The issue is wither the Church is to be lead primarily by its head or primarily by its heart.
Should the Church be lead by its Heart or by its Head? By the Spirit or Policy?
Ever heard the statement, “Teach them correct principles and let them govern themselves?”
Have you ever lived in a Church Unit that runs more by policy rather than more by the spirit?
As I see it this is the big issue of the next few years in the Church, and I see a great division in the Church over this issue.
Please respond with your perspective on this.
This is what happened this weekend:
My son who is 19 and waiting for his mission call has been teaching the 9 year old primary class.
Last Saturday evening he got a call from a sister (2nd councilor Stake President's wife, and mother to the Branch President) in the branch asking him to attend the temple preparation class that next morning. My son attempted to call the Primary President to get a substitute but was unable to reach anyone.
My wife all excited in getting this young man ready for his mission suggested that she could cover for him in his primary class at the last minute, so he could attend the temple preparation class that next morning in Sunday School.
My wife who has recently been released from the primary presidency just a few months ago, had just started my son's lesson in the 9 year old primary class when the Branch President looks into the class and acting most disturbed said, “We have a Policy that only teachers on a list may substitute.”
My wife was immediately devastated by the comment and was quite offended, she took it personally, and told me that she no longer wants to attend church.
Thinking about what happened has caused me to reflect on the recent push to dictate to members things like, what they should say in their testimonies over the pulpit.
I think this is a very important issue for the members of this forum as I am aware that many of us are home schoolers, John Birchers, Constitutionalists, and that you like myself follow your hearts much more than you follow all the advise or policy mixing at all levels in the Church, not that you loose you heads, it is just that you put much into following you hearts.
The Church has a Handbook of Instructions, not a Policy and Proceedures Manual.D&C 121:36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.
38 Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God.
39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.
40 Hence many are called, but few are chosen.
In the Handbook of Instructions it says something like this, "Follow the Scriptures, the words of the Prophets, and the promptings of the Holy Spirit." That the purpose of the Handbook of Instructions is to help us operate our local units according to the Law of God, not the policy of man. Is this not true?
Someone with access to the Handbook of Instructions please get the exact quote.
What do you think about Leaders in the Church coming out with policies that micro-manage the Church, all the callings, anything and everything that goes on in your Church, leaving little room for following the spirit in operating your Church Unit?
God Bless,
Darren