Are LDS Prophets Only Speculating?

[Rescued One]

"Now let us conclude this general conference, let us all give heed to what was said to us. Let us assume the counsel given applies to us, to me. Let us hearken to those we sustain as prophets and seers, as well as the other brethren, as if our eternal life depended upon it, because it does! May I stress again the value of reading the addresses given at our general conferences in the Ensign magazine."

President Spencer W. Kimball
April 2, 1978

"For the next six months, your conference edition of the Ensign should be referred to frequently. As my dear friend and brother Harold B. Lee said, we should let these conference addresses 'be the guide to [our] walk and talk during the next six months. These are the important matters the Lord sees fit to reveal to this people in this day' (in Conference Report, Apr. 1946, p. 68)."

President Ezra Taft Benson
April 3, 1988

 

[deazone]

"Now let us conclude this general conference, let us all give heed to what was said to us. Let us assume the counsel given applies to us, to me. Let us hearken to those we sustain as prophets and seers, as well as the other brethren, as if our eternal life depended upon it, because it does! May I stress again the value of reading the addresses given at our general conferences in the Ensign magazine."

President Spencer W. Kimball
April 2, 1978

"For the next six months, your conference edition of the Ensign should be referred to frequently. As my dear friend and brother Harold B. Lee said, we should let these conference addresses 'be the guide to [our] walk and talk during the next six months. These are the important matters the Lord sees fit to reveal to this people in this day' (in Conference Report, Apr. 1946, p. 68)."

President Ezra Taft Benson
April 3, 1988

Phoebe Ann

Do you mean are they only speculating in the above quoted text or do you mean to ask if they are always speculating with everything they say?

 

[Apex]

Phoebe, including your own words is usually something that is done when trying to discuss something. Just writing a few quotes is considered bad writing style because it doesnt represent your interpretation of those quotes.

 

[Rescued One]

"Let us hearken to those we sustain as prophets and seers, as well as the other brethren, as if our eternal life depended upon it, because it does! May I stress again the value of reading the addresses given at our general conferences in the Ensign magazine."

President Spencer W. Kimball
April 2, 1978


Does anyone have trouble understanding what Spencer Kimball was saying? Was he speculating or was he serious?

 

[Penitent]

"Let us hearken to those we sustain as prophets and seers, as well as the other brethren, as if our eternal life depended upon it, because it does! May I stress again the value of reading the addresses given at our general conferences in the Ensign magazine."

President Spencer W. Kimball
April 2, 1978


Does anyone have trouble understanding what Spencer Kimball was saying? Was he speculating or was he serious?

Hi, this is my first post after a few days looking around.

President Kimball was serious that our eternal lives depend on whether or not we hearken to the words of our prophets, and seers. It is their responsibility as such to warn, teach and expound on the things they have been revealed and it is our duty for our own good (both here and eternally) to hearken to those words and be not only hearers of the word but doers also.

Is there something about the quotes you selected that brings up an issue in your mind? Please share.

 

[Rescued One]

Hi, this is my first post after a few days looking around.

President Kimball was serious that our eternal lives depend on whether or not we hearken to the words of our prophets, and seers. It is their responsibility as such to warn, teach and expound on the things they have been revealed and it is our duty for our own good (both here and eternally) to hearken to those words and be not only hearers of the word but doers also.

Is there something about the quotes you selected that brings up an issue in your mind? Please share.

"May I stress again the value of reading the addresses given at our general conferences in the Ensign magazine."


Are the words spoken at General Conference to be taken with a grain of salt or does your eternal life depend on your giving heed to those words?

 

[Theway]

"May I stress again the value of reading the addresses given at our general conferences in the Ensign magazine."


Are the words spoken at General Conference to be taken with a grain of salt or does your eternal life depend on your giving heed to those words?

One can only speculate on the meaning.

 

[Penitent]

"May I stress again the value of reading the addresses given at our general conferences in the Ensign magazine."


Are the words spoken at General Conference to be taken with a grain of salt or does your eternal life depend on your giving heed to those words?

