Encore - Follow the prophet

The speakers at Church yesterday talked about following the prophet. Thankfully neither brought up the vaccination subject.

A letter from the First Presidency doesn't mean the letter's content is doctrinal or revelatory. 

Back on 7 June 2021 the First Presidency announced changes to general conference that discontinued the Saturday evening sessions. That stirred things up. Was it revelation? Some thought it was because it came from the First Presidency. 

However, on July 27, Saturday evening sessions were reinstated. For those who thought the first announcement was prophetic revelation this reversal seems contradictory.

Every year there are other letters from the First Presidency which are not revelation. Often they are general counsel, such as to exercise your right to vote, or stating some policy update or change.

In August the First Presidency issued a statement (see the statemen at the end of this article) that included the following 

"To limit exposure to these viruses, we urge the use of face masks in public meetings whenever social distancing is not possible."

Many members of the Church are taking this to mean to always wear a mask at Church. But, they ignore the fact that if they can social distance the mask isn't needed.

Then the firestorm statement:

"To provide personal protection from such severe infections, we urge individuals to be vaccinated."

Suddenly most members of the Church believe getting vaccinated is practically a commandment, a divine revelation that everyone should get vaccinated. There are members who are being accused of not following the prophet just because they aren't vaccinated.

So, what about the words "we urge"? Doesn't seem like a commandment to me.

Nor does the statement take into account natural immunity that comes from actually having COVID.

Anyway, as the speakers talked wondered about the Church's stance.

As of this writing, the urging to wear masks and get vaccinated are not commandments or counsel from the Lord. 

However, and this is important, mask and vaccine encouragement and recommendations are an effort to protect the church and our freedom to gather to worship.  It's an effort to keep the enemies of the Church from having more ammunition to attack the Church with. 

My thoughts started mulling over why many church members love the first presidency recommendations to get vaccinated and wear masks. 

Why has this statement become the standard bearer for "Follow the Prophet" when so many other prophetic statements, counsel, guidance, and advice--especially those given over the pulpit in General Conference--spark controversy and division among members and non-members? So many members will justify and rationalize why some prophetic counsel given in Conference doesn't really apply to them, or they'll criticize it and explain why the prophet or apostle was wrong in saying what he did.

Then the lightbulb came on in my head as to why the vaccine statement is so popular. 

The reason most members love this statement in support of getting vaccinated is because it's popular. It's socially acceptable. It's the norm. Finally the First Presidency issues a statement that shows the Church is part of the world. It's "prophetic counsel" that they can support and champion because it doesn't mark the Church as different. 

Most of these members who support the vaccination statement probably don't even realize this on a conscious level. I'm not saying this is the sole reason they support the statement, but if they really take the time to examine their support on an subconscious and emotional level they would realize this is true. 

Consider the following.

First, how many of those same members complain about comments made in general conference or other, more revelatory circumstances, which go against the prevailing norms of society or which are increasingly unacceptable by society? Or what about other statements that tell members to observe the Sabbath day and to keep it holy, or to stay (get) out of debt? Or what about getting prepared? Or studying the Book of Mormon? Or...I could go on for a long time, but I need to move on.

Second, consider a what-if scenario. What if the prophet had advised the wearing of masks, but urged extreme caution in taking a brand new type of vaccination that has no long term safety track record. What if that caution emphasized that while short-term studies point to effectiveness, there are no precedents for the new type of vaccine that was developed, nor are they any long-term effectiveness or safety studies on the vaccine. Imagine the public outcry and attacks that statement would have invited.

Instead, the statement was very socially acceptable and therefore easy for many members to get behind and support as a way to "follow the prophet".

As for me, if I can at all put if off, I don't want the vaccine until there are some long-term studies proving its safe and effective.