1979, 1978, 1960, 1860.
“We must turn all this about. We cannot serve God and mammon. Whose side are we on? When the prophet speaks the debate is over.” (First Presidency Message, August 1979, Ensign, N. Eldon Tanner)
The full quote is often ignored. Tanner guts child abuse-- Wish people would read the entire quote--
Why should there be any debate over the moral issues which are confounding the world today? From the beginning God has made his position very clear in regard to marriage, divorce, family life and love of children, immorality, chastity, virtue, and the high and holy role of women. Through his prophet today he reiterates the Old and New Testament teachings which are clear on these matters... To gain these riches many engage in the debates on moral issues. The alcohol and tobacco industries and dealers in pornography are accumulating great wealth at the expense of the people and to the detriment of their health. With all the evidence of child pornography, it is deplorable that any parent would allow any child to be so exploited. Some children are being neglected and abused because their mothers are seeking worldly pleasures and careers outside the home. Many fathers are more concerned with their financial success than with the welfare of their wives and children. We must turn all this about. We cannot serve God and mammon. Whose side are we on? When the prophet speaks the debate is over.
"When the Prophet speaks,...the debate is over" ( Young Women President (Elaine Cannon Ensign, Nov. 1978, p. 108).
"The biography of Sister Cannon, written by her daughter, includes an account of this experience. It reports that President Kimball spoke to Sister Cannon in the aftermath of this talk about her “the debate is over” remark and asked her not to repeat that way of speaking. According to Sister Cannon, he wanted to make sure members felt free to decide for themselves about prophets’ statements, and he worried that her remark could be misunderstood to imply something different — i.e., that members did not have agency and were coerced into following their leaders."
In the Imporovement Era, June 1945 contains the following quote as part of a Ward Teachers’ message: "When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done."
"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, which is that every individual must obtain for himself a testimony of the truth of the Gospel, must, through the redemption of Jesus Christ, work out his own salvation, and is personally responsible to His Maker for his individual acts. The Lord Himself does not attempt coercion in His desire and effort to give peace and salvation to His children. He gives the principles of life and true progress, but leaves every person free to choose or to reject His teachings. This plan the Authorities of the Church try to follow."
When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done - By Common Consent, a Mormon Blog
“Always keep your eye on the President of the Church, and if he ever tells you to do anything, and it is wrong, and you do it, the Lord will bless you for it. … But you don’t need to worry. The Lord will never let his mouthpiece lead the people astray.” (Heber J. Grant, quoted by Marion G. Romney, In Conference Report, October 1960, p. 78)
Just last General Conference, they told us to stop following Jesus./s
"not leading astray" is constant and consistent in LDS leaders. "We won't lead you astray" is repeated often.
"…when I come here I have a constant labour on my mind. This congregation, the saints throughout the world, and the world of mankind in general are before me. I think for them all…" (JD V.8:58. Brigham Young, 20 May 1860).
"Why do you not open the windows of heaven and get a revelation for yourself? and not go whining around and saying, "do you not think that you may be mistaken? Can a Prophet or an Apostle be mistaken?" Do not ask me any such question, for I will acknowledge that all the time, but I do not acknowledge that I designedly lead this people one hair's breadth from the truth, and I do not knowingly do a wrong, though I may commit many wrongs, and so may you."
--Brigham Young, 21 March 1858 special council, Reported by George D. Watt
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