Iago. One of the great Disney villains from Aladdin. He would sit on Jafar’s shoulder and feed him evil ideas. A few of you might not know that this Iago was not the first. He was the namesake of one of Shakepeare’s villains. Arguably one of The Bard’s most evil, conniving villains. If you don’t know him, you can read about him in the tragedy Othello. He was a stinker.
Iago had attained a position of trust, and used that position of trust to manipulate and control the people around him. His goal? Destroy Othello. His reasons? Revenge and jealousy. His methods? Plant subtle suggestions and questions in the minds of those around him. He would prey on people’s insecurities and their weaknesses, and then step back and enjoy the show as things fell apart. He was evil.
Why am I talking about Iago? Because he is the man who came to mind when I was preparing this post. He is the poster-boy for Famacide. What? You don’t know the word? It is pronounced “fame-aside”, and it means to defamation, slander, or calumny.
Calumny? That one sounds familiar. It is included in what is one of the best paragraphs ever written, from none other than Joseph Smith. We are all familiar with the Wentworth Letters, because that is where the Articles of Faith came from, but so did the following passage – referred to now as “The Standard of Truth”. It deserves to be memorized.
“The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.” (History of the Church 4:540)
Isn’t that amazing? The Kingdom is going to move forward – come what may – until God wraps things up. Nobody can stop it.
That doesn’t mean they won’t try. There are plenty of Iagos out there in the world – inside and outside of the Church – whose goal is famacide. To defame the Church, its doctrines, its leaders and its members. And the adversary is directly involved, whether the various “Iago’s” know it or not. That is just the reality of opposition. (I did make mention of this struggle before in another post
here.)
It is all around us. Every week there is a new criticism, quote, discovery or angle to play on the public’s fears and prejudices against the church. Last week it was racism in the church, the week before it was baptisms for the dead, last month it was polygamist that aren’t even Mormon, before that, it was something else. This week there will be something different. Who knows? But stay tuned – it should be interesting. That is just how it is, and how it will continue to be, until the end. As the prophet said: Calumny will defame.
So, given the reality that opposition is here to stay, and that calumny will continue to defame, ask yourselves a few simple questions:
How does it affect me?
Does it make me mad? Does my blood pressure go up when media pundits hype an anti-mormon story? Or misrepresent the Church’s teachings or policies? Do I feel irritated when a church member says or does something stupid? Do I get indignant where people professing to be members of faith get up on their soapboxes and push an anti-doctrinal agenda? Do I want to retaliate with scathing comments on blog posts, or mockery? What am I to do? How can I fight back?
Step back, take a breath, remember that the Church will move forward, and ask yourself this question:
Is calumny destroying MY soul? Is famacide causing spiritual suicide? Am I completely forgetting the Savior’s counsel to
“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you.” (
Matthew 5:44)
When was the last time I prayed for “Iago”? Has it even crossed my mind? Or was I too busy being offended, or indignant? Do I remember that the people prayed that Alma’s rebel son’s heart would be softened?
Does it even really affect me at all? Does the guy on TV influence my life? How about that irritating blogger? Does their famacide change the way I worship? Does it change my relationship with Christ? Do the things I read and hear supercede a lifetime of testimony, miracles and blessings?
Calumny doesn’t really alter my life at all – unless I let it alter my life for the worse. As the famacide rages around me, it doesn’t really need to affect me – and it surely won’t stop the Lord’s work, or its inevitable conclusion. Yes, their efforts will cause casualties -and that is tragic – but I won’t be one of them.
What about when the lies that are told aren’t actually lies? What do we call calumny, that is in fact, factual?
History. We call it history. Sometimes the history is so fresh we call it reality.
It can be good, bad, or ugly. Ah, now that’s different. History is supposed to reenforce our faith, it is supposed to build, and uplift. But once in a while we find things from long ago, or last month, that do not fit into our desire for a clean historical context.
Yes, some members DID baptize Holocost survivors after being told not to. Repeatedly. Yes, it is true that blacks DID NOT receive the priesthood until 1978. Yes, some brethren DID NOT handle abuse cases correctly. Yes, Brigham Young DID have oodles of wives. Yes, it is true that LDS people with big media platforms DO kick against the pricks. Yes, there will always be “new” old things that come to light. So I ask you again..
How does it affect me?
Does it make me mad when someone brings it up? Am I embarrassed? Do I do my best to deny it, or to stretch a bit to justify it? Do I cling to explanations that have no merit, or basis in fact? Do I fight back? Do I hurriedly write argumentative and accusatory comments on the offending website? Am I willing or eager to shoot the deserving messenger?
Does my response have to be about self-image and pride? Or can I respond with humility, and with love? Can I bless them that curse me?
