It has been a while. I have been working on a few posts, but life
has gotten so busy that I haven't had time to post them! Also, now I only feel
compelled to write when there is a controversial issue. I have very strong
opinions and sometimes I get scared about how my fellow-men will react to them.
This topic is something that I feel very strongly about. These are my opinions.
Feel free to disagree.
During the Saturday Afternoon
session of #LDSGC2015, sustaining votes were cast. This is my favorite part of
conference. Even though I am sitting in my room in Logan, UT with a towel in my
hair, I love that I can raise my right hand and show my support for God's
modern day prophets. As many of you witnessed, some people present in the
conference center cast opposing votes.
I do not have a lot of
experience with opposing votes. Today's display is the first example I have
ever seen of someone opposing the sustaining of our general authorities. So I
did a little research about today's events, and opposing votes in general.
First, the actual group whose
members attended the meeting is called "Any Opposed?" From what I can
tell, all the members are LDS. In my understanding, they feel like the general
authorities have no real way of knowing if someone disapproves of their
teachings and actions except at general conference. More information about them
can be found here: http://anyopposed.org/about/.
Now, as for actual dissenting
votes and their place in the church, I have a little information. The best
scripture I have seen on this issue is D&C 26:2. "And
all things shall be done by common consent in the church, by much prayer and faith,
for all things you shall receive by faith. Amen. " Also see D&C 28:13.
It is the right of each member of this church to express themselves. One of the
things about this church and gospel that I love is our encouragement to ask
questions. We are never (supposed to be) told to "just accept"
something because a general authority has said it. I understand that this has
happened, and that makes me sad. My parents taught me to use my brain, to think
about principles, and to find out for myself, just as Joseph Smith did as a 14
year old boy (JSH 1:20). Our entire religion is on the earth today because
someone asked a question, and wasn't quiet about his answer!
I know many
people are upset by those who cast their dissenting vote at today's general
conference. They do not know why they would even attend. To them I pose these
questions: Is not the gospel for everyone? Should we not try to love others despite
their different opinions? I think the church handled the situation
perfectly today. The dissenting votes were "noted," and those who
cast them were encouraged to follow church policy. The people who chose to
express their opinions were not asked to leave or threatened. They remained in
their seats, and most likely stayed for the rest of the meeting.
Now, I agree
that the shouting was unnecessary and pretty disrespectful. The church has a
system in place so that they can see and listen to members' opinions. By
shouting "opposed!" I feel like they lost a lot of credibility. Even
so, I still support the agency of those who live on this earth. These people
used their agency to express themselves. Their methods were unorthodox, but
again I say that they have a right to express how they feel. This does not
necessarily mean that anything will change. God's commands do not change to the
shouts of men (and women).
I sustain our
prophet and all of his counselors. I believe that they receive direct
inspiration from God. I believe that they are good men who are doing their best
to follow God's laws. I believe that God reveals things to us line upon line,
and precept upon precept. There are some things that I don't understand, but I
believe that I will someday. This is revelation that I have found for myself,
through asking questions and having a sincere desire to find the answers. I
encourage you to go out and find that truth. Go out and figure out what is
truth; I don't know if your truth will be the same as mine. Even so, I will
still love you.
Remember that
we are all children of God and He knows us individually. He knows me, He knows
you, and He knows those people who cast their votes - for or against - today at
the conference center. God loves all of His children equally, and He gives us
the opportunity to choose and use their agency.
In the words
of that one movie that just came out, "Have courage, and be kind."
Anger does not serve us well. Remember who is in charge. Everyday I am working
on becoming the person that the Lord wants me to be. I will never be perfect on
this earth, but that's okay! Nobody else will be either.
Mandie
