Monthly Archives: March 2024

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“All subsequent aspects of the doctrine of Christ flow from and are powered by faith in Christ... Activism rightly recognizes the popular truism that power corrupts. Activists tend to naturally suspect the powerful... But this distrust is the very opposite of the faith the Lord requires of His covenant people in Himself, His prophets and apostles, and those they direct... Thus, any activism or advocacy that could weaken one's own or another's confidence, faith or prayer in or on behalf of church leaders or diminish one's ability to give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles is obviously not of God. In my observation, such lack of faith inevitably leads to letting go of the Church entirely and losing the testimony of Jesus. Hence ATC (activism towards the church) often indirectly undermines faith in Jesus Christ.”- Brother Ahmad S. Corbitt, Activism vs Disipleship, 2022, as First Counselor in Young Men General Presidency. Now Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt, LDS General Authority Seventy | wasmormon.org
“All subsequent aspects of the doctrine of Christ flow from and are powered by faith in Christ... Activism rightly recognizes the popular truism that power corrupts. Activists tend to naturally suspect the powerful... But this distrust is the very opposite of the faith the Lord requires of His covenant people in Himself, His prophets and apostles, and those they direct... Thus, any activism or advocacy that could weaken one's own or another's confidence, faith or prayer in or on behalf of church leaders or diminish one's ability to give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles is obviously not of God. In my observation, such lack of faith inevitably leads to letting go of the Church entirely and losing the testimony of Jesus. Hence ATC (activism towards the church) often indirectly undermines faith in Jesus Christ.”- Brother Ahmad S. Corbitt, Activism vs Disipleship, 2022, as First Counselor in Young Men General Presidency. Now Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt, LDS General Authority Seventy
“Activism toward the Lord's church is not of God. One obvious [reason] is it almost invariably fosters contention. Jesus taught with great emphasis and clarity, "Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away." He famously taught contention "is of the devil." Given this prohibition one can hardly justify a contentious approach toward the Lord's own church. Yet ATC not only foments such contention but justifies it as noble.”- Brother Ahmad S. Corbitt, Activism vs Disipleship, 2022, as First Counselor in Young Men General Presidency. Now Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt, LDS General Authority Seventy | wasmormon.org
“Activism toward the Lord's church is not of God. One obvious [reason] is it almost invariably fosters contention. Jesus taught with great emphasis and clarity, "Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away." He famously taught contention "is of the devil." Given this prohibition one can hardly justify a contentious approach toward the Lord's own church. Yet ATC not only foments such contention but justifies it as noble.”- Brother Ahmad S. Corbitt, Activism vs Disipleship, 2022, as First Counselor in Young Men General Presidency. Now Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt, LDS General Authority Seventy
“Activism or advocacy directed toward or against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a secular, worldly device misapplied in a spiritual, otherworldly context... When activism or advocacy is directed at the Kingdom of God on earth or its leaders, especially prophets and apostles, it is the wrong tool for the wrong job in the wrong place.”- Brother Ahmad S. Corbitt, Activism vs Disipleship, 2022, as First Counselor in Young Men General Presidency. Now Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt, LDS General Authority Seventy | wasmormon.org
“Activism or advocacy directed toward or against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a secular, worldly device misapplied in a spiritual, otherworldly context... When activism or advocacy is directed at the Kingdom of God on earth or its leaders, especially prophets and apostles, it is the wrong tool for the wrong job in the wrong place.”- Brother Ahmad S. Corbitt, Activism vs Disipleship, 2022, as First Counselor in Young Men General Presidency. Now Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt, LDS General Authority Seventy
“I would like to address an especially effective tactic Satan is using to blind and mislead the young, those transitioning from other religious traditions and cultures, and even long-time and life-time members of the Lord's restored church. In my humble view, it is one of the great mists of darkness of our time. I speak of our enemy's effort to transform disciples of Jesus Christ into activists towards or against the Lord's church and its leaders”- Brother Ahmad S. Corbitt, Activism vs Disipleship, 2022, as First Counselor in Young Men General Presidency. Now Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt, LDS General Authority Seventy | wasmormon.org
