The Righteous Hiding Of Truth

Original Article provided by Mormoncurtain.com
Original Author: unknown

Our temple recommend interviews include the question "are you honest in all of your dealings?" It seems that honesty doesn't count in some cases, and that sweeping truth under a rug, even if "for a season", is the new defintion of honesty for not only church members but church leaders.

Let's reflect upon just a few of the words of the leaders [all emphasis is mine]:

"My duty as a member of the Council of the Twelve is to protect what is most unique about the LDS church, namely the authority of priesthood, testimony regarding the restoration of the gospel, and the divine mission of the Savior. EVERYTHING may be sacrificed in order to maintain the integrity of those essential facts. Thus, if Mormon Enigma reveals information that is detrimental to the REPUTATION of Joseph Smith, then it is necessary to try to limit its influence and that of its authors." - Apostle Dallin Oaks, footnote 28, Inside the Mind of Joseph Smith: Psychobiography and the Book of Mormon, Introduction p. xliii

What Dallin is saying here is that even if we find historical facts directly in the church's own history that make the brethren or their testimonies look bad, or cast a bad light on Joseph Smith [even if it’s true!], then we have to try to limit its influence. Another “gross error”, in my opinion.

And here's one of the most popular quotes amongst those who have discovered that mormonism is a lie. This is Boyd K. Packer when he talks about sharing “all” of the truth:

“There is a temptation for the writer or the teacher of church history to want to tell everything, whether it is worthy or faith promoting or not. Some things that are true are not very useful. That historian or scholar who delights in pointing out the weaknesses and frailties of present or past leaders destroys faith. A destroyer of faith — particularly one within the Church, and more particularly one who is employed specifically to build faith — places himself in great spiritual jeopardy. He is serving the wrong master, and unless he repents, he will not be among the faithful in the eternities. ... Do not spread disease germs!" - Boyd K. Packer, "The Mantle is Far, Far Greater Than the Intellect", 1981, BYU Studies, Vol. 21, No. 3, pp. 259-271

I would ask, how is telling TRUTH “spreading disease germs” or “not very useful”? Why would one want to repent for telling the truth [and worse yet, be told by a 'prophet, seer and revelator' to keep our mouths shut about truth if it doesn't support the way the church is run right now]? Does not the temple recommend interview specifically ask us if we "are honest in all our dealings”? It seems to me that these statements also strongly contradict the admonishings of prophets [past and present] which clearly state that the church bears careful investigation and so does its leaders.

Russell M. Nelson said, "To anyone who, because of truth, may be tempted to become a dissenter against the Lord and his anointed, weigh carefully your action in light of this sacred scripture: (he then quotes Alma 47:36). [see - Russell M. Nelson, “Truth—and More,” Ensign, Jan. 1986, page 69 for the full talk].

I submit that if the church, which claims its foundation is based on truth, SHOULD have its members become concerned and speak out if they find falsehoods in the very religion that claims it is the “one and only true church”; that we are to be “honest in all our dealings”; that “the Lord’s anointed will NEVER fail or lead us astray”; and that we are to investigate our religion thoroughly. Elder Nelson’s comments are contradictory, dishonest, and shameful.

Here’s another from Dallin: He published an article for the February 1987 Ensign Magazine. Again, Dallin declared that there is no place in the church for public criticism of church leaders, even if the criticism is true. He also said:

"Truth surely exists as an absolute, but our use of truth should be disciplined by other values. ... When truth is constrained by other virtues, the outcome is not falsehood but silence for a season. As the scriptures say, there is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak." -Dallin H. Oaks, "Reading Church History," CES Doctrine and Covenants Symposium, Brigham Young University, 16 Aug. 1985, page 25. also see Dallin H. Oaks, "Elder Decries Criticism of LDS Leaders," quoted in The Salt Lake Tribune, Sunday August 18, 1985, p. 2B

This is what is more correctly termed "Lying by omission", or more strongly called “lying for the Lord”. It could also be regarded as lying to save face, and telling the truth later when it’s more convenient. The scripture he quoted does not say “There is a time to tell the truth and a time to lie [by omission, or for the Lord...ha]”.

I submit that truth is NEVER constrained by other virtues. Otherwise, members shouldn’t be constantly saying, “I know this church is true, I know the prophet is true, I know the scriptures are true, etc.”