My heart swelled

A recent event at the Mormon General conference triggered  memory that happened to me over 25 years ago.

Yesterday, a lone voice in the vast audience of members in the Salt Lake Conference center called out, “STOP PROTECTING SEXUAL PREDATORS, 

STOP PROTECTING SEXUAL PREDATORS,

STOP PROTECTING SEXUAL PREDATORS.”

My heart swelled.

In 1992 I Lived in the small community of Manti Utah. I found a common theme among many of the people there, they had all felt the abuse of their church leaders.

I was given a copy of a paper distributed by Malcolm Jepson, a member of the General Authorities in the Utah central area. The paper was titled, WE SHALL NOT BE LED ASTRAY - III. 

He had called a special meeting for Bishops and Stake Presidents to inform them that members who followed certain principal would be in suspect of being apostates.

I watched as my neighbors were called in one by one by the local bishops in Manti. They were asked the same questions in their interviews. I determined not to allow the same harassment to happen to me so I contacted the bishop and ask for a meeting. I told him to either stop harassing me or hold a court to determine my worthiness.

In the meantime I decided to attend a stake conference where Neil Maxwell would be attending. I dressed in my best suit and tie and got to the meeting early to get a seat near the front of the chapel.

I wondered at the time why I was dogged by several men who kept close to me. Now I know.

As the time came to sustain the leaders of the church, my heart began to pound inside my chest for I had determined to appose the leaders in public for their unrighteous actions against me and my friends. 

With the usual blah, blah, blah, the stake president read off the names of the various leaders and then asked for a raise of the hand. 

All in favor?

All Apposed? 

There it was … that was my cue. I stood and raised my hand … nothing, Greg Maylett, the stake president, ignored me. Each time a vote was called for, I did the same but to no avail. I was ignored each time.

A few days later I received a letter from the stake president asking me to appear before a disciplinary council.

I don’t think many in my family or friends know why I was excommunicated that night. 

It was because I took a stand against those church leaders who abused their power and terrorized members who asked the hard questions and who voiced any opposition.

I kept a copy of that paper given to Bishops and
Stake Presidents, the one used to cleanse the church. The Salt Lake Tribune called it a witch hunt.

Here is the list:

Profile of the Splinter Group Members of Others with Troublesome Ideologies.

They follow the practice of home school.

There is a preoccupation with the end of the world and the events preceding the coming of the Savior.

Many have John Birch membership of leanings.

Many do not work and have no jobs.

They study the mysteries, feeling that what is provided in our meetings today is superficial.

They meet in study groups.

They listen to tapes such as the “Bo Gritz” tapes and others about such topics as Armageddon.

They are inordinately preoccupied with food storage.

They feel and teach that there is a great conspiracy, that the government is corrupt and that you can trust few people.

They feel many of the members and Church leaders have gone astray.

They feel that President Benson’s counselors have muzzled the prophet so that he cannot tell us the things he would like to tell us, especially about the last days.

They staunchly profess that they sustain the prophet and local leaders, but when asked to stop doing certain things, like meeting in groups to study the mysteries, they tell you straight out they will have to take the matter to the Lord to see what He tells them before they will agree.

Some have met or are meeting with leaders of the Church of the Firstborn.

They believe we must be super spiritual to know the will of God or even our leaders may lead us astray.

They read the books of Avraham Gileadi and other materials which are unapproved by the Church.

Many of these folks are on state welfare and others to try to obtain Church welfare.

We observe that many of these people reportedly have visions and dreams which they share with group members but not priesthood leaders.

The element of plural marriage, though seldom spoken of outside this group, continues to surface as a part of the belief structure of many.

Some have held prayer circles in full temple clothing outside the temple.

While this practice has now been stopped, some of these folk would linger in the celestial room of the Manti Temple for hours to teach one another.

I thank my good friend, Lee Thurston for giving me a copy of this letter so many years ago. It showed me his courage and the fear that leaders of the church face when they are not followed obediently and blindly.

“When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done. When they propose a plan–it is God’s plan. When they point the way, there is no other which is safe. When they give direction, it should mark the end of controversy. God works in no other way. To think otherwise, without immediate repentance, may cost one his faith, may destroy his testimony, and leave him a stranger to the kingdom of God.”  https://www.fairmormon.org/archive/publications/when-the-prophet-speaks-is-the-thinking-done

This statement originally appeared in the Improvement Era, in June 1945, as the Ward Teaching message for the month.