My response and review (in italics) of the church’s statement regarding recent excommunications, discipline and dissent. It can be found here: https://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/june-first-presidency-statement?lang=eng
June 28, 2014
In God's plan for the happiness and eternal progression of His children, the blessings of His priesthood are equally available to men and women. Only men are ordained to serve in priesthood offices. These two sentences contradict each other. Especially when you consider how much men are taught that the largest portion of the blessings received from the priesthood are from calling fulfillment. Women have no way to benefit from this.
All service in the Church has equal merit in the eyes of God. No it really doesn’t. To 15 geriatric, heavily indoctrinated, egocentric and out of touch men it may have equal merit. If god was real I doubt he’d be as douchey as these 15 men (yes, most likely unintentionally and ignorantly) are.
We understand that from time to time Church members will have questions about Church doctrine, history, or practice. Members are always free to ask such questions and earnestly seek greater understanding. This may be true but you have to ask in a certain way, to certain people and if you don’t do it THEIR way you are threatened (I know this form personal experience).
We feel special concern, however, for members who distance themselves from Church doctrine or practice and, by advocacy, encourage others to follow them. Of course you do. It threatens your precious worldview that you believe to be infallible.
Simply asking questions has never constituted apostasy. Many have been excommunicated for this despite this claim.
Apostasy is repeatedly acting in clear, open, and deliberate public opposition to the Church or its faithful leaders, or persisting, after receiving counsel, in teaching false doctrine. So by this logic, most of the previous prophets should have been ex’d because of the false doctrine they taught such as blood atonement, Adam-God doctrine and the like.
The Council of The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
C’mon brethren, sign your actual freakin’ names. This looks like another generic release from President Newsroom.
In summary, this statement is simply just more PR spin. Man up brethren and confront the issues head on!
