Doctrine of Infallibility

When I was 15 years old in a Teachers Quorum class my instructor threw out an interesting question. He asked us if the prophet today told us to jump off a cliff would we do it. I can’t remember what everyone’s answer was but he told us that we wouldn’t have to worry because the prophet would not lead us astray. He would be removed by God if he attempted to do it. I had an image in my head that if a prophet were to do or say the wrong thing a bolt of lightning would strike him down dead. This issue always puzzled me. What if the prophet asked me to jump off a cliff and God did not remove him from his place? Would I not have to assume that he was still a prophet believing that God approved of his very words and actions? Do I have the right to question him? Do I have the right to pray about it and receive an answer if it is God’s will? Is a prophet truly infallible?

Leading the Church Astray

President Wilford Woodruff said: “The Lord will never permit me nor any other man who stands as the President of this Church, to lead you astray. It is not in the program. 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.” 7 Collected Discourses 2:137, October 6, 1890.

Brigham Young taught in 1862: “The Lord Almighty leads this Church, and he will never suffer you to be led astray if you are found doing your duty. You may go home and sleep as sweetly as a babe in its mother’s arms, as to any danger of your leaders leading you astray, for if they should try to do so the Lord would quickly sweep them from the earth.”
JD 9:289, February 23, 1862; Discourses of Brigham Young, 137.

Throughout my life I have had issue with these statements. I do not believe that a prophet is infallible and it is possible for the church to be led astray. The early church was led astray shortly after Christ ascended into heaven. False teachings and doctrine quickly found place in the church. It was a full time occupation for the early apostles to try and keep church doctrine pure. It is natural for man to formulate doctrine to meet his own passions, desires and beliefs. Mankind’s belief system is easily influenced by the popular opinions of the day. No one likes to feel like an outsider. No one likes to be thought of as strange or peculiar. It is the nature of man bow to political pressure for the chance to have a peaceful and normal life.

Brigham Young later stated that we need to question our leaders and to not be too dependent upon them or we could be deceived. I believe this statement conflicts with his earlier statement about leaders not being allowed to lead the church astray. There are enough conflicting statements from church leaders upon this matter that there is obvious confusion in regard to the subject.

Leaders of the church admit that they are mortal and that they can make mistakes but they do not believe that God would allow them to lead the church astray. If a prophet started leading the church astray how would the Lord remove him out of his place? Would it be a bolt of lightning, or a heart attack? Would it take one member of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles, or would it have to be all of them unanimously? Would it take everyone’s vote in General Conference to remove him? Wilford and Brigham do not seem to leave the power to anyone else but the Lord himself. They say that it is the Lord that does the removing.

What constitutes a prophet?

Joseph Smith: “If any person should ask me if I were a prophet, I should not deny it, as that would give me the lie; for, according to John, the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy; therefore, if I profess to be a witness or teacher, and have not the spirit of prophecy, which is the testimony of Jesus, I must be a false witness; but if I be a true teacher and witness, I must possess the spirit of prophecy, and that constitutes a prophet; and any man who says he is a teacher or a preacher of righteousness, and denies the spirit of prophecy, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; and by this key false teachers and impostors may be detected.” (Dec. 30, 1842.) DHC 5:215-216

Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 3:
The word "prophet" comes from the Greek prophetes, which means "inspired teacher." Although neither the Greek term nor its Hebrew equivalent, nabi, initially required the function of foretelling, all prophecy looks to the future. Since the Lord has chosen some of his servants to be foretellers--to disclose, sometimes in specific terms, momentous events that are to occur--the predictive element often overshadows other implications of the word in the minds of some.
But the gift of prophecy is not restricted to those whose words have been recorded in scripture. By scriptural definition, a prophet is anyone who has a testimony of Jesus Christ and is moved by the Holy Ghost (Rev. 19:10; cf. TPJS, pp. 119, 160). Moses, voicing his approval of two men who had prophesied, exclaimed, "Would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!" (Num. 11:26-29). Schools of prophets and "sons" (followers) of prophets, some false and some true, existed in large numbers in Old Testament times. In modern times, speaking of Brigham Young, Elder Wilford Woodruff said, "He is a prophet, I am a prophet, you are, and anybody is a prophet who has the testimony of Jesus Christ, for that is the spirit of prophecy" (Journal of Discourses 13:165).
Joseph taught that if any man or woman has the testimony of Jesus they can be considered prophets or prophetesses. When one has the spirit of prophecy they can be considered a prophet.

Numbers 12:6
6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a aprophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a bvision, and will speak unto him in a cdream.

Are prophets fallible?

(D&C 3:4-9) States: “For although a man may have many revelations, and have power to do many mighty works, yet if he boasts in his own strength, and sets at naught the counsels of God, and follows after the dictates of his own will and carnal desires, he must fall and incur the vengeance of a just God upon him.

Behold, you have been entrusted with these things, but how strict were your commandments; and remember also the promises which were made to you, if you did not transgress them.
And behold, how oft you have transgressed the commandments and the laws of God, and have gone on in the persuasions of men.

