I heard this firsthand, eavesdropping on phone conversations with permission: my friend was talking to a lifelong friend shortly after lifelong friend’s husband was called as a 70. This was in 2009. Lifelong friend told my friend that her husband was given a binder filled with pages of scriptures, the interpretation of those scriptures, stories, quotes, and other stuff like that, and he was told that binder was the only thing he could use when he gave talks or met with people in his church duties. He was not to stray from the binder, and any questions needed to be approved before he taught anything else.
This was discussed numerous times because my friend wanted a copy of this binder in the worst way. She begged for a page or two. No deal. But I probably heard the wife of this new 70 talk about this binder half a dozen times. There are certainly aspects of church leadership that are private or confidential.
This 70 is now in the Presidency of the 70, so I’m sure he has proved his obedience to Church authority.
Now, I got to hear him speak to an invite only meeting in 2001. The words "new normal" were used over 20 times across all meetings. I know where this phrase comes from and it is not the scriptures. We were also told the church is moving away from "proscribed law" and towards being "principle driven". This was called a "divine reset". "Reset" and "proscribed law" other pieces of Newspeak for the masses. Why did the church need a "reset" and what divine authority was it? We were told what a blessing it is that we can stream sacrament services and ordinances. No explanation given why we did not allows these blessings previously. Now these people are using buzzwords du jour like "resilience", "diverse" and "smart".
Pres. Nelson really believes that He is a prophet in the mold of Joseph. And he really believes that the church had gotten off track and needed a "reset". His time as president is a new beginning. When he talks about ongoing restoration, he really is attempting to institute a reformation and revenge on his predecessors. There is never any explanation as to how we got off track w/ living prophets, just a constant admonition to look ahead and be positive. We are in the midst of a reformation in the church. Many don't see it, but it is clear to those of us who have spent much of our lives in leadership. If your first principle is follow the prophet you will see nothing amiss. Those in the know recognize these words and phrases and know exactly where they really come from. The church is aligning itself with the rulers of the world like it always has done since banning polygamy.
Well, when you hear GC talks or firesides, it's just church leaders quoting church leaders quoting church leaders, so no surprise. I've been watching some of the 'Rise Zion' videos (a guy who is obsessed with the Second Coming), and just yesterday it hit me that every time he makes a video about "church leaders dropping hints that the Second Coming is near!" and lists the same words or phrases they use as evidence, he doesn't realize they all just parrot what they latest talking points are.
When I was a ward clerk years ago, we had a binder of instructions sitting in the office. I read the section for Stake patriarchs on how they were to give patriarchal blessings. I remember the admonition to give a 'conservative blessing'. There were sections with dividers for various ward and stake positions. So it would be no surprise to me there are binders to GAs how to conduct themselves in public. A former high council member and friend told me that the corporation just runs by a rule book. There is no inspiration nor creativity allowed.
" . . .for Stake patriarchs on how they were to give patriarchal blessings."
Yeah. Conservative as in vague and generic so anything you say can't come back and bite you on the rear.
Same idea or all handbooks. First thing to do when putting up a front is to make sure all players are on the same page. Doesn't look good when those professing to speak for god as his instruments on earth contradict each other.
Eric K Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > When I was a ward clerk years ago, we had a binder > of instructions sitting in the office. I read the > section for Stake patriarchs on how they were to > give patriarchal blessings. I remember the > admonition to give a 'conservative blessing'. > There were sections with dividers for various ward > and stake positions. So it would be no surprise > to me there are binders to GAs how to conduct > themselves in public. A former high council > member and friend told me that the corporation > just runs by a rule book. There is no inspiration > nor creativity allowed.
Just as it was in late stage Soviet Communism.
Gorbachev, a true believer, tried to reform communism, but wound up destroying it.
Perhaps the same thing will happen to Mormonism.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/09/2025 12:09PM by anybody.
His entire administration, so to speak, has been one of disrespect toward his predecessors, not that any of them (Nelson included) would have been entitled to much respect. Still, it's somewhat a break from precedence. I see parallels between Trump and Rusty in that regard.
I Agree with your stmnt about Russ & Don, but they have vastly different power bases... With even the power - Authority Russ has, I doubt he will be in conflict with 12.
Q: What trajectory is ChurchCo on? No one knows 100% for certain.
The church is pretty much a corporation ran by committees. It's a big game of Simon Says. It's pretty blah and uninspiring. Russell M Nelson see's himself as special so he's making more changes than most church presidents do. he's been a bit of a disaster who's created a lot more busy work for the church's office staff.
Exactly. Binders, AKA books of instructions, are for people who don't know what they are doing and still don't get that tab A goes into slot A. Or, to make sure everyone is not contradicting each other and knows the company policies.
The NT is a handbook. A bad example of one, but, still . . .
If you need a handbook to be a good person it's already all over.