I was listening to a podcast by a historian from the Community of Christ (sorry!, can't remember who it was right now, though this link seems related: http://www.mormonstories.org/a-visual-h ... rist-rlds/) who talked about how the leadership of what was then the Reorganized Church of Latter-day Saints met with and were trained by some experts in theology (in the 1960s, I think). The training had the effect of encouraging the leadership to "loosen up" on some of the more dogmatic doctrines they had. This, in turn, helped the RLDS Church establish a foundation for giving women the priesthood back in the 80's. Such changes can be considered good on the one hand but had significant consequences: a large percentage of their membership left as a result.
I have to believe that the LDS Church leadership are aware of these events and recognize the inherent danger in being less literal and more nuanced. Such changes would threaten the very existence of the Church and, at the least, would create a significant exodus of members for whom the stability and structure of the Church are the very things that keep them in it. I just don't think they will make big changes for that reason....it's just too risky.
I am happy to have someone else fill in details or even correct anything I have wrong regarding the history of the Community of Christ (my memory is a bit sketchy) but I just don't see big changes coming down any time soon. That doesn't mean that change shouldn't be advocated where viewed necessary but such advocates probably ought to steel themselves for an inevitable disappointment. Too many members of the Church like the Church just the way it is.
I hope that doesn't sound cynical. These are just some recent personal reflections. Feel free to disagree!
