"I wish to notice this. We read in the Bible that there is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars. In the book of Doctrine and Covenants, the glories are called telestial, terrestrial, and celestial, which is the highest. These are worlds, different departments or mansions, in our Father's house. Now those men, or those women, who know no more about the power of God, and the influence of the Holy Spirit, than to be led entirely by another person, suspending their own understanding, and pinning their fate upon anothers sleeve, will never be capable of entering into the celestial glory, to be crowned as they anticipate; they will never be capable of becoming Gods. They cannot rule themselves to say nothing of ruling others, but they must be dictated to in every trifle, like a child. They cannot control themselves in the least, but James, Peter or somebody else must control them. They never can become Gods, nor be crowned as rulers with glory, immortality, and eternal lives. They never can hold scepters of glory, majesty, and power in the celestial kingdom. Who will? Those who are valiant and inspired with the true independence of heaven, who will go forth boldly in the service of their God, leaving others to do as they please, determined to do right, though all mankind besides should take the opposite course. Will this apply to any of you? Your own hearts can answer. " -Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol 1, p 312.
I like that the emphasis is on listening to the spirit and the warning is about following others blindly. That seems to be a lesson sorely needed in these latter days.
But while we're on the subject of Brigham Young, let's look at his teachings regarding race and the priesthood. Brigham Young laid out a very specific doctrine regarding why Blacks were unworthy of the priesthood and Temple rites. Yet not long ago the Church released an award winning essay on race and the priesthood detailing the current view of such teachings. In the end the consensus seems to be that it was an incorrect teaching. Or in other words, a false teaching, in this specific area.
So if we are to follow the prophet then do we open ourselves up to subscribing to teachings that in 3 or 4 generations will be widely considered incorrect, as we now view the curse of Cain doctrine of Brigham Young and many generations of Mormons?
Let's examine another quote:
We have heard men who hold the priesthood remark that they would do anything they were told to do by those who preside over them even if they knew it was wrong; but such obedience is worse than folly to us; it is slavery in the extreme; and the man who would thus willingly degrade himself, should not claim a rank among intelligent beings, until he turns from his folly. A man of God would despise the idea. Others, in the extreme exercise of their almighty authority have taught that such obedience was necessary, and that no matter what the saints were told to do by their presidents, they should do it without any questions. When Elders of Israel will so far indulge in these extreme notions of obedience as to teach them to the people, it is generally because they have it in their hearts to do wrong themselves." (Joseph Smith, Millennial Star, Volume 14, No. 38, Pages 593-595).
Joseph Smith himself seems to have taught the opposite of blind obedience. Moreover, just as scripture warns against relying on the arm of the flesh, Joseph Smith warns against the folly of blind obedience saying that "A man of God would despise the idea" and Brigham Young also states that one must rely on the spirit to guide you, to confirm or deny the truth or untruth of statements made by any man regardless of standing in the church. In fact, Joseph Smith taught that Mormonism is about seeking for truth wherever we find it.
One of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may. Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 199
I think it is wise to focus on what Jesus Christ said and did and receive all else through the lens by which Christ ed His life and ministry. He is after all the head of our church, the current leaders and in fact every leader since Christ has been by His proxy.
I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with senses, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use and by some other means to give us knowledge which we can attain by them. Galileo
I also do not believe we were ever intended by our creator to forgo some of the best attributes humanity has to offer but I do believe the Holy Spirit ought to be our dearest friend, guide and confidant.
“...while all members should respect, support, and heed the teachings of the authorities of the church, no one should accept a statement and base his or her testimony upon it, no matter who makes it, until he or she has, under mature examination, found it to be true and worthwhile; then one’s logical deductions may be confirmed by the spirit of revelation to his or her spirit, because real conversion must come from within” ((Hugh B. Brown, An Abundant Life: The Memoirs of Hugh B. Brown, ed. Edwin B. Firmage [Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1999], 140).
What I take from this is simply that regardless of what is said or who said it we are best served to pray and meditate upon what has been said. Inside and outside of church life I feel that this is great advice.
What I think is relevant from Christ is the idea of "Seek and ye shall find. Knock and it shall be opened up to you."
To make this practical I think we must use all of our intellect, reason aided by the Holy Spirit to discover the truth in any arena of life we chose to investigate. Jesus told this to His own followers who had accepted His origins and His teachings. He still instructed them to seek. We will likely seek all of our lives and never be bored if we continue to learn.
When we feel that we know enough and stop seeking and searching then I think nothing but troubles await us. We are advised by our Savior to seek and seek we should.
