One of the understandings that made all the difference to me was the knowledge of the difference between doctrine and policy.
I hope to relay my understanding clearly, below is my summary, a diagram followed by quotes and scriptures that teach the difference between doctrine and policy.
☆The doctrines of the Church have been layed out by Joseph Smith Jnr and never change. They can only be added to by a vote of common consent, if we want to know the doctrines well, read what Joseph said about them. The best commentary I've found to the Doctrine and Covenants is called Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith(President Nelson referenced this in his January 2025 Liahona message) Our modern-day Prophets expand on and help us understand these doctrines.
Joseph is our dispensation head, he corrected the scriptures as per Joseph Smith translations and these corrections are there for our benefit (2024 our church acquired many more we did not previously have from the Community of Christ re RLDS church)
☆The policies of the Church are set forth by our modern-day Prophets and change regularly as they receive revelation. It is vital for our spiritual progress that we are obedient to the counsel and urgings (this is the word President Nelson seems to use the most) of our Prophets.
☆It is also vital for our spiritual progress that we look to our keyholders for counsel and not to unauthorised sources, especially those who monetize themselves and create channels on Youtube etc. Priestcraft abounds in the last days, we have been warned by the Book or Mormon and modern day Prophets, only use authorised sources to learn and understand doctrine and take counsel how to practise our religion. The student manuals are an excellent resource. (See here for more on PRIESTCRAFT)
☆Quote: "Some revelations lead to policy changes, such as those found in the Official Declarations. Adjustments are a natural part of the true and living Church. However, doctrine—the foundational, eternal truths of the gospel—never changes." (Liahona Magazine, Why does Church policy sometimes change? Official Declarations 1 and 2)
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/why-does-church-policy-sometimes-change?lang=eng
If we could organise this information as pyramids of truth (idea taken from Preach my Gospel) it would look like the diagram below....
Elder James E. Faust
“I strongly counsel all who have membership in this church to follow the teachings and counsel of those who now have the keys as prophets, seers, and revelators. They are the ones who will inspire us to deal with the vicissitudes of our time. … The scriptures and doctrines of the Church are not, as Peter warned, ’of any private interpretation.’
(“The Keys That Never Rust”, 1994)
The Prophet Joseph Smith
“What is the rule of interpretation? Just no interpretation at all. Understand it precisely as it reads.”
(TPJS, Section Five 1842-43, p.276)
Consult Reliable Resources (Topics and Questions)
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“Never in the history of the world have we had easier access to more information—some of it true, some of it false, and much of it partially true.”
In this environment of uncertainty, the Church urges members to “seek out and share only credible, reliable, and factual sources of information.”
Learning to assess the quality of our sources of information involves both spiritual and intellectual work. Here are some tips for evaluating information:
Distinguish facts from interpretation. Some pieces of information are facts. But much of what we encounter on the internet and in other publications consists of someone’s interpretation of the facts. The best interpretations try to account for all the facts. They consider specific details or facts in broader context and give them proper weight.
They don’t simply dismiss information that doesn’t agree with a particular point of view. Check the sources used to make a particular interpretation to ensure they support the claims being made and are not taken out of context.
Become familiar with Church resources. In matters of doctrine and Church policy, the best sources are the scriptures, the teachings of the living prophets, and the General Handbook.
The Church has also published additional resources to help you better understand some of the most common questions Latter-day Saints have about Church history and culture. You may find these to be useful starting points as you investigate your questions.
Seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost. New information can sometimes feel disorienting. That feeling doesn’t necessarily mean the information isn’t true. Along with the skills mentioned above, seek the influence of the Holy Ghost. He can help you discern truth. He will “enlighten your mind” and help you reorient your perspective in light of new truths. Pray for help. Live in such a way that the Spirit can speak to you. Be open to spiritual promptings as you work to resolve your concerns.
Key scriptures:
2 Timothy 3:14–16;
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Jacob 4:13;
13 Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also spake them unto prophets of old.
Doctrine and Covenants 19:38
38 Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessing—yea, even more than if you should obtain treasures of earth and corruptibleness to the extent thereof.
