The COVID Vaccine Conundrum

The brethren have followed a pattern in counseling for sensitive social or cultural issues. We should prayerfully take their advise to heart.

The Rorschach Test

“Follow the prophets even when you disagree with them on vaccines and masks.”

That’s what a good friend of mine posted online this morning. He quickly followed up, “Yeah, my tweet is gonna be a Rorschach test.”

He’s not wrong. This is a divisive issue. It’s not hard to imagine people on opposing sides quoting “follow the prophet” victoriously… and then subsequently advocating for their original position on vaccines and masks (funny how that happens).

It is not unlike the situation presented by an internet meme:

Just like a Rorschach test!

But that’s not quite right, is it?

It’s true that this shape may well be interpreted either way (I was reminded of this as I inserted the numbers into the hymn board in the chapel this past Sunday – all the 6s and 9s are grouped together). At the same time, we can’t look at the number in the image above in isolation. There is going to be some context that provides clues as to the meaning. It might be other numbers, some text, or even a building, but there will be something to help us orient ourselves.

There is a right answer.

Fighting over interpretation and emphasis is not new. For me, it feels a bit like how we contend over the role of grace in our individual salvation, or the manner in which we should engage with those with whom we disagree. Believing Latter-day Saints yell at each other while quoting 2 Nephi 25:23, with one side saying, “We are saved by grace AFTER ALL WE CAN DO!” and the other side saying, “It’s after all we can do, but WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE!” The same believing Latter-day Saints yell at each other while quoting Alma 38:12, with one side saying, “Be bold, BUT NOT OVERBEARING!” and the other side saying, “Don’t be overbearing, BUT BE BOLD!

The principles behind both of these ideas are not superficial. That’s why we see confusion when we reduce these ideas to a single verse. Still, the fact remains that there is a “right answer,” and it’s not inscrutable.

So it is with the question of the Church’s position on vaccination. There is a right answer. And if the prophets have determined an issue is important enough to comment on, it’s important for us to understand what they’ve said.

I’ve found that it’s surprisingly easy to determine what the prophets are saying about vaccination, including the COVID-19 vaccination. It need not be a Rorschach test.

The Official Position

The “Virtue” of Neutrality

I was talking to a good brother yesterday about this question, and he prefaced his comments by saying that he was “not pro- or anti-vaccine.” He added that he was, instead, “pro-freedom of health practices.” In that, at least, I’m with him – “don’t tread on me” is running through my veins just like for any other warm-blooded, self-respecting American.

That doesn’t matter, though, does it? Our personal politics have absolutely no influence on what is true and what is not.

Sometimes neutrality is seen as a boon to a person’s credibility, but centrism and compromise aren’t necessarily (or automatically) virtuous. Neutrality on vaccinations and masking doesn’t change the facts.

The Church itself is not neutral on vaccines generally or on the COVID-19 vaccine specifically. There is room for some interpretation – it is not meet that we be commanded in all things, and the Lord leaves ample room for us to exercise moral agency – but the best way to summarize the Church’s position might be that vaccinations- including with the COVID-19 vaccine – are encouraged, with the caveat that (as with other questions of personal medical choices) the decision is ultimately the individual’s, under advisement of competent medical professions and in concert with the Holy Ghost.

Uh oh.

Do you see it?

Do you see what I did?

We’re all going to be yelling at each other, quoting our little “follow the prophet” Rorschach test, with one side saying, “Vaccination is encouraged, BUT THE DECISION IS LEFT TO THE MEMBER!” and the other side saying, “While the decision is left to the member, VACCINATION IS ENCOURAGED!

Dang it.

This is basically what I’ve seen happening back and forth for six months. But there is a right answer! We just need to look at the greater context.

A Pattern of Informed Choice in Medical and Other Decisions

Significantly, the Church generally follows the same notable pattern when it comes to most personal medical decisions: a principle is taught, moral agency is endorsed, and consultation with professionals and with the Holy Ghost is encouraged.

