You say that when a propet speaks he speaks the truth.
2007-09-04 07:19:53 · 8 answers · asked by Tinkerbelle2007 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If any mormon doctrine- or anything spoken by a church leader is controversial or embarrassing they are all taught to parrot the phrase "That was just his opinion, not doctrine." The Journal of Discouses is now claimed to be opinion only because it contains racist rantings, prophesies that didn't come true and too much talk of people living on the moon and sun. WHen they were first compiled, they were taken as gospel truth. As Mormons got to the point where they could not refute the evidence before them, the church officials told them to answer critics questions using the "opinion" excuse.
2007-09-04 11:15:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
Much of the Journal of Discourses was written by someone taking notes of what he thought he heard. There is no guarantee that what he wrote is actually what the speaker meant.
Frequently speakers in the Journal of Discourses tell you that what they are about to say is their opinion, and it had not been revealed to them.
Not everything that a prophet says is revealed truth. "And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation." It follows that what they speak when NOT moved upon by the Holy Ghost is not necessarily scripture.
There are a few revelations given that we consider the standard works, and we know were given under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. They are: The Holy Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price. Any other book, such as the Journal of Discourses, is opinion.
Some of the statements in the Journal of Discourses are definitely inspired. The problem is that you need the Spirit to benefit from reading the Journal of Discourses. It is sort of like what God said to Joseph Smith about the Apocrypha.
1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you concerning the Apocrypha—There are many things contained therein that are true, and it is mostly translated correctly;
2 There are many things contained therein that are not true, which are interpolations by the hands of men.
3 Verily, I say unto you, that it is not needful that the Apocrypha should be translated.
4 Therefore, whoso readeth it, let him understand, for the Spirit manifesteth truth;
5 And whoso is enlightened by the Spirit shall obtain benefit therefrom;
6 And whoso receiveth not by the Spirit, cannot be benefited. Therefore it is not needful that it should be translated. Amen.
2007-09-04 14:46:23 · answer #2 · answered by Doctor 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
For scripture to be canonized it must be voted upon by the first presidency and the Quorum of the 12 Apostles.
So LDS scriptures are
Holy Bible
Book Of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
Pearl of Great Price
D
2007-09-04 18:38:56 · answer #3 · answered by Dionysus 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is more than opinion and less than scripture. Those things given in the Doctrine & Covenants are received by revelation. Those things in sermons, journals or letters are valuable resources, but are not the word of the Lord.
2007-09-04 15:57:17 · answer #4 · answered by Isolde 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
“I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. . . . When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” ( Joseph Smith—History 1:16–17).
read for your self here ---> http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/the-restoration-of-truth/the-restoration-of-the-gospel
2007-09-04 22:53:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
whatever you or I say is true for you
no matter if they claim to be a prophet
2007-09-04 14:23:23 · answer #6 · answered by voice_of_reason 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Mormons are conditioned to believe what they are told. Period.
2007-09-04 14:25:09 · answer #7 · answered by universatile love 3 · 2⤊ 4⤋
I've never said that.
2007-09-04 16:29:19 · answer #8 · answered by Senator John McClain 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