Compared with Living Oracles, Those Books are Nothing to Me

[HoosierGuy]

I read Chapter 16 in the Joseph Smith Manual last night. The chapter is on Revelation and the Living Prophet.

Let me get this clear - modern revelations from the Prophet, like President Monson, is more important than what is written in the Bible, Book of Mormon, D&C, and Pearl of Great Price?

This from the Manual:

"Wilford Woodruff, the fourth President of the Church, reported: “I will refer to a certain meeting I attended in the town of Kirtland in my early days. At that meeting some remarks were made … with regard to the living oracles and with regard to the written word of God. … A leading man in the Church got up and talked upon the subject, and said: ‘You have got the word of God before you here in the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants; you have the written word of God, and you who give revelations should give revelations according to those books, as what is written in those books is the word of God. We should confine ourselves to them.’

“When he concluded, Brother Joseph turned to Brother Brigham Young and said, ‘Brother Brigham, I want you to take the stand and tell us your views with regard to the living oracles and the written word of God.’ Brother Brigham took the stand, and he took the Bible, and laid it down; he took the Book of Mormon, and laid it down; and he took the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and laid it down before him, and he said: ‘There is the written word of God to us, concerning the work of God from the beginning of the world, almost, to our day. And now,’ said he, ‘when compared with the [living] oracles those books are nothing to me; those books do not convey the word of God direct to us now, as do the words of a Prophet or a man bearing the Holy Priesthood in our day and generation. I would rather have the living oracles than all the writing in the books.’ That was the course he pursued. When he was through, Brother Joseph said to the congregation: ‘Brother Brigham has told you the word of the Lord, and he has told you the truth.’ ”16

So, if there is something in the scriptures, be it the Bible, BoM, D&C, or Pearl, and I’m slightly uncomfortable with it from the scriptures, but then read in Ensign one of the Apostles giving his view of it, and I agree with his view, then that is ok for me to agree with his view? I guess what I'm asking is - does the current Prophet and his Apostles trump what is written in the scriptures?

And this leads me to - is this why General Conference is so important? Is General Conference like a modern, up to date, living version of the scriptures? Should I also look at the upcoming Stake Conference like that too?

What an amazing paragraph with Young laying down the Bible, Book of Mormon, and D&C, and saying, compared with the living oracles those books are nothing to me. I realize he's not saying they are worthless. He's saying, if I understand correctly, that the words of the leaders of the church are more important and for our time.

[HiJolly]

Hey, I was reading this last night, too. I have to admit that I consider Joseph a more ... gifted? ... prophet than those that have followed him, so his comments and such I weigh more heavily.

But really, the manual is making a good point. We must look to TODAY's prophets to get God's will for today. If there were something that had to be dealt with today, it would be the living prophet that would help guide us through it.

It's kind of a puzzle. I don't generally accept the Conference talks as doctrine, yet I listen with great care to every talk, and try to incorporate their teachings into my life.

HiJolly

[tubaloth]

So, if there is something in the scriptures, be it the Bible, BoM, D&C, or Pearl, and I’m slightly uncomfortable with it from the scriptures, but then read in Ensign one of the Apostles giving his view of it, and I agree with his view, then that is ok for me to agree with his view?

Yes and no.

You should go to the root of the problem. Just ignoring the scripture(s) all together is probably not safe (or looking for a way out). Now you can use the view of the Prophet(s) as added understanding and take the view in some cases. Even with just ONE prophets view, you should add more then just that. (Need more witnesses)

I guess what I'm asking is - does the current Prophet and his Apostles trump what is written in the scriptures?

New REVELATION trumps old revelation.

And this leads me to - is this why General Conference is so important? Is General Conference like a modern, up to date, living version of the scriptures? Should I also look at the upcoming Stake Conference like that too?

Yes you should! General Conference is always a good time to figure out what we need to focus on NOW! This is the most important thing for us to be learning and applying in our life. (Most of these things are already taught in scripture, they are just a reminder we could be doing better). Same with your Stake Conference. Leaders pray to know how to help the stake grow to be like Zion. The things spoken of there are going to help more short term, where as the scriptures help you more long term.

He's saying, if I understand correctly, that the words of the leaders of the church are more important and for our time.

Pres. Ezra Taft Benson sites this same quote in his 14 Fundamentals for Following a prophet. He talks about now Adams Revelation didn’t help Noah build an ark. The same holds true for us.

[utcowboy]

The written word, each of us tend to interrupt in our own ways. With a living Prophet and Apostles we can get clarification and understand their direct wording better. Though there are still folks out there that like to interrupt their words too. IMHO. :)

[Guest HEthePrimate]

So, if there is something in the scriptures, be it the Bible, BoM, D&C, or Pearl, and I’m slightly uncomfortable with it from the scriptures, but then read in Ensign one of the Apostles giving his view of it, and I agree with his view, then that is ok for me to agree with his view? I guess what I'm asking is - does the current Prophet and his Apostles trump what is written in the scriptures?

First of all, the Apostles are not the Prophet's apostles, they're the Lord's apostles. Second, whatever an apostle or the president of the church says, even in a Church magazine, is not necessarily "gospel truth." The way I understand it, there is a set process for something to become part of the canon, and thus on a par with the Scriptures. Third, I'd be very careful about saying the words of modern church leaders "trump" the scriptures. Yes, contemporary prophets are more up-to-date than something written, say, three thousand years ago, but there are timeless truths to be found in the scriptures that will not suddenly become untrue. I prefer to think of modern-day prophecy not in terms of taking away from the scriptures, but adding new light and knowledge to what we've already received.

HEP