In my opinion, one of critics’ most harped-on “weaknesses” of the Church is actually its greatest strength: the lack of absolute certainty and infallibility, and the possibility that Church leaders could potentially lead astray. How could that be a good thing? Because of our purpose for being here, and the great blessing of learning through experience to seek, receive, discern, process, and apply personal revelation. That this is not a guaranteed error-free process for anyone, regardless of past success, is what makes this crucial, and what ultimately preserves and protects the Church from being led astray.
There are numerous statements from Church leaders, unknown to many, that expound on this seeming paradox. Comments on my recent paper for FAIR are welcome!
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LDS scriptures make it clear that we don’t believe the President of the Church is infallible: There are procedures in the Doctrine & Covenants for holding a disciplinary council on a president who has transgressed.
See D&C 107:82–84.
Yes, that is the context for footnote #28:
“I know that some men . . . have advanced extravagant ideas . . . that the people must go on performing their daily duties without question, and then if the President should do wrong, God would look after him. Such teachings have now and then been heard; but I call your attention to the fact . . . that the Lord has provided means by which the Church can correct every man within it, and can dismiss the unworthy from power. That right is resident in the Church of Christ; and the Church don’t (sic) have to wait till God kills off unworthy servants before a wrong can be righted.” — B.H. Roberts)
Elder Roberts discussed the mechanics of such a contingency (disciplinary councils for high-ranking Church officials) at length in Comprehensive History of the Church and elsewhere. The statements I weaved together in my paper point to a much more powerful safeguard/failsafe: by the nature of things, no one will be able to lead the Church as a whole astray. Falshoods taught will “die on the vine” and not be accepted by the people.
Thank you for this article. In my own experience it is not falsehood taught within the church that has troubled me. Those are easy for me to discern as Pres Brigham Young said, it doesn’t sit well in the spiritual stomach. If ever I were to hear them it would be in a setting where the spirit would be present and I believe it would be obvious to many at once.
I believe that in my experience there are some very pernicious doctrines being taught in the realm of healing and energy work that are acting as substitutes for priesthood and for Christ’s healing powers. There are some sophisticated doctrines out there. These have led people I know personally off the path. What I have been exposed to did lead to a decrease in my faith and confidence without me being fully aware of the process. The inspiration that I received to match the teachings that I was exposed to with scripture was my “Ebenezer” (stone of help) that got me through. There are members of the LDS church that disagree with me and are practicing things like ThetaHealing, Reiki, EFT and other energy techniques that have the potential to compete with church doctrine and religious practice.
Months later I still struggle to set myself straight on some key issues. This article was an answer to my prayer this morning. I needed to read this! Another testament to personal revelation.
Thanks again!
Thank you for your kind words, Suzanne! I had never heard of Reiki before until a few months ago, when a boy in my ward told me that his mother has essentially left the Church and hitched her wagon to it as a “religion.” There are definitely counterfeits out there that can rope good people in, if they’re not careful, but people have the tools and ability to detect them and recognize them for what they are.
Thanks for the comment!
I found this article to be thought provoking and informative. My testimony from experience and the spirit, I believe, is that we need to stay in the “main stream” of the Church and not worry about what one person or a few people may of said in the past. I get the most spiritual strength focusing on what most of my priesthood leaders are saying. The more I hear an issue discussed the more I feel it is important and of the Lord. Following that model has helped me to feel the closest to the Lord. I am rather a novice at receiving individual revelation, though I would hope I could learn to discern that even more in the future, but I have found that by following the majority of the Brethren that I find the greatest strength and ability to resist temptation. I think there is danger in focusing on one or a few issues. That seems to lead to developing a “political religion” or a “scientific religion” or something else and then those issues are used to beat up on people that do not hold to those views.