Doctrinal Drift

Relative truth 

Jacob 4:13 "things as they really are" D&C 93:24 "Truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come"

ALMA 30; Jacob 7

Pure Truth, Pure Doctrine, and Pure Revelation- President Russell M. Nelson October 2021 General Conference

Obedience to Law is Liberty- Elder L. Tom Perry April 2013 General Conference

"In His magnificent intercessory prayer at the Last Supper, the Lord attested that the word of the Father is truth. He declared that the record or witness of the Holy Spirit is true, and that “the truth abideth forever and ever.” Both the Father and the Son are declared to be “full of grace and truth.” By revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Savior gave perhaps the most concise definition of truth possible: “Truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come.”

While that definition is straightforward, the implication is that without divine assistance, mortal man’s grasp of truth cannot be very expansive. BYU emeritus professor Chauncey C. Riddle explained it this way: “No mortal being can have any but a small shred of the truth about how things are, and were, and will be. And since we understand by relationships, we as mortals cannot comprehend that shred [of truth] we do know in its totality because the shred has its full significance only when related to everything else and the past, [present] and future of everything else. Truth then is a thing grasped completely only by the gods, those who are omniscient and who see and know all things past, present and future...To rescue humanity from this limited ability to discern truth, our Father has given us our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. Our Savior gives to all men and women born into this world the Light of Christ, by which they can tell good from evil. … If a person receives and loves the Light of Christ, and learns to use it habitually in discerning good from evil, he or she will be ready to receive the witness of the Holy Ghost. … A person with [the gift of the Holy Ghost] is entitled to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. Any person who has that constant companionship has access to all truth. ‘And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things [Moroni 10:5].’” -Elder Christofferson https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts/article/evening-with-a-general-authority/2018/01/truth-endures?lang=eng

"The adversary has other disturbing tactics. Among them are his efforts to blur the line between what is true and what is not true. The flood of information available at our fingertips, ironically, makes it increasingly difficult to determine what is true...Many on earth today “are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it.”Some would have us believe that truth is relative—that each person should determine for himself or herself what is true. Such a belief is but wishful thinking for those who mistakenly think they will not also be accountable to God...God is the source of all truth. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints embraces all truth that God conveys to His children, whether learned in a scientific laboratory or received by direct revelation from Him." _President Nelson https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/19nelson?lang=eng

"These descriptions of love and law are both true guides of what God has commanded us to do. I have previously referred to our “continually trying to balance the dual commandments of love and law,”19 but I now believe that goal to be better expressed as trying to live both of these commandments in a more complete way. Anyone who does not treat individuals who face gender identity challenges with love and dignity is not aligned with the teachings of the first and second great commandments. Thus, on the subject of God’s law, we need to remember that God has revealed again and again that He created male and female.20 And on the subject of our duty to love our neighbor, we need to remember that God has commanded us to love even those who do not keep all the commandments." https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-sister-oaks-stand-for-truth

•“We cannot allow ourselves to be confused by popular messages that are easily accepted by the world and that contradict the doctrine and true principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many of these worldly messages represent nothing more than an attempt of our society to justify sin.” Elder Ulises Soares “Yes, We Can and Will Win!” Ensign, May 2015, 75 

•"Moral relativism just doesn’t work if there is to be order and justice in society. Can murder be wrong for most but right for some? Is a thief entitled to keep what he steals and continue stealing because he believes robbery is right for him, especially since he grew up in an underprivileged circumstance? But this line of reasoning makes the point that there are in fact moral absolutes, whether you call them universal human rights or something else. At least some truths and moral concepts exist apart from personal whim or preference. The only debate, really, is what they are and how far they extend. What we refer to as moral relativism is actually an ongoing debate about tolerance: What actions and differences should be tolerated in society and in human relations?" D. Todd Christofferson TRUTH ENDURES, to S&I, 26 January 2018

•"Unfortunately, some who believe in moral relativism seem to have difficulty tolerating those who insist that there is a God who should be respected and certain moral absolutes that should be observed." Dallin H. Oaks Truth and tolerance, 11 September 2011

• "We need strong Christians who can make important things happen by their faith and who can defend the truth of Jesus Christ against moral relativism and militant atheism." D. Todd Christofferson “The Power of Covenants,” April 2009 

