10 And it came to pass that when Ammon had said these words, his brother Aaron rebuked him, saying: Ammon, I fear that thy joy doth carry thee away unto boasting.
Was (perhaps) Aaron a little jealous of his brother? It seems obvious that Ammon was simply gushing out his thanks and praise to God, which was like unto the praise that the disciples of Christ gave at his triumphant entry. The praise for which the Pharisees rebuked Jesus’ disciples out of jealousy, and which Jesus said that if these should hold their peace the very stones would cry out!
35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
36 And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.
37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
I think it interesting that the scriptures say Aaron rebuked his brother. Aaron’s words sounded like he was just concerned for Ammons welfare, but the spirit of his words may have been in the description. He rebuked him. That’s a strong word— rebuke. Perhaps the brother was a little jealous, and perhaps Aaron had struggled with a little sibling rivalry when they were young, much like Joseph who was sold into Egypt and Laman and Lemuel with their younger brother Nephi. Maybe there was a little jealousy there.
If that is the case, it’s not an attack or criticism against that good man Aaron! But perhaps it is a lesson for us to not expect that just because a man is striving to be good, and is faithful and even performed many miracles, that he doesn’t suffer from the weaknesses of the flesh and all of its imperfections like the rest of humanity. So it is with everyone, even the prophets. We ought not to idolize them, or think they are more than what they are. It is the position they hold that is great, and not necessarily the man. They are weak like unto us all, even if faithdul for the most part. That faithfulness entails repenting of their sins every day and humbling themselves before the Lord, like Moses, who the scripture states was the most humble of all men on the earth at that time.
Even the prophet Joseph spoke to this, saying the people ought not to expect perfection from him, and if they did he should except it from them!
“I told them [the Saints] I was but a man, and they must not expect me to be perfect; if they expected perfection from me, I should expect it from them; but if they would bear with my infirmities … I would likewise bear with their infirmities.”
If the greatest prophet to live on earth, who has done more for the salvation of man than any but Christ, tells us not to expect perfection in him, then we ought not to idolize and put on a pedestal the leaders of this church, both local and general, who are imperfect men. If we do, and then find that they are far from perfect, it will shake a very sandy foundation of faith. For it is the merciful God who forgives their sins and makes them an instrument in his hands that we should worship and trust in. The Creator, not the created. Here is some interesting thoughts from an article quoting President Uchtdorf:
“SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) It is wrong to assume that Mormons who leave the faith “have been offended or lazy or sinful,” a top leader told members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday (Oct. 5) during the church’s 183rd Semiannual General Conference.
“It is not that simple,” said Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the LDS Church’s governing three-man First Presidency.
Some struggle with “unanswered questions about things that have been done or said in the past,” Uchtdorf explained. “We openly acknowledge that in nearly 200 years of church history — along with an uninterrupted line of inspired, honorable and divine events — there have been some things said and done that could cause people to question.”
“To be perfectly frank,” Uchtdorf said, “there have been times when members or leaders in the church have simply made mistakes. There may have been things said or done that were not in harmony with our values, principles or doctrine.”
“God is perfect and his doctrine is pure, he said, but human beings — including church leaders — are not”.
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