This Recent Church Statement is a Problem for Mormons

On November 15, 2022, the LDS Church released an official statement saying,

“We are grateful for the continuing efforts of those who work to ensure the Respect for Marriage Act includes appropriate religious freedom protections while respecting the law and preserving the rights of our LGBTQ brothers and sisters. We believe this approach is the way forward…” 

(https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/respect-for-marriage-act-statement)

 While the church did acknowledge that the doctrine of marriage remained unaltered, this represents a departure from the prior attitude of the Mormon Church towards same-sex marriage.

Recent History

In 2015, the Mormon Church stated that Latter-day Saints in homosexual marriages were “apostate.” At that time, Church Spokesman Eric Hawkins stated

“…the church has long been on record as opposing same-sex marriages.”

However, in 2019, under current LDS President Russel M. Nelson, the church reversed that policy:

“the Church will no longer characterize same-gender marriage by a Church member as “apostasy” for purposes of Church discipline, although it is still considered “a serious transgression.”

The church stated that the reversal was due to

“…the continuing revelation that has been a part of the modern Church since the Restoration.”

This statement in November 2022 represents the most dramatic step in favor of homosexual marriages to date. It is not hard to imagine that this statement may just lay the groundwork for the LDS Church to eventually adjust its doctrine and practices regarding same sex marriages and sealings.

The Problem

Such dramatic changes should present a problem for Latter-day Saints.

The Mormon Church boasts of having modern prophets—those who speak on behalf of God. Yet, instead of a steadfast and unshakable commitment to the truth, the LDS Church has regularly jettisoned beliefs and practices that have become politically inconvenient.

 It’s hard to imagine many of these changes were motivated by a pure desire to remain more faithful…it appears that many of them have been an effort to cater to the world.

For example, early Mormon prophets taught of the necessity of polygamy—which was later jettisoned.  And it wasn’t that long ago that the church changed their policy barring blacks from holding the priesthood.

Changes like these only scratch the surface; they’re the tip of the iceberg, and if you’ve studied much of the LDS Church’s history, you’ll know exactly what I’m saying.

But the Bible says:

In contrast to the instability in Mormonism’s attitudes, the Bible says,

“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind.” (Numbers 23:19).

The Bible continually warns the church to not allow culture to influence her beliefs. The Apostle Paul said,

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” (Romans 12:2)

The Apostle Peter says,

“…we must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)

False Prophets

Truth doesn’t change, and God’s Word is clear. The changing policies and doctrinal convictions of the LDS prophets and apostles over the last 200 years is a clear sign that they are false prophets.

If things like yesterday’s statement make you feel awkward about the LDS prophets…if you are unsure whether you may fully trust what your prophets in the past have taught, or what they may teach in the future…If you question their judgment and wonder if they may acquiesce to the whims of the world...then reject them. 

Jesus warned about false prophets! He said,

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?” (Matt. 7:15-16).

These regularly occurring changes are bad fruit! The statement released yesterday is “thorny” and “thistly”. 

But, unlike the Mormon prophets, God’s Word never changes; Christians HAVE a better living prophet—one whonever errors, and who is without sin: Jesus.

No matter what the world says or does—if we love God–we must stand firm on the immovable Rock of His Word

…be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life…” (Philippians 2:15–16).