Why do we put up with the potential for spiritual abuse? We willingly support those who teach us that they cannot lead us astray -- that they cannot give us incorrect instruction. They order us not to criticize them, even if our criticism is true, and instruct us that we'll be blessed for following their counsel even when we know that counsel to be wrong (though if they can't lead us astray, how could it be incorrect?). It amazes me that we buy into this stuff. This idea that we'll be blessed for following incorrect instructions from our leaders exactly mirrors the defense unsuccessfully claimed by Nazi concentration camp executioners at the Nuremburg trials, and it doesn't smell any better on us than it did them. "I was just following orders" never has excused anyone from responsibility for their actions.
Even the oft-quoted pabulum that "the prophet cannot lead you astray" is a clear lie. Wilford Woodruff's version of the quote is the earliest commonly remembered today. He said it while trying to convince the Church that his freshly issued Manifesto supposedly ending the practice of plural marriage really was from God, and part of me can't blame him much, since polygamy, or plural marriage, or spiritual wifery, or whatever you want to call it, had for many years previous been required for exaltation, and was now suddenly disavowed. The bit relevant to this rant, though, is that not two weeks after telling us he, as President of the Church, couldn't lead his followers astray and officially ending plural marriage, President Woodruff sat in his office counseling would-be polygamous couples to move to Mexico, where they could solemnize their plural marriages under the hand of a Church administrator but away from the interference of the United States government. That's why in 1904 Woodruff issued a second manifesto, essentially saying, "We mean it this time." But he and his successors can't lead us astray.
We're taught never to criticize, and we respond by failing to think critically (there's a difference). When we're told we shouldn't think we know the scriptures better than the brethren, we dutifully ignore the scriptures altogether, even growing nervous when Sunday School teachers and sacrament meeting speakers rely too heavily upon the word of God. And for those malcontents who dare raise a contrary voice, there's always the threat of eternal consequences. The same leaders, never realizing that Christ, and not they, guard the gate to heaven, claim that under their authority they can revoke priesthood, cancel temple blessings, and even undo baptism.
We should not hate, fear, or ridicule Church leaders for their failings, We are justified in considering their statements and their fruits, and weighing them against the descriptions given in scripture, and we are justified in sharing our results with those around us, so they can find our mistakes and learn from our insights. We are not justified in blindly following the philosophies of men, no matter how attractively presented, conveniently arranged to unburden us of any responsibility for critical thought, or supported by long-time family tradition of trust in their leaders. It's high time we started to trust Christ instead.
Even the oft-quoted pabulum that "the prophet cannot lead you astray" is a clear lie. Wilford Woodruff's version of the quote is the earliest commonly remembered today. He said it while trying to convince the Church that his freshly issued Manifesto supposedly ending the practice of plural marriage really was from God, and part of me can't blame him much, since polygamy, or plural marriage, or spiritual wifery, or whatever you want to call it, had for many years previous been required for exaltation, and was now suddenly disavowed. The bit relevant to this rant, though, is that not two weeks after telling us he, as President of the Church, couldn't lead his followers astray and officially ending plural marriage, President Woodruff sat in his office counseling would-be polygamous couples to move to Mexico, where they could solemnize their plural marriages under the hand of a Church administrator but away from the interference of the United States government. That's why in 1904 Woodruff issued a second manifesto, essentially saying, "We mean it this time." But he and his successors can't lead us astray.
We're taught never to criticize, and we respond by failing to think critically (there's a difference). When we're told we shouldn't think we know the scriptures better than the brethren, we dutifully ignore the scriptures altogether, even growing nervous when Sunday School teachers and sacrament meeting speakers rely too heavily upon the word of God. And for those malcontents who dare raise a contrary voice, there's always the threat of eternal consequences. The same leaders, never realizing that Christ, and not they, guard the gate to heaven, claim that under their authority they can revoke priesthood, cancel temple blessings, and even undo baptism.
We should not hate, fear, or ridicule Church leaders for their failings, We are justified in considering their statements and their fruits, and weighing them against the descriptions given in scripture, and we are justified in sharing our results with those around us, so they can find our mistakes and learn from our insights. We are not justified in blindly following the philosophies of men, no matter how attractively presented, conveniently arranged to unburden us of any responsibility for critical thought, or supported by long-time family tradition of trust in their leaders. It's high time we started to trust Christ instead.