Somebody on reddit posted their old interpretation of the temple proscription against loud laughter:
"I was taught that loud laughter was making light, or joking about, things of the gospel. But it's just another weird rule."
Here is another example of Mormonism redefining words. Loud laughter does not mean laughing loudly--loud in this case is redefined to mean "making light, or joking about holy things". We have words that mean those things, so why not define the laughter using the words that one really means?
It should really be called "unholy laughter" or "inappropriate laughter".
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Friday, August 23, 2013
The Lord is at the head of this church.
I've wanted to start this blog for a while. One of the big issues that I've noticed when trying to engage with Mormonism and Mormon ideas, is that language seems to hinder understanding. It seems like the more I talk and engage with Mormon ideas, the less clear things become.
I think a large part of this is the use of language in Mormon thought. Certain words and phrases have connotations, implications, or even definitions that underlie other meanings. For example, I just heard this phrase from Russell Ballard as reported by StormyWaters, "The Lord is at the head of this church."
President Ezra Benson in 1986 said, "My beloved brethren and sisters, I wish to testify to you that the Lord, Jesus Christ stands at the head of His church—even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are His earthly stewards—we hold His priesthood, administer His ordinances, preach His gospel, and build up His kingdom."
President (then Elder) Gordon Hinckley said in 1992 (when President Ezra Benson was too sick to lead) "Now, in conclusion, do you believe this body of men would ever lead this Church astray? Remember whose church this is. It carries the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, who stands as its head. His is the power to remove any found remiss in his duty or who is teaching that which is not in harmony with His divine will.
I say for each and all that we have no personal agenda. We have only the Lord’s agenda."
There is a bit more interesting statement after this, but I'll stick to my point: what does the language mean on face value, and what does the language mean on a deeper level?
The Free Dictionary defines head as "the person commanding most authority within a group, organization, etc" or "the position of leadership or command".
If I say, "The head of our department really wants us to focus on using our time wisely", the word head means "the person in charge" and implies that the person is actively involved in decision-making and discussion with other people in the department. If I make the statement, I'm implying that I personally know the department head, and that I am communicating an accurate message from them. How would people in the department feel if later they found out I had never actually met the department head and was guessing what they would say if they ever talked to me? At the very least, they wouldn't trust me in the future, and they very likely could be angry at me.
Leading or commanding implies communication to the followers. Mormon leadership are vague and general when they discuss the methods and experience of divine communication, further pushing the implication of direct communication.
When leaders in the Mormon church make statements about "Jesus Christ is the head of the Church", they imply that they have personal meetings with Jesus Christ where he clearly communicates what things should be done in the Church.
Regularly, "head" means a person that leads and communicates their ideas to those in the organization who carry things out. In the Mormon context, "head" means a person who spiritually leads by sending impressions to the minds of those in the organization who carry things out.
I think a large part of this is the use of language in Mormon thought. Certain words and phrases have connotations, implications, or even definitions that underlie other meanings. For example, I just heard this phrase from Russell Ballard as reported by StormyWaters, "The Lord is at the head of this church."
President Ezra Benson in 1986 said, "My beloved brethren and sisters, I wish to testify to you that the Lord, Jesus Christ stands at the head of His church—even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are His earthly stewards—we hold His priesthood, administer His ordinances, preach His gospel, and build up His kingdom."
President (then Elder) Gordon Hinckley said in 1992 (when President Ezra Benson was too sick to lead) "Now, in conclusion, do you believe this body of men would ever lead this Church astray? Remember whose church this is. It carries the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, who stands as its head. His is the power to remove any found remiss in his duty or who is teaching that which is not in harmony with His divine will.
I say for each and all that we have no personal agenda. We have only the Lord’s agenda."
There is a bit more interesting statement after this, but I'll stick to my point: what does the language mean on face value, and what does the language mean on a deeper level?
The Free Dictionary defines head as "the person commanding most authority within a group, organization, etc" or "the position of leadership or command".
If I say, "The head of our department really wants us to focus on using our time wisely", the word head means "the person in charge" and implies that the person is actively involved in decision-making and discussion with other people in the department. If I make the statement, I'm implying that I personally know the department head, and that I am communicating an accurate message from them. How would people in the department feel if later they found out I had never actually met the department head and was guessing what they would say if they ever talked to me? At the very least, they wouldn't trust me in the future, and they very likely could be angry at me.
Leading or commanding implies communication to the followers. Mormon leadership are vague and general when they discuss the methods and experience of divine communication, further pushing the implication of direct communication.
When leaders in the Mormon church make statements about "Jesus Christ is the head of the Church", they imply that they have personal meetings with Jesus Christ where he clearly communicates what things should be done in the Church.
Regularly, "head" means a person that leads and communicates their ideas to those in the organization who carry things out. In the Mormon context, "head" means a person who spiritually leads by sending impressions to the minds of those in the organization who carry things out.
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