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About Drew Williams
Expertise
Are Mormons "Christians?"
What is the truth about Mormons and drinking coffee, coke and alcohol?
Why don`t Mormons watch "R" rated movies?
Are there still Mormons who practice plural marriage?
Why are Mormons married in a "Temple" and why are only a few people allowed to attend?
What's the difference between a "Mormon" and a "Latter-day Saint?"
Experience
I am the author of the book: "Complete Idiot's Guide to Mormonism" (Penguin), which has now been read by more than 10,000 people. I have spoken on topics pertaining to the history of Christianity and Mormonism around the world, and have taught Mormon doctrine for more than 20 years, and am a former Methodist (practicing Baptist), convert to the Mormon Church. Without sounding "preachy," I can help clarify points of concern regarding Mormons as Christians, and can help others understand principles of belief behind the Mormon Church--as well as speak somewhat concerning the context of the New Testament (and the Book of Isaiah).
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New Era, The Friend, Wall Street Journal, Computer World, Internet Week, others.
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You are here: Experts > Religion/Spirituality > Christianity - Restorationism > Latter-day Saints > Questions
Expert: Drew Williams
Date: 3/9/2008
Subject: Questions
Question
QUESTION: My family history in the church is prominent, my great grandfather is John D. Lee. My family has called him a martyr for the well-being of the church. What is your stance? Also, I have not been active in the church for more than a decade and I am 23 years old. I have many questions and no one answers me, and if they do it is constantly a different statement. Why wasn't a black man allowed to hold the priesthood until 1978 a decade after the assassination of the great Martin Luther King jr? My father has told me it is because the church has always followed the laws of the land....which i find completely outrageous on many levels. If the church is so right, why can't they break the mold of the rest of the injustices? If they follow the laws of the land, polygamy would have never been instituted. Wine was also partaken in sacrament, and now tea is thought of as wrong...why? Why did Brigham Young state that crossing the seed of black and white were wrong....when my white mormon uncle and my hispanic mormon aunt are married today. I find much shakey stance in the teachings throughout history...and yet the book of mormon never changes context...
ANSWER: Hi, Devin.
Let's take a look at these perspectives one at a time . . .
"My family history in the church is prominent, my great grandfather is John D. Lee. My family has called him a martyr for the well-being of the church. What is your stance?"
DREW: John Lee was executed for crimes associated with killing people. Whether Brigham Young told him to or not doesn't make a difference (any more than that guy Porter Rockwell). If a person kills another person short of defending his own life, liberty or family--that's murder. And I don't think Brigham Young had anybody killed--not to say that maybe John D. Lee was inferring a position of hostility based on some suggested "feelings" by church leaders. So I'm not buying the "martyr" story--that position is rested well on the heads of Joseph and Hyrum--who were nothing but men who acted on their personal faith and revelation.
"Also, I have not been active in the church for more than a decade and I am 23 years old."
DREW: It's good that you are asking questions--you won't gain a firm knowledge and conviction without occasionally challenging what you might have been spoon-fed. So, good for you.
"I have many questions and no one answers me, and if they do it is constantly a different statement."
DREW: People like to hide from truths for which they themselves are unclear.
"Why wasn't a black man allowed to hold the priesthood until 1978 a decade after the assassination of the great Martin Luther King jr? My father has told me it is because the church has always followed the laws of the land....which i find completely outrageous on many levels."
DREW: This one is a toughy. Only President Kimball can really answer this, but my linited guess is based on timing. God felt the time was right, because society had matured to the point where global unrest over race (outside South Africa), was somewhat bridled. This is not to say, though, that there may have been many discussions prior to Pres. Kimball. Frankly, I think each church leader probably explored the matter, but their direction from the Lord probably restrained them from acting on that particular matter, and focus on other issues relevant to the generation they served. Just an opinion.
"If the church is so right, why can't they break the mold of the rest of the injustices?"
DREW: They are doing just that. Think about it, the gospel is flawless, but the Church's administration is run by people--and people are left to interpret the world on their own terms. However, the leadership of the Church, give or take one or two people every generation or so, act in harmony with God's law--and are somewhat out of line with the "world."
"If they follow the laws of the land, polygamy would have never been instituted. Wine was also partaken in sacrament, and now tea is thought of as wrong...why?"
DREW: You have to go back and evaluate the social and political ramifications of the times when Polygamy was proposed, and learn more about the details in the history of the Church (not from other sources). That topic alone would fill this and a dozen other responses.
"Why did Brigham Young state that crossing the seed of black and white were wrong....when my white mormon uncle and my hispanic mormon aunt are married today."
DREW: Now think about this--I happen to agree (do an extent), that mixed-race marriages are "difficult"--not "wrong, per se." Why? Not because of the relationship between the spouses (although you could look at interracial marriages with Polynesians and see some definite trends for abuse). Rather, for the strong social consequences often faced by the offspring. I think Brigham Young might have anticipated such things, and was thinking about the children. I really do believe that.
"I find much shakey stance in the teachings throughout history...and yet the book of mormon never changes context..."
DREW: Man, again, I could definitely share with you some things that have happened just recently, about my feelings toward the BoM. I have discovered some unbelieveable literal markers in the BoM that have really slapped me back in my chair--first time EVER in the 25 years I've been in the curch.
