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"Deseret Book Publishing"

Logical fallacy of cause and effect. Just because Deseret Book published "Mormon Doctrine" doesn't there's any thing "official" about it.

"And you, a grassroots Mormon, label it all as just mere man-made "opinion?"

It is Bruce R. McConkie's opinion. That doesn't mean it's not true. There's a lot of good reference material in there. We also quote the personal books of other Apostles too. But, the Lord does not hold us accountable for knowing what's in someone's personal writings, only what's contained in the scriptures.

The personal books by Apostles are good for personal edification and teach a lot of good principles. They are irrelevant to anyone's salvation. Therefore, they contain no "official" weight in the Church.

"Hmmm...Isn't that the accusation Joseph Smith gave in his first vision about all the OTHER sects? That they taught man-made opinions in place of God's commandments?"

No. This is the Lord's accusation.
Matt 15:
9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Which the Lord repeated when He spoke to Joseph Smith.

History of the Church 1:
19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”

"The church officially sanctions the document when they reference it for purposes of teaching curricula!"

Study material is just that, study material. It is not required reading. However, the book "Mormon Doctrine" is good study material and I'd recommend it. The Church didn't assign Bruce R. McConkie to create it, it was his own work.

Even though what's in it may be doctrinally correct, it's still not an official publication of the Church.

Study material is just that, study material. It is not required reading. However, the book "Mormon Doctrine" is good study material and I'd recommend it. The Church didn't assign Bruce R. McConkie to create it, it was his own work.

The church didn't assign the apostle Paul to write his letters, either...doesn't make them less than authoritative in ANY way.

Very lame explanation of what your "apostles" FORMALLY & PUBLICLY communicate on Mormon doctrine!

History of the Church 1: 19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight...

OK, ALL creeds are an abomination to the Mormon god?

Tell us then, STormie, WHICH of the dozen segments of the Apostles Creed is "abominable" to Him? Which one? (Just give us a # if you don't have time to explain)

(Oh, & please keep in mind that when #9 was written, "Catholic" didn't mean ROMAN Catholic...it simply meant "universal")

1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:
4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:
5. The third day he rose again from the dead:
6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:
9. I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints:
10. The forgiveness of sins:
1l. The resurrection of the body:
12. And the life everlasting. Amen.

Which the Lord repeated when He spoke to Joseph Smith.

Except I looked all thru JS - H 1...

There's no reference to "Lord" there...

Nor is there a reference to "God" there...

Nor is "Jesus" or "Christ" mentioned...

How do you know who spoke to Smith...'cause the text doesn't say...and your interpretive conclusion reads into the text...