Agency
LDS Summary:
The LDS commands obedience and makes obedience a condition of temple access
RLDS Summary:
The RLDS acknowledges that personal will exists and to force obedience is to make slaves of people
 Scripture Comparison:Both the LDS and RLDS agree that God gave man agency | |
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Book of Moses 7 32 The Lord said unto Enoch: Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them; and in the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency; |
Inspired Version, Genesis 7 (repeated in RLDS D&C 36:7a-b) 39 The Lord said unto Enoch, Behold, these thy brethren, they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their intelligence in the day that I created them. 40 And in the garden of Eden gave I unto man his agency; and unto thy brethren have I said, and also gave commandment, that they should love one another; and that they should choose me their Father. |
Scripture Comparison:Jesus states that blindly following priesthood leadership causes both to fall away from God.Jesus (and confirmed by Paul) also states that that each plant (person) is responsible for following God's Word and will be judged individually. | |
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King James Version, Matthew 15 12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? 13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. King James Version, 1 Corinthians 3 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. |
Inspired Version, Matthew 15 11 Then came his disciples and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? 12 But he answered and said, Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 13 Let them alone; they be blind leaders of the blind; and if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. Inspired Version, 1 Corinthians 3 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one; and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. |
Who decides your fate?Paul states that whom you obey, they decide your fate, not you | |
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King James Version, Romans 6 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? |
Inspired Version, Romans 6 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? |
Scripture Comparison:Both the LDS and RLDS Doctrine and Covenants agree that each person is an agent unto themselves, and alone, are responsible for obeying God's commandments | |
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LDS D&C Section 58 26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. 27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; 28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. 30 Who am I that made man, saith the Lord, that will hold him guiltless that obeys not my commandments? |
RLDS D&C Section 58 6c for, behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things, for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. 6d Verily I say, Men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; for the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. 6g Who am I that made man, saith the Lord, that will hold him guiltless that obeys not my commandments? |
April 9, 1852President Brigham Young stated that he was the master over the LDS church | |
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Journal of Discourses, Vol. 1, page 48, April 9, 1852 I am the controller and master of affairs here, under Heaven's direction; though there are those who do not believe this. I invite those who are not subject to me as their President, not to contaminate my friends; for were I and my friends to become subject to those who object to us, we are then on the ground of the devil, and subject ourselves to him they serve. |
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August 26, 1854Minutes of the Special General Council - two Elders confirmed that the church was commanding obedience | |
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Millennial Star, Vol 16. No. 34, August 26, 1854, page 529-530 Elder George D. Grant. I have been with President Brigham Young, both by night and by day, and have been his guard. I have been with him, and have ever been ready to obey his mind as the mind of the Lord, and I desire to be ever ready to obey every one who is entitled to my obedience. If I have lacked anything towards brother Brigham, I desire to make it up by obeying brother Franklin. All the blessings come by obedience to the servants of God. Elder James A. Little. I believe in the principle of obedience; and if I am told that Adam is our Father and our God, I just believe it. Brethren, I feel well, and have felt well all the time. |
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September 17, 1854Heber C. Kimball demanded obedience | |
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Journal of Discourses, Volume 2, discourse 36, pages 220-225 So it is with us, if you will not listen, obey, and practice those things that are laid before you by President Young and his brethren, you would not obey God...Probably there are but few men in the United States but what know that we look up to President Brigham Young as our leader, Prophet, and dictator. |
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November 2, 1856Heber C. Kimball states that salvation can only be had by satisfying Brigham Young (actually places Brigham Young in place of Jesus as the Gate Keeper) | |
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Journal of Discourses, Vol. 4, page 64 There is a spirit of murmuring among the people, and the fault is laid upon brother Brigham. For this reason the heavens are closed against you, for he holds the keys of life and salvation upon the earth; and you may strive as much as you please, but not one of you will ever go through the strait gate into the kingdom of God, except those that go through by that man and his brethren, for they will be the persons whose inspection you must pass. I tell you this plain truth, and you may do what you think best with it. |
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January 18, 1857Apostle Lorenzo Snow stated that the people were to obey Brigham Young | |
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Journal of Discourses, Volume 4, Discourse 36, pages 181-187 The people are under obligation to obey the counsel that is given; they are necessarily required to apply the counsel of brother Brigham, because that counsel possesses those objects. No man can be more happy than by obeying brother Brigham's counsel. |
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November 8, 1857President Heber C. Kimball is commanding blind obedience | |
