The parable of the unjust steward is one of a number of parables that are recorded in only one of the synoptic gospels, in this case Luke. Luke 16:1-8 reads:
1 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.
3 Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.
4 I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.
5 So he called every one of his lord’s debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?
6 And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.
7 Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.
8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
A lot of lessons can be drawn from this story, some of them more appropriate or commendable than others. One fairly straightforward reading of the parable is as a commendation of the wisdom of preparing for ones future state. A believer might take this as an indication that given the inevitability of death and judgment, one should forsake the world, and gain favor with God.
However, a non-believer could just as reasonably (though with perhaps more problematic results) apply this advice to their own situation. One (such as John) [1] who knew or suspected that he would soon be excommunicated for his actions and who derives significant financial benefit from Mormon-related activities [2] might reasonably seek to situate himself so as to assure continued financial security in his changed cirumstances.
Looking to the future is commendable, and whatever defects one finds in John actions or character he has shown remarkably good strategic instincts on a number of occasions over an extended period of time. However, as in the parable the various actions that comprise his preparing for a future state are not necessarily commendable.
He has been promoting a number of ex-Mormon groups. A quick sampling of his Facebook page shows him advertizing for the “Post-Mormon Relief Society” (12/18/2014), which he endorses, saying that “I certainly can vouch for the awesomeness of my friend who is starting this up.” He next puts in a plug for “Phoenix Open Mormons” (12/18/2014) saying that it provides “a fabulous community of support there. Check it out if interested. I can’t say enough good things about the people in this group.” He next encourages people to build online communities which replace many of the functions of a conventional ward,
Wanna hear a secret that can literally transform your life in unimaginably positive ways?
Find 200 close friends on Facebook. Create a Facebook group. If it’s people all over the world. Fine. If it’s people who live near you, even better (cuz….casseroles!!!! and book clubs!!! and play groups!!! and campouts/hikes!!!).
Work to become closer to each other over time. Share your experiences. Your ups and your downs. Your triumphs and tragedies. Invest in the group like it means something to you. Get together in person whenever you can. Serve each other. And soon you will have a cyber-ward that can literally last you a lifetime.
I’m not making this up. I’ve seen this work. First hand. And it can be truly magical. And transformative. Try it!!!
His efforts over the last several have also included weeks comments alleging that the church leaders do not speak for God , speculation that his stake president had not excommunicated him because he was intimidated by John’s maleness, statements that he had deliberately defied his stake president while appearing to comply, and characterization of the Book of Mormon as fan fiction. They have also included his statements alleging that the evidence against the Book of Mormon as a translation of an ancient document is overwhelming, and that those who disagree do so because of their white/male/straight/married privlege, and because they derive financial/familial/social/psychological benefits from continuing to associate or believe, see here and that spiritual experiences are nothing more than feelings, and are no more ultimately informative.
Whatever one may think of his statements, and much has been said rebutting his claims as illustrated in the previously supplied links, it is relatively clear that they are geared towards, and will be helpful in establishing his credibility among the several ex-Mormon who he will presumably use to forward his enterprises in the future. Establishing or rather reestablishing credibility in these communities is made necessary in part because John has by turns acted in ways favorable or contrary to the interests of those communities. Most notably, shortly before the release of the Greg Smith review of Mormon Stories, which Dehlin attempted to censor, he went through a period of apparent repentance, apparently in order to shield himself from the anticipated consequences of the review. This involved throwing those communities under the bus for a time, but fortunately for him, people have short memories, and those communities are happy enough to accept even relatively inconsistent support, especially if it can lend name recognition or public attention to their cause. Whether Dehlin will be able to derive a stable income in his new strategic posture after his exit, or whether he will ultimately decide it is in his own financial interests to throw them under the bus yet again remains to be seen. In the mean time one thing is clear: in a rare moment of scriptural wisdom Dehlin has his eyes on the future.
[1] John recently posted on a Facebook thread that, “I have been informed that he [John’s Stake President] plans a council, but wanted to get the Christmas/New Years holidays out of the way before he convenes one. Yes…he actually told someone this.”
