There have been agitators from another website trying to accuse anti’s of lying and some how Taylor’s view of Christianity as presented in now some kind of lie.
This is a big problem the LDS have. They claim to be the only true church, but when confronted with problems, they say “we don’t believe that anymore” or “that person was speaking as a man, not a prophet.”
How can they know when the prophet is speaking as a prophet. And when the prophet spoke as a prophet and then an new prophet contradicts the earlier prophet.
The JoD was considered scripture by the saints of the time, yet now it isn’t?
Then how can they claim they are still the “true” church founded by JS, and claim to be glad there are prophets, when they ignore these same teachings and prophets. If they no longer believe it, then how can they claim to be the “true church”.
“Cafeteria Mormonism” is rampant apparently.
God does not change. God is not a liar. God is not a God of confusion. At least not MY God.
The LDS god, OTOH, apparently is.
The schizophrenia must be huge in some cases. The prophet states clearly thus saith the Lord . . . . . . or an angel revealed it to me, it is all fine and good - until either another prophet changes the revelation or social/legal pressures are brought to bear to assist the prophet to have a new revelation. What good is a living prophet if what he prophesies cannot be determined to be a prophecy even if they tell them sheeple thus saith the lord
For that much - how can they claim smith's first vision is from the lord based upon how they handle the rest of the mormon prophets over the past 175 years?
Well, after all, he's only human.
In conclusion let us summarize this grand key, these “Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet”, for our salvation depends on them.
1. The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
3. The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
4. The prophet will never lead the church astray.
5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
6. The prophet does not have to say “Thus Saith the Lord,” to give us scripture.
7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
8. The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.
9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.
10. The prophet may advise on civic matters.
11. The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
13. The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church.
14. The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.
I testify that these fourteen fundamentals in following the living prophet are true. If we want to know how well we stand with the Lord then let us ask ourselves how well we stand with His mortal captain—how close do our lives harmonize with the Lord’s anointed—the living Prophet—President of the Church, and with the Quorum of the First Presidency.
Ezra Taft Benson
(Address given Tuesday, February 26, 1980 at Brigham Young University)