In a rare public rebuttal, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement late Thursday responding to news reports of a church committee that monitors members who publicly question or criticize the church.
The church's Strengthening Church Members Committee became the target of criticism at the recently held Sunstone Symposium. According to The Associated Press, the committee was accused of "undermining the church" by keeping secret files on church members and using the information in a campaign of intimidation.Although it generally doesn't respond to such reports, the church's First Presidency felt news media coverage of "false accusations of so-called secret church committees and files" warranted an official response, the statement said.
The statement cites scripture to explain the origin and purpose of the committee. Responding to reports of secrecy and intimidation, the statement said the two-member committee is a resource for the church's lay clergy on a variety of topics, including counseling members with questions.
Although the First Presidency doesn't mention the Sunstone Symposium specifically, the statement concluded by counseling members not to openly debate questions regarding church doctrine, policies and procedures, but to discuss those matters with local leaders.