Developing Church Curriculum

Recently, I was interviewed by Russell Stevenson about my experiences writing curriculum and working with the Correlation Department of the LDS Church. The interview is one in a series of podcasts conducted for LDS Perspectives, a podcast owned by Laura and Brian Hales and which seeks to present positive perspectives about various issues of interest among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You can listen to the podcast by clicking the picture or text below.

Episode 14: Curriculum and Correlation - David B. Marsh | LDS Perspectives Podcast

From his years teaching and writing curriculum, David Marsh dispenses wisdom about how to approach our Sunday experience in order to minimize frustration.

LDSPERSPECTIVES.COM

Sources of Doubt (7 of 7): Apostates

Talking about apostates is difficult. I don’t like to label people, especially when the label is such an undesirable one. But, when it comes to helping our loved ones and friends who are doubting, it is imperative to know how to identify apostates and elude their spiritually damaging influence. Apostates, unfortunately, lose a great portion of the Spirit, but they retain enough intellectual prowess to practice sophistry. Their mesmeric murmurings can generate doubt in unsuspecting members. So we need to talk enough about apostates to recognize them and their beguiling reasoning and to help those who doubt to avoid succumbing to the invective they disseminate.

We have “apostates in our midst,” said the Prophet Joseph Smith, and “from apostates the faithful have received the severest persecutions.”[1] On another occasion, the Prophet taught, “Those who have associated with us and made the greatest professions of friendship, have frequently been our greatest enemies and our most determined foes.” He further explained, “if they became unpopular, if their interest or dignity was touched, or if they were detected in their iniquity, they were always the first to raise the hand of persecution, to calumniate and vilify their brethren, and to seek the downfall and destruction of their friends.”[2]

What astounds me perhaps the most is seeing members of the Church who give credence to apostates. I have watched with a sorrowed heart the tragic path of some who persist in believing the teachings of a person who was excommunicated for apostasy. You would think that this would be a sure sign to be wary of the influence of the person so disciplined. But for some, it is not enough. We need to alert our loved ones and friends who are doubting to the persuasive influence of apostates.

How Does One Become an Apostate?

            Shortly after Joseph Smith arrived in Commerce, Illinois (the city on the Mississippi River that would eventually be named Nauvoo), two members of the Church, Daniel Tyler and Isaac Behunin, made a visit to the Prophet at his residence. Brother Tyler gave the following account of the visit:

“His [Joseph Smith’s] persecutions were the topic of conversation. He repeated many false, inconsistent and contradictory statements made by apostates, frightened members of the Church and outsiders. He also told how most of the officials who would fain have taken his life, when he was arrested, turned in his favor on forming his acquaintance. He laid the burden of the blame on false brethren. …

“When the Prophet had ended telling how he had been treated, Brother Behunin remarked: ‘If I should leave this Church I would not do as those men have done: I would go to some remote place where Mormonism had never been heard of, settle down, and no one would ever learn that I knew anything about it.’

“The great Seer immediately replied: ‘Brother Behunin, you don’t know what you would do. No doubt these men once thought as you do. Before you joined this Church you stood on neutral ground. When the gospel was preached, good and evil were set before you. You could choose either or neither. There were two opposite masters inviting you to serve them. When you joined this Church you enlisted to serve God. When you did that you left the neutral ground, and you never can get back on to it. Should you forsake the Master you enlisted to serve, it will be by the instigation of the evil one, and you will follow his dictation and be his servant.’”[3]

            It is sad but true that a man or woman can be enlightened by the Spirit of God and know of the truthfulness of the gospel and the Church and then can turn from that enlightened experience to fight against the Church and its members. These are apostates. They develop grievances against the Church and they seek damaging retribution by bad-mouthing the Church and creating doubt and the spirit of apostasy in others.

Why Can’t They Just Leave the Church Alone?

            Many of the faithful who watch the activities of apostates wonder why they would spend their time in such adverse endeavors. “Why don’t they just leave the Church alone,” they question, “and go do something more positive and constructive with their lives?!” As unreasonable as it may seem to the faithful, apostates see their actions as justifiable. Mormon, after recounting a brief history of some who had apostatized, made this astute observation:

“And thus we can plainly discern, that after a people have been once enlightened by the Spirit of God and have had great knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened, and thus their state becomes worse than though they had never known these things.”[4]

            Their “state” of being, or their nature, changes. Still, while they are “more hardened” than before, they cannot forget entirely the feelings and the positive view of the Church they once had. Of this seemingly strange yet lingering interest, Elder Neal L. Maxwell said, “Parenthetically, why—really why—do the disbelievers who line that spacious building watch so intently what the believers are doing? Surely there must be other things for the scorners to do—unless, deep within their seeming disinterest, there is interest.”[5]

