"Kelsey, No"

As I was reading the Book of Mormon this week I came upon Mosiah chapter 22. This chapter talks about how the people of Limhi are trying to escape from Lamanite bondage. As I started this chapter the very first verse stuck out to me which says:

"And now it came to pass that Ammon and king Limhi began to consult with the people how they should deliver themselves out of bondage; and even they did cause that all the people should gather themselves together; and this they did that they might have the voice of the people concerning the matter." 

While this verse may seem insignificant, as I read it I started to think about the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saint's 185th general conference which was broadcasted over a week ago. You see, every general conference the leaders of the church have a time where they allow the members of the church to voice their sustaining vote over the authority of the church. Normally the church authority that is leading the meeting says the names of the church leaders and asks the members to raise their hand if they sustain these leaders. Then they will say after "those who are opposed show by the same sign." Normally, in general conference, the vote is unanimous; No one opposes the leadership of the church. However, this 185th general conference, there was a group of people that, when asked if anyone was opposed, jumped up and screamed their vote towards the church authorities was

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBiSeOaRzk4

 "No?" No?! What do you mean, no?! These were the thoughts that ran through my head as I watched and heard these members of the church scream their opposing votes towards the leaders of the church. I had so many thoughts and feelings that rushed through my mind and heart. As I pondered what had happened I was shaken at first with thoughts of "how could any member of the church BUY a ticket to go to general conference just to yell no at the apostles of the lord? Is that even aloud?!" Then my shaken feelings turned to anger as I thought to myself "The nerve of these people!! I can't believe they thought that doing that was ok!" Days after conference I still had these thoughts in my head and every time I thought of what happened I would get so mad and disgusted. A couple days after conference I received a call from my mom! I was so happy, I always love talking to my mom. As we talked we started to exchange stories about our conference weekends and the fun things we did. As our fun stories changed into sharing our thoughts on the conference talks, the topic of the opposing votes came up. As the topic came up I let out all of my feelings on what had happened, and I mean ALL of them. I expressed along the lines of something like this: "I can't believe those people! How could they vote no? Who do they think they are? Boy, it is lucky that I was not sitting by them because I would be giving them dirty looks and I would have a hard time concealing my opinion on their actions!"

Ok, before I go any further, I have to make this clear. As I was thinking about telling my mom my feelings on the opposing votes I really figured she would be on "my side." I had expected my mom to share her frustration, disgust, and anger on what had happened. One of the things that I love about my mom is she has a strong personality. I have seen her get upset about things that she feels passionatley about. She is an inspiration as she will quickly defend with all of her strength the church. Any time someone does anything that conflicts with the beliefs of the church she is the first person I can depend on to be strong and stand up for what is right.
With this in mind, imagine my surprise and, yes, shock when my mother answered firmly and sharply to my vent about this opposing vote "Kelsey, no."
Again; No?! What did my mom mean, no?! Wasn't she mad at this opposing vote? Wasn't she disgusted that people could shout their opposing votes in the face of the apostles in front of hundreds of members of the church? However, as my mom started to talk, my narrow perspective broadened and I found myself with a very large piece of humble pie placed in my hands by my own mother. I have always known that my mom is an incredible woman. However, as she talked to me about this subject I realize now more than ever how wise she is. My mom told me this and I will never forget it (and this is a paraphrase): "Kelsey, the church does not ask for these votes demanding that they all be unanimous. The church is not a dictatorship that demands everyone's vote."

 Mosiah 22:1, the verse that I mentioned at the beginning of this blog, shows how that leaders of the church, even in ancient Book of Mormon times, display a lack of dictatorship. The leaders consult the members of the church in all decisions. Our church, once again, is not a dictatorship. The leaders ask for the members votes at the beginning of each general conference to get the vote and do something about it. It is not a vote that is taken "just for fun."

As I listened to my mom I realized how right she is. The church asks for the members votes to get an honest answer. If there are people who have opposing votes the leaders of the church want to know why and how they can make it better. Our church is based on the idea of "agency." We as members are never forced to become members. We are not forced to do things that we don't want to do. We, in turn, don't believe in forcing others to believe our beliefs. In our own Articles Of Faith, number 11, we state:
 "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may."
 We believe in agency; whether it be our own members or those of other faiths. Those people who voiced their opposing vote had the right to voice their vote. They used their agency to do so. Agency that the church is all about.
 
 As I realized this I had a thought come to my head. I realized that I, Kelsey Wood, truly am free to choose my membership. I am free to choose my standards and beliefs. Most importantly, I am free to choose what my sustaining vote is on behalf of the leaders of the church. My parents, my church leaders, and the God that I worship do not hold me against my will. They do not control whether or not I sustain the brethren of the church. The choice is all up to me whether or not I sustain the leaders of the church.

With this in mind I have made a decision. This is my choice: I, Kelsey Wood, sustain Prophet Thomas S. Monson as a prophet of God. I sustain his counselors as well as the 12 apostles and all of the members of the 70. I will follow their words and guidance. I will trust their decisions and I will put my faith in their words. I know that they are truly men of God. After listening to them speak all weekend I do not have a shadow of a doubt that they are true disciples of the living God.I sustain these men. Whether or not someone did or did not sustain them in this past general conference is none of my business. I have learned that for myself now. What is most important in my life is whether or not I sustain these men. And I do. I have made my choice and I intend to keep it.