Implications Of Dehlin’S Temple Worthiness

[Analytics]

In the Old Testament, the leaders of the Aaronic Priesthood were appointed to care for the Ark of the Covenant (Deuteronomy 10:8 ). The importance of only Levites with the proper authority taking on this role is illustrated by what happened when King David was relocating the ark from Kirjathjearim to his home in the city of David. The Ark was carried on a fabulous new cart, drawn by oxen. At one point the oxen stumbled, and Uzza, the driver of the cart, was afraid the ark would fall. He put his hand on the ark to steady it.

And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzza, and He smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God. [1 Chronicles 13:10]

In the modern Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Aaronic priesthood leaders don’t guard an ark. Rather, they serve in the office of bishop. Bishops are called to serve both as judges and overseers of their flocks; they are called to both judge the worthiness of the members of their congregations and to protect them from wolves.

I bring this up because in Greg Smith’s review of John Dehlin, the worthiness of Dehlin is a constant theme. In fact, an entire 7-page section of the article (pages 36 to 42) focuses expressly on the issue of whether or not Dehlin is worthy to hold a temple recommend.

Is Dehlin worthy to hold a temple recommend? Is he worthy to be in full fellowship with the Latter-day Saints? I don't know; how much heterodoxy should be tolerated among the membership of the church isn’t clear.

But in the name of scholarship, Greg Smith wanted to expound upon this important topic. To do this properly, an authoritative source would be Dehlin’s bishop or stake president. I admit I haven’t read the entire 97-page article, but as far as I can tell, Greg Smith never consulted either one of these men. But I’m sure we can all imagine that if Smith did contact Dehlin’s priesthood leaders to get an on-the-record account of the details of Dehlin’s temple worthiness, the bishop or stake president would have said that Dehlin’s worthiness is none of Smith’s damn business.

That being the case, by putting forth his hand to publish a piece about the temple worthiness of a fellow Latter-day Saint, was Greg Smith steadying the ark?

Edited March 9, 2013 by Analytics

[Ahab]

In your analogy, isn't steadying the ark the equivalent of acting in the office of those who are appointed to issue temple recommends?

If so, no, Greg wasn't doing that. He was just talking, and we're all free to share our perspectives.