I recently read the following quote from a mormon source: “When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done. When they propose a plan–it is God’s plan. When they point the way, there is no other which is safe. When they give direction, it should mark the end of controversy. God works in no other way. To think otherwise, without immediate repentance, may cost one his faith, may destroy his testimony, and leave him a stranger to the kingdom of God. ” This quote really bothers me. Why would the church publish such a statement?
2 Responses to “I recently read the following quote from a mormon source: “W…”
Vicente Cruz
2008-07-14 02:29:06
This is one of the anti-Mormons' favorite quotes, as it seems to suggest that Mormons are nothing but mindless sheep. It was in fact published in a church magazine, the Improvement Era, in 1945.
What anti-Mormons conveniently fail to mention is that George Albert Smith, the prophet at the time, personally denounced the statement, explaining to a local Christian minister that it did not reflect actual Mormon doctrine:
"I am pleased to assure you that you are right in your attitude that the passage quoted does not express the true position of the Church. Even to imply that members of the Church are not to do their own thinking is grossly to misrepresent the true ideal of the Church, which is that every individual must obtain for himself a testimony of the truth of the Gospel, must, through the redemption of Jesus Christ, work out his own salvation, and is personally responsible to His Maker for his individual acts. The Lord Himself does not attempt coercion in His desire and effort to give peace and salvation to His children. He gives the principles of life and true progress, but leaves every person free to choose or to reject His teachings. This plan the Authorities of the Church try to follow.
The Prophet Joseph Smith once said: 'I want liberty of thinking and believing as I please.' This liberty he and his successors in the leadership of the Church have granted to every other member thereof."
Pamela Dean
2009-07-22 13:02:32
fairmormon.org has an excellent response to your question, including the full text of the often misquoted words, as well as Pres. George Albert Smith's explanation of why it was published. The most important thing to remember is that the *intent* of the author's statement was not to tell people to be automatons, blindly following their leaders. The author's *intent* was to discourage members from inviting lucifer and apostasy into their lives through denouncing the Lord's prophets. This intent is often overlooked by detractors of the church and misunderstood by members who have not read the whole quote.
What anti-Mormons conveniently fail to mention is that George Albert Smith, the prophet at the time, personally denounced the statement, explaining to a local Christian minister that it did not reflect actual Mormon doctrine:
"I am pleased to assure you that you are right in your attitude that the passage quoted does not express the true position of the Church. Even to imply that members of the Church are not to do their own thinking is grossly to misrepresent the true ideal of the Church, which is that every individual must obtain for himself a testimony of the truth of the Gospel, must, through the redemption of Jesus Christ, work out his own salvation, and is personally responsible to His Maker for his individual acts. The Lord Himself does not attempt coercion in His desire and effort to give peace and salvation to His children. He gives the principles of life and true progress, but leaves every person free to choose or to reject His teachings. This plan the Authorities of the Church try to follow.
The Prophet Joseph Smith once said: 'I want liberty of thinking and believing as I please.' This liberty he and his successors in the leadership of the Church have granted to every other member thereof."