Question about LDS Church after Smith's death.

[fishonjazz]

Could God appear to every one of us and just tell us what we should be doing and why? Sure, but would that really help us become who we can become through struggle?

Struggle is overrated.
I would prefer that God come show himself to me and tell me what he wants from me in person...... Rather than trusting in some books and church leaders.
I could still choose to struggle and make incorrect decisions in any case

 

[fishonjazz]

I've long thought that God pretty much stays out of it, unless somebody is going to really screw it up. My view is that He sits up there on His throne and says "Yeah, that could work. Give it a shot." I don't necessarily view it as Him saying "Do it THIS way or be damned!!!"

Good post

 

[Bronco70]

According to scripture, the prophets themselves were fallible, but their prophecies were not, as their prophecies came from God.

Okay.

Are you expanding on my post, or refuting it? I was addressing LDS presidents and policy, not prophecy.

 

[RandyForRubio]

Okay.

Are you expanding on my post, or refuting it? I was addressing LDS presidents and policy, not prophecy.

A little of both maybe? I wasn't sure where you were going, so I'll explain further. You called them prophets, which would imply they give out prophecy. I was just explaining that based on the Bible, to be a true prophet their prophecy must be inerrant, but as humans they can/will be fallible.

 

[babe]

I don't think there was that much confusion. Something like 99% of the church members followed Brigham Young.



Brigham Young seemed perfectly clear that he was to be the successor. Or are you saying that the other church leaders should have been clear about Brigham Young? The vast majority of them were.



Perhaps out of concern for his best friend's son?



Can't answer that.

No firm stats.

Sidney Rigdon had a following that assembled later in Pennsylvania, there were a number of other offshoots at that time. There's a book called "Divergent Paths of the Restoration" by Sheldon. . . . .

 

[babe]

If the Church is led by God, why was there so much dissection and confusion over the next prophet?

At the very least, wouldn't God or an angel appear to each remaining leader and make it perfectly clear who the successor was?

And if so, why did Young reach out to Smith III so often to have him join church leadership, and why did Smith III refuse?

I'm wondering other's thoughts. Thanks.

This is a popular variant on the general problem of supposedly having a faith based on personal revelation or testimony while needing to place some faith in humans as well. . . .

What if God did make the "correct" way so perfectly clear nobody could doubt or dispute it? Do you really want a world like that?

 

[Jaymz]

This is a popular variant on the general problem of supposedly having a faith based on personal revelation or testimony while needing to place some faith in humans as well. . . .

What if God did make the "correct" way so perfectly clear nobody could doubt or dispute it? Do you really want a world like that?

A world where everyone has a choice? Hell no. Everyone must remain steadfast to my propaganda. REMAIN FAITHFUL AND ENDURE TO THE END!!!

 

[b_line]

According to scripture, the prophets themselves were fallible, but their prophecies were not, as their prophecies came from God.

I think that is what bronco is saying.

I agree with a lot of what you said, but I would argue that the Christian church post Jesus never had a specific ordained leader. I mean, I suppose you could consider Catholics and the Pope in there, but I tend not to.

Us Mormons view Peter, James and John as the presidency of Christ's church and ordained prophets after Christ's leaving the earth. Seems like Catholics view Peter as the first Pope. The succession claims are the same, Mormons just believe the line if authority was broken for a long while, and believe it to be restored to Joseph Smith

What do most Christians believe in this aspect Christianity?

 

[RandyForRubio]

I think that is what bronco is saying.


Us Mormons view Peter, James and John as the presidency of Christ's church and ordained prophets after Christ's leaving the earth. Seems like Catholics view Peter as the first Pope. The succession claims are the same, Mormons just believe the line if authority was broken for a long while, and believe it to be restored to Joseph Smith

What do most Christians believe in this aspect Christianity?

I've always just thought of them as leaders, not leader, the plurality being the key point. I just never got in line with the idea that there's one leader who has clear communication to God and the rest of us need him to communicate with God (that's more Pope than Morman). God gave us His Word, He gave us prayer, and He gave us the Holy Spirit...so why do we need the middle man?

 

[LogGrad98]

A world where everyone has a choice? Hell no. Everyone must remain steadfast to my propaganda. REMAIN FAITHFUL AND ENDURE TO THE END!!!

Choice is over-rated. There have been studies done that show that increasing options for people actually decreases their perceived satisfaction at their final choice.

 

[LogGrad98]

I've always just thought of them as leaders, not leader, the plurality being the key point. I just never got in line with the idea that there's one leader who has clear communication to God and the rest of us need him to communicate with God (that's more Pope than Morman). God gave us His Word, He gave us prayer, and He gave us the Holy Spirit...so why do we need the middle man?

Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

So in essence you are saying God has done everything he intends to do.

 

[RandyForRubio]

So in essence you are saying God has done everything he intends to do.

Ummm...no. There's still the Anti-Christ, tribulation period, etc etc. So no, I'm not saying that at all.

As for Amos, it's an OT book, so we have to take context here. In the OT a prophet was needed, in fact, it wasn't until Jesus ascended that we didn't need a prophet. That was when God gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit.

John 14:15-17

If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.