I have talked about, and will continue to discuss, many beliefs of the Church which differ greatly from what many other Christian faiths subscribe to. Thus it becomes very important to discuss the concept of authority. Where does the Priesthood authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints come from?
After the death of Jesus Christ, the Apostles worked very hard to resolve conflicting ideas concerning the doctrine of the Church. New Testament books like Ephesians are examples of letters the Apostle Paul wrote attempting such clarifications. With the death of the apostles the members of Christ’s church had nowhere to turn for that clarification, and the simple doctrines and ordinances taught by the Savior were debated and changed to conform to worldly philosophies (Isaiah 24:5). Instead of following leaders who were called by God, as had been been the pattern for thousands of years (Moses, Noah, John the Baptist, the Apostles), members were now following prideful men who aspired to positions of influence (3 John 1:9-10).
This time is known as the Great Apostasy, when the true doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ was lost from the earth. In 1517 Martin Luther published his Ninety-Five Theses and began a movement known as the Reformation, but the world didn’t just need a reformation it needed a restoration. To reform is to change what already exists, to restore is to bring back something in its original form. The restoration of priesthood authority through divine messengers was the only possible way to overcome the Great Apostasy.
At the beginning of the 19th century the United States was experiencing a period known as the Second Great Awakening. A young man named Joseph Smith attended some of these town hall revival meeting with him family, but felt confused about which preacher he should listen to. All of them claimed to have the truth, and he desired to know which one of them was right. He knew from the Bible that there was “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5). After attending several different churches he still felt confused about which church the Lord would have him join. He later wrote the he used to ask of himself: “What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?” (Joseph Smith-History 1:8, 10)
Joseph turned to the bible for divine guidance in making his choice. He read in James 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Joseph determined that he would ask God what he should do, and which church he should join.
In the spring of 1820 Joseph enterted into a grove of trees now known in the Church as the Sacred Grove. He described his experience in his History:
“I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me… When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake until me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other–This is my Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Joseph Smith–History 1:16-17).
During this glorious event now known as the First Vision, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph Smith.
The Savior told Joseph not to join any of the churches he had been investigating, for they were all wrong. Even though good people believed in Christ and tried to understand and teach His gospel, they did not have the fullness of truth or the priesthood authority to baptize and perform other saving ordinances. The had inherited a state of apostasy as each generation was influenced by what the previous one passed on, including changes in the doctrine and in ordinances such as baptism. As God had done with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and other prophets, he called Joseph Smith to be a prophet through whom the fullness of the gospel was restored to the earth. How glorious to have God speaking to us all through a living prophet once again.
I began this post by talking about authority, and this First Vision explains how the authority was restored. There were other appearances by heaveny messengers to Joseph Smith over the years which would restore the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth once again. John the Batpist appeared and conferred the Aaronic Priesthood, which includes the authority to perform the ordinances of baptism. Peter, James, and John appeared and conferred the Melchizedek Priesthood. With this priesthood authority, Joseph Smith was directed to organize the Church of Jesus Christ again on the earth in these days which the bible calls the last days, the latter days, or the dispensation of the fulness of times. It is the final dispensation of time before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. This is why the Church is named The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We do not worship Joesph Smith, but we love him and acknowledge his hand in restoring the truth upon the earth. It is important to note that this is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, not the church of Joseph Smith. Since the time of Joseph Smith the Priesthood authority has continued in an unbroken chain, with the current prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, holding all of the authority in this day.
The story of Joseph Smith and the restoration of the Church is quite fantastic. To think that God would appear to a young man in a grove of trees in upstate New York in 1820 to restore His Gospel!
I know that it is true, because I have prayed about it. I learned the story of the life of the Prophet, I read the Book of Mormon, and I prayed to God to know if it was true. I felt, and feel, a witness from the Holy Ghost that it is right, and this is why I live it. I urge all of those who are curious or questioning to discover for themselves whether it is from God. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints makes me a better person, and my life is happier and full of peace because of it.
Editors Note: Former LDS misionaries will note that I borrowed heavily from the Preach My Gospel manual for this post. I did not wish to clutter the message of this post with citations, and so I freely admit that this work is not entirely my own. What a wonderful resource this manual is!
