2 conservative beliefs Latter-day Saints must stop believing to go to heaven

A few weeks ago, I asked politically conservative friends on Facebook to tell me what, if any, of my liberal beliefs I likely need to give up in order to attain the kingdom of God. I was encouraged that no comments called me to political repentance. But I was also a little surprised. I actually do think that one’s beliefs have a major impact on one’s standing before God. And I do think that having an incorrect belief can disqualify a person from salvation. As the Doctrine & Covenants teaches, “It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance.” (D&C 131:6) While I do believe that we will all have time in post-mortality to correct our ignorances, I believe it’s important to use mortality to get as close as possible to the truth in all its forms. 

That said, I want to elaborate on two beliefs that I think must be abandoned for salvation. For most of these, I think we are all guilty, irrespective of political orientation. But several of these are enshrined in conservative dogma, and deeply held by followers of conservative politics, so this isn’t just a universal cry of repentance, but also a direct call to Latter-day Saint conservatives to repent. 

The tricky thing about most evil is that it hides. So if you read this, and think “I don’t believe that,” or, “I do believe that statement, but I don’t think it means wha you say it means,” I encourage you to look a little bit deeper. When phrased negatively, I am sure you would not intentionally and explicitly adopt these credos. But the positively framed versions of them are perhaps even more dangerous, because they hide lies within truths and make evil appear good and good appear evil. 

1- America First 

AKA: people who share my national, racial, or cultural identity should be prioritized in public policy.

You hear this in many forms. When the number of Syrian refugees dramatically increased a few years ago, many conservatives deflected calls to increase refugee admittance by arguing that Americans need greater domestic investment first. Similar points are made about immigration from Mexico and other central and south American countries. And the fear consistently arises, and arguably catapulted the brief political career of Donald Trump, that foreigners are taking the jobs, the resources, and the votes of American citizens. 

Not only do the Lord’s commandments invite us to think otherwise, but Jesus framed an equal love between neighbor and self as the second great commandment, coming after only “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God.” (Matthew 22:39): “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” The Lord demands more than tolerance for others, he commands love in the strongest possible terms. And he commands us to love others in the same way that we love ourselves. Not after, or lesser, or in different kind. And who is your neighbor? You know this one. See “The Good Samaritan.” 

Of course, we have to make choices. Sometimes we have to prioritize. But the belief that priority should always, or most-often, be given to white Americans is antithetical to Christian life. 

How should you repent of the false doctrine of America First? I think this quote from author Phil Klay, in his short story “Prayer in the Furnace” about the experience of a platoon of soldiers in Iraq is a good starting call to action: 

"All of us suffer. We can either feel isolated, and alone, and lash out at others, or we can realize we're part of a community. A church. . . Maybe you don't think it’s worth trying to understand the suffering of (others). But being a Christian means we can never look at another human being and say, 'He is not my brother.'" 

If you need a book recommendation to help you start considering the suffering of people different from you, just ask. 

2- Systemic racism doesn’t exist 

AKA: Black people are fundamentally inferior to white people. 

Do those not sound the same to you? Author Ibram X Kendi has put this false doctrine to bed by pointing out that there are only two possible explanations for documented racial disparities in America. Either racial disparities exist because there is something fundamentally wrong with black people, or racial disparities exist because systemic forces have disadvantaged black and brown people in American society (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBFYQu1ZYD0&t=177s). As he writes in his book, Stamped from the Beginning, “When you truly believe that the racial groups are equal, then you also believe that racial disparities must be the result of racial discrimination.” 

If you think that fewer government resources and less media attention should be directed toward reducing racial discrimination and it’s ongoing effects, because you believe that America’s racist sins are totally behind us, you are racist. 

That doesn’t mean that you will definitely be first in line to rip civil rights away from African American citizens. It doesn’t mean that you would ever explicitly degrade others for their race or ethnic heritage. But it does probably mean that you will consistently give white people the benefit of the doubt, which you will withhold from black people when they come in contact with the law. It does probably mean that you will make automatic assumptions about black people that you meet in public, or interview for jobs, or consider as possible elected officials. And it means that you will favor public policy that at best ignores and at worst perpetuates racial inequity. 

Of course, even if you believe that systemic racism exists and is an important modern problem, you likely hold racist beliefs and biases (you’re not off the hook, liberals). And you will have to abandon those to enter the kingdom of God. 

All sins can be overcome by the atonement of Jesus Christ, but racism is particularly pernicious because interpersonal unity is an essential part of that very atonement. In Christ’s great intercessory prayer (John 17), he said, 

20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 

21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 

22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 

23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. 

There is absolutely no enmity between the Father and the Son, no bias from one against the other. They are one. And to be saved, we need to have the same total lack of bad feeling and that same total oneness toward everyone who will also partake of the great atonement unto salvation. That will include people of all races and nationalities, for God is no respecter of persons. 

Hear Him: (From D&C 38) 

24 And let every man esteem his brother as himself, and practice virtue and holiness before me. 

25 And again I say unto you, let every man esteem his brother as himself. 

26 For what man among you having twelve sons, and is no respecter of them, and they serve him obediently, and he saith unto the one: Be thou clothed in robes and sit thou here; and to the other: Be thou clothed in rags and sit thou there—and looketh upon his sons and saith I am just? 

27 Behold, this I have given unto you as a parable, and it is even as I am. I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine. 

How can you start the process of uprooting racism within you? 

I think a good start is a recognition that you have framed the issue incorrectly. Google anti-racism and start trying to make it your orientation around race rather than just being “not racist” or “colorblind.” And try to stop considering every proposal or call to black dignity and empowerment as contrary or exclusionary to your own interests. 

In conclusion 

I might do more posts like this focusing on the evils that often come with capitalism, patriarchy, homonormativity, etc. because of course these two items are not the only beliefs that you’ll need to abandon for Christ. Christ wants all of you. 

If you read this, feel free to argue with me in the comments, and who knows? I might change my mind. Repentance is so vital and I hope I never feel beyond it in mortality. 

I’m also curious what other beliefs you think must be abandoned to inherit eternal life. Comment those. 

I say these things in the na--Oh wait. This isn’t that kind of thing.