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RE: Yesterday #DezNat
Thinking about it some more, prophets do occasionally make mistakes related to their calling. However, there has always been a sharp, immediate rebuke from God when these occur. A few notable examples:
Thinking about it some more, prophets do occasionally make mistakes related to their calling. However, there has always been a sharp, immediate rebuke from God when these occur. A few notable examples:
1. Moses
Moses screwed up when he smote the rock rather than speaking to it as God directed (Numbers 20: 1-13). His rebuking immediate and the consequence was harsh, he not being able to bring his people to Israel.
Moses screwed up when he smote the rock rather than speaking to it as God directed (Numbers 20: 1-13). His rebuking immediate and the consequence was harsh, he not being able to bring his people to Israel.
2. Jonah
Jonah defied his calling and tried to flee. He was immediately rebuked and eaten, and after repenting was freed and went to do God’s will. He preached God’s word to wicked Nineveh that they would be overthrown, even unto their repentance and eventual deliverance.
Jonah defied his calling and tried to flee. He was immediately rebuked and eaten, and after repenting was freed and went to do God’s will. He preached God’s word to wicked Nineveh that they would be overthrown, even unto their repentance and eventual deliverance.
3. Joseph Smith
Joseph gave into peer pressure and gave the Book of Lehi to Martin Harris, who then lost it to the hands of wicked men and women. Joseph was rebuked sharply and lost the ability to translate for a time. He repented, the rebuke was lifted, and the work continued.
Joseph gave into peer pressure and gave the Book of Lehi to Martin Harris, who then lost it to the hands of wicked men and women. Joseph was rebuked sharply and lost the ability to translate for a time. He repented, the rebuke was lifted, and the work continued.
In all the cases I know of, the mistakes never involved misrepresenting God’s word via prophetic declaration. “Thus saith the Lord” is never met with “No I didn’t.” What they do involve is errors in behavior: giving into anger, fear, pressure, etc.
This should be obvious, but prophets are men of the same innate weakness as the rest of us. They screw up and sin just like you or me. Where they differ from us in their holy calling. As prophets, they speak for God to us about the things of the Kingdom.
Now, let’s go to Brigham Young.
In 1852, Pres. Young instituted an ban on members of African descent holding the priesthood. This ban was explicitly described as temporary, and it was. In 1978, Pres. Kimball received direction from the Lord to lift the ban.
In 1852, Pres. Young instituted an ban on members of African descent holding the priesthood. This ban was explicitly described as temporary, and it was. In 1978, Pres. Kimball received direction from the Lord to lift the ban.
The common theories (children of Cain, premortal disobedience) for the ban have been disavowed, but Brigham was never rebuked for the ban. There was no Moses-like or Joseph-like loss of privilege. Why?
Because it was the will of the Lord, and done for the Lord’s purposes.
Because it was the will of the Lord, and done for the Lord’s purposes.
Brigham Young was a character with a sharp personality. He was rough, gruff, and badass. He rubbed a lot of folks wrong, and had some questionable theories (sounds like me, tbh), but he was God’s prophet. As pertaining to the Kingdom, Brigham’s voice was that of the Lord.
The priesthood ban pertained to the Kingdom of God. Therefore, the ban was the will of the Lord. The reasons for the ban have not been revealed, but that is the Lord’s prerogative. Nor do these reasons matter; if your testimony hinges on God excusing His actions, repent.
