Guest post by Ganesh Cherian of Wellington, New Zealand As Mormons we pride ourselves on being led by a prophet. We believe we are in a privileged position to know the will of God. This is also stated in our scripture: “We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God” (Articles of Faith). We also... Read more
As it happens my blog is surveilled by people who have bigger jobs in the church than me. I’ve always known this but I’ve never addressed those who by virtue of their church calling or their day jobs find that one of their duties is to protect the church by monitoring the defiant, the noisy, and the critical. So, where I usually direct my comments to those in the wavering faith trenches, today I’m talking to the guard house in... Read more
In the summer of my 12th year my woman’s body began to take shape. In that space between childhood and adolescence I was largely oblivious to my physical maturation preferring the usual business of sports, music and friends. I was younger than most, having been put up a class. But I did notice a dramatic change in the boys. We had some mature boys in our class of mixed aged groups. They were big racing stud farm boys, strong and... Read more
A review of “Navigating Mormon Faith Crisis: A Simple Developmental Map.” by Thomas Wirthlin McConkie I received an email in early October asking me if I’d be interested in interviewing the author of a new book ‘Navigating Mormon Faith Crisis: A Simple Developmental Map, for the ‘A Thoughtful Faith Podcast.’ I said ‘yes’ largely because the name of the author ‘Thomas Wirthlin McConkie’ intrigued me. I admit to thinking churlishly, “What on earth could anyone with such a name... Read more
Something feels terribly, horribly broken in the church. Today my friend Kendall and I took our cameras down to City Creek Park to document the resignation event. We were there a little early and we set up our equipment in hearing range of a Temple Square heckler. He shot machine gun bursts of vitriol against Mormonism at the first trickle of ‘resignees’ who responded in turn with, ‘You’re preaching to the choir buddy.’ A trickle turned into a... Read more
In a previous post I mentioned that I had been attending a local Baptist church. I’ve been doing so quietly for about a year, sneaking out of my LDS ward meetings and sneaking into the Baptist church. The fact that I keep going back there surprises even me – I mean – its Baptist!!! I’ve sometimes gone to the Anglican church where I’ve long thought I’m most suited but I just keep going back to South West Baptist – anonymously... Read more
Dear Ward Family You have probably noticed I haven’t been to church lately. Nathan told me that a few of you have asked about my absence. I know it’s hard when one of your own doesn’t show up – particularly when you think they are choosing not to come. So, I’ll be honest – I have been choosing not to come and I think you deserve an explanation. It’s not because I don’t care for you. It’s mostly... Read more
I am reposting this re-edited article from June 2013 in response to the recent release of the church’s essay on Women and the Priesthood. The Lord said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites: ‘A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period…If she gives birth to a daughter, for two weeks the woman will be unclean, as during her period. Then she must wait... Read more
In case you ever wondered what its like to be LDS and to want racial, gender or social equality in the church and have attempted to express it vocally – this is indicative of the kind of response that is regularly hurled at us: Of course these kinds of remarks aren’t excommunication but I have to wonder if the cumulative effect of this kind of social vitriol has some bearing on how questioners, doubters and Mormon progressives are ultimately ‘Leperized’ and sent... Read more
In an unusual move by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints three white males from Utah have been called to fill the vacancies in the highest council of the church – the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Ronald Rasband from Salt Lake City, Utah; Dale Renlund from Salt Lake City, Utah, and Gary Stevenson from Ogden Utah were sustained at the October 2015 Semi-Annual General Conference to replace positions previously held by the now deceased Elders Packer, Scott... Read more
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