February 1st, 2009 on 12:08 pm
Whenever news organizations mention our church and say “Church of Latter Day Saints” I always email them to correct them: it’s the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints. Though we admire and deeply appreciate Joseph Smith, we worship and reverence and emulate the Savior Jesus Christ. People leaving that key component out of our name is a big omission.
Of all the interesting things about the Joseph Smith story, it’s always been important to me that he didn’t wake up one morning saying: “Hey-I’d really like to start a brand new church! And if they could all call me ‘Prophet’, that would be great!” NO – he started out wanting to know which of the existing churches were true and willing to submit to whatever direction was given to him. After this humble plea for direction, did the First Vision come.
As always, love the Sunday posts!
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February 1st, 2009 on 2:05 pm
Interesting post – I think Joseph Smith is an interesting guy, even if I don’t believe everything he said. I have to admit that I am glad that you said that Joseph Smith isn’t worshiped because that is sometime what appears to be happening to an outsider.
A few questions:
1. Who decides and what requirements do a person need to fulfill to be the prophet/president?
2. I don’t quite get this – are the prophets of the LDS church like the prophets of the Old Testament? Do they actually prophesy and give warnings about how God is displeased with us?
3. What do these priesthoods mean? As in, can anyone go and join them or how does that work?
4. And nothing to do with your post, but why don’t LDS temples and churches have any crosses?
Thanks for sharing!
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Jenna Reply:
February 2nd, 2009 at 7:06 am
1. The only requirement a person needs to fill is to lead a righteous life and follow the commandments of God. Men aren’t elected or chosen by men to be Prophet, they are called of God. There are many different leadership positions in the church, bishop, stake president, seventy, apostle, prophet, and each prophet becomes so by being called to one or more positions. I realized it might be easier for you to understand if I compare and contrast two different Prophets and how they became such.
*Spencer W. Kimball
-Called to be a stake clerk, stake counselor, and then stake president
-Called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at age at the age of 48
-Became Prophet at the age of 78
*Thomas S. Monson
-Called as a bishop at the (very young) age of 22
-Called as President of a mission at the age of 32
-Ordained an apostle at age 36
-Prophet at the age of 81
Basically, a man can become a prophet by being called to be a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, but there is no guarantee that such will happen.
I remember being called as the president of my young women group, and being encouraged to pray about my decision of who I would call to be my counselors. All callings in the Church happen by the influence of the Holy Ghost.
2. Yes, we believe that the Prophet that presides over the Church today is a prophet just like Moses, Noah, Abraham, John the Baptist, etc. They don’t speak to us in the “doom and gloom” manner that the Old Testament prophets did, but they act as a voice of warning. For instance, the Church encourages all of its members to build up supplies of food storage in case of disaster or unemployment, etc. There are many stories of members who have followed this counsel and have not only been able to feed their families, but their neighbors in the middle of a crisis.
3. The Priesthood is simply the authority to act in God’s name. It was through the priesthood that God created the heavens and the earth. The Atonement of Jesus Christ gets its power from the Priesthood.
The concept of an unbroken chain of the Priesthood is important because it is bestowed from a man who already has the authority. There is no other way to have the Priesthood. The Priesthood is only given to men. When a man proves his faithfulness to the Gospel, then he is worthy to receive the Priesthood.
” If a man gets a fullness of the Priesthood of God he has to get it the same way that Jesus Christ obtained it and that was by keeping all the commandments and obeying all the ordinances of the house of the Lord.” — Joseph Smith
4. We don’t place crosses on our churches and temples because we choose to focus on the entire scope of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, rather than the crucifixion. It was both the suffering and the triumph over death that made the act so far-reaching and magnificent, not just the act of dying. If you enter into a church building you will find pictures of Christ’s life, as is the case with the temple as well.
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February 1st, 2009 on 3:16 pm
I have a question very similar to Bean. Is the prophet truly considered to be a prophet in the literal meaning? Or is the term used interchangeably with president? If it is the former, how does the church know who should be the next prophet? And also how is there always one and never a gap? Is the thought that God always makes sure there is a prophet?
I guess that was several questions, sorry about that.
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Jenna Reply:
February 2nd, 2009 at 7:21 am
1. See the answer to Bean’s second question above. One important thing to note is that the Prophet is the only person with the authority to receive revelation for the entire church. All others receive revelation only for the areas over which they preside.
