When the Prophet Speaks..., the thinking is done

[_Boaz & Lidia]

"The church" never gave a response. The prophet gave a response to a single non-Mormon in order to shut him up.

Like it or not BC there are many talks published by the Church that teach this concept. Thus this meets your own definition of doctrine. Is the statement "when the prophet speaks the thinking is done" doctrine. Maybe not is that exact wording. But the concept and ideas are.

These responses illustrate the fallacy of looking only at one side of the coin. For example....

These and the other truths are certainties. However, your conviction of their reality must come from your own understanding of truth, from your own application of divine law and your willingness to seek the confirming witness of the Spirit. Your testimony may begin from acknowledgment that the teachings of the Lord seem reasonable. But it must grow from practicing those laws. Then your own experience will attest to their validity and yield the results promised. That confirmation will not all come at once. A strong testimony comes line upon line, precept upon precept. It requires faith, time, consistent obedience, and a willingness to sacrifice.

A strong testimony cannot be built upon a weak foundation. Therefore, don’t pretend you believe something when you are not sure of it. Seek to receive a ratifying witness. Wrestle in mighty prayer, living righteously, and ask for a spiritual confirmation. The beauty of the teachings of the Lord is that they are true and that you can confirm them for yourself. Hone your spiritual susceptibility by being constantly alert to the guidance that will come through the still, small voice of the Spirit. Let your Father in Heaven know of your feelings, your needs, your concerns, your hopes and aspirations. Speak to Him with total confidence, knowing that He will hear and respond. Then patiently go forth in your life doing those things you know are correct, walking with confidence born of faith and righteousness, patiently waiting for the response that will come in the manner and at the time the Lord considers most appropriate. 10

Richard G. Scott, “The Power of a Strong Testimony,” Ensign, Nov 2001, 87

For every follow the prophet teaching you find, I can find an equally doctrinal teaching on finding out the truth for yourself.

But one can never conclude that the truth is something other than what the prophet of the day is teaching. If you do then you are not doing this from your own quote:

then your own experience will attest to their validity and yield the results promised. That confirmation will not all come at once. A strong testimony comes line upon line, precept upon precept. It requires faith, time, consistent obedience, and a willingness to sacrifice.

So if I do not get the testimony I lack faith and obedience.

Plus your comment that:

For every follow the prophet teaching you find, I can find an equally doctrinal teaching on finding out the truth for yourself.

Shows exactly how confusing and conflicting LDS doctrine is at times.

Keep your chapel chaps on Jas, and just keep paying tithes. The rest does not matter.

[_Jason Bourne]

[/quote]Keep your chapel chaps on Jas, and just keep paying tithes. The rest does not matter.[/quote]

Boaz

Come back when you can offer something substantive.

[_Boaz & Lidia]

Keep your chapel chaps on Jas, and just keep paying tithes. The rest does not matter.[/quote]

Boaz

Come back when you can offer something substantive.[/quote]I was trying to keep this "celestial".

When I informed my (still) active inlaws of my epiphany, the first thing they asked was if I were still wearing my temple garments and if I was still paying a full tithe.

That, Jas, is unfortunately, the measure of a good Mormon.

So, pull up the undies and reach for the check book :)

[_Jason Bourne]

Still no substance. But hey, this is to be expected from you.