Behind the Excommunications

The Face of Dogmatic in the LDS church. 

The extremely strange events of June 2014 beg a few questions and speculation.

This event on the surface makes no sense. I have seen some speculation as to why, but no one has really had any sort of sensible answer, but I have yet to read any decent explanation.

The church has been more open and less likely to excommunicate ever since the September six as the church has realized the public backlash that comes from excommunicating “thought criminals” in particular very public and even well-liked thought criminals, such as John Dehlin, and Kate Kelly.

That was one of the lessons of the September six, the other lesson which I thought the church had learned was that they end up excommunicating those who are in the best position to help the church. There is no other person who could have helped the church more during these years of increased historical visibility than D. Michael Quinn. Think about it, he is Gay, he knows all the issues better than most anyone, and he believes. What better mark of openness and understanding for the church to point to than that. He could have been a great asset. He would have been as good or better than Richard Bushman at handling the Swedish issue, and would have been able to address the issue of the historical “essays” much better as well. But the church excommunicated him. Excommunicated the person who could have been their best ally during the internet years. This is one of the many signs the church is not run by Prophets, Seers, or Revelators. 

D. Michael Quinn: the man who could have saved Mormonism.

The church apparently has not learned its lesson that the liberal elements in the church can be its savior. John Dehlin in particular has made enormous effort to help those stay in the church that desire to and who have had faith crises and would have otherwise left. He has been one of the church’s biggest advocates and has done more than anyone to try in some way resolve the historical mess the church has created by being dishonest about its history.

On every level, the excommunication makes no sense. Excommunicating the guy who started stayLDS.org? Can there be more irony than this?

Could it be that this is a local issue? Did two local leaders just feel (were inspired?) to get rid of these two troublemakers? This is the theory the church has claimed. This cannot be true. This had to be organized by Salt Lake, because in the LDS church everything is ordered by Salt Lake. Bishop’s are pawns of the Stake President and the Stake presidents of the General Authorities. Obedience is the first law of the LDS Church, to paraphrase LDS scripture.

First off, the chance that two completely independent excommunication letters were sent within a day of each other is essentially zero. Next, any church leader has to know that taking action against someone as public as John Dehlin or Kate Kelly is going to cause a huge public out roar. If they did not know this they would have to have an IQ of 27, have never used the internet, and require help to tie their own shoes. Honestly, would any leader bring that much public criticism to the church without first questioning Salt Lake?

When I went to the national Scout Jamboree with a refugee troop in my Salt Lake City ward, we were interviewed by the local press. They wanted to interview the Stake President. Before being interviewed he said he needed to call headquarters and ask. He did, they said he could not be interviewed. He was in a suit and tie and it was for something completely positive about the church. Is it possible to imagine that a  Stake President would do something that would draw loads of press and attention to themselves and the church without first consulting Salt Lake? I think not. These leaders almost for sure were under pressure from someone “higher up” whether this was officially, or more interestingly, some apostle or GA was informally pressuring them, but the chance that they acted alone is about as likely as me throwing skittles into a pond and having rainbows and unicorns come out.

Who is behind it?

Obviously I don’t know. But it might be helpful to look to the September Six. The September Six happened because the Prophet was incapacitated and so Boyd K. Packer exerted more influence in the quorum of the Twelve. Packer had to know that once Hinckley was at the helm, this was not going to happen. So he acted and acted fast. I see no reason to believe that this is any different. I do not know the health status of the Prophet, but I have heard he is having difficulties. It is not hard to imagine that the situation is much as it was in 1993. Packer also knows his days are numbered and needs to act. I don’t know. Could it also be Oaks? Maybe.

One thing is clear, there is a faction within the quorum of the twelve that is very conservative. There is a lack of love in the quorum. There was heated disagreement about whether to release the historical essays. Some of the conservative factions were less than excited. It is easy to imagine that faction being the one taking control of a somewhat unhealthy prophet and exercising “unrighteous dominion" (to say the least).

Ever more intriguing is the possibility that an apostle simply decided to do this on his own. What stake President or Bishop would say no to a call from Boyd K. Packer or Dallin H. Oaks? Seriously. If you are in power in the church, that word has real meaning, they do have power over people, particularly apostles over Stake Presidents and Bishops.

This was centrally organized because the church is centrally organized, and as much as they try to deflect the blame to local leaders, they know, and we all know that they control the local leaders.