For, behold, you should not have feared man more than God. Although men set at naught the counsels of God, and despise his words-

Yet you should have been faithful; and he would have extended his arm and supported you against all the fiery darts of the adversary; and he would have been with you in every time of trouble.

Behold, thou art Joseph, and thou wast chosen to do the work of the Lord, but because of transgression, if thou art not aware thou wilt fall.”

Even though this scripture explains that a man can fall from grace it does not talk about how God would punish the man. It leaves open the ability to repent and return to God’s good grace and be given another chance to fulfill a required mission.

Winter 1829-1830. An Address To All Believers In Christ, David Whitmer, pages 30-31.
When the Book of Mormon was in the hands of the printer, more money was needed to finish the printing of it. We were waiting on Martin Harris who was doing his best to sell a part of his farm, in order to raise the necessary funds. After a time Hyrum Smith and others began to get impatient, thinking that Martin was too slow and under transgression for not selling his land at once, even if at a great sacrifice. Brother Hyrum thought they should not wait any longer on Martin Harris, and that the money should be raised in some other way. Brother Hyrum was vexed with Brother Martin, and thought they should get the money by some means outside of him, and not let him have anything to do with the publication of the Book, or receiving any of the profits thereof if any profits should accrue. He was wrong in thus judging Bro: Martin, because he was doing all he could toward selling his land. Brother Hyrum said it had been suggested to him that some of the brethren might go to Toronto, Canada, and sell the copyright of the Book of Mormon for considerable money: and he persuaded Joseph to inquire of the Lord about it. Joseph concluded to do so. He had not yet given up the stone. Joseph looked into the hat in which he placed the stone, and received a revelation that some of the brethren should go to Toronto, Canada, and that they would sell the copyright of the Book of Mormon. Hiram Page and Oliver Cowdery went to Toronto on this mission, but they failed entirely to sell the copyright, returning without any money. Joseph was at my father's house when they returned. I was there also, and am an eye witness to these facts. Jacob Whitmer and John Whitmer were also present when Hiram Page and Oliver Cowdery returned from Canada. Well, we were all in great trouble; and we asked Joseph how it was that he had received a revelation from the Lord for some brethren to go to Toronto and sell the copyright, and the brethren had utterly failed in their undertaking. Joseph did not know how it was, so he enquired of the Lord about it, and behold the following revelation came through the stone: "Some revelations are of God: some revelations are of men: and some revelations are of the devil." So we see that the revelation to go to Toronto and sell the copyright was not of God, but was of the devil or of the heart of man. When a man enquires of the Lord concerning a matter, if he is deceived by his own carnal desires, and is in error, he will receive an answer according to his erring heart, but it will not be a revelation from the Lord. This was a lesson for our benefit and we should have profited by it in future more than we did. Without much explanation you can see the error of Hyrum Smith in thinking evil of Martin Harris without a cause, and desiring to leave him out in the publication of the Book; and also the error of Brother Joseph in listening to the persuasions of men and inquiring of the Lord to see if they might not go to Toronto to sell the copyright of the Book of Mormon, when it was made known to Brother Joseph that the will of the Lord was to have Martin Harris raise the money.

Remember this matter brethren; it is very important. Farther on I will give you references of scripture on this point, showing that this is God's way of dealing with His people. Now is it wisdom to put your trust in Joseph Smith, and believe all his revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants to be of God? Every one who does not desire to be of Paul, or of Apollos, or of Joseph, but desires to be of Christ will say that it is not wisdom to put our trust in him and believe his revelations as if from God's own mouth! I will say here, that I could tell you other false revelations that came through Brother Joseph as mouthpiece, (not through the stone) but this will suffice. Many of Brother Joseph's revelations were never printed. The revelation to go to Canada was written down on paper, but was never printed. When Brother Joseph was humble he had the Spirit of God with him; but when he was not humble he did not have the Spirit. Brother Joseph gave many true prophesies when he was humble before God: but this is no more than many of the other brethren did. Brother Joseph's true prophesies were almost all published, but those of the other brethren were not. I could give you the names of many who gave great prophesies which came to pass. I will name a few: Brothers Ziba Peterson, Hiram Page, Oliver Cowdery, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, Peter Whitmer, Christian Whitmer, John Whitmer, myself and others had the gift of prophesy. Hiram Page prophesied a few days before the stars fell in November, 1833, that the stars would fall from heaven and frighten many people. This prophesy was given in my presence. I could give you many instances of true prophesies which came through the above named brethren, but I desire to be brief. I could also tell you of some false prophesies which some of them gave, when they were not living humble.
If a person did not have the spirit of prophecy at a specific time would he still be considered a prophet?

Joseph Smith:
Wed, 8.—This morning, I read German, and visited with a brother and sister from Michigan, who thought that “a prophet is always a prophet;” but I told them that a prophet was a prophet only when he was acting as such.
History of the Church 5:265

Joseph clearly states that a prophet is only a prophet when he has the spirit of prophecy. When a man does not have the spirit of prophecy he is liable to receive revelations from himself or the devil. Quote from Doctrine & Covenants on how to confirm truth to our hearts.

