Basic training for mainstream LDS fundamentalist living: Part II of II

The LDS water sacrament.

By Chadwick LaVerl Hyde

One by one, they throw us from the tower...
And we spread our wings and fly...

- Linda Sillitoe

The term “halcyon” means “a time in the past that was happy and peaceful.” If you’ve read and followed part I of this article, chances are you’ll achieve what you’ve always wanted – to exist but for a while in the mainstream church while living the way Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and John Taylor (the first three prophets of the restoration) lived.

This might just typify the halcyon moment, translating into modern existence the idyllic life of those members you’ve looked up to and honored with your godly faith. You’ve overcome the greatest loss given to us as Mormons. You’ve defended the faith in a so-called time of governmental repression, and social corruption. You’ve righted the wrongs, as it were, of the Utah Commission, and the mainstream version of the “skunks and spotters” of yesteryear that threw away exaltation for a mess of pottage called gentile social acceptance.

But every happy period, every halcyon era, ends – and every jealously guarded bureaucracy has its policies and regulations – even the mainstream LDS church.

Perhaps it was, as a sister wife, one too many newborns showing up in the attached apartment downstairs. Or the time your husband took you and two other wives to the out-of-state rodeo and your stake patriarch saw you all holding hands there. Maybe a frustrated sibling of your sister wife confronted you all about her lack of contact with them – and discovering the reason is now threatening disclosure.

In any case, the mainstream bishop has asked all of you to meet with him and his counselors to discuss these things. Here are some tips to remember...

Bishop interviews
Nearly all decisions on matters of polygamy and doctrinal disputes are made on a phone with leadership before interviews and church courts. Scripture is now rarely followed in decision-making within councils or church courts. 

Evidence and procedural rules left the church at the time of President Heber J. Grant. Your choices are going to be limited to how you might react. Let us assume you will not be giving up your true beliefs, the principle or the work.

The proactive reaction
Don’t contest the accusations, the courts or the councils. Seek understanding with all involved and maintain your lifestyle and agree to neither receive their sacraments, pray, nor preach at mainstream functions, but insist that you and your families will still attend the ward and its functions – as excommucatées.

This is the best reaction because it leaves the greatest amount of goodwill while empowering the mainstream leadership with the greatest latitude of magnanimity as their decision will not be contested. Some in the council or courts may be confused by this and depending upon the entitlement sentiment of the fellow congregants at the ward, recrimination and spite may ensue.

Should you decide to attend while disfellowshipped or excommunicated, you’ll have to maintain silence on your standards and beliefs, and will be limited in your worship and expression, but you will stand as a testimony of faith to those who haven’t yet a clue about the importance of such doctrines and principles. Time will change your sentiments and you will move on to denominations that are more conducive to your religious lifestyles; your passive resistance will be lingering testimony long after you are gone. 

Depending upon your relationship with the leadership, excommunication can be avoided, but this is rare.

The legalistic reaction
The Doctrine and Covenants requires evidence when a membership is at stake. Some leadership mistakenly believes that evidence means questioning the member at a church court – such is not the case.

As Christ himself said to the Pharisees at his mock council, “where are my accusers.” In this capacity, you are entitled by sacred doctrine to face your accusers and answer to evidences or testimonies. If such evidences cannot be proven by facts then your church court must be closed.

What happens next?
The glaring problem with this is that you will be watched day and night to see patterns and associations with your husband, and sister wives. It is a matter of time before video clips will show up in social media, texts or email trees of dozens of its leading members. Unless you have sister wives in other counties (or states), I would see this option as futile over the long run. It is prolonging the inevitable.

Mainstream members are going to patronize you and act sad when they look at you or speak to you. Remember this. They believe that you’ve lost the Holy Ghost, but the truth is excommunication cannot occur if you are living your gospel standards to the level of a covenant Israelite. Remember only a gentile church (as mentioned in 3 Nephi: 20-21) can give gentile punishments like excommunication. 

There is no such thing as excommunication and removal of priesthood and the Holy Ghost by priests anywhere in ancient covenant living. It is a gentile notion and reaction for gentiles trying to become Israelites in a gentile church.

Excommunication for living the Celestial law of plural marriage cannot occur. If you are living the commandments as you should, the only remorse you will feel is for the mainstream congregants who cannot understand their own doctrine.

Don’t quibble or argue over their behavior. Ask them how their kids are doing in intramural sports or activities. Ask if you can bring them some cookies later in the week and talk about the arts and crafts you always discussed. Assuage, nuance, forgive; in regard to those people intent on closing off all relationships with you, smile and sigh – others in the Celestial kingdom suffered far worse.

A thought on business relationships
Finally, it is important to plan exit strategies for any business arrangements you have with mainstream members. These plans should be well developed and in process long before church councils and courts are involved in your life. If you work in a professional environment with other members, establish clear boundaries about acceptable and unacceptable behaviors regarding recriminations. If you work in a service industry reliant upon goodwill to survive, perhaps the best alternative is to break the business arrangement and head out on your own.

Business has a way of steadying behavior in ways that no church standards can touch.

Be cognizant of the needs of others, and aware of your own. Make these decisions early and you’ll be headed to a safe landing when these mutual friendships are strained and come to an end.

Above all else, remember to pray fervently and heed the direction of the Lord. He will not steer you wrong. 

You can reach me at fundamentalistmag@gmail.com