Leaders speaking does not mean "the thinking has been done."

If they want this memo to be considered revelation from God, then they need to take steps to put it in the canon. I will then exercise my common consent.

There are those who believe that anything the leaders say is by definition, "revelation from God".

Yes, and that position is not scriptural (see D&C 107 & Deut. 18). George Albert Smith came down on that in his letter to the minister that expressed his embarassment of the notion that "when are leaders have spoken, the thinking has been done."

Joseph Fielding Smith stomped on such an idea too.

So did Joseph F. Smith, Charles Penrose, and Hugh B. Brown. I'm sure there are others.

I remember my freshman year at BYU, Reed Benson taught just the opposite. "When the prophet speaks, the thinking has been done."

I am not ready to go against the teachings of Reed Benson.

Just received this email from the Bishop. It includes a forward from the Stake President. I have removed names soas to protect the innocent.

I would normally teach this lesson, but since last month, I have been attending EQ on the fourth Sunday (so I can actually meet people my own age in my ward). The Bishop subs for me on 4th Sunday, so looks like it was meant to be that I attend EQ. It would have been VERY hard for me to teach this lesson.

Again, not sure it is a great idea that local Church leaders are wanting us to tie religious teachings to an upcoming Amendment election. Lobbying seems to put the tax-exempt status in jeopardy....

******

From:
Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 1:30 PM
To:
Cc:
Subject: FW: 4th Sunday

Dear 5th Ward YM and YM leaders,

Please arrange for the talk by Elder Ballard below to be the subject of 4th Sunday YM and YW classes this month.

Bishop x

Here is more specific info/clarification on the 4th Sunday lesson for
July:

July 27: Teachings of our Times Lesson: Elder Ballard: "What Matters
Most is What Lasts Longest," Liahona November 2005
This is to be taught in all our classes, groups and quorums

-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 10:54 AM
To:
Cc:
Subject: FW: 4th Sunday

Brothers and Sisters,

The Stake Presidency has asked us to change the 4th Sunday lesson for
July to the talk by Elder Ballard that President x references
below. This subject of heeding the Prophet's voice should be tied to
the current California marriage amendment issue.

Bishop x

-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Monday, June 30, 2008 11:42 PM
To:
Cc:
Subject: 4th Sunday

Here is the link to Elder Ballard's talk for use on the 4th Sunday.

Pres x

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.js...____&hideNav=1

I seriously doubt this is an autonomous move by local leaders. More than likely, this has been filtered down through the FP down through the chain of command down to the Area Authorities who then have the Stake Presidents instruct their units to do the above.

I dont disagree with you. I never mentioned autonomous moves or local mutiny. I simply stated that the emails were from local leaders. relax, tex.

From a tax exemption perspective, it seems even worse if it is coming from Church leadership.

I fail to see how this endangers their tax exemption.

I thought you were a stats guy? Are you trained in tax? If not, then why would you expect to be able to see it?