tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985039856976573232.post6173686037172892905..comments2022-12-08T06:01:19.643-05:00Comments on Live From Kent...: Conference observationsJonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14825519767379367699noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985039856976573232.post-75016006346657390182011-04-05T12:07:00.916-04:002011-04-05T12:07:00.916-04:00Jon, I'm glad I have knowledge of an infallibl...Jon, I'm glad I have knowledge of an infallible gospel so that I don't have to depend on infallible men. There has been only one perfect man, Jesus Christ. The rest of us are fallible to some degree from Enoch to the basest sinner. The prophets are much closer to Enoch's example than most of us.<br /><br />The cultural attitude of unquestioning obedience which you noted is disturbing, not only socially and culturally, but theologically as well. If true it would nullify the doctrines of continuing personal revelation and agency. I have heard it said that the solution to success in life is to hook onto the "words of the prophet" (often selectively chosen and retroactively redeemed). If this were so then we would all do as we were told, have no meaningful choices thereafter and none would be lost. The resonances with pre-mortal plans in that are disturbing. I don't mean to draw parallels between the prophets and Lucifer, but I do worry about the parallels between the lost third and these members.<br />We have ample evidence of modern leadership fallibility (Mountain Meadows, settlement of Missouri, dispatch of the Martin and Willy Companies) so that the attitude of infallibility is remarkable in its illogic. <br /><br />So what? All men are fallible, its the heritage of mortality. It is the reason that the gospel brings so much hope: we can fail but still be redeemed. That is Christ's central purpose to overcome our fallibility by His atonement. I would deny that grace to no man, including a prophet.<br /><br />We need to be vigilant that we do not fall victim to the Zoramite disease believing we are favored over others because of our wealth, our heritage or our possession of a prophet. It can happen to any of us: Oliver Cowdery though he could be a translator without preparation. When it does, we are condemned by the words of the Savior in D&C 58 at the conclusion of a sermon on obedience, He added "he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward." If the words of any are the primary source of our testimony we risk this condemnation. The scripture gave no exception to words of prophets. If we are compelled by the words of good we still stand condemned as slothful and unwise.<br /><br />So how do we respect righteous authority yet do things of our own accord, freely and with charity? I think the answer is well known: prepare, listen, study it out, ponder and pray. If it is right, then do it without reservation. The truth need have no fear. No amount of questioning, examination and research of a true principle will make it untrue. Truth is truth whether accepted blindly or sceptically. The truth will stand in the end despite men either fallible or infallible.CuriousCityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03892851247105313794noreply@blogger.com