This is not necessarily to call anyone out specifically, but just to point out we should follow the bretheren, especially when they explicitly state they are speaking as an Apostle:
“Today, I speak to you . . . as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. . . Sadly, responses to the pandemic have been politicized and contentious. . . The savior taught that the second great commandment after loving God was Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. As it relates to this pandemic . . . that means social distancing, wearing a mask and not gathering in large groups. These steps demonstrate our love for others and provide us a measure of protection, wearing a face covering is a sign of Christlike love for our brothers and sisters.”
We now have official, apostolic word. Considering that, at church, I predicted beforehand who would and wouldn’t be wearing masks based solely on their politics (and I was 90% on), this should settle the matter.
But, as sad experience tells us, it likely won’t.
Which, sadly has been a theme among the Covenant people throughout our history.
Moses raised a brazen serpent in the wilderness, so that all that looked upon it would be healed. And many did not look.
Jeremiah was cast into prison for prophesying contrary to the patriotic propaganda of his day.
And the people assembled at Jerusalem before Pilate chose a highway robber over the Messiah, because the Savior didn’t act like the freedom fighter they expected.
And we haven’t even scratched the surface of modern apostasy in the Restored Church. If I remember correctly, Heber J. Grant lamented (after Utah provided the final ratifying vote necessary to overturn prohibition) that the Saints were all too happy to sing “We thank thee, o God for a prophet” and then mutter under their breath that they only wished he’d keep his mouth shut when he contradicted their views.
It is a wonderful thing to have living Prophets and Apostles to guide the Lord’s Church. But it can also be a challenge, because unlike the dead prophets of scripture who we can (to our destruction) almost always interpret to justify our prejudices, living prophets can publicly contradict us, and clarify what they mean, rendering our self-justifications invalid.
Modern revelation means learning to live with a God who can disagree with us in real time, and having to decide if we will humble ourselves, or choose to “kick against the pricks.”
Thanks, Ivan. Freedom must include self-responsibility. The Libertarian view is 1. Do not harm others and 2. Don’t take their stuff. Yet, I see many Libertarians disregarding #1 in the name of liberty. I do not believe government should be mandating lock downs. However, we should be respectful to the private business that has a sign saying masks are required. If the Church is willing to follow local guidance and reduces meeting sizes, so should we follow the examples of the prophets (who have been wearing masks in all the meetings I’ve seen online).
Ivan, you are missing some context on this announcement and also missing some key words.
Elder Renlund’s announcement came on the day that the Church announced that some temples would move to Phase 3, meaning the return to limited proxy work for ancestors in some temples. The announcement is primarily about encouraging people to return to the temple safely.
“Sadly, responses to the pandemic have been politicized and contentious. (Ours need not be as we anticipate performing more proxy ordinances in the temples we do for others what they cannot do for themselves. Without these blessings, these deceased individuals are profoundly disadvantaged.) The savior taught that the second great commandment after loving God was Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. As it relates to this pandemic, (especially in temples,) that means social distancing, wearing a mask and not gathering in large groups. These steps demonstrate our love for others and provide us a measure of protection, wearing a face covering is a sign of Christlike love for our brothers and sisters.”
I have put in parentheses the points you left out in your OP. Can you see how that changes the emphasis quite a bit?
Let me make it clear that I do believe, and have always believed, that Church leaders, at least in Utah, have spoken out in favor of the mask mandate and general rules of social distancing. I have pointed out in all of my posts on the virus that I am in favor of wearing a mask at church and obviously I would do so without issue in the temple, as Elder Renlund asks. When it comes to temples, many of the patrons are older, and of course these are among the people most at risk of getting the virus, so it is basic common courtesy and common sense that we should use methods to decrease exposure to these men and women.
Like in many contentious issues, it appears that people who feel strongly about the issue of the virus are talking past each other. If you re-read my posts on this issue, I am opposed to *government mandates* on this issue, not voluntary decisions. Notice that the Church and Elder Renlund do not ask *governments* to impose more rules on people. The Church and Elder Renlund are asking individual members to *voluntarily* act in certain ways. This is similar to people who claim that Jesus was in favor of higher taxes because he was in favor of individual charity. No, Jesus never asked the Romans or the Sanhedrin to raise taxes so governments could be charitable — instead he asked *individuals* to be charitable.
As a person who has spoken out forcefully against the lockdowns and mask mandates, I am fully in support of Elder Renlund’s statements in this video. I see absolutely no contradiction between saying that people should have individual liberty, free from government mandates, and also that people should act in caring, charitable ways in their personal interactions.
Unfortunately, the comments got quite nasty very quickly, including accusations of dishonesty and willful ignorance. I will not allow M* to become a place of contention (or at least my posts). I am closing (and deleting several) comments.
I will let Elder Renlund’s comments speak for themselves. The linked video gives the full remarks in context.