Nov 19, 2019
In two October 2019 General Conference talks, President Dallin
H. Oaks shared thoughts about what constitutes church "doctrine,"
limiting it to what is taught by the entire First Presidency and
Quorum of the Twelve. He also shared that we too often think we
know more about things, such as the afterlife, than we actually
do.
This episode was prompted by his talks, and it features a
conversation between Charles R. Harrell (Charley),
author of the wonderful book "This is My Doctrine": The
Development of Mormon Theology, and Latter-day Faith host
Dan Wotherspoon. The two of them speak of many
things, some at the meta level, such as why so many people
want there to be settled doctrines, and showing that this
is a desire that never has nor can ever be fulfilled. Doctrine,
like revelation/inspiration, evolves because human beings are
active participants in the process of trying to discern God's truth
and will, and in then teaching what they feel inspired to, all the
while burdened with leadership concerns such as protecting and
warning the Saints, as well as their own biases and imaginations.
Finally, Harrell and Wotherspoon go particular, speaking of the
development of ideas about God and Godhead, showing that even this
most fundamental concern of religion has undergone many iterations
(and perhaps is on the cusp or an even more profound change than
what has happened in the past).
Listen in! You'll learn and have cause to think a lot!