Democracy Quote by N. Eldon Tanner
““We often hear the Church referred to as a democracy, when in reality, instead of being a church where the body is governed by officers elected by the members, the Church is a theocracy, where God directs his church through representatives chosen by him.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints, 1965
The church is often mischaracterized as a democracy, but it functions as a theocracy guided by divine authority through appointed representatives.
In simple terms: Church is theocratic, not democratic.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the role of divine guidance in governance.
Themes
religion
authority
theocracy
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
theological
institutional
When to use this quote
- church leadership
- member participation
- policy decisions
Key Concepts
divine governance
institutional structure
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this view affect member engagement?
- Is divine authority compatible with modern governance?
A Different Perspective
Tension exists between democratic expectations and theocratic practice.
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