In reference to the opinion piece by John Rasmuson “Deep Seated” [Aug. 12, City Weekly], it seems to me, in my current paradigm, that the article ignores the fundamental issue at hand.
I am not an official spokesperson for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to which the warning was directed. But, as I understand it, everything about the church is based on the concept of a spiritual Father, God, who speaks to prophets to help direct his children along the most beneficial paths during their time on earth. The “Mormon patriarchy,” in general, and church President Thomas S. Monson, specifically, publicly claim authority as God’s spokesmen on earth.
A complementary tenet of the faith is that one can ask God for a personal confirmation of this or any truth, placing faith in God, not in any person, even a prophet. I am aware of only two possible scenarios. First, if what LDS Church leaders claim is not true, then they are bold-faced liars, and they know it. Anybody who pays attention to them does so at his/her own peril. Writing an article indicating concern for the survival of an organization lead by liars seems ludicrous to me.
The second scenario is Monson does speak for God on earth. Then, it doesn’t matter how many returned missionaries fall in love with someone of their same sex—God has spoken, marriage between a man and a woman is the only acceptable union because it’s best for all of his children, individually and collectively.
If the purpose of the church is conveying truth and not selling something (like watches), then public opinion is irrelevant. The masses have been wrong before and suffered the consequences of living out of alignment with true principles. The force of public opinion cannot overrule truth.
For a man who takes his counsel directly from God, Rasmuson’s warning is silly, at best. If you were at the helm, you would either be a liar or be obligated to be God’s mouthpiece regardless of public acceptance of your message.
If Thomas S. Monson is what he and most church members say he is, then anyone who ignores Monson’s counsel does so at his/her own peril. If not, this discussion isn’t even worth having.
RAQUEL ROBERTSON
Herriman