tDMg

The other problem with how you’ve set up your definition is that you assume that the motivation for creating such things are for worldly praise and gain, and perhaps in some cases, that is true. But you don’t know me or my motivation for writing An LDS Girls Guide to Real Beauty. It is definitely NOT for worldly gain and praise, nor to set myself up as a light. I did however seek to help the welfare of the daughters of Zion. That was my motivation. WIll I make money off this book. Yes, I will make a small amount. Nothing that will buy me a mansion or a fancy car, but enough to pay off some medical bills. Is money why I wrote the book? No.

Do you have daughters? I do, I have 3 and a sister who is the same age as one of my daughters. I have worked with youth my whole adult life. My mom, sister, and I joined the church at age 10 and that changed my life in many ways. I used those experiences to try and reach out to girls while keeping to gospel principles and standards. This book is geared for ages 10-14, an important age in the development of self esteem and it’s various issues. When my oldest daughter was 10, she was going through a tough self esteem time. Nothing I said would help. She liked to read books by American Girl on self help topics, but she had been through them, so I went to a books store and looked for something that would be what I want to teach her, but that she wouldn’t let me. My jaw hit the floor as I looked through the self help books for girls. First of all, it’s all worldly. Yes, there may be a chapter about inner beauty, but it is right next to the chapter on how masturbate and whether or not sex is right for you. Truly… it’s awful. There was not one thing remotely close to what I felt my daughter needed so I decided to write it in the hopes it would help her and others like her who struggle to find themselves, and know they matter, even in our church that teaches the answer to that.
My daughters gave input to the book and gave me perspective on things I asked them about. I chose to use the gospel as the foundation of what I wrote because I believe as I think most members of the church believe that the gospel should be the foundation of everything we do.

So you don’t like the title, fine. I can see your opinion in that people might take it as a “church produced material.” However, I also think that people who buy such things are smarter than you’re giving them credit for in that regard. I also agree that there are many products that cross the line. I saw a plastic “Liahona” that reminded me of a Magic 8 ball because in the center there were floating messages of “go and do” etc. For me, that crosses the line. But if someone has a gift for music, writing, or art, and want to share that with others, it’s okay as long as it has no mention of being LDS? That makes no sense to me. If there were truly something evil about it, the church wouldn’t be in the business of producing it… for a profit… unless you are accusing the church and it’s leaders of priestcraft. By their fruits ye shall know them… there are many who have been touched by hearing a song from one of those on your list, where the spirit bears witness to them and they feel the answer to a prayer that they had been seeking. The most touching thing I have heard in response to my book is that a young woman felt the spirit and doesn’t feel alone in her feelings anymore. Is that a bad thing?

Are there lines being crossed? Of course. Are all of us who produce things that just happen to be for members of the church practicers of priestcraft? No. Please don’t make blanket accusations toward and judge people of whom you know nothing about.

The Lord makes it clear that He is no respecter of persons (see Acts 10:34).

I wonder if some church members expect the Bishop or Stake President to live better than they do so they can in turn depend on them for things that they themselves should be doing. It’s like saying, “your my (fill in the blank) therefore I want you to live so you can have the Holy Ghost along with the gifts of the spirit, then I can come to you for help, and answers when needed.”

If it’s a poorly made product, and inaccurate product, or one made for the purpose of making a buck (I’m not talking about making any money, I mean get rich scheme type things) it may qualify as priestcraft moreso than other things.

Additionally, priestcrafts involved setting up classes, putting people above other people. Pride, and etc. Oh, well. Why am I defending a friggin’ keychain?