It's a flag, to point out the problem. Of course, there is bad, worse, worst. Churches, sects and individual situations like these where the power is handed over to one family member, the man. It's a inhuman manipulation of the mindset of people, whoever they are.

The mormons aren't the only ones. The Catholic church does it too. And probably many others.

That's what I call religious SOP.

No skeletons in this closet. Nosiree.

I converse now and then with an older, liberal Mormon who would doubtless insist that this is NOT what Mormonism actually teaches. She does admit that the church waffles on LGBTQ issues and that she has spoken out openly against it. My guess is that her particular congregation is relatively liberal and so tolerates her activism. But also I'm pretty sure she's in denial about stuff like this. That, and I think there is quite a bit of daylight between some official church positions and the actual beliefs and sensibilities of many actual members. I think a lot of "nudge-wink" goes on where the church officially takes one position but does not really teach it or speak against contrary positions.

It's what you'd expect from a religious group trying to distance itself from some very problematic past positions without seeming to undermine the alleged inerrancy of their leadership and holy writings (and they have a lot more than just the Bible to cope with -- there's the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and I think a few smaller / lesser documents that are considered inspired -- also they have a view of inerrancy for church leaders and proclamations not unlike those Catholics have for the Pope and church tradition).

Does this surprise anyone?

Of course they did. Most of them do.

not surprising.