And asking myself: what is the perceived downside that prevents Russell M. Nelson from urging all members everywhere, speaking as their prophet, to always wear face masks and strictly socially distance during the pandemic?
I mean, seriously. One pair of earrings gets a prophetic warning with the predictable result that 2+ pairs becomes socially anathema. Saints are trained to quickly and quietly obey the prophet -- and on this point, Nelson's silence is deadly. Why has he given no such prophetic clarity about masks and distancing during this pandemic? What does he imagine the downside of doing so would be?
As of last week, Utah is diagnosing some 2,500-5,000 cases per day, with Covid-related deaths up from 2-3 per day to 10-20 per day. Puzzlingly, amidst this deadly spike, rather than issuing a belated prophetic urging to wear masks and socially distance, Nelson puts up a social media blitz for people to watch his pre-taped video of healing and hope on Nov. 20th. I bet anyone $100 that this video does NOT include a message of urgent warning for Saints to wear face masks while patiently waiting for vaccine distribution in 2021. Time is deaths, and I'm certain "global faith leader" Nelson wouldn't impose a 7-day leadup to a video urging life-saving action.
Sure, Nelson wears a mask as a public example. And the recent conference featured all 15 apostles seated at distance while wearing masks.
But... critically... Russell M. Nelson, the prophet, has *never* issued a clear, prophetic urging to Latter-day Saints to wear face masks and socially distance during the pandemic. He did not speak as such on the topic as prophet in March, not in April, not in May or June, not in July, August or September, and even as cases rise, he has not done so during October or yet in November.
What gives? What is the downside? The upside is potentially saving lives. As a medical doctor, "do no harm" should hold Nelson to a higher standard than the usual Mormon leadership model of threading whatever needle upholds the sanctity of priesthood authority and ear to God's mouth. In this case, as with LDS leadership's approach to LGBTQ+ rights, pride is literally killing people.
For reference, see the press articles below. Others in church leadership do urge masks and distancing, but at most we can only say that prophet Nelson has encouraged "good citizenship" as a vague model of "grin and bear it" with respect to politically mandated coronavirus containment orders. Neither Bednar or Oaks have done so either on behalf of the first presidency.
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2020/7/10 ... ts-in-utah
https://Twitter.com/NelsonRussellMThe area leaders said wearing the masks would be a sign of good citizenship. Church President Russell M. Nelson has said multiple times that church leaders and members want to be good global citizens during COVID-19.
https://www.thechurchnews.com/history-r ... les-191247*could not find a single message about mask wearing*
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-a ... art-188781July 10 — Utah Area presidency urges Latter-day Saints in the state to wear masks in public
*nothing by way of backup or church-wide urging from Pres. Nelson*
Bednar, amazingly, has chosen to jump in mid-pandemic by ripping civic leaders over distancing policies which he deems affronts to religious freedom. I wonder if Bednar would rethink his aggressive badgering if he'd been able to foresee the recent surge in cases, Utah especially.(Uchtdorf, who as a reminder, is no longer a member of the first presidency)
“During these special times, Harriet and I try to follow our own recommendation: Mask your face, don’t mask your heart.”
https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2020/10 ... essential/
And finally, Oaks as a first presidency member offers encouragement on mask wearing, but only in a "it's their restriction, not ours" sort of way, at BYU on Oct. 27th:(Bednar)
overnments obviously have “a crucial role to play in protecting people from the coronavirus,” the apostle said, given that “no one has a right to spread a dangerous virus.”
The question is how they do it, he said, and whether they recognize the “centrality of faith to human dignity.”
Severing people from their religious communities, he warned the assembled leaders Wednesday, “threatens people’s spiritual, mental, emotional and physical health. Experts are documenting the rise in depression, physical and emotional abuse, suicide and other tragedies during times of social lockdown and isolation.”
(*We can agree to disagree whether in-person worship should have been protected on some limited scale during the pandemic. But importantly, Bednar chose not to use his platform on religious freedom to urge, as a member of the first presidency, church members to wear masks and be strict about social distancing.*)
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-a ... son-196320
Indeed, my Utah friends tell me that mask wearing is still viewed as optional, and in many settings wearing a mask is perceived as socially judgmental, rude or even "communist". In part, this sentiment exists among groups of Mormons precisely because the prophet has not clearly articulated prophetic counsel to wear masks and strictly maintain social distancing outside of small-group pods. To rank and file members, the area presidency is just guys with opinions.(Oaks)
“Please do your part in what is required in these unusual circumstances,” he said. “And remember that some of the burdensome restrictions, including even the wearing of masks, are not only for your immediate protection but also for the well-being of those around you.”
Meanwhile, Nelson *has* been busy. Rebranding. New logo. Proclamation on the restoration. Sending missionaries back into the field. Restarting church services where allowed within local mandates. Bednar has been busy too -- fighting against science. Oaks spoke out against racism in a 50 years too late address at BYU.
How hard and at what cost for any and all of them to speak in unanimity about the dangers of complacency with this virus, and the science-backed importance of social distancing and mask-wearing?
Anecdotally, a friend in Utah attended a Halloween party which was held outdoors. The invitation said "masks and social distancing encouraged." Hey, cool right? And you know what, everyone DID wear a mask to the party. And then most people -- kids and adults included -- took their masks off *at* the party to socialize. Facepalm! It's the opposite of common sense. By the way, sure enough, my friend and his whole family were diagnosed with Covid-19 about 10 days later, just last week.
I am 100% certain that such behavior in Utah would be different if the prophet had been clear that good Latter-day Saints must wear masks and socially distance. Why the hell hasn't he?
