President Kimball on the 1978 revelation

[Fiyero]

[In this book,] events leading up to the 1978 priesthood announcement are laid out much more comprehensively, describing potential threats, lawsuits, international developments and research on the doctrinal background of the policy.

Spencer Kimball told one interviewer before the change, "I don't know that I should be the one doing this, but if I don't, my successor [Ezra Taft Benson] won't."

http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_14287116

Sounds like the brethren may not have been unanimous after all, but ultimately chose to sustain their prophet's wish.

[SteelBlue]

This bit was equally as interesting:

On Ezra T. Benson's 14 Fundamentals in Following the Prophet talk:

In February 1980, Elder [Ezra Taft] Benson gave a talk at BYU titled "Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet" that emphasized the precedence of living prophet's statements over those of earlier prophets. ... Spencer felt concern about the talk, wanting to protect the church against being misunderstood as espousing ultraconservative politics or an unthinking "follow the leader" mentality. The First Presidency called Elder Benson in to discuss what he had said and asked him to make explanation to the full Quorum of the Twelve [Apostles] and other general authorities. Elder Benson told them that he meant only to "underscore President Kimball's prophetic call."

[Indy Coug]

So is this book about SWK or ETB?

[Jeff Lebowski]

This bit was equally as interesting:

On Ezra T. Benson's 14 Fundamentals in Following the Prophet talk:

Fascinating indeed. I doubt the unthinking follow-the-leader part would raise any concern now.

Only 400 or copies? What is up with that?

I contacted the bookstore to see if there is any way to order a copy.

[SteelBlue]

So is this book about SWK or ETB?

Turns out they worked together for years.

[bluegoose]

Fascinating indeed. I doubt the unthinking follow-the-leader part would raise any concern now.

When we had Dallin Oaks at our Stake Conference last week, one of the speakers on Sunday spent several minutes emphasizing what a great honor and privelege it was to sit at the feet of an apostle of the Lord (or something to that effect).

When Elder Oaks spoke a few minutes later he very clearly stated how uncomfortable he was with that sentiment. He said that he was just a regular man, who happens to have a very big calling in the church.

He was very sincere in what he had to say and I truly believed that he felt that way. I wonder if they don't get sick and tired of the prophet and apostle-worship that they get week in and week out.

[I.J. Reilly]

When we had Dallin Oaks at our Stake Conference last week, one of the speakers on Sunday spent several minutes emphasizing what a great honor and privelege it was to sit at the feet of an apostle of the Lord (or something to that effect).

When Elder Oaks spoke a few minutes later he very clearly stated how uncomfortable he was with that sentiment. He said that he was just a regular man, who happens to have a very big calling in the church.

He was very sincere in what he had to say and I truly believed that he felt that way. I wonder if they don't get sick and tired of the prophet and apostle-worship that they get week in and week out.

They could probably clear that up if they wanted to.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

Holy hell, 1978 was bad, can you imagine what it would have been like had the ban lasted until at least 1994?

[Indy Coug]

They could probably clear that up if they wanted to.

Or alternatively, you could listen to recent General Conference talks that address that very thing, rather than claim they still need to do it.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

If they really wanted to put a stop to prophet hero worship, they'd get rid of that ominous "Follow the Prophet" song.

[byu71]

When we had Dallin Oaks at our Stake Conference last week, one of the speakers on Sunday spent several minutes emphasizing what a great honor and privelege it was to sit at the feet of an apostle of the Lord (or something to that effect).

When Elder Oaks spoke a few minutes later he very clearly stated how uncomfortable he was with that sentiment. He said that he was just a regular man, who happens to have a very big calling in the church.

He was very sincere in what he had to say and I truly believed that he felt that way. I wonder if they don't get sick and tired of the prophet and apostle-worship that they get week in and week out.

I love Elder Holland. He must believe they are giving counsel, not commandments.

That also negates the troubling words, to me, he spoke in that PBS show on mormons. Something about we should follow church leaders even if they are wrong.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I love Elder Holland. He must believe they are giving counsel, not commandments.

That also negates the troubling words, to me, he spoke in that PBS show on mormons. Something about we should follow church leaders even if they are wrong.

That was Oaks I think.

[Jeff Lebowski]

According to the article, they only made 400 copies of the full manuscript. I just contacted the bookstore and asked how many they had left. They said that the copies are flying off the shelf and that there will be a Mormon Times article this weekend that should increase demand further. Fortunately, they take telephone orders ($7 shipping) so I just reserved my copy. Here are the phone numbers if you want to grab a copy:

Benchmark Books
3269 S. Main St., Ste. 250
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
801-486-3111
801-486-3452 (fax)
800-486-3112 (orders)
Hours: Mon. - Fri., 10-6; Sat., 10-5
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, check, or Money Order

[TripletDaddy]

Or alternatively, you could listen to recent General Conference talks that address that very thing, rather than claim they still need to do it.

Was it the Pac-Man that gave this talk recently? It was a very good talk. Something along the lines of his testimony being the same testimony that you or I may have. I am paraphrasing, but, in essence, part of his message was "knock off the hero worship...we are mortals, like you."

[TripletDaddy]

According to the article, they only made 400 copies of the full manuscript. I just contacted the bookstore and asked how many they had left. They said that the copies are flying off the shelf and that there will be a Mormon Times article this weekend that should increase demand further. Fortunately, they take telephone orders ($7 shipping) so I just reserved my copy. Here are the phone numbers if you want to grab a copy:

Benchmark Books
3269 S. Main St., Ste. 250
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
801-486-3111
801-486-3452 (fax)
800-486-3112 (orders)
Hours: Mon. - Fri., 10-6; Sat., 10-5
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, check, or Money Order

I just ordered a copy. Going out in today's mail. Excited to read.

The guy at the bookshop said they are going to do another run soon, but it will be a leather bound, more expensive iteration. He joked that he wants to get more Trib articles published because he is closing sales on the phone from various parts of the country.

For those that may want a copy, the book is $99, but it sounds very interesting, with over 600 pages, approx 25% never-released info, footnotes, etc.

There is a combined preface in the book....part author, part publisher (how often do you see a book with a preface from both the author and the publisher) that seems to confirm that the original truncated version omitted a lot of saucy stuff.

Looks like we have a new manual for those boring Sunday School lessons!