The most important thing(s)?

[AnthonyB]

Originally Posted by Moksha

Has this inquiry been overlooked by the non-mormons on this board?

Importants things....

Have faith in Jesus redemptive work for me.
Don't blaspheme the Holy Spirit.
Love the Lord your God.
Love your neighbour.
Have neither faith plus works nor a faith without works but have a faith that works.

Church authorities is primarily Jesus (my eternal high priest) and his teachings as expressed in the NT by him and his original apostles. I'll show respect to elders and teachers and even people I would count as apostles but not at the expense of my own conscience. If I disagree, I will respectfully stand my ground and take the consequences of my disobedience.

Hopefully without being too offensive, isn't the concept that following the "prophet" absolves from one from personal moral responsbility to follow God's revealed law problematic. Isn't that how fringe "Mormon" groups justify all sorts of excesses?

[Maxel]

Originally Posted by AnthonyB

Hopefully without being too offensive, isn't the concept that following the "prophet" absolves from one from personal moral responsbility to follow God's revealed law problematic.

This isn't the case at all. The prophets of modern day are as the prophets of the Old Testament; the apostles of the modern day are as the apostles of the New Testament. If they are truly prophets of the Lord- which Mormons believe (and I know) they are- then their advice, when understood via the Holy Ghost, will never contradict previously revealed scripture (if what is revered as scripture is really inspired and from a previous prophet).

Not coincidentally, one of the most often repeated messages from the Mormon prophets are to study the scriptures (that includes the Bible). Therefore, a belief in modern prophets does not absolve one from the moral duty of studying previously revealed scripture- in fact, the belief in modern prophets reinforces the need to study scripture by offering another powerful, living witness that God loves us and sees fit to impart His wisdom to us via the prophets who wrote past scripture.

Originally Posted by AnthonyB

Isn't that how fringe "Mormon" groups justify all sorts of excesses?

Yep. Subverting the correct hierarchy of truth is the most effective way to justify sin.

[ErikJohnson]

Originally Posted by Maxel

...the correct hierarchy of truth...

Hey Maxel--

Help me out here. Is "correct hierarchy of truth" intended as a euphemism for LDS Church?

--Erik

PS. Has anyone else thought it ironic? LDS seek to deny their schismatic brethren (e.g., the FLDS) the title "Mormon" while at the same time taking deep offense whenever anyone suggests they aren't "Christian." Pot, meet kettle...

[Islander]

Originally Posted by ErikJohnson

Hey Maxel--

Help me out here. Is "correct hierarchy of truth" intended as a euphemism for LDS Church?

--Erik

PS. Has anyone else thought it ironic? LDS seek to deny their schismatic brethren (e.g., the FLDS) the title "Mormon" while at the same time taking deep offense whenever anyone suggests they aren't "Christian." Pot, meet kettle...

What are you talking about?

[rameumptom]

Originally Posted by ErikJohnson

Hey Maxel--

Help me out here. Is "correct hierarchy of truth" intended as a euphemism for LDS Church?

--Erik

PS. Has anyone else thought it ironic? LDS seek to deny their schismatic brethren (e.g., the FLDS) the title "Mormon" while at the same time taking deep offense whenever anyone suggests they aren't "Christian." Pot, meet kettle...

"Correct hierarchy of truth" means following the proper prophetic succession. The FLDS and most other break aways were created by people who never have had apostolic authority in the LDS Church. So their claim to authority is very weak, without first insisting that the main Church fell back into apostasy. But then, there is no direct evidence that the authority was passed to them.

The LDS Church officially seeks to protect the term "Mormon" from groups that are viewed as outlaws. The LDS Church has not tried to keep the Community of Christ (formerly RLDS) from using the term. Nor has it prevented other restorationist churches from using it. It hurts the Church's effort to proselyte, if people think we are giving refuge to outlaws and child molesters. Clearly it is in the Church's interest to protect the term.

As for the Christian term, it has plenty who wish to prevent the Mormons from being considered Christian of any sort. Then again, there are many traditional Christians who see us as good Christians, just not "traditional Christians."

[Just_A_Guy]

Originally Posted by ErikJohnson

Help me out here. Is "correct hierarchy of truth" intended as a euphemism for LDS Church?

Why would "LDS Church" need a euphemism? It isn't a cuss word or an obscenity.

PS. Has anyone else thought it ironic? LDS seek to deny their schismatic brethren (e.g., the FLDS) the title "Mormon" while at the same time taking deep offense whenever anyone suggests they aren't "Christian." Pot, meet kettle...

Yes. Next question?

[Misshalfway]

I think one of the most important things in the church is application of the scriptures and words of prophets old and new. I think that it is only from the application of forgiveness that one feels the burden lift. It is only in the practicing of kindness that one can learn to strengthen that ability.

I think this is what is meant by faith without works is dead. We must be doers of the word, not just hearers only.

[Maxel]

Originally Posted by ErikJohnson

Hey Maxel--

Help me out here. Is "correct hierarchy of truth" intended as a euphemism for LDS Church?

Nope. It's intended to convey the fact that some truths (we exist, God exists, God is more powerful than us, etc.) are more important than others (on June 22, 2009 Maxel sat down to browse LDS.net).

In the correct hierarchy of truth, for example, God's justice is more 'powerful' than (above) His mercy, for mercy cannot rob justice. Also in the hierarchy of truth, our faith in Christ is more important than (is above) our our works on earth.

I assumed most of the 'fringe' groups AnthonyB mentioned took one doctrine of the Church- polygamy, for example- and put that doctrine above following the prophet- sometimes these groups claim they are following 'special orders' from a prophet and seek to justify their actions outside of the accepted method given in the canon and practice of the LDS Church. The fringe groups I'm thinking of are the FLDS, RLDS, and other smaller groups that I can't remember the name of off the top of my head.

[lilered]

We have been told in the scriptures:
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. “This is the first and great commandment. “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Thus

if we show our love by obediance to Gods commandments then it follows we must love and obey his diciples (leaders of the church) when they testify of God. his word, and give us direction. They speak for God, thus if we are to gain the highest degrees of glory, we must be obediant to God and his diciples.

[foreverafter]

Originally Posted by lilered

if we are to gain the highest degrees of glory, we must be obediant to God and his diciples.

As long as what they teach or counsel is correct & we will know if they are correct or not by the Holy Spirit & by comparing what they say with the Prophets words & the scriptures. But we must always follow the Prophet, he is the only leader that can't lead us astray.