[2] John Dehlin’s Salary from his Open Stories Foundation is $56,225.95 according to its website, a significant financial interest.
dearjohndehlin 
Love your site!
I am glad someone is addressing the problems associated with John Dehlin.
He has ceetainly fooled many people, just like the so called ministries of anti Mormons (which IMHO are cults).
I am bothered that he has his membership while others have been excommunicated for lesser offences. It is
baffling
Just as baffling are some Mormon scholars and writers and Professors and researchers who are denying the Divine
origins of the Book of Mormon, which means they deny Joseph Smith as a Prophet, and yet they are not excommunicated.
Like the people at the Maxwell Institute.
The anti Mormons jump with joy about people like Dehlin and the others. And the money these people make by
tearing down the church (like the anti Mormons) is disgusting.
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One more thing. Like the cultic anti Mormon ministries and like groups, Dehlin and others like him are
dripping with hypocrisy.
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Just wanted to thank you so much for writing these. Voices that counteract Dehlin’s one-sided-ness are sorely needed and much appreciated! Also, I noticed that the figure you quote for John’s Salary in 2013 didn’t include the additional $30k that the board elected to give to him at the end of the year – funds that were remaining in the account at the time. A significant financial interest indeed
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I take it that you have been very blessed in your life… blessed to have never sat through a sacrament meeting, Relief Society meeting, or Elders Quorum meeting thinking, “I am so alone.” When you’re the only one in a room wondering why everyone else is nodding in agreement with something that you either question or flat-out disavow, the church is a very lonely place. Coming together with like-minded people to realize that you’re not “unrighteous” for having a different opinion that the rest of the fold is healthy and, for some, life-saving. It often takes years of living in a new area to find the kinds of friends whom you can invite to a dinner group and really engage in stimulating conversation without judgment. (That’s my experience… years, literally.) But these groups of friends and associates do eventually take shape and form, with or without John Dehlin. The fact that the Internet can now facilitate such gatherings is a godsend to many and simply expedites the friend-finding process.
Too many of Dehlin’s haters fall into the same fallacy as haters of Joseph Smith once did. They think the person and the movement are one and the same. They actually give John far too much credit. They think if you get rid of the person, you’ll weaken the community. The truth is, the Internet will only continue to help those of us in the lonely back pew (or folding chairs) to gather together. In fact, one may even consider it a “work” that will continue to pick up steam, like the stone in Daniel 2.
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Edit… “THAN the rest of the fold” – not “that”
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I don’t hold any particular opinion that Dehlin’s exit will end all of the difficulties of finding faith and friendship. I, for my own part, would be happy to see him work through his doubts, and find both of those inside the church. The trouble is that he has gone beyond certain bounds that I don’t think support that goal. For example, he has told individuals that their spiritual experiences are just emotion, he has stated publicly that Jesus probably wasn’t the Son of God, and argued against the atonement. Those last two are among the reasons cited by his stake president for the need to discuss his membership. These suggest to me that his goals don’t really involve being in the community of saints in a respectful way.
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So, really, you CAN’T be part of the culture and community without also believing it.
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You can’t be part of the culture and community and actively preach against it. He specifically noted in the documents he released for the press that his beliefs haven’t changed for years, but that his advocacy had. That seems to be the takeaway message. You can stay or you can go, but you can’t stay, and tell people their spiritual experiences are nothing more than their own conditions responses, which he has said.
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Why can’t you stay “and tell people their spiritual experiences are nothing more than their own conditions responses,” if that’s what they already believe? Like most psychologists, John doesn’t tell someone anything that he doesn’t already think. If you’ve ever spent much time listening to John, you would know that John does not go around telling people who actually do believe in divine Providence that such an influence doesn’t exist. Many of his closest friends and colleagues at Mormon Matters still believe strongly in such things, and he’s glad they find solace in such beliefs.
