The Bible teaches the gospel net gathereth of every kind, in other words, the Lord sure has a lot of variety in His church. This is true of the Bloggernacle. We’re a diverse group; a microcosm of early 21st century American Mormons.
For most of my church life I’ve thought of members as being either active or inactive. Now I view members as being liberal vs. conservative Mormons, Iron Rod vs. Liahona Mormons, and the latest is new order Mormons. And then there are subsets in each category. I’m not going to get into the details of the various notions behind the designations. In keeping with the KISS principle I’ll say that there are three main groups of church members based on their descriptions of themselves: conservative, liberal, and intellectual.
The church has always had diversity in its members. The standard works provides an interesting cast of characters to help us understand just how wide and deep the diversity of God’s children is. Whether we look at Lehi’s family or a thousand years of Jewish and Nephite history we encounter diversity and variety.
We are the Gathered of the Last Dispensation
The Lord taught, He …shall gather together his elect… Mark 13:27. We represent the gathering that has been going on from the day the Lord appeared to the prophet Joseph Smith. We’re gathered because we hear His voice, and we know Him, because we followed Him before. We’re even numbered; and none that Heavenly Father has given Christ will be lost (John 10:14, 27, D&C 50:41-42).
Many, if Not All of Us, Took Substantial Risk
The scripture teach we shouted for joy at the prospect of coming to earth (Job 38:7). However, I believe that as we came to understand better the challenges and risk of mortality our shouting turned into humility-even great concern, when we saw some of the great ones, who preceded us, fall short of their expectations.
We all took risk by coming to this particular earth. There is reason to believe that this earth, out of all the earths the Lord created, is perhaps the lowest kingdom ever created by Heavenly Father for the testing of his children (Moses 7:36). Consequently, those who come here may be subject to greater challenges, and blessings as a result. [1] The Savior came to this earth out of all He created to accomplish the atonement; the scripture teach He descended below all things in the process (D&C 88:6, 122:8).
Another kind of risk some of us appear to have taken, by our choice or by request, was the family we came to. Some have learned by the workings of the Spirit that they elected to be born into circumstances where they would be a messenger; a missionary of sorts to members of their family. Carlfred Broderick calls them saviors on mount zion. Click here to read an excerpt.
The Gate Swings Both Ways
The gate to the kingdom of heavens is open to all. It also swings two ways, for those entering, and for those exiting. I feel very sad when someone in the Bloggernacle relates the sense of freedom they felt leaving the church and starting a new life without the oppressive need to conform to the commandments by following the Savior. I’m sure that some of them will do just fine in this life because they never really made their way along the path they originally entered. They hung around the gate and never partook of the fruit, therefore, they won’t miss the gospel because they never tasted it. Their still candidates for the missionaries; they might know a lot about the church, but next to nothing about the Savior and His gospel.
Spiritually Getting Caught Up in the Thick of Thin Things
We look “beyond the mark” when we spend the bulk of our spiritual energy to obtain those things of least importance. Goethe put it this way, “things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.”
The question needs to be asked: what matters most?[2]
I hope all who read this post will answer: fulfilling our baptism covenant by receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. There is nothing a member of the church can do that is more important! We need to understand the difference between good, better, and best when it comes to the opportunities the Lord makes available in His church to help us fulfill this covenant. For example, being called to a high profile calling in the church is good, magnifying our calling is better, and seeking diligently to be led by the Holy Ghost in our calling-is best. A common pitfall in the kingdom is to mistake good for best, and better for best, and in doing so find that we have been very busily engaged in secondary efforts.
Summary
This post started out exploring the fact there is great variety among church members. Many Bloggernaclist like to think of themselves as being a conservative, liberal, or intellectual Mormon-or a mix thereof. The key point of this post is best summed up by Elder Dallin Oaks, “I find some wisdom in liberalism, some wisdom in conservatism, and much truth in intellectualism-but I find no salvation in any of them.” “Criticism,” Ensign, Feb. 1987, 68
Salvation is the ultimate goal of those who follow Christ, and fulfilling our baptism covenant is essential to realize our goal of salvation.
Click here to read: How Do I Know if I have the gift of Holy Ghost?
