Author: Spencer Charles aka Latterdayhelp| Monday, May 30th 10 O’clock News MST| No.100
After speaking about the tragic Texas school shooting and about the Washington D.C. temple at the National Press Club, the media asked Elder David A. Bednar, an apostle of Jesus Christ, some important questions.
He answered more than a dozen questions — regarding the Church’s financial reserves, LGBTQ concerns, and President Russell M. Nelson’s emphasis on using the full and correct name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, instead of using the word ‘Mormon.’ These following questions were submitted by the media and moderated by National Press Club President Jen Judson.
Below, the questions that are listed in this news report is Elder Bednar’s response.
Does the Church plan to publicly advocate for its position on abortion?
“Our existing policy — you can read it online in our Church Handbook of Instructions — is that we believe in life, we affirm the sanctity of life, and also the means whereby mortal life is created. It already highlights the fact that there should be consideration given in cases of rape, incest, the health of the mother, the viability of the fetus.”
Many locals will visit the Washington D.C. temple before it’s rededication. What do you hope they’ll take away from that experience?
Elder David A. Bednar said he hopes that people will learn what temples are, as well as the nature of the spiritual journey that is apart of temple worship. “It is a worship space, it is a sacred space, but it is also an instructional space. … It’s a place where we go to meditate, to pray, to ponder, to seek heavenly influences and guidance in our lives,” he said.
Can you envision a day when LGBTQ Church members can marry and be sealed within the Church?
“We believe that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and that the family is central to the Father’s plan for the eternal destiny and happiness of his children,” said Elder Bednar, quoting The Family Proclamation.
In 2003, the Church denounced the book, “Under the Banner of Heaven,” by Jon Krakauer. Now the book has been adapted for TV and is streaming on Hulu. What does the Church think of the Hulu adaptation? And more generally, how do you feel about the depictions of the faith in media and culture?
“I will pose a rhetorical question first. Given all the stuff that I just described [participation by members in leadership, worship, training, ministering and serving], who has time to watch programs?”
Elder Bednar went on to explain that from the very early days, the Church has been mischaracterized. “Christ was mischaracterized. We have been mischaracterized since 1830, when the Church was reestablished. That’s always been the case. … But we don’t spend all of our time trying to respond to it. We have a mission to fulfill, and we’ll move forward to accomplish it.”
Can you talk about the decision to really emphasize the full name of the Church as opposed to calling yourself Mormons or the LDS Church?
“I think that President Russell M. Nelson will be known forever as a man of remarkable courage to say we will no longer use a nickname, pejoratively attached to our Church by our enemies, anymore. And we’re inviting other people to call us what we are called: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You know, we live in a world where everybody is offended about almost everything. And we don’t take offense. We just ask people to respect what to us is very sacred. The name of the Church was revealed. We didn’t have a task force and test it with focus groups. It was revealed by the head of the Church, who is Jesus Christ. And we simply are asking people to respect that and call us what we are.”
Membership and affiliation with religious organizations in general has been on the decline in the United States. Why do you think that is?
“I think we live in a tumultuous world, and people are searching for answers and may not be satisfied with some of the answers that they have.”
How would a transgender person be treated if they had already completed their transition before exploring membership in the Church?
“We welcome all and strive to love them. Now, I use the word strive because we don’t do that perfectly. And so people have stereotypes, they have misconceptions, they have biases and they have prejudices. We strive to love everybody.”
Regarding Church growth, what are some of the reasons that the Church is growing so much now in Africa?
“Africa has been influenced in many parts of the continent through early Christian missionaries. When you go to visit with a congregation there and you recite a verse from the Bible, everyone in the congregation, without looking at a text, can recite it with you. There’s a very strong Christian tradition.”
Elder Bednar also said that the message of the restoration of the Savior’s Church strikes a resonant chord in Africa. “They come, they see our congregations, they participate, and they desire to join.”
With over $100 billion in funds and assets, the Church has more capability than any other church in the country to help eliminate poverty. What more could the Church do in terms of humanitarian efforts?
“People want to bang on the Church and say, ‘Well, you’ve got all that money in reserve.’ Yeah, and it’s a good idea for other people to follow that example. … You can read in the Old Testament about seven years of famine and seven years of plenty. It’s a good idea to prepare. These undertakings that I’ve described are resource consuming, not resource generating. And a lot of people depend on the resource that we provide. And if things are different in the future than they are now, we think it’s provident and wise to prepare to maintain that kind of support in an uncertain economic environment.”
Given the significant financial strain that tithing is for those in war or in abject poverty, is there any discussion within the Church about not requiring that for people in those situations or at least tithing only what is left after paying for housing, food and other necessities?
“President Hinckley stood at this pulpit in 2000 and made reference to the law of tithing. I remember watching him teach in impoverished areas of the country and promising the people: the pathway out of poverty is keeping the commandments of God, including tithing. The Church doesn’t need their money, but those people need the blessings that come from obeying God’s commandments.”
More News Stories
Recent Comments