On Evil Speaking of the Lord’s Anointed

Evil speaking of the Lord’s anointed is a phrase used in the Mormon Church to discourage criticism of church leaders. The term implies that speaking negatively about church leaders—considered “anointed” or chosen by God—is a form of disrespect or rebellion against divine authority. Members are taught that such criticism weakens faith, sows division, and leads to spiritual harm. The church emphasizes sustaining and trusting church leaders as inspired representatives of God. It is not the place of any member to question the authority of God or by extension the authority of the church or any of its leaders.

The church’s scripture dictionary defines evil speaking as “saying things that are wrong, hurtful, and wicked. Often in scripture such speaking is directed at a person with the specific intent to cause pain.”

Early Mormon Apostle, George Q. Cannon, stated it is not the place of any member of the church to speak out about leadership, this he makes clear is a strong sign of apostasy. The church includes this in the curriculum today (see the lesson on section 1 in the Institute Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual).

"DON'T SPEAK EVIL OF LORD'S ANOINTED. There is one thing that the Lord has warned us about from the beginning and that is not to speak evil of the Lord's anointed. He has told us that any member of the Church who indulged in this is liable to lose the Spirit of God and go into darkness. The Prophet Joseph said time and again that it was one of the first and strongest symptoms of apostasy." - George Q. Cannon, LDS Apostle, October 6, 1896. Deseret Weekly | wasmormon.org — “DON’T SPEAK EVIL OF LORD’S ANOINTED. There is one thing that the Lord has warned us about from the beginning and that is not to speak evil of the Lord’s anointed. He has told us that any member of the Church who indulged in this is liable to lose the Spirit of God and go into darkness. The Prophet Joseph said time and again that it was one of the first and strongest symptoms of apostasy.” – George Q. Cannon, LDS Apostle, October 6, 1896. Deseret Weekly

DON’T SPEAK EVIL OF LORD’S ANOINTED. There is one thing that the Lord has warned us about from the beginning and that is not to speak evil of the Lord’s anointed. He has told us that any member of the Church who indulged in this is liable to lose the Spirit of God and go into darkness. The Prophet Joseph said time and again that it was one of the first and strongest symptoms of apostasy. Have we not proved this? Have not his words upon this subject been fulfilled to the very letter? No man can do this without incurring the displeasure of the Lord. It may seem strange, in this age of irreverence of iconoclasm, to talk in this way. Nevertheless, this is the truth.
God has chosen His servants. He claims it as His prerogative to condemn them, if they need condemnation. He has not given it to us individually to censure and condemn them. No man, however strong he may be in the faith, however high in the Priesthood, can speak evil of the Lord’s anointed and find fault with God’s authority on the earth without incurring His displeasure. The Holy Spirit will withdraw himself from such a man, and he will go into darkness. This being the case, do you not see how important it is that we should be careful? However difficult it may be for us to understand the reason for any action of the authorities of the Church, we should not too hastily call their acts in question and pronounce them wrong.
George Q. Cannon, October 6, 1896. Deseret Weekly 53:609
Gospel Truth: Discourses and Writings of President George Q. Cannon, Jerreld L. Newquist (1974), 1:278
https://archive.org/details/gospeltruthdisco0000cann/page/278/mode/2up

There are several dangers in this teaching. It encourages blind faith and trusting authority over individual thinking and understanding. It discourages members from critically examining church leaders’ actions and teachings, fostering blind obedience–not informed faith. Members feel pressured to remain silent, even when they observe unethical or harmful behavior, stifling their ability to think independently or raise concerns. Critical thinking is suppressed so that members do not question the inconsistencies and nonsense taught by church leaders, and even if they do notice, they self-censor and do not address the issues to avoid appearing unfaithful.

Imagine a scenario where a leader is a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” (i.e., a manipulative or abusive person). They would be free to take advantage of the membership, and this doctrine would fully protect them from accountability. Members would hesitate to report misconduct out of fear of being seen as disloyal or sinful, allowing harmful behavior to continue unchecked.

The Mormon teaching to Avoid evil speaking of the Lord’s anointed prioritizes institutional loyalty over individual well-being and moral discernment, which leads to harmful outcomes within the community. But it is consistently taught and has grown to include saying anything bad about or criticizing these leaders even if it is true!