•“There hasn’t been any litmus test or standard imposed that you couldn’t support that if you want to support it, if that’s your belief and you think it’s right....We have individual members in the church with a variety of different opinions, beliefs and positions on these issues and other issues, … In our view, it doesn’t really become a problem unless someone is out attacking the church and its leaders — if that’s a deliberate and persistent effort and trying to get others to follow them, trying to draw others away, trying to pull people, if you will, out of the church or away from its teachings and doctrines.” D. Todd Christofferson Interview Salt Lake Tribune, 27 January 2015 https://religionnews.com/2015/03/17/mormons-free-back-gay-marriage-social-media-lds-apostle-says/ 

•"Protecting conscience is about safeguarding the way someone thinks and feels and their right to act on those beliefs. I am talking about someone telling you that the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs you have are not allowed, valued, or acceptable because your views are not popular. A war in heaven was fought for agency, and it is a gross violation of that agency to force someone to betray their conscience because their views do not align with the crowd." Ronald A. Rasband “Religious Freedom and Fairness for All,” BYU Devotional, 15 September 2015 

•There really is absolute truth—eternal truth. One of the plagues of our day is that too few people know where to turn for truth. I can assure you that what you will hear today and tomorrow constitutes pure truth...The pure doctrine of Christ is powerful. It changes the life of everyone who understands it and seeks to implement it in his or her life." Russell M. Nelson “Pure Truth, Pure DocTrine, and Pure Revelation, October 2021 

Fallibility of prophets 

Moses 7:61

D&C 1:12,14, 38

D&C 21:1-2,4-6

D&C 90:2-5

Matt 10:22,41

D&C 133:70-71

“I want to say, as the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that we should now go on and progress. We have not [gotten] through with revelation. … President [Brigham] Young, who followed President Joseph Smith, led us here. He organized these temples and carried out the purposes of his calling and office. … He did not receive all the revelations that belong to this work; neither did President Taylor, nor has Wilford Woodruff. There will be no end to this work until it is perfected” -Harold B. Lee, “God’s Kingdom—a Kingdom of Order,” Ensign, Jan. 1971, 10. See also a statement made by President Wilford Woodruff in 1896; (The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, sel. G. Homer Durham [1946], 153–54). 

"Some struggle with unanswered questions about things that have been done or said in the past. We openly acknowledge that in nearly 200 years of Church history—along with an uninterrupted line of inspired, honorable, and divine events—there have been some things said and done that could cause people to question.…to be perfectly frank, there have been times when members or leaders in the Church have simply made mistakes. There may have been things said or done that were not in harmony with our values, principles, or doctrine.

I suppose the Church would be perfect only if it were run by perfect beings. God is perfect, and His doctrine is pure. But He works through us—His imperfect children—and imperfect people make mistakes.

In the title page of the Book of Mormon we read, “And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ.” This is the way it has always been and will be until the perfect day when Christ Himself reigns personally upon the earth. It is unfortunate that some have stumbled because of mistakes made by men. But in spite of this, the eternal truth of the restored gospel found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not tarnished, diminished, or destroyed.

As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ and as one who has seen firsthand the councils and workings of this Church, I bear solemn witness that no decision of significance affecting this Church or its members is ever made without earnestly seeking the inspiration, guidance, and approbation of our Eternal Father. This is the Church of Jesus Christ. God will not allow His Church to drift from its appointed course or fail to fulfill its divine destiny." Dieter F. Uchtdorf “Come, Join with US”, ENSIGN, November 2013

EXCERPTS FROM THREE ADDRESSES BY PRESIDENT WILFORD WOODRUFF REGARDING THE MANIFESTO

The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place, and so He will any other man who attempts to lead the children of men astray from the oracles of God and from their duty. (Sixty-first Semiannual General Conference of the Church, Monday, October 6, 1890, Salt Lake City, Utah. Reported in Deseret Evening News, October 11, 1890, p. 2.)

It matters not who lives or who dies, or who is called to lead this Church, they have got to lead it by the inspiration of Almighty God. If they do not do it that way, they cannot do it at all. …

"Some will try to overly dissect the prophet’s words, struggling to determine what is his prophetic voice and what is his personal opinion. In 1982, two years before being called as a General Authority, Brother Russell M. Nelson said: “I never ask myself, ‘When does the prophet speak as a prophet and when does he not?’ My interest has been, ‘How can I be more like him?’” And he added, “My [philosophy is to] stop putting question marks behind the prophet’s statements and put exclamation points instead.”16 This is how a humble and spiritual man chose to order his life. Now, 36 years later, he is the Lord’s prophet." NLA  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/04/the-prophet-of-god?lang=eng

“So be kind regarding human frailty—your own as well as that of those who serve with you in a Church led by volunteer, mortal men and women. Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we.” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (citation).

