All things done by common consent1/3/2024 Despite his reputation as authoritarian, Bruce R. It provides members with a voice, making this truly the church of “latter-day saints” and not the church of “latter-day administrative leaders.” The membership is to be actively involved in the growth and perfection of the church, and the law of common consent is one of the most powerful ways in which that manifests itself. The process as articulated in the Doctrine and Covenants makes a lot of sense to me. According to the Doctrine and Covenants “all things shall be done by common consent in the church, by much prayer and faith, for all things you shall receive by faith.” I think that most members understand why minor revisions to church manuals aren’t brought before the body of the saints for a sustaining vote (it doesn’t seem terribly practical) but it seems odd to me that a major policy adjustment with widespread implications as to how many will now experience the church was done without such consent. In light of all this, I can’t help but wonder why this was even a unilateral decision in the first place. I can only imagine this announcement has served as an answer to many of their prayers in the negative. I know personally of members who were already on the edge, wondering if they still have a place in the church. There are plenty more who are struggling quietly. Some members are publicly announcing their decision to either resign from the church over the policy or drift into indefinite inactivity. Stories have already begun to circulate on social media and elsewhere indicating that the change in policy has interrupted baptisms, mission calls, baby blessings and a slew of other events most Mormons hold dear to their faith. What’s more, it is very clear that this change has major implications for the membership as a whole.
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