Lavina Vs. Avraham
Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2023 7:36 am
Lavina Fielding Anderson died this week. She was one of the Septembers Six, as was Avraham Gileadi.
Lavin was excommunicated for pointing out ecclesiastical abuse. After her excommunication she remained devoutly active in the church and a genuine believer in the gold plates and the mission of Joseph Smith. She said, "I have kept my covenants, remained close to the church and have felt that what I have done is accepted by the Lord.” A member of her Relief Society said, “I admired the fact that Lavina stayed true to her faith, committed to anything and everything she was allowed to do. She played the piano in Relief Society as long as her health allowed. She knew more about the church and the gospel than anyone I have ever known and was one of its greatest, strongest ladies.”
Yet her petitions for rebaptism were denied. She attended church weekly, but was not able to see her son married in the temple. She died an outcast from her faith.
Avraham Gileadi was excommunicated for publishing, The Last Days, which talked about the coming of The Davidic Servant before the return of Jesus. This is the character that Mormon Fundamentalists call The One Mighty and Strong. Although his book was pulled from Deseret Book, Gileadi was welcomed back into the church and rebaptised just three years later. He has been allowed to continue to publish The Last Days with another press and remains a member in good standing. The book has a 4.4 star rating on Amazon. His interpretations were endorsed and defended by Hugh Nibley and Neal A. Maxwell. Today Deseret Book still carries 8 of his books.
Gileadi sympathizes with Mormon Fundamentalists and has endorsed Thom Harrison's revelations in Visions of Glory as a correct interpretation of things to come, even though it has been the essential handbook that informs the behaviors of people like Chad & Lori Daybell, Tim Ballard, and Julie Rowe. Meanwhile, Harrison's revelations are still published, he was promoted to Bishop, and is professionally supported by the church.
I can't help but look at the comparison of Lavina and Avraham as a litmus test for what this church is really about under the hood.
Lavin was excommunicated for pointing out ecclesiastical abuse. After her excommunication she remained devoutly active in the church and a genuine believer in the gold plates and the mission of Joseph Smith. She said, "I have kept my covenants, remained close to the church and have felt that what I have done is accepted by the Lord.” A member of her Relief Society said, “I admired the fact that Lavina stayed true to her faith, committed to anything and everything she was allowed to do. She played the piano in Relief Society as long as her health allowed. She knew more about the church and the gospel than anyone I have ever known and was one of its greatest, strongest ladies.”
Yet her petitions for rebaptism were denied. She attended church weekly, but was not able to see her son married in the temple. She died an outcast from her faith.
Avraham Gileadi was excommunicated for publishing, The Last Days, which talked about the coming of The Davidic Servant before the return of Jesus. This is the character that Mormon Fundamentalists call The One Mighty and Strong. Although his book was pulled from Deseret Book, Gileadi was welcomed back into the church and rebaptised just three years later. He has been allowed to continue to publish The Last Days with another press and remains a member in good standing. The book has a 4.4 star rating on Amazon. His interpretations were endorsed and defended by Hugh Nibley and Neal A. Maxwell. Today Deseret Book still carries 8 of his books.
Gileadi sympathizes with Mormon Fundamentalists and has endorsed Thom Harrison's revelations in Visions of Glory as a correct interpretation of things to come, even though it has been the essential handbook that informs the behaviors of people like Chad & Lori Daybell, Tim Ballard, and Julie Rowe. Meanwhile, Harrison's revelations are still published, he was promoted to Bishop, and is professionally supported by the church.
I can't help but look at the comparison of Lavina and Avraham as a litmus test for what this church is really about under the hood.
