The LDS church expects 100% LOYALTY to the church and it’s leaders.
It’s not about following what’s actually right and moral…
It’s about OBEDIENCE;
Undying LOYALTY.
And that can be a dangerous line to balance.
The church wants blind rule-followers,
Followers who don’t question them.
Followers who will defend them;
Even when what they say or do…
Is horrific;
Or has no sense or meaning whatsoever in their orders and demands…
Obedience for the sake of obedience.
https://www.ldsscriptureteachings.org/2017/06/ephraim-hanks-a-model-of-obedience/
It’s dangerous to give undying loyalty to a person, organization, or even belief system regardless of what those leaders may do or say…
Raising your hand to sustain or even vote for those of whom you may question…
But still choose to follow blindly…
Someone who is blindly obedient and turns their cheek to some malicious and horrible orders…
Is someone who is passive to persecution, manipulation, and abuse;
And they themselves are subject to it as well.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2003/04/loyalty?lang=eng
“Loyalty to leadership.”
“Absolutely loyal to the Church.”
We are very cautious in regards to using the word “brainwashing;”
However…
The church does indeed brainwash it’s followers into believing that following the head of the church will ensure that they, as followers,
Will never be led astray..
A dangerous mindset indeed…
If the followers of the church can get to the point where they genuinely believe that GOD HIMSELF will not allow a church leader to lead them “astray,”
Then it’s easy for members to give their undying loyalty to that leader…
Regardless of any horrific things those leaders may preach or teach…
Such as the following statements that a former PROPHET, Brigham Young,
Has said to the Church’s members…
https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2023/03/05/worst-speech-lds-history-brighams/
SPEECH FOUND HERE:
Undying loyalty is dangerous.
Blind followers are dangerous.
Not just to themselves,
But society as a whole…
Don’t underestimate how quickly and vast the influence of undying loyalty to a person or organization can rapidly expand, and have on society.
It’s dangerous to follow a person who claims to recieve direct guidance from an all-powerful, overwhelming God themself…
Because how can one debate the influence of an all-knowing, all-powerful being??
The church has even blatantly stated that members are not to criticize leaders of the church…
Even if that criticism..
Is true.
https://youtu.be/JxyiHLg59ks?si=L7Ky7PL–NgG6FQZ
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/mormons/
The church doesn’t want their followers to follow God…
The church wants their followers to think they’re following God…
When in all reality,
They’re worshipping and giving undying loyalty to the Church, and church leadership.
It is undeniable that the church does not want its followers to disagree, criticize, or question the things of the church or the leaders of the church…
After all,
They speak for GOD,
…Right??
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2020/01/aus-eng-local-pages/local-news-002?lang=eng
This is a current-day, modern thing that the Church expects of it’s members…
Not just a thing of the past.
Just look at the current, modern-day temple recommend questions…
The ones members are required to pass in order to get their temple recommend…
To be considered “worthy.”
The church doesn’t want its members to think for themselves…
To follow their own natural-born human morals and logic…
The church was blind followers…
And undying loyalty.
No matter what.
–
Imagine shaming someone for leaving the Church –
Because they don’t believe in blind obedience and undying devotion and loyalty to leadership.
