Go back and read what I said. There is no need to add anything further to that.
zerinus
The first section of quotes on your blog are not from the standard works (ie official proclamations), so quoting those sources don’t prove anything.
None the less it is worth looking at at least some of your “proofs”:“It makes no difference what is written or what anyone has said, if what has been said is in conflict with what the Lord has revealed, we can set it aside.** My words, and the teachings of any other member of the Church, high or low, if they do not square with the revelations, we need not accept them. Let us have this matter clear. We have accepted the four standard works as the measuring yardsticks, or balances, by which we measure every man’s doctrine.** You cannot accept the books written by the authorities of the Church as standards in doctrine, only in so far as they accord with the revealed word in the standard works.” (Joseph Fielding Smith,
Doctrines of Salvation** 3 vols**. (SLC: Bookcraft, 1955))
This book is not a standard work, so you cannot use this quote as an official teaching guide on when doctrine is binding. Further, this quote says NOTHING against the case I have presented, that is Joseph Smith PROVING from the BIBLE that Eternal Progression is true.“If anyone, regardless of his position in the Church,
were to advance a doctrine that is not substantiated by the standard Church works, meaning the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price, you may know that his statement is merely his private opinion. The only one authorized to
bring forth any new doctrine is the President of the Church, who, when he does, will declare it as revelation from God, and it will be so accepted by the Council of the Twelve and sustained by the body of the Church***.*** And if any man speak** a doctrine which contradicts what is in the standard Church works, you may know by that same token that it is false** and you are not bound to accept it as truth.” (Harold B. Lee,
European Area Conference of the Church, Munich, Germany, 1973)
Again, this book is not a standard work, so you cannot use this quote as an official teaching guide on when doctrine is binding. Further, the doctrine of EP IS SUBSTANTIATED by the Bible, so again your case fails. The doctrine of EP is NOT “new doctrine” thus this part of the quote is irrelevant. As for declaring it a revelation from God and being widely accepted, there is support for that as well.“
If it is not in the standard works, we may well assume that it is speculation, man’s own personal opinion; and if it contradicts what is in the scripture, it is not true. This is the standard by which we measure all truth.” (Harold B. Lee, 11th President,
Improvement Era, January 1969 p.13)
Again, this book is not a standard work, so you cannot use this quote as an official teaching guide on when doctrine is binding.
Further, the doctrine of EP IS in the standard works.“The Church has confined the sources of doctrine by which it is willing to be bound before the world to the things that God has revealed, and which the Church has officially accepted, and those alone.
These would include the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price; these have been repeatedly accepted and endorsed by the Church in general conference assembled, and are the only sources of absolute appeal for our doctrine.” (B. H. Roberts,
Deseret News (23 July 1921) sec. 4:7.)
Again, this book is not a standard work, so you cannot use this quote as an official teaching guide on when doctrine is binding.
Further, the doctrine of EP IS in the standard works.“One of the reasons we call our scriptures The Standard Works [is that] they are the standard of judgement and the measuring rod against which doctrines and views are weighed, and it does not make one particle of difference whose views are involved. The scriptures always take precedence.” (Bruce R McConkie, “Finding Answers to Gospel Questions,” an open letter to all “honest truth seekers,” dated 30 October 1980, [quoted in Michael Hicks, “Do You Preach the Orthodox Religion: Thoughts on the Idea of Heresy in the Church,” *Sunstone v6:5 (Sept./Oct. 1981), 32]
.)
Again, this book is not a standard work, so you cannot use this quote as an official teaching guide on when doctrine is binding.
Further, the doctrine of EP IS in the standard works.The fiery Brigham young has also expressed the same views:
“I do not wish any Latter-day Saint in this world . . . to be satisfied with anything I do, unless the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ, the spirit of revelation, makes them satisfied . . . Suppose that the people were heedless, that they manifested no concern with regard to the things of the kingdom of God, but threw the whole burden upon the leaders of the people, saying, ‘If the brethren who take charge of matters are satisfied, we are,’ this is not pleasing in the sight of the Lord.” (
Journal of Discourses, 3:5.)
Again, this book is not a standard work, so you cannot use this quote as an official teaching guide on when doctrine is binding.
It is ironic that you would draw authoritative “support” from the very Journal which LDS cannot seem to run fast enough away from and downplay as pure opinion when quoted by Catholics.“I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are lead by him. . . . Let every man and woman know themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates or not.” (
Journal of Discourses, 9:150.)
Again, this book is not a standard work, so you cannot use this quote as an official teaching guide on when doctrine is binding.
It is ironic that you would draw authoritative “support” from the very Journal which LDS cannot seem to run fast enough away from and downplay as pure opinion when quoted by Catholics.And LDS scripture likewise confirms that doctrine:
D&C 33:16: “And the Book of Mormon and the holy scriptures are given of me for your instruction; and the power of my Spirit quickeneth all things.”
The doctrine of EP is most assuredly taught in the Bible.D&C 42:12: “And again, the elders, priests and teachers of this church shall teach the principles of my gospel, which are in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, in the which is the fulness of the gospel.”
Yes, Smith and others rightfully understand the clear teachings of Scripture, namely the doctrine of EP.D&C 42:59: “Thou shalt take the things which thou hast received, which have been given unto thee in my scriptures for a law *, to be my law to govern my church;”
- Yes, Smith and others rightfully understand the clear teachings of Scripture, namely the doctrine of EP.The only person who is authorized to introduce new doctrine into the Church (and I emphasize new doctrine, because it involves more than just receiving “revelation”. Prophets can teach and preach by the inspiration and revelation of heaven without introducing new doctrine into the Church—which is exactly what they do at every general conference of the Church) is the President of the Church, who will do so following the procedure outlined by Harold B. Lee in the quote given above. J. Reuben Clark has expressed it as follows:
:extrahappy:YOU GOT IT! The doctrine of EP is not “new,” its right there in the Bible and was only obscured by the false churches!(cont)
