Yeah, They Can Say That!
11:36 PM
I don't plan to do this often, but this seems to be the best response:
Recently the LDS Church made a statement regarding the legalization of medical marijuana in Utah. And, as seems to be the trend, there have been a new slew of critics ready to take up the chant about why this move is ill-advised. As is often the case, however, the answer to most of the critiques I've seen has already be explained, by apostles, quite a while ago. The entire talk, called "Fourteen Fundamentals of Following a Prophet" was written by President (then of the Quorum of the Twelve) Ezra Taft Benson in 1981. I provide here just his headings:
First: The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
Second: The living prophet is more vital to us than the Standard Works.
Third: The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
Fourth: The prophet will never lead the Church astray.
Fifth: The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or diplomas to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
Sixth: The prophet does not have to say “Thus saith the Lord” to give us scripture.
Seventh: The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
Eighth: The Prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.
Ninth: The prophet can receive revelation on any matter—temporal or spiritual.
Tenth: The prophet may well advise on civic matters.
Eleventh: The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
Twelfth: The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
Thirteenth: The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—The highest quorum in the Church.
Fourteenth: The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.
I think numbers seven through twelve seem to be especially applicable to today, don't you?
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