How one fills in the blank in the title of this post will likely identify you as either a conservative or liberal member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

A conservative member may fill in the blank with ‘Leave It’.  They will often view the church as something that has been largely established already.  They realize that additional revelation will come, but this revelation will come from God, through prophets, and will be consistent with previous revelation.  To them, to disagree with a fairly fundamental part of the doctrines or practices of the church, is to largely deny the fundamental truth claims of the church.  Why stay in a demanding church if one does not believe that it is, and has been, lead by Christ himself through revelation?  Suggestions to leave are usually not a mean-spirited way of saying that we do not want you around.  It is partly suggesting that you may actually be happier somewhere else, and partly communicating that being a member of the church is largely about sustaining the church leaders as they communicate the mind and will of God.  Why put yourself in a position to sustain prophets that you do not agree with in fundamental ways?

A liberal member may fill in the blank with ‘Change It’.  They will often view the church as something that is in continual progressive development.  They realize that it is important to sustain the prophets, but additional revelation could change how we view aspects of our current teachings and culture.  To them, to deny the possibility of significant change through revelation, is to fall prey to the traditions a dogma of the past.  Why stick with teachings and culture if additional revelation could bring improvement?  Suggestions to change the church are usually not meant as a lack of loyalty to the church or its leaders.  It is suggesting that revelation may bring about meaningful progress for the church, and you may not get it unless you desire it and seek it.  Why stay with set teachings and culture in a church which has ongoing revelation available?

These two opposing perspectives illustrate a fundamental tension in a church which claims ongoing revelation.  The tension between conservative loyalty to previous revelations, and liberal progression toward possible future revelation.  I believe the solution is already in place.  A small group of authorized leaders who have the responsibility to seek and declare revelation regarding the doctrines and practices of the church.  Some will say that this solution itself is to conservative, but it seems to me that anything more would eventually cease to be a house of order.  With this in place solution, conservatives may need to do some soul searching when new revelation comes, while liberals may need to search their own souls when sought for changes do not come.



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