Deacons as sources of scripture

During Supper Scripture Study today, we were discussing D&C 68:1-4.

My servant, Orson Hyde, was called by his ordination to proclaim the everlasting gospel, by the Spirit of the living God, from people to people, and from land to land, in the congregations of the wicked, in their synagogues, reasoning with and expounding all scriptures unto them. And, behold, and lo, this is an ensample unto all those who were ordained unto this priesthood, whose mission is appointed unto them to go forth?¢‚Ǩ‚Äùand this is the ensample unto them, that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost. And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.

Does that mean if a deacon feels the Spirit while giving a talk in Sacrament Meeting, that his words can be considered scripture?

12 thoughts on “Deacons as sources of scripture

  1. Here’s some more scriptures and teachings on this topic.

    “But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that some hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.” (Matt. 10:19-20)

    “But notwithstanding those things which are written, it always has been given to the elders of my church from the beginning, and ever shall be, to conduct all meetings as they are directed and guided by the Holy Spirit.” (D.& C. 46:2)

    “Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men; For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea,
    in the very moment, what ye shall say.” (D. & C. 100:5-6)

    “With the Latter-day Saints, the idea of writing sermons or preparing addresses beforehand is entirely discarded; it never was practiced amongst them.” (George A. Smith, J.D. 13:292)

    “Hence the folly of sermons written beforehand; and unless the written beforehand sermons are by revelation, or prophecy, all men the world over, may know when they hear a sermon read from the pulpit, that God has no hand in that matter; and the preacher is not sent of God; and is not God’s servant.” (editorial, Des. News, Sept. 4, 1852)

    “It is well known to the Latter-day Saints–though perhaps not to strangers–that no Elder or member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who enters into this Tabernacle knows who is going to be called upon to speak to the people. Hence no man spends a week, a day, an hour, or a moment to prepare a discourse to deliver unto the people.” (Wilford Woodruff, J.D. 24:236)

  2. I wouldn’t worry too much, Kim. This was an old doctrine and no longer applies to the Church today. I just thought that these quotes were interesting.

  3. I’m not. I take solace in the latter part of the quote, hoping I receive inspiration while writing my talks. :)

  4. When I’m hearing a talk, sometimes a specific phrase or idea will just hit me very powerfully, accompanied by the witness of the Holy Spirit.

    I sure treat it like it were scripture–I think about it, act on it, consider other things in light of it.

    yeah, even if it was a deacon who said it.

    However, unless I write the experience down in my journal, I couldn’t say what it was I heard two months later.

  5. I never write out my talks. What I do constists of making notes on what scriptures I plan to use and quotes. Mostly I put these in order, but that is the extent because I do believe written talks can hinder the spirit.

    On the other hand a written sermon can be just as inspired. After all, the scriptures are filled with the written word. However, I think that isn’t true in most cases.

  6. I always write out my talks. If I don’t, I end up stumbling for words to say, repeating myself and babbling. Anyone who has seen me teach at the last minute in elders quorum class because the instructor didn’t show up knows this.

    Writing my talks gives me time to organize my thoughts, find ways to clearly connect scriptures and quotes, and ensure what I have to say is within the allotted time.

    I should clarify that a lot of prayer goes into the talks I prepare.

  7. Kim Siever wrote: “Does that mean if a deacon feels the Spirit while giving a talk in Sacrament Meeting, that his words can be considered scripture?”

    No way – if a previous prophets words are not considered scripture then a Deacon’s words would not be scripture either.

    I suppose everything Pres Hinckley has spoken will be questioned by future Prophets and members.

  8. That’s true, Pew Sitter. One could find themselves excommunicated just for reading one of Brigham Young’s General Conference talks in sacrament meeting today. Perhaps 150 years from now there will be people excommunicated for reading and believing Gordon B. Hinckley talks.

  9. “Perhaps 150 years from now there will be people excommunicated for reading and believing Gordon B. Hinckley talks.”

    I don’t think so. I mean, what did he really have to say? He was pretty vanilla as far as presidents go…

    I can’t even count the number of times he said,”I don’t know”. That in and of itself makes for a non-confrontational term in office.

  10. rick said: “I don’t think so. I mean, what did he really have to say? He was pretty vanilla as far as presidents go…”

    Hinckley was the 1st President to deal with the consequences of the internet. Agreeing that the 1st Gulf War was prophecy regarding the last days will most likely be the last time any Prophet will say controversial things without prior approval.

    rick said: “I can’t even count the number of times he said,”I don’t know”. That in and of itself makes for a non-confrontational term in office.”

    When I heard him say on the Larry King show that he did not know made me wonder – If the PROPHET does not know then who would – I had forgotten that the Bishop knows all, the 1st counselor sees all and the 2nd counselor speaks all, and as a group they know more about church policy then the PROPHET would ever admit to on national TV.

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