Robert A. Rees: The Goodness Of The Church, Dialogue: Vol. 41, No. 2 pg 172

Julian the Apostate
I'm sure it had something to do with his subscription to
Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought

Recently I was added to the Mormon Blogosphere aggregator. The wonderful part about the addition is that my blog was added to the "Liberal/Fringe elements" category, lol. So to celebrate- I thought I would add a special Dialogue post celebrating the deficiencies within the institution of the Church.

I'm just kidding, but this is a damn good essay by Rees. I'm only commenting on the last two paragraphs, but the whole essay is fantastic, IMO.

QUOTE
"...Like any institution managed by humans, the Mormon Church is less than perfect..."

Now, everyone in the Church will concede this point. It's obvious that that imperfect men and women will make mistakes in the operation of the Church and the preaching of the Gospel. It is to be expected.

However, no one appreciates a list of the imperfections, and often will vehemently oppose the allegations.

Imperfections, "both in its teachings and its practice. The extent to which the Church reflects values and perpetuates policies and practices that are too hierarchical, patriarchal, sexist, anti-intellectual, racist, homophobic, and protective off its own image, it diminishes its power to be a force for goodness."

If the above assertions are baseless and false, then what imperfections are we talking about? Surely no one can make a case for an infallible Prophet, nor can they make the case for infallible Apostles, Stake Presidents, Bishops, et al. There are small and major policy and procedural mistakes, both past and present, but I think we are moving in the right direction. But there has always been hope and promises that despite our screw ups the Church will move forward like the rock cut out of the Mountain without hands.

Nevertheless, as it is a "living" and therefore potentially evolving institution, we can hope that its evolution is progressive rather regressive. It is the stewardship of all the leaders and the members to ensure that it is, and this means facing honestly those things about the Church that are not reflective of the gospel of Christ as well as acknowledging and affirming those that are.

We, the imperfect, are left to govern ourselves the best we can. The ideal situation is that we will act appropriately and in conjunction with God's will. But that's an ideal, not a reality. When we stray from the course, I'm sure there will be those that lovingly bring us back to the straight and narrow. I know that quorum of the Twelve operates in a very similar fashion. (See, Rise of Modern Mormonism, Prince), and so should we.

"So, while there are things that are wrong with the Church, there is much that is right with it. Finally, what is right with it is that it is one of few places where we can find holiness, where we can find manifestations of God's abundant love and his amazing grace. Not always, but often. And in an increasingly unholy world, this is no small thing. It is, I believe for the possibility of finding such holiness that the Lord created His church, that He commands us to be engaged in its mission, and that He invites us to partake of its blessings. It is partly out of hope that I will find such holiness and perhaps in my small way make holiness happen for myself and others that I continue to go to Church."

I feel much the same way. It is a place of refuge amidst a ver large and looming storm covering the earth. I found God within a Christian/Mormon context. Idevelop that relationship within the same context. Mormonism is a place for me to serve and love and increase my Discipleship. I make sacred covenants with God and renew them weekly, and believe me I need it. I find forgiveness and Peace within this Church. And although the world has its counterfeits, it can never offer Peace and Forgiveness in its purest forms as our Father does.

"And, in spite off occasional disagreements with practice or policy, in spite of occasional frustration and hurt, and in spite of the weekly challenges of being a liberal, intellectual Latter-day Saint in a conservative, often anti-intellectual church community, because of my wish for the Church as it is to be more like the Church as it should be and because off a lifelong experience of finding love and goodness there, I give the Church my allegiance and devotion, not mindlessly but mindfully, and with full heart and voice."(bold mine)

The thing I appreciate most is that he's completely honest about his loves, his concerns, and his complete devotion. Contrary to some beliefs, one can be a critic of the institution of the Church and as orthodox and devoted as anyone else.

From "Faith of an Observer- Conversations with Hugh Nibley":

"There have been some things said about Brigham Youn University by others, non of them are as painfully citical as what Nibley occasionally says, and the same goes for certain aspects of the Church, institutionally speaking. He really is its gadfly critic..Is he a cynic and pessimist, with all kinds of negative things to say? Yes. Is he an optimist, an idealist, with great hope for the future? Yes. Some would say you can't get those together. He does."

I'd like to think I can too.


Big UP!

Lamanite