[1] We are inhabitants of a world of sin and sorrow; pain and anguish, every ill that can be heaped upon intelligent beings in a probation we are heirs to. I suppose that God never organized an earth and peopled it that was ever reduced to a lower state of darkness, sin and ignorance than this. I suppose this is one of the lowest kingdoms that ever the Lord Almighty created, and on that account is capable of becoming exalted to be one of the highest kingdoms that has ever had an exaltation in all the eternities. In proportion as it has been reduced so it will be exalted, with that portion of its inhabitants who in their humiliation have cleaved to righteousness and acknowledged God in all things. In proportion as it has been reduced so it will be exalted, with that portion of its inhabitants who in their humiliation have cleaved to righteousness and acknowledged God in all things. In proportion to our fall through sin, so shall we be exalted in the presence of our Father and God, through Jesus Christ and by living the righteousness of his Gospel. All this the people will understand in due time through their faithfulness, and learn to rejoice even in the midst of afflictions. Brigham Young, May 24, 1863. JD 10:175
[2] This question is being asked with the assumption one is already a member of the church in good standing. This would mean they have fulfilled the requirement for baptism by following the 4th Article of faith: We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Tim Malone
Posted on 2nd August, 2008
What an awesome quote to conclude with from Elder Oaks! I just had to go back and read his talk again. The counsel given twenty-two years ago is especially applicable in today’s LDS blogging community, affectionately called the Bloggernacle.
One of the cardinal rules of the Bloggernacle is to not find fault or pass judgment on any who post an essay that expresses a point of view contrary to the established doctrine of the church. Such writers are lauded for their honest and courage.
Yet, these same individuals who are quick to applaud such blatantly obvious admissions of dishonesty and sometimes sin, seem to go out of their way to criticize, pick apart and otherwise denigrate the words of our prophets and apostles.
It constantly amazes me and always has. As you pointed out, the gospel net gathers all kinds. Apparently, many of those who participate in the dialog in today’s Bloggernacle are the kind that have a need to tear down instead of to build up.
As an example, one recent blogger simply posted an article from the Ensign, a talk from a General Authority, a prophet, that was delivered in General Conference some years ago. He added no comment, but simply highlighted a few salient points.
For his troubles he was lambasted and called all sorts of names. What did he do other than to share the words of a prophet? Many apparently took offense and felt that he was personally attacking their beliefs, attitudes and writings.
Perhaps he was, but are personal attacks the way to defend their own convictions of freedom to disagree and to dissent? The Bloggernacle seems to have attracted a whole new breed of young intellectuals that believe anything goes in commenting.
Jared, I love your blog and your faithful, thought-provoking essays. Thanks for the insights that obviously come from years of reflection and experience. I enjoy your essays and look forward to reading them each time they are posted. Cheers!
Clean Cut
Posted on 2nd August, 2008
I love that final quote by Elder Oaks! I’ve found that I really resist being categorized as one type of person or another. I’m really hesitant to apply labels, to myself and to others. I’m not sure if I can articulate all the reasons why–and sometimes they’re maybe even helpful–but I hate feeling that I’m being pigeon holed or cornered into being or thinking a certain way along with a certain group. It’s more liberating to be open minded to the wisdom of all, no matter where it is found, and to apply it. In other words, I’m open to good ideas no matter who presents them or where they come from. I might disagree with what one person thinks is a good idea, but I’ll hesitate to label that person out of respect for the fact that people can change.
Clean Cut
Posted on 2nd August, 2008
I also loved your statement that there is “nothing a member of the church can do that is more important than fulfilling our baptism covenant by receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost”. I remember writing down several years ago that the two most important things I could do in this life is to seek the Spirit and keep my covenants. And it’s really true.
So I also appreciated you next statement, along with a great example, of differentiating between good, better, and best. This is key issue that I’ve been thinking about lately, along with how I personally need to apply it. Thanks for this post!
Jared
Posted on 2nd August, 2008
Hi Tim,
Thanks for coming by and sharing your thoughts. Your kind words, and thoughtful analysis of the subject are appreciated, and inspire me.
BTW–your site is amazing.
Jared
Posted on 2nd August, 2008
Hi Clean Cut,
I agree with your thoughts on categorizing and pigeon holing people. I think brother and sister are the best way to refer to others.
