(LDS only) Might the Lord refuse to give revelation about a bishop's life-changing directive?

[Vort]

LDS only, please: Is it possible that the bishop might tell you to do some life-changing (BUT NOT OVERTLY IMMORAL) thing -- something that definitely has ramifications for the rest of your life, and perhaps your children's lives, too -- and when you ask the Lord for confirmation, God neither tells you that the directive is from him nor that the bishop is a loose cannon that should be ignored? Or do you believe that the Lord is always obligated in every such instance to give you confirming guidance one way or the other?

Edited November 14, 2009 by Vort
Typo: "overly" -> "overtly"

[Just_A_Guy]

I, for one, voted "yes".

[Danite]

As members of the church we have the right to know the truth of all things.If the revelation is that important the spirit will confirm the truthfulness of the the revelation.

[WmLee]

You have so given a tough one here. The way you present you question has me concerned and thus, has prompted me to reply this way. This is the opinion according to Wm, not the church!

". . . do something LIFE CHANGING (but not overtly immoral)" makes me question this. Is he telling you to leave a husband? This could be for you safety and/or the safety of the child and would not be out of the question. Is he setting you up to enter into an arraigned marriage?? I think this one would be a little out of the scope of the bishops calling.

On the first example, I think when you pray about it for confirmation you are getting and answer to your prayer, you just don't hear it. One the second example, some things are so stinkin silly I have to say, you've been given the ability to think and make a decision on some things on your own. This would be one of those.

Sometimes we pray about things that we simply should know, common sense should be enough to tell us, that we can make this choice.

I had a sister that would not attend church every so often. When I learned she wasn't in church because her face was swollen and black and blue from abuse, I asked why she puts up with it. She said she had prayed about it and asked for help. She just never felt like she needed do anything. She had been sealed in the temple and this was just the way her life would be. She thought she needed to learn how to handle things better.

So, use some common sense here, pray and listen for the confirmation. If you’re still uncomfortable and not sure, perhaps that is the confirmation you need to know it’s NOT what you should do.

[Vort]

You have so given a tough one here. The way you present you question has me concerned and thus, has prompted me to reply this way. This is the opinion according to Wm, not the church!

". . . do something LIFE CHANGING (but not overtly immoral)" makes me question this. Is he telling you to leave a husband? This could be for you safety and/or the safety of the child and would not be out of the question. Is he setting you up to enter into an arraigned marriage?? I think this one would be a little out of the scope of the bishops calling.

I suppose I consider being instructed by the bishop to leave one's spouse to be an immoral act, and thus outside the scope of the question.

This poll question is based on some other threads, where I suggested the scenario where a bishop asked or instructed a ward member to sign his/her house over to the Church. Some opined that a bishop has no such authority, while others seemed to suggest that the Lord would always tell you through revelation what you should do in that situation. This question was designed to discover the thinking and opinions of the site membership on that latter possibility. Is it the case that the Lord will always provide revelatory confirmation or denial of any major request your bishop might make?

[WmLee]

Then if a husband or wife is abusive and the bishop gives council to leave the marriage, you would think that is out of the scope of his position as bishop? I do not believe leaving a marriage is always good council. But there are times when it may be the best solution. I do recall a man whose wife refused to take the medication the doctor recommended she continue to take. She became very violent but considered it "un-manly" to leave the marriage. She refused professional counseling, stopped taking care of herself and started to destroy the home. Had you been the bishop, would you suggest the man stay in the home and just continue to try to talk her into getting help? There are so many different scenarios for this question!!

