How the Mormon Church Would Benefit if the Prophet Could Speak Ex Cathedra
The problem of what is Mormon doctrine and what is merely considered well considered opinion could be resolved by giving the Mormon prophet the equivalent of giving the prophet the power of being able to speak ex cathedra. For those who may not remember there Latin or could care less about elements of Catholic theology, it clarified Papal infallibility and said the pope is only infallible when speaking on matters of theology and then only when he speaks ex cathedra. This does mean that some changes such as allowing women to hold the priesthood will not happen in the Catholic Church because an earlier pope has spoken ex cathedra on the matter.
What does this part of Catholic doctrine have to do with trying to pin down Mormon doctrine? The Fourteen Fundamentals of Following a Prophet were penned by Ezra Taft Benson. In it, he says that the prophet does not have to say "thus saith the lord to give us scripture" and that the prophet need not be knowledgeable about an issue to speak on it.
While the fourteen fundamentals of following a Prophet are not in and of themselves part of Mormon doctrine, there have been no statements at least to my knowledge that repudiate them. However, the fourteen fundamentals say that a living prophet is more important than a dead prophet so if the current leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Gordon B. Hinckley wanted to, he could say that Ezra Taft Benson was merely speaking as a man.
It is hard to understand the Mormon reluctance to introduce the idea of the prophet speaking ex cathedra into their religion. Perhaps it is too Catholic. While the leadership has not learned not to make ill-formed and ill-considered statement like the early Mormon leaders did, it would also mean that it would rob the Mormon leadership of the power to change it later.
The press release which tries to facilitate the purpose of better understanding unfortunately misses the point of the church. Reporters and other authors are not interested in the similarities Mormon belief has to Mainstream Christian denominations. Reporters and people studying it are more interested in the differences.
Mormon belief may be weird to people raised in another country, but worshiping a trinity while claiming to be a monotheistic religion is no less weird to others than believing that the Garden of Eden is in Missouri.
Sadly, the press release is merely trying to attract attention away from statements made by other leaders in the past or in the recent case of their attempt to move towards greater acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people to say what a Mormon apostle said is well considered opinion. Then again, some things that will probably move to the well-considered opinion category in the future are the current ban on facial hair in the Mormon Church, and that Mormon women are allowed one pair of earrings in each ear. Critics of this ridiculous policy which represents the opinion of old men rather than an idea of god point out that an omnipotent being with a universe to run probably has better things to worry about than Earrings and facial hair. (Then, I guess the Mormon god has all those spirit children and polygamous wives to keep in line.)
Sadly, one can never say what words that come from the prophet's mouth are merely the prophet speaking as a man and the prophet speaking as god's representative. The saying the prophet is only the prophet when speaking as such which is popular among Mormon members does not tell the layman how to distinguish between the leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints speaking as god's representative and merely giving his well considered opinion like several made by Boyd K. Packer.
Sources:
http://www.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=970af549db852110VgnVCM100000176f620aRCRD&vgnextchannel=f5f411154963d010VgnVCM1000004e94610aRCRD
www.lds-mormon.com
www.lds.org
Published by S. Landis
Born early in one February morning in 1977, the world has since graced me with its presence View profile
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5 Comments
Post a CommentI find it very difficult to accept this article for little more than "opinion" itself when it is so very poorly written. Editing is a wonderful thing, as is competent research. Better luck next time.
whereas I am a former Mormon with a different perspective who may be a little critical of the church practices, but thinks if it would be willing to change, it might save itself.
Dianna, I am not ignorant of Mormon issues except what goes on in the temple which I don't care about, the fact is, you are Mormon and are trying not to see problems that are there...
What we're actually taught in the LDS Church is closer to this...many people get stuck on some thing or other that a previous prophet has said. If those prophets were alive, they would be able to clarify their own statements in a modern context. Unfortunately though, they are dead, and people can spin their words in any direction they choose. If there is any conflict on what the Church believes, we are to look first to the living prophet and apostles for what they say. Modern circumstances change. We are not shepherds living in Israel anymore. That is why we need a living prophet who receives revelation for the Church as a whole, and personal revelation to know how to apply doctrine in our own individual circumstances. What past prophets have said can be used for learning purposes, but we don't put any other source before modern revelation. Hope this helps.
Interesting concept. You could be right. Thank You fer sharin'. ;-}}>