Obviously the church has not learned the lessons from the September Six, in particular the “conservative” apostles, if they are behind this, have not learned the lesson. This is because those men must be so prideful and arrogant and disconnected from reality that they literally look at the blue sky, call it magenta, and think that it is so.

This will of course backfire on the church (the more liberal apostles already know this but as Oaks said about Packer at one time, "you don't stage manage a grizzly bear"). The flight from the church will only accelerate. 

My Joseph Smith Story: A letter to my family

“I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true (Joseph Smith History 1: 20).” This line is one that is brushed over when people tell the Joseph Smith story. I also had not really thought of the significance of it until recent years, but I have thought upon it much in the past months.

What makes it so incredible is not what is said, as what is not said. Here was a young boy, 15 years old, going to his mother and telling her that he had discovered the religion she belonged to was not true. I find it amazing that Joesph felt comfortable telling her, but even more her lack of negative response. There is no record of yelling, or even confrontation; what is more, it seems Lucy Mack Smith even believed her son.

I cannot hope to possibly have the same level of understanding and support that Joseph Smith experienced from his family as I reveal this story, but I would ask that you proportion me at least some level of the understanding that must have been in Lucy Mack Smith’s heart that day when Joseph walked in and said, “I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.”

And so with that confidence in your love for me, I bravely venture forth.

I have learned for myself that Mormonism is not true. It was not an easy thing for me to find out or accept, and I do not expect it to be easy for you to accept that this is where I have arrived, but I promise you it cannot be much harder for you to accept me than it has been for me to accept this most bitter pill.

So the question remains, why have I done this?

Many aspects of Joseph Smith’s story still impress me, in particular his conviction in the face of opposition. Many of his friends and Church leaders he had known turned on him, but he stood by his convictions. “Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it (Joseph Smith History1:25).”

Martin Luther similarly declared in front of the diet of worms, “My conscience is captive… I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience.”

These men of valor have always impressed me. Regardless of how the world felt about their convictions, they stood by them, for they knew they were right. How could I, pretend to follow them when I was unwilling to do the same thing and stand by my convictions?

It is not in spite of what I was taught growing up in the church, but because of what I was taught that I must make this change in my life. I was taught valor, courage, integrity, honesty, and to value the truth above all else. I cannot and will not step away from those values. I have done so in the past, but I do not want to again and that is why I am writing this letter. That is why I am taking this stand. I don’t want to pretend to believe something I do not. Many probably do, but I am not one of those. I want to live a life of integrity. Of honesty. Of courage. There is nothing courageous about living what you do not believe in because society around you expects it of you. Do what is right let the consequence follow is what I sung, and still believe. There are no ends that justify the means. Honesty and integrity are the keys to happy life and I ask you to help me have those virtues.

Mormonism was for me Truth. That is what it always was. Nothing more, and nothing less. Joseph Smith said, “One of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may.” Joseph also said, “Mormonism is truth…The first and fundamental principle of our holy religion is, that we believe that we have a right to embrace all, and every item of truth, without limitation or … being … prohibited by the creeds or superstitious notions of men.” Imagine the difficult position my own search for truth placed me in. My search to follow the words of Joseph Smith led me away from all I had known. Isolated me from my family, friends, and loved ones. It has not been easy, and I expect it to get more difficult. But I have known for some time I have needed to make this change, to follow the truth as I perceive it and do what I know is right or to follow societal norms of those around me.

On my mission I taught people to follow the truths I was taught from my childhood, and encouraged them to do what they knew in their hearts were right. I said they should follow the truth even if it meant changing habits, losing friends, and having to sacrifice relationships. These people were willing to leave all that they had known to follow the truth as I gave it to them. While I was on this mission I often wondered if I would have been as courageous as them; if I would have been willing to listen to random Americans and leave everything to follow the truth they taught. I always wondered and now have the opportunity to find out. For I have been “stopped in the streets” so to speak and learned truth. I know it and I know that I know it. I now need to finally decide.

I have put this choice off for far too long and have stayed in limbo for far too long. I want to be honest and open. Despite the many good aspects of the church and its members and the love I have for all those who embrace its creeds, I do not believe in what presently constitutes Mormonism or consider myself a current Mormon. I have made my decision. I have and will continue to seek truth and to follow it. I must finally do what is right and let the consequence follow, regardless of the relationships, friendships, connections, job prospects, or anything else I may lose. I must live a life of integrity. I must live my life to for myself and no one else!