“I would like to address an especially effective tactic Satan is using to blind and mislead the young, those transitioning from other religious traditions and cultures, and even long-time and life-time members of the Lord's restored church. In my humble view, it is one of the great mists of darkness of our time. I speak of our enemy's effort to transform disciples of Jesus Christ into activists towards or against the Lord's church and its leaders”- Brother Ahmad S. Corbitt, Activism vs Disipleship, 2022, as First Counselor in Young Men General Presidency. Now Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt, LDS General Authority Seventy
“Because ATC (activism towards the church) rejects Church leaders and their counsel, usually openly, it must somehow preserve a sense of religious sincerity or authenticity to effectively influence others. Thus, it produces catchphrases such as: "I don't follow the Brethren, I follow Jesus Christ" or even "I am holding the Brethren accountable to do what's right." But these dangerous claims are as counter to Jesus's own teachings as they are confused.”- Brother Ahmad S. Corbitt, Activism vs Disipleship, 2022, as First Counselor in Young Men General Presidency. Now Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt, LDS General Authority Seventy | wasmormon.org
“Because ATC (activism towards the church) rejects Church leaders and their counsel, usually openly, it must somehow preserve a sense of religious sincerity or authenticity to effectively influence others. Thus, it produces catchphrases such as: "I don't follow the Brethren, I follow Jesus Christ" or even "I am holding the Brethren accountable to do what's right." But these dangerous claims are as counter to Jesus's own teachings as they are confused.”- Brother Ahmad S. Corbitt, Activism vs Disipleship, 2022, as First Counselor in Young Men General Presidency. Now Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt, LDS General Authority Seventy
“It is a three-step maneuver that is genius in its simplicity and effectiveness: (1) focus the rising generation and the valiant generally away from the doctrine of Christ and onto real or imagined unfairness or injustice in the Lord's church and the imperfections of its leaders; (2) use this shift in focus to stir up feelings of disillusionment, annoyance, resentment, anger and hatred toward church policies, declarations, proclamations, principles, doctrines and eventually leaders; and (3) manipulate these negative impulses to instigate the use of worldly or secular activism or advocacy rather than the doctrine of Christ to effect change in the Kingdom of God.”“I would like to address an especially effective tactic Satan is using to blind and mislead the young, those transitioning from other religious traditions and cultures, and even long-time and life-time members of the Lord's restored church. In my humble view, it is one of the great mists of darkness of our time. I speak of our enemy's effort to transform disciples of Jesus Christ into activists towards or against the Lord's church and its leaders”- Brother Ahmad S. Corbitt, Activism vs Disipleship, 2022, as First Counselor in Young Men General Presidency. Now Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt, LDS General Authority Seventy | wasmormon.org
“It is a three-step maneuver that is genius in its simplicity and effectiveness: (1) focus the rising generation and the valiant generally away from the doctrine of Christ and onto real or imagined unfairness or injustice in the Lord's church and the imperfections of its leaders; (2) use this shift in focus to stir up feelings of disillusionment, annoyance, resentment, anger and hatred toward church policies, declarations, proclamations, principles, doctrines and eventually leaders; and (3) manipulate these negative impulses to instigate the use of worldly or secular activism or advocacy rather than the doctrine of Christ to effect change in the Kingdom of God.”“I would like to address an especially effective tactic Satan is using to blind and mislead the young, those transitioning from other religious traditions and cultures, and even long-time and life-time members of the Lord's restored church. In my humble view, it is one of the great mists of darkness of our time. I speak of our enemy's effort to transform disciples of Jesus Christ into activists towards or against the Lord's church and its leaders”- Brother Ahmad S. Corbitt, Activism vs Disipleship, 2022, as First Counselor in Young Men General Presidency. Now Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt, LDS General Authority Seventy
“ATC (activism towards the church) looks backward with an eye of judgment and condemns or looks sideways with an eye of scorn and finds fault. Because it "watch(es) for iniquity," ATC sits on the trash heap of disappointing history recycling others' real or imagined sins and shortcomings... I have personally seen examples where ATC has impeded needed progress in the Church by doing more harm than good, a result that often occurs when the wrong tool is used for a particular job... By nature, ATC will always drive its followers to find other issues.”- Brother Ahmad S. Corbitt, Activism vs Disipleship, 2022, as First Counselor in Young Men General Presidency. Now Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt, LDS General Authority Seventy | wasmormon.org