Stranger still, do I feel compelled to pick up the burden of something someone said, or did, 100 years ago? Or a week ago? Someone that I have never met? Someone from a different time, or culture? Did that burden somehow magically become mine to bear because we belong to the same faith? Do I really believe that I am punished for my own sins?
Is history destroying MY soul? Does it interfere with my road to salvation? Does it make the Church less true to me? Does it make the Atonement less miraculous, and powerful? Does some obscure quote from 100 years ago offset a lifetime of testimony and miracles? What about an article from last week? Or next week?
No. History does not touch me negatively -unless I let it. Unless I let it canker my soul. To let it do that, I would have to let go of my faith, and embrace doubt. I would have to let the adversary exploit those worries, and push and push until he opens a crack – where he can infect. I refuse to let the past – anyone’s past – destroy my present, and my future. And to those who would like to see that happen, all I can say is “I love you. It ain’t gonna happen. Deal with it. I have.”
Nor do I need to walk around in denial. I can be well-informed, and understand how occasionally history and reality can reflect poorly on the Church – but I honestly don’t have to care. You’re telling me that some church member said some thing in 1920? So what? He did what in 2010? Big deal! As long as that person wasn’t me, and the heavens are still open to the prophet, and to me, it’s not my problem – and I surely don’t feel compelled to justify my life or my faith to a bunch of eager Iagos.
My testimony is not based on history. It is based on revelation.
Right now I could leave this page and go to Google News and type in “Mormon” and find scads of things written with the intention of hurting the Church. Some lies…some truths.
…How will I choose to respond? Isn’t that the real challenge?
“The truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent..till the purposes of God shall be accomplished.”
That’s how it’s going to wind up. Sorry Iago – you’ve got nothing for me.
Any questions?
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I agree. There is no perfect member of the church today, nor was there during the 19th century. Also, it really is impossible for us to know the details regarding the stories we read or hear about. Only the Lord knows the full details and our job is to let Him handle it, not “pick up the burden” like MMM said. Beautiful post. We should not cry over spilled milk.
How will I choose to respond?
I will choose to stick my fingers in my ears and sing “LA LA LA LA LA LA I CAN’T HEAR YOU NANNY NANNY BOO BOO!”.
Works every time! 😉
Thanks for this post. I appreciated the reminder to pray for others. I also really liked this:
Stranger still, do I feel compelled to pick up the burden of something someone said, or did, 100 years ago? Or a week ago? Someone that I have never met? Someone from a different time, or culture? Did that burden somehow magically become mine to bear because we belong to the same faith? Do I really believe that I am punished for my own sins?
I would like to take that thought one step further and say, “Do we remember Who has promised to carry others’ burdens, as well as my own, and who has paid for the sins and errors of all throughout history who accept Him?”
I think any discussion of “Church history” is incomplete without focusing on the most important event in human history, the Savior’s Atonement for all. I think sometimes we feel like we have to carry these burdens because mortal minds want ‘justice’ but often forget the real Source of true justice. And mercy.
p.s. I wrote a post about this topic a few years ago when Church history was in the spotlight (back when it wasn’t so common. Ha.) Thought I’d share it, FWIW.
Thank you for taking the thought one step further. Excellent addition.
One thing I’ve noticed is that amid all of the calumny and famacide one thing is also constant: Attention. Yes, it’s negative attention, but it’s still attention. And from it have come enormous blessings.
The Church is amazing at doing exactly what you’ve explained so well –they do not listen to the critics, nor do they get bent out of shape when trial comes calling. If anything, I think it would worry them (and me and us!) more if it didn’t come.
Beautifully stated, MMM!
Well put, MMM . . . In the past ten years I have watched purportedly devout LDS members deal with Iagos online and in chatrooms, and I have cringed at the hatefulness and misinformation spewed from BOTH sides . . .
and I thought Famacide would have something to do with destroying every family. Maybe it does n’est pas?
It is uplifting to read thoughts from someone who neither claims perfection, or shy’s from it.
Spot on .. My testimony is mine , no one can take it from me unless I let them. Has everything in history been how I or others think it should have been? NO. Do I understand every decision the church has made? NO does it matter? NO it wouldn’t be faith if I knew all things!
Fantastic post and thoughts. It is really timely for so many of us, so thank you for sharing. Had been feeling a bit dragged down about the negatives in the media, but this shifted it for me and by the time I finished reading what you had to say, I see it all in a completely different light now.
Thank you. I needed to read this today.
Just excellent! This is something that has been in the back of my mind and I didn’t even know how to bring it forward into words. I find myself trying to justify things of the past that I know nothing about and then after I feel like I just made things worse. I now have a plan to just say it doesn’t matter. I know what is true and that thing in the past doesn’t change my knowledge. Thanks for helping come to that realization.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot. And after several weeks, I realized that it boils down to one thing. Who’s church is this? This is Christ’s Church. It is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Jesus Christ is our leader. Whatever happened in History is because He wanted it to happen that way. I have a lot of things I want to say, but since I don’t have sources, I’m not going to start Mormon Rumors.
