Several months ago I read someone accusing Mormons of being "blindly obedient" (which I will sometimes refer to as b.o. - just because I think it's funny), and this was not meant as compliment. I've read many publications and opinions that share this sentiment; people see Mormons as people who don't ever question anything and just go along with what they're told, not knowing why.
I can't stop thinking about this, mulling it over in my little brain over and over.
So here is the $25k question:
What is the difference between blind obedience and faith?
Is there a difference?
When I think of "blind" faith, I think of Adam when he was cast out of the Garden of Eden. He built an altar and offered sacrifices, and when he was asked why he humbly said, "I know not, save the Lord commanded me." Would this be considered by these same people as b.o.?
Because isn't this essentially what we do, as Latter-day Saints, on a daily basis?
Why do we visit/home teach?
Why is it so important to keep the Word of Wisdom?
Why do we have family home evening?
Sure, there are the Sunday School answers to these questions, but if someone really grilled me about the reasons, and they weren't satisfied with my SS answers, I would say to them: because the Lord commands it. And that is good enough for me.
So does that make me a b.o-ite? Hehe :)
For me, the difference between b.o. and faith is that I know I will be blessed for keeping the commandments, no matter what that command is. If I'm commanded to not wear the color red for the rest of my life, I would KNOW that by following this commandment I would be blessed. I would KNOW that God expects it of me for my own benefit, and for my greater good. And without knowing WHY, in any shape or form, God asked it of me, I would know that it is because He loves me and wants the best for me. Is THIS what people see as b.o.? So what is their definition of faith?
I'd really love your input on this.
Have you ever been accused of being blindly obedient? If so, how did you respond?
How do you think faith is different than blind obedience?
Quick! I need your help!!
13 years ago
Posts
8 comments:
Okay, first of all, stop reading anti-Mormon lit. It's poisonous. :) Secondly, I personally can't think of a single commandment that I don't know the reason for. That aside, the reason *I* would say that *I* do my visiting teaching, follow the Word of Wisdom, and everything else, I can sum up very simply: Because I have a testimony of it. I've experienced the joy and happiness, the peace and the Spirit burning inside me when I've followed those commandments, or carried out that service. I KNOW it to be the right thing to do.
I agree, if the Lord/Prophet gave us as a people a commandment that we might think "huh?" I would still do it, blindly. But eventually, after praying and fasting about it, I know without a doubt I would find out WHY it was important to keep that commandment. Anything can be ours for the taking (knowing) if we only pray and ask.
Just because haters say we "obey blindly" doesn't make it true across the board. Our church would be in chaos if none of us knew what or why we were doing anything. This just proves Joseph Smith's words true, that "I teach the people correct principles and they govern themselves." That's not blind faith, that's knowing faith, in my opinion.
Sorry for the epic reply, but this is a GREAT question! Love the post Jay! :))
I don't know who you're hanging out with, but STOP. You really don't need people like that in your life. Seriously.
People who accuse other people of "blind obedience" have no faith. Period. If they had faith they would understand that faith is PART of blind obedience. I compare it to being submissive like a child. A child is obedient (hopefully) because they trust you as the parent to do what's best for them (faith in you). Over time they grow and understand the value behind doing (or not doing) what they do. But that takes time and in the interim, enter blind obedience.
So I guess I'm basically agreeing with Ruth's response in that in the beginning - yes, blind obedience. But over time you develop a testimony of whatever the commandment is and decide there is value in it (or not and you choose not to follow it). Creating value behind a behavior takes time. A child does not immediately understand the importance of staying out of the road so hopefully they follow on blind obedience until they see the value.
Man, it's late and I'm starting to ramble. I think I've made my point. The end.
“I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence that in itself would thwart the purposes of God in their salvation, and weaken that influence they could give to their leaders, did they know for themselves, by the revelations of Jesus, that they are led in the right way” (Discourses of Brigham Young, 135).
