…Enough to Disapprove

Today, in preparation for general conference, I went to the temple. This is only my second visit in the past couple of years. Seeing the endowment through new eyes is fascinating. With my new understanding of the temple covenants, my attention was riveted as these sacred promises were repeated. Several new understandings burst forth in light.

On the eve of our semi-annual LDS sustainings, the following epiphany seems especially appropriate.

The Law of Sacrifice

We promise to live the law of sacrifice as it is contained in the holy scriptures. Anciently, men were commanded to offer up the first fruits of the field and the firstlings of the flock. The thought struck me that the most valuable fruit yielded from my labor in society is….my good name, my reputation, my honor. Elder McConkie has even said that this is exactly what we must be willing to sacrifice.

The ordinance continues that we covenant to sacrifice all in order to SUSTAIN the Kingdom of God. That wording struck me with the jolt of a thunderbolt. We sacrifice to SUSTAIN the kingdom of God.

Church Narrative is Not True—Can’t Be SUSTAINED

Recently, prominent church historian Richard Bushman said, “I think that for the Church to remain strong, it has to reconstruct its narrative. The dominant narrative is not true, it can’t be SUSTAINED .”

My covenant is to sacrifice in order to sustain the kingdom. Yet, what we are doing is not sustainable. This is another example of my temple promises dictating the necessity of my voting OPPOSED. The present course of the church is unsustainable. So, I’m putting my good name & reputation on the sacrificial alter and voting in disapproval of our unsustainable policies.

Is Our Current Course Really Unsustainable?

Here are the most reliable membership figures I can find. As of April 2016, there were about 10 million inactive members, 2.5 million former members (resigned), and only 5 million active members. That’s a loss of 71% of our membership!!! Look at the trend lines. Inactivity rate headed up. Resigned members heading up. Active members stagnant. Sustainable? No way. Something has got to give.

It’s also estimated that just last year 80,000 members resigned!!! Houston, we have a problem! Denmark, something is rotten! Time to let our leaders know that we are concerned…more than concerned.

If you are Opposed Consider Adding Your Name to the Current 222

A Common Consent Register has been established. A record of those…

…Who disapprove.

…Who care enough about the church to express their true and honest opinions.

…Who care about our children, both gay & straight, who are in harms way of a damaging policy.

To learn more about voting OPPOSED click here, here & here.