The following Q./A. was posted at the Greater Things discussion board at
Delphi.com I thought you would find it of interest. It was kind of fun
composing this response to a mainstreamer, giving no hint whatsoever that I
am not a card-carrying Mormon any more.

It is posted at
http://www.delphi.com/n/main.asp?webtag=greaterthings&nav=messages&msg=16%2E
1


JONI'S QUESTION

Could someone please tell me why a new convert must wait exactly one year to
the day to receive endowments? I won't be able to go when my year is up; why
can't I go 3 weeks early, when I will have the time and means to go? Has
anyone ever received them early? Please help. My heart is breaking...


STERLING'S REPLY

Hi Joni,

First, I feel for you in a special way. I was the home teacher for a girl
in a similar predicament back in 1986 or so.

My first piece of advice would be for you to be humble in submitting to
whatever decision is rendered. A belligerent spirit is unbecoming of a
Saint and will only serve to canker your soul. Hence this predicament could
be a great opportunity for you to prove yourself in an important way.

Second, at the same time, I would encourage you to seek (humbly) for a
possible exception to the pat policy. If the spirit of the law takes
precedent, then your ecclesiastical leaders may deem you fit now to go.

However, be apprised that one of the reasons for adherence to policy is that
when exceptions are made, then it is much more difficult for the policy to
be put into effect in those cases where a person truly does need more time.

My question is why can't we govern by the Spirit, looking at each case
individually? Why do we even need cold policies that take precedent over
the whisperings of the Spirit?

I'm afraid that answer to that question is that we are hardly a celestial
people fit to be governed by the Spirit and need blanket rules and
regulations.

The same phenomenon holds true in our society. As Ben Franklin so aptly put
it, the freedoms vouchsafed in the Constitution will work only for a moral
and religious people. The more a people slip into decadence, the more they
will need laws and regulations to keep the order.

One of these days, the house of God is going to be set in order, both
religious and political, and we will have Zion at long last.

Meanwhile we need to have patience and forbearance while the status quo
holds sway. But that does not mean we sit back and just let things be the
way they are.

That is why my advice to you is both to be humble and submissive to the
decision rendered as well as to push for an exception in your case.

These are not mutually exclusive propositions.

Let me know how it turns out.

Sincerely,

Sterling D. Allan
www.greaterthings.com
www.patriotsaints.com


PROLOGUE COMMENT BY STERLING

That's how I responded. What I didn't say to her, but will mention to you,
is that in considering this situation, I think of a parallel in my own life
in that because of my excommunicated status, Cheri and I were not able to
marry in an LDS temple. We do feel, however, that God has placed his
blessings on our marriage, and that we have the same potential for a
celestial marriage as someone who marriage was solemnized in an LDS temple.
We also feel that when things are set in order, that we will be afforded the
opportunity to perform whatever ordinances are currently withheld. What's
more, we will be able to perform them in a new and improved fashion, as the
restitution of all things will have removed corruption and set things
straight.