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