Themis wrote:I answered your question of how we can know church leaders are not in communication by looking at the available evidence.
The available
evidence is what we see in front of us. The church as it is. The Stakes and Wards as they are and how they move forward the work and provide blessings/opportunities for those that have chosen to be disciples of Christ. It's possible to spend a life tinkering with the nuts and bolts and question how they do or don't fit together perfectly...but the fact is, the machine works. Granted, it's not for everyone...but the fullness of gospel message IS the evidence that God loves us, sent His son, restored His Priesthood, provided a way for families to be together forever, etc.
And even though the earthly "machine"/vehicle may not be one in which everyone wants to ride, it provides for
those folks, also. The doctrine of the LDS church encompasses and provides for
everyone...even those who aren't in the car traveling down the 'LDS road'.
These message boards are mainly concerned with the nuts and bolts rather than the functioning machine...the fruits...of the restoration. And from the outside looking in, it's difficult to recognize those fruits. The folks who
do are those that have tasted the fruit and stay on the path rather than entering in and inhabiting the great and spacious building and/or going off on other paths. I think the Book of Mormon's TofL narrative really does 'get it right' as one looks at our day.
Regards,
MG