Prophetic Infallibility

At a recent devotional at BYU, President Russell M. Nelson taught: "Prophets are rarely popular. But we will always teach the truth!"

Meanwhile, I'm sitting there thinking of no less than half a dozen instances I've documented in patriarchal blessings alone where that just isn't true. To say nothing of Jonah, Eli, Jacob/Israel, Balaam, or even Joseph Smith. Prophets are not immune to lackluster performances, or even outright failures in their callings. There are multiple instances in scripture where this is the exact lesson that God was teaching.

To my friends who remain at church, I need you to understand that this is what teaching prophetic infallibility looks like. How many times have we all heard, or even said, "the Church is a hospital for the sick and the imperfect," especially in relation to moments when prophets fall short of who we expect them to be?

Problem is, that's not what President Nelson believes about himself. That's literally what he just said. The rest of us will be imperfect. But he's not. He'll never say anything false. That's what he believes about himself.

So, while the Church is a hospital for the rest of us to mend our ways, be healed from our illnesses, and confront the limitations of our own mortality,apparently the Church for him is a luxury hotel where everyone knows his name and he can do no wrong.

So those of you who stay in the Church, I have no beef with you. If you can show up there and still be fed, I'm genuinely happy for you. If you have the energy to stay and deal with everything that comes with that territory, I respect you. I want that for you if you're happy. You and I both know that President Nelson thinking this about himself isn't something you can control or change. Unless you know him personally and have that kind of access to him, I can't lay that on you. And please understand I don't. That's his job, not yours.

But y'all who're still at Church cannot have any illusions about the situation we're in together. We're being led by a mortal, imperfect man who doesn't believe he or any other prophet is fallible, or has to own up to any mistakes they make. Don't come here trying to paint that situation into something that it's not. Don't try to twist his words into something more comfortable for yourselves, thinking that'll help anyone else.

Trust people to read and see with their own eyes. You owe us that, at the very least.

Believe what you want, but stop making apologies and excuses for unacceptable statements, beliefs, and behavior. Those of you looking for how to navigate relationships with those on the margins and outskirts of the Church in your life, refusing to defend the indefensible is a great place to start.