Talk by President Boyd K. Packer goes viral
by Mike Parker on October 20th, 2008In the last week FAIR has received an increasing number of queries about the supposed transcript of a talk given by President Boyd K. Packer in the Forest Bend Ward on 12 October 2008.
We have been in touch with Church Public Affairs about this matter. Here are the facts:
- President Packer did indeed speak at the meeting cited.
- No official transcript of his talk was made and that the one circulating by email was typed after the talk was given and should not be considered to be authoritative.
- On 13 May 2004 the First Presidency issued the following letter to all Church units and leaders:
From time to time statements are circulated among members which are inaccurately attributed to the leaders of the Church. Many such statements distort current Church teachings and are often based on rumors and innuendos. They are never transmitted officially, but by word of mouth, e-mail, or other informal means.
We encourage members of the Church to never teach or pass on such statements without verifying that they are from approved Church sources, such as official statements, communications, and publications. Any notes made when General Authorities, Area Authority Seventies, or other general Church officers speak at regional and stake conferences or other meetings should not be distributed without the consent of the speaker. Personal notes are for individual use only. [emphasis added by FAIR]
True spiritual growth is based on studying the scriptures, the teachings of the Brethren, and Church publications.
This sort of thing has happened before. Eight years ago another statement attributed to President Packer circulated widely, claiming that today’s youth were “generals in the war in heaven.” President Packer issued a statement in 2001 denying that he made that statement. Earlier this year the First Presidency released a letter warning the Saints, “This is a false statement. It is not Church doctrine.”
If you receive a copy of the Forest Bend talk by email, please inform the person who sent it to you that it is spurious and should not be used.
Better yet, tell your friends ahead of time. If they haven’t received their own copy yet, they will soon.
October 20th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Thanks Mike!
Further info will also be added to the FAIR wiki if and when it becomes available. An easy link to pass on to friends or others who wonder about this is:
http://en.fairmormon.org/PresidentPacker
October 21st, 2008 at 8:49 pm
I’m so glad you have this on your site. I am so tired of naïve-albeit well-intentioned-members passing this kind of stuff around. My first reaction is to not read it, but first research it and question its accuracy and relevance. Obviously, if a particular message was given to that Ward, it was for that Ward. If there was something the Twelve wanted us to know, they’d tell us all. Gee, they have a hard enough time getting us to attend General Conference twice a year-why don’t we spread those talks around virally? Because they’re not sensational. The gospel is not about being sensational.
-Jerry
October 21st, 2008 at 8:55 pm
I am seaching for some idea to write in my blog… somehow come to your blog. best of luck. Eugene
October 22nd, 2008 at 10:14 am
Thanks! I’ve been trying to get in touch with the Church about this too, so I’m glad to find some answers on whether or not this talk is authentic. Thank you for your help!
October 22nd, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Our department secretary at BYU-Hawaii called President Packer’s office on Monday (Oct 20) and inquired about the truth and accuracy of these transcripts (there is another one dated April ‘08) circulating online. Here is her reply to me:
= = = = = = = = =
I called the Office of the Twelve and was told by the Sister who answered the phone (as she laughed) that yes, President Packer did speak at his Ward last Sunday, but no, the sister that took notes and circulated his “talk” was not accurate.
President Packer has asked that it not be continued and if you should receive it, to delete it and not pass it on, that would be greatly appreciated. Rather he would like you to refer to his most recent conference talk given two weeks ago. She thanked me for calling to check.
= = = = = = = = =
Take care,
Marcus H. Martins, Ph.D.
Chair, Dept. of Religious Education
BYU-Hawaii
http://w2.byuh.edu/academics/religion/martins.htm
October 22nd, 2008 at 1:13 pm
I can appreciate the quality control effort, but it would be nice to get a thumbs up or down. Yes I said this, but it was misinterpreted or the interpretation is correct but that was a personal opinion and not official doctrine, etc. We shouldn’t get to carried away with what’s for the world, and what is for the ward. If he was supposedly talking about a Ward initiative/goal, then that is one thing, If he is talking about global calamities then it’s hard to reason that is only for the members of a specific Ward in SLC.
