Oh give me a break. This just gives you a technical "out." I mean how many words have been "canonized" over the past 60 years by your "living prophet" or general authorities, anyway? (So much for the benefits of a "living prophet")
So here you have a so-called "apostle" who doesn't offer up canonized scriptures like the apostle Paul (And LDS portend (& pretend) to be a restoration of the original church? So here you have an "apostle" who is called a "general authority." (So much for "authority" the LDS church is constantly boasting about; yet back off on at the first challenge of any publication by a so-called "authority")
Funny you should mention Paul. Most Christians consider him telling women they have to pray with their head covered as him offering his personal counsel according to the culture of the time. And at another point he specificially states he is not speaking by way of commandment (ie he is not using the usual "thus saith the Lord".)
1 Corinthians 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
2 Corinthians 8:8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the bsincerity of your love.
When a prophet speaks the will of the Lord we listen. When the prophet extols whether he eats Cheerios or Wheaties for breakfast I assume he is not speaking the will of the Lord. Moses, Jonah, Nathan, Gideon and Jonah all have instances in the Bible where they do not speak the will of the Lord. (see the article for references)
Here is a quick primer on the matter...
Fair wiki - General authorities' statements as scripture
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 insistwithout reasonthat any statement by any LDS Church leader represents LDS doctrine, and something believed by a given member.
Response -[edit]
2.1 Prophets in the LDS tradition are not "infallible" 2.2 Standard of doctrine in the Church 2.3 Prophets and new scripture 2.4 Establishing new doctrine 2.5 Biblical standard? 2.6 Protection against error 2.7 Biblical comparison 3 Conclusion 4 Endnotes 5 Further reading