Have we appealed to the Spirit to help us to discern these things?
Question by Leland Dennis Sigley (lds): How can we know when the prophet speaks of religious matters if he is giving his opinion or speaking based on a revelation from Heavenly Father?
Is the communication coming through an official channel (e.g., general conference)? You should focus primarily on official communication, such as general conference talks, official statements (things like the family proclamation, the living Christ, etc), and the scriptures.
Answer: I know this probably sounds like a joke advantageous site, something offensive or just plain peculiar
Does the prophet state that this is “In the name of the Lord”, that it is the prophet’s personal opinion, etc.? Alma, for example in Alma (see 19-21 for additional context), makes clear distinction between things that are his opinion and things that are firm doctrine.
Are we trying to reframe something as opinion because we do not want the obligation to agree with or follow the council? This is a great mistake that is sometimes made that we were warned against in Helaman -27. We must remember that when the Lord’s servants speak for Him, “whether by [His] own voice or by the voice of [His] servants, it is the same” (D&C 1:38). As Jacob advised: “Seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand” (Jacob 4:10).
Prophets are human. They are entirely capable of making mistakes and being wrong. They also have personal opinions and develop ideas over time, like all humans. They are unique in that they have access to special revelation and have been charged with a spiritual stewardship over large groups (even the entire world).
- The Lord will not allow His appointed servants to lead the Church astray (by accident or intentionally). “The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. (más…)