Do not include this in your Gospel lessons on Sunday. It challenges long-standing mistaken church culture and will trigger people. This is for your consideration only.
What the Verse Says
What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. (Doctrine and Covenants 1:38)
This verse is probably one of our Church culture’s most misdiagnosed, taken-out-of-context verses. People often emphasize the last line, “whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same,” to mean whatever Church leaders say is the will of God. Any church leader at any time. This is a severely mistaken application.
They forget that the first line, “What I the Lord have spoken,” occurs first chronologically. Christ has to speak the actual words from His mouth first, and then they are delivered by His chosen servants. They also forget the surrounding verses. Section 1 explicitly addresses the publication of the Doctrine and Covenants and the six men He named His servants to carry out this task.
Cross References
All verses shine a light on each other. When reading the above verse (D&C 1:38), it’s also imperative to understand how it relates to D&C 1:25, D&C 6:28, D&C 121:34-40, and D&C 50:19-23
Faithful Servants of God Err from Time to Time.
And when they err, they are obviously not speaking for God.
And inasmuch as they erred it might be made known; (D&C 1:25)
If It’s Truly from God – There Will Be Repeating Witnesses.
A single opinion on a single occasion is not enough to establish God’s words.
And now, behold, I give unto you, and also unto my servant Joseph, the keys of this gift, which shall bring to light this ministry; and in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. (D&C 6:28)
Few Are Truly Chosen as Conduits of God’s Power.
Very few are genuinely chosen leaders, even though many are called to leadership positions. They stop being chosen when they fail to follow the principles of D&C 121. As the verses say, “Amen to their authority.”
Take special note of, “to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men.” (vs 37)
34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—
36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.
38 Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God.
39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.
40 Hence many are called, but few are chosen. (D&C 121:34-40)
If It’s the Word of God – the Spirit Testifies of It.
You are ALWAYS entitled to know if something is of God or man. Use prayer and the Holy Ghost to do so.
19 And again, he that receiveth the word of truth, doth he receive it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?
20 If it be some other way it is not of God.
21 Therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know, that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth?
22 Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.
23 And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness. (D&C 50:19-23)
Takeaway
It’s essential to never take verses out of context and assign them new meanings. Hopefully, this gives you the wisdom and freedom to discern what the Lord would have you do.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this site.
From above comment: ““The prophet will not be allowed to lead the people astray” is actually a cultural teaching and demonstrably false both in the Bible and in our own Church history.”
Sorry, but this teaching is in the scriptures. See D&C Official Declaration 1:
The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place, and so He will any other man who attempts to lead the children of men astray from the oracles of God and from their duty. (Sixty-first Semiannual General Conference of the Church, Monday, October 6, 1890, Salt Lake City, Utah. Reported in Deseret Evening News, October 11, 1890, p. 2.)
Nonetheless, the Bible and Church history clearly show that isn’t true. There’s nothing either you or I can do about it, except ponder our comprehension in the term “lead you astray.” I’ve heard some excellent historical perspectives, given that we know, in fact, that prophets have made mistakes and wrong calls. They will tell you themselves they have done it. So lead astray, as Wilford Woodruff uses it seems to refer to a major doctrinal shift that was probably as difficult as any shift any prophet had to make. Nonetheless, the scriptures outrank this statement and the Lord clearly says His Church leaders will make mistakes and have to be corrected. Infallibility is a false concept and not what the Lord Himself teaches.
To add, I’m not sure how that addresses the post, actually since we’re talking about Church leaders in general who don’t have Christ speak to them.
This scripture is not only frequently misunderstood, it is very dangerous to try to interpret it without the guidance of Heavenly Father. You could very easily have two people, who are both incredibly faithful and honourable. who have held leadership positions. One says that your interpretation is correct. The other questions who are we to decide that the prophet is in error. Both people could say that they have prayed and the Holy Ghost has witnessed that each is correct. How could that be? Is God the author of confusion? And confusion there would be. So now we have many people praying for truth. The result is division. Is God divided? All have done as James directed.
This is why we need a prophet. He alone can tell us the truth. For we have also been told that the Prophet will not be allowed to lead the people astray. I will humbly disagree with you. My opinion is that all of our Latter day Prophets are the mouthpiece of Heavenly Father and our Saviour. Follow him and you will not be confused.
“The prophet will not be allowed to lead the people astray” is actually a cultural teaching and demonstrably false both in the Bible and in our own Church history. What you’re teaching is the false doctrine of infallibility. Perhaps read D&C 1:24-28 which is specifically about the prophet Joseph Smith and several of his apostles.
