A short while ago I read an article in the Deseret News. It was something about a movie premiering at Sundance Film Festival. Somehow one of the members of the band Imagine Dragons was involved in making the movie. I know nothing about the band or their members but apparently this guy was or is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. None of that is news worthy but I give you that background because one thing that he said in the article is what prompted me to write this blog post.
Apparently the movie is about LGBQT (or whatever that acronym is) people. The guy from Imagine Dragons said that he hopes the new prophet (Russell M. Nelson) watches the movie. Implying that if perhaps he watched that movie he might have a more positive view on the LGBQT lifestyle. And thereby change Church policies regarding LGBQT issues.
This really bothered me for several reasons. First of all, Church policies cannot contradict Church doctrine. And doctrine will never change.
Secondly, this is not the Prophet's church. This is the Lord's church. He is at the head and He leads and guides His Church. So President Nelson's opinion is irrelevant in changing Church doctrine. Not that his opinion would ever go against Church doctrine.
Church doctrine, Gospel doctrine will never change. Jesus Christ has taught the same doctrine from the beginning of time. It never wavers. I don't know why this is such a hard concept for people to understand.
Perhaps because they confuse Church doctrine with Church policy. Yes, policy can change with time depending on the needs of the members and the Church. For instance, missionary age. This has fluctuated over time. It was recently lowered to allow for more missionaries in the mission field. Another example is temple recommends being valid for two years instead of one. This eases the burden on local leadership in conducting temple recommend interviews. These are policy changes. Not changes in doctrine. Know the difference.
The law of chastity is doctrine. It has never changed and it will never change. Homosexuality will always be considered sinful. That has never changed and will never change. (Same-sex attraction is not a sin, but acting on it -- thereby breaking the law of chastity -- is.) Marriage is between a man and a woman. It always has been and always will be. Granted, the laws of the land may change -- and in fact have changed to allow same-sex marriage -- but God's laws will never change. Even if homosexual marriage is recognized by the law of the land, it is not recognized by God. Homosexuality is still a sin in His eyes. It always will be.
It's very straightforward. Doctrine doesn't change. Not hard to understand.
The prophet doesn't create doctrine -- he just teaches it. The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles don't create doctrine -- they just teach it. I don't see what's so confusing about that. This is the Lord's church, it's His doctrine. If you've got a problem with His doctrine take it up with Him, not with Church leaders. They don't have power to change doctrine. They just teach it.
Another thing that bothered me is the implication that our previous Prophet and Church leaders were not loving and not accepting of all people. And that perhaps the new prophet might be if he saw their movie. That's absurd. Prophets and Apostles are full-time servants of the Lord and His Church. You'd be hard pressed to find more Christlike people on the earth. President Monson and President Nelson love and accept all people. This is what Christ taught. This is what they teach. Christ loved sinners and so should we. Obviously we don't condone the sin, but we are to love the sinner. We are taught to love everyone as our brothers and sisters. Easier said than done but nonetheless that is doctrine.
On a personal note, I went to medical school in San Francisco. Many of my professors, clinicians, and patients were LGBQT. I grew to have a much greater understanding and compassion towards them. It is possible to love and care for those whose lifestyle choices contradict God's laws.
Everyone is welcome in the Lord's church. Yes, there are laws, God's laws, that govern His church. To remain in good standing in the Church we must be striving to live God's laws. But to imply that doctrine should be changed to allow for sin to be tolerated in the Lord's church is absurd. Blasphemous even.
Heavenly Father loves all of His children. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, loves all of His brothers and sisters -- so much so that he atoned for each of us. This is His Church and His Gospel and His Doctrine. The Prophet, First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are His servants. They do His will. Even if the Prophet did watch their silly movie, doctrine wouldn't change. Nor could it.
That's my two cents.
Amen.
ReplyDeleteYou hit the nail on the head-- as always.
This is the Lord's Church- and HIS doctrine. That will never change.
I guess there are many who do not know the difference between doctrine and policy. And apparently many who do not really understand the role of a prophet. Glad you posted this to help educate others with a basic understanding of doctrine, policy and prophets.
Thought I would mention something from Wain Myers, who is the author of "From Baptist Preacher to Mormon Teacher" --He spoke about something people who try and "prove the church wrong" always bring up-- blacks and the Priesthood. Wain Myers is black. He mentions it was a "practice" and was "never doctrine of the church." "We were a product of the time...that was the time we lived in." So that is an example of policy changing and not doctrine. Kind of like how policy has changed to allow Priests to perform baptisms in the temple now.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Wain Myers mentions the Genesis Group, which was set up in 1971. Most people have never heard of the Genesis Group but it is an organization for blacks in the Church. Notice the date 1971-- yes, the Church does care for ALL people and treat all people with respect.
Anyway, I thought I would mention that example of policy vs. doctrine because it's one the anti's like to use a lot. And I find it interesting how black people, like Wain Myers are able to understand this concept--yet anyone who has a hate agenda for the church always brings it up.