Fallibility of prophets

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Criticism

Critics are fond of imposing their absolutist assumptions on the Church. Many critics hold inerrantist beliefs about scriptures or prophets, and assume that the LDS have similar views.

Critics therefore insist—without reason—that any statement by any LDS Church leader represents LDS doctrine, and something believed by a given member.

Response

Prophets in the LDS tradition are not 'infallible'

The LDS do not believe that prophets and apostles are incapable of error, despite being called of God and receiving revelation. Joseph Smith himself taught that ‘a prophet was a prophet only when he was acting as such’.^[1] The Church has always taught that its leaders are human and subject to failings as are all mortals. Only Jesus was perfect:

The position is not assumed that the men of the New Dispensation —its prophets, apostles, presidencies, and other leaders—are without faults or infallible, rather they are treated as men of like passions with their fellow men."^[2]

Standard of doctrine in Church

President George Q. Cannon [1st Councillor to Brigham Young] explained that the scriptures are the only source of official doctrine, coupled with later revelation to the prophets that has been presented to the Church and sustained:

I hold in my hand the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and also the book, The Pearl of Great Price, which books contain revelations of God. In Kirtland, the Doctrine and Covenants in its original form, as first printed, was submitted to the officers of the Church and the members of the Church to vote upon. As there have been additions made to it by the publishing of revelations which were not contained in the original edition, it has been deemed wise to submit these books with their contents to the conference, to see whether the conference will vote to accept the books and their contents as from God, and binding upon us as a people and as a Church.^[3]

Conclusion

A summary of the argument against the criticism.

Endnotes

1. [note] Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 volumes, edited by Brigham H. Roberts, (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1957), 5:265. Volume 5 link
2. [note]  James R. Clark, quoting B. H. Roberts, Messages of the First Presidency, edited by James R. Clark, Vol. 4, (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1970), quoting B. H. Roberts, xiv - p.xv.
3. [note]  George Q. Cannon, Millennial Star 42 (15 November 1880), 724. (10 October 1880, General Conference)

Further reading

FAIR wiki articles

• Adam-God
• Fallibility of prophets

FAIR web site

• FAIR Topical Guide: Infallibility
• FAIR Topical Guide: Personal beliefs of prophets

External links

• W. John Walsh, Joseph Fielding McConkie, and Jeff Lindsay, "Are Prophets Infallible?"
• Bruce R. McConkie, "Are the General Authorities Human?", address at the LDS Institute of Religion at the University of Utah, 28 October 1966.