A Mask Mandate Worth Considering

 

Image by Peaknatural.com

Just for the record… I am opposed to the whole mask thing.

There is too much question as to the effectiveness of its use as well as the motive of those requiring it to put much faith in it. Here are a few of my concerns.

1-      Those who are die-hard supporters of it are usually highly motivated by fear or a desire to control others for what they suppose is the greater good. In fact, there isn’t much difference between the mask mandate and the adversary’s agenda of forcing others by removing choice. It’s a communist application through medical fear

2-      The entire atmosphere regarding the mask is political rather than medical. It is infuriating to see the masses of the people played like pawns on a game board. I’m still not sure to what end (other than fear), though everyone seems to feel that this is another bogus attempt to push a political agenda.

3-      The science is less than convincing. What little we do know about the virus indicates that the transfer of it is not easily stopped by the masks. I saw an illustration that demonstrated just how ineffective the mask is at preventing its transfer. An individual wearing a mask walked through some powder-like substance which particles were larger than the size of the virus. When the mask was removed, his nose was visibly covered with the substance. There is no way the typical mask that we are required to wear can prevent or even reduce the chance of the virus’ airborne entrance.

4-      The danger of the “cure” seems worse than the disease. Breathing in Carbon Dioxide without adequate ventilation is not only suffocating and uncomfortable, it provides an ample amount of risk to one’s health that could be avoided simply by breathing non-stifled air. Increased accidents and falls as well as other potential internal poisonings are the result of this “protection”.

5-      The virus is not that bad though fear of it is. I’ve known several people who have experienced the virus and although it was not pleasant, it was described as more of an inconvenience than a scary or painful experience.  Granted, not everyone may be as fortunate in how their body responds to it but one thing is certain. Fear is a very low vibrational energy which weakens the immune system. Operating in a state of fear greatly enhances your chances of getting and suffering from it – much more than a mask prevents it.

6-      I’m not a fan of the new fashion. Although I’m grateful for the ability to still see the eyes of an individual wearing a mask, it definitely alters the ability to connect with, or even recognize someone you know. The Islamic culture of women wearing a veil is not a fashion I particularly want to emulate.

7-      The Mark of the Beast. I don’t really think the mask is the mark of the beast that was prophesied about in the scriptures, but it is quickly becoming apparent that you cannot do business, or even enter a business, without having that sign of compliance.

8-      People don’t wear them correctly. Whether it is rebellion or the inability to breath, what is the point of requiring a mask if it isn’t even worn properly.

 

The masks are plenty ridiculous in nature that I would much rather not have to wear one. So when given the choice of not wearing one, I gladly choose not to. And that was where I was at as I entered the chapel for church on Sunday. I had my mask in hand ready to comply if it was socially expected of me. Though as I scanned the congregation, I didn’t see anyone wearing a mask and I was greatly relieved. The chapel was actually quite full – well, as full as can be with every other pew masked off and six feet apart from other families. We were a little late so I found it a little difficult to find a place that was adequately distant from another family. As I sat down, I began to notice a few masks that I hadn’t seen at first. A few of the young men that were to pass the sacrament, an elderly couple, a family near the front, one of the youth speakers, the bishop and the stake president and later the missionaries. But for the most part, no one else was wearing masks.

I sang the hymns grateful to be able to praise through song without the irritating mask in the way. When the Bishop stood up to welcome us, he kept his mask on – well kind of. He was one of those who wore the mask beneath his nostrils. But his mouth was still covered as he spoke to us. I began to wonder why he didn’t take it off when he was more than six feet away from everyone and it was obvious that he wasn’t concerned about catching anything. I continued to ponder on this as I considered how the missionaries have had to have masks on their many visits into our home as the new missionary rule.

As I pondered this, I realized that the church, for which I am consecrated and wholly support, has asked the leaders and those who pass the sacrament to wear the masks. And I thought about our prophet stating that we want to be responsible global citizens. I understand we need to obey the laws of the land but did the prophet really think wearing the mask would prevent the virus from spreading? I had too much faith in him to question either his intelligence or his motive. So what is it? What reason would the Lord have in setting an example of mask wearing while giving everyone the opportunity to do what they feel is best?

image from sltrib.com

I began to see the purpose looked very similar to another example though this one had a much grander purpose.

“And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord
their God shall command them.”  (Abraham 3:25)

Could the wearing of the mask be a test of obedience? Could it be possible that the masks were a sign of following the prophet’s counsel?

                “But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God”   (2 Nephi 9:29)

Was my not wearing a mask at church evidence that I was not hearkening to the counsel received by the prophet? I began to feel uncomfortable being there in an entire congregation without wearing my mask. I was joyful at not being REQUIRED to wear one but miserable that I thought I knew better than the example that was being set by the leaders of our church. It was the same feeling I’ve had every time I go to the temple parking lot to worship and pray during this shut down. Walking the perimeter of the temple and having the gate completely closed to my entrance has been very discouraging and that feeling has been amplified when I see persons within the gate and on the actual temple grounds (probably for a living endowment or sealing).  I hope to never experience being prevented from entering the Lord’s kingdom.

So back to the mask. As I pondered this, I began to think how the congregation would look to Heavenly Father. He had a prophet who asked us to be responsible global citizens and set up the reopening of the church so that the leaders wore masks. And he allowed us the agency to choose what we would do. How would he feel seeing us singing his praises and partaking of his holy sacrament and seeking edification all the while not following the example which he set before us? 

When I began to look at it that way… I discreetly placed the elastic on my ears and covered my face. There is too much risk in thinking I know better than my church leaders. I begrudgingly wear the mask when it is absolutely required to enter a store, though I now willingly will wear my mask at church as long as the leaders are being asked to do so.