It’s wonderful to know what we know. We’re so blessed. We don’t have to wonder why we’re here for. We don’t have to question anything in 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.
M. Russell Ballard, Provo YSA Devotional, October 24, 2015
“Put on a little lipstick now and then and look a little charming” M. Russell Ballard’s Devotional
The “We don’t have to question anything on the church” mindset discourages critical thinking and urges us to place complete trust in the institutional authority of the church. This fosters a culture of unquestioning obedience, which allows leaders or institutions to go unchecked. When members are urged to avoid questioning or investigating, they ignore or rationalize information that could otherwise encourage informed decision-making or prompt necessary change within the institution.
This attitude is reminiscent of the scene in The Wizard of Oz where the Wizard urges Dorothy to “pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.” Just as the Wizard relies on his projection of authority while concealing his actual identity, this mindset within a religious setting prioritizes appearances or the institution’s image over transparency. By discouraging examination, there’s an implied fear that questioning might reveal inconsistencies or uncomfortable truths that could disrupt the desired perception of infallibility.
Discouraging scrutiny, therefore, becomes a tool of control. Members may become conditioned to dismiss or avoid questioning even when they encounter red flags. Over time, this can create an environment where harm or deception, if present, is more likely to go unchallenged, placing members at risk of manipulation and preventing the institution from being held accountable for actions or teachings that may not align with ethical or moral standards. Encouraging members to engage thoughtfully with teachings and leaders, rather than blindly following, fosters a healthier balance of trust and accountability, empowering individuals to make informed choices.
Put it on the Shelf
There is a concept of a “shelf” often used by members of the church to describe how they manage doubts or conflicts with church teachings. This shelf becomes a metaphorical place where unresolved questions and discomforting observations are set aside, ideally out of mind. Members are encouraged to “stay in the scriptures,” “listen to the prophets,” and avoid information or critical thinking that could lead them to challenge or question the institution’s authority. Over time, however, that shelf can become overloaded with these unresolved issues, and the accumulation of ignored or dismissed questions can become overwhelming.
By encouraging members to rely solely on faith while sidelining doubts, the institution can cultivate a dependency where members avoid critical research and inquiry. This is similar to how Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz is told to ignore the man behind the curtain, reinforcing a culture that minimizes transparency. The shelf allows leaders to maintain authority without addressing members’ concerns, often conditioning them to feel that questioning is a sign of weak faith rather than a path to understanding.
The long-term dangers of this approach are significant. Members who suppress their doubts often experience cognitive dissonance, a mental strain caused by holding conflicting beliefs. When questions are continually brushed aside, it can lead to a crisis of faith if the shelf “breaks” under the weight of accumulated doubts. At this point, some members may experience intense feelings of betrayal, especially if they discover information or truths that conflict with what they were taught to believe. Encouraging a culture that values transparency and genuine questioning can prevent such crises, promoting an environment where individuals feel free to seek truth rather than suppress it.
More reading:
- “Put on a little lipstick now and then and look a little charming” M. Russell Ballard’s Devotional
- Bamboozled Long Enough, We Tend to Reject Any Evidence of The Bamboozle
- These Are Not the Droids You’re Looking For
- Elder Ballard Claims Church Leaders Can Not Lead You Astray
- Church and its Inoculation Approach to Addressing Historical Details
- Weak Foundations Fear Examination