To burn or not to burn? S.W.Kimball’s “The Miracle of Forgiveness”

technobodhi.com

Written over fifty years ago, Spencer W. Kimball’s book The Miracle of Forgiveness presents a complicated challenge. “Some of the book's statements no longer match church policy; even the author said he regretted its tough tone,” writes Peggy Fletcher Stack in the Salt Lake Tribune. “The much-circulated 1969 treatise on guilt, wrongdoing and repentance by then-apostle Kimball, who died in 1985, . . . now has sold at least 1.6 million copies, was routinely distributed to departing Mormon missionaries, engaged LDS couples and members disciplined for ‘sexual sin.’"

Many have found the book valuable. At the same time, some parts, especially the chapter on LGBTQ children of God, contain hurtful statements that I won’t repeat here. I choose not to give those thoughts any more airtime.

Although the book is out of print, many of those 1.6 million copies are still found in used bookstores, libraries and homes throughout the world, and electronic versions are still available.

Some LGBTQ folks and advocates buy up copies wherever they are found and have a burning party: a ritual to try to heal from the damaging doctrine inside.

Others print out a copy of the current gospel topics essay about LGBTQ issues and tuck it inside each volume. That sends at least three overlapping messages: 1) that chapter in the book is wrong, 2) doctrine can change, and 3) apostles and even prophets aren’t always right, nor should we expect them to be. We can extend them the same grace for their mistakes that we hope for ourselves, even when mistakes result in great pain for others.

To burn or not to burn? Both are good choices. The Spirit will let you know which is right for you.

What takes its place on LDS bookshelves for those interested in, well, the miracle of forgiveness? Modern apostle Elder Neil L. Andersen’s book The Divine Gift of Forgiveness seems to occupy this space, now available in English (regular and journal edition), Spanish, Portuguese and French. Nowhere in the book does Elder Andersen offer a catalog of sins, only steps towards the solution — forgiveness and healing.

Here’s looking ahead to that brighter day.

-Marci