            It may not make sense to the faithful, but along with their persistent interest, apostates have a need to make others believe as they believe and feel as they feel. Just as the faithful want to convert others to the true gospel of Jesus Christ, so apostates desire to convert others to their way of thinking. The apostle Paul spoke of people among the members of his day who taught “perverse things” in an effort to “draw away disciples after them.”[6] Incidentally, the original Greek word for “perverse” actually means to distort or misinterpret, perfectly describing the efforts of apostates. Paul also warned the Galatian Saints of those that would trouble them by twisting the gospel of Jesus Christ.[7]

            We cannot underestimate the influence apostates can have on those whose testimonies are nascent, weak, or damaged. Apostate sophistry can even influence those who are walking the disciples’ path and who have already tasted the satisfying fruit of the Tree of Life. Apostates devote an enormous amount of energy to making members they once associated with feel ashamed. Lehi saw the heartbreaking effect that apostate scoffers had on those who stayed on the path, kept hold of the rod, and tasted of the indescribable fruit of the tree. Tragically, “after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell way into forbidden paths and were lost.”[8]

Think about that. They tasted of the fruit! They received the joyful blessings of the atonement, felt the confirming witness and oft-times comforting Spirit of the Lord, happily obeyed the commandments, and faithfully served in the Church. Yet, they eventually left the reassuring shade of the tree, choosing instead to follow forbidden paths and strange roads.  Catastrophically, those roads led some people to enter the great and spacious building only to become scoffers and scorners themselves. The influence of apostates must not be dismissed or taken lightly. They really can and really do affect the lives of our children, grandchildren, friends, and associates by planting the germinating seeds of doubt.

The Effect of Losing the Spirit

The path to becoming an apostate is usually gradual and almost imperceptible to the individual. The apprentice apostate usually begins by discovering something they perceive to be wrong with the Church or its leaders. Before long, they stop reading the scriptures for divine nourishment and stop listening to the prophet and the apostles for spiritual guidance. Their prayers become fatally few and far between. They unwittingly remove themselves from the source of truth and light—the Holy Ghost. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf described the result of this steady withdrawal:

“If we remove ourselves from the light of the gospel, our own light begins to dim—not in a day or a week but gradually over time—until we look back and can’t quite understand why we had ever believed the gospel was true. Our previous knowledge might even seem foolish to us because what once was so clear has again become blurred, hazy, and distant.”[9]

Alma pointedly taught Zeezrom, a man with apostate notions who caused trouble among Church members in his day, “they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries.”[10] President Joseph Fielding Smith confirmed this blurring effect of losing the Spirit, “A man may receive manifestations of the Holy Spirit, and then he may sin and the Spirit withdraws. He is left to himself, and he will forget, to a very large extent, the things he learned before.”[11]

Clouded reasoning, resulting from a loss of the Spirit, is one phenomenon that can lead Church members into apostasy. Another one is for members to find themselves unable to defend a doctrine or a historical event, or to sustain a prophetic stance on contemporary moral or social issues. The lack of ability to see the “why” behind official Church statements can make us pessimistic, and even antagonistic. George MacDonald, the influential 19^th-century Scottish author, poet, and Christian minister concluded, “it is often incapacity for defending the faith they love which turns men into persecutors.”[12]

Apostates don’t usually see themselves as apostates, but rather as faithful members who found something wrong in the kingdom. And when they try to correct that wrong by getting others to see things as they do, they feel castigated and criticized by the faithful. They become very much like Laman and Lemuel who were constantly parading in public the idea that they were “wronged in the wilderness” and deprived of their rights.[13]

Discerning Apostates

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught us in clear terms how to discern an apostate: “That man who rises up to condemn others, finding fault with the Church, saying that they are out of the way, while he himself is righteous, then know assuredly, that that man is in the high road to apostasy; and if he does not repent, will apostatize, as God lives.”[14]

During the summer of 2014, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at least those in America, experienced first-hand what Joseph Smith described. A group of people, many of them members of the Church, led marches and protests against the Church to persuade its leaders to ordain women to the priesthood. At least one was excommunicated for her actions. On June 28, 2014, the Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles felt to clarify what constituted apostasy and what did not by releasing the following statement:

“We understand that from time to time Church members will have questions about Church doctrine, history, or practice. Members are always free to ask such questions and earnestly seek greater understanding. We feel special concern, however, for members who distance themselves from Church doctrine or practice and, by advocacy, encourage others to follow them.

