Kittens and Obedience

For the last several years I have been pursuing a project of transcribing the Book of Mormon verse by verse, and commenting on each verse as I go.  I have discovered that as I do this the thoughts and understandings which flow into my mind are often well beyond the words in the verse.  Sometimes they are not even really related to the verse at all.  The blessings from reading the Book of Mormon far transcend the marvelous testimonies in that book.  I believe that at least part of the reason is because when we read the Book of Mormon we are obeying the counsel of God's prophets, apostles, and other leaders.

Recently I read an opinion piece in the newspaper about a rather controversial topic of the day.  The piece implicitly supported the position of the Church leadership on this particular topic.  After completing the article I read some of the responses from other readers.  Most opposed the positions stated in the article, a few supported them.  As is usual, many of the comments were more hysterical than reasoned.  However, as I considered what was written I noticed that some of the opposing views raised some valid questions.

As I thought about those opposing views I started formulating in my mind how I, through a written response to the article, could enter into a discussion about the merits of those points.  I felt that a thoughtful investigation might be beneficial to me.

After a couple of hours, though, I found something alarming had happened.  Suddenly I was not just contemplating a thoughtful discussion, but full-blown doubts about the position of the leaders of the Church were entering my mind.  It was as if I had paused merely to let a small house cat rub against my leg, and suddenly found myself on the ground wrestling with a fully enraged Bengal tiger.  The intensity and the suddenness of the attack was frightening, and I quickly had to bring to bear all the elements of obedience which are necessary to counter such an event.  I prayed, immersed myself in the scriptures, and reflected on what I know to be true.

Soon enough the crisis passed, but I was left to wonder why things had happened so quickly and so violently.  I had the impression that, just as the good that comes from reading the Book of Mormon far surpasses merely the words read, so the danger in contemplating these opposing views was much greater then merely the words of the views might suggest.

I contemplated why this might be so, and came to a rather unexpected conclusion.  Although the authors of the opposing views may not have intended it, they were speaking ill of the Lord's anointed leaders.  By so doing they were putting themselves in opposition to the word of God.  Even though I thought I was giving a very measured consideration of their views, by admitting any legitimacy I was allowing myself to be drawn into the same position of opposing the Lord's will.

It was a powerful and valuable lesson.  I still need to think critically about all things, and seek for as much light and understanding as I can.  However, I need to avoid even the slightest shadow of criticism of the Lord's leaders if I wish to receive the blessings that come from sustaining them.