confused on importance of KFD

[rameumptom]

Doctrine is teaching that is well understood and is accepted and openly taught by the current Brethren. One discourse, even as good as the KFD, just leaves many open questions about what it means. This is especially true with a discourse where there are five differing versions.

We also have teachings, which are open to the members to consider and to use with wisdom. But these are not binding upon the Church, nor upon the members. Each member is encouraged to seek personal revelation, and if the Spirit witnesses a teaching to that person, he/she is bound to live by it. However, it isn't binding upon others who have not received such a witness.

Doctrine, OTOH, IS binding upon the Church. This is one of the cool things about Mormonism. We aren't boxed in by a bunch of creeds and teachings. We have a few clear and core doctrine that all are expected to believe and follow (see the baptismal questions), and the rest is based upon individual revelation in regards what is binding upon the individual.

[bmy-]

It's the defining piece of mormon literature and I like to call it 'quasi-doctrine'. It's been quoted by prophets, apostles, general authorities, seen in the Ensign, Church news letters, handbooks (priesthood!)

To put it simply: If it did not cover such a broad spectrum of challenging subjects it would be binding doctrine. Besides.. the Church has a firm 'milk before meat' policy.. even if I disagree with it It's much like the Apocrypha I think -- you can learn alot -- but you're on your own and the Church isn't going to hold your hand through it.

[lilered]

Joseph Smith taught:

We gain knowledge of eternal truths a little at a time; we can learn all things as fast as we are able to bear them.
“It is not wisdom that we should have all knowledge at once presented before us; but that we should have a little at a time; then we can comprehend it.”22

“When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave.”23

Joseph Smith and his counselors in the First Presidency gave the following instructions to the Saints who were gathering to Nauvoo: “To those who … can assist in this great work, we say, let them come to this place; by so doing they will not only assist in the rolling on of the Kingdom, but be in a situation where they can have the advantages of instruction from the Presidency and other authorities of the Church, and rise higher and higher in the scale of intelligence until they can ‘comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth and length, and depth and height; and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge.’ [Ephesians 3:18–19.]”24

“God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but what He will make known unto the Twelve, and even the least Saint may know all things as fast as he is able to bear them, for the day must come when no man need say to his neighbor, Know ye the Lord; for all shall know Him … from the least to the greatest [see Jeremiah 31:34].”25

[Hemidakota]

I truly marvel on how this great prophet - Joseph Smith.

[HiJolly]

How?


HJ

[Hemidakota]

At his life. before and after. What he received and what was shared to his brethren.