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What's on the prophet's mind matters

Anonymous | 9:32 a.m. Aug. 25, 2009

I think I will keep my thoughts to myself on this one.

Both Sides Now | 9:50 a.m. Aug. 25, 2009

So are we supposed to believe Brigham Young's racist teachings after all? And does this mean that Joseph Smith's discredited "prophesies" that are now taught as simply being his "opinion", are in fact supposed to be believed?

Curious | 9:58 a.m. Aug. 25, 2009

Why is the president of the Mormon church labeled a prophet; and why don't the head of other churches title themselves prophets. Is there some special distinction. Where are the prophesies, can people see them.

Comments continue below

Mike | 11:40 a.m. Aug. 25, 2009

To Anonymous: thanks for being quiet, no one listens anyway.
To Both Sides Now: All Prophets have their own opinions and sometimes what they say may be interpreted wrong. Didn't know Joseph Smith had any discredited prophesies, what are they?
To Curious: That because the heads of other churches aren't Prophets, they just do what they think best.

Least | 12:00 p.m. Aug. 25, 2009

>Brigham Young's racist teachings?
>Joseph Smith's discredited "prophesies"

Those memes have been thoroughly and repeatedly refuted. I would suggest attempting to come up with something new, and not so intellectually slothful and dishonest.

>Why is the president of the Mormon church labeled a prophet

Because he has been called by God as a prophet, seer, and revelator. Other general authorities, as well as individuals, can be prophets in the sense of having the spirit of prophecy and receiving direction from God through the Holy Ghost, but only one person has the responsibility to receive revelation from God for the entire world.

>why don't the head of other churches title themselves prophets.

One reason is that many believe that God, for some reason that He has never revealed, no longer calls prophets to teach His word to His children.

>Where are the prophesies, can people see them.

Conference Reports of the Church are the best place. Remember that it may be in the form of a direct prophecy (such as "A certain thing will happen at a certain time") or as indirect prophecy (such as counsel to prepare for something, etc.)

See also Mormon(dot)org.

Billions don't | 2:47 p.m. Aug. 25, 2009

Only a few million (maybe 4-6 million active LDS) of the people alive on the earth today listen to the prophets voice. The other 6.5 BILLION (or 99.9%) of the earth's population couldn't care less what is on the prophets mind. Sad but true. Seems like God must have a more effective plan to reach the rest of the 99.9% of his children on earth.

RE :Least | 2:48 p.m. Aug. 25, 2009

discredited Prophecies of Joseph Smith: (D&C 7:1-3 )"John the beloved shall live until the Lord comes; Joseph mis-understood the KJV. John 21:22,23 NIV.)"Because of this,the rumor spread among the brothers,that the disciples would not die,but Jesus did not say that he would not die;he only said,"If I want him to remain alive until I return what is that to You? (Alma 7:10)" And behold,he shall be born of Mary at "Jerusalem", OT and NT say "Bethleham",Brigham Young,"Do you think that we shall ever be admitted as a state into the union without denying the principle of polygamy? If we are not amitted until then,we shall never be admitted. (JOD vol 11 p269)

Anonymous | 3:08 p.m. Aug. 25, 2009

I respect the efforts of many to understand the words of the Prophet, I don't appreciate the efforts to discredit them simply because they don't understand.

To understand the words of the Prophet, one would have to look at them through a lens of faith. Without that lens, one will never understand.

If you don't understand, then don't criticize.

RE : Least more | 3:51 p.m. Aug. 25, 2009

False prophecies of Joseph"It was the will of God that those who went toZion with the dtermination to lay down their lives,if necesssary, should be ordained to the ministry,and go forth to prune the vineyard for the last time,or the coming of the Lord,which was nigh(near)-even fifty-six years, should wind up the scene."(H OF C vol 2 p.183,1835)
Brigham Young"can you make a Christian of a Jew? I tell you nay,If a Jew comes into the Church,and honestly professes to be a Saint a follower of Christ,and if the blood of Judah is in his vein , he will apostatize." (JOD vol 2 p 142)

Steam pipes | 3:54 p.m. Aug. 25, 2009

BLAH BLAH BLAH! All Hot air goen on here.

If I Only Had a Brain | 4:00 p.m. Aug. 25, 2009

Such nonsense. Paying heed to "the prophet" is no different from paying attention to the Wizard of Oz.

Least | 4:24 p.m. Aug. 25, 2009

To the person who posted so-called "false prophecies"

You are fundamentally misreading those statements, and taking them out of context. It is clear that you are anti-Mormon, however, and are not interested in anything but engaging in destructive activities. I will therefore refrain from engaging with you any longer. I am happy to converse with individuals who have honest questions and a sincere desire to learn and understand the truth, but I will not waste my time with those who have a perverse desire merely to tear things down. Good luck in your future endeavors.

Hee Ha! Hee Ha! | 4:31 p.m. Aug. 25, 2009

Does this mean that Joseph Smiths ZELPH story means something?

I wont mention Brigham Young. This could get quite disastrous.

Folks, we all need to keep our composer on here and calm down now. Thank you.

Something different | 4:35 p.m. Aug. 25, 2009

The LDS prophet gives good advice for living your life... but so does Billy Graham, Joel Osteen, The Dali Lama and many other religious leaders. What the LDS prophet needs to do is something that really sets him apart from these other religious leaders, something that makes people (non LDS people) really notice something unique and different than all the other religious leaders. In the eyes of most of the worlds population - he is just another religious leader.

Oil Country | 4:45 p.m. Aug. 25, 2009

To Least:

Why do you say that the person has misinterpreted the prophecies? I am curious.

RE: RE :Least | 2:48 p.m | 4:56 p.m. Aug. 25, 2009

HOW Do YOU KNOW John is not still living and tarrying?

