Why Latter Day Saints Provide Vague Explanations of Their Beliefs

When discussing the beliefs of Latter Day Saints (Mormons), one often encounters mixed opinions and vague explanations. This article aims to explore the reasons behind these explanations, providing insights into how members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (CJCLS) approach their faith and its doctrines.

Understanding the Complicated Nature of Church Belief

The CJCLS is a diverse community, with members ranging from those who are deeply committed to their faith to others who are less involved or have since become inactive. This diversity can lead to varying levels of understanding and adherence to the religious doctrines.

Active Members and Their Beliefs

Among the active members, some individuals have dedicated themselves to the church's teachings and practices, making significant sacrifices in the process. These members are often taught to place the church's doctrines above their personal thoughts and beliefs. This can result in them providing vague or ambiguous explanations when asked about complex theological concepts. This is because they rely on the church's leadership to provide the majority of their religious education and guidance.

New Members and Limited Information

Others join the church out of convenience or limited information, often accepting what is presented to them without extensive questioning. These members find solace in simplicity and may prefer to believe in a set of simplified doctrines rather than deeply contemplating complex theological concepts. This can lead to a reductive understanding of the faith, which in turn results in vague explanations.

Sacrifices and Simplification

For some, the process of becoming a dedicated member of the CJCLS involves sacrifice, including the willingness to accept vague explanations when confronted with complex theological questions. The church's doctrines can be challenging to understand, and some members may use vague language as a way to protect their beliefs or themselves from intellectual discomfort.

Intelligence and Understanding

The intelligence level of CJCLS members also plays a role in the explanations they provide. Some members may lack the intellectual capacity to fully comprehend and articulate the nuances of complex doctrines. As a result, they may resort to vague explanations to avoid confusion or to protect their own understanding.

The Role of Leadership and Dogma

Another factor that contributes to the vagueness of explanations is the significant role that church leadership plays in the teachings and direction of the members. The CJCLS leadership is responsible for the dissemination of information and the interpretation of doctrine. This centralized approach to teaching and preaching can result in doctrinal explanations that are intentionally kept vague to avoid conflict or to maintain control over the information members receive.

Rejection or Misunderstanding

Members may also provide vague explanations because they believe that certain doctrines are not relevant to their daily lives or that out-of-context explanations are misunderstood by others. This can lead to a lack of clarity and a reluctance to engage in detailed theological discussions.

Personal Insights: A Member's Perspective

Consider the perspectives of members who have been actively involved in the CJCLS. A member might say, 'Because you can’t know the full sacred truth, it’s not secret it’s sacred.' This statement reflects the belief in the importance of the sacred nature of their beliefs, rather than the need for exact knowledge or precise explanations. Additionally, they might explain, 'Most of them don’t even understand their religion beyond what is fed to them in church and at their bi-annual conference. They rely on the leaders to do the thinking and education/direction on the knowledge and just accept everything else is: not applicable to them, mis-interpretation by others, persecution, etc.' This highlights the dependency of members on the church leadership for guidance and understanding.

Addressing Bias in Questioning

It's important to recognize that questioning the beliefs and practices of any religious community can be fraught with bias and misunderstanding. Those who ask questions should strive to do so with an open mind and a willingness to understand different perspectives. It is equally important for responders to be transparent and direct in their answers, avoiding the use of vague or misleading language.

Conclusion

The vagueness in the explanations of Latter Day Saints' beliefs can stem from a variety of factors, including the diversity of the membership, the role of church leadership, and personal intelligence levels. Understanding these factors can help facilitate more meaningful and accurate discussions about the faith.

Key Takeaways

Members of the CJCLS may provide vague explanations due to varying levels of understanding and the role of church leadership in teaching. Individuals with lower intelligence levels may rely on simplified explanations to avoid confusion. The desire to protect the faith from criticism can lead to generalizations and vague language.

By addressing these issues and promoting open and honest dialogue, we can foster a greater understanding of the diverse and complex nature of Latter Day Saints' beliefs.