2. The terms Prophet and President are used synonymously. The Prophet is called of God to lead and guide His church, and he is also the President of the organized Church.
3. I explained to Bean above how different men have become Prophet, but your question is slightly different.
When the Prophet is alive, there are two governing bodies. The highest is the First presidency, consisting of the Prophet and his two counselors. There is also the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, consisting of 12 men, with a president of the twelve. The Prophet holds all of the power and authority, and his counselors and the Twelve Apostles act as a support and representatives of Jesus Christ.
When the Prophet dies, the group is reorganized, and the two counselors become Apostles once again. The senior apostle in the group will become the next Prophet. There is no vote, no discussion among the men, over who it will be, it is always the senior apostle in the group (note that this does not mean the oldest person, but the man who has been an Apostle the longest). This system allows God to determine who will be his next Prophet, not men.
3 & 4. There is always a Prophet to lead the church. Upon the death of the Prophet, all of the member of the Twelve gather together in the Salt Lake City temple to sustain the newest Prophet. When the Church was restored, God told us that the Authority of the Priesthood would never leave the earth again, so there is no break.
As always, I appreciate your questions. I learn a lot by answering these.
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Mrs. S Reply:
February 2nd, 2009 at 10:01 am
Thank you for answering everything! There are so many different aspects of every religion.
I have been trying to decide whether or not to go deep into scripture on my blog, and despite the fact that we do no share the same faith you have inspired me to do so. If everyone can be so kind on your blog, hopefully they can on mine as well.
Thanks again Jenna!
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February 1st, 2009 on 6:00 pm
LIke Bean, I was very glad you clarified that J. Smith isn’t worshiped, simply loved.
I wonder as well– how are prophets selected? How do you join into the leading powers of the church?
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Jenna Reply:
February 2nd, 2009 at 7:24 am
I hope I answered your question above. I’ll say again that you don’t join, you are called. There is never any campaigning to be any certain calling in the Church, and you don’t ask to be something.
All positions in the Church are positions of service, there is no monetary compensation for any leader, from the leader of a ward (group of about 300 people) all the way up to the Prophet (I think we are at around 12 million members now). Men called to these positions are humble, and they give their lives in the service of God, often working in their career, raising their families, and presiding in the Church. I admire each and every one of them for the sacrifice they make. I also greatly admire their wives. Their contribution should not be overlooked.
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kaitlyn Reply:
February 2nd, 2009 at 10:46 am
You definitely did answer my questions, thank you for taking the time to do so!
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February 1st, 2009 on 6:40 pm
I really liked this post, I think you cleared up some important issues about not worshipping Joseph Smith. That was the first thing my roommate asked me about the Church.
Also, I really think that Joseph Smith’s story is really beautiful. One thing I like to do is note his age when certain thing in his life were happening because to me that reinforces how remarkable his life really was.
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February 2nd, 2009 on 8:20 am
What is the highest position (that you know of) which a woman has been called to? Would the church allow a female Prophet? While history has named more men than women, there are accounts of female judges and prophetess’ throughout the Bible (Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, Noadiah, Anna). I’m sure that there were even more prophetess’ who went unnamed throughout history. I’m unfamiliar if there are any female leaders in the Book of Mormon. Just curious on whether there are “rules,” spoken or unspoken, regarding a woman’s place of leadership with the LDS church.
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Jenna Reply:
February 2nd, 2009 at 2:37 pm
You ask a very interesting question, and one that LDS feminist women struggle with every single day.
Women will not ever receive the priesthood, so they will never serve in any of the capacities mentioned above. This does not mean that women aren’t called to serve in similar positions sometimes, as both my husband and I have the same calling currently, that of a ward missionary. Women also serve over the children’s organization, the Young Women organization, and the Relief Society (the largest organization of women in the world). Men will never hold these positions.
Basically I believe it boils down to the idea that we believe that the spirits of men and women are fundamentally different. Each gender has inherently unique talents which benefit our specific roles in life.
There is no easy answer for why the Church’s doctrine seems so sexist. My own personal belief is that the ways of God are not always the ways of man. There are things I witnessed and experienced in the temple (which I obviously will not discuss here), that give me hope in times when I might wonder why the roles might seem uneven.