So though I know you may disagree with my actions, at least I think you might be able to concur with my motives and desires to follow my principles and live honestly.

This is the first reason why I am stepping away. But that is not all. Perhaps if it was just that it would seem selfish to some extent. I don’t do this only for myself but also for others.

Stephen Covey has said that having continuity among our core beliefs and actions is a key to success. I concur completely, but it is even more than that, if we rob the world of the greatest gift we can give, namely ourselves.

I can no longer worry about whose sensibilities I am bothering, or what mask I am supposed to be wearing. I have spent far too many years of my life being the person the people around me expected me to be, and not being true to myself. William Shakespeare said, “To thine own self be true.” I have one gift to give this world. One gift alone. I have one life to give this one gift, and I can no longer avoid giving it. That gift is who I am.

This may sound like a cliché “be yourself” and all that. Clichés I have realized (for the most part at least) are statements that everybody knows are true, but nobody (or hardly anyone) understands or follows.

That is the number one reason why I made this decision. I leave with the hope that others in similar dilemmas might find the courage to follow the example I have set. That by doing so they may no longer live with the guilt and shame of being untrue to themselves and others.  

Now I know this letter may be difficult to accept. You may feel overwhelmed or even in shock. Though I truly feel sorry for the pain you are experiencing and can understand it completely, I do not apologize for what I have said. I stand by it. As Martin Luther said, “I cannot and will not recant!”

I thank you for taking the time to read these issues that I have been wanting to express for a very long time. This quote from Joseph Smith may be helpful, as you sort these things out in your mind and heart:

“I want the liberty of believing as I please. It feels so good not to be trammeled. It doesn't prove that a man is not a good man, because he errs in doctrine.” – Joseph Smith

With love and appreciation for all the good things you have done for me throughout my entire life.

I remain your son and brother,

My Real Name

Helping people stay in the Church

For anyone that follows Mormonism, you know that hundreds of people are leaving the church.  It seems as if the tide of people leaving is not slowing, and is in fact growing. Marlin K. Jensen has noted, “Maybe since Kirtland, we never have had a period of, I’ll call it apostasy, like we’re having right now.” 

So what can members do? How can members plug the holes? By many estimates the number of active members is decreasing at a steady rate. Can this be reversed?

As one who has recently left the church, and one who has talked to scores of others who have left, here is a small suggestion to active members of the church who desire to keep members in the fold.

Do not be critical or judgmental if a member joins or shows support for a liberal element of the Mormon Church such as Ordain Woman, Mormon Stories, etc.

Many members don’t feel at home in mainstream Mormonism. This is a fact. Because of political viewpoint or whatever other reason, many members feel isolated. The question is do these people have a place in the church? That is the question many ask themselves regularly.

Often these members go to Sunstone, or post support for Ordain Women on social media, or read D. Michael Quinn not because they hate the church, but rather because they are looking to find a place in the church. They don’t want to leave. They just want to feel comfortable. They want to feel part of the Church they love. 

 Furthermore often it is not these organizations and people that cause them to lose their faith; it is the reaction of their Mormon friends to their involvement in these groups. Many ex-Mormons I have talked to lost their faith not because of Sunstone or Ordain Women, but rather because of hateful and bigoted responses from members of the church. 

One ex-Mormon I know posted support for Ordain Women on her Facebook page, the comments and messages she received were so negative, hateful, and bigoted that she was out of the church within a week. Literally a week.  It wasn’t the Ordain Woman movement that took her out of the church. When she discovered Ordain Women it actually made her feel more at home in the church, feel like she actually had a place. The Ordain Women movement was keeping her in the church. The comments on her involvement are what drove her out. 

Similarly when people read D. Michael Quinn, or go to Sunstone or participate in the Mormon Stories podcast. These are things they seek out to find a place in the church. Often it is Church Members hostile emotions toward these faithful or semi-faithful groups that drive people away, not the groups themselves. 

Basically the take away is love and support anyone who joins a Gay Mormon, Feminist Mormon, or Intellectual Mormon group. If Members do this perhaps the tide of people leaving will be able to be stemmed, if not the Church will become an ever-shrinking group of people with a very limited ideological view.