Can a Prophet lead us astray?

[Jason]

The 1890 Manifesto may in fact have been a political manuever, but the Lord has in fact withdrawn the requirement to engage in plural marriage through His authorized servants, and those who continue to practice it (at least in this life) and refuse to repent are rightfully excommunicated.

[Deborah]

Have you studied the manifesto? And more specifically post manifesto Plural Marriages? Plural Marriages were authorized by three consecutive Presidents of the Church AFTER the Manifesto was accepted. Wilford Woodruff authorized them. Lorenzo Snow authorized them and Joseph F. Smith authorized them. The manifesto did not put an end to Plural Marriages.

Yes, and I am familiar with the history. OD1 was revelation telling the people what would happen if they continued in plural marriage. Like the WOW however, no penalties were associated with the practice at that time. Only later was it associated with sanctions. I believe that because of the family dynamics involved that it had to be something that and like the WOW the saints could have time to prepare. Plural marriage for living spouses is no longer permitted and is subject to excommunication. Trying to change that by saying that a prior prophet was wrong won't change the current policy.

[Deborah]

Why is it some of your are so hung up on plural marriage. Its practice is authorized at times and not at others, throughout history. That is why we have living prophets and why we have revelation to meet the needs of the saints for the day in which we live.

Let's just go back to hanging everything on the Bible because apparently living prophets have no value to some.

[crusader]

The 1890 Manifesto may in fact have been a political manuever, but the Lord has in fact withdrawn the requirement to engage in plural marriage through His authorized servants, and those who continue to practice it (at least in this life) and refuse to repent are rightfully excommunicated.

I cannot accept that the Lord has withdrawn the requirement to engage in Plural Marriage. There are four revelations in which the Lord states He will never withdraw that commandment. And Joseph Smith told us that if a newer revelation conflict with an older one then the newer one is not true. I can, and do, accept that current church policy does not allow it. And I will obey that policy.

Speaking of the Word of Wisdom it was also Heber J. Grant that made that a commandment too. I'm not saying if that was right or wrong but I desire to live the Word of Wisdom regardless.

Also about the commandment of Plural Marriage. It is commanded at some times and not at others. But when it is commanded it cannot be revoked. The only reason why it would not be required of a people is if it had not been revealed to them. But if it is revealed it must be obeyed.

[Deborah]

And Joseph Smith told us that if a newer revelation conflict with an older one then the newer one is not true.

CFR. Joseph's whole purpose was to give new revelation. We have living prophets for a reason.

Also about the commandment of Plural Marriage. It is commanded at some times and not at others. But when it is commanded it cannot be revoked.

Do not confuse the commandment to practice plural marriage, which can be revoked, with the doctrine of the New and Everlasting Covenant, which cannot be.

Jacob 2:

27 Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none;

28 For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts.

29 Wherefore, this people shall keep my commandments, saith the Lord of Hosts, or cursed be the land for their sakes.

30 For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things.

Anyone who is a current member of the church in good standing should not even be considering plural marriage. And why on earth would anyone even pray to ask if they should do it when the living prophets have said it is forbidden.

[MorningStar]

Why is it some of your are so hung up on plural marriage. Its practice is authorized at times and not at others, throughout history. That is why we have living prophets and why we have revelation to meet the needs of the saints for the day in which we live.

Let's just go back to hanging everything on the Bible because apparently living prophets have no value to some.

Yes, let's go back to good old fashioned stonings and sacrificing animals.

[Deborah]

I just heard a great quote from David J Whittaker, editor of the Joseph Smith Papers. In talking about many of those who left the church in the Kirkland period "Many could accept the idea of continuing revelation but couldn't accept the implications." I think this very much applies to those who think that once a revelation is given then it shouldn't be changed, ie, plural marriage. If one accepts a living prophet and living revelation then he has to accept that things will change as the times change and as the saints require it.

[Calm]

But when it is commanded it cannot be revoked. The only reason why it would not be required of a people is if it had not been revealed to them. But if it is revealed it must be obeyed.

Logically speaking this would mean that plural marriage was always allowed since it was first revealed (at least by Abraham's time), since one revealed never revoked. Yet Lehi's people were of the people of Abraham and yet were commanded not to practice plural marriage so it was revoked even for those it had once been commanded.

[Calm]

Even Joseph Smith said that some revelations are from God, some are from man, and other are from the Devil.

i guess I will offer myself on the chopping block. I believe that the church is lead by God. I believe that it's leaders are inspired of God. I sustain them. But I prayed and received a witness of the truthfulness of Plural Marriage. I believe God has called me to practice it. But I cannot because those who hold the keys do not allow us to practice it. I have no desire to to be excommunicated. I also believe that Official Declaration 1 is not a true revelation of God., but either of man or the Devil.

If someone has already asked you this, ignore, I'll eventually catch up and read your previous answer....

You believe that the prophet can be fooled into believing a revelation is from the Lord when it is really of the Devil or "from man".

How do you know it's your personal revelation that is from God and not the Prophet's? That yours may be manmade or "from the Devil" and not his?

[Jason]

I cannot accept that the Lord has withdrawn the requirement to engage in Plural Marriage. There are four revelations in which the Lord states He will never withdraw that commandment.

In the D&C? That mention plural marriage specifically, not just The New and Everlasting Covenant?

And Joseph Smith told us that if a newer revelation conflict with an older one then the newer one is not true. I can, and do, accept that current church policy does not allow it. And I will obey that policy.

"And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the Lord commanded Moses." Oops. It's an everlasting statute, and the newer revelations of Jesus having fulfilled the law conflict with that. I guess we'd best start up the animal sacrifices again.

Speaking of the Word of Wisdom it was also Heber J. Grant that made that a commandment too. I'm not saying if that was right or wrong but I desire to live the Word of Wisdom regardless.

And? That doesn't seem especially relevent to the current topic.

And about the commandment of Plural Marriage. It is commanded at some times and not at others. But when it is commanded it cannot be revoked. The only reason why it would not be required of a people is if it had not been revealed to them. But if it is revealed it must be obeyed.

I don't think there is any commandment the Lord can make that He cannot revoke.