Monday, May 12, 2008

Winds of Doctrine Ever Blowing

I have one more observation from the conversation I mentioned previously. As people discuss the ways the doctrine and approach to the gospel have changed, I think it highly possible that such things have changed, but not in the way many are assuming. If deeper doctrines such as the future divinity of man (via King Follett discourse) and the doctrine of polygamy are being deemphasized, it could very well be for the same reasons that the children of Israel received the Aaronic priesthood.

Many seem to make the mistake of assuming because we no longer practice polygamy or emphasize man's chance to become as God is, the Church is admitting to some sort of mistake or previous error. However, the bestowal of the Aaronic priesthood and the ten commandments did not null greater knowledge, only inserted another step on the ladder. Leaders (to my knowledge) haven't come right out and said it, but it is highly possible that people are not ready for those doctrines any more. As a result, our teachings are emphasizing more of the bare bones of exaltation (faith, repentance, baptism, Holy Ghost and enduring) rather than wasting time on things few are able to understand, no matter how true they may be. For those ready, however, those deeper doctrines are waiting and can be laid open for the understanding even now.

By insisting that doctrines of the Church will and must change (such as with female priesthood) we may end up getting what we say we want, but we are only hurting ourselves in the long run by setting up our own golden calf to worship. We would do better to let God drive the bus, so to speak. One of the beautiful things about our God is that He is an unchangeable God, but He is flexible enough to teach changeable mankind at the level we can comprehend and slowly lead us, if we are willing, to greater mountains of knowledge.

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