Culture vs. Truth

In response to an entry on http://aletheiaquest.blogspot.com/ titled "On Priesthood Authority in Mormonism" I have posted the following entry

A Long Overdue Shift in Blame 

When Jesus was confronted by Pharisees on the issue of divorce as recorded in Matthew 19:3-11. He explained that from the beginning men and women were meant to be united not divided (which we currently use to support the ideals of marriage) , "Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." (v.6). So the pharisees then began to ask Jesus why Moses commanded divorce in certain situations. (there is a parallel here to that of the priesthood issue). Christ's response is very telling, and he did not hold the prophet responsible as our critics do. I quote, "Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning." (v.8 NIV) He then strongly denounced divorce.

Here Jesus explained how a true prophet of God (Moses) commanded something against God's will... not because of his own biases or misconceptions, but rather because of the hardness of the people's hearts.

I know from their teachings and examples that the leaders of the LDS Church from the early years to the present have always been prayerful followers of the same God worshipped by all of Christianity, espousing the same teachings from the Bible and more. Prayerful, but not infallible. Leader after leader was confronted with the issue of blacks and the priesthood and I am confident they each took the issue to the Lord, just as one would expect any righteous leader to do. I am sure they did. Each received their answer and each were required to wait. The time was not yet. I submit that the blame for the blacks being kept from the priesthood is wrongly placed on the shoulders of the leaders of this church (just as divorce may be wrongly placed on Moses' shoulders). The Lord knows the hearts of all men, and I am confident that because of the hardness of the hearts of the membership of the LDS Church of that time that Lord knew the time was not yet. Our world was still embroiled in racist division and the time was just not yet, and so the Leaders were left to use scripture and logic to support the Lord's decision. Brigham Young and his predecessors confined the priesthood to a small homogenous group because of the hardness of the hearts of the early membership... unfortunately the hatred and division were two-sided and in many places still are. I imagine many of our black brothers and sisters were not yet ready either.

In short, the membership of the LDS Church and all who accepted the prevailing culture were primarily at fault, though the blame is only placed on the Leaders by critics of our faith.

Rising Above Cultural Norms... Since When?

In response to your statement "those outside the Church would naturally expect LDS general authorities to always have the discernment and moral fortitude to rise above the cultural norms (like racism) that are so inconsistent with Christian teaching." I must simply ask why Christ, Paul, and Peter, nor any of the other leaders of the early church (since Adam :)) denounced slavery, nor called an end to it, but rather told slaves to serve their masters well. How does this relate to such an unfair standard of requiring normal men to rise above cultural norms? Was Christ himself subject to a cultural norm (according to the precedence set forth), or were other issues at play? I would suggest the latter. (For the sake of reference: Eph. 6:5, Col 3:22, 1 Pet 2:18, 1 Tim 6:1, Titus 2:9, Matthew 10:24)

I would beware of confusing political correctness with God's standards of righteousness (lest we be caught promoting cultural ideals that are clearly inconsistent with God's such as homosexuality as of late). While in places they cross one another the ways of men are not one and the same with the ideals of God... and maybe in the eternal scheme of things we are really comparing apples with oranges. Most likely God dislikes slavery, but understands that in this world we are all slaves to something, so he teaches how to gain freedom by transcending the cultures of this world. In this way while chained in physical or temporal bondage we can at the same time be spiritually free. 

The Priesthood Question

As is always the case my comments are my own, my personal reflections on topics of importance to me. I welcome your thoughts and challenges to my way of thinking.

God has given the priesthood to man so that His power can be manifested among the children of men in an orderly way—so that His purposes may be fulfilled. God never intended to give the authority to act and administer in his name to all people, but rather a reserved portion that made valiant decisions in this life and perhaps in their previous experience. Evidence for this can easily be found in every book of scripture in every age where the priesthood has been given by God to man. Even still, the priesthood is not solely a mark of personal valiance or honor. It is given to man for God’s purposes to be fulfilled, not man’s. Otherwise we speak of priestcraft, not priesthood. I have come to see great wisdom in God’s giving this priesthood to some and not all, for example His giving it to men and not women. By doing so we must rely upon one another to make it active in family units—the basic unit of the gospel. When the intact family unit is discarded by society the blessings of the priesthood go with it, as it is no longer readily accessible in the home. When families remain worthy and intact, however, the authority to preside and bless are efficacious and contribute to the strength and vitality of that family.

The gift of Christ’s gospel is not the priesthood, which some may have mistaken it to be. The gifts of His gospel include all of the gifts of the Spirit, which are made available to all of His children but are reserved for His faithful, seeking ones.

Unlike the priesthood, which has been reserved for a few, to suit God’s needs, the blessings of the gospel and the gift of the Holy Ghost are made available to all of God’s children, EVERY LAST ONE. We are only made partakers of these great gifts, however, as we humble ourselves before God and are baptized into His church and kingdom. All of those who humble themselves before God and are baptized and receive His word will be blessed by having continual access to the Holy Spirit of Truth. This is the greatest blessing that can come to mankind while in this earthly probation. Far greater blessings lay in the next estate, of course.

Giving the priesthood unto the children of men is God’s way of keeping order and bringing to pass His work in His vast kingdom and is an oath and covenant made to and with the human race. It is not expedient that every person hold the priesthood for it is not the holding of the priesthood that causes conversion in one’s breast. Rather it is an order of service through which God can bless His children, while maximizing the utility of the agency that has been given to mankind. Some must choose to serve, while others must choose to be served, regardless of who holds the priesthood.

Thoughts came to mind of certain metaphors such as the body of Christ where all members are needed, but do not perform the same function or have the same level of utility. I also have considered that while many hold the priesthood some hold the greater (Melchizedek) and some hold the lesser (Aaronic). Furthermore, there are many levels of duty and responsibility within the priesthood organization. There is obviously a need for great variety in this regard. The authority to act in God’s name never has been distributed evenly. It is given according to His wisdom, and His timing.

Any thoughts?