Gospel Doctrine: Selections from the Sermons and Writings of Joseph F. SmithSmith, Joseph F. (Joseph Fielding)
Religion
Gospel Doctrine: Selections from the Sermons and Writings of Joseph F. Smith
Smith, Joseph F. (Joseph Fielding)
Latter Day Saint churches
It is not the business of any individual to rise up as a revelator,
as a prophet, as a seer, as an inspired man, to give revelation for
the guidance of the Church, or to assume to dictate to the presiding
authorities of the Church in any part of the world, much less in the
midst of Zion, where the organizations of the priesthood are about
perfect, where everything is complete, even to the organization
of a branch. It is the right of individuals to be inspired and
to receive manifestations of the Holy Spirit for their personal
guidance to strengthen their faith, and to encourage them in works
of righteousness, in being faithful and observing and keeping the
commandments which God has given unto them; it is the privilege of
every man and woman to receive revelation to this end, but not further.
The moment an individual rises up assuming the right to {52} control
and to dictate, or to sit in judgment on his brethren, especially upon
those who preside, he should be promptly checked, or discord, division
and confusion will be the result. Every man and woman in this Church
should know better than to yield to such a spirit; the moment that such
a feeling presents itself to them they should rebuke it, as it is in
direct antagonism to the order of the priesthood, and to the spirit and
genius of this work. We can accept nothing as authoritative but that
which comes directly through the appointed channel, the constituted
organizations of the priesthood, which is the channel that God has
appointed through which to make known his mind and will to the world.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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