We need to have an Elder Uchtdorf/Diet Coke moment with beards

Church Culture

I'm in ward leadership. This week, someone from the stake leadership asked to speak to me privately where they encouraged me to shave my beard. This particular individual has no direct authority over me, which they fully acknowledged. So it was more on the advice side.

They were polite in their delivery and I was polite in my pushback, but I did push back pretty hard. "Need to be an example to YM preparing to serve missions." "We should model the brethren.". Sigh. We left the conversation with a handshake and no hard feelings but I lost a measure of respect for this man that he would waste our time and any oxygen on this topic.

This facial hair thing is so stupid. I can't believe it's 2024 and there are still folks hung up on this.

At this point I'm considering a letter writing campaign :-) to HQ begging a member of the 1st presidency or Qof12 to grow a goatee so we can finally put this thing to bed. At the very least an official communication or a mention in GenConf would be amazing.

If my SP asked me directly to shave I'd probably still do so, but I'm leaning more and more into "this is a hill I'm going to die on" camp.

in latterdaysaintsby ReliPoliSport

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4mo

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crashohno

Chief Judge Reinhold

4mo

I have worn a beard my entire adult life. I am no hippie, I'm fairly successful in my career, and always wear the beard neat and clean.

Also I love the church.

I see why shaving as a standard for missionaries makes sense. I obviously complied and am proud of my mission. If I were called again, off comes the beard. No question.

I disagreed with the BYU policy while I was there and today - but I signed my name on the honor code and didn't have a beard while there and didn't think too much of it. (Maybe the benefit of not being able to grow a good one 'till later!) I'm proud of my affiliation with BYU and if I ever elected to go there again for graduate studies and this was a requirement, I'd do it. I know what I'm signing up for.

I disagree with the per-temple policy for Ordinance Workers to be clean shaven. This one feels more akin to a mission call however, it's weird that it comes down to the Temple President.

If I am ever in a position where ward, stake, or temple leadership ask me to shave my beard, here are my questions:

Can you explain to me how a beard will affect others or my own blessings in this calling?
If yes or no: Can you show me where this is a requirement for this calling in the handbook, scripture, general conference talk, or in any literature from the church?
If not: If I refuse, will that stop you from calling me to this position?
If not: Do you feel personally that this is the right thing to do - or have you received revelation from God, given your keys, with certainty that this is what I'm supposed to do?
If not: I have already submitted to God and am willing to do all things He asks me. Are you willing to keep blessings God has in store for me from me and my family unless I submit to you?

I don't want to say that the beard "ban" is a wicked tradition of our fathers... just kidding, I do want to say that.

It seems so strange. It is strange.

And yet being a peculiar person amongst a peculiar people, if the leader who was asked the aforementioned questions can honestly answer them and to my satisfaction - I would shave my beard. Basically it comes down to revelation - if they are willing to say they have received revelation for this specific thing, I'll do it. Wholeheartedly. I know God moves in a mysterious way and maybe my rebellious heart needs to be reminded from time to time that He is Lord. I'm good with that. Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Bind my heart to thee. I'll do it. I'll shave my eyebrows off if that's what you want!

And if leadership waffles at all in their answer, I'll be very forthright with them - "Not good enough. I'm asking very easy to answer questions that should be asked whenever someone or something is trying to exert this much control over your life, and you're not answering them in a way that makes sense at all. If you can't honestly tell me that..."

If they come with the strong arming:

D&C 121
39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.
40 Hence many are called, but few are chosen.
41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile

"Okay - If you are willing to risk your office and calling before God to exercise unrighteous dominion over me over such a petty and small thing, holding back blessings and the opportunity God has offered me and my family because of this - I'll shave. Bring me the razor. I submit myself to God and will Let him Prevail in my life. You're telling me I have to submit to you to get to God? I disagree. I believe God disagrees. But - I won't let you or anyone else keep blessings from me or my family. But how can God hold you blameless for risking so great a thing for both of us over so small a thing - so small that we can't even have a logical, scriptural, or current church leadership based conversation over? What an absolutely strange way to lose your priesthood authority." Let him think about that for a bit. Pack that in your bubble pipe, as it were.

Maybe this is too bold, but maybe we need some more boldness in this church. Just not overbearance. ;)

So often the answer is either stated or implied, "Well it isn't a big deal, so just do it!"

If it isn't a big deal, then that cuts both ways. If it is a big deal one way, then it is a big deal the other as well.

Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

brain_injured

4mo

D&C 121 (not 131)

crashohno

Chief Judge Reinhold

4mo

True, true. Corrected.