Has Mormonism Changed?
You Bet Your Ass It's Changed.
I lived in Utah for almost twenty-five years. It is a beautiful state. So many people visit Utah from around the world to see the magnificent natural sites. And many more come to Utah as a pilgrimage.
Salt Lake City is, after all, the Mecca of Mormonism. But, of course, I don't think I'm supposed to say Mormon anymore. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently divested itself of the word Mormon, except ironically within the title of its sacred scripture, The Book of Mormon. Although used as a derogatory term in the mid-19th century, the word 'Mormon' was eventually used by all church members, and its leadership, for the next 160 years. They wore the label with pride, and it became synonymous with their view of themselves as 'Peculiar People.'
The most recent church president and prophet, Elder Russell M. Nelson, now almost 98 years old, determined that more emphasis should be on Jesus. Yes, 98 years old. Were you shocked that a white, old man of 98 years is the head of a multi-billion dollar empire? His plan to help the world? Yes, to change the church's name. Obliterating the word Mormon in any fashion was the way to go. Even the church website name and email addresses had to be changed. Very expensive. Why do I mention this? Why does it matter to me or anyone else?
What Changed In The Mormon Church?
There is a common belief in the church that very little ever changes, which seems to comfort the believers. The truth, however, is very different. There has been constant change throughout Mormon history; if any of those are significant changes, they are deemed God's will.
In this church, modern-day revelation plays a vital role in national and international leadership — every family also. President Russell M. Nelson, his two councilors, and the Twelve Apostles are all prophets, seers, and revelators. They apparently reveal and speak God's wishes according to church doctrine and tradition.
The membership acknowledges that 'fact' every six months at the worldwide viewed conferences from Salt Lake City, the whole body of the church stands and 'sustains' these ancient titles by the uplifted right hand. If you have a problem or issue with that process, you are invited to inform your local leadership of your concerns. In doing so, maybe a period of confession and 'direction' from your Bishop may help you repent of your apostasy and bring you back in line. But, of course, that means almost no one opposes the sustaining of prophets. Being shunned for the rest of your life is no fun.
Conservativism & The Mormon Church
You may find these everyday types of ideas and thoughts quite odd. But this is what it means to live in Utah. Whether you are a faithful believer or a non-member, you know how things are run in Zion if you live in Utah. I have been a church member for over 36 years — almost a third of the time in England and the rest in Utah or Arizona.
Back to the question of change. I have become more concerned with the cultural change within the church membership. It is true that since the terrible McCarthy era of the 1950s and even before that, conservatism has always been the way to go politically in the church. And since 9/11, if you disagreed with extreme conservative ideas, you were daubed as being 'against us' and therefore unpatriotic. Being labeled as unpatriotic indicated you were also deemed as anti-God.
Of course, more recent years have seen those ideals ramping up in church meetings. So now it's unpatriotic and almost communistic or socialist to have any view different from the old white men in the room.
As a history and American studies student, I went to America because I was taught about its all-encompassing and inclusionary ideas. After all, America is not just a country; it's an idea. However, as an alien from England, eventually, I no longer recognized my church and adopted country.
As a tax-free religious organization, politics, extreme or otherwise, is not legally supposed to be taught at church. And yet, I became ever more uncomfortable listening to what can only be considered by reasonable people as right-wing political diatribes. Honestly, some extreme comments belonged to Italy and Germany in the 1930s. Either that or the local psychiatric hospital.
Enough Was Enough For Me
After suffering quietly for many years, I finally decided these 'lessons' were not for me. I heard these bigoted and racist comments in local cafes and restaurants. I listen to them while I am waiting in line at Walmart. I saw the flags and symbols on the back of trucks roaring around town and heard the words in the local parks and shopping malls. A lovely old lady at the dog park attempted to fill me with the conspiracy theories you hear on crazy right-wing TV and social media. She informed me that Joe Biden would be shot when he was elected, and Kamala Harris would be sworn in as President. And Kamala Harris would be behind this execution. Of course, sometimes I forget that this is Utah. The old lady with the dog not only hated anything democratic but, worse still, a democratic … black … woman … in leadership positions. Not in the Bible or Book of Mormon, they would say!
I am sure I will soon see young teenage boys and girls marching in uniform in Saint George or Provo, holding high the Book of Mormon and 'Old Glory,' excited to shout out their support for their one true God, their chosen prophet, and their very own ruthless, authoritarian political leader who is painted as the savior of Gods very own country. Oh yes, if you didn't know, the USA is God's chosen land according to Mormon scripture. Soon, you may have to 'sustain' the Mormon prophet and this political leader too, or your act of repentance may well be much more severe.
© Stephen G. Arrowsmith 2022
[This is an updated, more complete, and re-edited article of an earlier version]
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