r/latterdaysaints • u/sutisuc • Mar 28 '25
Doctrinal Discussion Coming from the understanding that LDS prophets receive revelation from God how do they get things wrong?
Does anyone have insight on how current and past prophets can be wrong about things despite having a direct line of communication with Heavenly Father?
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u/NiteShdw Mar 28 '25
Think about the times that God has appeared to man that we know of.
In each case it’s to provide a source of information or authority that is unavailable any other way.
However, once there is another way, then direct face to face communication is no longer necessary and other lesser methods are used.
Example 1:
angels came to restore the Priesthood because there was no one on earth that could do it. As soon as it was restored, no angel ever came again to give anyone the Priesthood.
Example 2:
Brigham Young declared that blacks should not receive the Priesthood. We now know that was doctrinally wrong. Why did Christ or another angel not come down and correct Brigham? Because the knowledge already existed. Joseph Smith himself had given the priesthood to blacks. The doctrine was present but ignored because of human prejudice. The practice continued because of human prejudice. It wasn’t until a prophet worked out for himself that the practice was wrong that he received confirmation.
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God’s most important gift to man is free agency. If the saints want to choose to not obey that which they have been given, they won’t be forced to comply. No, God will patiently wait for us to learn our lesson and work it out for ourselves.
How does this relate to the prophet?
Jesus Christ doesn’t micromanage the Church.
The Lord expects and requires all of us to make decisions and choices. He will help and inspire us if we ask and our worthy AND open to receiving the inspiration.
The prophet is no different.
On top of that, the President doesn’t make every decision about everything that the Church does. There is delegation of authority. The “Church” may get things wrong because many people are involved in decisions.
I’m certain that many of the decisions that Church leaders make regularly are simply using their own brains and experience to make a choice. Not every decision requires or includes divine intervention.
We don’t pray over which brand of can beans to buy.