This post is addressed to :

Members of the LDS church. The rank-and-file, along with all levels of leadership.

Over the past year, I’ve voted opposed at 5 voting conferences: 2 General, 2 Ward and 1 stake. Of course, I was outvoted. So, I sustain, recognize and accept the First Presidency and Twelve Apostles…until the next voting opportunity. That comes up on April 1st at spring General Conference.

As a result of voting my true opinion this is what people say about me:

I’ve lost my faith.

I’ve lost my testimony of the restoration.

I’ve lost my testimony of Joseph Smith.

I don’t qualify to hold a temple recommend.

Well, I’m turning that sentiment on its head. It’s not me who has lost faith or testimony. It’s you!!! You have either lost or never had faith or a real testimony in the first place.

Jesus Christ

Where is your faith in Christ? Why do you pick and choose which of His commandments to keep and which to completely disregard? It’s you who condones the breaking of His law of consent. Not me. I have placed my faith in Jesus Christ. I am certainly not perfect in following His commandments. But, no way am I disrespecting, dismissing or discounting His commandment to actively participate in common consent.

The Restoration

I’ve lost my testimony of the restoration? Nope. I embrace the restoration. Consent from the general membership is taught in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. This beautiful principle has now been restored in our glorious dispensation. What happened to your belief in the restoration?

Joseph Smith & Revelation

Joseph Smith holds claim to many a revelation, several of them involving the Law of Common Consent. He made sure that the church lived by this law during his lifetime. A salary for him was even put up for a vote. It was voted down by his fellow members. What happened to your testimony of this prophet? Mine hasn’t withered.

Modern Scripture

We have one book of scripture that contains modern revelation concerning the restoration and the organization of the current church…the Doctrine & Covenants. What happened to your testimony in the scriptures? Or are you a cafeteria Mormon, only picking what you like? What’s the point of a modern canon if you ignore it? Common Consent is referred to several times in the D&C. It’s most clearly stated in sections 26 verse 2 and 28 verse 13.

Temple Recommend

Really, I don’t qualify for a recommend because I strive to life the Law of Common Consent? Nope. I question whether YOU qualify. I sustain the apostles. But, I will vote opposed at the next conference…. opposed that we are not following the law of consent. One of the qualifying temple questions is this, “Do you strive to keep the covenants you have made?” In the temple, I made a promise to obey the law of God. Modern revelation and scripture mandate that common consent is the law of God. What caused you to lose your resolve to keep your temple covenants? Isn’t it you who should be forfeiting your recommend?

The Church is True

Today is testimony meeting. Many of you will stand and bear witness of the truthfulness of the church. Then why do you scorn its doctrine? “Policies, major decisions, acceptance of new scripture, and other things that affect the lives of the Saints” are to be presented for approval or disapproval. This is taken directly from a doctrinal statement on LDS.ORG. Why do you ignore this doctrine that was established by Christ?

Modern Prophets

Another witness we will hear over and over again is of Thomas S. Monson being a prophet. Why don’t you have a testimony of that anymore? Or do you believe it and just choose to ignore him when he speaks? Here’s what he taught 5 months ago in October’s General Conference: “Learn, search and pray. We need to know God’s laws and live them.” What new law of God did you learn about? Not common consent. What new law of God have you started to live at the direction of President Monson? Not common consent. Where is your testimony?

At the same conference, Elder Russell M. Nelson, president of the Quorum of the Twelve, follow up with this: “Every day that we keep our covenants and help others to do the same, joy will be ours.” I am actively helping people keep their baptismal and temple covenants to obey the Law of Common Consent. Oh joy! Joy will be mine. Where is your joy in shrugging off a command from Jesus to His restored church?

Rights and Privileges

An apostle, Hugh B. Brown, spoke of our role in common consent as a right and a privilege. Today, my rights and privileges as a church member have been curtailed. So have yours. I care about that. You should, too. No longer is the sound doctrine of common consent being practiced. However, there are 318 of us who want our rights and privileges back. You should, too. There are 318 of us who are voting to get our rights and privileges back. You should, too. There are 318 of us who desire to keep our covenants. You should, too. Start by joining the 318 HERE.

Follow Jesus by Voting Opposed

The only way that this beautiful part of the restoration will be restored to its rightful place is for us to take it into our own hands. To lift our hands in opposition to the continued disobedience of the Savior’s Law of Common Consent.

You only have 27 days from today before the next vote is called for. Now is the time to:

Get your house in order.

Get your testimony of the restoration in order.

Get you testimony of Joseph Smith and his revelations in order.

Get your testimony in the scriptures in order.

Get your testimony in your covenants in order.

Get your testimony in church doctrine in order.

Get you testimony of today’s prophets in order.

Most of all, Get your faith in Jesus Christ in order .

Then go to conference, in your home, in your chapel, or in SLC, and vote to have our rights and privileges restored.

Other Resources

Common Consent Scriptures & Doctrine, click HERE.

Common Consent Register—A Record of Those Who Disapprove, click, HERE.

Do We Love Jesus Enough?, click HERE.

The Only True Hope for The Only True Church, click HERE.