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Difference between revisions of "Detailed response to CES Letter, Other"
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**Lynne Kanavel Whitesides (disfellowshipped) | **Lynne Kanavel Whitesides (disfellowshipped) | ||
*The author speculates that the church discipline occurred because these individuals shared "questions, concerns, and doubts," however, the Church does not release any information indicating the reason why someone was disciplined. D. Michael Quinn claimed that it was because of his scholarly work, and blamed Boyd K. Packer for his excommunication. | *The author speculates that the church discipline occurred because these individuals shared "questions, concerns, and doubts," however, the Church does not release any information indicating the reason why someone was disciplined. D. Michael Quinn claimed that it was because of his scholarly work, and blamed Boyd K. Packer for his excommunication. | ||
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| + | ====Strengthening Church Members Committee==== | ||
| + | {{CESLetterItem | ||
| + | |claim=The author states, "Strengthening the Church Members Committee: The spying and monitoring arm of the Church. It is secretive and most members have been unaware of its existence since its creation in 1985 after President Ezra Taft Benson took over. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland admitted it still exists in March 2012. The historical evidence and the September Six points to SCMC’s primary mission being to hunt and expose intellectuals and/or disaffected members who are influencing other members to think and question, despite Holland’s claim that it’s a committee primarily to fight against polygamy." | ||
| + | |answer= | ||
| + | *The following is from the ''Church News'', August 22, 1992 {{link|url=http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/22281/First-Presidency-statement-cites-scriptural-mandate-for-Church--committee.html}} | ||
| + | <blockquote> | ||
| + | '''First Presidency statement cites scriptural mandate for Church committee''' | ||
| + | <br><br> | ||
| + | Generally, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not respond to criticism levied against its work. But in light of extensive publicity recently given to false accusations of so-called secret Church committees and files, the First Presidency has issued the following statement: | ||
| + | <br><br> | ||
| + | "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was established in 1830 following the appearance of God the Father and Jesus Christ to the Prophet Joseph Smith in upstate New York. This sacred event heralded the onset of the promised `restitution of all things.' Many instructions were subsequently given to the Prophet including Section 123 of the Doctrine and Covenants:" `And again, we would suggest for your consideration the propriety of all the saints gathering up a knowledge of all the facts, and sufferings and abuses put upon them. . . . | ||
| + | <br><br> | ||
| + | " `And also of all the property and amount of damages which they have sustained, both of character and personal injuries. . . . | ||
| + | <br><br> | ||
| + | " `And also the names of all persons that have had a hand in their oppressions, as far as they can get hold of them and find them out. | ||
| + | <br><br> | ||
| + | " `And perhaps a committee can be appointed to find out these things, and to take statements and affidavits; and also to gather up the libelous publications that are afloat; | ||
| + | <br><br> | ||
| + | " `And all that are in the magazines, and in the encyclopedias, and all the libelous histories that are published. . . . (Verses 1-5.)' | ||
| + | <br><br> | ||
| + | "Leaders and members of the Church strive to implement commandments of the Lord including this direction received in 1839. Because the Church has a non-professional clergy, its stake presidents and bishops have varied backgrounds and training. In order to assist their members who have questions, these local leaders often request information from General Authorities of the Church. | ||
| + | <br><br> | ||
| + | "The Strengthening Church Members Committee was appointed by the First Presidency to help fulfill this need and to comply with the cited section of the Doctrine and Covenants. This committee serves as a resource to priesthood leaders throughout the world who may desire assistance on a wide variety of topics. It is a General Authority committee, currently comprised of Elder James E. Faust and Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. They work through established priesthood channels, and neither impose nor direct Church disciplinary action. | ||
| + | <br><br> | ||
| + | "Members who have questions concerning Church doctrine, policies, or procedures have been counseled to discuss those concerns confidentially with their local leaders. These leaders are deeply aware of their obligation to counsel members wisely in the spirit of love, in order to strengthen their faith in the Lord and in His great latter-day work." | ||
| + | <br><br> | ||
| + | - The First Presidency | ||
| + | </blockquote> | ||
}} | }} | ||
Revision as of 01:04, 27 July 2013
- REDIRECTTemplate:Test3
| [[../Scriptures Concerns & Questions|Scriptures Concerns & Questions]] | A FAIR Analysis of:
[[../|Letter to a CES Director]] |
[[../Conclusion|Conclusion]] |
A FAIR Analysis of the online document Letter to a CES Director section "Other Concerns & Questions"
- Response to section: 2013 Official Declaration 2 Header Update Dishonesty
- Response to section: "Zina Diantha Huntington Young"
- Response to section: "Brigham Young Sunday School Manual"
- Response to section: "The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy"
- Response to section: "Church Finances"
- Response to section: "Tithing"
- Response to section: "Names of the Church"
- Response to section: "Some things that are true are not very useful"
- Response to section: "Criticizing leaders"
- Response to section: "the scary internet"
- Response to section: "Going after members who publish or share their questions, concerns, and doubts"
- Response to section: Strengthening the Church Members Committee [Work in Progress]
- Response to section: "When the prophet speaks the debate is over"
Response Section
2013 Official Declaration 2 Header Update Dishonesty
"Zina Diantha Huntington Young"
"Brigham Young Sunday School Manual"
"The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy"
Church Finances
Tithing
Names of the Church
"Some things that are true are not very useful"
"Criticizing leaders"
"the scary internet"
Strengthening Church Members Committee
"When the prophet speaks the debate is over"
== Notes ==
- [note] Samuel Katich, "A Tale of Two Marriage Systems: Perspectives on Polyandry and Joseph Smith," Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research, 2003.