All's Well in Zion VS Dissension and Murmuring - the Right(?) to Question
The devil is prophesied to use several tricks in the latter days, in order to keep mankind from gaining eternal life. Among these tricks one is particularly centred at church members.
"And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well--and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell." 2 Nephi 28:21
Naturally no one uses this exact term. But many times I find members saying that all is well in the church (Zion). Any question or challenge to the way things are running is frowned upon by some. Words such as "dissension" and "murmuring" are used to suggest the person having a desire for improvement is off with the devil.
Now we all know that dissension isn't good. And just winging isn't good either. Neither of these things are likely to create a better situation. But is all critique negative? If so Jesus Christ would stand accused of being negative and of the devil. As would Isaiah, Abinadi, and the list is almost endless.
Modern day prophets have often spoken of the positive things that are happening in the church. But the prophets also speak of the improvements we need to make as individuals. This isn't an "all's well" preaching. Yet mentioning the problems doesn't make them guilty of dissension or murmuring against us, either.
D&C 121:34-40 warns us that leaders in the church will make errors, and that all won't be well. So is God guilty of murmuring against church leaders? Sensible examination is important. And questioning of decisions that a person can't accept isn't dissension away from God either. I have questioned God and his decisions; and he took no offence. Neither did he propose that I had no right to question. Neither did he propose that I was off with the devil for questioning.
Abraham questioned God's decision and posed that surely he would do the right thing in regard destroying Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 18:23-25). Is this dissension? Murmuring? The Lord didn't take offence at it. In fact he fully answered all his questions.
So is all well in the church? Obviously not. God gave the word of wisdom directed at the "weak and weakest of Saints". Has he added to it since because of advancement of the Saints? No. In fact he had to turn part of it into a commandment - a backward step. Then there is tithing. Another Law of Moses concept we still are called upon to practice - though let me state that great blessings come from obeying the Law of Moses.
Then we have bishops etc leaving their families to take the chief seats in the synagogues, also contrary to Christ's statement against this (Matt 23:6). Obviously if a person is speaking or conducting the meeting it is logical to be there. I can also see that for general (or stake) conferences, to get the idea of church structure, every six months.
The Book of Mormon presents that God inspired (Protestant(?)) reformers to question. And where would we be without it?
So is saying, "hey, what's going on?" murmuring and dissension?
I believe that sensible questioning is our responsibility. If we start leaving the church because of it, then we are off line. But I believe in the right to question.
posted by Doug Towers at 11:05 AM
2 Comments:
Touchy subject, right? You are correct to point out this failing among church members. Perhaps some will hear you, but only a few. I've had to deal with this issue ever since I became a nonfiction author of books for Latter-day Saints 30 years ago. Any perspective or teaching that isn't a precise echo of what's heard from the pulpit is looked upon with suspicion, even if it can be substantiated with the words of Joseph Smith. You don't even have to question. Simply diverge from mainstream thought, even slightly, and you will immediately be seen as a pariah. This is not constructive because even correct ideas are often rejected in such an environment. It's not healthy - spiritually or intellectually. This failing is strikingly evident to outsiders who are keen observers. Harold Bloom, author of "The Great American Religion" wrote: "Joseph Smith was a religious genius ... His followers, for at least a century now, have backtracked from his radical newness to a public stance sometimes difficult to distinguish from Protestantism." I must ask: Wasn't it Protestantism that Joseph was told to eschew? Have we drifted so far that we once again resemble what we were warned to avoid? (Oops. I'm questioning again.) Apparently Bloom thinks so. (pp.80-81.) "... there has been a falling away from his teaching and his example in the Mormon Church and people of the last century or so. An enormous religious imagination has been compromised (though not betrayed) by its descendants, even if one gets very little sense of any Mormon consciousness of that departure from Smith during a visit to Salt Lake City." (p. 86.) Is Bloom right? Do we really not get it? (Sorry. I just had another lapse.) "The Mormonism of the last hundred years and of today ... is only a compromise with gentile America rather than being the authentic vision of Joseph Smith." (p. 106.) "... for a century now, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been edging away from Joseph Smith's extraordinary spiritual originality ..." (p. 112.) "... Joseph Smith, Jr., and Brigham Young, charismatic expressionists and passionate prophets, might not flourish in contemporary Utah." I can see this, even though I support the church and am an active member. But, I'm prone to "questioning," so who can take me seriously? (grin)
Anthony
Interesting points.
I once asked in regard this problem of the backward slide of doctrine. The Spirit informed me that God has done this deliberately to expand the church geographically (water it down to spread it out). Thus the church spreads to find those ready for the full truth.
As long as the truth gets out in Scripture and in temple ordinances, the Holy Spirit can do the rest to those listening. And we never know who those are or when in their lives anyone will find it.
So while it is sad, we need not let it get us down too much. As usual, God is working on it.
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