Isn't bethelhem basically a suburb of Jerusalem?

ARN'T you consfusing a man giving his opinion with a Prophet giving actual prophecy?

And I have to agree with LEAST,

it is obvious you just want to attack mormons, and be contentious, and NOT interested in HONEST discussion,

or finding answers to honest questions.

Sheeeeeeeesh! | 5:23 p.m. Aug. 25, 2009

Oh, brother.. grow up people!

huh? | 5:45 p.m. Aug. 25, 2009

RE 4:56pm, Hey man, get over it. Is it alright if some people don't believe and see things as you do? Not everyone see things the way a Mormon might, so stop throwing a tizzy fit.

To Least 2:48 | 5:53 p.m. Aug. 25, 2009

What if the sheperds went to Jerusalem instead of Bethleham? What if you went to pick up your mother at bus a stop in Salt Lake but she was in Layton?
(Jude 3) "Contend for the faith''(contentious)
I am not anti-Mormon most of my family were Mormons,my wife still is a Mormon. The vast majority of Mormons I know are great people.

I believe | 7:58 p.m. Aug. 25, 2009

I believe the Lord Jesus Christ loves us so much that he restored His full gospel on the Earth. Eternity with Him is everything to me. He has given us more revelations, more scripture, and a prophet in these tumultuous times- so why complain? The Lord Himself has stated He "excuses not Himself". I feel sorry for those of you who feel that more direction from the Lord today is not needed or that the Lord would not do what He had done time and time again in the Bible: call the people to repentance and restore his commandments through His appointed prophets. I thank the Lord for Prseident Thomas S, Monson. I wish all you angered filled people would search for that which is more thoughtful and kind in others than to ridicule their beliefs. If you think the LDS are not kind or thoughtful, then YOU be the example to them of Christlike fortitude and character.

jmjjmas | 7:24 a.m. Aug. 26, 2009

Right on Ben! Right on!

Bill | 8:59 a.m. Aug. 26, 2009

To something different:

I appreaciate your thoughts and suggestions but the thing is that what sets President Monson a side from the others is that he is called of God to let us kno wof God's will. Many people don't believe this but that is the truth. There are many good people in the world who say the samething but may not carry the mantel of the Lord's mouthpiece.

What set Peter different from Moses or Abraham? What set Joseph Smith or Brigham Young any different? Some will say this or that but the thing is each was called of God. People believe Moses and Peter are because it is recorded solely in the Biblical sense. They don't believe in God speaking through Prophets today, therefore man is left with only their own interpretations of the Bible. Prophets take those interpretations and enlighten us as to its true meaning. Many will disagree just as many disagree with Moses, Abraham, Noah, Peter, James and John. Many were killed because of their calling such Peter and James.

I still feel John is walking the earth just as the three nephites in the BOM are.

Sad But True | 9:12 a.m. Aug. 26, 2009

You apologists will never let facts or reason get in the way or sway you from your beliefs. You remind me of those who see the Virgin Mary in a grilled cheese sandwich and think that is a miracle too.

Please Explain | 9:23 a.m. Aug. 26, 2009

Is Joseph Smith's teaching about the planet Kolob still considered doctrine or was that just his opinion? We still sing about it in church. I can't wait to hie away there.

Bill | 12:49 p.m. Aug. 26, 2009

To Please Explain: Maybe you should search the information on that but that never was doctrine. There was never much emphasis ever placed upon it. It is supposedly where God lives. That is all but very little information as to its whereabouts or anything else has ever been taught except for some.

The same is said about Brigham Young and some things he taught. They never were actual doctrine but teachings. Mormon Doctrine written by Bruce R McConkie is probably one of the best books that cover the actual philosphy and doctrine of the Church. Have you read it? Very few have.

Oil Country | 1:32 p.m. Aug. 26, 2009

To Bill:

I have read Mormon Doctrine. It is one of the reasons I left the Church. The earlier versions of the book had some very racist teachings in it.

To oil Country: | 3:32 p.m. Aug. 26, 2009

The Mormon Doctrine publication is not official church doctrine. If that is why you left the Lord's church while not going to Him to find the truth, I feel sorry for you. The Apostles in the time of Christ fequently needed direction and clarification by the Savior. Only the prophet of the Lord who speaks as His prophet is giving scripture. The Lord has sais His house is a house of order. "chose you this day whom ye will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" Joshua made that statement because many in the House of Israel were not listening with the spirit and using excuses not to do so. Listen to President Monson when he speaks as a prophet, go to the Lord and ask if he is His prophet and listen to the Spirit of truth. Have the courage to do so. Eternity is extremely long if you let pride and stubborness cloud your courage for truth.

Oil Country | 3:58 p.m. Aug. 26, 2009

Thank you for your sympathy. Mormon Doctrine contributed to my departure from the Church but was in no means the only reason.

I could list them for people, but my post would never make it through the censors.

Long story short....my beliefs about Heavenly Father differ from LDS beliefs about Heavenly Father.

Talk Slowly | 7:11 p.m. Aug. 26, 2009

Apparently there is no such thing as Mormon doctrine. It seems to change all the time and simply be relegated to "just the prophet's opinion."

Does the LDS church believe in ANYTHING????

Thank God for Prophets | 9:12 a.m. Aug. 27, 2009

Yes, Zelph is doctrine. Polygamy is still doctrine, but it is okay to deny it now and probably won't be much longer. We sing about "Hieing away to Kolob" in church, so that must still be doctrine. However, it probably won't be in the future and the hymn book will be changed, just like the scriptures. "White and delightsome" was doctrine, but no longer. Same goes for Lamanites being Indians. That has been changed.

ZELPH??? | 10:26 a.m. Aug. 27, 2009

Please tell me more about the Zelph doctrine...I'm interested and listening ;-)

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