Flabbergasted … “to overcome with surprise and bewilderment; astound”
With utter disbelief I read over the official news release when LDS Apostle Dallin Oaks told a group of young people to basically bury their heads in the sand.
Every time I think I won’t be surprised anymore by what the Church says, I am proven wrong yet again.
This time around my heart absolutely sank as I read over the poor direction this man gave to young LDS members who are obviously finding unfavorable info on church history.
I’ve pulled a few of the most egregious remarks from his speech and listed them below. To read their article in full see Church News, ‘President Oaks’ advice to young married couples in Chicago on how to tackle faith-threatening questions,’ 2 February 2019.
The way things are today, many people attend trade schools, or university. Can you imagine sitting in class and your professor saying this to you? It just blows me away thinking of it! It defies logic even for those who don’t have a college degree.
My advice – watch for the Church membership stats that’ll come out with the next General Conference in April 2019. They’re obviously having an issue with membership retention.
My other advice is what our dear Lord has advised us to do and that’s to study! 2 Timothy 2:15
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Beloved, please pray for those sitting in that class and those who will read this horrific Church News!
CHICAGO — …
Many young married couples face seemingly insurmountable obstacles, said President Oaks in his remarks. …
“Your generation has grown up with an avalanche of information about the history of the Church that is new to many and concerning to some,” he said. “The time-honored principles of relying on and trusting the Lord and His servants are questioned by some.” …
…
He acknowledged that some Latter-Saint couples face conflicts over important values and priorities. Matters of Church history and doctrinal issues have led some spouses to inactivity. Some spouses wonder how to best go about researching and responding to such issues.
“I suggest that research is not the answer,” he said.
The Church does offer answers to many familiar questions through its Gospel Topics Essays…
“But the best answer to any question that threatens faith is to work to increase faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,” he said. “Conversion to the Lord precedes conversion to the Church. …
“When you are asked a difficult question, such as a puzzler about Church history, be honest and, if necessary, say you don’t know. But then be sure to say what you do know: ‘I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God’.”[emp. added]
With Love in Christ;
Michelle