Quote:
Originally Posted by Moksha
1. How much do you emphasize Obedience to Church Authorities?
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I think obedience to the church is very important. I think it is something we all struggle with. I no not think the First Presidency trumps the two greatest commandment, because the church follows them to the max.
Matthew 20.34-40
34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, atempting him, and saying,
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
I: The Leaders do the "thinking".
"When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done. When they propose a plan--it is God's Plan. When they point the way, there is no other which is safe. When they give directions, it should mark the end of controversy, God works in no other way. To think otherwise, without immediate repentance, may cost one his faith, may destroy his testimony, and leave him a stranger to the kingdom of God (Ward Teachers Message, Deseret News, Church Section p. 5, May 26, 1945)."
The problem with this quote is that it was not written by a member of the First Presidency. It was written by a very well meaning member of the church called to assemble a new manual. I like it however. I think it is nice to know the First Presidency has thought carefully about the positions for the church and the direction it must go (see section III below for a modification to this statement by George Albert Smith).
II: President Benson's fourteen points (paraphrased):
1) Only the President speaks for the Lord in everything.
2) The living prophet trumps the standard works.
3) The living prophet trumps a dead prophet.
4) The President never leads the Church astray.
5) The prophet may speak or act on any subject or matter regardless of training and credential.
6) The prophet can skip "Thus saith the Lord" to give scripture.
7) The prophet tells us what we need, not what we want.
8) The prophet can ignore the political/philosophical morals of the day.
9) The prophet can function as a prophet on any topic, religious or otherwise.
10) “The prophet may be involved in civic matters.”
11) The proud, rich and/or educated in particular, obey the prophet with the most difficulty.
12) The prophet can spurn worldly popularity.
13) The First Presidency is the highest quorum in the Church.
14) Follow the first presidency and be blessed; ignore them at your own risk.
I have always loved this set of guidelines. It is evident many other members of the forum are familiar with it. I think it is a handy guide to know what the prophet and his councelors are free to do. I think many people would love to put the prophet in a box (particularly apologeticists, skeptics, and other scholars).
III: We are free to "Think", too.
" . . . Even to imply that members of the Church are not to do their own thinking is grossly to misrepresent the true ideal of the Church, which is that every individual must obtain for himself a testimony of the truth of the Gospel, must, through the redemption of Jesus Christ, work out his own salvation, and is personally responsible to His Maker for his individual acts. The Lord Himself does not attempt coercion in His desire and effort to give peace and salvation to His children. He gives the principles of life and true progress, but leaves every person free to choose or to reject His teachings. This plan the Authorities of the Church try to follow.
"The Prophet Joseph Smith once said: "I want liberty of thinking and believing as I please." This liberty he and his successors in the leadership of the Church have granted to every other member thereof.
"On one occasion in answer to the question by a prominent visitor how he governed his people, the Prophet answered: "I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves." (President George ALbert Smith, Letter to Dr. J. Raymond Cope, Dec. 7, 1945)"
I love this section. I am free to think about what ever the church has to offer. It is very important to me. Not thinking would be impossible. Please note, I do not think this statement is in opposition to the two sections above it. Many members have used it as such (particularly with section I). I appreciate learning principals and governing myself, but I also know the church is going to be right and I need to make sure I am there with them even if I have thought out every pronouncement knowing the implications for each.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moksha
2. What are the most important item(s) to you?
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As for your OP, they are Matt 20.37&39 and Joseph Smith's "I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves". The two of these are great governing principals that govern my life.
I am a free-thinking, stubborn, and willful person who has little time for apologetics and skeptics. I am not going to allow them to think for me. If I'm not the one thinking, I will always leave the work to the First Presidency. It is then up to me to conform myself.
Sorry about the very long post.