You hear it all the time. "What is the churches stance on caffiene?" "Well, once my bishop said it was bad, so we shouldn't drink it." "Is is ok to get plastic surgery?" "I've heard that once a church leader said it was bad." "Is the church ok with _____?" "Well, in Mormon Doctrine, is states that...." Does anyone see the great problem with all these examples? People all the time rely on heresay, what their bishops opinion on the matter is, or even what a general authority says on the matter to make their decision on whether or not it's "right," whatever "it" may be. I think this is a grossly underestimated problem with people in the church. The only thing we should care about is what God has to say about it. Time and time again we have been told through scriptures and talks That the ONLY PERSON ON EARTH that can introduce new "doctrine" for the church, is the Prophet of God. Anything your bishop says, anything you "think you've heard," anything that even a general authority has said that is "new material" or a new idea of what is ok or not ok, is relatively unimportant, because only revalation from God is absolute and automatically correct, and the only person on earth who has the ability to speak for God is the Prophet or the Church. There is no such thing as "The Churches Stance." By all means, give church leaders a good listen, even though you are under no obligation to follow it if you disagree with it if it is not revelation from God, because there's a huge chance whatever they're saying is wise! My point however, is that church leaders are entitled to their own opinions, they certainly show themselves in their talks and articles you read in the Ensign, and if you hear something that sounds off, or wrong that a leader has said, fret not, because only the Prophet has the right to introduce doctrine. Does anyone agree? Disagree? By all means, state your honest and sincere opinion! Toodles :)
