Do Mormon Prophets have a Self-life? [2023 Conference Response]

Are the teachings of old LDS Prophets still acceptable to Latter-day Saints?

During General Conference in April of 2023, Elder Allen D. Haynie taught that

“Brothers and sisters, unlike vintage comic books and classic cars, prophetic teachings do not become more valuable with age. That is why we should not seek to use the words of past prophets to dismiss the teachings of living prophets.”

This attitude towards prior Mormon prophets seems common among Latter-day Saints. Do the words of former prophets go bad? Can we still look to them for instruction? Elder Haynie’s conference talk seems to indicate that we cannot! When Christians see statements like this, we’re often baffled! Claims like Elder Haynie’s are stunning because Christians have an incredibly high view of prophets.

The questions is, should Mormons also hold this high view of their own prophets and apostles? In this video, Christian Evangelist Aaron Shafovaloff explains why this view of prophets should be problematic for Latter-day Saints, and how the Bible holds a higher standard for prophets.