willing to accept as true whatever is printed in a book or delivered from a pulpit. Their faith never goes below the surface soil of authority. We should be dauntless in our pursuit of truth and resist all demands for unthinking conformity." [7]

And another Hugh-ism:

"I admire men and women who have developed the questioning spirit, who are unafraid of new ideas and stepping stones to progress. We should, of course, respect the opinions of others, but we should also be unafraid to dissent - if we are informed. Thoughts and expressions compete in the marketplace of thought, and in that competition truth emerges triumphant. Only error fears freedom of expression. This free exchange of ideas is not to be deplored as long as men and women remain humble and teachable. Neither fear of consequence nor any kind of coercion should ever be used to secure uniformity of thought in the church. People should express their problems and opinions and be unafraid to think without fear of ill consequences. We must preserve freedom of the mind in the church and resist all efforts to suppress it." [8]

“Neither fear of consequence or any kind of coercion should ever be used to secure uniformity of thought in the church. People should express their problems and opinions and be unafraid to think without fear of ill consequences. . . . We must preserve freedom of the mind in the church and resist all efforts to suppress it.” [9]

"Worthy"

In his four-part plan to ascertain truth, our beloved Elder Rasband encourages us to "Be worthy to receive answers." 

Frankly, I'm amazed he would say this. Here is a man who has served as a high councilman, bishop, mission president, member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, member of the Presidency of the Seventy and finally, apostle...yet he is apparently unaware of the non-speculative fact that none of us are worthy:

"there is none that doeth good" [10]

"It is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: their feet are swift to shed blood: destruction and misery are in their ways: and the way of peace have they not known: there is no fear of God before their eyes." [11]

O how great is the nothingness of the children of men; yea, even they are less than the dust of the earth." [12]

"Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed." [13]

Remember that James 1:5-6 scripture I quoted above? God “giveth to all men liberally”. God has never set conditions on his ability to give us answers. All of us deserve them. And that's a fact that's both unconditional and non-speculative.

In Conclusion

Brethren and Sisters, my time's almost up. 

I agree that what our beloved Elder Rasband has said is true: "By divine design, truth speaks to your spirit; it brings light to your mind and comfort to your heart. Truth will deepen your commitment to love what the Lord loves and steady your everyday challenges with an eternal perspective." 

But with every fiber of my being, I don't think that a "loving Heavenly Father" is after more “strong and effective servants." "Eternal servitude" is a concept never mentioned in the scriptures. Instead, he wants his sons and daughters to love God and others -- in other words, the two commandments. When love exists, obedience happens naturally, organically.

Appeal to authority, servitude and obedience are not the primary messages of the Beatitudes.

Love is.

Sources

1. https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1819729454896250&id=167753940093818
2. https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2021/08/06/cdc-director-makes-case-vaccination-passports-are-futile-vaccines-do-not-prevent-covid-infection-or-delta-variant-transmission
3. https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/first-presidency-message-covid-19-august-2021
4. Joseph Smith, Jr., as quoted in History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2nd ed. (Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1949), 5:499, as quoted in https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/authority-in-the-church
5. George A. Smith, JD 14:216
6. J. Reuben Clark, "J. Reuben Clark: The Church Years", D. Michael Quinn. Brigham Young University Press, 1983, p. 24
7. Hugh B. Brown, "An Abundant Life: The Memoirs of Hugh B. Brown", 1988, http://www.lds-mormon.com/brown.shtml
8. Hugh B. Brown, counselor in First Presidency, Speech at BYU, March 29, 1958
9. James E. Talmage, The Improvement Era, Vol. 23
10. Psalm 14:1; 53:1-3
11. Romans 3:10-18
12. Helaman 12:7
13. Moses 1:10

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