“ATC (activism towards the church) looks backward with an eye of judgment and condemns or looks sideways with an eye of scorn and finds fault. Because it "watch(es) for iniquity," ATC sits on the trash heap of disappointing history recycling others' real or imagined sins and shortcomings... I have personally seen examples where ATC has impeded needed progress in the Church by doing more harm than good, a result that often occurs when the wrong tool is used for a particular job... By nature, ATC will always drive its followers to find other issues.”- Brother Ahmad S. Corbitt, Activism vs Disipleship, 2022, as First Counselor in Young Men General Presidency. Now Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt, LDS General Authority Seventy
“When it comes to fighting injustices on an institutional level, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to be able to successfully address injustices within the parameters of the same institution that put the injustices in place. No advancement of Black people in America, for example, came by way of just doing what white people told us to do.” - James C. Jones, a Black Latter-day Saint Student at Union Theological Seminary in New York | wasmormon.org
“When it comes to fighting injustices on an institutional level, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to be able to successfully address injustices within the parameters of the same institution that put the injustices in place. No advancement of Black people in America, for example, came by way of just doing what white people told us to do.” - James C. Jones, a Black Latter-day Saint Student at Union Theological Seminary in New York

Mormons and Interracial Marriage

President Spencer W Kimball, as president of the church gave a speech at BYU about Marriage and Divorce in 1976. This talk is currently referenced frequently, nearly 50 years later, in church lesson manuals and by church leaders. In this talk, he spoke against interracial marriages. He advised against marriages between those from differing economic …

Continue reading “Mormons and Interracial Marriage”

"The amount of any funds reimbursed to you should be kept strictly confidential and should not be discussed with missionaries, other mission presidents, friends, or family members." - Leaked 2006 Mission President's Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | wasmormon.org
"The amount of any funds reimbursed to you should be kept strictly confidential and should not be discussed with missionaries, other mission presidents, friends, or family members." - Leaked 2006 Mission President's Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
"If you have any questions about tax matters, contact the Church Tax Division, which has tax rulings and research that support the validity of not reporting as income the funds you receive as mission president. Because most tax advisers are not aware of this information, their advice may be incorrect." - Leaked 2006 Mission President's Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | wasmormon.org
"If you have any questions about tax matters, contact the Church Tax Division, which has tax rulings and research that support the validity of not reporting as income the funds you receive as mission president. Because most tax advisers are not aware of this information, their advice may be incorrect." - Leaked 2006 Mission President's Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
"Because you are engaged in volunteer religious service, no employer-employee relationship exists between you and the Church. As a result, any funds reimbursed to you from the Church are not considered income for tax purposes; they are not reported to the government, and taxes are not withheld with regard to these funds." - Leaked 2006 Mission President's Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | wasmormon.org
"Because you are engaged in volunteer religious service, no employer-employee relationship exists between you and the Church. As a result, any funds reimbursed to you from the Church are not considered income for tax purposes; they are not reported to the government, and taxes are not withheld with regard to these funds." - Leaked 2006 Mission President's Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
"To avoid raising unnecessary tax questions, please do not share information on funds you receive from the Church with those who help you with financial or tax matters. Any exceptions should be discussed with the Church Tax Division. Never represent in any way that you are paid for your service." - Leaked 2006 Mission President's Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | wasmormon.org
"To avoid raising unnecessary tax questions, please do not share information on funds you receive from the Church with those who help you with financial or tax matters. Any exceptions should be discussed with the Church Tax Division. Never represent in any way that you are paid for your service." - Leaked 2006 Mission President's Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
