Prophet Harold B Lee on the disabled and race

[Maedros]

President Lee was a prophet of the Lord and whatever he meant by what he said is irrelevant to me today because today I follow Elder Monson; brothers and sisters I think it is very wise counsel to refrain from criticizing our leaders - not because they are above criticism (they are not) but because it opens a path to 'questioning leaders' which is an infectious and contagious canker. 

“‘When we say anything bad about the leaders of the Church, whether true or false, we tend to impair their influence and their usefulness and are thus working against the Lord and his cause.’ (In Conference Report, Apr. 1947, p. 24.)” (Address to Church Educational System teachers, Aug. 16, 1985.)

[sunstoned]

2 hours ago, Maedros said:

President Lee was a prophet of the Lord and whatever he meant by what he said is irrelevant to me today because today I follow Elder Monson; brothers and sisters I think it is very wise counsel to refrain from criticizing our leaders - not because they are above criticism (they are not) but because it opens a path to 'questioning leaders' which is an infectious and contagious canker. 

“‘When we say anything bad about the leaders of the Church, whether true or false, we tend to impair their influence and their usefulness and are thus working against the Lord and his cause.’ (In Conference Report, Apr. 1947, p. 24.)” (Address to Church Educational System teachers, Aug. 16, 1985.)

So in other words the leaders are saying, don't criticize us even though we might be wrong.  Leadership that will not accept feedback from those they lead and puts itself above constructive criticism is a form of arrogance that fosters an environment of blind obedience.  It is this type of unquestioning blind obedience that allowed the uninspired racist priesthood exclusion doctrine to be perpetuated for over one hundred years. 

[Maedros]

49 minutes ago, sunstoned said:

So in other words the leaders are saying, don't criticize us even though we might be wrong.  Leadership that will not accept feedback from those they lead and puts itself above constructive criticism is a form of arrogance that fosters an environment of blind obedience.  It is this type of unquestioning blind obedience that allowed the uninspired racist priesthood exclusion doctrine to be perpetuated for over one hundred years. 

Yes, that is exactly right - we submit to the indoctrination of the church. We don't criticize (in the negative sense) our leaders because that would impair their influence. The priesthood ban that you're so hurt over is but a minuscule drop in the proverbial ocean and in Africa it is of little consequence to the progress of the church. If members used the ban to justify their racial prejudice then that is their burden to bare; I subscribe to the counsel of Joseph Smith: to always follow the majority of the twelve. Latter-days have faith in their leaders because we know that where there is no leadership: the people perish. No matter what any leader has said or not said, the work carries on and it will continue to carry on, so why waste energy questioning prophets? 

[SamIam]

1 hour ago, sunstoned said:

So in other words the leaders are saying, don't criticize us even though we might be wrong.  Leadership that will not accept feedback from those they lead and puts itself above constructive criticism is a form of arrogance that fosters an environment of blind obedience.  It is this type of unquestioning blind obedience that allowed the uninspired racist priesthood exclusion doctrine to be perpetuated for over one hundred years. 

No he is not saying that at all.  He is saying the same thing you might say to your wife if everyday when you left the house and went to work she took a couple of hours with the children around the lunch hour to ennumurate all of the mistakes, wrong comments, idiotic clothing combinations that you had made the previous week.  If that circumstance exists and most of us have seen couples like this, it, in sinister fashion, completely undermines the fathers role and contributes to or completely makes him impotent.