As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

The following thoughts are my own. I do not claim to speak for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, nor would I pretend to do so. I write as a member and an observer. I have watched people; and I watched the operations of the Church long enough to understand how the organization works with God, and how God works with the organization. If there are any doctrinal errors below, do not judge the Church, and judge me mercifully, for I write based on my understanding: my intent is to warn, not to condemn.
   The recent discussions on pants in church have been disturbing to me. Not because I am a man, but because I think I can see what lies beneath. The same “progressive” force that is shaking the foundations of our nation is beginning to shake many good members and their faith. The noise of the world and its sophistries is more than sufficient to cause us to lose focus on the still small voice. Once we lose that focus, it becomes more difficult to stay on the strait and narrow path. When we begin to question our steps, or the steps of our designated guides, a fall is often imminent.
   One issue is that of willing obedience to God’s word. The Savior stated that “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: …” (Luke 16:10). The scriptures contain many promises of reward to those who are obedient (see D&C 64:34 and 82:10). But it is difficult to be obedient in the big things if we have trouble being obedient in the small things.
   Another issue is what we are willing to give in exchange for our souls. Esau foolishly traded his birthright because he thought he was starving to death. Saul could only “kick against the pricks” for so long.
   “Satan need not get everyone to be like Cain or Judas …,” said Elder Neal A. Maxwell. “He needs only to get able men … to see themselves as sophisticated neutrals.” (Deposition of a Disciple, 88.)
  “With self-justification of petty sins, Satan triumphs. For a bottle of milk, a misspelled name, a mess of pottage, birthrights and inheritances have been traded.” (Gay, RC; CR Oct 2012) Or over a pair of pants?
   Christ paid an infinite price to redeem our eternal souls. Keeping that in mind, what are you willing to give in exchange for your soul? Would you sell low?
   This is the exchange the Savior is asking of us: we are to give up all our sins, big or small, for the Father’s reward of eternal life. We are to forget self-justifying stories, excuses, rationalizations, defense mechanisms, procrastinations, appearances, personal pride, judgmental thoughts, and doing things our way. We are to separate ourselves from all worldliness and take upon us the image of God in our countenances.
   The core issue, in my mind, is recognition of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the Prophet, Seer and Revelator and as the only person entitled to receive revelations for the entire Church. I know and willingly accept that Thomas S. Monson is this Prophet today. He, and he alone, is ordained to speak for God.
   Priesthood authority to direct the affairs of the Church comes from God. It is given through his ordained servants as he has directed, to those who are qualified and worthy to receive it. It is His authority, given under His direction. It is not up to man or woman to question God’s motives in giving this gift and responsibility to men alone. As long as this priesthood authority is exercised in righteousness, then we can be assured that what is done is according to God’s will.
   The doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ is not determined by social pressure or popular opinion; it is not determined by the political climate of the day; nor is it determined by the whims of mortals. Rather, it comes from revelation from God, through the power of the Holy Ghost, to the Lord’s anointed servants the prophets, who have been called and chosen in our day to speak the mind and the will of the Lord. If it comes in any other way, we can be assured that it is not from God.
   We need not blindly accept these truths. God has given us the priceless gift of the Holy Ghost, who testifies of all truth. We may know, by the power of the Holy Ghost, the truth of all things. This requires that we be living so as to merit the companionship of the Holy Ghost. We must be keeping the commandments of God to the best of individual abilities. We must not criticize the leaders of the Church, the general and local authorities, whom God has placed to lead us through the wilderness of sin. To the degree we oppose the doctrines and practices of the Church, we cut the ties that bind us to the Church, and begin to tread dangerous paths that may place our everlasting salvation in jeopardy.
   Because I seek my own salvation in the Kingdom of God, and hope to be exalted along with my wife and our children and their families, I choose to conform to the doctrines, principles and practices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love the words of the Prophet Joshua, who challenged the Israelites “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).
   This is my choice. We fought a war in heaven to give each of us the right to make our own choices. I respect the right to exercise one’s agency, but I pray that my family and friends will all choose to follow the Lord, without hesitation. I know that his choicest blessings await those who choose the right.