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In what ways might a prophet err, and still be considered to be a prophet? Is a prophet required to be morally perfect? Why would a prophet have erroneous views about Book of Mormon Geography or the history of the Bible? Is it expedient for modern-day prophets to have infallible views on the location of the Hill Cumorah or the breadth and depth of Noah’s flood? Should a prophet know everything about quantum physics or chemistry? Listen to this episode for a discussion of these issues. The full text of this article can be found at Mormon Times.
Brother Ash is author of the book Shaken Faith Syndrome: Strengthening One’s Testimony in the Face of Criticism and Doubt, as well as the book, of Faith and Reason: 80 Evidences Supporting the Prophet Joseph Smith. Both books are available for purchase online through the FAIR Bookstore.
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So, I don’t think this podcast is in the iTunes Store yet. Least if it is, mine can’t seem to find it…
Thanks Jared. I’ve fixed it. It should show up in iTunes within 24 hours.
Science was advanced enough in 1850 to not require a PhD in Physics to realize Brigham Young’s statements about people living on the sun and moon to be absurdly erroneous.
Nobody expects ecclesiastical leaders to be masters of all things academic. But when spiritual claims are so frequently outdated and updated by an organization purportedly run by God, one can’t help but question the nature of its authority.
Got it downloaded, thanks!
This is a great podcast. Thank you Many LDS people don’t realize this. They think that if the prophet opens his mouth and says, for instance, he like milk toast for breakfast, then some think everyone must have mild toast for breakfast (YUCK)This is an exaggeration, of course, but it’s good to let people know the difference between revelation and personal opinion. Not everything the prophet or the counsel of the twelve say is revelation because they are people too. But when the prophet emphatically says that this is revelation from the Lord, and implements in for the whole Church, then, it is revelation and we should abide by it.
For Eric, considering that Pres Young was in a remote part of the country in 1850 shows that he would not be aware of the facts on civilizations on the moon or sun. I had read that there was a general belief in life on those spheres and that Pres. Abraham Licohn believed that the moon had people on it. This is due to a scientist that claimed that he could see roadways and canels on the moon which would mean it had civilization.
That is why members of the church are given the gift of the Holy Ghost. It gives us the ability to know when the truth is being told. We believe in Prophets not puppets; Joseph Smith taught that he was only a prophet when he was acting as one. If he was in tune all the time it would be like keeping a bow strung all the time. After alwhile it would lose its spring.