October 22nd, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Cowboy:
Isn’t the fact that President Packer asks us to read his General Conference talk, rather than these notes of his testimony enough of a “this was misinterpreted personal opinion; please go to the correct version” for you?
Frankly, I fail to see how President Packer and others at Church HQ could be more clear.
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:29 pm
[...] contacted LDS headquarters regarding the talk and received a statement back. I’d recommend checking it out, and people, look into things before you forward them. I bet [...]
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:14 am
There’s now a “hotline” you can call at the Church Administrative Offices and hear a recorded message RE Pres. Packer’s “talk” and his position regarding it.
1-800-453-3860, extension 2-2833.
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:20 am
Steve:
I wasn’t intending to be hypercritical of President Packer on this one. He clearly has been the subject of misinterpretation in the past, so I guess I can understand the corporate quality control approach. I just would like to know what was said that got everybody up in arms, vs. what was intended.
October 23rd, 2008 at 4:14 pm
I would like to read the original talk if one exists. I find it interesting that he spoke 2 weeks previous and yet still chose to address this congregation regarding personal preparedness. Why not disclose the intention of the talk? I loved the ‘notes’ and have found renewed commitment to be prepared.
October 24th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Well, even after all the warnings, I heard Bob Lonsbury read it this morning on his radio talk show 570 KNRS. It just fans the flame and spreads it farther.
October 24th, 2008 at 10:28 am
My grandmother sent it around.
5 minutes later, a friend of hers sent another email stating that she had just talked with Pres. Packers office, who basically stated the same thing as outlined by Marcus H. Martins above.
I would like to state a few things here:
#1. Church doctrine states that we can receive Revelation for those whom we have stewardship. This means that I can receive revelation for myself and my family, that my Bishop can receive revelation for our Ward (including me and my family) and my Stake President can receive revelation for the Stake, (including me and my family) etc, etc, etc…
The information in the talk Pres. Packer gave was to a specific group of people and not to the body of the Church (in general) or to the World at large, or there would be an “official transcript” that would be published to the Church and/or the World.
#2. This isn’t to say that the information in the talk is “bad” or “wrong”, or that we couldn’t use this information to enhance our lives. After all, the 13th Article of Faith states (in part), “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”
#3. There are people and organizations (earthly and spiritually) that would love to bring about the destruction of our Church and Faith. It was for this reason that the lost 116 pages of the Book of Mormon were never re-translated. It is also for this reason that Pres. Packer’s office (and the office of the President) have issued the warnings to not distribute and perpetuate unauthorized information.
#4. I would caution everyone to use a healthy measure of “the Spirit of Discernment” and a whole lot of humility and follow the directions of the Church in this matter. Please keep in mind, “in the mouths of two or three witnesses shall every word be established”…when something is “official” in the Church, it has the stamp of approval of the Brethren, which gives you your 2 or 3 (or more) witnesses.
Be careful out there, the internet is a funny place.
October 26th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Frankly, I don’t give much credit to whoever had so much time in his/her hands so that he/she could be so ready to record President Packer as he unpredictably got up to speak. This whole thing is very shady. He might have said this, but I wouldn’t take every single word here written as actual doctrine from President Packer. I wouldn’t give so much credit to the person who took the time to type this talk, which is not even proof read. Moreover, we all know that people and the media distort information. How do we know this person typed everything word by word? Do we really want to trust this person? I will not take every word here written as doctrine until we have confirmation from President Packer. And yes, I agree with Efialtis, the internet is a funny place.
October 26th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
This article was dicussed in our Welfare meeting this morning. The High Councilman noted the fallicies of this kind of circulation. We have ‘official’ statements from our leaders that are readily available… General Conference, Ensign … Lets make use of them….