Okay, Dude, good luck, and I hope I didn't further confuse you. BTW, I wrote a book called "The COmplete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Mormonism."--get a copy (I don't make anything on them). I think you might find an interesting "tone" in my explanations. Nothing pretty, just downright in-your-face.
Good luck, Devin.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Firstly, I really do appreciate your lengthy explanation and detail. My father has told me of his vigorous study of LDS teachings and his opinions along with many others are all greatly varied, including church leaders. I am beginning to believe all religious context is open to interpretation by individuals but there is an underlying general image of trying your best to be like the savior Jesus Christ. My family has tried to find a way to glorify John D. Lee, but I find it hard, and honestly I feel very ashamed. I don't know what to believe in the matter and it is disturbing. My political views are considered progessive and my conservative mormon family finds this to be a warped mind-set and I continuously take hostile language for it. Among my views is the call for forgiveness among atrocity, such as murder. The basis for this is the example of jesus dying on the cross and asking god to forgive the executors for what they have done. Yet among an overwhelming majority of christians, including mormons, violent and murderous retribution are the form of vindication. I find flaws in the death penatly system and I look at countrys like france where murder is far less frequent yet they dont have capital punishment. I support life sentences with solitary confinement along with church activity. My Grandfather was a bishop in a local ward and frankly he thinks I am crazy. I would just like your thoughts on this, I am a young man searching for answers I can't find. Thank you.
Answer
Again, a bit of a back-and-forth:
"Firstly, I really do appreciate your lengthy explanation and detail."
DREW: Happy to help.
"My father has told me of his vigorous study of LDS teachings and his opinions along with many others are all greatly varied, including church leaders. I am beginning to believe all religious context is open to interpretation by individuals..."
DREW: YOU are right. It is based on interpretations by individuals, and the core understanding is that God is the same yesterday as he is today, that Jesus is the Savior of the world, and that God speaks to the world through a living, empowered prophet.
"... but there is an underlying general image of trying your best to be like the savior Jesus Christ."
DREW: Yuppers--you nailed it.
"My family has tried to find a way to glorify John D. Lee, but I find it hard, and honestly I feel very ashamed. I don't know what to believe in the matter and it is disturbing."
DREW: Regardless of what your family thinks, here's my view (FWIW): 1. The guy did some terrible things, based on his own interpretation of the times in which he lived. 2. He was executed for crimes he committed. 3. He's dead, was a part of history, and his chapter is closed (but others have also opened and closed, through his children--and your chapter is your chapter in life). 4. Nobody gives John D. Lee much thought (if any). So from an otherwise "he was a member of my family's history" perspective, why should you or your parents? Heck, I have three cousins and ancestors who were all on death row, and one shot and killed his sibling because he was dating a black girl. No big deal. So I guess, Devin, what I am saying to you is this: acknowledge your historial past and move on. Your past does not necessarily reflect any sort of outcome of your future--and your legacy is about what YOU leave, not based on what some 19th century pioneer did.
"My political views are considered progessive and my conservative mormon family finds this to be a warped mind-set and I continuously take hostile language for it."
DREW: Their problem, again--not yours. You're an imancipated man, baring your own agency and intelligence. You have the right--if not personal, then at least constitutional--to think how you wish. Anybody else can go pee up a rope, for all I care. I'm an eighth generation soldier, and my people fought for that right throughout the history of our country. Oh yeah, so did Jesus, by the way.
"Among my views is the call for forgiveness among atrocity, such as murder. The basis for this is the example of jesus dying on the cross and asking god to forgive the executors for what they have done."
DREW: The Lord said "I the Lord will forgive whom I choose to forgive. But it is for you to forgive all men."
"Yet among an overwhelming majority of christians, including mormons, violent and murderous retribution are the form of vindication."
DREW: Unfortunately, you shouldn't ever put the Mormons in this class. Aside from Mountain Meadows (which was an over-reaction to projected events caused by gross misunderstanding), there are no large-scale references to Church-associated murdering. Remember what happened at Haun's Mill?
"I find flaws in the death penalty system and I look at countrys like france where murder is far less frequent yet they dont have capital punishment."
DREW: Yeah? You and me both, Brother (but never trust the French!). Lots of people do. But don't let the decisions of past decision-makers sway your take on the world. This is, however, not to say that if I had a choice, I wouldn't consider extremely difficult decisions in the face of potential atrocities committed by groups of people (i.e., Al Quaida). Remember that the Lord has used death and war from time to time to cleanse pockets of the world for his purpose. In his eyes, the "death" of a mortal is merely the transition from mortality into the beginning of immortality. And he can only put up with so much crap before he has to step in and reset some of the switches.
"I support life sentences with solitary confinement along with church activity.'
DREW: Sounds like you are an all-around good guy, Devin. Nobody can take that away from you.
"My Grandfather was a bishop in a local ward and frankly he thinks I am crazy."
DREW: Isn't it nice that we do not have to live for somebody else's opinions? Half of my family ARE crazy, and they ALL think I'm a total wack job. No big deal. My wife and children think I am a righteous priesthood holder, and that I make good decisions on their behalf.
What more could a man possibly want?
Devin, you will make the choices you need to succeed. my take is that you will do just fine.
But stop letting a history over which you have no control dictate your reactions to the history You get to make.
In the end, my prediction is that you will rise to the occasion and take up your own path. And I have a hunch that it won't be far off the one I took some 30 years ago.
Good luck.
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