[bytor2112]

Originally Posted by OtterPop

I think these can be very dangerous beliefs, in that they can encourage people to abandon responsibility for their own actions. Church leaders, even prophets, can be wrong. Have been wrong. (The JoD has plenty of statements that most people today believe are flat-out wrong.) And it's not always clear when they are speaking "as a prophet" vs speaking "as a man." I think it can set people up for a version of the "Nuremberg defense": I'm not responsible, because I was just following orders.

When I was LDS, I believed that we would stand at the judgment bar alone. Accepting counsel is one thing. Assuming that one need not reflect on statements because the thinking has been done is quite another.

Very true.......we will stand at the great judgement bar of Christ alone. However, if I follow my Bishops council in some spiritual matter and he was wrong....it will be the Bishop who is held accountable by the Lord and not me. Prophets aren't always speaking as Prophets......often times as men...fallable men. So again I say, for spiritual guidance I do folow the Prophet.......for other things, I tend to work those things out myself.....with the help of the Spirit.