Take the Church policy on birth control (General Handbook, 38.6.4). We find principles related to physical intimacy, the importance of bearing children, and finally the following admonition – “The decision about how many children to have and when to have them is extremely personal and private. It should be left between the couple and the Lord… Members may benefit from counseling with medical professionals” (emphasis added). This is repeated with surgical sterilization – “This decision is a personal matter that is ultimately left to the judgment and prayerful consideration of the husband and wife. Couples should counsel together in unity and seek the confirmation of the Spirit in making this decision…. Members may benefit from counseling with medical professionals” (emphasis added).

Principle. Agency. Spiritual confirmation. Professional involvement as needed.

Take the Church policy on donating gametes (General Handbook, 38.6.7). We find a principle related to children and families, a specific discouragement, and finally the following admonition – “This is a personal matter that is ultimately left to the judgment and prayerful consideration of the potential donor” (emphasis added).

Principle. Agency. Spiritual confirmation. Professional involvement as needed.

This pattern is repeated with the Church policies on medical questions like fertility treatments (38.6.9), surrogacy (38.6.22), intersex persons (38.7.7), medical care generally (38.7.8), and even abortion (38.6.1), and to a similar degree with non-medical questions like wearing the garment (38.5.5) and emigration (38.8.17).

Principle. Agency. Spiritual confirmation. Professional involvement as needed.

It is not meet that we be commanded in all things. As Joseph said, “I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves.”

A Positive Approach to Vaccination Generally

This same pattern is followed in the Church policy on vaccinations. The policy in 38.7.13 says,

“Vaccinations administered by competent medical professionals protect health and preserve life. Members of the Church are encouraged to safeguard themselves, their children, and their communities through vaccination.

“Ultimately, individuals are responsible to make their own decisions about vaccination. If members have concerns, they should counsel with competent medical professionals and also seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost.

“Prospective missionaries who have not been vaccinated will likely be limited to assignments in their home country” (emphasis added).

Principle. Agency. Spiritual confirmation. Professional involvement as needed.

And yet, again, while allowances are made for agency and personal decisions, the Church is not neutral on the use of vaccines. In fact, it’s no more neutral on vaccinations than it is on something like surgical sterilization.

What is the principle that precedes the endorsement of agency? Vaccines are encouraged to protect and preserve life.

In conjunction with some Church leaders receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, the First Presidency released a similar statement on vaccinations generally. They wrote,

“In word and deed, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has supported vaccinations for generations. As a prominent component of our humanitarian efforts, the Church has funded, distributed and administered life-saving vaccines throughout the world. Vaccinations have helped curb or eliminate devastating communicable diseases, such as polio, diphtheria, tetanus, smallpox and measles. Vaccinations administered by competent medical professionals protect health and preserve life” (emphasis added).

What is the principle? Vaccines are encouraged to protect and preserve life.

This statement mirrors a 1978 statement from the First Presidency in support of vaccinations for children. They wrote,

“Reports that increasing numbers of children are not being immunized against preventable childhood diseases deeply concern us….

“We urge members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to protect their own children through immunization. Then they may wish to join other public-spirited citizens in efforts to eradicate ignorance and apathy that have caused the disturbingly low levels of childhood immunization….

“Immunization campaigns in the United States and other nations, if successful, will end much needless suffering and erase the potential threat of epidemics. Such efforts are deserving of our full support” (emphasis added).

What is the principle? Vaccines are encouraged to protect and preserve life.

An Encouragement to Immunize Against COVID-19

What about the COVID-19 vaccines?

As part of that same statement made in conjunction with some Church leaders receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, the First Presidency wrote,

“As this pandemic spread across the world, the Church immediately canceled meetings, closed temples, and restricted other activities because of our desire to be good global citizens and do our part to fight the pandemic.

“Now, COVID-19 vaccines that many have worked, prayed, and fasted for are being developed, and some are being provided. Under the guidelines issued by local health officials, vaccinations were first offered to health care workers, first responders, and other high-priority recipients. Because of their age, Senior Church leaders over 70 now welcome the opportunity to be vaccinated.

As appropriate opportunities become available, the Church urges its members, employees and missionaries to be good global citizens and help quell the pandemic by safeguarding themselves and others through immunization. Individuals are responsible to make their own decisions about vaccination. In making that determination, we recommend that, where possible, they counsel with a competent medical professional about their personal circumstances and needs” (emphasis added).

