We have all seen the new Policy put out by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. If you haven’t, here’s a link to it. For a long time, the church has said that guns carried into the buildings were inappropriate. Now, they have basically outright banned them for anyone that is not a uniformed officer on duty.
I’m a Mormon. A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. No, I am not pleased with this. Not at all. One of my ancestors was, in fact, a Martyr of the LDS Church. He was shot off of his horse by an Anti-Mormon mob. Others of my family faced mobs and were driven across the country by Hate. Mormons have a thick history with this as we were driven from our homes repeatedly. My family had suffered from this, as had many others. We’ve seen violence at our church buildings… so being prepared is something that we just do. So no, I am very much not happy about this policy change.
You know what though? Churches are for matters of God, not matters of men or politics. So I’m not going to mix those. It’s not a good mix. That being said, Concealed Means Concealed. If they Trespass me for that, well, then it’s an instant 10% raise as I won’t have to pay tithing anymore. While I might disagree with the policy of the corporate structure of the church, my faith and belief in the gospel remains unshaken.
Here’s why… The Church operates on two different levels… One of them being Spiritual, and the other you can call Corporate. This policy is from that Corporate side of things and is not Church Doctrine. Members such as myself, understand the difference, though to the uninitiated it might seem otherwise. Basically, if it’s not a matter of Doctrine, then it’s a Policy.
Joseph Smith said it himself, “a prophet is only a prophet when acting as such.”
So, do we need a post on recommended “temple pistols”?
Heh.
That would be a Stainless 1911 LW Commander with Ivory grips.
I understand the concept of (paraphrasing here): “God will protect us.”
However – the Bible is full of examples where he told his people to arm themselves.
The last several decades have had several church shootings, along with shopping mall and other gun-free-zone shootings, specifically because the cowardly scumbags who cause the carnage are expecting no resistance.
If God tells you personally, specifically, not to carry, then you best do what he tells you. Otherwise, you are being a poor steward of the skills and mindset he’s given you as a sheepdog.
And yes, concealed means concealed.
Not only that, but the Book of Mormon has a story referred to as The Title of Liberty:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/46.1,4-5,7?lang=eng
The Title of Liberty is where Captain Moroni takes his cloak and writes on it…
“And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it — In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.”
And that became his War Banner for a big and important battle.
We believe we have a Moral Obligation to protect our loved ones. And this Policy goes against that. I find it distasteful.
The reason they did this is because WW3 and another US Civil War is about to start.
This doesn’t make any sense.
I like your take on this. Very sensible. I also find your observation about the “corporate side” very astute. A lot of corporate side stuff has to do with how much it costs to insure a church or temple on a yearly basis. I also think that espousing something as an official policy is done with the idea that it satisfies a business need while allowing people such as yourself to read the stitches on the fast ball and do what is necessary.
Carry on, sir.
I shall endeavor to persevere.