In May, the stake president
went around to each of the wards in the stake. He spoke for quite some time and
asked the members to spiritually prepare to be taught by an apostle of the
Lord. At Elder Bednar’s request, we
were asked to be in our seats 30 minutes before the meeting started.
We were working outside on
Friday afternoon and lost track of time.
Our youth didn’t make it to the Friday night meeting until 6:50
p.m. The parking lot was full, but
abnormally quiet. The stake president
was out in the parking lot with two chairs reserving parking spaces. He had his cell phone and was awaiting the
arrival of the apostle and general authority.
As our youth walked into the meeting, they noticed the total
silence. It was a marvel to see so many
youth completely quiet.
Elder Bednar walked in at
7:00 p.m. and almost everyone stood up to welcome him. I wonder why he had everyone arrive at 6:30
p.m. when he barely showed up on time. What’s all this standing up for an
apostle business? When my family came
home and told me what had happened, I was troubled.
This same behavior continued
throughout the weekend. Elder Bednar would come in at the last minute, and
almost everyone would rise to his or her feet. At the close of the general
session, the congregation was instructed to wait at their seats while the
visiting authorities exited. Once again, the congregation rose to their feet as
the procession departed.
During the Friday night
meeting, Elder Bednar told the youth that when the quorum of the twelve meets,
they rise to their feet as President Monson walks in the room. Even Elder Packer, who experiences great
pain when he stands, makes the sacrifice to rise for President Monson. This
sounds too much like the scribes and Pharisees.
1 Then
spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
2 Saying,
The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
What does it mean to sit in Moses’ seat? Are the
scribes and Pharisees the leaders of Christ’s church? Did they claim to possess
the same power and authority given to Moses?
3 All
therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that
observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
4 For
they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their
fingers.
Why are we to observe and do their words but not
follow after their actions?
5 But
all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their
phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
Why do they want to be noticed by men?
6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief
seats in the synagogues,
Why do they love and expect special treatment? Why do
men seek a red seat?
7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of
men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
8 But
be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even
Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And
call no man your father upon the earth: for one
is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither
be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even
Christ.
Why do these church leaders want to be highly thought
of and appear religiously superior? How does Christ feel about being supplanted
by the scribes and Pharisees? What is
Christ’s position? What is our
position? Are humans to be put one above another?
11 But
he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And
whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself
shall be exalted. Matthew 23:1-12
What is the role of the
great ones? How does a great man see himself? Will he ever draw attention to
his greatness?
The Scribes and Pharisees
have the seniority thing so deeply rooted in them that when they left the woman
who was caught in adultery, they went out in order of their seniority. “And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the
eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left
alone, and the woman standing in the midst” John 8:9. In
our day it would be comparable to two or more apostles walking through the
doorway in order of their seniority. It
looks kind of ridiculous, but seniority and position seem to give the
impression of supremacy.
A few years ago, we were
invited to the wedding ceremony for a general authority’s daughter. Even though we were invited to the ceremony,
we were told that we were not allowed to come to the private reception held for
church authorities. Family and friends
waited outside while church leaders paid their respects to the bride and groom.
Something didn’t feel right. Why don’t
our leaders want to socialize with us who they lead? Family and friends participated in the public reception held later that evening.
Is this kind of elitist idol
worship going to save us? Can anyone but the Lord, Jesus Christ redeem us? Should we put anyone except God on a
pedestal? Then why do we do it? If everyone is doing it, do we have to join
in? How does idol worship damn its
participants?
“But behold, I trust that ye are not in a state of so much unbelief as were your brethren; I trust that ye are not lifted up in the pride of your hearts; yea, I trust that ye have not set your hearts upon riches and the vain things of the world; yea, I trust that you do not worship idols, but that ye do worship the true and the living God, and that ye look forward for the remission of your sins, with an everlasting faith, which is to come.” Alma 7:6
