So, I have been waiting for some time to figure out who the doc is that threw all of the best people I know (those who have gotten past the LDS culture - such as cultishly and unthinkingly repeating the mantra of, "Follow the Prophet, Follow the Prophet...") under the bus and who have taken the Spirit as their guide and who indeed follow the Prophet so long as he follows good principle and only points to Christ (Hear Him). Mindlessly following a mortal is cultish and has gotten many a person in trouble when it comes to the Kool Aid flavor du jour. People who accuse the LDS of being cultish for following the teachings of Joseph Smith (and other modern prophets) often forget their role, which is to bring the Saints to Christ - and not to themselves or any agenda whether it be the UN, or a political leader, etc.
If one of the 12 starts spewing their love for a worldly political agenda, I am completely out. When Renlund announced his love affair with the jib jab, I put him on a list of those I will just tune out in the future. His personal professional views got in the way of ministering and delivering the message of Jesus Christ. In my opinion, he crossed the line of rendering to Ceasar and was clearly pushing an agenda that I personally have NO interest in. When President Nelson was slathered across the interwebs with a needle hanging off the shoulder, I was shocked, dumbfounded and heartbroken - but about a year or two later, I came around when my wife pointed out that his message has always been to seek the Lord's will in hearing Him. Thankfully, that saved me from utter destruction - because I kind of gave up at that point with my trust levels at an all-time low. The elections were obviously compromised, it seemed obvious that the Church has been, as well. At least at most levels. If I, a guy with ZERO classwork in the biological sciences could smell a rat - then why could they not?!? Were they blinded by their own biases as the brain-washed white coats that they are, as mostly pill-pushers for big pHARMa? If blinded by that, then what else were they blinded by? A gay family member who will convince them to cast their vote in favor of having two dudes kneeling at the altar to be sealed?!? The list goes on.
I was and am and always will be attracted to what makes this doctrinal set different than the rest of them that are merrily on the path to hell as they court the trannies and so much else. NO THANKS!! And there are many members clamoring for the leadership to follow suit after the whole rager agenda. If there is an inkling of that garbage in heaven, I officially cast my vote for hell...
Back to this doc from Raymond. I was not there, but have it from three separate and reliable sources that he said that those who got the schitt-schott following after President Nelson's "example" were the wheat in the Church and those who resisted were the tares in the Kingdom. Just wow. Well, if my good friends at the time needed any cannon fodder for their agenda, this was it. Of course, I went ballistic at the time. Full-on warpath. That combined with the announcement that the Church was not to provide any ecclesiastical support to those claiming a religious exemption. FULL. ON. DECLARATION. OF. WAR. against those who I called Latter-day Saints instead of Latter Day Aints....
So, a good friend goes in to the temple with her anti-vaxxer posse (those that are still alive and still active) and who ends up being one of the sealers? Yep, it was two doctors, one of whom was this Raymond celebrity who probably effectively turned 5-10% of the best members out to pasture with one statement. Do I blame them for leaving? Not really - I happen to resent being thrown in a category of those who will be burned at the last day for slothfulness, as it says at the end of the following parable.. Sadly, those that jumped ship (to the DoC, etc) will not prosper either. It is a tragedy all around. Many are lost, having been scattered by the deceitful shepherds and they routintely quote Section 101 about the watchmen falling asleep - and it does give pause, given the events of the last few years:
43 And now, I will show unto you a parable, that you may know my will concerning the redemption of Zion.
44 A certain nobleman had a spot of land, very choice; and he said unto his servants: Go ye unto my vineyard, even upon this very choice piece of land, and plant twelve olive trees;
45 And set watchmen round about them, and build a tower, that one may overlook the land round about, to be a watchman upon the tower, that mine olive trees may not be broken down when the enemy shall come to spoil and take upon themselves the fruit of my vineyard.
46 Now, the servants of the nobleman went and did as their lord commanded them, and planted the olive trees, and built a hedge round about, and set watchmen, and began to build a tower.
47 And while they were yet laying the foundation thereof, they began to say among themselves: And what need hath my lord of this tower?
48 And consulted for a long time, saying among themselves: What need hath my lord of this tower, seeing this is a time of peace?
49 Might not this money be given to the exchangers? For there is no need of these things.
50 And while they were at variance one with another they became very slothful, and they hearkened not unto the commandments of their lord.
51 And the enemy came by night, and broke down the hedge; and the servants of the nobleman arose and were affrighted, and fled; and the enemy destroyed their works, and broke down the olive trees.
52 Now, behold, the nobleman, the lord of the vineyard, called upon his servants, and said unto them, Why! what is the cause of this great evil?
53 Ought ye not to have done even as I commanded you, and—after ye had planted the vineyard, and built the hedge round about, and set watchmen upon the walls thereof—built the tower also, and set a watchman upon the tower, and watched for my vineyard, and not have fallen asleep, lest the enemy should come upon you?
54 And behold, the watchman upon the tower would have seen the enemy while he was yet afar off; and then ye could have made ready and kept the enemy from breaking down the hedge thereof, and saved my vineyard from the hands of the destroyer.
55 And the lord of the vineyard said unto one of his servants: Go and gather together the residue of my servants, and take all the strength of mine house, which are my warriors, my young men, and they that are of middle age also among all my servants, who are the strength of mine house, save those only whom I have appointed to tarry;
56 And go ye straightway unto the land of my vineyard, and redeem my vineyard; for it is mine; I have bought it with money.
57 Therefore, get ye straightway unto my land; break down the walls of mine enemies; throw down their tower, and scatter their watchmen.
58 And inasmuch as they gather together against you, avenge me of mine enemies, that by and by I may come with the residue of mine house and possess the land.
59 And the servant said unto his lord: When shall these things be?
60 And he said unto his servant: When I will; go ye straightway, and do all things whatsoever I have commanded you;
61 And this shall be my seal and blessing upon you—a faithful and wise steward in the midst of mine house, a ruler in my kingdom.
62 And his servant went straightway, and did all things whatsoever his lord commanded him; and after many days all things were fulfilled.
63 Again, verily I say unto you, I will show unto you wisdom in me concerning all the churches, inasmuch as they are willing to be guided in a right and proper way for their salvation—
64 That the work of the gathering together of my saints may continue, that I may build them up unto my name upon holy places; for the time of harvest is come, and my word must needs be fulfilled.
65 Therefore, I must gather together my people, according to the parable of the wheat and the tares, that the wheat may be secured in the garners to possess eternal life, and be crowned with celestial glory, when I shall come in the kingdom of my Father to reward every man according as his work shall be;
66 While the tares shall be bound in bundles, and their bands made strong, that they may be burned with unquenchable fire.
I would like have those who said and did harsh things explain why they were weak and come forward with a little balm to spread on that wound. The truth is slowly coming out - and those who resisted, will be vindicated.