The Sifting and the Spirit: Lessons from a Departing Priesthood

The narrative arc of the Restoration isn't one of effortless ascent. It's a refining fire, a continual sifting, as prophesied by the ancient prophets. Isaiah declared, “And he shall separate them from the midst of the nations, and gather them unto his vineyard, and make them a people for his name, a people for the Lord of hosts” (Isaiah 2:6). Yet, to be gathered isn’t merely geographical; it’s a spiritual separation, a cleansing from the dross of the world and the false teachings that would lead us astray.

Father John Perricone’s recent interview with Matt Fradd – a sobering account of the ideological upheaval within the Catholic Church – offers a potent, albeit painful, parallel. To witness the deliberate dismantling of foundational doctrine, the orchestrated rejection of revealed truth, and the subsequent exodus of faithful men from the priesthood is a tragedy of immense proportions. It's a testament to the power of Modernism and its insidious creep into even the most hallowed institutions.

His recounting of seminary faculty actively seeking to root out any adherence to pre-1970 Catholic tradition – employing tactics mirroring the Soviet Union’s purges – is chilling. The deliberate rejection of the divinity of Christ, the manufactured crisis of conscience, the abrupt dismissal just days before ordination… these are not merely administrative blunders; they are acts of spiritual warfare. And the poignant exchange with Mother Teresa, where she identifies the worst evil she’s witnessed not as famine or war, but as the denial of Christ, cuts to the quick.

As Latter-day Saints, we are not immune to this spiritual erosion. The pressures of a secularizing world, the siren song of relativism, and the subtle infiltration of worldly philosophies into our own institutions demand constant vigilance. The iron rod of pure doctrine, as spoken of in 1 Nephi 15, isn't merely a symbol; it's a lifeline, a safeguard against the treacherous mists of darkness. How often do we find ourselves clinging to that rod, actively seeking the guidance of the Spirit to discern truth from error?

President Kimball taught, “We must guard against the influences that would undermine the Church and its members. We must be steadfast and immovable in our devotion to the principles of the gospel, even when it is unpopular or when it means standing alone.” (Ensign, May 1985, 6).

The exodus from the Catholic priesthood, as described by Father Perricone, serves as a stark reminder of the cost of compromise. It's a warning to us, as those who have been blessed with the fullness of the gospel, to cherish the truth, to defend it with courage, and to never yield to the pressures of conformity. The Brethren have repeatedly emphasized the importance of defending the doctrine of Christ, and it is our duty as disciples to do the same. Are we actively participating in that defense, or are we passively observing the erosion of truth?

Consider the parallels to the Great Apostasy, foretold in the Book of Mormon. Did the Nephites anticipate the complete abandonment of the covenants? Did they believe that righteousness would be universally embraced? No. They understood the inevitability of apostasy and the necessity of enduring to the end (Matthew 24:13).

Let us examine our own hearts and minds. Are we truly rooted in the scriptures? Are we actively seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit? Are we willing to stand as witnesses of Christ, even when it is difficult? The refining fire is upon us; may we emerge purified and strengthened, clinging fast to the iron rod, and unwavering in our testimony.