When it comes down to it, women are usually the ones in the church who are treated with special care. When you listed to the Prophets and Apostles speak about their wives it is very beautiful, and often leaves me teary eyed.
I love this talk by President Gordon B. Hinckley. http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-479-26,00.html
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Kristin Reply:
February 2nd, 2009 at 4:33 pm
I personally have never been offended by churches which do not offer high leadership positions to women. While men and women are equal, in what we have to offer the Lord, we are also different. That usually means leading other women, children, service to the community (all you mentioned).
It’s always been my belief that, as the man is specifically called to be the head of his family, so he should be of his church.
I’m probably an anti-feminist for holding such views. And I’m sure a lot of women would criticize me for it. I’m not saying that women are weak, just the men and women hold different gifts. And I don’t think the church is sexist for holding this same view. As you said, Jenna, the ways of God are not the ways of wo/men.
P
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February 2nd, 2009 on 9:12 am
A friend pointed me to this news release by the church which explains very clearly exactly how succession works!
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/succession-in-the-presidency-of-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints
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February 2nd, 2009 on 10:41 am
I think it’s important, since you’re talking about priesthood, to really clarify what this means. The LDS Church believes that they are the only True Church, and that they are Jesus Christ’s church- as in, all other Christian religions are good in that they are following Christ, but they have no authority and God doesn’t do His work through them, the only prophet on earth is the Prophet of the Church, etc.
I think when speaking of the priesthood, many people would think “oh, like the priesthood of Catholics”. This is not true. The LDS Church maintains that they are the *only* Church that has authority from God, because God has *given* them the priesthood keys, not because they have a priesthood class in their faith(there’s a big difference). They don’t believe that baptisms in other Christian churches have any authority, because those other Christian churches don’t have the priesthood. A Catholic priest might baptize someone, but he doesn’t *have* the priesthood, so that baptism has no authority as a saving ordinance.
I don’t have any problem with these beliefs, I just wish you would have made it a little more clear just how absolute the LDS Church is on the issue. I think that there is a tendency in the LDS church to try and not emphasize this, because, understandably so, this would probably alienate a large portion of other Christian faiths. In fast and testimony meeting last week, the bishop stood up and said that he knows there is only one True Church that God has established, only one with any authority to perform saving ordinances, that it is Christ’s church, and that it is the only way to return to live with the Father. Those are some pretty exclusive claims, ones most Bible believing born again Christians would flatly deny.
Again, I have absolutely no problem with the Church saying that- I wouldn’t keep going to Church if I did- I just with that it would be made more clear. I think a lot of Christian denominations don’t realize how the Mormons view them. Most of my friends think “oh, Mormons are just another Christian denomination, like Catholics, or Baptists, or Pentecostals”. This is patently false by the Mormon Church’s own admission. They don’t see themselves as just another Christian denomination people can choose from- they see themselves as the only True Church that is the only way to the Father.
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Jenna Reply:
February 2nd, 2009 at 2:49 pm
I do not think it is something we wish to hide, as any visitor who attends a church service will hear such language. The problem I see with stating it as strongly as you did, is it sounds like we are saying “the contributions you make on this earth mean nothing unless they are as a member of the Church” which is NOT true.
I do not think I shyed away from the topic, in this post where I talked about the authority being lost, and in my post about the Plan of Salvation I said that each and every person who ever lived must make the choice to accept the Gospel or not.
For awhile I didn’t know how to tell people this, but then I realized that we aren’t the only church that believes this way. The Catholic church and the Greek Orthodox church are in fact a split because both churches maintain that they are the ones who hold the Priesthood through an unbroken chain.
So yes, I don’t think we should shy away from it, or deny it, but I don’t need to be ending every post by saying THIS IS THE ONLY WAY, for the contributions of all good people on the earth mean something. I believe it is better to be religious and faithful in some way, rather than in no way. But I also believe that the Church of Jesus Christ is the only way back.
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R Reply:
February 4th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Jenna, you’re totally right except that the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Churches (at least most of them) aren’t in communion due to a combination of difference in belief about ultimate authority (what exactly does it mean for the Patriarch of Rome to have primacy?) and political fighting from way back when (so you’re right about some part of it certainly not coming from humbly following God’s call!). Both Churches believe that the other’s priesthood is valid, it’s just a question of ultimate authority. The Catholic Church will not re-baptize anyone who already has a valid baptism no matter who baptized them.