"While you are serving as mission president, the Church reimburses the necessary living expenses for you, your wife, and your dependent children... Living expenses include food, clothing, household supplies, family activities, dry cleaning, personal long-distance calls to family, and modest gifts. (Also medical expenses, dental, vision, children serving missions, children's school expenses: elementary and secondary tuition, college tuition, fees, books, materials, and extracurricular activities.)" - Leaked 2006 Mission President's Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | wasmormon.org
"While you are serving as mission president, the Church reimburses the necessary living expenses for you, your wife, and your dependent children... Living expenses include food, clothing, household supplies, family activities, dry cleaning, personal long-distance calls to family, and modest gifts. (Also medical expenses, dental, vision, children serving missions, children's school expenses: elementary and secondary tuition, college tuition, fees, books, materials, and extracurricular activities.)" - Leaked 2006 Mission President's Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
“I answered that the Church is not wealthy but that we follow the ancient biblical principle of tithing, which principle is reemphasized in our modern scripture. I explained also that our Church has no paid ministry” - Thomas S. Monson, LDS Church President, General Conference 2004 Received $97,201 "living allowance" paychecks in 2004 | wasmormon.org
“I answered that the Church is not wealthy but that we follow the ancient biblical principle of tithing, which principle is reemphasized in our modern scripture. I explained also that our Church has no paid ministry” - Thomas S. Monson, LDS Church President, General Conference 2004 Received $97,201 "living allowance" paychecks in 2004
"I am a gay man married to another gay man who was also Mormon. I have five adult children, fourteen grandchildren, and I finally found how to love myself for who I am. I was a Mormon." - Kevin's I was a Mormon profile spotlight from wasmormon.org - https://wasmormon.org/profile/kevinrex4/
"I am a gay man married to another gay man who was also Mormon. I have five adult children, fourteen grandchildren, and I finally found how to love myself for who I am. I was a Mormon." - Kevin's I was a Mormon profile spotlight from wasmormon.org - https://wasmormon.org/profile/kevinrex4/
"As 2013 approached, I saw the Ordain Women movement take some positions, like wearing purple to Sacrament meeting, and I decided I would. Heck, I love colors, and so why not? Well, it didn't go over well, and suffice it to say, coupled with a few other events in January, 2013, I realized how many other things were wrong in Mormonism besides just their stance against gay marriage." - Kevin's I was a Mormon profile spotlight from wasmormon.org - https://wasmormon.org/profile/kevinrex4/
"As 2013 approached, I saw the Ordain Women movement take some positions, like wearing purple to Sacrament meeting, and I decided I would. Heck, I love colors, and so why not? Well, it didn't go over well, and suffice it to say, coupled with a few other events in January, 2013, I realized how many other things were wrong in Mormonism besides just their stance against gay marriage." - Kevin's I was a Mormon profile spotlight from wasmormon.org - https://wasmormon.org/profile/kevinrex4/
"I went through hell to get where I'm at in accepting myself for who I am, and I encourage any LGBTQIA Mormons to pull their own handcart on their own journey, even if it takes them to places far away from Utah, like, say, Palm Springs, California!" - Kevin's I was a Mormon profile spotlight from wasmormon.org - https://wasmormon.org/profile/kevinrex4/
"I went through hell to get where I'm at in accepting myself for who I am, and I encourage any LGBTQIA Mormons to pull their own handcart on their own journey, even if it takes them to places far away from Utah, like, say, Palm Springs, California!" - Kevin's I was a Mormon profile spotlight from wasmormon.org - https://wasmormon.org/profile/kevinrex4/
"It is almost beyond comprehension what gay Mormons have to endure, as the Brethren have not been very prophetic in understanding what it means to be gay. Just look at the many mistaken "doctrines" surrounding homosexuality from the era of my youth (1970's). I lament further the outright transphobia that occurs right now in Mormonism, when transgender people aren't even acknowledged as real." - Kevin's I was a Mormon profile spotlight from wasmormon.org - https://wasmormon.org/profile/kevinrex4/
"It is almost beyond comprehension what gay Mormons have to endure, as the Brethren have not been very prophetic in understanding what it means to be gay. Just look at the many mistaken "doctrines" surrounding homosexuality from the era of my youth (1970's). I lament further the outright transphobia that occurs right now in Mormonism, when transgender people aren't even acknowledged as real." - Kevin's I was a Mormon profile spotlight from wasmormon.org - https://wasmormon.org/profile/kevinrex4/