Are The Scriptures Infallible?

[Freedom]

The role of a prophet is to teach the doctrines of salvation. Is there an example of a modern prophet teaching false doctrines that would prevent us from attaining salvation? Even if every word that a prophet can be proven to be absolutely true, we could argue they are fallible because they get sick, or because they loose their keys. When dealing with fallible and infallible, we are dealing with absolutes. This is inherently problematic.

carrots are good for your health, but are they infallible? Can you rely on carrots alone? since the answer is no, then carrots must be fallible. Herein lies the logical fallacy of the discussion.

[Ahab]

But of course this your own definition of fallibility. If we rely on revelation and the teachings of modern prophets, your position weakens because we are provided the proper context. I just don't think it is a point of view that can be argued any more than we can argue through the scriptures the veracity of the theory of evolution. The book of Mormon, for example, is considered the most correct books in terms of precepts. We could go after the grammar, punctuation, chronology and all sorts of possible errors, but this is like taking a bicycle and calling it fallible because it does not float.

What is your idea for what being fallible refers to? Do you think the words in scripture are more infallible than I'm thinking?

[Bikeemikey]

I think we're pretty much in total agreement, but that barrier you're talking about can be overcome as we receive the same inspiration the prophet received from God when God inspired them to write what they wrote. And thus we become prophets too by sharing what God has told us, even though someone may still not correctly understand what we meant.

I also agree with that... hence a prophet leading a church that is not also made up of prophets is really not prophet at all.

[Freedom]

What is your idea for what being fallible refers to? Do you think the words in scripture are more infallible than I'm thinking?

the definition of fallibility needs to be defined by the scriptures; if the scriptures do not estalbish a standard then there is no point trying to apply the label. The book of mormon, for example, could be considered infallible in terms of its stated purpose, to teach the precepts of the gospel. Of course, we could argue that nothing written in english, even if it is written by God himself, is fallible. This standard is untenable however. The bible has no divine edict concerning its reliability and none of the New Testament authors ever claim that their writings were intended to be scripture. Nevertheless, I do not believe any of the authors intended to teach false doctrines. I just think the entire discussion about fallibility and infallibility is irrelevant.