“We should be on the alert lest we be found rendering aid to Satan and hindering the work of the Lord. When we say anything bad about the leaders of the Church, whether true or false, we tend to impair their influence and their usefulness and are thus working against the Lord and his cause. When we speak well of our leaders, we tend to increase their influence and usefulness in the service of the Lord. In his absence our brother's character when assailed, should be defended, thus doing to others as we would be done by.” - George F. Richards, LDS Apostle, General Conference April 1947 | wasmormon.org — “We should be on the alert lest we be found rendering aid to Satan and hindering the work of the Lord. When we say anything bad about the leaders of the Church, whether true or false, we tend to impair their influence and their usefulness and are thus working against the Lord and his cause. When we speak well of our leaders, we tend to increase their influence and usefulness in the service of the Lord. In his absence our brother’s character when assailed, should be defended, thus doing to others as we would be done by.” – George F. Richards, LDS Apostle, General Conference April 1947

“Criticism is particularly objectionable when it is directed toward Church authorities, general or local. Jude condemns those who ‘speak evil of dignities.’ Evil speaking of the Lord’s anointed is in a class by itself. It is one thing to depreciate a person who exercises corporate power or even government power. It is quite another thing to criticize or depreciate a person for the performance of an office to which he or she has been called of God. It does not matter that the criticism is true.” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, February 1987 Ensign | wasmormon.org — “Criticism is particularly objectionable when it is directed toward Church authorities, general or local. Jude condemns those who ‘speak evil of dignities.’ Evil speaking of the Lord’s anointed is in a class by itself. It is one thing to depreciate a person who exercises corporate power or even government power. It is quite another thing to criticize or depreciate a person for the performance of an office to which he or she has been called of God. It does not matter that the criticism is true.” – Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, February 1987 Ensign | Oaks Demonizing Criticism and Avoiding Accountability

Oaks’ comments that evil speaking of the Lord’s anointed and criticizing church leaders is wrong, even if the statements are true is not consistent with the scripture definition of evil speaking. As stated above evil speaking is “saying things that are wrong.” But if they are true, that can’t be “wrong.”

"It’s wrong to criticize leaders of the Church, even if the criticism is true." Elder Dallin H Oaks, Church leader and Mormon Apostle — “It’s wrong to criticize leaders of the Church, even if the criticism is true.” Elder Dallin H Oaks, Church leader and Mormon Apostle | Is it Wrong to Criticize Mormon Church Leaders?

Members make a covenant in the temple to “avoid all lightmindedness, loud laughter, evil speaking of the Lord’s anointed, the taking of the name of God in vain, and every other
unholy and impure practice.”

“ATC (activism towards the church) focuses precisely on [church leader's] human weakness rather than their strengths and mantles. In doing so, it subtly gives permission and justification for murmuring, backbiting and evil speaking of the Lord's anointed, all deceptively cloaked as principled. Let us also be aware that ATC takes advantage of some of our newer or converting brothers and sisters who may not be used to this principle. Those who, contrary to President Nelson's counsel, "rehearse their doubts with other doubters" will be especially vulnerable to not sustaining their leaders and to ATC.”- 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) focuses precisely on [church leader’s] human weakness rather than their strengths and mantles. In doing so, it subtly gives permission and justification for murmuring, backbiting and evil speaking of the Lord’s anointed, all deceptively cloaked as principled. Let us also be aware that ATC takes advantage of some of our newer or converting brothers and sisters who may not be used to this principle. Those who, contrary to President Nelson’s counsel, “rehearse their doubts with other doubters” will be especially vulnerable to not sustaining their leaders and to ATC.”- Brother Ahmad S. Corbitt, Activism vs Discipleship, 2022, as First Counselor in Young Men General Presidency. Now Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt, LDS General Authority Seventy | Church Claims Activism a Tactic of Satan and Gaslights Members

"There are unfortunately others who really aren't paying much attention spiritually. They're living in the last dispensation of times, but that fact is kind of lost on them. Hopefully, this condition is more temporary than permanent. The Savior, His gospel, and the church exist, at best, on the periphery of their lives, but they're not presently relevant to their lives. They perceive the church as a religious institution but not as the Church of Jesus Christ. They agree with the church when the church agrees with them, but are often critical of church leaders, doctrines, and policies that don't suit their present view of the world." - Kevin W. Pearson, LDS Elder, First Quorum of the Seventy Keynote Address, 2024 Utah YSA Conference | wasmormon.org — “There are unfortunately others who really aren’t paying much attention spiritually. They’re living in the last dispensation of times, but that fact is kind of lost on them. Hopefully, this condition is more temporary than permanent. The Savior, His gospel, and the church exist, at best, on the periphery of their lives, but they’re not presently relevant to their lives. They perceive the church as a religious institution but not as the Church of Jesus Christ. They agree with the church when the church agrees with them, but are often critical of church leaders, doctrines, and policies that don’t suit their present view of the world. These people place very little value on scriptures because they don’t see the relevance, presently of the scriptures in their life. Hence they don’t search the scriptures, they pay little attention to the words of living prophets, but they seem to be riveted on social media and those critical of sacred things. They’re casual at best with sacred covenants. Therefore, the influence of the Holy Ghost is not active in their lives.” – Kevin W. Pearson, LDS Elder, First Quorum of the Seventy Keynote Address, 2024 Utah YSA Conference | Kevin W. Pearson, Holy Ghost Not Active For Doubters or Apostates