Principle. Agency. Spiritual confirmation. Professional involvement as needed.

What is the principle? Vaccines are encouraged to protect and preserve life, and members are urged to become immunized against COVID-19.

Statements like these from the united First Presidency and from handbook policy are what we might call authoritative. The General Handbook itself tells us that “the authoritative sources are the scriptures, the teachings of the living prophets, and the General Handbook” (38.8.40).

There are also non-authoritative statements that we should still take seriously, and these include isolated statements from members of the First Presidency.

As part of a story released by the Church News (already linked above), President Oaks said, “I’m glad our turn has come to have this vaccination. We’re very hopeful that the general vaccination of the population will help us get ahead of this awful pandemic. It’s hopeful, like the light at the end of the tunnel. There is relief and appreciation involved for those who have invented the vaccine and for those who have caused it to be generally available on a sensible priority system” (emphasis added).

Vaccination for just Church leaders? Just the elderly? Just those who travel extensively as part of Church assignments? No. “The general vaccination of the population.”

President Nelson has also tweeted and posted about receiving the vaccine. In the expanded Facebook post, he said,

With approval from our physician, my wife, Wendy, and I were vaccinated today against COVID-19. We are very grateful. This was the first week either of us was eligible to receive the vaccine. We are thankful for the countless doctors, scientists, researchers, manufacturers, government leaders, and others who have performed the grueling work required to make this vaccine available. We have prayed often for this literal godsend.

“As a former surgeon and medical researcher, I know something of the effort needed to accomplish such a remarkable feat. Producing a safe, effective vaccine in less than a year is nothing short of miraculous. I was a young surgeon when, in 1953, Dr. Jonas Salk announced that he had developed a vaccine against the cruel and crippling disease of polio. I then watched the dramatic impact that vaccine had on eradicating polio as most people around the world were vaccinated.

“For generations, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has donated considerable resources to making vaccinations available for people in developing countries. Vaccinations have helped to eliminate diseases such as diphtheria and smallpox. My professional and ecclesiastical experiences convince me that vaccinations administered by competent medical professionals protect health and preserve life.

“Receiving the vaccine today was part of our personal efforts to be good global citizens in helping to eliminate COVID-19 from the world” (emphasis added).

Presumably, when President Nelson talks about praying for a miracle, he’s referring to the petitions of believes in God all over the world. If President Nelson is comfortable calling this “a literal godsend,” an answer to prayer, “nothing short of miraculous,” I’m inclined to believe and follow him.

Other Admonitions

There are two other admonitions that, while not directly related to vaccinations, pertain to the pandemic and are worth considering.

First, Elder Renlund also posted about temple reopening. He said,

“Today I speak to you not as a former physician. I speak to you as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. Like you, I am grateful for the news of the limited reopening of select temples for proxy work for our ancestors.

“As we seek for opportunities to allow for more temple worship in safe and responsible ways, we also must keep in mind that as individuals, as families, and as a Church we will be judged by how we treat the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our societies. As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads around the world, it wreaks havoc among those who are already disadvantaged. Sadly, responses to the pandemic have been politicized and contentious. Our response need not be.

“As we anticipate performing more proxy ordinances in the temples, we do for others what they cannot do for themselves. Without these blessings, these deceased individuals are profoundly disadvantaged.

“The Savior taught that the second great commandment, after loving God, was “thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” As it relates to this pandemic, especially in temples, that means social distancing, wearing a mask, and not gathering in large groups. These steps demonstrate our love for others and provide us a measure of protection. Wearing a face covering is a sign of Christlike love for our brothers and sisters” (emphasis added).

Months later, during the recent April 2021 General Conference, President Nelson also spoke about temple reopening. He said,

“You may be wondering when you will be able to return to the temple. Answer: Your temple will be open when local government regulations allow it. When the incidence of COVID-19 in your area is within safe limits, your temple will be reopened. Do all you can to bring COVID numbers down in your area so that your temple opportunities can increase” (emphasis added).