Source: http://www.ldsces.org/manuals/doctrine-and-covenants-and-church-history-seminary-student-study-guide/dc-ssg-6-by-2.asp
"...Now those men, or those women, who know no more about the power of God, and the influences of the Holy Spirit, than to be led entirely by another person, suspending their own understanding, and pinning their faith upon another's sleeve, will never be capable of entering into the celestial glory, to be crowned as they anticipate; they will never be capable of becoming Gods. They cannot rule themselves, to say nothing of ruling others, but they must be dictated to in every trifle, like a child. They cannot control themselves in the least, but James, Peter, or somebody else must control them. They never can become Gods, nor be crowned as rulers with glory, immortality, and eternal lives. They never can hold sceptres of glory, majesty, and power in the celestial kingdom. Who will? Those who are valiant and inspired with the true independence of heaven, who will go forth boldly in the service of their God, leaving others to do as they please, determined to do right, though all mankind besides should take the opposite course. Will this apply to any of you? Your own hearts can answer." (JD 1:312)
Source: http://lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-brigham-young/chapter-39-eternal-judgment?lang=eng&query=%22They+cannot+rule+themselves,+to+say+nothing+of+ruling+others%22
First off - I LOVE the quotes from the person who posted before me. Anonymous... I LOVE those quotes. They actually were a couple of the things that popped into my mind first. We MUST question. We MUST research. We MUST ask 'Why, how, when, where...' that is part of digging into the gospel and finding the fire of it so brightly that it just takes over your entire soul.
I am ever so grateful for a prophet and leaders who guide us as a worldwide organization. BUT I am ALSO endlessly grateful for a God and Savior who told us that we MUST seek to see their faces, to be part of them and they a part of us. The closer we become to the Lord and get away just from the 'sunday school answers' then the spirit leads us in a way that we are never blind ever again.
To me blind obedience comes from (like Ruth said) not having a testimony. Blind obedience comes just because it is part of the 'to do list' , but it isn't actually a part of your soul. When the fire of the gospel is so illuminating into everyday life then I don't think anyone can accuse you of being blindly obedient because of the fire and light that comes from your eyes and permeates the energy you give to those around you.
Elder Maxwell said that the spirit of the law is MUCH harder to live than the letter of the law. To me blind obedience is what the children of Israel did, which is why they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years... they never really got it.
I also thank Anonymous for those quotes. I subscribe to the philosophy that we're all just trying the best we can, and everyone is doing it in a completely different way that the person next door. As someone who has always been a 'questioner', I have never really done anything from blind obedience, ever. I constantly assess the church's teachings and my belief in them. I believe that the power of personal revelation is the most extraordinary thing about our church, and I would never believe anything that was not confirmed to me, personally. I believe this makes me a bit of a dissenter, but so be it.
It seems to me that if you trust God, listen to His commandments, and study the scriptures, you will see reasons for every commandment He has given us. If you are just coasting, you might be accused of being blindly obedient. But in my experience, if you think about the commandments you've been given, you will see that they all make sense.
My favorite thing to hear in Relief Society is "well, we don't know why we are commanded to only wear one pair of modest earrings..." because if you think about it, you realize that the commandment exists to steer us away from worldly extremes and keep us focused on more important matters. If you don't get that, you could be "blindly obedient" but like you said, it does lead to knowledge and faith. I seriously doubt anyone can exist on "blind obedience" very long - either they fall away or their faith is strengthened.
My advice, if you're worrying about this in your own life, is to really take stock and think about why you do what you do.
Hey Jay, I've still been thinking about this post a lot. I read something today that I really liked and thought I'd share it with you. It's pretty long, but I think it's well worth the read to make it all the way to the end, so I hope it's of some meaning to you.
http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2011/08/31/the-talk-i-always-wanted-to-give/
Heyyyyy...... So I get to comment on this post a third time.... I bet you think I'm a weirdo. I just had to tell you that I frequently think about this post of yours. So, that's why I'm coming back to comment on it after our facebook convo. I'd definitely be interested in hearing about the journey you've been on over the past two years if you want to share. triciamckean@gmail.com
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