John 7
16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/seeking-answers/05-consult-reliable-sources?lang=eng
President Nelson
“Contrary to the doubts of some, there really is such a thing as right and wrong. There really is absolute truth—eternal truth. One of the plagues of our day is that too few people know where to turn for truth.“
(Opening Remarks, October 2021)
STANDARD WORKS JUDGE TEACHINGS OF ALL MEN. "It makes no difference what is written or what anyone has said, if what has been said is in conflict with what the Lord has revealed, we can set it aside. My words, and the teaching of any other member of the Church, high or low, if they do not square with the revelations, we need not accept them. Let us have this matter clear. We have accepted the four standard works as the measuring yardsticks, or balances, by which we measure every man's doctrine. You cannot accept the books written by the authorities of the Church as standards in doctrine, only in so far as they accord with the revealed word in the standard works. Every man who writes is responsible, not the Church, for what he writes. If Joseph Fielding Smith writes something which is out of harmony with the revelations, then every member of the Church is duty bound to reject it. If he writes that which is in perfect harmony with the revealed word of the Lord, then it should be accepted." (Doctrines of Salvation, pg. 575)
Harold B. Lee
"Any doctrine, advanced by anyone—regardless of position— that was not supported by the standard works, then “you may know that his statement is merely his private opinion.” He recognized that the Prophet could bring forth new doctrine, but “when he does, [he] will declare it as revelation from God,” after which it will be sustained by the body of Church.
The Prophet can add to the scriptures, but such new additions are presented by the First Presidency to the body of the Church and are accepted by common consent (by sustaining vote) as binding doctrine of the Church (See D&C 26:2; 107:27-31).
Until such doctrines or opinions are sustained by vote in conference, however, they are “neither binding nor the official doctrine of the Church.” https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/What_is_Mormon_Doctrine.pdf
Elder John A. Widtsoe
“The most important prophet in any age is the living prophet. … To follow the living prophet, the interpreter of the past, is the essence of wisdom. The very strength of the Church lies in the doctrine of continuous revelation through a living prophet” (Evidences and Reconciliations, 3 vols. in 1, arr. G. Homer Durham, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1960, p. 352).
Brigham Young
“You cannot destroy the appointment of a prophet of God, but you can cut the thread that binds you to the prophet of God, and sink yourselves to hell” (Conference Report, May 1963, p. 81).
President Russell M. Nelson
"The pure doctrine of Christ is powerful. It changes the life of everyone who understands it and seeks to implement it in his or her life. The doctrine of Christ helps us find and stay on the covenant path. Staying on that narrow but well-defined path will ultimately qualify us to receive all that God has. Nothing could be worth more than all our Father has!"
(Pure Truth, Pure Doctrine, and Pure Revelation, Oct. 2021 General Conference)
“Now Satan is anxious to neutralize the inspired counsel of the Prophet and hence keep the priesthood off-balance, ineffective and inert in the fight for freedom. He does this through diverse means including the use of perverse reasoning…. Sometimes from behind the pulpit, in our classrooms, in our Council meetings and in our church publications we hear, read or witness things that do not square with the truth... Now do not let this serve as an excuse for your own wrong-doing. The Lord is letting the wheat and the tares mature before he fully purges the Church. He is also testing you to see if you will be misled." (Our Immediate Responsibility. BYU Devotional, October 25, 1966)
3 Nephi 21:
6 For thus it behooveth the Father that it should come forth from the Gentiles, that he may show forth his power unto the Gentiles, for this cause that the Gentiles, [1] if they will not harden their hearts, [2] that they may repent and come unto me and be baptized in my name [3] and know of the true points of my doctrine, that they may be numbered among my people, O house of Israel
Joseph F. Smith
"We can accept nothing as authoritative but that which comes directly through the appointed channel, the constituted organizations of the priesthood, which is the channel that God has appointed through which to make known His mind and will to the world... Whenever you see a man rise up claiming to have received direct revelation from the Lord to the Church, independent of the order and channel of the priesthood, you may set him down as an impostor." (JD 24:188-189, 21/6/1883)
Boyd K. Packer
"First, we should understand what can be called the principle of “stewardship in revelation.” Our Heavenly Father’s house is a house of order, where his servants are commanded to “act in the office in which [they are] appointed” (D&C 107:99). This principle applies to revelation. Only the president of the Church receives revelation to guide the entire Church. Only the stake president receives revelation for the special guidance of the stake. The person who receives revelation for the ward is the bishop. For a family, it is the priesthood leadership of the family. Leaders receive revelation for their own stewardships. Individuals can receive revelation to guide their own lives. But when one person purports to receive revelation for another person outside his or her own stewardship—such as a Church member who claims to have revelation to guide the entire Church or a person who claims to have a revelation to guide another person over whom he or she has no presiding authority according to the order of the Church—you can be sure that such revelations are not from the Lord. “There are counterfeit signals” (“Prayers and Answers,” Ensign, November 1979, p. 20).