I’m persuaded that those who like to refer to themselves with terms to set themselves apart from the rest are in need of spiritual experiences that come via the Holy Ghost. Spiritual experiences unite us in faith, whereas conservative, liberal, and intellectual labels seem to reduce faith and increase our tendencies towards the natural man.
Love your site. Great pics of the family.
Thomas Parkin
Posted on 3rd August, 2008
Right on the nose, to the heart of the matter, Jared.
~
Thomas Parkin
Posted on 3rd August, 2008
May I say one thing about people who feel freedom when they leave the church.
When I left the church, I felt an exultant freedom. Paul says that when we were servents of sin we were free from righteousness. Didn’t have to worry about tithing, chastity, or any of the rest. But what was is the end of that? The wages of sin are death. This is the sad thing that everyone will ultimately learn.
When I left the church, I had a strong testimony, but events in my life, including sins that I had comitted but also things that had happened outside my control, had brought me to a dead end. Difficulties in my life and ironies, contradictions: a very very beyond difficult marriage, and things which, in spite of my genuine efforts I could not seem to bring to a resolution through my best attepmts at righteous living, created enormous tensions for me. When I left the church those were all temporarily lifted. Throughout those final years in the church, I sought and found the Spirit, but I never was able to engage spiritually in those deeper regions where I was hurting the most. I didn’t know how to be healed. We think that the Prodigal Son naturally would have been better off if he had stayed home. But remember that while out engaged in riotous living he ultimately found his broken heart and contrite spirit. The Lord does work in mysterious ways. We should be so careful that we do not hedge up another’s way with the things we say and the attitudes we take towards their freedom. Rather, our arms should be open all day, willing to forgive even before the first signs of contrition, willing to take in despite another’s flaws, violent emotions, wrong thinking, whatever. It is interesting that Christ reminds us that the Father causes the sun to rise and the rain to fall on the just and the unjust, and shortly thereafter tells us to be perfect as He is perfect. We should most of the time be working on our own manifold sins.
~
Jared
Posted on 3rd August, 2008
Hi Thomas,
Excellent comment. I’ve been thinking about this topic for some time. Individuals, families, and the church need to sincerely welcome those who have taken detours and are now returning. I went on a detour and know first hand what you are saying.
Thanks for commenting.
Spektator
Posted on 3rd August, 2008
What is the one thing that we must do? Number one on the list? To me it is summarized in the Lord’s admonition “repent and come unto me.” Since coming unto Christ, according to 2 Nephi 31 and 3 Nephi 27, requires us to seek baptism by water followed by a baptism by fire and the Holy Ghost, it represents the ultimate goal, in my opinion.
I sincerely doubt that the Lord will question us about our leanings toward liberal or new order. What He will look at is our heart. Is it purified? Have we honored His sacrifice by accepting the cleansing power of the Holy Ghost. That rite, performed by Jesus Christ, himself, (3 Nephi 12:1) represents the highest prize for the humble seeker of happiness.
Mark IV
Posted on 3rd August, 2008
Great post. I really appreciate this.
Tim Malone
Posted on 3rd August, 2008
Spektator: I’m with you. I also doubt that the Lord will ask us about our liberal or new order leanings. I am convinced, like President David O. McKay taught, that He will ask us more about our relationships with others, especially those of our own families.
He seeks to heal us where we have been hurt. Some are able to achieve that in this life. For others, it will be the next before they are able to understand and forgive. The forgiveness I’m referring to is forgiving oneself. Cheers.
Jared
Posted on 3rd August, 2008
Spektator-I added a footnote to clarify my post after reading your comment. Thanks for your thoughts.
Mark IV-thanks for coming by.
Rich
Posted on 4th August, 2008
Jared,
I like your thoughts on the unique world on which we live. I have considered the same subject from time to time. I’ve never read the quotation from Brigham Young until now. Thanks for including the footnote. If you haven’t considered it already, you may want to take a look at the Lord’s likening of the vast worlds of his creations or kingdoms to fields in D&C 88:45-62. Shortly thereafter he refers to this world as his last kingdom (88:70,74). If you accept the idea that this earth is his last kingdom, and then reread the order in which he visits his kingdoms or fields, it may yield some interesting insight.
Leave your Comment