With the Pope abdicating, something which last happened some six hundred years ago, it made me wonder if ever the Mormon Church will turn to the use of emeritus status for its own prophet (or apostles) when they become senile or otherwise incapable of adequately running the multi-billion dollar corporation; something which has already happened on several occasions and which they always cunningly try to hide. The most prominent example of such a case was the prophet, Ezra Taft Benson, details of which were fully exposed by his grandson, Steve Benson.
As the Mormon god doesn’t ensure that his prophets enjoy good mental health along with longevity, it would make sense for them to ‘retire’ when things become too much for them, but at present the Church stumbles along, stuck in its antiquated ways set in motion by early leaders who were ordained at earlier ages and served for much longer. Emeritus status is currently awarded to all Mormon leaders below that of Apostle who serve for life. Indeed, the very ‘election’ of a new prophet (although not set in stone) is traditionally the next longest serving apostle, ensuring future prophets are always already elderly when ‘called’. What is to happen when (not if) the next apostle in line to become prophet is already suffering from dementia when his turn to be prophet comes along? The Mormon god will no doubt have to move in yet another ‘mysterious way’ and change the system. It would make no difference, as their god apparently stopped communicating with his prophets long since, as openly admitted by the late prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley. (See: San Francisco Chronicle. Don Lattin interview with Gordon B. Hinckley. 13 Mar 1997 and The Mormon Delusion, Vol. 4:121-2). All they now get is ‘feelings’ – and we all get those; they can be very unreliable and often deceptive.
During the last month, I have been watching and reading Professor Brian Cox’s ‘Wonders of Life‘ which I also wrote about in February (below), and in trying to further consider my current feelings about life, I identified with his own understanding. I have incorporated Cox’s views into ‘Today and Tomorrow’ as ‘The Day After Tomorrow‘ (scroll down). His way of expressing his thoughts in this area is far better than mine. ‘Wonders of Life’ is available in the UK and will be released in May in the US where it is now available to pre-order on Amazon. Cox’s ‘Wonders of the Solar System’, ‘Wonders of the Universe’ and now ‘Wonders of Life’ are highly recommended. Everyone should get the DVDs and books. Understanding the origin and destiny of the universe, evolution through natural selection and mapping of the tree of life is an amazing adventure. The good news is that they just announced a further seires and filming starts in July 2013. Science provides evidence based facts, whilst Mormonism and many other religions cling to the mythology of the ancients – something which today is just silly
Jim Whitefield 