Church lawyers and D&C 121

[deacon blues]

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.
41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—
43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;
44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.

How does the LDS Church get from this to suing people like John Dehlin? How do church leaders go from verse 41 to bring forth a lawsuit?

[Palerider]

Or try this:

“Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?”
— 1 Corinthians 6:7

Or this:

“Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?”
— 1 Corinthians 6:1

By bringing these law suits the church accomplishes two great achievements on behalf of those the church considers their enemies and they do it better than their so-called enemies could have done it themselves.

1: They show the world their true character. They are bullies.

2. As the Savior said to the Pharisees, "You trust in the law..."
The church doesn't follow Christian doctrine. They don't trust in Christ, they trust in the arm of flesh.

And now they have exposed themselves for all the world to see what is their shame.

[2bizE]

I’m seeing social media posts from active members who are very much disliking the lawsuit approach against John Dehlin taken by the church. This is certainly causing some members to start questioning the church.

[Random]

Last I heard - after Russell died and Dallin took over, the lawsuit was dropped.

I'm thinking Dallin, having been an attorney and a judge, knew it was a stupid lawsuit without a leg to stand on. ("Mormon" is anathema and we don't use it. Wait. Someone we don't like (or feel threatened by) is using that word. ...And blue? Sue him to oblivion! )

[wtfluff]

Last I heard - after Russell died and Dallin took over, the lawsuit was dropped.

I'm thinking Dallin, having been an attorney and a judge, knew it was a stupid lawsuit without a leg to stand on. ("Mormon" is anathema and we don't use it. Wait. Someone we don't like (or feel threatened by) is using that word. ...And blue? Sue him to oblivion! )

The lawsuit this thread is referring to is still very much active.

https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2026/09 ... s-lawsuit/

[Random]

Last I heard - after Russell died and Dallin took over, the lawsuit was dropped.

I'm thinking Dallin, having been an attorney and a judge, knew it was a stupid lawsuit without a leg to stand on. ("Mormon" is anathema and we don't use it. Wait. Someone we don't like (or feel threatened by) is using that word. ...And blue? Sue him to oblivion! )

The lawsuit this thread is referring to is still very much active.

https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2026/09 ... s-lawsuit/

Wow! The person saying it had been dropped was obviously wrong. Thanks for setting me straight.

[Just This Guy]

Last I heard - after Russell died and Dallin took over, the lawsuit was dropped.

I'm thinking Dallin, having been an attorney and a judge, knew it was a stupid lawsuit without a leg to stand on. ("Mormon" is anathema and we don't use it. Wait. Someone we don't like (or feel threatened by) is using that word. ...And blue? Sue him to oblivion! )

DHO was put in the high office in Oct. 2025. The lawsuit against Dehlin was officially filed on April 17, 2026, a good 6 month after he took office. Assuming he knows about it, he probably thought he could use the church's influence to try to finally intimidate one of their loudest critics into silence Unfortunately, they didn't count on them fighting back. The more they try to press Dehlin, the more they give themselves more and more black eyes in the media and legal world. Most likely he was aware of it and gave his okay.

I would guess he simply was told that they would file a lawsuit. His people told him it would be a slam dunk, and because he is busy with other stuff, he took them at their word and didn't look at it in detail or apply critical thinking to what they were filing.

[Random]

DHO was put in the high office in Oct. 2025. The lawsuit against Dehlin was officially filed on April 17, 2026, a good 6 month after he took office. Assuming he knows about it, he probably thought he could use the church's influence to try to finally intimidate one of their loudest critics into silence Unfortunately, they didn't count on them fighting back. ... Most likely he was aware of it and gave his okay.

So I was also wrong about the lawsuit being filed before he was put in as president.

The more they try to press Dehlin, the more they give themselves more and more black eyes in the media and legal world.

That's for sure! I think the lawsuit is silly. No leg to stand on. I'm glad Dehlin didn't back down.

I would guess he simply was told that they would file a lawsuit. His people told him it would be a slam dunk, and because he is busy with other stuff, he took them at their word and didn't look at it in detail or apply critical thinking to what they were filing.

This does sound most likely.