TBM. Also known as \u201cTrue Blue Mormon\u201d or \u201cTrue Believing Mormon\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This term is often seen in progressive Mormon circles to refer to active, stereotypical members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Rarely is it ever used by those to whom it is meant to refer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I\u2019ve been thinking about this recently, and I\u2019m questioning its usage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why is a member of the LDS church only true believing if the follow right-wing talking points? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why don\u2019t we call someone TBM who comforts those who need comfort, who bears others\u2019 burdens, or who mourns with others (Mosiah 18:8\u20139)?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why don\u2019t we call someone TBM who advocates for the use of the earth\u2019s resources to be done without extortion or excess (D&C 59:20)?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why don\u2019t we call someone TBM who advocates for the redistribution of wealth (4 Ne. 1:3; Acts 2:44\u201345)?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why don\u2019t we call someone TBM who stands up for queer people, both within and without the church, despite there being nothing in LDS canon that says queerness is wrong?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why don\u2019t we call someone TBM who prays to Heavenly Mother?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why don\u2019t we call someone TBM who believes in a universal priesthood, especially given that Joseph Smith seemed to indicate that he was giving the Relief Society members the priesthood?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The whole premise of \u201cTBM\u201d just further underscores the idea that there is only one way to be a Mormon, and it others (and pushes away) those who don\u2019t fit into that mold, those who try to follow their faith as expressed in the scriptures.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"