LDS Freedom Forum

Our Bishop just told us that over Zoom. Is that true?

Allison wrote: ↑January 10th, 2021, 10:35 am Our Bishop just told us that over Zoom. Is that true?

Pretty much. Two apostles, Uchtdorf and Renlund, have specifically said that wearing masks shows Christlike love for our brothers and sisters. Pres Nelson’s Thanksgiving gratitude video shows people putting on masks. The Top 15 are always shown masked and social distancing, even at general conference when there are only a few people in the room. Because, heaven forbid, one of them should get sick and Christ won’t heal them because they didn’t mask up.

Okay, but so far as we know he has not explicitly asked us to “be good Saints and wear a mask,” right?

Let's not jump to conclusions. Officially, the brethren have only encouraged.
This approach enables agency.
Anyone who says or requires otherwise is looking beyond the mark.

Instances of other church leadership declaring more strict direction would accord with their individual stewardships.

And any statement that declares that a certain action shows Christlike love is ultimately opinion. Contextually it could be true or not true.

As for me and my house, we will follow the Holy Ghost and not the arm of flesh.

ParticleMan wrote: ↑January 10th, 2021, 11:10 am Let's not jump to conclusions. Officially, the brethren have only encouraged.
This approach enables agency.
Anyone who says or requires otherwise is looking beyond the mark.

Instances of other church leadership declaring more strict direction would accord with their individual stewardships.

And any statement that declares that a certain action shows Christlike love is ultimately opinion. Contextually it could be true or not true.

As for me and my house, we will follow the Holy Ghost and not the arm of flesh.

It’s being used against us. It may appear to allow agency but in reality it reaks of phariseeism and conformity.

“The prophet wears a mask, so you should to. If you don’t wear a mask it’s not being Christlike.”

“The Brethren wear white shirts and ties, so you should too.”

“The Brethren are getting the vaccine, so you should too. Follow the prophet.”

The way they have been responding to Gay Agenda pushback, maybe we should write to them?

Buy really, if our Bishop just made that up, that will be super disappointing.

Allison wrote: ↑January 10th, 2021, 10:35 am Our Bishop just told us that over Zoom. Is that true?

Now I understand the prophet says many things when he talks, acknowledging that what I have noticed most from him is how he tirelessly encourages the Saints to learn how and to practice receiving revelation from the Spirit so that we can be guided by the Lord. I take this to also cover 'inspiration'. So when the diehard Mo family members say:
'FOLLOW THE PROPHET!'
I say to them:
'YES, EXACTLY! AND THE PROPHET IS PLEADING WITH THE SAINTS TO LEARN HOW TO AND TO START RECEIVING REVELATION OF THE LORD AND TO FOLLOW IT! So I agree, follow the Prophet.'
I have not heard him say the specific things you're asking about.

Allison wrote: ↑January 10th, 2021, 11:25 am The way they have been responding to Gay Agenda pushback, maybe we should write to them?

Buy really, if our Bishop just made that up, that will be super disappointing.

That's what it boils down to with me as well. There is absolutely no reason to invent or make up things that authority has said to make people follow a certain belief or method. That ALWAYS backfires. It is infinitely more successful to 'educate' and allow people agency then to guilt them into making a certain decision.
So it would be very disappointing. But I tell you I see less and less of this in the church, that's good thing IMO

“In coming days it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the … constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”

Why is that? After all, we get our direction from the Church and our prophet.

There could be several reasons.

Their ability to communicate to the entire church is disrupted at some point, and you are on your own as far as revelation

We are so divided that members and even leaders of the church will warp and change messages from the 15 to be what they want it to be, not what it was intended to be. You will need personal revelation to discern the truth.

I suppose it's even possible that the 15 are somehow compromised and being compelled to say certain things and this was a subtle warning that you are on your own.


There could be dozens of reasons or a mix of reasons, but what we do know is that you will need personal revelation to survive spiritually.

Cruiserdude wrote: ↑January 10th, 2021, 11:26 am 'YES, EXACTLY! AND THE PROPHET IS PLEADING WITH THE SAINTS TO LEARN HOW TO AND TO START RECEIVING REVELATION OF THE LORD AND TO FOLLOW IT! So I agree, follow the Prophet.'

Amen mate

Cruiserdude wrote: ↑January 10th, 2021, 11:26 am

Allison wrote: ↑January 10th, 2021, 10:35 am Our Bishop just told us that over Zoom. Is that true?

