For me…apostles are people that I see on TV every 6 months. I read lots of their talks and sometimes see their pictures come up on the internet. Sometimes I see them portrayed in a negative light by those that oppose the church. Recently, and for the first time in my life…I saw people oppose those apostles with the raise of the right hand.
There are people that accuse these leaders of being complicit perpetuators of a fraud. Some people even call them evil.
Some think they know the thoughts and intents of the apostles hearts. But most people, like myself, have never even met them.
Joseph Smith once said, “… You don’t know me; you never knew my heart,” and I wonder if deep down, many of the apostles get frustrated with their inability to know, serve, and testify to each to us individually. I wonder if it pains them when their heart is about to burst and they can’t articulate their feelings adequately.
The only apostle I’ve ever been at arms length from was Jeffrey R. Holland. He rolled up in a modest Toyota vehicle at a ward in the Wasatch mountains and seemed to be in a huge hurry. (He was probably presiding at the upcoming meeting)
We were walking right at each other and then turned to the front door of the church. I recognized him but said nothing. I was a brand new dad and was carrying my daughter in her “carrying case” off to the side of my leg. There was really no one else around. I perceived that he really needed to get going and saw him hustle to the front of the door. I thought he might have just kept on going as one might do when they’re in a hurry. Instead, he got to the door…held it open…stopped us…looked at my newborn daughter and enthusiastically said:
She’s got ‘Holland’ cheeks!!!
I don’t even know how he knew she was a girl. She was bald…with big fat rosy cheeks that bounced while we walked. Elder Holland apparently saw a resemblance.
But Elder Holland saw more than that. He saw an opportunity to open a door, generate a smile, uplift a stranger, and leave an impression on me that I’ll never forget. This…to him was apparently more important than whatever he was in a rush about.
Every time I see those big Holland jowls bouncing up and down as he bears testimony to the world…I can’t help but think about the glimpse I had into his heart as he opened that door for me and my daughter.
[Tweet “We love you @HollandJeffreyR”]“I have no desire but to do all men good.” said Joseph Smith those many years ago. “He that is ordained of God and sent forth, the same is appointed to be the greatest, notwithstanding he is the least and the servant of all.” D&C 50:26
In that moment with Elder Holland…I could tell he was a good man. Apostle, or no apostle…he was good, and genuine. I have a feeling the rest of them are that way as well. Many others have their own stories to tell and experiences to share about various apostles, but this was mine.
[adinserter block=1]If you want to oppose the church, question the history, or disagree with the doctrine…then that’s fine. That’s why there’s always been the option to vote and vocalize your opposition. But please…please, don’t assume that the men and women that have volunteered their life to the teachings and ministry of Jesus Christ are being deceitful or power hungry as they continue to administer in the Church.
If there’s anything I believe Christ wanted us to remember about prophets and apostles…it was this:
Ye shall know them by their fruits…Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
These are good people. Their fruits are good. Good people don’t spend their lives deceiving people. But regardless of what Elder Holland teaches or believes, the fruit that I received from him was an open door, a smile, and an uplifted spirit. “If we go to hell, we will turn the devils out of doors and make a heaven of it. Where this people are, there is good society.” (JSJ)
Greg, I appreciate your thoughts. I am also saddened by the negative comments and/or actions towards the Apostles and Prophet of the Lord. Unfortunately, this occurs inside the church all too often.
However, as special witnesses of Jesus Christ, their calling requires significant burdens and, at times, loneliness. Lately, I have been carefully studying the Savior’s final days and the ironies and lonliness he faced. In the church today, His special witness often have to take the tiniest sips out of that bitter cup the Savior drank to more perfectly witness of Him. I felt this in the most minuscule and microscopic way as a missionary and Bishop. I cannot imagine what His special witnesses or our Lord feel/felt. It makes me appreciate His atonement and servants that much more.