Rather, to those who no longer believe that such manifestations are anything more than emotion, he validates that there is nothing inherently sinful about coming to that very rational conclusion. He’s basically happy whenever someone has landed at any place of contentment, be that in the Church or out, a trait that actually infuriates some of the most ardent members of the ex-Mo crowd.
(Why more members can’t be equally accepting of other members who, for example, don’t believe in the literalness of some LDS claims is beyond me. It’s all or nothing with some people. So, instead of welcoming them to worship/serve in their own way alongside us, we end up alienating people over what is nothing more than an unprovable difference of opinion… arguing over “how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.” And then we wonder why activity rates hover around 30% worldwide. *sigh*)
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So, is this passive-aggressively accusing #JohnDehlin of promoting these groups to make money? That’s pretty foolish. John left a career with MIT to pursue helping LBGTQ and disillusioned Mormons. A tiny bit of good research would reveal that. He has actually been *paying* money to get a new education so that he can become a licensed therapist to help people through their faith crises.
One of the biggest problems in this whole situation is that the minute anyone starts to question the church or anything in it, most faithful/orthodox Mormons will refuse to give anything they say credibility. They would rather write stretched and unlikely stories to create reasons to continue to see Mr. Dehlin and everything he stands for in a negative light, than consider that hey, he might be doing this just because he thinks it is the right thing to do. It’s shameful.
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I will admit that I question your analysis of the financial and other benefits that he is receiving. I’ve posted about this here: https://dearjohndehlin.wordpress.com/2015/02/08/john-dehlin-on-following-the-profit/. I agree that many Mormons when they figure out what Dehlin’s objectives are tend to pay him little attention. I think that is frankly pretty healthy. No one has enough time for all of Mormonism’s critics.
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I knew John when he worked at Microsoft. He left Microsoft a decade ago making around $100k a year. I don’t believe money is John’s primary motivator given he is apparently making less than that today. I do think John wants to help people. I also believe the LDS faith as practiced today does not seem to be a good match for John’s personal beliefs. From an outsiders perspective LDS appears to be a very difficult faith to leave both from the potential social ostracism from family and friends, as well as the spiritual threat of being separated from your family for eternity.
The LDS doctrine impacting the LGBT community appears to be a real issue. With high teenage suicide rates and families being torn apart. I get why someone like John would want to help those in need. I do hope that God provides a revelation to the leadership of the LDS faith like He did in 1978 when racial restrictions for those of African descent was ended.
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No one knows what the future may hold. That having been said, I am not expecting a revelation in that particular direction, but I am nevertheless firmly convinced of the Lord’s ability to surprise me if He so chooses.
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Tina, I sometimes don’t nod in class either.
If I hired you as an employee of my computer company, and you began to tell the world that computers should never have been made, should never be used, that no one should buy our computers, and that my company has major problems, I would probably fire you. The other employees would have a difficult time understanding why you would be working for their company side by side when you rail against it.
If I am running for office as a Democrat, and I decide to campaign, telling everyone publicly, that the Democrats are evil crooks, and I’m running on a platform of traditional marriage, pro-life, cutting taxes, school choice, then I am going to cause a lot of problems within the party and I probably should consider becoming a Republican. Otherwise I am just looking for attention.
I am certainly no member of the orthodoxy or a conservative leaning ideologue. However, there is a big difference between looking for others to support your doubts, and looking for others who support you. If I am having doubts, I would hope that my friends and family and ward would help me through it. But if I cling to those doubts and focus on them, then I will begin to internalize them, believe them and eventually prioritize them as part of my self-defense and new agenda defense process. We all want to be right. There is a big difference between doubting the authenticity of the Spirit, and telling others that there is no Spirit. That is no longer a doubt, but a belief that is being preached. If someone doesn’t believe in the Spirit, the Atonement, the divinity of Jesus Christ, the authenticity of the Book of Mormon or the Prophetic calling of JS, then why in the world is there even a controversy? He probably should decide to leave. I think that is what he is doing. There is no real reason for him to stay a Mormon.
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