Priestcraft

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.blogspot.com

Growing up in the rural South, I frequently found myself sitting in a church pew, listening to a preacher talk about Jesus, the bible, hell, heaven, salvation and then, a lot more about hell.  It seemed to me, at the time, that we were all going there – hell, that is, according to the preacher.  He would describe that place in great detail and then tell me what I needed to do in order not to go there.  Being a young boy easily subject to sunburns, I determined early that the "fires of hell" would not be good for my delicate skin.   Unfortunately, my vision of heaven was much more sketchy other than the standard "streets paved of gold and a land flowing with milk and honey."  That was a lot to take in for a young boy – sounded rather sticky and strange to me - but better than the alternative.

Inevitably, the deacons would come down the aisles and pass the “plate.”  I always felt bad that I didn’t have any spare change – just my quarter that was devoted to next Saturday’s movie at the Alhambra Theater.  The Alhambra weekly movie was always worth more to me in entertainment value than the preacher – but not by too much.  Whether it was a Sunday service, a revival, a funeral, or other preaching service, I came to value the value of “the word” from the mouths of these Godly servants.

Even today, I enjoy the occasional radio or TV sermon.  I have my favorites.  Unfortunately, it seems much has changed from my childhood experiences.  Today, almost all of the televised preachers (not all – but most), leave me feeling like they want to entertain me.  The simple message of salvation delivered simply but powerfully has been replaced by expensively produced televised religiously-oriented variety shows.  The call to “come forth” and confess Jesus has been replaced by the call to “pay up.”  After all, I guess the TV producers, directors, the orchestra, the cameras, the overseas marketing, the preacher’s clothes, cars, mansions, and private plane do add up.

I now belong to a church that has no “paid ministry.”  Ministers and pastors (of which I am one) serve without pay.  The Church, its buildings and materials, are funded as scripturally ordained by the tithes of the people – 10% of one’s annual increase.  The poor are provided for by the work of the members and the offerings that come from the Law of the Fast, spoken of in Isaiah 58. 

In this week’s meditative verse we find that “Priestcraft” – preaching for money, power, and glory – is not a new institution.  I still enjoy those few preachers of various faiths, who preach the word of God humbly, sincerely, insightfully, and with power – and not for their “gain.”  But they are becoming an extinct species.  I will miss them when they are finally gone and we are only left with religious entertainers,  for as this week’s verse proclaims, “When doctrine is preached for a pence, both doctrine and people are cheated.”

Priestcraft

  But Alma said unto him: Behold, this is the first time that priestcraft has been introduced among this people. And behold, thou art not only guilty of priestcraft, but hast endeavored to enforce it by the sword; and were priestcraft to be enforced among this people it would prove their entire destruction…And it came to pass that they took him; and his name was Nehor; and they carried him upon the top of the hill Manti, and there … he suffered an ignominious death…Nevertheless, this did not put an end to the spreading of priestcraft through the land; for there were many who loved the vain things of the world, and they went forth preaching false doctrines; and this they did for the sake of riches and honor.

Book of Mormon    Alma 1:12-16

When doctrine is preached for a pence

Both doctrine and people are cheated

Ministry surrenders to dollars and cents

And spiritual growth is defeated

Some preachers are misinformed but sincere

Lacking key eternal truths and Godly power

Neither fortune nor fame do they revere

Only to minister, pastor and empower

But when false clerics and preachers perform

They preach for glory, status, honor and riches

Unholy homilies that neither redeem nor reform

Devoid of doctrine that saves and enriches

When people love what is popular and vain

They will pay well to hear it preached

Sermons to mollify, soothe and sustain

Behavior they do not want impeached

Priestcraft prospers and thrives today

Among preachers popular and renowned

Upon the spiritually sensitive they prey

Trumpets blaring but with an uncertain sound

Larry Doyle Crenshaw