Mormonism and prophets/Criticisms related to modern prophets

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Criticisms related to modern day prophets

LDS prophets don't prophesy?

Summary: Some critics say that Latter-day Saint prophets aren't really "prophets" because they don't prophesy by foretelling unknown events. They commonly issue challenges such as, "If Gordon B. Hinckley is a prophet, tell me one event that he's prophesied." Do LDS prophets "prophesy"?

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• Question: Are Latter-day Saint prophets not really "prophets" because they don't foretell unknown events?

Prophetic inerrancy?

Summary: Critics sometimes impose absolutist assumptions on the Church by holding inerrantist beliefs about scriptures or prophets, and assuming that the LDS have similar views. Critics therefore insist, based upon these assumptions, that any statement by any LDS Church leader represents LDS doctrine and is thus something that is secretly believed, or that should be believed, by Latter-day Saints.

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• Question: Do Mormons consider their prophets to be infallible?
• Question: Can a Prophet Make Mistakes?
• Question: How is it possible for a Church leader or prophet to have been influenced by racism, yet be consistent with the Lord not allowing prophets to lead the Church astray?
• Neil L. Andersen (2012): "A few question their faith when they find a statement made by a Church leader decades ago that seems incongruent with our doctrine"
• "Approaching Mormon Doctrine," LDS Newsroom (May 2007): "Not every statement made by a Church leader, past or present, necessarily constitutes doctrine"
• Charles W. Penrose (1912): "Do you believe that the President of the Church, when speaking to the Church in his official capacity is infallible?"
• Question: How are Church members protected against error by leaders?
• Question: Should Church members simply have "blind trust" in their leaders?
• Question: Were Biblical prophets infallible?
• Question: How do Biblical prophets compare to modern prophets?

David O. McKay liked to be lionized?

Summary: Some authors distort a biography of President McKay to claim that he liked to be "lionized."

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• Question: Did David O. McKay like to be "recognized, lauded, and lionized"?

Do Latter-day Saint prophets not address current issues?

Summary: It is claimed that General Authorities are very silent about some issues, and that academic or volunteer organizations take their place

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• Question: Are General Authorities very silent about some issues, allowing academic or volunteer organizations take their place?

Church Public affairs does not represent the Church?

Summary: Some people do not agree with statements issued by the Church's public affairs department. They claim that the public affairs department does not always reflect the beliefs or statements of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. This claim is both absurd and false.

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• Question: Does the Church's public affairs department act independently of direction from Church leadership?

False revelation or private matters

Summary: Statements by leaders of the Church on the propriety of Church members teaching new doctrines, or publicizing personal revelations, dreams, visions, etc.

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• Question: What does the Church say on the propriety of Church members publicizing personal revelations, dreams or visions?

No paid ministry

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• Question: What do the scriptures teach about paid ministry in the Church of Jesus Christ?
• Question: Does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints employ a professional clergy?
• Question: Is the fact that some General Authorities, mission presidents, and others receive a living stipend while serving the Church evidence of the “hypocrisy” of the Church?
• Question: Why do General Authorities receive living stipends?
• Question: Do General Authorities receive a large sum of money when they are called?
• Question: Do General Authorities sign a non-disclosure agreement promising to never divulge what they are paid?
• Question: Who is the highest-paid Church employee in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?