How do we know the Church has repented?

Discussions toward a better understanding of LDS doctrine, history, and culture. Discussion of Christianity, religion, and faith in general is welcome.
Post Reply
User avatar
deacon blues
Posts: 2008
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2016 7:37 am

How do we know the Church has repented?

Post by deacon blues »

One point that John Dehlin makes in a recent podcast concerns the Church's moral and legal hypocrisy. The Church may vaguely admit to making mistakes (Pres. Uchtdorff, Oct 2013), but they won't confess specifically to what those mistakes were (there are exceptions, when they were under duress), and they WON"T APOLOGIZE. (Pres. Oaks)
By contrast, to assure that members properly repent in priesthood interviews, they insist members confess specific mistakes, often in detail, and apologize for them.
I should have been able to say in bishop's interviews: "I made mistakes and I'm sorry, now let's move on. 8-)
I think 'hypocrites. is an appropriate term for those who do this. :evil:
God is Love. God is Truth. The greatest problem with organized religion is that the organization becomes god, rather than a means of serving God.
User avatar
Palerider
Posts: 2274
Joined: Fri Nov 25, 2016 8:44 am

Re: How do we know the Church has repented?

Post by Palerider »

Just as the "church" leadership at the time of Christ had a huge blindspot regarding their own sinfulness, current leadership (pharisees) would rather excommunicate (crucify) members who call out their failings than admit any wrongdoings. They don't like people who mess with their "good thing" they've got going.
But I think their fun time is drawing to a close. The awakening of members is edging towards critical mass. I think it could happen sooner than we think.
"There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily."

"Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light."

George Washington
User avatar
Hagoth
Posts: 7289
Joined: Fri Oct 14, 2016 1:13 pm

Re: How do we know the Church has repented?

Post by Hagoth »

You will know the church has repented when you get a large check in the mail. Either a full tithing refund or your share of the Ensign Peak earnings.
“The easy confidence with which I know another man's religion is folly teaches me to suspect that my own is also.” -Mark Twain

Jesus: "The Kingdom of God is within you." The Buddha: "Be your own light."
User avatar
deacon blues
Posts: 2008
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2016 7:37 am

Re: How do we know the Church has repented?

Post by deacon blues »

Palerider and Hagoth make great points.
The Church I grew up in liked a literal interpretation of Numbers 23:19: "“God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent."
But then came the challenge of dealing with the "New Church History." How can the Church address its own mistakes, let alone others.
I think people like Dallin Oaks feel in their hearts, and they act like the church IS god.
Their Church/God is not a man that he should lie (except lying for the Lord/Church, you know- carefully worded denials) or repent. (do temporary commandments count?)
See: "wheat and tares." Oct.13, 2024.Here is a quote.
"Last week during Pres Oaks’ talk in General Conference he invented a new category of commandments that has never been heard of before. It is called “temporary commandments”.
Hypocrisy can be blinded by its own certainty. :cry:
And yes, I might be wrong. That is to say I'm not certain. 8-)
God is Love. God is Truth. The greatest problem with organized religion is that the organization becomes god, rather than a means of serving God.
dogbite
Posts: 588
Joined: Tue May 30, 2017 1:28 pm
Location: SLC

Re: How do we know the Church has repented?

Post by dogbite »

I don't expect church to repent. That is to expect a particular consistent framework that has never been in evidence.

Rather it relies on divine command theory. It's never wrong in the moment. It can look to be in the wrong but that is from human perspective only.

And DCT is not a path I desire to participate in.
User avatar
Hagoth
Posts: 7289
Joined: Fri Oct 14, 2016 1:13 pm

Re: How do we know the Church has repented?

Post by Hagoth »

Correct answer: when Outer Darkness freezes over.
“The easy confidence with which I know another man's religion is folly teaches me to suspect that my own is also.” -Mark Twain

Jesus: "The Kingdom of God is within you." The Buddha: "Be your own light."
User avatar
Just This Guy
Posts: 1548
Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2016 3:30 pm
Location: Almost Heaven

Re: How do we know the Church has repented?

Post by Just This Guy »

dogbite wrote: Thu Nov 28, 2024 8:57 pmAnd DCT is not a path I desire to participate in.

What do you mean by "DCT"?
"The story so far: In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move." -- Douglas Adams
User avatar
Linked
Posts: 1561
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2016 4:04 pm

Re: How do we know the Church has repented?

Post by Linked »

Just This Guy wrote: Mon Dec 16, 2024 9:04 am
dogbite wrote: Thu Nov 28, 2024 8:57 pmAnd DCT is not a path I desire to participate in.

What do you mean by "DCT"?
Probably Divine Command Theory? Where anything God says is right, regardless of other moral frameworks. I.e. Nephi killing Laban to steal his stuff is good because Got told him to, even though murder and theft are typically frowned upon.
"I would write about life. Every person would be exactly as important as any other. All facts would also be given equal weightiness. Nothing would be left out. Let others bring order to chaos. I would bring chaos to order" - Kurt Vonnegut
User avatar
2bizE
Posts: 2463
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2016 9:33 pm

Re: How do we know the Church has repented?

Post by 2bizE »

We will know when Oaks says the church apologizes for all its terrible deeds.
~2bizE
User avatar
moksha
Posts: 5275
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2016 4:22 am

Re: How do we know the Church has repented?

Post by moksha »

2bizE wrote: Sat Dec 21, 2024 7:07 pm We will know when Oaks says the church apologizes for all its terrible deeds.
So isn't that the same as Hagoth's answer of "when Outer Darkness freezes over"?
Good faith does not require evidence, but it also does not turn a blind eye to that evidence. Otherwise, it becomes misplaced faith.
-- Moksha
User avatar
2bizE
Posts: 2463
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2016 9:33 pm

Re: How do we know the Church has repented?

Post by 2bizE »

moksha wrote: Mon Dec 23, 2024 8:22 pm
2bizE wrote: Sat Dec 21, 2024 7:07 pm We will know when Oaks says the church apologizes for all its terrible deeds.
So isn't that the same as Hagoth's answer of "when Outer Darkness freezes over"?
Yes it is. Except, hell has a better chance of freezing
~2bizE
Post Reply