Temple Wedding Petition
I’m actually a bit annoyed that I have to blog about this.
Recently, a site was established to petition the LDS Church to change a policy regarding Temple marriage. I won’t bore you with the details here.
In any case, when I learned about this petition I submitted my email address in order to obtain information on how to sign the petition. Shortly after this I received an email from Jean Bodie (who is currently suing the LDS Church) with attachments of both the petition and instructions on how to submit the petition. Jean’s participation made me a bit wary of the “true” intent of the petition from the get-go given her current legal battle with the LDS Church.
After spending some time on the sight I became uncomfortable with a few things I found there. Bridget Jack Myers has outlined some of the worrisome content and I am in full agreement with her assessment.
On November 27 I received an email from David van der Leek:
Would it be OK to include your name online for the petition?
Thanks,
David
To which I replied:
Hello David,
Thanks for the email. The links to IRR on the site make me wary of being involved in the petition. I fully support a change in US Temple Marriage policy but I do not want, in any way, to be associated with IRR.
Seth
David followed up with two emails:
Hey, I understand that. We’ve removed the links to IRR from the pages and added a seperate section for Related Links. If you have any suggestions for external links, I’d be interested in receiving them. This website is not about anti-mormonism. It is about affecting positive change for both LDS and non-LDS families. Thank you Seth for your support.
David
Again, thank you very much for the feedback. We don’t want to alienate anyone from participation. I’ve completely removed all IRR references from the site including the Related Links section. Thanks Seth!
David
Please note, my original reply was my only communication with David. I never gave permission for my name to be used on the temple petition website. Nor have I signed the petition.
Just a few moments ago I emailed David and have asked that my name be removed from the website immediately.
So, just to make my position clear:
1. I fully support a change in the Church’s one-year waiting period policy in regard to temple weddings.
2. I never signed, nor gave permission for my name to be used on the temple petition website.
3. I am frustrated and angered that my name was used without my permission.
NOTE: As soon as Jean Bodie saw my reply on Bridget’s blog, she stated:
Sorry Seth your name will be removed. Don’t want to offend or embarrass anyone at all
My sincere thanks to Jean for being prompt in responding to my concern.
Also, given how Jean and David have responded to people’s concerns I don’t think there was any mischief at work here. This was most likely a case of misunderstanding/miscommunication. In other words, an honest mistake.
Hey Seth. Your name is still listed on this page as one who signed the petition:
http://www.templeweddingpetition.org/enter/4952.html
Thanks for the heads up Mike.
Jean only saw my concern about an hour ago so I’m sure she’ll need some time to get it removed.
They have removed the links to IRR and testimonials exposing the temple ceremony, and they have been very prompt and respectful about addressing people’s concerns. So the jury is still out for me on whether or not to send in my signature and let them use my name.
The best objection I’ve heard is, “This won’t change anything, it will only cause the LDS leadership to dig in their heels.” But what’s plan B? Sit around, twiddle our thumbs and hope the LDS leadership eventually changes their mind? Try to rally Mormons to discuss things with their bishops and Stake Presidents en masse?
Besides, while petitioning church leadership to change their position may not be a very LDS thing to do, it is a very Protestant thing to do. So I figure I’m in the clear whatever I choose.
I am very curious to hear more about this lawsuit thing though.
I think I’ll wait for the Mormon Expression podcast on the matter before making a final decision.
I think you are spot on Bridget when you say that this type of thing *may* cause the Church to dig in its heels.
My brother is a Bishop as are a few of my friends. They are aware of the difficulties the current policy presents — especially with the influx of converts. Of course they support the Brethren in their policy choices but I’m sure things are trickling up to the top.
I couldn’t locate the original article on Jean’s lawsuit but from what I remember, it didn’t seem to be frivolous.
Hey Seth, my apologies for misunderstanding your intention about the petition. When you indicated your displeasure with the content of the related links, we reviewed it and decided to remove it. It was my understanding that by removing the links you found objectionable, and indicating that you supported the change to the policy, that you were in favor of having your name attached to it. It was removed earlier today from the site.
Would you mind helping me to understand how it is that you support changing the policy, but not a petition to leaders to make the change?
Hi David,
No worries. I can see how we got our wires crossed.
Your question is a very valid one and I will try to provide an answer as best I can. I am a non-believer but still a Mormon. I have great affection for the Church and, as a pragmatist, want to encourage people who are Mormon believers to be strong in their faith inasmuch as it makes them happy and produces positive outcomes in their lives. Thus, I do my best to avoid having my name associated with anything that could potentially be perceived as “anti” the LDS Church.
Also, to be blunt, I don’t have a general aversion to a petition of this type but rather, my aversion is to this specific petition. I have no reason to believe that either you or Jean have a hidden agenda or are “secretly anti” or anything like that. Unfortunately, as you have seen, this is how your petition has been perceived by many — whether fairly or unfairly. Also, Jean has said some very negative things — publicly — about the Church and I am wary of being associated with her name because of these comments.
My relationship with Mormonism is a delicate one and as a result I must be very cognizant of how this relationship is perceived by those in my life whom I care deeply about — namely, my believing family and friends.
David, I believe your cause is a just one and that this issue is one which should be addressed. Unfortunately, circumstances surrounding, and ancillary to, this petition prevent me from throwing my full support behind you.
Seth
I respect your choice and decision. Thank you for helping us to raise awareness of the issue. Hopefully there will be many who are able to fully support the effort by signing the petition for change. I believe it is possible.
Warmest wishes,
David
The temple wedding petition website has received and has posted an official correspondence with Elder L. Tom Perry regarding the one year waiting penalty. Prior to the petition, a letter was sent to Perry requesting the policy be changed. His response is very interesting. A followup letter was sent to Perry without any further contact from his office concerning the matter.
Please see the three letters on the petition site in the Media Content section.
http://www.templeweddingpetition.org/enter/5036.html
Would love to hear your feedback.