Anyway, the Catholic Church teaches that She is the one true Church with a direct (unbroken) line of bishops going back to the Apostles. But she is also logical (some say overly rational), so as long as a priest was validly ordained (even by a break-away bishop) he is still a priest.
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R Reply:
February 4th, 2009 at 11:34 am
I think that you should give Jenna’s readers a little more credit. I read this post before there were any comments and decided to wait until later to ask my questions because I knew that I was probably a little offended and would come across as confrontational. You really can’t get much more exclusive than saying that the truth of Jesus Christ was absolutely lost and that, while LDS leaders are humbly chosen by God, others are prideful usurpers (not just that they’re wrong in thinking that God chose them).
I understand that Jenna has to state her beliefs honestly, but really, it seems like she’d have to be down-right nasty to meet the standard you’re asking for.
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Jenna Reply:
February 4th, 2009 at 11:43 am
R, I think it’s important to point out that when we talk about “prideful men” forming churches for their own power, it was really in the time directly after Christ died. These were people who knew the truth, and they knew they didn’t have the power directly from the Apostles, but they sought after leadership positions in the Church anyways.
Thousands of years have passed since that time, and there are many people out there just like Josesph Smith who are seeking after the truth, and doing the best they can. I believe Joseph Smith was given the truth by God, but I know that there are many who there who believe that their own church leaders are the same, and I don’t think their righteous contributions to society are worth any less than mine.
Getting into the area of “this is the true Church” can always be sticky, but I don’t think it is something bad for me to believe. I simply believe that God has one way he wants things to be done. The LDS faith is NOT alone in this.
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R Reply:
February 4th, 2009 at 11:48 am
“The LDS faith is NOT alone in this.”
Certainly. I believe something similar (in reverse). I just wanted to let Sophia know that you were making your beliefs clear enough in your posts so you don’t have to say “hey y’all, you’re damned if you don’t agree!” in order for us to get the point.
Anyway, thanks for your charitable approach! I totally understand the need to present what you believe to be truth, even if it is uncomfortable.
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Sophia Reply:
February 4th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
The only reason I brought it up is because literally all of my friends just think that the priesthood is a priesthood class- like Catholic priests, or Roman Catholic priests. They don’t understand that the LDS view is that they are given THE priesthood, and that God only gave it to their Church.
And mostly the reason I was specifying that clarification is because that was my own experience- the LDS religion/priesthood/restoration was explained to me, and I thought “hmm, that’s cool, I don’t believe it, but what a beautiful story”. It wasn’t until much later that it was explained to me “oh, no, we don’t just think you need to be Christian, you need to be Mormon” hence my comment about there being a difference between “hey, we’re all Christian, pick which one you like” and “we’re correct”. As I think I stated more than once, I have no problem with that view, it just seems like it’s sometimes… downplayed.
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Sophia Reply:
February 4th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
And to further assuage my fears of coming off like a jerk in type- not downplayed in a bad way, just downplayed in a “trying to be sensitive” way, which is of course a good way to go, it can just sometimes present a different overall thrust of the message. Of course when talking about religion there is always that balance between saying what you believe and standing for what you believe, and also not trying to come off as too harsh.
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February 2nd, 2009 on 12:33 pm
Re: the current-day prophets/presidents, to what extent do they receive visions from God, etc., and how much does this new insight affect current church policy? Like, do things change much based on what the current president/prophet hears from God?
I am Catholic and Catholics believe that the Pope is the human who is closest to God, so the idea of an LDS all-knowing-guy-in-charge doesn’t seem that foreign to me. I take it that you can’t directly compare the LDS prophet/president to the Pope, though, can you?
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Jenna Reply:
February 2nd, 2009 at 2:57 pm
One example of modern revelation was given to Spencer W. Kimball in the late 70′s when blacks were given the Priesthood. The discontinuation of polygamy is another example of modern revelation. The principles of self reliance and food storage, the church welfare system, the perpetual education fund, the Relief Society organization, the temple ceremonies, etc etc.