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Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, page 32 In regard to our situation and circumstances in these valleys, brethren, WAKE UP! WAKE UP, YE ELDERS OF ISRAEL, AND LIVE TO GOD and none else; and learn to do as you are told, both old and young: learn to do as you are told for the future. And when you are taking a position, if you do not know that you are right, do not take it—I mean independently. But if you are told by your leader to do a thing, do it. None of your business whether it is right or wrong. |
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July 22, 1860President Brigham Young is commanding obedience to the Presidency – those that have authority | |
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Journal of Discourses, Volume 8, discourse 31, pages 126-130 But we are under no obligation to obey any man or being in matters pertaining to salvation, unless his words have the authority and sanction of the holy Priesthood. |
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January 2, 1870President Brigham Young states that he is infallible | |
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Journal of Discourses, Volume 13, page 95 I have never yet preached a sermon and sent it out to the children of men, that they may not call Scripture. Let me have the privilege of correcting a sermon, and it is as good Scripture as they deserve. |
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May 21, 1871President Brigham Young states that all people be obedient to him | |
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Journal of Discourses, Volume 14, Discourse 17, pages 119-122 To the Latter-day Saints I say, I do pray you to prove the words of Brother Cannon true with regard to being obedient to your President in all things, and doing as he tells you...I wish that what Brother George Q. said of you was true—that you were all obedient to your President. |
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November 13, 1892President Joseph Smith III states that obedience is an individual choice and is not something that can be forced | |
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Supplement to the Saints' Herald, April 15, 1893 Sermon by President Joseph Smith on the Individuality in Obedience The opinion seems to prevail (I have no objection to it specially) that men are under the necessity of obedience when they shall become so fully convinced that they cannot think otherwise than that which leads them to obedience. Possibly the only fault I can find with this proposition this morning, or at least that I feel to now find with it, is this: that from the amount that has been written, the amount that is being said, the wondrous variety of conclusions expressed in regard to it and its claims, there should seem to be, to those accepting this opinion, no other way by which individuals can be brought to that condition than that they have to be forced to obedience. But so long as we concede that religion has its basis in the human desire, in the human inclination, and its works are right in the human heart instead of in the mental regions only, I do not know as we can come to any distinct conclusion as to who or what shall exercise the power to compel our action in the promises. I do not propose that my individuality, my will, or volition, shall ever be brought into subjection to anything that shall dominate to the extent that I have no choice either in regard to the conclusions of my mind, or to the expression of what my conclusions may be. I remember how my heart revolted when I heard some years ago of the singular dominating power of President Young among and over those who were his associates. It is related of him that on one occasion Elder Orson Hyde, one of the Twelve, was preaching in his presence; and like a good many others who think they must address the congregation as though it was a town meeting, he addressed his speech to President Young, turning toward him and seeming to be preaching at him, in the sense that a good many speakers are in the habit of doing. It enraged President Young, and he stopped him, saying, "Hold on, Brother Orson." (He was wearing at the time a broad-brimmed hat; he took his hat off and told a man in the congregation to go down to the end of the hall and put it on a chair, and when he had done so Elder Young said) "Orson, you preach at that hat." And Brother Orson did so. I remember that I thought that if I had been Elder Orson Hyde I would have taken my own hat and would have gone out of that hall. But, of course, being with the rest of his brethren under such domination, they had become like unto slaves; and the idea of salvation under such a rule, it seems to me, would be a mistake, and freedom a mistake also. Now I read in the Scriptures that the Savior says in reference to the truth, that if any man should have it he should be "free indeed." And my conception of freedom is, privilege; and I use a strong term here, because I made a distinction between right and privilege. A man has the privilege to do wrong, but no right to do wrong; a man has the liberty to do wrong, but no right to do wrong; and my conception of liberty or privilege is to determine for myself, and subject myself to a measure rather than to be compelled by outside influences or that which may propose to dominate me. |
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June 1, 1945People that oppose the Church leaders are cultivating the spirit of apostasy - there is no room to point out faults of the leaders (who are fallible as any man) | |
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The Improvement Era, Vol. 48, No. 6, page 354 Ward Teachers message for June 1945 Sustaining the General Authorities of the Church No Latter-day Saint is compelled to sustain the General Authorities of the Church...However, there is the principle of honor involved in the member's choice. When a person raises his hand to sustain Church leaders as "prophets, seers, and revelators," it is the same as a promise and a covenant to follow their leadership and to abide by their counsel as the living oracles of God...Any Latter-day Saint who denounces or opposes, whether actively or otherwise, any plan or doctrine advocated by the "prophets, seers, and revelators" of the Church is cultivating the spirit of apostasy. One cannot speak evil of the Lord's anointed and retain the Holy Spirit in his heart...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 other which is safe. When they give direction, it should mark the end of controversy. God works in no other way. To think otherwise, without immediate repentance, may cost one his faith, may destroy his testimony, and leave him a stranger to the kingdom of God. |
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