[Note: The following is an ironic take on a public statement by a church official from an alternate perspective. It is a parody. The words are actually those which are stated in the video, however the interpretation and context are fictional. It should not be considered an actual description of the intent of the official, the statement or the video (though it would be awesome if it was)]

On Monday June 23, Bishop Mark M. Harrison informed faithful LDS activist Kate Kelly that a disciplinary “Court of Love” which he presided over had resulted in her excommunication. This act of cutting her off from the membership of the church, has resulted in the nullification of her baptism, dissolution of her temple marriage, family sealing, and personal endowment. In the letter informing her of the decision, Bishop Harrison informed Mrs. Kelly that she is no longer allowed to wear garments, partake of the sacrament, pay tithing, hold a calling, vote to sustain leaders, give talks in church, or offer prayer during church meetings.

In reply, ex-Sister Kelly described the news as “exceptionally painful” stating that “Today is a tragic day for my family and me as we process the many ways this will impact us, both in this life and in the eternities.”

Open-Video Rebuke

[Note: this part, in particular, is a parody, fictional and in no way should be considered an actual account of the intention of the statement or the video.]

In a bizarre turn of events, a few short hours later a professionally produced video was released on the Facebook page of Sister Bonnie L Oscarson, Young Women general president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In this video, Sister Oscarson issued a scathing rebuke of the men who cut sister Kelly off from the body of the church and her eternal blessings. Her open-video commentary was an unabashed chastisement of the painful effects of unrighteous dominion.

First, Sister Oscarson explained to the men how Sisters in the gospel support and encourage each other – drawing a clear distinction between that standard and the actions of the Priesthood counsel:

“All of us as sisters in the gospel have the responsibility and privilege to support and nourish one another.

Her blistering rebuke even went so far as to identify the example that the Savior set, so as to contrast that charitable discipleship with the actions of the council:

“We have all committed to be disciples of Jesus Christ, and this discipleship should be at the heart of all that we do.”

While Sister Oscarson could have stopped at simply pointing out how far from the example of Christ the men had drifted – she continued in her discourse to lecture the brethren of the Vienna Ward of the Oakton Virginia Stake on exactly why it is that the patience and charitable love of Christ are so needed – a clear statement that they had lost sight of the underlying principles that the Savior had taught:

“Each of us is in a different place in our spiritual journey. Some may struggle with testimony. Some have questions or wrestle with the pressures and trials of life. Those who are struggling for whatever reason should be able to find within our sisterhood a spirit of warmth, inclusion, and love.”

In referring to “our sisterhood” Sister Oscarson added fuel to the fire of the issue by pointing out that the women of the church are already steeped in Christs message of love and inclusion – ideals that are in no way compatible with the reprehensible manner in which the men of the Priesthood counsel of the Vienna Ward responded to a sister in the midst of the very trials that the gospel is meant for.

Next Sister Oscarson struck a re-conciliatory and apologetic tone – directing her comments to Sister Kelly and others who have been similarly excommunicated. She acknowledges that some people find themselves cast out of the church because of the personal choices and opinions of leaders (leaving unstated the implication that they acted as men – not agents of Christ):

“Occasionally, some of our brothers and sisters may find themselves away from the fold because of personal choices. “

The Young Women General President then distanced herself from the choices of the priesthood men responsible for the trial and excommunication and reminded them that it was not to late to change course and reach out to the sister they had so callously wronged:

“Without condoning those choices, it is important to remember the Savior’s message of leaving the ninety and nine safely in the fold and reaching out with love, with kindness, and with compassion to the one.”

As a parting shot, Sister Oscarson shamed the priesthood brethren by reminding them that Sisters know exactly how to show love, warmth and respect to those who are in the midst of trials.  Sister Oscarson stated on behalf of herself and all of the women of the church, young and old that, unlike the priesthood brethren who brutally mismanaged the issue,

“We can demonstrate that compassion by ensuring that our communications with one another are respectful and kind.”

The most cutting aspect of her comments was the undeniable implication throughout that if Women were allowed priesthood ordination and positions in such ward counsels, the heretofore ignored concepts of charity, compassion, respect, patience and longsuffering would become a vital part of their proceedings. Christ’s church would them come that much closer to following his example and his love would shine that much brighter in the conduct of the affairs of the church.

(The above is a parody take on the actual words of the Young Women’s General President – some have expressed confusion on this point)

See the video below:

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