Now I understand the prophet says many things when he talks, acknowledging that what I have noticed most from him is how he tirelessly encourages the Saints to learn how and to practice receiving revelation from the Spirit so that we can be guided by the Lord. I take this to also cover 'inspiration'. So when the diehard Mo family members say:
'FOLLOW THE PROPHET!'
I say to them:
'YES, EXACTLY! AND THE PROPHET IS PLEADING WITH THE SAINTS TO LEARN HOW TO AND TO START RECEIVING REVELATION OF THE LORD AND TO FOLLOW IT! So I agree, follow the Prophet.'
I have not heard him say the specific things you're asking about.

How did I miss your reply here? That is exactly what I will use with him. Perfect!

Our temple recommends are coming up for renewal and I was a little worried he might put ours on hold because we stopped coming when the (uncalled for) mask mandate was imposed.

But you are so right, our research and inspiration tells us that the Covid narrative is a pernicious lie and what we hear from Him is not to validate that lie in any way.

Also, we heard a speaker last night who pointed out that the recent gathering at the Capitol will be a “super spreader” event that should be followed in the next couple of weeks by widespread acute sickness and death—IF there is any validity to Covid. When nothing really comes of it, we can make that point to our civic and ecclesiastical leaders.

Did Trump call for that gathering in order to deflate the Covid narrative? Very soon we should be pointing out to everyone we know that one-to-two million people mainly unmasked and close together have not died nor infected everyone they know. We should use this opportunity to ridicule the CDC and their absurd “models.”

markharr wrote: ↑January 10th, 2021, 11:43 am
I suppose it's even possible that the 15 are somehow compromised and being compelled to say certain things and this was a subtle warning that you are on your own.


There could be dozens of reasons or a mix of reasons, but what we do know is that you will need personal revelation to survive spiritually.

Hit the nail on the head. imo.

Is it only me that wonders whenever one of the church leaders speaks if there is some ulterior motive to scam us out of more of our cash.

Allison wrote: ↑January 10th, 2021, 10:35 am Our Bishop just told us that over Zoom. Is that true?

Nelson hasn’t said those words. He had his minions do it for him. Christlike love is to wear a mask? Yea right. Not my Christ.

By their fruits ye shall know them. Our leadership has many vipers and false prophets among them.

Remember these are good men. Followers of Jesus Christ. We are all on the same team as followers of Jesus Christ.

However, let us not forget Jesus himself said if it were possible even the very elect shall be deceived. We have to hope they will see past this deception sooner than later but if not we still are on the same team. Better for us to be united in our love of Jesus Christ. They respect our freedom to choose on this matter.

I personally never wear a mask to Church and it is never a problem. I know some who are still in quarantine and will not attend who are faithful members. We all have the freedom to choose. Interesting times where as Jesus prophesied it will be mothers against fathers, brothers against sisters. Hopefully we can help unite in these crazy times.

Allison wrote: ↑January 10th, 2021, 10:49 am Okay, but so far as we know he has not explicitly asked us to “be good Saints and wear a mask,” right?

i just heard from a friend of mine of the removal of his ecclesiastical leader about a month ago because this leader refused to wear a mask. He was reported up to the top, and his SP was notified and had him removed. Didn't sound like his leader was allowed much free agency in this matter.

Enlightenment wrote: ↑January 14th, 2021, 12:36 am Remember these are good men. Followers of Jesus Christ. We are all on the same team as followers of Jesus Christ.

However, let us not forget Jesus himself said if it were possible even the very elect shall be deceived. We have to hope they will see past this deception sooner than later but if not we still are on the same team. Better for us to be united in our love of Jesus Christ. They respect our freedom to choose on this matter.

I personally never wear a mask to Church and it is never a problem. I know some who are still in quarantine and will not attend who are faithful members. We all have the freedom to choose. Interesting times where as Jesus prophesied it will be mothers against fathers, brothers against sisters. Hopefully we can help unite in these crazy times.

That's encouraging. Even if your leaders have only politely invited you to conform. Have they? Any confrontation at all?

Our area president and stake president have enforced wearing of masks in church for all persons over 12y.
There is a need to obey honour and sustain the law of the land. Time for war is not yet but soon.

The democrats want to spend another +$2.2T in stimulus. Enjoy your stimulus check of +$2k, I reckon the last chance to get food storage before it all unravels.

