In President Nelson’s pre-recorded conference address of October 2023, his goal seems to be to encourage members to have an eternal perspective when facing a challenge in life with his constant urging to “Think celestial!” He is upfront that his goal is for listeners to be spiritually minded, but it comes across as praising immature and blind faith.
Think Celestial
Russell M. Nelson clarifies that his proposed mantra “think celestial” refers to being spiritually minded. He intends to have us keep an eternal perspective in mind and think long-term. Meaning very long-term, which includes heaven and the potential benefits we may find in heaven, by ensuring that we are “choosing the right” and “following the prophet” during our mortal life.
Today, to assist you to qualify for the rich blessings Heavenly Father has for you, I invite you to adopt the practice of “thinking celestial”! Thinking celestial means being spiritually minded.
President Russell M Nelson, Think Celestial, October 2023 General Conference
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/51nelson
While having an eternal perspective has its merits, it also raises concerns about the consequences of an exclusive focus on the afterlife. It inadvertently leads us to overlook the joys found in living in the present moment and/or making the most of our earthly existence. It leads us to sacrifice anything and everything we have today, for something (theoretically better) we might have later. Nelson councils that thinking celestially will help when we face troubles in our life. When facing trials, disappointment, illness, and even death – he claims that the real cure is to think celestial.
When you are confronted with a dilemma, think celestial! When tested by temptation, think celestial! When life or loved ones let you down, think celestial! When someone dies prematurely, think celestial. When someone lingers with a devastating illness, think celestial. When the pressures of life crowd in upon you, think celestial! As you recover from an accident or injury, as I am doing now, think celestial!
President Russell M Nelson, Think Celestial, October 2023 General Conference
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/51nelson
What an empty gesture to those who suffer with unimaginable pains in life, that they need to simply think celestial. He doesn’t exactly explain how this solves anything, or if it even helps. It does show the Mormon cultural response to trauma though, just think of something else and move on. Mormons don’t process pain very well, we don’t allow ourselves to sit with the pain or heal. We force ourselves to put our shoulder to the wheel and push on in our effort to endure to the end. If we have issues, we put them on the shelf, doubt our doubts, follow the prophet and trust their transparency and trust that they have good intentions.
When facing these challenges he mentions are when many tend to deeply process internally, think about their faith, and face hard questions. Instead of finding healing and growth, Nelson wants members to avoid the struggle, and not worry about the problems or the questions and doubts that arise from the challenges and dilemmas in life, he wants us to forefit the growth to ensure we stay in the pew. Temptations, disappointments, even death, devastating illnesses, injuries, accidents, and other pressures: just dismiss the pain or dissonance they bring and “think celestial!”
The Marshmallow Experiment
This is similar to the marshmallow experiment mentioned by Uchtdorf in a 2010 General Conference talk, and is often used in Sunday School lessons and the come follow me curriculum. In the experiment, children are given a choice. They can either eat 1 marshmallow now, or wait 15 minutes and have 2 marshmallows later. This is used to show that we must stall our enjoyment and our happiness in many cases, to store up blessings in heaven. These heavenly blessings are not clear and are promised to be better than we can imagine. This is a nice motivation to get someone to do something though, and promise them a reward in the future. This is more nefarious though, as the promised reward will not arrive until after you are dead.
Robbing Agency
The mantra’s impact becomes more pronounced when considering the perceived cult-like tendencies within the church. The church’s historical inclination towards controlling members’ behaviors, thoughts, and emotions comes under scrutiny. “Think celestial” appears to reinforce these controls by directing members’ focus away from their immediate lives and experiences, and even doubts or questions. It redirects their thoughts and focus on the goal the church gives us, the goal of enduring to the end. Enduring whatever we need to so we may arrive at the pearly gate finish line and receive that hug from the Savior as he whispers “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
As you think celestial, you will find yourself avoiding anything that robs you of your agency.
President Russell M Nelson, Think Celestial, October 2023 General Conference
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/51nelson
There may be few other organizations as guilty as the Mormon church for robbing members of their agency. They proclaim a firm belief in free agency in lessons, but talks and messages from leaders paint another picture. Members are often told what to think, how to feel and at the very least how to interpret what they feel. They are told what they are allowed to read or study. They are told to doubt their doubts. Members regularly hear that anything that might disagree with what the church has taught them or the official stance of the church, it is from the devil and must be avoided like the plague. Members are told that when a leader speaks, the thinking has been done, and that the devil wins a victory when a member think for themself. This cleverly robs every member of agency to think, but it brainwashes them to also think they are free!
Insulating Mormons from Outside Influence
Nelson is also sure to include another thought control device and advise members to shield themselves from diversity or those who think and believe differently. He even commands followers to “never take counsel from those who do not believe!” This is strong language intended to instill fear in the minds of members and make sure they understand that anyone different, is dangerous and should be avoided. This is fear-based living. Nelson knows that the “truth” that others attack, is not so much truth, but beliefs of the church, many of which are sadly mistaken and based on whitewashed church history. He doesn’t want members to know this though, so wants them to “turn it off” by, you guessed it, “thinking celestial”.
When someone you love attacks truth, think celestial, and don’t question your testimony… Never take counsel from those who do not believe.
President Russell M Nelson, Think Celestial, October 2023 General Conference
Never Take Council From Those Who Do Not Believe – Says Russell M Nelson
President Nelson’s counsel against seeking advice from non-believers raises concerns about the church’s insular approach. Discouraging members from engaging with diverse perspectives limits their ability to make informed decisions and develop any critical thinking skills. Again, this stance is a form of thought control, inhibiting members from accessing external influences that could provide valuable insights. Yet, another sign of a cult that should be avoided.
Having an eternal perspective has its place in a spiritual practice, but it becomes problematic when it hinders an individual from fully engaging with the richness of their current life in favor of earning blessings in the next life. The emphasis on eternal matters should not overshadow the importance of personal growth, relationships, and contributing to the well-being of society in the here and now. It feels akin to a sleight-of-hand trick with our minds to encourage members to simply “Think Celestial” in nearly every instance of their life in order to keep them from actually thinking critically and realizing that th church is controlling them and bleeding them for all they are worth.
If you don’t think celestial, you don’t get to go to heaven and be together with your family forever (and if they don’t do the same they will be missing from your eternal family). These threats are based in fear rather than love, but we know that is not President Nelson’s strength. How has or does this mantra affect you, you’re faith deconstruction or your own family relationships? Share your story at wasmormon.org.
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