In the 1972 October General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Harold B. Lee gave an address which still has relevance today. The following is an extract from that address, but the entire address is worth reading and listening to.
As the apostle Paul said, it is likewise a marvel to us today, as it
was in that day, that some members are so soon removed from those who
taught them the gospel and are removed from the true teachings of the
gospel of Christ to be led astray into something that corrupts the true
doctrines of the gospel of Christ into vicious and wicked practices and
performances. . . .
I
should like now to make reference to some of these. The first is the
spread of rumor and gossip (we have mentioned this before) which, when
once started, gains momentum as each telling becomes more fanciful,
until unwittingly those who wish to dwell on the sensational repeat them
in firesides, in classes, in Relief Society gatherings and priesthood
quorum classes without first verifying the source before becoming a
party to causing speculation and discussions that steal time away from
the things that would be profitable and beneficial and enlightening to
their souls.
Just
an example: I understand that there is a widely circulated story that I
was alleged to have had a patriarchal blessing (I don’t know whether
any of you have heard about that) that had to do with the coming of the
Savior and the ten tribes of Israel. In
the first place, a patriarchal blessing is a sacred document to the
person who has received it and is never given for publication and, as
all patriarchal blessings, should be kept as a private possession to the
one who has received it. And
second, with reference to that which I was alleged to have had, suffice
it to say that such a quotation is incorrect and without foundation in
fact.
There
is one thing that shocks me: I have learned, in some instances, that
those who have heard of these rumors are disappointed when I tell them
they are not so. They seem to have enjoyed believing a rumor without
substance of fact. I would earnestly urge that no such idle gossip be
spread abroad without making certain as to whether or not it is true.
The
First Presidency in August 1913 issued a warning to the members of the
Church which could bear repeating today. Let me read you a few things
that were said then:
“To the officers and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
“From the days of Hiram Page (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 28) [D&C 28],
at different periods there have been manifestations from delusive
spirits to members of the Church. Sometimes these have come to men and
women who because of transgression became easy prey to the
Arch-Deceiver. At other times people who pride themselves on their
strict observance of the rules and ordinances and ceremonies of the
Church are led astray by false spirits, who exercise an influence so
imitative of that which proceeds from at Divine source that even these
persons, who think they are ‘the very elect,’ find it difficult to
discern the essential difference. Satan himself has transformed himself
to be apparently ‘an angel of light.’
“When
visions, dreams, tongues, prophecy, impressions or an extraordinary
gift or inspiration convey something out of harmony with the accepted
revelations of the Church or contrary to the decisions of its
constituted authorities, Latter-day Saints may know that it is not of
God, no matter how plausible it may appear. Also, they should understand
that directions for the guidance of the Church will come, by
revelation, through the head. All faithful members are entitled to the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit for themselves, their families, and for
those over whom they are appointed and ordained to preside. But anything
at discord with that which comes from God through the head of the
Church is not to be received as authoritative or reliable. In secular as
well as spiritual affairs, Saints may receive Divine guidance and
revelation affecting themselves, but this does not convey authority to
direct others, and is not to be accepted when contrary to Church
covenants, doctrine or discipline, or to known facts, demonstrated
truths, or good common sense. No person has the right to induce his
fellow members of the Church to engage in speculations or take stock in
ventures of any kind on the specious claim of Divine revelation or
vision or dream, especially when it is in opposition to the voice of
recognized authority, local or general. The Lord’s Church ‘is a house of
order.’ It is not governed by individual gifts or manifestations, but
by the order and power of the Holy Priesthood as sustained by the voice
and vote of the Church in its appointed conferences.
“The
history of the Church records many pretended revelations claimed by
impostors or zealots who believed in the manifestations they sought to
lead other persons to accept, and in every instance, disappointment,
sorrow and disaster have resulted therefrom. Financial loss and
sometimes utter ruin have followed.”
