What wings are used for

As Log has written elsewhere (I haven't read most of the comments yet in the previous post), being an accuser invites being accused.

I have accused my brethren of being "false gods, false priests, false prophets." That may all be true. But making that observation only invites others to observe that I, too, am "false". (I pre-empted that attack, in part, by confessing my sins publicly.) I have weaknesses. I make mistakes. I am imperfect. I am flawed, feeble and failing.

That is human nature.

If we spend our time firing our guns and swinging our swords at everything imperfect around us, there will be nothing -- and no one -- left standing.

That is not what God intended for this world.

Gods are not made by tearing down, but by building up. The doctrine of the Son is that -- by "covering over" the imperfect with the perfect (the atonement of Christ), coupling true grace with real repentance -- the imperfect can be made perfect over time. False gods, false priests and even false prophets can, in fact, become true ones.

I pointed out the obvious (both in myself and in those around me) so that those who are enslaved to the false idea that, somehow, LDS leaders are infallible, always to be obeyed as if they were God, etc., might avoid that cowpie and move forward successfully.

I do not wish to unnecessarily cast aspersions or point out the weaknesses of others (or myself). It's an awful thing to face your own failures and sins. (I know!) The proud and arrogant will not do it.

It takes Christ-like development and humility to overlook the sins of others and say nothing. (A fool can also keep quiet, not knowing any better, but there is a qualitative difference between the two.) The goal is not to be oblivious, but to be magnanimous. 

As wise as serpents, but as harmless as doves.

I have not, by any measure, been magnanimous. I am, quite frankly, surprised and appalled to find the LDS Church (its leaders, in particular) doing what they're doing. It is shocking to me, revolting and despicable.

Can I be magnanimous, none the less? Hopefully, in time, I can be. Hopefully, once I gain hope that somehow, someway, there will be proper correction, I can drop my weapons and say "Lord, you handle it."

In fact, that's what I can (and want) to do right now. I can have faith in the Son that He will someday, somehow, make it right again.

While hiking up a trail in a group, it is "common courtesy" for one in front to say "Watch out for the poo!" whenever he finds it, so that those behind don't unwittingly step in it. Good leaders look far ahead, try not to step in the poo themselves, and warn others who are following up behind. A really good leader will even remove the poo, if possible, and, if not possible, blaze another trail around it.

I've clearly stepped in the poo. My efforts here are to warn those who follow (not me, but the trail I walk in), that they might learn from my (poor) example and not step in the poo! Go around it! Avoid it altogether!

Bret Corbridge's book is an excellent means to learn how to do just that, in case (like me) you've grown rather ossified in following the dictates of the Holy Spirit and have forgotten to ask yourself in every instance: "What would Jesus do? How would Christ handle that? What would He say? How would He respond?"

I'm greatly out of practice. I've spent so much time viewing myself as a turkey -- among a flock of would-be eagles constantly reminding me that I'm a turkey -- that I've stopped trying to fly.

It's time to stop looking (and listening) to those around me -- and start looking upward to Him who truly knows what wings are used for.