Resignation Parties

It appears that formal resignation parties in Salt Lake City are trending in popularity.  Deseret News reports on the last weekend celebration at Temple Square.  The LA Times even devoted some ink to the story.

Not that there is any real increase in the number of faithless and apostates leaving the Church.  Statistics would seem to indicate that there is and has always been a quite consistent flux of ingress and egress from Church membership.

Officially, judging by the statements from Church spokesman, we are supposed to be sad and regret that anyone makes the deliberate choice to leave.  But personally, I feel quite optimistic.  I'm happy and encouraged that these people discovered a new path to personal fulfilment and happiness.  And relieved that they are no longer burdened with the hypocrisy of associating with the Church that persists in traditional ideals that make them feel bad.

It seems so ironic to me that anyone is moved to manipulate the public news media into giving news time to this party.  Indeed, an earlier event reportedly was conducted more appropriately in a popular Salt Lake bar.  The most common statement from those departing souls seems to be to the effect that the Church stubbornly refuses to see things from their perspective, so in retaliation, this public swan song will deprive the Church of the beneficent blessings of their hypercritical non-participation.  And we'll all be sorry and miserable without them, forever more.  Or something like that.

It reminds me of so many "mass" demonstrations in the past.  Unhappy screaming people waving signs and marching around together to protest against some imagined slight.  I have been hearing about the staging of hundreds of different protests since I was young.  The faces never seem to change much, although the causes come and go with the tide.

Ironically, in the current party, most of those celebrating their own departure claim to be protesting against new Church policy that they claim reflects a lack of love and proper regard for children of so-called "same-sex" unions.  One protester is quoted, "We want this event to make a statement to the church today that its treatment of those we love has led us to this moment."  Just look at what you made me do.

Although many feign shock or surprise at the Handbook 1 revisons, Church doctrine has always regarded homosexual behavior as violation of the Law of Chastity, along with any other forms of sexual relationship outside the bounds of traditional marriage.  In fact, the same rules were implemented in policy long ago for families practicing polygamy, but nobody seems to have made any protests against that.  In any case, it seems that most of those in attendance at last weeks party never believed or practiced  keeping the laws of the Church anyway.  Apparently the majority of them were "Mormons" in name only.  Some of them even have tee-shirts to emphasize that fine philosophical point.

So apparently, notwithstanding the sympathetic noises coming from news coverage, the Church has lost nothing but faithless malcontents and detractors.  May they all find greater happiness in their future life.  May they all have better luck next time.

Selective Hearing, Selective Seeing

In the Sunday morning session of General Conference, President Monson asked us to be an example and a light to the world.

“We become examples of the believers by living the gospel of Jesus Christ in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. As we do so, our lights will shine for others to see.”

...Let us speak to others with love and respect, ever keeping our language clean and avoiding words or comments that would wound or offend. May we follow the example of the Savior, who spoke with tolerance and kindness throughout His ministry."

Then in the closing address of the Conference, Elder Bednar defended those who serve in the first Quorums of Church leadership, noting that their invaluable experience gained in many years of service are an asset to the Church.

“These men have had a sustained season of tutoring by the Lord, whom they represent, serve, and love. They have learned to understand the divine language of the Holy Spirit and the Lord’s patterns for receiving revelation. These ordinary men have undergone a most extraordinary developmental process that has sharpened their vision, informed their insight, engendered love for people from all nations and circumstances, and affirmed the reality of the Restoration.“

May we hear and heed the eternal truths taught by the Lord’s authorized representatives. As we do so, I promise our faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will be fortified, and we will receive spiritual guidance and protection for our specific circumstances and needs.”

In contrast, some apparently only saw the scene at the podium after President Monson delivered his counsel, and was then helped back to his seat by others. This was taken as a sign of weakness to them, rather than a of a group of dedicated men who support and love one another. As the Salt Lake Tribune article noted:

“This comes just after the deaths of three apostles — L. Tom Perry, 92, Boyd K. Packer, 90, and Richard G. Scott, 86 — and amid the ailing health of Robert D. Hales and church President Thomas S. Monson, himself "feeling the effects of advancing age," as the church has noted, and who struggled at the end of his sermon Sunday. “He appeared to grow weak as his voice trailed off. He finished his talk and was helped to his seat.”

Apparently, for those to whom such things would have been most important to notice, the words of Elder Bednar and President Monson were wasted.

From his Priesthood Session address on Saturday night, President Monson observed...

The adversary is committed to our failure.He and his hosts are relentless in their efforts to thwart our righteous desires.The choices you make here and now are forever important.We are surrounded by voices that are persuasive, beguiling, belittling, sophisticated, and confusing.These are loud voices.
Turn the volume down and to be influenced instead by that still, small voice which will guide you to safety.
Disregard for the commandments has opened the way for the plagues of our day.Avoid anything that will deprive you of your happiness here in mortality and eternal life in the world to come.
You will likely be on that slippery slope before you even realize that there is no way to stop.
Courage will be required to remain faithful amid increasing pressures and insidious influences that distort the truth, tear down the good and the decent and attempt to substitute the man-made philosophies of the world.
If the commandments had been written by man, then to change them by inclination or legislation or by any other means would be the prerogative of man. The commandments, however, were God-given.
We can set them aside but we cannot change them.

It seems to be a problem for us that someone takes license to be offended, no matter what we say or do.   They are fanatic in their unswerving determination to impose the "man-made philosophies of the world" on all of us.

For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

It would seem that we only see and hear only the messages that we prepared to receive.