Do Latter-day Saints actually believe that?! Ep. 164

Not everything said from the pulpit is doctrine. That said, when Latter-day Saint leaders speak, how do we differentiate between sound and solid doctrine, versus their own personal speculations and opinions? That’s the question Dave explores in this video.

Video transcript and notes: https://bit.ly/3ndC25z

“How to define LDS Church doctrine: BY Professor Anthony R. Sweat offers these 4 guidelines” via Deseret News: https://bit.ly/35WHLXU
“Mormons and Moonmen” via Sunstone Magazine: https://bit.ly/3IL5MQh
“Approaching Mormon Doctrine” via the Church’s website: https://bit.ly/3pJNPKw
“What Is Doctrine” via the Church’s website: https://bit.ly/3pKNjMg
“What is ‘Official’ LDS Doctrine?” via FAIR: https://bit.ly/3MvXsGo
“Question: Did Joseph Smith state that the moon was inhabited, and that its inhabitants were dressed like Quakers?” via FAIR: https://bit.ly/3IWplVR
“Question: When, if ever, is it OK to disagree with Church leaders?” via FAIR: https://bit.ly/35DYmjl

Notes:

— Here’s the full quote from M. Russell Ballard (I wish I had the space to include the entire thing in this video, because it’s great):

“...it is important to remember that I am a General Authority, but that does not make me an authority in general! My calling and life experiences allow me to respond to certain types of questions. There are other types of questions that require an expert in a specific subject matter. This is exactly what I do when I need an answer to such questions: I seek help from others, including those with degrees and expertise in such fields. I worry sometimes that members expect too much from Church leaders and teachers—­expecting them to be experts in subjects well beyond their duties and responsibilities. The Lord called the apostles and prophets to invite ­others to come unto Christ—not to obtain advanced degrees in ancient history, biblical studies, and other fields that may be useful in answering all the questions we may have about scriptures, history, and the Church. Our primary duty is to build up the Church, teach the doctrine of Christ, and help those in need of help.” Source: https://bit.ly/3hyM3Y2

— “Some doctrines are more important than others and might be considered core doctrines. For example, the precise location of the Garden of Eden is far less important than doctrine about Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. The mistake that public commentators often make is taking an obscure teaching that is peripheral to the Church’s purpose and placing it at the very center.” Source: https://bit.ly/3pJNPKw

For example, many people make a big hullabaloo over the fact that we technically believe that Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers, which we’ve done a whole episode on. From how people talk about this, you might expect this to be a major theme of every Church meeting. It’s not. It’s really not something we spend much time at all talking about in Church. To us, it’s just sort of a tangential fun fact. So keep in mind that some doctrines are infinitely more important than others.

— Before Henry B. Eyring went off to college, his father (Henry Eyring) sat him down and said the following: “I’m convinced that the Lord used the Prophet Joseph Smith to restore his church. For me that is a reality. I haven’t any doubt about it. Now, there are a lot of other matters which are much less clear to me. But in this Church you don’t have to believe anything that isn’t true. You go over to the University of Arizona and learn everything you can, and whatever is true is a part of the gospel.” Source: https://bit.ly/3Kq6PW6

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