This
is something that is recurring time and time again, and we call upon
you holders of the priesthood to stamp out any such and to set to flight
all such things as are creeping in, people rising up here and there who
have had some “marvelous” kind of a manifestation, as they claim, and
who try to lead the people in a course that has not been dictated from
the heads of the Church.
As
I say, it never ceases to amaze me how gullible some of our Church
members are in broadcasting these sensational stories, or dreams, or
visions, some alleged to have been given to Church leaders, past or
present, supposedly from some person’s private diary, without first
verifying the report with proper Church authorities.
If
our people want to be safely guided during these troublous times of
deceit and false rumors, they must follow their leaders and seek for the
guidance of the Spirit of the Lord in order to avoid falling prey to
clever manipulators who, with cunning sophistry, seek to draw attention
and gain a following to serve their own notions and sometimes sinister
motives.
The
Lord has very plainly set forth a test by which anyone may challenge
any and all who may come claiming, clandestinely, to have received some
kind of priesthood authority. Now this is what the Lord said in the 42nd
section of the Doctrine and Covenants, verse 11:
“Again,
I say unto you, that it shall not be given to any one to go forth to
preach my gospel, or to build up my church, except he be ordained by
someone who has authority, and it is known to the church that he has
authority and has been regularly ordained by the heads of the church.” [D&C 42:11]
Now,
if one comes claiming that he has authority, ask him, “Where do you get
your authority? Have you been ordained by someone who has authority,
who is known to the Church, that you have authority and have been
regularly ordained by the heads of the Church?” If the answer is no, you
may know that he is an imposter. This is the test that our people
should always apply when some imposter comes trying to lead them astray. . . .
One
more matter: There are among us many loose writings predicting the
calamities which are about to overtake us. Some of these have been
publicized as though they were necessary to wake up the world to the
horrors about to overtake us. Many of these are from sources upon which
there cannot be unquestioned reliance.
Are
you priesthood bearers aware of the fact that we need no such
publications to be forewarned, if we were only conversant with what the
scriptures have already spoken to us in plainness?
Let
me give you the sure word of prophecy on which you should rely for your
guide instead of these strange sources which may have great political
implications.
Read the 24th chapter of Matthew—particularly that inspired version as contained in the Pearl of Great Price. (JS—M 1.)
Then read the 45th section of the Doctrine and Covenants where the Lord, not man, has documented the signs of the times. [D&C 45]
Now
turn to section 101 and section 133 of the Doctrine and Covenants and
hear the step-by-step recounting of events leading up to the coming of
the Savior. [D&C 101; D&C 133]
Finally,
turn to the promises the Lord makes to those who keep the commandments
when these judgments descend upon the wicked, as set forth in the
Doctrine and Covenants, section 38. [D&C 38]
Brethren,
these are some of the writings with which you should concern
yourselves, rather than commentaries that may come from those whose
information may not be the most reliable and whose motives may be
subject to question. And may I say, parenthetically, most of such
writers are not handicapped by having any authentic information on their
writings.
As
the Lord has admonished priesthood bearers from the beginning:
“Wherefore, gird up your loins and be prepared. Behold, the kingdom is
yours, and the enemy shall not overcome.
“Verily I say unto you, ye are clean, but not all; and there is none else with whom I am well pleased;
“For
all flesh is corrupted before me; and the powers of darkness prevail
upon the earth, among the children of men, in the presence of all the
hosts of heaven—
“Which causeth silence to reign, and all eternity is pained. …” (D&C 38:9–12.)
Now
brethren, I have spoken plainly to you in this priesthood session. Let
what has been said by all the brethren tonight, and in this conference,
not fall on deaf ears. Let these admonitions be received as the Lord
directed they should be received, in an early revelation, to which
President Tanner has already made reference, “as if from mine own mouth,
in all patience and faith.” (D&C 21:5.)
Only
by so doing can we be truly one as a body of priesthood, by following
the leadership that the Lord has established in our day in order that we
may be one. And he warns us if we are not one, we are not his, as he
has declared in the Doctrine and Covenants.
Harold B. Lee, Conference Report, October 1972, 124-28.
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