The biggest thing to remember is that we are Christ’s saints, our charge is to serve, mourn, and comfort those that need our help. Not to criticize or belittle events in history that we feel are unfair. The other thing is that Christ’s atonement covers all that. The Blacks that longed for the priesthood and temple blessings, were comforted as they turned to Christ. The women and men that struggled with polygamy, were comforted as they turned to Christ. People today find comfort with infertility, miscarriages, abuse, etc., as they turn to Christ.
The Church is true, it’s doctrines are always what we need at Christ’s timing. We need to have “faith in Christ, and in His timing.” (Boyd K. Packer). The people are not perfect. In history, and now, there were people who didn’t catch the whole vision, and abused the blacks or the women. The atonement covers that too.
I really loved reading “The Peacegiver” by James L. Ferrell, because it helps explain all the uses of the atonement, and that when we get upset at the leaders of the church over someone else’s sin, we’re saying “The atonement doesn’t work for that.” And that is not true.
Thanks for all you do. I am an avid reader, and I talk a lot about your posts with my husband. I always leave uplifted. And now, I’ll probably be an avid commenter too….
Thank You, MMM. I will admit I have been completely burdened by these very similar thoughts as I have seen some very close friends, who were once stalwarts & rocks in the Gospel become deceived by this Iago and choose to not only turn away from that which they once believed, but now seek to antagonize in order to justify their choices. Every time I see blog posts or Facebook links which seek to push their personal agendas against those things I hold so close & dear, I have to ask myself the very same question… How would the Lord have me respond? Your post hit the nail right on the head. The Lord’s Work will prevail.
This is an excellent and timely post. Really just excellent.
Thank you!! I have felt this way, but you put it into words that are clearer than my own thoughts have been. I am so glad a friend posted a link to your page and I got to read it this morning. Thank you!
The reason I started following your blog was that I liked the tone of it. I have read other blogs and some made me wonder if they belonged to the same church I did. I have questioned my faith and attitude towards some of these historical “truths” that have come forward. I have come to the conclusion that I don’t know all the reasons or all the answers. I will stick to the basics and take it from there. Heavenly Father led me to this church and I will stay here until He tells me otherwise.
Thank you Glapha! If you are here until He tells you otherwise, then you are here till the end. Would love to know more of your story.
This post completely addressed the thoughts that have been on my mind lately! Yesterday during testimony meeting my 8 year old moaned that the man on the stand had “taken his testimony” and that was why he couldn’t go up to the microphone. I told him that no one could take his testimony. Only he could decide what he wanted to do with it – lose it, keep it, grow it, share it. It’s the same with the Iago’s of the world. They can’t take what is mine, given through personal revelation by the Spirit. I get to choose how they will affect me and my testimony.
Thank you.
Wow, big thoughts for a Monday. You’ve totally nailed it. A few weeks ago, I was feeling frustrated by the lagos…and I just had to decide that get thee hence was going to be my answer from now on….gotta live my life and my faith regardless of the current environment in the world right now. Great testimony here, MMM! Great words of advice.
Ignorance of history, or the perpetuation of historical inaccuracy, is a form of Iago-ness.
I keep trying to get my husband to read your blog. This post is relevant to things we’ve been discussing in the last few weeks. So tonight when I mentioned it he answered, “There’s something I have to tell you… I am Middle-aged Mormon Man.”
I said, “oh yeah? Use calumny in a sentence.”
He couldn’t.
Great post!
So funny! Tell him not to be afraid.
Right on, Bro. MMM. I like that the Church’s general response to criticism or outlandish claims is to ignore them. While we should all be ready to share our knowledge of the gospel at any time, contention never converted anyone. The Gospel is a stone cut from the mountain without hands and will continue to roll and grow no matter how many Iagos try to stop it.
Thanks for the post. I’ve thought about this from time to time especially when non-LDS question me and my faith regarding these issues , or others. I’m always strengthened by the knowledge that the church is true, period. The gospel is perfect. The people aren’t. And when fault is found in things like polygamy in our past and the blacks not holding the priesthood, I’m reminded that God’s ways are better than our ways. No matter what they may seem to us- It’s him that sees the whole picture, we just have bits and pieces of the puzzle. So while I know that others see this as evidence we are confused or completely off balance I see it as an opportunity to practice faith and even bear my testimony if the situation calls for it….I do have issue with openly rebellious LDS. I wish they’d quit saying their religion…something I need to work on.
This post is just what I needed to read!