Elder Dallin H Oaks
"Satan is a great deceiver, and he is the source of some of these spurious revelations. Others are simply imagined. If a revelation is outside the limits of stewardship, you know it is not from the Lord, and you are not bound by it."(Revelation, BYU Speeches, September 29, 1981)
Elder Russell M. Nelson
"Revelation from God is always compatible with His eternal law. It never contradicts His doctrine." (Oct 2009 GC "Ask, Seek, Knock)
Henry B. Eyring
"Because we need the Holy Ghost, we must be cautious and careful not to go beyond teaching true doctrine. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Truth. His confirmation is invited by our avoiding speculation or personal interpretation. That can be hard to do. You love the person you are trying to influence. He or she may have ignored the doctrine they have been taught. It is tempting to try something new or sensational. But we invite the Holy Ghost as our companion when we are careful to teach only true doctrine."(The Power of Teaching True Doctrine, April 1999)
John Taylor
“God is unchangeable, so are also his laws, in all their forms, and in all their applications, and being Himself the essence of Law, the giver of law, the sustainer of law, all of those laws are eternal in all their operations. . . . “ (“The Mediation and Atonement”, pp. 168–69)
Source (Facebook post 23/6/2023):
President Benson
"Therefore, no matter how the world uses the term, we must understand how God uses the term so we can understand the language of holy writ and profit thereby. (See 2 Ne. 4:15; Mosiah 1:3–7; Alma 5:61.)" (Beware of Pride)
Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:37. “Whoso Treasureth Up My Word, Shall Not Be Deceived”
"From the Savior’s words, it is evident that placing a high priority on the word of God will be critical in overcoming the deceptions of the last days. Commenting on this scripture passage, Elder Bruce R. McConkie discussed what it means to treasure up the Lord’s word: “It is not sufficient merely to know what the scripture says. One must treasure it up, meaning take it into his possession so affirmatively that it becomes a part of his very being; as a consequence, … one actually receives the companionship of the Spirit” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:662).
President Harold B. Lee
"Some Church members seek information from unreliable sources concerning the signs that will precede the Second Coming. He specifically recommended that Church members study 👉 Matthew 24; Joseph Smith—Matthew; and Doctrine and Covenants sections 38, 45, 101, and 133.👈 President Lee then stated: “These are some of the writings with which you should concern yourselves, rather than commentaries that may come from those whose information may not be the most reliable and whose motives may be subject to question” (“Admonitions for the Priesthood of God,” Ensign, Jan. 1973, 106). -LDS New Testament Student Manual
Joseph Smith
“We may spiritualize and express opinions to all eternity; but that is no authority.” (TPJS 292)
“I am not claiming it, I am quoting it. Jesus Christ said it. Don’t argue with me. If you wish to take issue, pray and talk with Heavenly Father about it.” (”Ye May Know,” April 1996)
Russell M. Nelson
"While we are to emulate our Savior’s kindness and compassion, while we are to value the rights and feelings of all of God’s children, we cannot change His doctrine. It is not ours to change. His doctrine is ours to study, understand, and uphold. (“Decisions for Eternity,” General Conference, October 2013)
Elder Neil L. Andersen
“The iron rod is the word of God. I like to think of it in this way: The word of God contains three very strong elements that intertwine and sustain one another to form an immovable rod. These three elements include, first, the scriptures, or the words of the ancient prophets. …
“The second element of the word of God is the personal revelation and inspiration that comes to us through the Holy Ghost. …
“… The third element, a critical addition intertwining with the other two[,] … represents the words of the living prophets.” (“Hold Fast to the Words of the Prophets” [Brigham Young University devotional, Mar. 4, 2007], speeches.byu.edu)
Jacob 7:2–4. How to Avoid Being Deceived
President Ezra Taft Benson shared the following three questions we can ask ourselves to avoid being deceived:
“1. What do the standard works have to say about it? …
“The Book of Mormon, Brigham Young said, was written on the tablets of his heart and no doubt helped save him from being deceived. …
“2. The second guide is: what do the latter-day Presidents of the Church have to say on the subject—particularly the living President? …
“3. The third and final test is the Holy Ghost—the test of the Spirit. … This test can only be fully effective if one’s channels of communication with God are clean and virtuous and uncluttered with sin. Said Brigham Young:
“‘You may know whether you are led right or wrong … for every principle God has revealed carries its own convictions of its truth to the human mind. …
“‘What a pity it would be if we were led by one man to utter destruction!’” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1963, 16–17).
