Why Policy Reversals Should Strengthen Your Testimony.

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Within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there are two constants. First, Doctrine does not change; second, Church policy does change. The big problem here is that many members of the church struggle to understand the differences between doctrines and policies, or they misunderstand how policies are made. These mistakes cause many to have a faith crisis.  I hope to address both of these issues, so that policy changes never hurt your testimony, but strengthen it.

Doctrines Never Change.

The doctrines of the church never change, but they are a lot more core than most members realize. For example, many members think that the Word of Wisdom is doctrine; it is not. Instead, the doctrine is that God gives us commandments and laws to live by. One of the laws God gives us is the Law of Health, a law that is adapted to each dispensation. For Adam and Eve, the law of Health was don’t eat the fruit of knowledge and good and evil. For Moses’ day, it was Kosher guidelines established in the Law of Moses, in our day the Lord established the Word of Wisdom as our Law of Health.

The following is a list of Basic Doctrines of the gospel: (As per ChurchOfJesusChrist.org)

• Godhead
• Plan of salvation
• Atonement of Jesus Christ
• Dispensation, apostasy, and restoration
• Prophets and revelation
• Priesthood and priesthood keys
• Ordinances and covenants
• Marriage and family
• Commandments

“Procedures, programs, the administrative policies, even some matters of organization are subject to change. We are quite free, indeed, quite obliged to alter them from time to time. But the principles, the doctrines, never change”
Boyd K Packer (“Principles,” Ensign, Mar. 1985, 8).

Policies, ever-changing.

Whereas doctrine is never-changing policy is ever-changing. The policies of the church are the prophetic guidelines to the application of the doctrine, and standardization of the organization of the Church. The Church Handbooks are handbooks of policy. For example, it is a doctrine that men need to hold the Priesthood, but it is a policy that they need to be 12 years old to be ordained a deacon. If the intent of the policy, which is to help us live the doctrine, is not happening, then that policy is ripe for change or repeal. But, until it is repealed, it is still Church policy.

How is Policy Set?

Just like doctrine is revealed line by line, so is policy. Having sat in councils where the policy was discussed at a mission level, I gained a testimony of how policy is established, changed, and sometimes completely repealed. Policy changes always are spurred by revelation, but rarely is it the crystal clear revelation that explains every detail of the new policy, in fact, I’ve never heard of, or experienced that type of revelation before.

Often revelation for policy follows the general pattern for revelation by the Lord. Where it is a directional nudge from the Lord. We understand that there is a problem, and the Lord will frame the problem and sets boundaries of what is acceptable within the plan, but then expects the prophet and apostles to figure out the best way to do it and act. A scriptural example of this is the Brother of Jared in Ether 2:18-25, 3:1-6. In a nutshell, he sought light on the boats the Lord told him that he can’t use fire or windows. But then left it up to him to figure out the best way.

Revising Policy.

This pattern being followed means that sometimes the resulting policy does not provide the results wanted and therefore will be repealed and a new policy will be put in place. One of the best examples of this would be the missionary change in 1982. For those unfamiliar with it, here is a readers digest version:

In April 1982 the Church changed the length of missions for Elders from 24 months down to 18. President Hinckley even gave a list of reasons why they thought this was a good policy change (they usually do not give their reasons, but they also have them). But in Nov 1984, just 2 years later, the church announced the complete repeal of the policy at the start of 1985, returning to 24-month missions.

A vital lesson can be taken from this story. Whereas we know that the Prophet will not lead the Church astray (See Offical Declaration 1) the plan does have wiggle room so to speak, which means, that there is not always a correct and wrong answer for church policy. Just like how in our lives sometimes God gives direction and then lets us learn, with the promise the Holy Ghost will warn us before we make a mistake.

Therefore the Church will sometimes introduce a policy after prayer, studies, and counseling, and here is the vital part, and that policy may be 100% within the acceptable terms of the plan of salvation, but if the desired results are not produced, it can be repealed and replaced. (For more on this concept see “Why I Follow A Fallible Prophet, And You Should Too!”)

Strengthening Your Testimony.

Whether it is the policy to change missions, refocus on the name of the church, allowing blacks to receive the priesthood, allowing children of LGBTQ parents to get baptized, or any other policy. We can always pray and gain confirmation of the prophets prophetic mantle. And once we know that we can trust that he will always lead the church within the acceptable framework of the Plan of Salvation.

We might not like every policy; in fact, you won’t like every policy. But that is the point of the test, will we have the integrity to keep our covenants? If we do then when policies are announced, changed, or repealed we can rejoice in the fact that we do have a living prophet, Christ indeed is the head of His Church, and just like Christ, His Church Lives!

Here are two excellent talks on this topic:
Revelation in a Changing World by Boyd K. Packer
The Gospel and the Church by Elder Ronald E. Poelman