puiwaihin

There's a difference between something coming from an official source within the Church, like a press release or a letter from Church headquarters, and an official declaration or proclamation-- like the Proclamation on the Family. Official doctrine is made through unanimous agreement of one or all of the presiding quorums. (D&C 107 21-29). Proclamations or announcements not made through that process do not have the same force. There are other teachings that are believed in the Church other than those found in the Standard Works and official proclamations, but they are not official. There is still some room for doubt as to whether such a thing is inspired-- or if the interpretation of something is inspired-- and it is up to the individual member to learn of the truth through careful study and prayer. Things said by the prophets and apostles are often inspired. If it is written in the the Standard Works and is in accordance with the teachings of the gospel we can know they are true. If something is said not in canon we can still know if it is correct or not when the Spirit of God teaches it to us. (Vanhin already gave quotes for this earlier.) I believe President Snow was inspired of God when this truth was revealed to him: "As man is God once was; as God now is man may be!" It refers to several clear and plain doctrines in the restored gospel: eternal progression, exaltation, God as our Father, etc. However, the part where it says "God was as man is" can have several meanings, not all of which are within officially received doctrine. If taken to mean Jesus Christ, or through Christ, then that would make things simple. But it could easily mean the Father was as man is, and if so, then in what sense that is true becomes an issue. And the answer to that is not within official church teachings. While the quote is accepted of the Brethren, not all of its possible interpretations are. There is nothing wrong with discussing these things and trying to understand them, but this should be a matter of careful prayer and humility-- not a time for pride in scholarship. And when dealing with people outside the Church, we should be even more careful in helping them understand that this question lies out the basic principles of the gospel and what is established as revealed truth. As a matter of disclosure, I was discussing this with the OP on another messageboard under a different username.