Anti-Mormon Claims
Anti-Mormon Claimsrevelationpolicycontinuity

Changing Doctrines

If prophets can change policy, is any doctrine stable?

Bible

The Bible answers

Bible · Acts 15:28–29

KJV + NRSVUE

King James Version

For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things.

NRSVUE

For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose on you no further burden than these essentials.

Our explanation

The Jerusalem council changed Gentile practice. Living apostles do that.

Modern Revelation

Articles of Faith 1:9

We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

Our explanation

He will yet reveal many great and important things.

Faithful answers

FAIR

Continuing revelation

FAIR Latter-day Saints

Acts 15 changed a massive policy (Gentiles and the law) without dethroning Moses. Official Declaration 1 and 2 did the same kind of work. Word of Wisdom practice tightened over time. None of that rewrites the Atonement. Critics want either a frozen 1830 or a church that never speaks. The Restoration is neither.

A living church will have a history. A dead one will have only a museum.

  • The Jerusalem council is the biblical precedent for policy change by keys.
  • Core doctrines are in the standard works and the living apostolic witness of Christ.
  • Article of Faith 9 makes future revelation an expectation.
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