{"id":34158,"date":"2015-10-14T12:33:52","date_gmt":"2015-10-14T17:33:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/?p=34158"},"modified":"2015-10-16T13:41:55","modified_gmt":"2015-10-16T18:41:55","slug":"internationalizing-mormon-leadership-the-normal-pace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/2015\/10\/internationalizing-mormon-leadership-the-normal-pace\/","title":{"rendered":"Internationalizing Mormon Leadership: The Normal Pace"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Hands<\/a>
Hands on a globe — Image by \u00a9 Royalty-Free\/Corbis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the Salt Lake Tribune<\/em> of October 5, Jana Riess regrets<\/a> that the top leadership of the Mormon church is all-white and overwhelmingly American, and that the recent apostolic callings missed the chance to reflect the church\u2019s international diversity. Others have expressed the same disappointment. I can appreciate their concern, but I wonder how many non-American Mormons would agree. Are we certain that an apostle from Brazil or Kenya would be preferred by most Mormons in 130 other<\/em> countries above a seasoned leader from Utah? Or did some of those disappointed Americans perhaps react from a \u201cwhite guilt \/ white savior complex\u201d by coming to the rescue of the allegedly discriminated-against international membership?<\/p>\n

Besides, do we know how many non-Americans may have been considered to fill the vacant apostle positions, but none was found adequate yet at this time? Perhaps the one closest to being called was finally considered too rigid? Then many would probably be grateful that Elder Rasband or Elder Renlund were selected instead. Perhaps apostles are also chosen because they have, from deep-rooted experiences in the heart of Mormonism, a maturing perspective of church doctrine and history and are able to address its questions properly?<\/p>\n

No doubt the internationalization of the higher leadership is very much on the mind of the top. But I can understand their caution and I trust their thorough acquaintance with potential nominees, also from abroad. It took the Catholic Church 1500 years before a non-Italian pope came to the helm, and then another four centuries before the second. I expect it will go faster in the Mormon Church, but in historical perspective Mormonism is still in its infancy.<\/p>\n

However, since it may be decades before non-Americans fill the upper rank proportionally, what seems more important is that present American leaders are more open to suggestions when dealing with the international dimension of the church. From five decades of church experience in various countries, I could mention the following as examples of suggestions\u2014without implying reform in doctrine or organization:<\/p>\n