May 6 — Put on a Little Lipstick. A while ago, I watched a video of a former Mormon discussing the following quote from M. Russell Ballard.
“You beautiful girls, don’t wander around looking like men. Put on a little lipstick now and then and look a little charming. It’s that simple. I don’t know why we make this whole process so hard.”
His comment offended someone because I couldn’t find his talk on their website. Usually, you can find most of the talks their church leaders have given on their website, but this one was pulled not long after it was initially posted.
As I read his comment, I wondered what he meant by “look a little charming” and why he didn’t counsel the men in the audience to do the same.
He also made this peculiar comment –
“Why did somebody invent the computer? I’ll tell you why: because the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints needed it. Why did we need it? Because family history was moving and the church was growing and the temples were expanding, and we needed more capacity to do family history. That’s why I believe the computer came into existence.”
So, the reason we have computers is to further the work of the Mormon Church? I’ve heard Church leaders say many arrogant things, but this comment astounds me. Part of Mormon teaching is that everyone must be a member of the Mormon Church to live in the highest kingdom of their heaven with God.
So, in their worldview, if you’re not a baptized church member in this life, they’ll make sure everyone is a church member in the next. They genuinely believe they are doing the dead a favor by performing baptisms for them in their temples. I wish they understood it’s Jesus who saves, not baptism into their Church.
He then went on to say –
“We don’t have to question anything on the church. Don’t get off into that. Just stay in the Book of Mormon. Just stay in the Doctrine and Covenants. Just listen to the prophets. Just listen to the apostles. We won’t lead you astray. We cannot lead you astray.”
This comment from a church leader is nothing new. President N. Eldon Tanner said,
“When the prophet speaks, the debate is over.” (Ensign, August 1978)
Another quote commonly used by Mormon leaders is,
“When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done.” This quote first appeared in the Improvement Era in June 1945 as a message for Ward Teachers.
Here is the full quote –
“When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done. When they propose a plan–it is God’s plan. When they point the way, there is no other which is safe. When they give direction, it should mark the end of controversy. God works in no other way. To think otherwise, without immediate repentance, may cost one his faith, may destroy his testimony, and leave him a stranger to the kingdom of God.”
Since leaving the Church, I’ve been blessed to sit under pastors who have encouraged me not to “just listen” and follow what they say but to compare what they say with God’s word.
My hope for Mormons is that they will find answers to their questions in God’s Word and not just follow what their church leaders tell them.
In Christ
Melissa Grimes
Reference
[…] Put on a Little Lipstick M. Russell Ballard […]
Melissa –
Ballard’s comment about the internet reminds me of when Al Gore stated he invented the internet. It’s amazing how they don’t realize how awful their words sound.