Mormonism and doctrine

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Related Topics

• Repudiated concepts
• Statements by Church leaders as doctrine

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Detailed Analysis

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The Church's response: What is doctrine?

Not every statement made by a Church leader, past or present, necessarily constitutes doctrine. A single statement made by a single leader on a single occasion often represents a personal, though well-considered, opinion, but is not meant to be officially binding for the whole Church. With divine inspiration, the First Presidency (the prophet and his two counselors) and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (the second-highest governing body of the Church) counsel together to establish doctrine that is consistently proclaimed in official Church publications. This doctrine resides in the four “standard works” of scripture (the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price), official declarations and proclamations, and the Articles of Faith. Isolated statements are often taken out of context, leaving their original meaning distorted.

—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Approaching Mormon Doctrine (May 4, 2007)

What constitutes official or "core" doctrine of the Church?

Joseph Smith defined our fundamental core doctrine:

The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.
—Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 121.

For a detailed response, see: Official or "core" doctrine

Is LDS doctrine constantly changing?

For a detailed response, see: Changing doctrine

Are Church publications considered doctrine?

For a detailed response, see: Church publications as doctrine

Are statements of past prophets considered doctrine?

For a detailed response, see: Statements by past prophets

Are prophets considered infallible?

For a detailed response, see: Prophets are not infallible