Conclusions About Church Policy

This is why the best way to summarize the Church’s position might be that vaccinations- including with the COVID-19 vaccine – are encouraged, with the caveat that (as with other questions of personal medical choices) the decision is ultimately the individual’s, under advisement of competent medical professions and in concert with the Holy Ghost.

You’ll note that I’m not telling anyone that they should be vaccinated. I’ve not even revealed whether or not I was vaccinated, or who in my household is vaccinated. These are personal questions and matters for individuals, and in a church/gospel setting, those kinds of endorsements or directives are inappropriate.

But that doesn’t change what Church leaders are saying.

I’m not going to go back and forth with anyone else on this issue any longer. I’m tired of the contention. But in my heart I feel that one of the best antidotes to contention is truth, after which we allow for people to make their choices. That is what the Savior Himself did. Right after teaching the disciples about the correct manner of baptism, He tells them that He’s commanded them in this way in part to quell disputations. He taught:

And according as I have commanded you thus shall ye baptize. And there shall be no disputations among you, as there have hitherto been…. For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.

It is my hope that, in laying this out in this way, those with questions about what the prophets have deemed important enough to comment on can find answers. Perhaps then there may be fewer disputations among us.

And what of those who count themselves exceptions? Another good friend wrote recently, “You can be an exception to the rule, and even point out an exception when it exists, as long as you don’t preach the exception instead of the rule. Exceptions are necessary, but it is important that they remain exceptions.”

I want to get back to the temple, and it’s clear from President Nelson’s comments that the only impediment is government regulation. For my part, I’m going to accept President Nelson’s invitation to “do all we can so that temples can reopen.” In the public square, that might mean that I, as the First Presidency said in 1978, “join other public-spirited citizens in efforts to eradicate ignorance and apathy” that I see in relation to COVID-19 vaccines. In a gospel context, that might mean that I, as the current First Presidency has said, encourage others to “counsel with a competent medical professional about their personal circumstances and needs.” This is the least that I can do.

On Unity and Brotherhood

I asked Teancum’s Javelin’s editor if he even wanted a piece like this to run on the site. He told me, “I have a widely differing view of everything COVID, but we’re on the same team.” He added, “Nothing but love, brother – don’t forget it” (emphasis added).

I thought that was profoundly perfect for those of us seeking to establish Zion.

I was in a meeting this past weekend with a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He mentioned specifically disagreement over vaccinations. Speaking to priesthood leaders, he said, “I’ve seen questions about a topic that’s true across North America, and that includes in your area. Priesthood leaders have asked how we can have greater unity in our communities and units. There are differences of view about vaccines and all kinds of things. Let me share a couple scriptures and invite you to think about them.”

We then read together and discussed Mosiah 18:21, Alma 13:18, Mormon 1:18, and 1 Nephi 15:25. I might extend that same apostolic invitation to you.

A member of the Seventy added his own remarks. He added, “Be the kind of leader that can bring peace. As we move closer to the Savior, we can rise above contention, we can rise above differences of preference, and find the peace the gospel brings. Leaders, be an instrument of peace, a driver of solutions, and never part of the problem. We have a responsibility to rise above our own political opinions because we represent Jesus Christ. Bring peace to those over whom you have stewardship” (emphasis added).

Speaking about our influence over social media, the local mission president then shared his own thoughts. He said, “I thought social media was a waste of time. But [I’ve realized that] we can take up some space on the internet and fill it with light. If everyone in the church would look at their social media and remove… the ranting/raving… it would make a huge difference. Be an influence for good wherever you go” (emphasis added).

Believe it or not, this is my attempt to add light to the space I occupy on the internet. We may disagree, but we’re still on the same team – nothing but love, my brothers and sisters. Like I said above, I don’t want to cause contention, and while I want so much to get back to the temple, and back to two-hour church, and back to optional masking at church meetings, I’m not trying to persuade anyone to do anything other than better understand what Church leaders have said. What you do with that, and what exceptions apply to you, are a matter for you and the Lord.

It’s my absolute testimony that as we seek to understand and receive the voice of His servants, we demonstrate to the Lord that no personal ideology will hamper our efforts to follow Him, and consequently we improve our ability to #HearHim.

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