One personal example in my life is when the Prophet stood up and said that women should have no more than 1 holes in each ear for earrings. This was so hard for my little teenager self to hear. It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense does it. Why did we receive this counsel? Because God gave it. And that is why I follow it, because I sustain the President of the Church as a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator.
The Prophet and the Pope are the same in that they are the heads of the Church, but their roles in their respective churches are very very different.
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MrsW Reply:
February 2nd, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Wow.. your personal example that you gave there is really interesting. I know that God is recorded in Scripture as having given laws and rules that seem strange, but they all have some meaning, like not eating pork because of the danger of trichonosis… may I ask if there was a rationale given for the ruling against multiple earrings? Not trying to judge, just curious.
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Jenna Reply:
February 2nd, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Here is what Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley said about the matter:
Teach them to respect their bodies. The practice is growing among young people of tattooing and piercing their bodies. The time will come when they will regret it, but it will then be too late. The scriptures unequivocally declare:
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
“If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” (1 Cor. 3:16–17).
It is sad and regrettable that some young men and women have their bodies tattooed. What do they hope to gain by this painful process? Is there “anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy” (A of F 1:13) in having unseemly so-called art impregnated into the skin to be carried throughout life, all the way down to old age and death? They must be counseled to shun it. They must be warned to avoid it. The time will come that they will regret it but will have no escape from the constant reminder of their foolishness except through another costly and painful procedure.
I submit that it is an uncomely thing, and yet a common thing, to see young men with ears pierced for earrings, not for one pair only, but for several.
They have no respect for their appearance. Do they think it clever or attractive to so adorn themselves?
I submit it is not adornment. It is making ugly that which was attractive. Not only are ears pierced, but other parts of the body as well, even the tongue. It is absurd.
We—the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve—have taken the position, and I quote, that “the Church discourages tattoos. It also discourages the piercing of the body for other than medical purposes, although it takes no position on the minimal piercing of the ears by women for one pair of earrings.”
Okay, that is the end of the quote, this is That Wife talking now. Why did God allow just one piercing for women? I do not know. But I believe the commandment was given for three reasons:
1. To show who would be “quick to observe”. I like this story by one our church leaders:
“Sister Bednar and I are acquainted with a returned missionary who had dated a special young woman for a period of time. He cared for her very much, and he was desirous of making his relationship with her more serious. He was considering and hoping for engagement and marriage. This relationship was developing during the time that President Hinckley counseled the Relief Society sisters and young women of the Church to wear only one earring in each ear.
The young man waited patiently over a period of time for the young woman to remove her extra earrings, but she did not take them out. This was a valuable piece of information for this young man, and he felt unsettled about her nonresponsiveness to a prophet’s pleading. For this and other reasons, he ultimately stopped dating the young woman, because he was looking for an eternal companion who had the courage to promptly and quietly obey the counsel of the prophet in all things and at all times. The young man was quick to observe that the young woman was not quick to observe.
I presume that some of you might have difficulty with my last example. You may believe the young man was too judgmental or that basing an eternally important decision, even in part, upon such a supposedly minor issue is silly or fanatical. Perhaps you are bothered because the example focuses upon a young woman who failed to respond to prophetic counsel instead of upon a young man. I simply invite you to consider and ponder the power of being quick to observe and what was actually observed in the case I just described. The issue was not earrings! ”
2. We believe that the body is a temple. We also believe that any markings or changes you make to your body will stay with you throughout eternity (note that we believe that at the ressurection physical bodies and spirits will be reunited). It is thus important to respect that gift of a body that we have been provided by God.
3. The limit has to be set somewhere.
But as far as rationale, God doesn’t always do things that way. He often gives us commandments or direction, and it isn’t until long after we obey that we learn why.
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Sophia Reply:
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:05 pm
I can get behind the idea that the body is a temple, but I feel that I can respect the way Pentecostals do it more. They can’t pierce anything, period. They are counseled not to cut or dye their hair, and to wear minimal jewelry. Basically, the way God made you is perfect, don’t mess with it.