Blind Obedience to Men

June 1945 message: "When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done. When they propose a plan—it is God's plan. When they point the way, there is no discussion, it should mark the end of controversy," stated a part of the ward teaching message printed in the Improvement Era, June 1945, p. 345.

The church allowed this article to be published in their church magazine and did not attempt to refute it until they received some complaints from members. President George Albert Smith personally responded saying the paragraph "was not prepared by one of our leaders," he writes. "However, one or more of them inadvertently permitted the paragraph to pass uncensored. By their so doing, not a few members of the Church have been upset in their feelings, and General Authorities have been embarrassed. I am pleased to assure you that you are right in your attitude that the passage quoted does not express the true position of the Church. Even to imply that members of the Church are not to do their own thinking is grossly to misrepresent the true ideal of the Church (President Smith's November 16, 1945, letter to J. Raymond Cope, Ph.D.).

It is interesting that the president of the church did not widely release this statement to the church as a whole and only dealt with concerns at an individual basis only. It seems like the majority of church members did not have an issue with it. This article agrees with the doctrine that the leaders of the church can not lead the church astray; therefore there is not need to question them in any way.

“President Joseph Smith read the 14th chapter of Ezekiel -- said the Lord had declared by the Prophet, that the people should each one stand for himself, and depend on no man or men in that state of corruption of the Jewish church -- that righteous persons could only deliver their own souls -- applied it to the present state of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- said if the people departed from the Lord, they must fall -- that they were depending on the Prophet, hence were darkened in their minds.” (TPJS, 237-238)

Joseph believed that if we depend on other men instead of the Lord for our salvation our minds can be darkened and we will not be able to know what the Lord’s will is concerning us. If we are dependent on the Lord alone he will confirm truth to our hearts so that we cannot be deceived by other men.

Brigham Young: What a pity it would be if we were led by one man to utter destruction! Are you afraid of this? I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by Him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence that in itself would thwart the purposes of God in their salvation, and weaken that influence they could give to their leaders, did they know for themselves, by the revelations of Jesus, that they are led in the right way. Let every man and woman know, by the whispering of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not. This has been my exhortation continually. (Brigham Young, JD, 9:151, January 12, 1862)

Our goal should be the synchronization of our will with the Lords will. If the teachings of the prophets conform to the will of God and we are in tune with Gods will then we should have a validation of the truth of the doctrine. If we as a people are not in tune with Gods will then it can be impossible to tell if the prophet is inspired or not. It is easier for a man to trust another man that he can see then in the Lord who he cannot see.

Brigham Young: I told the people that if they would not believe the revelations that God had given, He would suffer the Devil to give revelations that they--priests and people--would follow after. . . . I told the people that as true as God lived, if they would not have truth, they would have error sent unto them and they would believe it. (Brigham Young, 8 June 1878, Deseret News)

Joseph and Brigham admit that it could be possible for people to be led astray by a false prophet if they are not dependent on the Lord to show them the truth.

How does the Lord remove a fallen prophet?
And I have sent forth the fullness of my gospel by the hand of my servant Joseph; and in weakness have I blessed him;
And inasmuch as a President of the High Priesthood shall transgress, he shall be had in remembrance before the common council of the church, who shall be assisted by twelve counselors of the High Priesthood;
And their decision upon his head shall be an end of controversy concerning him.
Thus, none shall be exempted from the justice and the laws of God, that all things may be done in order and in solemnity before him, according to truth and righteousness. (D&C 107:82-84)

This revelation states that it is the common council that decides what the punishment would be for a prophet in transgression. There were times that Joseph would receive accusations from others. He would be brought before the council and would defend himself from his detractors. If he was found innocent his accusers would have to apologize. Joseph would always be quick to forgive his accusers if they were sincere. Even though the council could decide punishment it did not give them authority to replace the prophet.

“And I have given unto him the keys of the mystery of those things which have been sealed, even things which were from the foundation of the world, and the things which shall come from this time until the time of my coming, if he abide in me, and if not, another will I plant in his stead.” (D&C 35:17-18)

And this ye shall know assuredly--that there is none other [than Joseph Smith] appointed unto you to receive commandments and revelations until he be taken, if he abide in me.
But verily, verily, I say unto you, that none else shall be appointed unto this gift except it be through him; for if it be taken from him he shall not have power except to appoint another in his stead. (D&C 43:3-4)

If the prophet fell his “gift” would be taken from him and his only remaining power would be to appoint a successor. If he did not appoint a successor before death then we are told that God would plant another in his stead.

When Joseph died Brigham Young said that Joseph had taken the keys of the First Presidency with him and that he was only acting as the First President in Joseph’s place. Brigham believed that Joseph would remain holding the keys of the First Presidency during the Last Days of the Church on earth. He also taught that there were no more prophets’ only apostles. Later he allowed himself to be called a prophet because the people desired to do so.We can see that prophets are not infallible. They can make mistakes and have the weaknesses of human beings. Men can also be deceived by fallen prophets if they are not aware of Gods will concerning them.