Generally speaking a general authority or others asked to speak at conference will speak on an issue such as avoiding sin, or preparing for temple marriage, or inviting the Holy Ghost by righteous living. In each message that we hear and internalize we gain knowledge of what God would have us do. Words spoken at Conference are not to be taken with a grain of salt. They are for our benefit, just as the words in the scriptures are for our benefit. Eternal life depends on giving heed to the words in the scriptures as well. I hope that is a satisfactory answer.

 

[Rescued One]

So would it be correct to say that there are words outside of LDS scripture that LDS must hearken to?

 

[Rescued One]

One can only speculate on the meaning.

I hope you are good at that.

 

[MormonFriend]

So would it be correct to say that there are words outside of LDS scripture that LDS must hearken to?

LDS scripture tells us to hearken to prophets. It also tells us to hearken to the voice of the Spirit. So the answer is yes.

 

[Rescued One]

This is advice given to LDS by Gordon B. Hinckley:

I cannot understand why any young man—or young woman, for that matter—would wish to undergo the painful process of disfiguring the skin with various multicolored representations of people, animals, and various symbols... Fathers, caution your sons against having their bodies tattooed. They may resist your talk now, but the time will come when they will thank you. A tattoo is graffiti on the temple of the body.

I submit that it is an uncomely thing, and yet a common thing, to see young men with ears pierced for earrings, not for one pair only, but for several. They have no respect for their appearance. Do they think it clever or attractive to so adorn themselves? I submit it is not adornment. It is making ugly that which was attractive. Not only are ears pierced, but other parts of the body as well.. It is absurd.

May I mention earrings and rings placed in other parts of the body. These are not manly. They are not attractive. You young men look better without them... As for the young women, you do not need to drape rings up and down your ears. One modest pair of earrings is sufficient.
- Gordon B. Hinckley, “Your Greatest Challenge, Mother,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 97 and text of a talk given to youth and young single adults on 12 November 2000 at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City and broadcast by satellite throughout the Church.

How important are these words? If a young man has a tattoo, can he still go on a mission?

 

[MormonFriend]

This is advice given to LDS by Gordon B. Hinckley:

How important are these words?

In light of the fact that GBH spoke of our bodies as being a temple, it is extremely important for us to realize its sacredness. I believe that it is against God's will that we disfigure what He has created. Furthermore, people do it to draw attention to themselves, which attitude is counter productive in becoming Christ like.

If a young man has a tattoo, can he still go on a mission?

I do not know the official guidelines, but common sense would tell me that if the tattoo is visible, it should come off. The other common sense issue is if the young man understands the sanctity of his body and that it was a mistake to disfigure it. If he doesn't understand that principle, then likely he doesn't understand the reason for serving a mission. The comprehension is more important than the tattoo itself. I think there are many sins that leave invisible marks on us that are potentially more detrimental, so a tattoo is less harmful.

The ultimate criteria for a missionary is his spiritual well being, and we all have scars that have healed.

 

[fatboys]

So would it be correct to say that there are words outside of LDS scripture that LDS must hearken to?

Ann, why would this be a problem for anyone? If there is a true prophet, and he speaks for God, then I would say that when ever he speaks, it is important. Most of the time prophets repeat and remind us of our covenants and promises we have made to God, and advice on how to live a better life. But there are times when the Lord wants us to know more, and be bound by those words. There is a process that LDS go through to bind these new words to them and make them scriptures. They have to be voted on and accepted by the first presidency, and then the quorm of the twelve, and so on down the line until it reachs the general membership in General conference. If is accepted by a majority of all, then it becomes doctrine and binding. If a person votes against it, then it is not binding on them.

We should listen to the prophets and apostles, for their are speaking to us what God wants us to know, whether or not it becomes scriptures or not. Not every word spoken by ancient prophets became scriptures.

 

[Penitent]

So would it be correct to say that there are words outside of LDS scripture that LDS must hearken to?

I am in agreement with my fellow LDS posters. The fact is, every issue may not of themselves seem that important to some as to call it essential for exaltation, but they are part of a larger issue. The world may see a tattoo as an expression of personality or individuality, but within the church it is still seen as a sign of rebellion. We have always been taught that the body is a temple and to defile it for eternity is open rebellion, but one can and should overcome this. A tattoo does not determine ones exaltation, his willingness to submit to Christ in humble repentance does. With that said, I have several family members who are LDS with tattoos and all but one are embarassed about them, because they represent a time in their life they were not proud of.

