More on David and Steven Conversations

 

Since I had posted my previous message about a conversation between David Alexander and Steven McAuley on LDS theology and doctrine, I just noticed that several follow-up conversations have taken place between them which can be seen on David’s YouTube Channel. I am not going to link to the videos because in all of them David does all the talking, leaving very little room for Steven to talk, express his opinions, or to ask questions; and I am mainly interested in what Steven has to say. In the videos Steven gets to ask two basic questions that require to be properly answered:

The first relates to the eternal and unchanging nature of God, as understood in traditional Christian theology; and how it contrasts with the LDS understanding of the subject as found in the King Follet discourse by the Prophet Joseph Smith (that God was once a man who progressed to become God). The King Follet discourse is not part of the canonized scriptures of the Church, and therefore in the strict sense cannot be regarded as official Church doctrine. It carries a lot of weight because it was taught by Joseph Smith, and it has been the subject of a great deal of speculation among Latter-day Saints in the past; but until more information is given about it by revelation, and it is canonized, it cannot be regarded as official Church doctrine. Anything said about it amounts to speculation, rather than expressing official, approved Church doctrine. The theology and doctrine of the Church is ultimately contained in its scriptural canon. Anything taught that cannot be supported by that is not Church doctrine.

The second question he asks is whether we consider our prophets and Apostles to be “infallible”. The answer is, yes and no! The correct theology about that is taught in the following passage from LDS scripture:

Doctrine and Covenants 68:

3 And this is the ensample unto them, that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost.

4 And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.

5 Behold, this is the promise of the Lord unto you, O ye my servants.

So the correct answer to that question is that they are not infallible. Their teachings may be considered to be “infallible” only when they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost, as they write or speak; and that may not always be the case. There have been instances in the past when they have taught doctrines which have not always been correct. So they are not infallible—only as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost, when they write or speak. The question then arises: How do we know when they are “moved upon by the Holy Ghost”? The answer is given in Doctrine and Covenants 50:17-23. We will know, when we ourselves are “moved upon by the Holy Ghost”. So this is the will of the Lord concerning his saints: that they should always have the Holy Spirit with them; and always be able to discern truth from error, regardless of its source or origin.

The fault I find with David Alexander is that he seems to like the sound of his own voice too much! He likes to do all the talking, rather than let those he is interviewing to do any talking. What is the point of interviewing other people, if you are not going to let them say anything, and do all the talking yourself?