What is Official Doctrine?

Doctrine is the true teachings of the Church. It is found in the scriptures as well as the living prophets. Some of our doctrine is the same as other Christians. We believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. We believe that faith through Jesus saves us. Sometimes when members refer to Mormon doctrine they mean aspects of our faith that unique to other Christians. We believe Joseph Smith was a prophet, three kingdoms of glory in the afterlife, baptism on behalf of the dead, etc.

Because Mormonism does not have a creed, or a fixed set of beliefs that define who we are, some members believe some things are doctrine which others call mere speculation. Was the earth created in six days? Did Noah's flood cover literally the entire earth? Often speculation is called unofficial doctrine. Sorting out what is official from unofficial doctrine is important so we do not blindly follow what others say. Truth deserves more than that. But how do we determine whether some statements are doctrinal or not?

The place of statements from Church leaders

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.

—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Approaching Mormon Doctrine (May 4, 2007)

Conflicts with science and beliefs

Brigham Young once said:

In these respects we differ from the Christian world, for our religion will not clash with or contradict the facts of science in any particular...whether the Lord found the earth empty and void, whether he made it out of nothing or out of the rude elements; or whether he made it in six days or in as many millions of years, is and will remain a matter of speculation in the minds of men unless he give revelation on the subject. If we understood the process of creation there would be no mystery about it, it would be all reasonable and plain, for there is no mystery except to the ignorant.

—Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 14:166, May 14, 1871

Elder Henry B. Eyring's father, a world renowned chemist said, "Is there any conflict between science and religion? There is no conflict in the mind of God, but often there is conflict in the minds of men.[1] In fact, far from letting doctrine trump science, the scriptures encourage the study of both religious education as well as the sciences:

Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;

Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms—(D&C 88:78-9)

Scientists are involved in a continual process of discovering new facts which expel or modify old theories. What is considered universal fact today may change in time. Still, when science does make an apparent contradiction to Mormon doctrine, it is important to examine the contradiction and see if the new scientific fact can steer us away from a flawed doctrinal assumption. In other words, science does not have to be an enemy. It can be a tool for understanding doctrine better.

Personal revelation as tool

oaks quote on checks of personal revelation with prophets revelation is the ultimate source as our salvation depends on ourselves, not others

The saving beliefs

Why to believe non-saving beliefs (charity etc.) -- its not just about qualifying for salvation, its about being a good person.

What then about some things like tattoos and extra body piercings? -can just dismiss these things -but if this knowledge is used just to declare our consciouses free from guilt for less than righteous acts, then we are missing the point on why we aren't being spoonfed truth.

For youth leaders

All over the Church you're being asked this: "What does the Church think about this or that?" Have you ever heard anybody ask that question? "What does the Church think about the civil rights legislation?" "What do they think about the war?" "What do they think about drinking Coca-Cola or Sanka coffee?" Did you ever hear that? "What do they think about the Democratic Party or ticket or the Republican ticket?" Did you ever hear that? "How should we vote in this forthcoming election?" Now, with most all of those questions, if you answer them, you're going to be in trouble. Most all of them. Now, it's the smart man that will say, "There's only one man in this church that speaks for the Church, and I'm not that one man."

I think nothing could get you into deep water quicker than to answer people on these things, when they say, "What does the Church think?" and you want to be smart, so you try to answer what the Church's policy is. Well, you're not the one to make the policies for the Church. You just remember what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians. He said, "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified" (1 Cor. 2:2). Well now, as teachers of our youth, you're not supposed to know anything except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. On that subject you're expected to be an expert. You're expected to know your subject. You're expected to have a testimony. And in that you'll have great strength. If the President of the Church has not declared the position of the Church, then you shouldn't go shopping for the answer. (Harold B. Lee, Teachings of Harold B. Lee (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1996), 445. GospeLink (requires subscrip.))

ft. [1] Henry Eyring, Reflections of a Scientist (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1983), 2.