By Stephanieeeeeee (who is filling in for Lula while she wields her non-hierarchical superpowers at Girls’ Camp),
The first time my husband heard, “When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done” in Sacrament Meeting, he was horrified.
“Do you really believe that,” he asked incredulously. “The prophet could tell you to do anything and you’re all just supposed to follow blindly?”
My husband, a Catholic (I know: pot, meet kettle), wasn’t too impressed by the standard answers. He rolled his eyes when I told him the prophet would never be allowed to lead the Church astray. He wasn’t convinced when I assured him that we are encouraged to make our own decisions. The truth is, I probably wasn’t too persuasive because I, as a life-long member, agree with Todd Compton that “Church members have the ‘follow the brethren’ principle impressed on them continually.” Questioning the brethren? Not so much.
This chapter by Compton handles my husband’s concerns better than I ever could. Compton provides us with several examples of non-hierarchical revelation (in which revelation comes to someone of low rank or not of the hierarchy that is then accepted higher up) in scripture and church history. For example, Emma Smith’s questions eventually led to the Word of Wisdom being revealed.
As a woman (a person of “low rank”) I found these stories to be very encouraging. Those of us outside of the hierarchy should not feel powerless. Compton argues, very convincingly, that every member has a sacred responsibility to not only question our leaders, but to also address any problems we see.
Compton does point out that following the brethren is simpler than the alternative; questioning and making decisions for ourselves is in fact a “sobering burden.” Whether consciously or not, perhaps many choose to leave the thinking up to the brethren for this very reason.
I’ll close with my favorite quote from Compton’s essay: “The non-hierarchical pattern shows us that women can receive revelation and inspiration for the benefit of the church, not just for themselves and their children. Sacred rule can work perfectly only when all, including women, are part of the process.”
Hooray for non-hierarchical revelation (and Todd Compton).
Questions to Consider:
- Are you in favor of a more non-hierarchical pattern being utilized (accepted) in the church?
- Do you think that embracing a more non-hierarchical pattern is practical? If this pattern were more widely practiced, what would prevent the church from descending into chaos?
- Have you ever been a vessel for non-hierarchical revelation?
- Compton emphasizes that any effort we make to do address problems must not be an attack on hierarchical structure, but must be “quiet and constructive.” Do you agree? Do you have some tried-and-true quiet and constructive techniques for dealing with problems at church?
- How can we involve sex in this post so we can get as many comments as those other posts? (Kidding!)