Love Elder Holland and all of the brethren. I have so much (!!) respect for them and it hurts to hear of any disrespect shown towards them. I don’t understand why people who don’t agree with the Church can’t just walk away and leave those of us alone who love it. No one forces them to go to Church. If you don’t like it – leave. Let the rest of us enjoy it in peace. I love the gospel and I wouldn’t trade it for any amount of political correctness and worldly knowledge.
This sentiment is super scary. Terrifying actually. Why do defectors from North Korea go back to try and save their families?? Wake up and smell the change, the church is not true, we are here to rescue you. You may think you are happy in your boat, until you realize you are in a mote.
What do you have to offer that is better than what we have. Ashes? It’s like if we would “wake up and smell the coffee”, we could be as unhappy as you are. Why do you feel that your truth is more valuable than ours?
I’m always fascinated by the perspective of “Mormon rescuers”. For people who have such fears of damnation for friends, family members, or simply Mormons they’ve never met, the comments they post or speak in person never seem to be delivered in a manner to bring a person back into a fold of safety – I can’t imagine they’d be effective in talking anyone off a spiritual ledge. No gentleness, no expression of love or concern, just scorn, derision, and attacks on beliefs. Basic psychology would tell you this method doesn’t work – your own conscience should tell you it won’t work either. I’ve been in a few physically perilous circumstances in my life which required a “rescuer”, and their conduct and words in helping me through the physical difficulty made it easy to follow their instructions and extricate myself or be treated back to health. However, on the spiritual side I’ve never felt any genuine concern from those who have claimed to want to rescue me from my faith – in fact, I have yet to meet any that seemed to care about me at all; the rhetoric was always focused on the “evil Mormon Church” – the individual was never a factor.
Even excluding the doctrine which you obviously do not believe. Do you know of another church that teaches the primacy of the family and living in a wholesome way that the LDS church does?
I associate with a LOT of pastors from other churches on a weekly basis. I will tell you this … they are jealous of our church in nearly every way.
One pastor was telling me that members left his congregation when an argument broke out during a deacon’s board meeting over the expenditure of $120.00 for a vacuum.
Some of my pastor friends are impressed with home teaching and visiting teaching and the way we care for our own. They are impressed with our welfare system and how we do service projects for the community. They are impressed with our low rate of divorce, our health code, the faithfulness of active members in paying tithes and offerings.
You may think that we need rescue, but in reality, members can leave whenever they want, but currently in my lifetime, we have increased from 3 million members world wide to nearly 16 million members.
Seems like more are coming to our happy boat than can be “rescued”. Maybe there is something to that?
Can it be volunteering if you are getting paid big bucks?
Steven,
i’m not sure of what your definition is of ‘big bucks’ but these are very accomplished men in their field of profession (doctors, lawyers, etc) and if they cared about money they would of have stayed in their profession instead of dedicate their time, emotional,spiritual and mental energy to serving others. Most of them spent 20-30 years of absolute volunteer time as leaders (even area seventy general authorities still are required to work full time because they dont receive a stipend) in which there can be no motive but genuine love of God and the people (see Alma 30). Elder Nelson stated recently in conference that no Prophet is voted- they have no control and do not plan on making Church service or Apostleship as their chosen profession or retirement plan. Its not retirement at all- they carry a schedule and a load that would make me as a Branch President shrink at and there are times that i am tired of the load and that load causes stress on my wife and children and work life as well but if it werent for the fact that the Lord called me i might resign but service in the Lord’s work is for His glory- thus if these men get ‘modest stipends’ to be able to do their work and still be able to eat and pay their rent “the laborer is worthy of his hire”- Jesus Christ
then please dont assume that they just somehow applied or lobbied their way into these positions for money- the Lord has tutored them for decades in the crucible and patience of spiritual, emotional and mental exertion.
