I’ve seen many articles lately suggesting that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes incorrectly referred to as the Mormon Church, needs to “get with the times.”
When people tell a church to cave to popular opinion, fads, or styles, they are really seeking to counsel God. They want God to change, and even to alter unalterable truths.
Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also spake them unto prophets of old. (Jacob 4:13)
As are so many other sins, this is a matter of pride, feeling we know better than God what is true and right. It is not the job of a Christian to be popular. It is his job to be right. These days, so many of God’s truths are “unpopular” and those who try to hold to them are labeled bigots, out of touch, old-fashioned…any name that might intimidate people into giving in to prove they’re part of the popular crowd.
Boyd K. Packer, a modern apostle of God, said, in response to those who feel the church must keep up with current fads of morality: “We do not set the standards, but we are commanded to teach them and maintain them. The standard remains abstinence before marriage and total fidelity in marriage. However out of step we may seem, however much the standards are belittled, however much others yield, we will not yield, we cannot yield.” (Boyd K. Packer, “‘The Standard of Truth Has Been Erected’,” Ensign, Nov 2003, 24)
Paul spoke of this concern in the Bible:
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: (Ephesians 6)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has no desire to be men pleasers. Their entire focus is to do the will of God, regardless of how it affects their “popularity.” Popularity isn’t the goal of the Church. While it might win them more friends, there is no purpose to the church if it isn’t teaching God’s word, and God’s word only. A church that promises a prophet who learns the truth from God must never abuse that privilege by trying to reinvent truth or alter it to suit selfish purposes. A Church that promises to be the true church must teach truth.
So, we will probably always be behind the times, unless the times catch up to God.
The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.
