Are Church Leaders (Past&Present) Acting in Good Faith?

[_Who Knows]

Do you believe past and present church leaders are acting in good faith? The definition of good faith that i'm using is "Compliance with standards of decency and honesty".

For example, if Hinckley truly believes that he's the prophet of god's one true church on earth, then he would be acting in good faith.

Or, if Joseph Smith truly believed that he had ancient gold plates, then he would be acting in good faith.

I'm not as interested in whether you think the church is what it claims, but rather, whether you think church leaders believe what they claim (acting in good faith) or whether they know it's all a sham.

[_Mercury]

Do you believe past and present church leaders are acting in good faith? The definition of good faith that i'm using is "Compliance with standards of decency and honesty".

For example, if Hinckley truly believes that he's the prophet of god's one true church on earth, then he would be acting in good faith.

Or, if Joseph Smith truly believed that he had ancient gold plates, then he would be acting in good faith.

I'm not as interested in whether you think the church is what it claims, but rather, whether you think church leaders believe what they claim (acting in good faith) or whether they know it's all a sham.

In what respect? The only real work i see them doing is real estate and managing the spiritually based tax farming operation.

[_Who Knows]

In what respect?

I gave examples of what I mean. If Hinckley truly believes that he's the prophet of god's one true church - then he would be acting in good faith (in holding himself out to be the prophet). Likewise, if Joseph Smith truly believed that he had ancient gold plates, then he would be acting in good faith (in terms of proclaiming that fact).

However, if they don't/didn't truly believe it, then they are/were being deceitful and dishonest.

[Anonymous]

Do you believe past and present church leaders are acting in good faith? The definition of good faith that i'm using is "Compliance with standards of decency and honesty".

For example, if Hinckley truly believes that he's the prophet of god's one true church on earth, then he would be acting in good faith.

Or, if Joseph Smith truly believed that he had ancient gold plates, then he would be acting in good faith.

I'm not as interested in whether you think the church is what it claims, but rather, whether you think church leaders believe what they claim (acting in good faith) or whether they know it's all a sham.

Isn't this the point where someone says "define decency and honesty and their change through the ages since the 1840s, coupled with the fact that you can't read the thoughts of any of the church leaders!!!!"

Bond

[_Runtu]

In what respect? The only real work i see them doing is real estate and managing the spiritually based tax farming operation.

This is a tough question for me. I've seen both sides of this. I've met and worked with church leaders who seemed to be genuinely interested in the spiritual welfare of the members. And I've worked with people who clearly are more interested in the church's real estate portfolio and finances. People used to say it was amazing that I could work at the COB and not lose my testimony. Maybe it was just a delayed reaction. :-)

The one definite is that Joseph Smith did not act in good faith. I suppose I might give him the benefit of the doubt if his hoax weren't so clumsy and obvious, or if he weren't so blatant in his use of the one true church for sexual and financial benefit.

I'm not so sure about Hinckley. His actions during the Hofmann affair don't exactly give one reason to believe that he was an honest seeker and purveyor of truth. Nor do his backpedaling dismissals of church doctrine inspire confidence.

But I don't know. Does it really matter in the end? It is either true, or it isn't.

[_Rollo Tomasi]

I'm not as interested in whether you think the church is what it claims, but rather, whether you think church leaders believe what they claim (acting in good faith) or whether they know it's all a sham.

I think they do, in general. I don't see Church leaders as being different than the average, active, believing member. Sure, the GA's may have doubts and questions, like most do, but most GA's have grown up completely ensconced in Mormonism; it's all they know. I think they believe they are inspired from time to time, but also know they make mistakes and sometimes act consistent with their own prejudices and quirks rather than inspiration. I also think they understand, but can never admit publicly, that they are not always inspired in their decisions and often screw up. I'm sure that at least some harbor serious doubts or questions (like Hugh B. Brown, who reportedly questioned the authenticity of the Book of Abraham, or B.H. Roberts, who seemed to question the historicity of the Book of Mormon).

Is GBH acting in "good faith"? I think so, for the most part. I think he may tend to engage a "CYA" posture occasionally, particularly in times of controversy (like the Hofmann bombings), but that is a common human trait that most, if not all, of us employ at times. I think he genuinely believes the LDS Church is true and that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored via Joseph Smith, at least the important parts, and that other parts which confuse or seem wrong on their face, he just ignores, like many members do when faced with troubling issues. Of all Church presidents, I think GBH has been the most candid publicly, and doesn't seem to shy away from acknowledging that he is not a "prophet" in the traditional sense of the word (i.e., regular PPI's with Jesus Christ, or direct revelation on things as small as how many earrings a woman wears, etc.). One problem that he didn't create, but which has become a permanent part of LDS culture and belief, is that GBH can never come right out and say he is not always inspired or that some of his policy decisions have come from men, not God -- to do so might damage many members' testimonies about the Church having a living prophet who always knows the will of the Lord. But, in a relaxed private setting, I bet we'd be amazed about how GBH sees himself in the role of prophet.

In sum, I think by and large the GA's are acting in "good faith;" however, I also think their zeal gets in the way at times as they try to keep control over the masses and silence those who may rock the boat. Again, I see this more as human nature than "bad faith."

[_harmony]

I think some are and some aren't. I think some of them are in it for the personal glory (power, adulation, reverence), and some of them are true believers and are in it for the glory of God. And it's pretty easy to figure out which is which, based on their remarks and the subjects of their talks.

[_Yoda]

Rollo stated things very well. I agree with his view. I think that President Hinckley sincerely believes that the Church is true.

Being related to one apostle, and having the opportunity to associate with him on a personal level, I can say that he honestly does believe that the Church is true, and is acting in good faith.

I honestly think that most of the GA's are sincere. I think that in any religious organization, you are going to get some people who are in it for the power/adulation rush, as Harmony mentioned. Look at some of the hierarchy in the Catholic Church.

But, I think that for the most part, the GA's are acting on what they sincerely believe.

[_Who Knows]

Thanks for the comments.

Most of them have been focused on the current leaders. So, what do you all think about the initial leaders of the church - Joseph Smith, BY, etc. Were they acting in good faith?

Oh, and I would agree with Rollo and Liz.

[_Runtu]

Thanks for the comments.

Most of them have been focused on the current leaders. So, what do you all think about the initial leaders of the church - Joseph Smith, BY, etc. Were they acting in good faith?

Oh, and I would agree with Rollo and Liz.

I guess if push came to shove, I'd give GBH the benefit of the doubt, but not Joseph Smith. If there's one person who knew, it was him.