Not too long ago in our history, even one set of earrings was considered crazy. Wearing makeup was just for harlots and dying one’s hair wasn’t done. It just seems like it’s less about the body being a temple and more about the member representing the Church well. The Church wants its members to look clean and neat and have a certain look. By dressing modestly, not piercing/getting ink it communicates to the world “hey, I’m Mormon” or at the very least “hey, I’m not like everyone else, I have different standards”. I think this is a very good think to communicate. But I can’t say that poking one more extra hole in my ear is any worse than poking that first hole- I’ve already “defiled” my body. God didn’t create me with holes in my ears period, you know? If we’re saying that everything you do to your body will be with you when we’re resurrected, why even let women pop that first hole in their ear? Have they given any insight into this? And taking it further- is plastic surgery allowed? Like if a woman wants a tummy tuck after having kids? Or a breast lift? Or breast implants even? Sorry for all the questions, this is just something that always seemed strange to me- not the counsel itself, but what seems like not taking the counsel to its logical completion of not allowing any piercings at all if we’re talking about the body as temple.
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Jenna Reply:
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:22 pm
My husband and I have talked about this issue often, and I think this is the conclusion we both have come to.
You can always be MORE righteous MORE dedicated. You could quit your job, become a street preacher, serve the poor, grow out your hair because it’s “natural”, never make any alterations to your appearance, etc etc, and wouldn’t that be the MOST dedicated you could be?
I think there is some point where the Lord says “you choose for yourself”, and this area is one of them. Why did He let us have one hole? I have no idea, but he does, and questioning it doesn’t change anything for me. I can take the earrings out, but it doesn’t necessarily make me a better person. We all have to individually decide what being faithful and righteous and truly dedicating our lives and selves t the Lord really means.
As far as plastic surgery, I don’t agree with it. But I did have a breast reduction, with scars around my nipples and down my breasts resulting because of it. If those scars stay with me for eternity, I’ll be okay with it, because I made that choice to have the surgery and I am much happier because of it.
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Sophia Reply:
February 4th, 2009 at 11:30 am
The way you explained it- we can always be more dedicated, more righteous, etc. makes a lot of sense. I feel this a lot being a vegetarian and trying to live a “green” lifestyle- I could always do more, like moving to Colorado and living in a sustainable yurt, but that doesn’t mean that what I’m doing *now* doesn’t count.
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Kristin Reply:
February 4th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Sophia & Jenna,
I’ve enjoyed reading your discourse and wanted to chime in. I agree with both of you. Our bodies are a temple in which the Holy Spirit dwells and for that reason we are to respect our bodies. Psalms 139 also says that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” by an awesome and perfect creator. Why mess with God’s design which we know is perfect.
However, how often have we seen laws turn into legalism? God gave us his laws to turn us toward him. Instead we often focus on how many commandments we’ve kept and evaluate how that makes us better than the person next to us. Not one of us is perfect and never will be in this lifetime. This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t strive to be better. I think it all comes down to the motivation. I try to improve myself because I was lost in sin and Christ saved me. And anyone would be die to redeem my soul deserves the best I can give.
The history behind ear piercing, biblically speaking, is such a beautiful one. “But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’ then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.” Exodus 21:5-6
My mother pierced my ears as a child. Probably b/c I wanted them done. But I wish I had waited some time and used this scripture as the motivation behind it. That I am redeemed through Jesus and have given my life to him. I am his servant, he is my master and this is the mark to prove it.
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Jenna Reply:
February 4th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Thank you for that Kristin. I confess I don’t know the bible as well as you do, and the symbolism behind piercing the ear as a symbol of ones dedication to the master is very beautiful.
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April 26th, 2009 on 12:01 am
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January 3rd, 2010 on 11:30 pm
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February 19th, 2010 on 1:12 pm
Congrats on such a wonderful website, I love the way in which you explain, and answer questions.
I wonder if you’ve ever read http://spamlds.ning.com/
Another person, who is merely trying to answer and clarify gospel questions.
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November 21st, 2010 on 10:52 am
LDS prophets are called of god. The answer your looking for that allows the LDS church to have a prophet with priesthood authority when no other church does is because Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith by the laying on of hands ordained Joseph Smith a prophet and gave him the keys to the priesthood. Joseph Smith then ordained other early members of the church who were found worthy to hold priesthood. The priesthood was then passed on down through the generations of the church. When Joseph was martyred the mantle of prophet went to Brigham Young through revelation. There is a prophet and 12 apostles all who can recieve be prophet, seers and revelators should the prophet pass away. New apostles are called when needed through the laying on of hands using the priesthood.
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