That's encouraging. Even if your leaders have only politely invited you to conform. Have they? Any confrontation at all?

When LDS friends returned to North Dakota from Florida last spring, my Sister in the Gospel & fellow Temple worker hugged me when she saw me enter the chapel. Neither of us were wearing masks (not a mandate yet). After church the day she hugged me, the bishop had taken her aside and told her 'we can't hug one another at church'. I'm not sure if it's ok to hug one another in our homes if we aren't related.

Later that week my husband & I stopped by their home to visit. (While in Florida, she had had a mild stroke & was found to have 'blockages' in her arteries. Of course, she underwent stint procedure, and was put on a bunch of prescription medications.)

Anyway, my dear friend died during heart surgery in September. She had suffered a 'heart attack' requiring open heart surgery. The surgeon told the family that although the surgery was successful, he was not able to close the incisions because her tissue was too fragile to hold together. I know there are specific medications that can cause tissue to become extremely fragile.

So - did my friend die because of medical procedures, prescription medications, hugging a friend at church, old age, or complications of mask wearing? Who knows!?

I haven't been ill with 'flu' symptoms, although now that masks are required in all public places, I can't shop or attend meetings without struggling to breathe, being dizzy, & having chest pain.

He hasn't said it DIRECTLY. But his ACTIONS have proven louder than his words, and what the other Apostles have been saying as well as the Utah Area Presidency, would indicate that the Prophet backs them entirely.

People continue misunderstanding the masks being Christlike. It was a petition to charity.

samizdat wrote: ↑January 14th, 2021, 9:33 am He hasn't said it DIRECTLY. But his ACTIONS have proven louder than his words, and what the other Apostles have been saying as well as the Utah Area Presidency, would indicate that the Prophet backs them entirely.

People continue misunderstanding the masks being Christlike. It was a petition to charity.

Two Apostles have used the word “Christlike” in citing the reasons for wearing masks. Why are you choosing to misunderstand what they plainly said?

The reason I wear a mask is love. I can't speak for other people.

I am agnostic as to whether there is any other purpose or benefit. Thankfully I don't have to hang my hat on the answer.

Cruiserdude wrote: ↑January 10th, 2021, 11:26 am

Allison wrote: ↑January 10th, 2021, 10:35 am Our Bishop just told us that over Zoom. Is that true?

Now I understand the prophet says many things when he talks, acknowledging that what I have noticed most from him is how he tirelessly encourages the Saints to learn how and to practice receiving revelation from the Spirit so that we can be guided by the Lord. I take this to also cover 'inspiration'. So when the diehard Mo family members say:
'FOLLOW THE PROPHET!'
I say to them:
'YES, EXACTLY! AND THE PROPHET IS PLEADING WITH THE SAINTS TO LEARN HOW TO AND TO START RECEIVING REVELATION OF THE LORD AND TO FOLLOW IT! So I agree, follow the Prophet.'
I have not heard him say the specific things you're asking about.

lol. real prophetic statement lol.
quit idolizing men, that are just that - MEN - THAT ARE NOT LED BY THE LORD - NOR RECEIVE REVELATION.
because the church is in total apostasy, and the Times of the Gentiles is coming to an end.

FOLLOW THE LORD ! and NO ONE ELSE.
and surely not some so-called prophet - who's not even a prophet anyway.
(there's no middle man)

and as if that's the only message that Nelson and the Q15 has been putting out. lol.
ANYONE can give that advice anyway, and say -
" learn how and practice receiving revelation from the Spirit so that we can be guided by the Lord." ANYONE !
like you need a so-called prophet - (who is not a prophet) to tell you this -
He's not telling anyone anything new that hasn't been told and
that's been a message from Christians throughout time.

Anyone that is trying to draw nearer to the Lord and live HIS gospel - trying to know Him
and serve and love Him, will follow Him and will know this.

sandman45 wrote: ↑January 11th, 2021, 2:40 pmChristlike love is to wear a mask? Yea right. Not my Christ.

You're right. Your Christ let the government drive nails through his hands, behead and torture his disciples. Such was the extent of his love. Ponder on that for a lifetime. There are no easy answers.

Christ like love and discipleship is a concept that should bring us to the throne of God with fear and trembling. Not bluster and indignation about masks, taxes, voting, science, pseudo science etc.

Christ submitted to all the above nonsense and more. We have a higher calling if we strive to follow.