[Snow]

Brigham Young got it right:

"What a pity it would be, if we were led by one man to utter destruction! Are you afraid of this? I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence that in itself would thwart the purposes of God in their salvation, and weaken the influence they could give to their leaders, did they know for themselves, by the revelations of Jesus, that they are led in the right way. Let every man and woman know, themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not. This has been my exhortation continually." (JD 9:150)

"How easy it would be for your leaders to lead you to destruction, unless you actually know the mind and will of the spirit yourselves." (JD 4:368)

"I do not wish any Latter-day Saint in this world, nor in heaven, to be satisfied with anything I do, unless the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ, the spirit of revelation, makes them satisfied...Suppose that the people were heedless, that they manifested no concern with regard to the things of the kingdom of God, but threw the whole burden upon the leaders of the people, saying, 'If the brethren who take charge of matters are satisfied, we are,' this is not pleasing in the sight of the Lord." (JD 3:45)

[Vort]

Brigham Young got it right:

"What a pity it would be, if we were led by one man to utter destruction! Are you afraid of this? I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence that in itself would thwart the purposes of God in their salvation, and weaken the influence they could give to their leaders, did they know for themselves, by the revelations of Jesus, that they are led in the right way. Let every man and woman know, themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not. This has been my exhortation continually." (JD 9:150)

"How easy it would be for your leaders to lead you to destruction, unless you actually know the mind and will of the spirit yourselves." (JD 4:368)

"I do not wish any Latter-day Saint in this world, nor in heaven, to be satisfied with anything I do, unless the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ, the spirit of revelation, makes them satisfied...Suppose that the people were heedless, that they manifested no concern with regard to the things of the kingdom of God, but threw the whole burden upon the leaders of the people, saying, 'If the brethren who take charge of matters are satisfied, we are,' this is not pleasing in the sight of the Lord." (JD 3:45)

Thank you, Snow. This was actually useful.

(And believe me, I am as surprised to be saying this to the likes of you as you are to be hearing it from the likes of me.)

[Snow]

Thank you, Snow. This was actually useful.

(And believe me, I am as surprised to be saying this to the likes of you as you are to be hearing it from the likes of me.)

Eh, I follow some of your other stuff. I know you are bright and generally reasonable... and you're welcome.

[pam]

I think I need a kleenex. This lovey dovey stuff is just too much for me.

[Dravin]

I think I need a kleenex. This lovey dovey stuff is just too much for me.

/me hands pam a kleenex.

Nobody likes a soggy cookie.

[Carl62]

Would it be so wrong as to get a second opinion on something that would alter the course of my entire life?!! I would definitely ask what my Stake President, as well as someone as high up as a GA, what they think I should do concerning the bishops request. If all three answers coincide, then I would more than likely go through with it. If the three responses don't match up, then I would go with the response of the one who has the highest authority (the GA). It's no different than the story of my sister who went to a doctor who she trusted in and was told that she had osteoporosis and went with thinking this and doing everything that she was told to do including taking medications that would make no changes in her condition and some whose side effects were so bad that she ended up in the hospital more than once! Fast forward four years later and after further testing from a joint specialist from John Hopkin's, my sister finds out that she didn't have osteoporosis after all and had something a lot less significant (spurs in the hand joints) of which milder medications could easily take care of. Four years of going through that all for nothing! All because someone never got a second opinion. This was my sister's real life story! My point is, if it's of a spiritual, physical, sociological, or psychological nature, I'm a firm believer in getting a second (and sometimes even a third) opinion on things that can seriously alter my entire life's well being. Two heads are definitely better than one, especially on matters like these. I will NEVER take the word or order of just one person in regards to life altering decisions of a serious nature when it comes to me or my family, and I don't care who that person is!

Edited November 14, 2009 by Carl62

[Just_A_Guy]

Food for thought:

2 Chronicles 32:31

31 ¶ Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.

[ozzy]

I think that God can answer your prayer in his own time. Also, you must be willing to accept the answer, or you won't recognize it even if it is given.

That said, there are a few guidelines that can help. If the bishops directive in any way is contrary to scripture and the words of the living prophet, then he is out of line. However if what the bishop is asking you to do will improve you spiritually and is in line with the gospel, then God's answer may come as you begin to implement the directive.

[FairChild]

A bishop can guide and direct, but ultimatly it will be your decision and you will live with the consquences of your choice.