"These people place very little value on scriptures because they don't see the relevance, presently of the scriptures in their life. Hence they don't search the scriptures, they pay little attention to the words of living prophets, but they seem to be riveted on social media and those critical of sacred things. They're casual at best with sacred covenants. Therefore, the influence of the Holy Ghost is not active in their lives." - Kevin W. Pearson, LDS Elder, First Quorum of the Seventy Keynote Address, 2024 Utah YSA Conference | wasmormon.org — “There are unfortunately others who really aren’t paying much attention spiritually. They’re living in the last dispensation of times, but that fact is kind of lost on them. Hopefully, this condition is more temporary than permanent. The Savior, His gospel, and the church exist, at best, on the periphery of their lives, but they’re not presently relevant to their lives. They perceive the church as a religious institution but not as the Church of Jesus Christ. They agree with the church when the church agrees with them, but are often critical of church leaders, doctrines, and policies that don’t suit their present view of the world. These people place very little value on scriptures because they don’t see the relevance, presently of the scriptures in their life. Hence they don’t search the scriptures, they pay little attention to the words of living prophets, but they seem to be riveted on social media and those critical of sacred things. They’re casual at best with sacred covenants. Therefore, the influence of the Holy Ghost is not active in their lives.” – Kevin W. Pearson, LDS Elder, First Quorum of the Seventy Keynote Address, 2024 Utah YSA Conference | Kevin W. Pearson, Holy Ghost Not Active For Doubters or Apostates

LDS Seventy, Kevin Pearson, further states that those who are “critical of church leaders” are “casual at best with sacred coveants” and therefore, “the influence of the Holy Ghost is not active in their lives.” The logic follows Mormon thought, that church leaderes are called of God and it is not our place to be critical of them in any way, and that doing so is progressing toward apostasy. This puts the church in firm control of the conversation though. Never is it ok for a church member to speak up. No wonder the church has a bad reputation of hiding truth, avoiding transparncy and doing literally anything it can to keep the name of the church out of bad light, even doing bad things if needs be. The church protects sexual predators because they don’t want it known that they do nothing to protect their victims, rather than protect the victims, they would rather gaslight the world about any “so-called” incidents. The church hides history that paints the church in a bad light, as they teach everything that is true, is not useful and instruct history teachers to teach faith more than history.

The teachings by George Q. Cannon, Dallin H. Oaks, and others that members should not criticize church leaders, even if the criticism is true, reflect elements of behavior, information, and thought control as outlined in the BITE model used to describe authoritarian or cult-like systems.

Information Control

Restricted Information Flow: The directive to avoid criticizing leaders limits members’ access to diverse perspectives, especially if critical voices are dismissed and even excommunicated as apostate or dangerous. This control ensures that only positive or faith-promoting information about leaders is circulated within the church.
Censorship and Fear: Members are taught that voicing concerns or criticisms will lead to spiritual consequences, such as losing the Holy Spirit or falling into darkness. This suppresses open discussion and investigation of leaders’ actions or decisions.

Thought Control

Sacred Science: The idea that church leaders are divinely chosen and above reproach reinforces the belief that questioning them is equivalent to questioning God. This discourages independent thought, and members are conditioned to accept the leaders’ authority without critical analysis.
Black-and-White Thinking: The teaching creates a binary perspective where loyalty to church leaders is equated with righteousness, and any form of criticism is seen as apostasy or rebellion, leading to a loss of moral and spiritual clarity.

Behavioral Control

Discouragement of Dissent: By framing criticism as a sign of spiritual weakness and even apostasy, the church encourages members to self-regulate their behavior, avoiding any actions or thoughts that could be seen as disloyal.
Social Pressure: Members who do express dissent may face social ostracism, loss of community, or disciplinary action, further reinforcing the control mechanism.
Willingly Complicit Culture: The emphasis on loyalty over accountability leads to a culture of silence, fear, and complicity.

Is being critical of church leadership the same as apostasy? Are such leaders above reproach? What is the difference between disagreeing with church leadership and with Jesus or God? Is there a difference? The church would have us believe they are the same. Have the church leaders done anything that deserves criticism? Is it true? Are you wrong to say so? What do you think? Please, share your thoughts in the comments or consider sharing your full I was a Mormon story at wasmormon.org!

More reading:

Join the Conversation

1 Comment

Kris Murphy says:
December 4, 2024 at 6:33 am
So when Church Leaders are acting in their Official Capacity/Calling/Office AND are making mistakes/MISLEADING THE CHURCH….we are to stay silent??? Count me out. I think the Black Priesthood/Temple Ban is the perfect example to rebut ALL that these leaders are quoted as saying. And what happens to those who were excommunicated to POINTING OUT that The Ban had not basis… Has The Church put their names back on the Membership Rolls??? Apologized to them???