Simply asking questions has never constituted apostasy. Apostasy is repeatedly acting in clear, open, and deliberate public opposition to the Church or its faithful leaders, or persisting, after receiving counsel, in teaching false doctrine.”[15]

Because apostates have been relatively prevalent throughout the Church’s history, Church leaders have found it necessary to characterize their behavior in order to help others identify them and avoid their beguiling rhetoric. While this recent statement may be sufficient, perhaps the most comprehensive statement on apostates was printed in the Deseret News in 1869.[16]

A friend came to us this morning to question us respecting our views concerning apostasy. He wished to know whether we had said that we considered an honest difference of opinion between a member of the Church and the authorities of the Church was apostasy, as he said, we had been credited with having made a statement to this effect. We replied that we had not stated that an honest difference of opinion between a member of the Church and the authorities constituted apostasy; for we could conceive of a man honestly differing in opinion from the authorities of the Church and yet not be an apostate; but we could not conceive of a man publishing those differences of opinion, and seeking by arguments, sophistry and special pleading to enforce upon the people to produce division and strife, and to place the acts and counsels of the authorities of the Church, if possible, in a wrong light, and not be an apostate, for such conduct was apostasy as we understood the term. We further said that while a man might honestly differ in opinion from the authorities through a want of understanding, he had to be exceedingly careful how he acted in relation to such differences, or the adversary would take advantage of him, and he would soon become imbued with the spirit of apostasy, and be found fighting against God and the authority which He had placed here to govern His Church.[17]

It is clear from this part of the statement that members can have an honest difference of opinion with the authorities of the Church without being an apostate. However, when we see someone publishing their contrary opinions, seeking to persuade others to believe in their opinion, causing division and strife, or placing Church leader’s opinion in a bad light, we can know they are in a state of apostasy.

Apostate behaviors diminish the influence of the Holy Ghost, making us more susceptible to Satan’s subterfuge. Our loved ones and friends who are experiencing doubt need to know these things so they can avoid being influenced by people who suffer from apostasy.

            Among the things that put our feet on the path to apostasy, two are most common—immoral behavior and speaking against Church authorities. “Experience has proved,” the 1869 article states, “that the indulgence in whoredom, adultery and lust is fatal to faith in the Gospel. This practice is so antagonistic to the spirit of the gospel that the two cannot coexist in the same individual. Experience has also proved that opposing or speaking against the priesthood or the authority which God has placed in His Church to govern it, is inevitably followed, sooner or later, by a loss of faith and by complete apostasy.”[18]

            Another common trait to be aware of is the tendency of apostates to claim they were severed from the Church without any good reason—that they were and still are righteous, faithful members.

We know that there scarcely ever was a prominent individual cut off from the Church that did not make the assertion that he was expelled without a cause. Such persons…have always been—if there statements were to be believed—exceedingly righteous. They were not wrong; oh, no; it was Joseph, or it was somebody else that had erred and was in the dark and had fallen.

Frequently they have continued to assert that they were as strong believers in the doctrines of the Church as they ever were, that they knew them to be true; but the authorities were wrong; the man who had held the keys had transgressed and was in the dark.[19]

            Once people apostatize, according to the 1869 statement, they are joined and supported by like-minded individuals who may be apostates themselves or may be sympathizers of apostate causes against the Church.

Another evidence is that when men drink into that spirit they immediately become very popular among the wicked. Those who sought the overthrow of the Church and the destruction of Joseph in the neighborhood of Kirtland, Far West and Nauvoo, rejoiced when they heard of men apostatizing and proving false to him. While they were faithful and true the wicked hated them as they did him; but no sooner did they commence to operate against him, than they became the warm friends of this class and were welcomed to their society. This is a result which has never failed in cases of apostasy.[20]

I am grateful for descriptions like these. Apostates, though few in number, can cause a great deal of confusion and doubt within the Church. Knowing these kinds of details helps us clearly discern apostates. In my lifetime, I have seen the almost constant need in the Church to be reminded of these things. We may need to alert our doubting associates of this detailed description of apostates if their doubt stems from apostates’ teachings and influence.

Avoid Apostasy by Following the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

When the First President and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles make official statements on issues in our contemporary society, they don’t do so without careful thought. Because they know the effect their statements can have on Church members, and because they take great care in research, reasoning, and revelation before they release an official Church statement, we can be more willing to receive their statements. At a time in Church history when some opposed the Church’s position on the Equal Rights Amendment, the First Presidency taught:

Members who choose not to follow the counsel of the First Presidency are completely free to do so. There is no civil or criminal penalty for religious disagreement, but there is surely a spiritual loss for the individual.

