Never Lead Astray

My solution to that paradox is simple: that statement is not correct. Statements like that are evidence that prophets can be wrong, by claiming they can never be wrong. That statement is, in fact, leading the members astray.

We must NOT rely on blind obedience to leaders. It steals the power we might have to contribute through our own direct connection to God and personal revelation. That kind of dependence on another was the story of Satan’s alternative plan in the war in heaven — that we should surrender our freedom and doing everything he ordered.

I still believe wholeheartedly in supporting our leaders and helping them be as effective as possible in bringing about the kingdom of God on earth. But a vital part of that support involves doing what we believe is right, even if it contradicts what a leader believes.

“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 led by him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence that in itself would thwart the purposes of God in their salvation, and weaken that influence they could give to their leaders, did they know for themselves, by the revelations of Jesus, that they are led in the right way. Let every man and woman know, by the whispering of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not.”

(Discourses of Brigham Young [1954], p.135)

In my opinion, the best the prophet is stating is a promise on their intent. They’ll never try to lead the church astray, which doesn’t mean they won’t do it at times, because they are human and make mistakes, but they won’t be trying to, and they’ll always fix it if they do. That is why when people come to this site and feel betrayed and lied to…I feel like that feeling is valid, but the leaders don’t intentionally do it, IMO. They think they are right…so that isn’t lying.

Here’s the fun part for you to think about as you study this…what is he saying?

Never lead the church astray from what? From the oracles of God and from their duty.

Can you prove they’ve ever done that?

If God tells Joseph Smith to start polygamy, he is following the oracles of God.

If God tells WW to stop polygamy, he is following the oracles of God.

If SWK receives revelation the church must abandon the practice of preventing blacks from getting the priesthood, it is not an admission it was wrong, but that we don’t know why it was taught before by prophets and became policy, but continuous revelation confirms it no longer needs to be practiced. (See…it wasn’t led astray? We just don’t know the “higher ways” of God and why He allows prophets to do things).

So, how would they ever lead the church astray, if they are the oracles of God themselves? The only scenario that can happen is if the prophet is caught in a purposeful lie where he knows the church should go left and he purposefully tells everyone to go right, and it is proven he lied and somehow the Q12 all bought into it.

Since I doubt the prophet will ever intentionally do that, I have no problem with WW’s statement. And while I hear this quote expressed on Sunday in church to provide many members with a calm feeling of certainty, it is practically meaningless to me.

Stephen Colbert explained very well the advantage of Mormonism over other religions like his Catholicism:

I’ll give the Mormons this: They know which way the wind blows. When America decided that polygamy wasn’t the way to go, the Mormons changed their ways and banned it. They had similar changes in policy when public opnion turned against the traditions of massacring pioneers and believing that all Black people are evil. Pretty much whenever the general populace decides that Mormons are a sinful crazy cult, their leader receives a message straight from God that makes everything OK. This practice continues to this day; you can see it in the way that Mitt Romney was pro-choice when he was running for governor of Massachussetts, but was divinely inspired to become pro-life when he was running for the Republican nomination for president.

On the minus side, you could be ex-communicated by Donny Osmond.

Stephen Colbert, ‘I Am America (and so can you!)”, p. 55-6.

To follow on what Brian said — look at the extreme of what can happen when members blindly follow their leaders in obedience — the Mountain Meadows Massacre? Also, I think the non-compliance of members with leaders’ unreasonable demands (and even these can happen among the Q12 by consensus) can be a valuable input into their decision making — even when policies are given by supposed divine decree.

President Woodruff doesn’t promise that he or any other prophet will be infallible, that everything they say will be factually correct, their policies will be eternal, etc.

I think that is a good way to put it.

Christ has given us the Word of Wisdom. Prophets have interpreted to be alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco.

Do you think it is possible that alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco have nothing to do with a person coming closer to Christ, whether they partake of these things or don’t partake of them?