“The Church of Jesus Christ has always been led by living prophets and apostles. Though mortal and subject to human imperfection, the Lord’s servants are inspired to help us avoid obstacles that are spiritually life threatening and to help us pass safely through mortality to our final, ultimate, heavenly destination . . . While neither perfect nor infallible, these good men and women have been perfectly dedicated to leading the work of the Lord forward as He has directed.” Elder M. Russell Ballard (citation).

Don’t be surprised if at times your personal views are not initially in harmony with the teachings of the Lord’s prophet. These are moments of learning, of humility, when we go to our knees in prayer. We walk forward in faith, trusting in God, knowing that with time we will receive more spiritual clarity from our Heavenly Father. … I have found that as I prayerfully study the words of the prophet of God and carefully, with patience, spiritually align my will with his inspired teachings, my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ always increases. If we choose to set his counsel aside and determine that we know better, our faith suffers and our eternal perspective is clouded. I promise you that as you remain resolute in following the prophet, your faith in the Savior will increase. (Neil L. Andersen, “The Prophet of God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 26–27)

"As we give heed to, uphold, and affirm prophetic word, we witness that we have the faith to humbly submit to the will, the wisdom, and the timing of the Lord.

We heed prophetic word even when it may seem unreasonable, inconvenient, and uncomfortable. According to the world’s standards, following the prophet may be unpopular, politically incorrect, or socially unacceptable. But following the prophet is always right. …When we heed the words of the prophets, we build our homes and our lives upon an eternally sure foundation, “the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God” [Helaman 5:12]. (Carol F. McConkie, “Live according to the Words of the Prophets,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 77, 79)

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/foundations-of-the-restoration-teacher-material-2019/lesson-10-class-preparation-material-following-the-lords-living-prophets?lang=eng

"When God revealed to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon that there was a place prepared for all, according to the light they had received and their rejection of evil and practice of good, it was a great trial to many, and some apostatized because God was not going to send to everlasting punishment heathens and infants, but had a place of salvation, in due time, for all, and would bless the honest and virtuous and truthful, whether they ever belonged to any church or not. It was a new doctrine to this generation, and many stumbled at it. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young [1997], 292)... Brigham Young himself had difficulty accepting this doctrine at first. He said: “My traditions were such, that when the Vision came first to me, it was directly contrary and opposed to my former education. I said, Wait a little. I did not reject it; but I could not understand it. … I [had] to think and pray, to read and think, until I knew and fully understood it for myself” (in Journal of Discourses, 6:281).

"How does the Savior reveal His will and doctrine to prophets, seers, and revelators? He may act by messenger or in His own person. He may speak by His own voice or by the voice of the Holy Spirit … (see 1 Nephi 17:45; Doctrine and Covenants 9:8). He may direct Himself to His servants individually or acting in council (see 3 Nephi 27:1–8). … It should be remembered that not every statement made by a Church leader, past or present, necessarily constitutes doctrine. It is commonly understood in the Church that a statement made by one leader on a single occasion often represents a personal, though well-considered, opinion, not meant to be official or binding for the whole Church. (D. Todd Christofferson, “The Doctrine of Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 86–88)

Elder Andersen explained that true doctrine is taught consistently by the Lord’s chosen, living prophets:

A few question their faith when they find a statement made by a Church leader decades ago that seems incongruent [inconsistent] with our doctrine. There is an important principle that governs the doctrine of the Church. The doctrine is taught by all 15 members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. It is not hidden in an obscure paragraph of one talk. True principles are taught frequently and by many. Our doctrine is not difficult to find. (Neil L. Andersen, “Trial of Your Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 41)

https://www.timesandseasons.org/harchive/2016/03/a-closer-look-at-d-c-138/index.html

How can I maintain trust in what prophets and apostles teach when the doctrine that was taught by earlier prophets and apostles has been altered?

Understanding Doctrine and Policy

Elder Pingree "When seeking truth, it helps to understand the difference between doctrine and policy. Doctrine refers to eternal truths, such as the nature of the Godhead, the plan of salvation, and Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice. Policy is the application of doctrine based on current circumstances. Policy helps us administer the Church in an orderly way.

While doctrine never changes, policy adjusts from time to time. The Lord works through His prophets to uphold His doctrine and to modify Church policies according to the needs of His children.

Unfortunately, we sometimes confuse policy with doctrine. If we do not understand the difference, we risk becoming disillusioned when policies change and may even begin to question God’s wisdom or the revelatory role of prophets." 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/52pingree?lang=eng