Recognizing the significance of its counsel to Church members, the First Presidency is extremely careful in taking stands on any matter affecting the lives of members.[21]

           

Speaking of the prophets and apostles, Elder M. Russell Ballard declared, “We will not and … cannot lead [you] astray…Never follow those who think they know more about how to administer the affairs of the Church than … Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ do” through the priesthood leaders who have the keys to preside. I have discovered in my ministry that those who have become lost [and] confused are typically those who have most often … forgotten that when the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve speak with a united voice, it is the voice of the Lord for that time.[22]

Besides the fact that they will never lead us astray, Elder Ballard offered another reason to readily accept the counsels and admonitions of prophets, seers, and revelators:

I have heard that some people think the Church leaders live in a “bubble.” What they forget is that we are men and women of experience, and we have lived our lives in so many places and worked with many people from different backgrounds. Our current assignments literally take us around the globe, where we meet the political, religious, business, and humanitarian leaders of the world. Although we have visited [leaders in] the White House in Washington, D.C., and leaders of nations [and religions] throughout the world, we have also visited the most humble [families and people] on earth.

…When you thoughtfully consider our lives and ministry, you will most likely agree that we see and experience the world in ways few others do. You will realize that we live less in a ‘bubble’ than most people.

…There is something about the individual and combined wisdom of the [Church leaders] that should provide some comfort. We have experienced it all, including the consequences of different public laws and policies, disappointments, tragedies, and deaths in our own families. We are not out of touch with your lives.[23]

Following the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is always a good thing. Not only do they have an impressive cumulative resume, but they also possess the keys to spiritual knowledge and salvation. They won’t lead us astray and they will point out the pitfalls that beguile the world.

As a final note of observation, I have found, generally speaking, that apostates are most prevalent among the proud who are learned, scholarly, or educated. In Jesus’ day, the “common people heard him gladly,”[24] while the more educated and societally sophisticated resisted the Savior’s teachings.

The learned are more prone to succumb to what the Prophet Joseph Smith referred to as “the prejudice of education.”[25] Somehow, in the process of becoming educated, and honing the gift of intellect given to them by God, they allow their educated intellect to supersede their faith. They believe they have evolved to a higher, more developed way of thinking. They bolster their pseudo-comfort by making others feel less intellectually developed. Long, long ago, Jacob insightfully described the prejudice of education, “O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves.” He concluded his perceptive insight by saying, “wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.”[26]

There are among us now a few individuals who masquerade as members of the Church but whose thinking is apostate. They use blogs, Facebook, and other social media outlets to make what they believe are clever comments that are derogatory toward the Church or the Brethren. Their feigned membership vaguely hides their apostate character. They are good at creating doubt with fallacious intellectual argument. We would do well to abide by Paul’s counsel to the Corinthian Saints, “Be not deceived,” for their “evil communications corrupt good manners.”[27] Therefore we must learn to discern apostates and help our loved ones and friends who are doubting to do the same.

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[1] Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, [2007], 317, 321; History of the Church, 2:487–488, 223.

[2] Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 322; see also History of the Church, 2:23.

[3] Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, [2007], 324; see also Juvenile Instructor, August 15, 1892, pp. 491–492.

[4] Alma 24:30; see also Alma 47:36, Alma 48:24, and Matthew 12:45.

[5] Neal A. Maxwell, BYU Devotional Address, October 10, 1978.

[6] Acts 20:30.

[7] Galatians 1:6–7.

[8] 1 Nephi 8:28.

[9] “Receiving a Testimony of Light and Truth,” Ensign, November 2014, p. 22.

[10] Alma 12:11; see also Alma 32:38–39.

[11] Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 1, pp. 44-45.

[12] Anthology, New York; Macmillan, 1941, p. 121; quoted by Neal A. Maxwell in “Discipleship and Scholarship,” Educating Zion, ed. John W. Welch and Don E. Norton, 1996, pp.. 198-203.

[13] Mosiah 10:12.

[14] Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, [2007], 318; see also History of the Church, 3:385.

[15] https://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/june-first-presidency-statement?lang=eng.

[16] Deseret News, Wednesday, November 3, 1869, p. 457 (George Q. Cannon was the editor at the time).

[17] Ibid.

[18] Ibid.

[19] Ibid.

[20] Ibid.

[21] “The Church and the Proposed Equal Rights Amendment: A Moral Issue,” a pamphlet included in the March 1980 Ensign, p. 20.

[22] “Stay in the Boat and Hold On!” Ensign, November 2014, p. 90.

[23] “Be Still, and Know That I Am God” (Church Educational System devotional, May 4, 2014); lds.org/broadcasts; see also “Stay in the Boat and Hold On!” Ensign, November 2014, p. 90.

[24] Mark 12:37.

[25] Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, [2007], 155.

[26] 2 Nephi 9:28.

[27] 1 Corinthians 15:33.