-Book of Mormon Student Manual, Jacob 5-7
Elder Boyd K. Packer
"There are those within the Church who are disturbed when changes are made with which they disagree or when changes they propose are not made. They point to these as evidence that the leaders are not inspired. . . . Changes in organization or procedures are a testimony that revelation is ongoing. While doctrines remain fixed, the methods or procedures do not.” (CR, October 1989, p. 18.)
"By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed." (The Family, A Proclamation to the World, 1995, the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles)
Moroni 7:17
Inspiration from Unworthy Sources
Satan has the ability to give false revelations to those who try to force or pressure revelation. Communication from Satan will always lead away from Christ.
President Boyd K. Packer counseled us regarding these false spiritual messages:
“Be ever on guard lest you be deceived by inspiration from an unworthy source. You can be given false spiritual messages. There are counterfeit spirits just as there are counterfeit angels. (See Moro. 7:17.) Be careful lest you be deceived, for the devil may come disguised as an angel of light.” (Book of Mormon student manual)
Elder Dale G. Renlund
“We should not try to force spiritual things. If we try to, we may rely on emotions that mimic spiritual promptings but are not. These emotions may include sentimentality, awe, empathy, excitement or raging hormones. Similarly, it is an advanced spiritual skill to know that revelation has not been received.”
(“Divine Revelation Is a Reality — and Requires Hard Work,” August 22, 2023)
President Boyd K. Packer
“The spiritual part of us and the emotional part of us are so closely linked that it is possible to mistake an emotional impulse for something spiritual. We occasionally find people who receive what they assume to be spiritual promptings from God, when those promptings are either centered in the emotions or are from the adversary.”
(“The Candle of the Lord,” Ensign, Jan. 1983, 55–56)
The Preach My Gospel Manual warns:
“As you pray for inspiration, you should also confirm your feelings. For example, compare your decisions with the scriptures and the teachings of the living prophets.
President Howard W. Hunter
“Let me offer a word of caution. … I think if we are not careful … , we may begin to try to counterfeit the true influence of the Spirit of the Lord by unworthy and manipulative means. I get concerned when it appears that strong emotion or free-flowing tears are equated with the presence of the Spirit. Certainly the Spirit of the Lord can bring strong emotional feelings, including tears, but that outward manifestation ought not to be confused with the presence of the Spirit itself.”
(The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter [1997], 184)
“The Spirit of the Lord always edifies.”
(Preach My Gospel: Chapter 4: How Do I Recognize and Understand the Spirit)
The Prophet Joseph Smith
"Nothing is a greater injury to the children of men than to be under the influence of a false spirit when they think they have the Spirit of God."
(Times and Seasons, April 1, 1842, 744. In Joseph Smith Papers).
The Church’s General Handbook:
38.8.41
Seeking Information from Reliable Sources
In today's world, information is easy to access and share. This can be a great blessing for those seeking to be educated and informed.
However, many sources of information are unreliable and do not edify.
… Therefore, it is important that Church members be wise as they seek truth.
Members of the Church should seek out and share only credible, reliable, and factual sources of information. They should avoid sources that are speculative or founded on rumor.
The guidance of the Holy Ghost, along with careful study, can help members discern between truth and error (see Doctrine and Covenants 11:12; 45:57). In matters of doctrine and Church policy, the authoritative sources are the scriptures, the teachings of the living prophets, and the General Handbook.
Elder M. Russell Ballard
“Teachers can stay on safe ground when they use the standard works, the approved manuals, and the writings of the General Authorities.
Elder Hyrum M. Smith of the Council of the Twelve
’There is more to be learned in five minutes reading in the Holy Scriptures, more that is worthy of retention in the memory, more that will be helpful if we remember and obey them, than we can find in reading all of the six best sellers in every month in the year.’” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1917, p. 38.)