October 27th, 2008 at 11:49 am
A friend shared with me a copy of President Packer’s
testimony last night when we were home teaching. Given the policy and tradition of not recording testimony meetings, its hard for me to believe that anyone’s memory is so good that they can remember and transcribe 6 full typewritten pages of testimony. So I’m not questioning the authenticity of the content - did it really come from President Packer, but the accuracy of what he actually said.
October 27th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Call 801-240-2833 for a recorded message regarding this letter that is being circulated. This message is recorded from the office of Public Affairs at the Church, not President Packer’s office. Put this baby to rest and get the word out already!
October 29th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
I have read with interest the talk purported to have been given by Pes. Packer in his ward. I recall reading a comment of Pres. Joseph F. Smith given in the October General Conference of 1918 which follows:”Now, let us serve the Lord and keep his commandments, labor in righteousness, and in all things remember our covenants and look for guidance to the captain of the ship, and not be led astray by what may be purported as having come from him when it is done in a corner and not openly and above board and presented to the Church in the proper manner. The Lord bless you is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.” As far back as the 1930’s we have been counseled to lay aside the needful things for the good of our families (and neighbors). While I find nothing to argue with in this purported talk of Pres. Packer’s, the warning of the church leaders has or should have directed our thoughts to all these things. If this talk were true, it would have been done “in a corner” and that is not the way the Lord works. We all need to pay heed to the direction of the leaders but we need not make up things and suppose that only one ward is going to privy to it. Why must there always be someone or a group of people who feel privileged to hear what would be meant for the church membership at large. I agree—let it rest with a proper burial.
October 30th, 2008 at 7:24 am
GOSH I wish PEOPLE get a grip there is more important stuff to circulate and to be informed about
Im sick to my backteeth of the fwds sent by members on talks “given by someone in authority”
Truly what a waste of everyones time…..in some of our darkest hours
Our internet rules are
Never speculate
Always check things out on the Urban legend site or other such places before you comment
Never never Fwd a forward/chainletter/ or those sickly sweet “You will get a blessing if you send this now” rubbish
Forewarned is forearmed
some years ago and every time I add anyone to my address book We ask folk NOT to fwd fwds to us we arent interested
If I get more than two Fwds from a person I send their address to the computers automatic junk mail section and tell them I am doing it and why
Now
I dont get a lot of fwds so my inbox mainly contains useful and wanted stuff
I wish more folk would just NOT fwd fwds
December 9th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Oh dear, whats all the fuss about. Pres. Packer DID get up in fast and testimony and address his ward. He spoke about the depression and hard times when he was younger. Historical FACT. He spoke about the ongoing financial crisis today. FACT. He said the Saints needed to be taught a lesson. FACT. He said a catastrophe was coming but that it would turn the hearts of the righteous to God. Scriptural FACT. World leaders are predicting a major event that will take place in 09 and a coming depression/financial collapse. FACT. Why do so many Saints hate and despise the truth and love the world so much. FACT.
December 9th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
If by the nature of your declarations of FACT, you mean that President Packer did infact make these statements that I have no comment, as his talk has not and will not be released to the general membership. If by FACT you mean that the assertions preceding your declarations are fact then your comments are highly subjective. The fuss is all about the FACT that President Packer gave a talk in his local congregration, which some members interpreted to be a last days “sounding of the warning bell”. The fuss is about what did President Packer intend by his comments. His office, as well as the Church’s main office have insisted that his comments were intended only for those attending his sacrament meeting that day, and should not be considered an official state of affairs from the Church. I hope this helps clear things up for you.
December 10th, 2008 at 10:13 am
[I deleted LukeAir08's last message because it contained attacks on Cowboy's character and intelligence. Please be polite. - ADMIN]
January 4th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
This “talk” continues to make the rounds. On Dec 28, 2008 I visited a ward in Waynesville, NC and heard it read word for word by the concluding speaker. I’d already heard about this “talk” circulating around and, unfortunately, was a witness to it being presented as if it were official church doctrine. I felt it wasn’t my place to say anything to the bishopric, since I was just visiting, but I did talk to the missionaries about it afterwards. Hopefully, the word got back to the unit leaders and they were able to set things straight.