If you’ve read any commentary about Latter-day Saints of late, you’ve likely read the sad tales of Cal Burke and Natasha Helfer Parker – two of the latest entries in the modern Roll of the Martyrs of Religion. 

To be clear – satire aside – neither of these individuals is a true victim by any stretch of the imagination. By many accounts, both had earned the actions and words directed at them. But public commentary has largely side-stepped both of these realities, to paint a picture of their treatment most likely to generate sympathy for their views, while metastasizing even more grievance, resentment, and suspicion towards orthodox perspectives…exactly what we need more of these days, right?

Let’s also be clear, no true victims of anyone or anything should be minimized.  Not of any brutality. But precisely because we are awash in a world of so much real, heart-breaking violence, we owe the many victims of true brutality the clarity to acknowledge the difference between true aggression, and something else.    

So, in other words, to honor true victims, we need to see through the creation of false ones. But it’s arguably precisely the abundance of aggression all around that makes accusations of any kind of victimhood so believable.

If a central aim of public discourse is establishing truth, I believe there are times to confront persuasive, impassioned rhetoric, even satirically – especially when that rhetoric leads so many to conclusions destructive of their own faith.   

And I believe now is one of those times.

Without further ado, the Five Steps to Making a (Psychological) Martyr: 

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I am happy to report that we are emerging from one of the most tyrannical periods in human history, a period when governments worldwide restricted freedom in the name of devotion to the false gods of scientism.

Disagree with the above statement? Prove me wrong by taking the attached quiz. If you believe lockdowns and mask mandates made a difference, it should be obvious from the data, right?

Well, as you will see, there is absolutely no correlation — none whatsoever — between lockdowns and mask mandates and better results against SARS-Cov-2.

Here’s another link for the quiz.

My blog post for Come Follow Me: D&C 51-57
Excerpt:
The saints were often not saintly. They were expected to consecrate their lands and possessions for the bishops to divide, The saints, then and now, still do not understand the concept of stewardship. We focus on getting gain and keeping our own possessions. Such refusal to continue in the Law of Consecration and the covenant, forced many New York saints to be forced off of their stewardships in Kirtland. In doing so, the Lord revoked many blessings promised to those who had consecrated their possessions and reneged on their covenant. Many of the Saints were sent on to Missouri, to establish themselves in the center city of Zion.
Of the issues discussed in these sections, missionary work, publishing the Church’s writings, the duties of the bishops and agents, and establishing a consecrated people in a consecrated land are foremost issues. All are related.
Missionary work would bring in converts, who would then be called on to consecrate themselves, some to go on missions, some to share their farmlands, some to move to Independence. All would have to meet with the bishop and his agent to deal with issues of the United Firm/Order.

https://joelsmonastery.blogspot.com/2021/05/come-follow-me-d-51-57.html

Recently I had a conversation with someone from church. This person remarked that so many families in our ward were struggling with the pressures of life under Covid. I responded, yes, it’s been hard for our family too. This person was shocked. “Your family is having a hard time with all of this?” Um, yes we are?!?! Everyone is. “But you guys are so strong!” Maybe we’re strong, and maybe we’re not, but we’re just really good at putting our party face on and not spilling our beans all over social media (because let’s face it, your social feeds are already too dramatic and you don’t want my drama too). But yes, our family has had its problems over this Covid year, and I have often thought sometimes “the one” is hiding right there in the middle of the ninety-and-nine.

The other day I ran into an old friend in the grocery store, whom I had not seen since before Covid started. She reached out and grabbed me and just hugged me tight. Normally, I’m not a hugger. I don’t even like hugging family or close friends. But this was different. I realized in that embrace how much I have missed people — and this is a lot coming from me, as I’m usually fine to do things on my own. I miss people, in person. Of course I’m thankful for the technology that let me get my temple recommend renewed from the comfort of my living room and I’m thankful we have the vast Church media network that has allowed us to stay connected to our leadership. I’m even thankful for social media, as horrid as it can be sometimes, that lets us keep in contact with each other. But I miss seeing faces, hearing belly laughs, and reaching out to grab on to people.

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This is a guest post by Lattertarian, who describes himself as “a jaded Gen-X Ward Mission Leader living in Southern California. He’s a compulsive communicator who loves chili cheese fries, prefers vegetables on his pizza, and wishes we could all just get along.”

As your local town or state crawls out from under lockdown hysteria, you may feel the need to talk to your local government officials. Good for you! Too few people do this, but it’s a critical part of the local government process. You’re never going to get any uninterrupted time to speak straight to your federal representatives, and probably never your state ones, either. But your county and city boards and commissions are wide open (and let’s face it, the future is local). So good on you for wanting to get in there and speak your mind. 

You’re probably fired up about whatever your topic is, and that’s good. You’re probably also a little nervous about public speaking. Most folks are, and that’s okay. Here are some tips for making your point and keeping your cool. 

First, remember that the usual rules of first impressions apply. You don’t need to show up to a board meeting in your Sunday best, but come on: put on a clean shirt and groom yourself. Don’t let your appearance be a distraction from your point. 

Second, read the rules and know the agenda. Whatever board you’re talking to has rules about public comment, and is legally obligated to post both those rules and every meeting agenda ahead of time. Read both. There are three things you should be watching for: agenda items, public comment, and time limits. We’ll get to time in a bit. For now let’s talk about agendas and comments. 

When you speak to a government board in person (which is to say, physically in the same room), you’ll probably have to fill out a card. That card will ask if you want to comment on a specific agenda item, or if you just want to be lumped in with “public comment.” Read the agenda. If your subject is on there, be sure to note that agenda number (or letter, or whatever) on your comment card. The board will call on you to speak when that item comes up in the agenda. If you just want to vent at the board and/or your topic isn’t on the agenda, then mark your card for public comment. 

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