Short Memory

Dallin H. Oaks gives 3 fingers

In this photo, LDS Apostle Dallin H. Oaks is giving three fingers.  I have heard hypocrisies from this guy on other occasions, but he distinguished himself again in last weekend's (October 2013) LDS General Conference. 

I believe that churches should formulate whatever teachings and policies they want to.  The argument over gay legal marriage in America is silly.

Meanwhile, read the following from the AP:
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The Mormon church cannot condone same-sex marriage, even if that stance might be misunderstood or prompt accusations of bigotry, a top church leader has said.

No matter what legislation US states or nations passed, human laws could not "make moral what God has declared immoral", Apostle Dallin Oaks told the church's biannual general conference in Salt Lake City on Sunday.

He urged members to remember that their first priority was to serve God, and the policies of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were based on God's decrees, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.

The church's eternal perspective did not allow members "to condone such behaviors or to find justification in the laws that permit them", Oaks said. "And unlike other organizations that can change their policies and even their doctrines, our policies are determined by the truths God has declared to be unchangeable."

Associated Press in Salt Lake City 
Sunday 6 October 2013 22.16 EDT
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I just think Oaks's temerity and gall are breathtaking.  He suggests that the Mormon Church would not dream of changing its "doctrines".  Is his memory so short, that he does not remember the Church changing its doctrines regarding priesthood for African Americans, the taking of plural wives, and the identity of God (Michael/Adam)?  The Church changed its prohibitions against abortion, did away with the Seventies, canceled the gathering, changed the sacred temple garment, gutted the temple ceremony with its penalties and more, etcetera, etcetera. 

I am reminded of an earlier hypocrisy from Oaks when he argued vigorously for freedom of religion in America (despite the Church's vengeful persecution of Fundamentalist Mormons for a hundred years).  What is this guy smoking?

I don't argue for the Mormon Church to solemnize nuptials for gay people, but Oaks does what a lot of stupid people do - he confuses religious matrimony with government marriage contracts - two completely different things.  The Church already drastically changed its own definition of marriage, stripping the New and Everlasting Covenant of its critical plural component.  It has no business telling the states how to dispense secular marriage licenses.

Oaks is an intelligent guy - he was BYU president, a state Supreme Court justice, and a University of Chicago (Illinois) professor.  I wish he would use that intelligence to get the story straight and quit deceiving the millions of faithful with the myth that the Church diligently preserves divine, unchangeable doctrines.