From My Informant: A Tale of Two Factions

[_Zadok]

I believe that every decision at 47 East, South Temple Street has a financial component. That said, I think the Presiding Bishop's office has done, and is doing a good job of managing and investing resources to insure the financial security of the Corporation.

I agree that the potential affect on tithing is key to every decision, but I also see them moving in a direction that will tend to insulate the Corporation from the continued erosion of weekly revenue.

[_Sanctorian]

The impression I was given was that the Packer Faction is utterly radical, and they feel this is really and truly a matter of life and death, and of eternal salvation. They *literally* think that their actions in this matter are directly linked to the Second Coming. They are fundamentalists in this regard, and so therefore they'll stop at nothing to achieve their ends. They apparently think that their actions are necessary in order to "save" the Church from imminent destruction. The Eyring Faction, on the other hand, is supposedly playing the long game--a "slow and steady wins the race" sort of approach. If all of this is true, then I would guess that we can expect to see a lot of damage done by the Packer Faction/apologists before all is said in done. If the reports are true re: John Dehlin's excommunication, then we may be witnessing part of this unfolding as we speak. (And on that note: to what extent was Kate Kelly's ex'ing connected to this 'intel'?)

Is it possible that the church could splinter like in the good ole days? The Packer faction moving to Missouri to await the second coming and the Eyring faction staying in SLC? I would pay tithing again just to see that happen.

[_CameronMO]

The impression I was given was that the Packer Faction is utterly radical, and they feel this is really and truly a matter of life and death, and of eternal salvation. They *literally* think that their actions in this matter are directly linked to the Second Coming. They are fundamentalists in this regard, and so therefore they'll stop at nothing to achieve their ends. They apparently think that their actions are necessary in order to "save" the Church from imminent destruction. The Eyring Faction, on the other hand, is supposedly playing the long game--a "slow and steady wins the race" sort of approach. If all of this is true, then I would guess that we can expect to see a lot of damage done by the Packer Faction/apologists before all is said in done. If the reports are true re: John Dehlin's excommunication, then we may be witnessing part of this unfolding as we speak. (And on that note: to what extent was Kate Kelly's ex'ing connected to this 'intel'?)

Is it possible that the church could splinter like in the good ole days? The Packer faction moving to Missouri to await the second coming and the Eyring faction staying in Salt Lake City? I would pay tithing again just to see that happen.

Please, PLEASE! Do not go to Missouri! There's already too many freaks in the Adam-Ondi-Ahmen and Far West Wards!

[_palerobber]

Per what I was told by my "informant," some of the younger members of this faction are particularly, uh, "enthusiastic" in their support of the faction's aims. Elder Bednar, in particular, has seemed like he was given special attention from Packer, and was possibly "groomed" as a kind of successor. He is outranked by Oaks, though.

given the current ages and ranks of the Q15, Oaks and Bednar are the two most likely to one day assume the mantle. however, by the time that happens they'll likely be too senile to have much of an impact. it always seems that the real power lies with the 1st and 2nd counselor.

[_Phaedrus Ut]

"they are taking a 15 year communications strategy and have decided to throw this generation's doubters under the bus."

I think they should make it several months short of a 15 year plan and call it "almost 15 years old".

[_souldier]

given the current ages and ranks of the Q15, Oaks and Bednar are the two most likely to one day assume the mantle. however, by the time that happens they'll likely be too senile to have much of an impact. it always seems that the real power lies with the 1st and 2nd counselor.

Good point. Generally the President is so old by the time he reaches that position. I was just thinking about Hinckley and the impact he had, and he was a counselor long before being President. Plus if you take in Steve Benson's claims about his grandfather, Hinckley ran the show before being President.

However, if Oaks or Bednar become President, then they will pick like minded counselors still giving their ultraconservatism the most say at the end of the day.

[_Craig Paxton]

Where does Monson fall in these factions? In his Mormon Stories interview, Brent Metcalf described a meeting with Monson in the 80s in which Monson expressed the point of view that scholars should be allowed to do their thing and the church should be open about its past and let the chips fall where they may. If this is true, then it would seem Monson is firmly in the Eyring camp. Of course, Monson's dementia may make him a non-factor at the moment.

If these "revelations" are true...I thinks it give further credence to the rumor of the advanced state of President Monson's dementia...he is a hominem impotentem... in other words...Monson has as much influence over the future course of the church as a flea sitting on the back of a stoaway rat has on the course of a ocean faring ship

[_Tim]

Further, I can't find the bit on polygamy. I followed the link on the "Beta page for Mormon.org," but I'm not seeing anything that deals with polygamy, and a search only turns up items that were apparently written by the "I'm a Mormon!" crowd. Could it be that the page was taken down?

Here is the screenshot
https://ldstalk.files.wordpress.com/201 ... lygamy.png

It was taken from the quiz here: http://beta.Mormon.org/quiz/mormon_iq.php

[_Tim]

Tim,

I'm a little skeptical about a "15 year plan". That's a long time for society to change direction. Besides, If the hardliners are going to take 15 years to get liberals under control they've already lost the war.

To answer Shades as well.

I think 15 years is the minimum amount of time to create a cultural shift. A rapid change would certainly cause the demise of an organization (see the Worldwide Church of God).

I can see if my friend would be willing to comment more about what makes him think that. I didn't ask for a follow up. My personal guess, there's a group of people who are loyal to the church no matter what they are going to stick with it through thick and thin. There's another group who can easily have the apple cart knocked over. The essays are already doing that to the second group. For the church to overtly and obviously start dismissing problematic areas as "flecks of history" is going to jostle them. Whether or not they would accept a contemporary practice of polygamy it stinks to high heaven to start explicitly naming the mistakes Smith made.

Bednar recently said things are going to get uncomfortable for North American members. They know a membership enema is about to hit. A lot of people are going to get flushed out and after it happens the church will start to rebuild itself with a healthier and more palatable version of its history.

[_Tim]

the Eyring Faction, which includes (obviously) President Eyring, along with President Uchtdorf and Elders Christopherson, Scott, Hales, Ballard, and Andersen.

Didn't Anderson just call all the disaffected "Judas"