Without a doubt, this explains why so few people realize a wolf when they are wearing sheep’s clothing. Of course Jeffery Holland is going to be nice to you, you are a source of revenue. Without the members, he loses all of his celebrity status. Without his celebrity status, Holland simply because a random old guy at the mall that opens a door and says something nice. Now sure, you could say “He doesn’t have any celebrity status, he’s just a humble man in a humble Toyota” If that’;s true, why does he reference his “Holland cheeks?” Obviously he knows everyone is watching him, everyone is talking about him and he is being strategic and calculated when he puts on his show for you, the rank and file membership. Someday you’ll realize it, hopefully you all will, before it’s too late and you’ll have wasted your life following provable liars and deceivers.
I’m so sorry that your mental “storm” has driven the Holy Spirit right out of your heart. Please don’t be jealous of those who still believe the Gospel is true and that God has called good and faithful men to lead The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I won’t try to change your mind— if you want to believe that we are being deceived, that’s your business. However, your remarks won’t change the minds of those who DO believe–that’s OUR business.
The storm that is raging on, is the storm of truth. Its a storm that brings life, growth and purpose beyond the beliefs of a certified pervert. To think that I am jealous of you is hilarious, I’m about as jealous of you as you are of Muslims. They proceed in their false belief, you continue in yours meanwhile the adults continue to make progress and are relentless in our pursuit of the actual truth, real morality and the best life possible. So please, please don’t be jealous of those of us who actually care about morality, honesty and truth.
I spent a fair amount of time around Elder Holland when he was an institute teacher in Seattle. I was a student at the time. He always impressed me as a very kind man who was genuinely concerned with the people around him and who had gone well beyond belief in Jesus Christ–one who if he walked into the room with Christ would not need an introduction. He would recognize him and fall to his knees to worship him–and
Christ would welcome him as one who really followed him. I have not changed my mind!
If this were all about revenue do you not think that there would be a bigger emphasis on money in our meetings?
I went to a church of a friend and the pastor said, “If you are not paying your tithes and offerings every week, then you need to get out. You are taking the place of someone else who could be here.” I asked what that was all about and he said that the pastor basically assigns a monetary value to each family and they are expected to meet that obligation. When the church is doing well, the pastor asks for a raise.
Never once have been asked my income, and our tithing sacrament talks are focused on the blessings promised.
If it were all about money, the church would have a lot more different decisions than the massive building and welfare efforts we have.
I call crap on your whole thesis.
I’d also like to share an experience that I had once when I met Elder Bednar. My husband and I, along with my in-laws, were privelegded to spend time alone with Elder Bednar. We ate dessert together after a Stake Adult meeting. He was the visiting authority. I was so impressed that he was just a normal man. I felt at home with him. In the Stake Conference that he was at I was touched by his words. I was filled with the Spirit. In fact, the Spirit didn’t leave me for days. I felt the Spirit testify to me that he was a true Appstle of the Lord. True in all the sense of that word. I trust the Spirit. I have not been misled and neither have the Apostles or the Prophet. I am struck by the commenters that have met a Prophet or Apostle. They have expressed the love that these men have shown them and the love they have felt being with them. If the Gospel had to be described in one word it would be Love. Jesus Christ manifests himself in these Good men. I know that is true.
Steven, the leaders of the church who are working 24/7 for the church are not paid big bucks. They live in humble circumstances, unless they have money from a previous career. I have known several apostles and presidents of the church and have been in their modest, but nice homes. Elder Holland is a favorite, always kind, always happy to greet and meet the saints.
We had an opportunity to listen to Elder Bednar speak here in Bentonville Arkansas and I can fully attest that the spirit was extremely strong with his presence in the church.
Bednar is a great man. He would often slip into town here in Michigan to visit his son and his family in Ann Arbor. Talk about a scary thing for a bishop to have happen.
“Hi, I am bishop X and today, Elder Bednar is presiding, even though the Stake President is also on the stand”
Can you imagine how thrilled the deacon that passed to Elder Bednar must have felt?