Walking the Tightrope

Please note: It is not necessarily their ideas that make these critics seem to be enemies of the faith, but rather the fact that they seem to believe that Church leaders can be negotiated with like politicians. It makes these critics at once infuriating to Church members and ineffective with Church leaders. It is exactly that attitude on the part of some Dialogue and Sunstone writers that has made these magazines seem like enemies of the faith to most Mormons who are aware that they exist -- because so many writers for these publications are not members of the community of believers, and some are genuine enemies of the faith. They plainly don't believe in revelation; and if they don't believe in revelation, it is difficult to understand how they are Mormons in any sense but the cultural.

Such critics sound to many Mormons the way Rushdie sounded to many Muslims; they strike at the heart of the Saints' identity, their community, their worldview, and, as Elder Pace said, they are the most dangerous storytellers in the Church, because many nonmembers -- and some members -- will believe that it is possible to be a Latter-day Saint and have no belief in revelation or respect for prophets, seers, and revelators.

The Possibility of Influence
Does this mean that there is no way for members to influence the Church? Does this mean that ideas can only flow from the top down? Of course not. Anyone who knows anything about Church government knows that the flow of ideas on doctrine and policy is omnidirectional. As often as not, revelation at the highest levels consists of getting ratification from the Lord for ideas first proposed and tried out in stakes, in wards, or in the minds and hearts of humble Saints. Most of the Brethren, far from being aloof declarers of the word, are passionate, involved listeners, eventually aware of every voice that is raised. And anyone who wants to be part of this vast network of teaching and discovery and transformation can be.

How is it done? It's so simple. No power or influence can or should be maintained in the Kingdom of God except by:

Persuasion. No public ultimatums or threats, no "negotiations," but rather privately offering a new idea with a desire that the other person receive it.

Long-suffering. Not giving up because our idea seems to be rejected at first. People change, and the idea that astonished them when they first heard it becomes sweeter to them over time.

Gentleness. Never using stridency, anger, or ridicule toward those we hope to influence.

Meekness. Always being willing to obey, even when your ideas aren't accepted.

Love unfeigned. Not merely pretending to support and sustain fellow Saints, but actually loving them, desiring their happiness, trusting their good will.

Kindness. Never using our words to injure another, or even to return an injury we have received.

Pure knowledge. Seeking our own confirmation from the Holy Ghost before we presume to teach others, instead of immediately trusting in our own "neat ideas" or the teachings of the world.

Few of us have a calling that allows us to reprove anybody -- and even fewer of us are ever moved upon by the Holy Ghost to do so. However, sometimes our ideas will seem to others to be a rebuke, and therefore we must be sure that we show them an increase in love, lest they esteem us to be their enemy.

The Saints will not listen to an enemy. Why should they? But they will listen to people who are demonstrably loyal, believing Saints. You can have far more influence in the Church if you never utter a word of criticism, but instead teach your values positively, in circumstances that affirm faith in the gospel and commitment to the Church. If the Saints -- particularly the Church leaders -- know that "your faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death," they will learn to trust that your stories are told out of " charity toward the household of faith." Then their confidence in you will strengthen, and your righteous influence in the Church will increase.

Higher Allegiances
I can imagine some of you thinking, How wimpy, how weak -- has he no commitment to telling the truth?

Well, "telling the truth" is a much overrated virtue in America today. It is the all-purpose excuse for verbal cruelty and domination. How many of you would find much virtue in parents who said to their child, "You were the least talented person on that stage. It was excruciating to watch you." Or, "I always thought you were dumb, but this much stupidity surprises even me." Or, "Face it, you're deeply ugly and no amount of make-up is going to change that." All these statements might be true; but saying them to a person who will be deeply hurt by them is not virtuous. The noble course is to maintain a discreet silence, gently teaching the child to overcome, avoid, or live with his or her shortcomings.