Now at times I have been critical of the General Authorities, I just have issues with authority of every kind so I am keen on keeping them on their toes. But I do accept their leadership as stewards of our church. I don't believe as some do that it's impossible for our leaders to lead us astray, not that they have but that it is possible and we must be on guard against it. This post on the subject might be helpful, it appears on Pure Mormonism, a blog that is all about sifting out the differences between doctrine and scripture and practices and doctrines that develop from the philosophies of men mingled with scripture.
Which is something any of us can be accused of honestly, even me your humble servant.
And I have been, given my take on our faith is not quite orthodox. Maybe that's putting it mildly, maybe whilst reading my Apostasy post, Joseph Smith Fought Polygamy or even the Priesthood Ban piece you've felt the need to put your hand behind you and in tone "Get thee behind me Satan." It's ok, I understand. This blog isn't for everyone. But I sincerely hope it's provided food for thought and given good and useful information to you.
I've gotten a kick out of seeing the viewership increase everyday and seeing people in countries all over the world hit up the blog. Especially the folks in Russia, I've got quite a following there and I would love to know why they find the blog so interesting as I had always assumed it was a mostly atheist country and even those with faith were not interested in us. But the folks in Russia are seeing something here, maybe they're just a bunch of home-sick missionaries, who knows?
And also I'd like to mention the people in Europe, Canada and Australia who regularly tune in to catch up. I appreciate that so many people from all over the world take an interest in the Gospel and have patience enough with me to keep reading.
Now I've taken a hard line on many issues, but I know I could be easily wrong on my personal view of doctrine, but as Joseph Smith said "It does not prove that a man is not a good man because he errs in doctrine."
But being that I am not in perfect harmony with the Church over certain issues I often worry about excommunication; you could say I'm paranoid and I am but stranger things have happened this is Joseph Smith's reaction to one member named Pelatiah Brown being removed from the Church “I did not like the old man being called up for erring in doctrine. It looks too much like the Methodists, and not like the Latter-Day Saints. Methodists have creeds which a man must believe or be asked out of their church. I want the liberty of thinking and believing as I please. It feels so good not to be trammeled. It does not prove that a man is not a good man because he errs in doctrine.” (DHC 5:340)
So far it's a non-issue so I am glad and agree with Joseph Smith that I want the liberty of thinking and believing as I please.
Now there are many things I will learn on the other side of eternity, one is where I went right and the other is where I went wrong. Some I know now, others will be a surprise. But I will be thankful to meet God face to face and to have the answers from him personally, I wont care if he disproves everything I've ever believed, I'll be overjoyed that he cares enough to patiently explain things to me.
So sometimes I try and differentiate between the doctrines and practices we pick up along the way and the doctrines to be extrapolated purely from scripture. Other times I just try and focus on the teachings of Jesus as I understand them, sometimes I speak to an issue I just find interesting. But to me it is all relevant to our faith in some shape or form.
The biggest problem I have with people is cherry picking scripture or being acused of it myself. It's an easy accusation to make so let's break it down; when you pick bits of scripture which do not reflect the overal story from where you pried loose the scripture that is cherry picking as well as thinking that the scripture you quote invalidates the scripture others quote, it's the word of God, if there's a discrepency it's in the minds of people not in the word itself. Who gets it wrong and who gets it right, ultimately only God can say and he isn't going to speak for himself on this side of eternity. So, make your point by all means, but don't think that you have ownership of the truth, I hope I have not always come off that way though I know I have at times.
So I'm still learning as I go, and undoubtedly I will learn more as I have so much to learn; there is so much I want to learn I don't know that one life time will be enough!
I just thought after 38 posts we should have a chat so I could explain my side of this equation. There's a comments section for you to share yours; anonymously if you prefer.