Just follow the scriptures -- no better than: "just follow the prophet"

Responding to:

Q. Where did God say such a thing?

A. "In [chapter verse of scripture]. The first four verses set the context of the entire section. These are the words of Jesus Christ to us in these latter  days. In canonized scripture."

MY REPLY:

I would urge you to remember that just because something is found in "canonized scripture" does not mean it is true -- no more than the Mormon president saying something makes it true.

We need to be willing to examine all doctrines on their own merits, and not just because they are found written thus and so in the scriptures or said thus and so by a "prophet."

That is the stature of a member of the Church of the Firstborn.

We move from "follow the prophet" to "be a prophet."

It seems to me that polygamy [or whatever doctrine] is a wonderful test as to what you will be:  a follower (doing it because you think an authority figure said it was right), or a initiator (making a decision from your own soul).

Sterling D. Allan
Jan. 21, 2003

Feedback

Deep Resonance

From: "David Skousen" <davids@formula4success.com>
To: "Sterling D. Allan" <sterlingda@greaterthings.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2003 12:27 AM
Subject: Re: Just follow the scriptures -- no better than: "just follow the prophet"

Sterling, you are indeed stepping up to the plate, and scoring well.
--David

Soul Contact

From: "Susan Carter" <susan@patriotsaints.com>
Date: Thu Jan 23, 2003 4:36 am
Subject: Re: [888] Just follow the scriptures -- no better than: "just follow the prophet"


There again I think the scripture Randall mentioned pretty much sums it up: John 5:39,40 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. Either we go with the "dead works" such as scripture, ordinances, ideas from modern prophets etc and use them as our authority, or instead we run everything by our soul to see if it is a true principle. At some point we are to have a personal relationship with Christ. 2 N 32:6 Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall MANIFEST HIMSELF TO YOU IN THE FLESH. ANd when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.

Even then I would run everything HE said by my soul. I suspect God is interested in people who mature to the point that they can make a good judgment call in any situation. It would seem that at some point a lower level entity would try to pass themself off as Jesus and if I believed everything without checking with my soul, I could easily be deceived.

I look at what the prophets say as a guide as well as the scriptures. I believe that it creates a doorway that will open up a lot of truths. I will see in them, what I am ready for and will be blind to that which I am not. If I go by only what someone else says a particular scripture or talk means, I am not "checking with my soul" and am losing out on an opportunity to be taught. I think that alludes to us all being prophets. We all receive revelation for ourselves. Even those personal revelations I hold loosely; as I grow I may discover deeper meanings even yet.

David Whitmer taught that if we are truly going to continually progress, each time we make a shift up, we have to leave behind all the old paradigms and start fresh with the mind of a child, open and unknowing, so that we may be filled with new knowledge. It requires a lot of humility to let go of our pet beliefs. Things we may have let go may return to us so we can learn a deeper lesson. I believe that is why JS put into the 13th article of faith that "we believe all things." It suggests a willingness to be taught anew.

Susan

See also