24 Behold, I am God and have spoken it; these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding.
25 And inasmuch as they erred it might be made known;
26 And inasmuch as they sought wisdom they might be instructed;
27 And inasmuch as they sinned they might be chastened, that they might repent;
28 And inasmuch as they were humble they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time.
But Shawnie, then are you saying that God would give different answers to different people. If they have both fervently sought the Lord in prayer and came away with different answers, they both be correct? Look at the doctrines of churches, the Nicene Creed being an example. The method of baptism is another instance. Who is right. As Joseph Smith stated: “Which is correct?” I am not saying the Prophet is infallible, but I would trust his closeness to Heavenly Father, even above my own. And I do trust Wilford Woodruff’s comment about the Prophet leading us.
“But Shawnie, then are you saying that God would give different answers to different people”
No, I’m not saying that and that’s a strawman. The actual litmus test is “Did God say that”? God’s word will never vary.
Shawnie-We do not teach this on Sunday as it is EQ/RS 2nd Sunday teaching and D and C sec one is for SS. Also, I have not heard anyone ‘misdiagnose’ this scripture per your statement ‘to mean whatever Church leaders say is the will of God. Any church leader at any time. This is a severely mistaken application.’ Every time I have taught this, or others have taught it it has been correct and understood in its meaning. Where have you heard this ‘misdiagnosis’ coming from?
All sides – many times. I posted this same article on X and it was very popular. Lots of comments and it’s generally known this happens. To deny that is suspicious – honestly.
Shawnie it seems you may have misunderstood my reply. If in my end of town I have not heard anyone State this then it is as it is but we can’t say in a general sense that everybody gets it wrong and that seems to be what you’re saying. It is known and the brethren have taught this that when they are speaking under the direction of the spirit and even the scriptures teach this that it is scripture and it is the word of the Lord. But that each of them have their opinion and it is not binding on the members to accept it when it is their opinion. So I think the issue is the clarification was not provided in your posting to clarify that when any of the brothers speak does not mean it’s what the Lord says because it could be their opinion and there are test involved that you can determine whether or not it is a standard and should be followed and considered as binding. This is what I know the members on my end of town understand so I have not heard that anyone misdiagnosis this particular scripture. Maybe where you’re at there is some confusion but I’ve been teaching for a long time and I’m not ran into anyone who has that same confusion.
Well, you just brought up the other most misdiagnosed verse in the Doctrine and Covenants. “It is known and the brethren have taught this that when they are speaking under the direction of the spirit and even the scriptures teach this that it is scripture and it is the word of the Lord.”
That’s false doctrine and a severe misinterpretation. if you are referring to the verse in the doctrine and covenants giving instructions to missionaries – go back and read Doctrine and Covenants 32:3-4 and know that those are the exact same instructions to the missionaries in 68:4. “shall” in scriptural language means thou shalt – in other words only speak of those things in the scriptures so that it aligns. It does not mean whatever comes out of your mouth is the mind and will of the Lord and is scripture. Go back and read D&C 28:2. That’s the rule. And just as Moses is the only lawgiver for centuries, so is Joseph Smith. If you were right and those brethren’s words are now scripture – Where is the book of Ziba Peterson – the words he spoke on his mission?, where is the book of Parly P. Pratt – the words he spoke on his mission?
The Church has straitened out this huge misconception already – here’s the official statement:
“Not every statement made by a Church leader, past or present, necessarily constitutes doctrine. A single statement made by a single leader on a single occasion often represents a personal, though well-considered, opinion, but is not meant to be officially binding for the whole Church. With divine inspiration, the First Presidency (the prophet and his two counselors) and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (the second-highest governing body of the Church) counsel together to establish doctrine that is consistently proclaimed in official Church publications. This doctrine resides in the four “standard works” of scripture (the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price), official declarations and proclamations, and the Articles of Faith. Isolated statements are often taken out of context, leaving their original meaning distorted.”
Today, when an apostle gives a General Conference talk, he backs up every statement with a scripture reference in the footnotes. You’ll notice the footnotes can be pretty extensive. In other words, he does not establish new scripture or doctrine – he only expounds on what is already written – per the Lord’s instructions.
Shawnie it seems like you might be misunderstanding or assuming certain things that were not laid out in my reply. First of all you generalized everyone as misdiagnosing the meaning of the scripture. Everyone would include me you and others of whom I know do not and there are many others. So to state that everyone does it or that it is the most misdiagnosed is generalizing something I don’t believe is true. While I do believe that there are many who do misunderstand some elements of scriptures that are taught there’s no evidence that this scripture or any Scripture is the MOST misdiagnosed. When you write your post all we have are your words and we can only take your words into understanding and draw certain conclusions from that but even our conclusions may be wrong so it’s imperative that you clarify or fine-tune sometimes the statements that you make. Remember there are many of us out here reading your post who have a vast and deep knowledge of the Gospel so we look at things from that perspective as well.
“First of all you generalized everyone as misdiagnosing the meaning of the scripture.”
Could you quote where I said that? This feels very nit-picking and splitting hairs.