Doctrinal Mastery Core Document:
“Sincere seekers of truth should be wary of unreliable sources of information. We live in a time when many “call evil good, and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20). Satan is the father of lies and seeks to distort truth and persuade us to turn away from the Lord and His appointed servants. As we turn to the Lord’s divinely appointed sources for answers and direction, we can be blessed to discern between truth and error. Learning to recognize and avoid unreliable sources can protect us from misinformation and from those who seek to destroy faith.” (Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge)
Elder Orson F. Whitney
“We have no right, to take the theories of men, however scholarly, however learned, and set them up as a standard, and try to make the Gospel bow down to them; making of them an iron bedstead upon which God’s truth, if not long enough, must be stretched out, or if too long, must be chopped off—anything to make it fit into the system of men’s thoughts and theories! On the contrary, we should hold up the Gospel as the standard of truth, and measure thereby the theories and opinions of men. What God has revealed, what the prophets have spoken, what the servants of the Lord proclaim when inspired by the Holy Ghost, can be depended upon, for these are the utterances of a spirit that cannot lie and that does not make mistakes; while the teachings of men are often based upon sophistry and founded upon false reasoning.” (From CR, April 1915.)
President Thomas S. Monson
“Fill your mind with truth. We do not find truth groveling through error. Truth is found by searching, studying, and living the revealed word of God. We adopt error when we mingle with error. We learn truth when we associate with truth.
(”Be Thou an Example,” Ensign, Nov. 2001, 98)
President Gordon B. Hinckley
“I have spoken before about the importance of keeping the doctrine of the Church pure. … Small aberrations in doctrinal teaching can lead to large and evil falsehoods.” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 620)
President Brigham Young
“I told the people that if they would not believe the revelations that God had given, He would suffer the devil to give revelations that they–priests and people would follow after. . . I told the people that as true as God lived, if they would not have the truth they would have error sent to them, and they would believe it.”
(Des. News, June 18, 1871, p. 308)
"First: The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
Second: The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
Third: The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
Fourth: The prophet will never lead the Church astray.
Fifth: The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
Sixth: The prophet does not have to say “Thus saith the Lord” to give us scripture.
Seventh: The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
Eighth: The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.
Ninth: The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.
Tenth: The prophet may be involved in civic matters.
Eleventh: The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
Twelfth: The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
Thirteenth: The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church.
Fourteenth: The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed; reject them and suffer.
I testify that these fourteen fundamentals in following the living prophet are true. If we want to know how well we stand with the Lord, then let us ask ourselves how well we stand with His mortal captain. How closely do our lives harmonize with the words of the Lord’s anointed—the living prophet, the President of the Church, and with the Quorum of the First Presidency?
May God bless us all to look to the prophet and the presidency in the critical and crucial days ahead is my prayer. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/ezra-taft-benson/fourteen-fundamentals-following-prophet/
"Sixth: The prophet does not have to say
"Thus saith the Lord" to give us scripture. Sometimes there are those who haggle over words. They might say the prophet gave us counsel but that we are not obligated to follow it unless he says it is a commandment. But the Lord says of the Prophet Joseph,
"Thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you" (D&C 21:4).
And speaking of taking counsel from the prophet, in D&C 108:1, the Lord states:
"Verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Lyman: Your sins are forgiven you, because you have obeyed my voice in coming up hither this morning to receive counsel of him whom I have appointed.”
Said Brigham Young, "I have never yet preached a sermon and sent it out to the children of men, that they may not call scripture" Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot], 13:95).
President J. Reuben Clark Jr. said:
President Joseph Fielding Smith
“Our right to guidance from Holy Ghost"
"We have the right to the guidance of the Holy Ghost, but we cannot have that guidance, if we willfully refuse to consider the revelations that have been given to help us to understand and to guide us in the light and truth of the everlasting gospel. We cannot hope to have that guidance when we refuse to consider these great revelations which mean so much to us both temporally and spiritually.
Now if we find ourselves in this condition of unbelief or unwillingness to seek for the light and the knowledge which the Lord has placed within our reach, then we are liable or in danger of being deceived by evil spirits, the doctrines of devils, and the teachings of men. And when these false influences are presented before us, we will not have the distinguishing understanding by which we can segregate them and know that they are not of the Lord. And so we may become prey unto the ungodly, to the vicious, to the cunning, to the craftiness of men.” (Doctrines of Salvation, p.43)
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