ajax18 wrote:President Packer,
In your many leadership duties in the Church throughout your life, have you ever been led by the spirit to motivate/castigate members of the flock by physical means, like roughing up a lazy missionary, spanking your child for not being ready for Church on time, or or maybe even carry out a blood attonement on those guilty of adultery?
One other thing I always wanted to ask. When you have a question that you need God's help to answer, are you ever not quite sure what God's answer is, or does God talk to you face to face, so that there is less ambiguity?
Young man, I am not going to answer your first questions, for disciplinary matters are to be kept confidential. We do this to protect those who are being disciplined. As for your last question, those are sacred matters which must not be discussed - you know, pearls before swine.
I would like to take this opportunity to counsel you on your hair. I notice you follow the wordly style of long hair. There is an unwrittten order of things, and long hair has been set apart for females only.
When I was at the institute of religion at Weber State, we had a little song we liked to sing. It went like this:
"Root-te-toot, Root-te-toot, we are the boys of the institute, our hair is short, above the ear, 'cuz if it's long, it means you're a queer."
Young man, there is an order to how we are to wear our hair. Men and boys are to wear their hair short, above the ear and collar. The church takes no official stance on side part versus center part. However, it has been my experience that the side part is more reverent and invites the spirit at a higher rate than the center part. As your hair thins, it is acceptable to comb it straight back, or buzz it off in the style of President Oaks. We discourage using a combover in an attept to cover the thinning parts. If your hair grays, it is acceptable to leave it gray/white like President Hinckley, or you can dye it, as President Monson does. In summary, your hair is to be short and conservative, above the collar and ear, parted on the side preferably, but a center part can be used in moderation. Buzz cuts are acceptable, and slicked straight back is permitted if your hair is thinning in front. No combovers to hide bald spots, but hair dye to cover the gray is acceptable, as President Monson set the precedent.
There is currently an ongoing debate within the leadership regarding the popular caeser style cut. Although it is short and above the ear, I find it to be irreverent. The Romans killed the savior, and I find it near apostacy to wear your hair in the style of a Roman soldier. However, many of the younger, hip apostles have no problem with the caeser style. Until this debate is resolved, if you desire to wear the caeser style, I counsel you to fast and pray for guidance.
Your personal grooming habits either invite the spirit or repel the spirit. The spirit is repulsed by the hippie and whore fashions which dominate modern culture. Please dress modestly and wear your hair in conservative styles.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Sincerely,
Boyd K. Packer