pelagius |
05-09-2007 06:50 PM |
Of Doctrine and Stationarity
This repeats some of things I have said before but I want to provide some context. Lately, there have been lots of discussions about whether doctrines changes and/or are prophets infallibility. I don't want to address infallibility because as near as I can tell nobody believes in it on the board (despite the long threads about it). The non-mutilability of doctrine depends on ones definition of doctrine. If doctrine is defined as the immutable truth, then the very definition precludes mutability. Many members and church leaders do talk about doctrine this way. For example, Elder Packer said,
Quote:
There will be changes made in the future as in the past. Whether the Brethren make changes or resist them depends entirely upon the instructions they receive through the channels of revelation which were established in the beginning.
The doctrines will remain fixed, eternal; the organization, programs, and procedures will be altered as directed by Him whose church this is. [Boyd K. Packer, "Revelation in a Changing World," Ensign, Nov. 1989, 14]
|
If you feel that way, then whenever I say doctrine replace it with "authoritative teaching." Given that, I just want to list at least a few doctrines or authoritative teachings that have changed. This is not comprehensive, mostly off the top of my head, and I am clearly not an expert in Mormon Studies.
There are certainly things you could add like, “outside the Temple Prayer Circles” or things like the identification of Jehovah as Jesus Christ or the 1877 Priesthood reformation. I hope nobody takes this as an attempt to undermine people's faith. Church doctrine (at least defined as authoritative teachings) does change. I just don't see how it is a big deal. Pick your own personal favorite reason: revelation can be imprecise because human being are influenced by so many non-revelatory factors, implementation can be messy, etc.
|