Unto whom much is given much is required
Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 9:45 pm
http://scriptures.LDS.org/dc/82/3 says: "For of him unto whom much is given much is required"
The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve (hereafter known as the "Big 15") of the LDS church are given much authority, prestige, responsibility and power over the lives of millions of people and billions of dollars worth of assets. Most importantly according to their doctrine they are the official mortal representatives of the true church of Jesus Christ and thus are responsible for setting an example to the world by word and deed that they lead the way on honesty, truth telling and the Lord's way. With so much given then its presumable that much is required of them.
Now some on here may respond back with all sorts of vile, attacks and suggestions that I have a hidden agenda. I have none except the best interests of my children at heart. Oftentimes I seriously wonder/consider whether it would've been and still could be better if they are raised in the church. There are a lot of wonderful things about the Mormon culture that I love. And no matter what happens to me in life I'll always be a cultural Mormon.
My biggest concern with Mormonism right now is the Big 15. I frankly believe they aren't living up to the requirement before them. And that's to be completely honest with the church membership, or to at least explain/acknowledge as best as they can what they know about the difficult issues or at least what they know on why God won't let them delve into them with complete honesty.
In many cults there is a common theme that if someone starts questioning then its all their fault. I call this "blame the victim". This "blame the victim" outcome is so common in cults like the Branch Davidians, Jim Jones' Temple, Scientology, JWs, etc. And it happens in the Mormon religion for sure. Specifically the silence of the Big 15 on the difficult issues is the #1 reason why the "blame the victim" outcome has been happening to thousands of people throughout the church and it continues to happen to the present day. We've seen so many of their stories online. And frankly I know that they are credible because I unexpectedly became such a story myself. I never wanted to be an unbeliever in the church. It all happened so unexpectedly and naturally just because I was trying to magnify my calling and I followed what I believed were the promptings of the Spirit that caused me to exercise faith with works and prayer to get to the bottom of some issues that were troubling and testing my testimony.
How can anyone in good faith defend this Big 15 silence that results in such needless, tragic outcomes for so many people? Don't any of the apologists think that the Big 15 should be honest? Or do they just make excuses in some warped thinking that somehow the Brethren ought to be exempt from having integrity?
The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve (hereafter known as the "Big 15") of the LDS church are given much authority, prestige, responsibility and power over the lives of millions of people and billions of dollars worth of assets. Most importantly according to their doctrine they are the official mortal representatives of the true church of Jesus Christ and thus are responsible for setting an example to the world by word and deed that they lead the way on honesty, truth telling and the Lord's way. With so much given then its presumable that much is required of them.
Now some on here may respond back with all sorts of vile, attacks and suggestions that I have a hidden agenda. I have none except the best interests of my children at heart. Oftentimes I seriously wonder/consider whether it would've been and still could be better if they are raised in the church. There are a lot of wonderful things about the Mormon culture that I love. And no matter what happens to me in life I'll always be a cultural Mormon.
My biggest concern with Mormonism right now is the Big 15. I frankly believe they aren't living up to the requirement before them. And that's to be completely honest with the church membership, or to at least explain/acknowledge as best as they can what they know about the difficult issues or at least what they know on why God won't let them delve into them with complete honesty.
In many cults there is a common theme that if someone starts questioning then its all their fault. I call this "blame the victim". This "blame the victim" outcome is so common in cults like the Branch Davidians, Jim Jones' Temple, Scientology, JWs, etc. And it happens in the Mormon religion for sure. Specifically the silence of the Big 15 on the difficult issues is the #1 reason why the "blame the victim" outcome has been happening to thousands of people throughout the church and it continues to happen to the present day. We've seen so many of their stories online. And frankly I know that they are credible because I unexpectedly became such a story myself. I never wanted to be an unbeliever in the church. It all happened so unexpectedly and naturally just because I was trying to magnify my calling and I followed what I believed were the promptings of the Spirit that caused me to exercise faith with works and prayer to get to the bottom of some issues that were troubling and testing my testimony.
How can anyone in good faith defend this Big 15 silence that results in such needless, tragic outcomes for so many people? Don't any of the apologists think that the Big 15 should be honest? Or do they just make excuses in some warped thinking that somehow the Brethren ought to be exempt from having integrity?