 

[Blackmarch]

"Now let us conclude this general conference, let us all give heed to what was said to us. Let us assume the counsel given applies to us, to me. Let us hearken to those we sustain as prophets and seers, as well as the other brethren, as if our eternal life depended upon it, because it does! May I stress again the value of reading the addresses given at our general conferences in the Ensign magazine."

President Spencer W. Kimball
April 2, 1978

"For the next six months, your conference edition of the Ensign should be referred to frequently. As my dear friend and brother Harold B. Lee said, we should let these conference addresses 'be the guide to [our] walk and talk during the next six months. These are the important matters the Lord sees fit to reveal to this people in this day' (in Conference Report, Apr. 1946, p. 68)."

President Ezra Taft Benson
April 3, 1988

What in the quote makes it seem speculating?

 

[Rescued One]

In light of the fact that GBH spoke of our bodies as being a temple, it is extremely important for us to realize its sacredness. I believe that it is against God's will that we disfigure what He has created. Furthermore, people do it to draw attention to themselves, which attitude is counter productive in becoming Christ like.

Many people do not consider earrings and tattoos as disfiguring their bodies. If it is against God's will to pierce or tattoo your body, why do LDS women have pierced ears? Why does GBH say it's okay for a woman to have one set of earrings?

I do not know the official guidelines, but common sense would tell me that if the tattoo is visible, it should come off.

How is it common sense to put a scar where the tattoo was?

The other common sense issue is if the young man understands the sanctity of his body and that it was a mistake to disfigure it.

What is it that defiles a body? How are two pairs of earrings wrong when one pair is okay?

If he doesn't understand that principle, then likely he doesn't understand the reason for serving a mission. The comprehension is more important than the tattoo itself. I think there are many sins that leave invisible marks on us that are potentially more detrimental, so a tattoo is less harmful.

So it's a sin(albeit it a less serious one than some others) to have a tattoo? Can a tattoo keep someone from getting a temple recommend?

The ultimate criteria for a missionary is his spiritual well being, and we all have scars that have healed.

Is a person who has his tattoo removed more righteous that the person who doesn't?

 

[Rescued One]

I am in agreement with my fellow LDS posters. The fact is, every issue may not of themselves seem that important to some as to call it essential for exaltation, but they are part of a larger issue. The world may see a tattoo as an expression of personality or individuality, but within the church it is still seen as a sign of rebellion.

Is it a sign of rebellion because the prophet doesn't approve of tattoos or is there another reason?

 

[buddy mack]

This is advice given to LDS by Gordon B. Hinckley:



How important are these words? If a young man has a tattoo, can he still go on a mission?

I can't remember which prophet was hear saying this, but it went something like this. if i remember correctly.

" I can't understand why any middle age or older man or woman would eat and eat drink and drink so much over the years as to not notice their weight went from average weight of man and woman to the average weight of a cow or bull.
It is painful to the eye to see so many mostly women walk into church wearing a large tent for a dress.
No wonder porn is such a problem in our church now days.
These old goats and cows may resist my talk now, but one day their spouse will find them looking at a computer way past mid-night if you know what i mean.
May i mention it might help the old folks if they would spend more time in the gym and less time worring about what their neighbores are up to, spend more time walking with their family and less time riding to the churches or temples or what ever.
Now i know in the past prophets always came down on young people but times have changed, this prophet is preaching to the gray heads out there, shap up or ship out. leave the young folks along let them hav their 2,3 or more earrings, and what ever. I think there are a lot of old grannys out there that could use alittle make over too."

Now you might think this is just making fun of some old guy, which it is not, it is to show this will never happen. doesnt matter what church or whether its christian or not, it just goes to show, aint no prophet goin to bite the hand tha feeds him. remember young folks don't tithe.

simple true.

 

[Penitent]

Is it a sign of rebellion because the prophet doesn't approve of tattoos or is there another reason?

It is a sign of rebellion because we have always been told not to do those things. Is it because the prophet doesn't like them, or because Christ would rather we kept our bodies clean from those things? I don't know, but he is the prophet and if an LDS person is going to call him a prophet and then willfully go against his counsel, they are in rebellion.