Church Activism and Santa Claus

[Dr Moore]

Last month, Ahmad S. Corbitt addressed Church-sponsored chaplains in a speech, How activism against the Church can blind, mislead ‘valiant’ souls.

You can hear the speech here, or read the full text here, or see the Church News brief here.

Brother Corbitt is currently the 1st counselor in the YM general presidency. His words carry real heft in terms of mirroring issues causing the brethren angst.

This talk has already received a lot of airtime with thoughtful comments & observations.
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For me, this talk is like rehearsing my experiences, years ago, as Santa Claus. Or more accurately, as an important representative for Santa Claus in the eyes of my young children.

As you all know, the game went something like this.

When one of my children really wanted something big for Christmas -- one year, it was the Lego Death Star -- the proper procedure was not to share that information directly in the form of a demand. Asking me for that gift was the surest way to hear a stern denial or a worried parry as I had to wonder out loud if Santa even had access to the Lego factory. No, to properly queue this desired gift, it had to be registered subtly at first, in the form of offhand comments aimed at no one in particular. "I really love that Lego Death Star" or "the most amazing Lego to build would be the Death Star; I bet it would take me months to finish it." All of this was a carefully orchestrated ruse, my kids understood, to catch the ears of listening elves who would collect honest, patient requests and add them to Santa's list. Later, a few weeks before Christmas, a What-I-Want-for-Christmas letter was composed for Santa, sealed in a festive envelope, and "mailed" to the North Pole, where it would receive Santa's fuller attention. Of course, we all know those letters were not delivered to the North Pole, but rather made their way into my office, where the contents were reviewed carefully, resulting in targeted purchases that were sure to delight on Christmas morning.

I can't stop thinking about this. The dance was as important as the exchange of gifts. For whatever reason, cultural upbringing about proper Christmas decorum, I guess. It's silly, looking back. But at the time, it was kind of a fun dance to perform. Perpetuating the magic of Christmas for the rising generation.

Anyway, if one thing about Corbitt's talk resonates with me, it's that church leaders are doing the exact same thing with members.

• We (members) are the eager children wanting a gift (social justice).
• They (leaders) are the parents, hell bent on perpetuating the magic (revelation).
• The letters were prayers.
• And Santa Claus is Elohim.

If leaders could have their way, members would never demand any change at all. Instead, they would wonder aloud at no one in particular, just within ear shot, participate in anonymous surveys, and wait for the leaders to crunch the data and numbers. And then wait... just wait for them to see enough evidence that the desired revelation should be asked for.

Problem: social justice and progress on SA safety aren't "gifts," any more than it would be a "gift" for Russia to pull back from Ukraine. Doing less harm is not a gift to be dangled over the heads of children-members in a silly dance crafted to perpetuate old notions of magic.

Church leaders are wrong to preemptively quell activism. It shows a very weak hand.

[drumdude]

They never receive revelation, of course. They bend under overwhelming social pressure.

Revelation would have been allowing blacks the priesthood 10 years before the civil rights movement began. Not 10 years after it ended.

[BeNotDeceived]

They never receive revelation, of course. They bend under overwhelming social pressure.

Revelation would have been allowing blacks the priesthood 10 years before the civil rights movement began. Not 10 years after it ended.

The only reason negroes were given the 'priesthood' was because of coming under threat from government if they didn't in the form of revoking their 501c3 tax-exemption and seizing its assets because of discrimination. 'Revelation' comes from Kirton & McConkie.

[malkie]

...
Later, a few weeks before Christmas, a What-I-Want-for-Christmas letter was composed for Santa, sealed in a festive envelope, and "mailed" to the North Pole, where it would receive Santa's fuller attention. Of course, we all know those letters were not delivered to the North Pole, but rather made their way into my office, where the contents were reviewed carefully, resulting in targeted purchases that were sure to delight on Christmas morning.

Isn't interfering with the mail a serious offence in your jurisdiction?

If the letters were properly addressed (to Santa, North Pole, Canada H0H 0H0), you should have sent them on their way, so that Santa's elves (employees of Canada post) could answer them.

[IHAQ]

In short Corbitt is saying that activism is a good thing, a positive vehicle clearly for achieving change, and that people have hugely benefited as a result of activism. But activism against the Church is a bad thing, because <insert hypocrisy disguised as special pleading>.

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

The only reason negroes …

[BeNotDeceived]

The only reason negroes …

Blacks, dark-skinned people, people of color, is that better? Didn't mean anything offensive with the use of the term 'negroes' as it simply denotes them as a race of dark-skinned people. I sure as heck wasn't gonna use the N word. I'm no racist and have nothing against black people... at all.

[Xenophon]

I'm mostly saddened by the glossing over of Blue Dream's comments here: https://www.mormondialogue.org/topic/74 ... 1210121660 . I did a quick scan and I can find a single response to her comments in that now 16 page thread.

I thought she absolutely nailed what I think should be regarded as positive activism from a faithful member perspective and I see... nothing in response. She highlighted exactly the kind of approach I took as a member with very little success and the absolute ignoring of her post reminds me why I stopped trying to elicit change from within.

Apart from that, I can't believe the church is STILL having to argue about the "meaning" behind the priesthood/temple ban at this point. Organizationally the church body gave themselves an out by shucking any belief in previous reasons provided by leaders but here we are with devout members latching on to the most racist excuses you've ever heard. I know the church probably wanted to have their cake and eat it too but apparently they must come out and say: "Brigham's explanations for the ban were racist and subsequent defense of it is too, we know that Joseph Smith didn't regard the ban as necessary and we should do everything in our power to overcome that terrible point in our history." in order for members to accept their own garbage views. I'm still confused why a thing the church can't point to revelation for its implementation requires revelation for its ending but I think I know why even if it isn't a very faithful understanding.

As an aside, I was supremely unaware of the ban prior to my joining the church (I know, I know, I should have done more research, but in my defense my member love interest was amazing and I likely would have joined a death cult for her). The first lesson I was assigned to teach on it was a complete shock. I credit it for the beginning of a very long process that would eventually drive myself and my SO from the church. I'd imagine I was not alone in this.