What LDS Teachings Are Essential?

[_tomhardman]

This is a post from my blog in which I ask my fellow Mormons the following question: What teachings of the LDS church do you consider to be essential? In other words, what church teachings are so important – so foundational – that if you found out they weren’t true you’d probably leave the church?

http://in-fide-scientiam.com/2014/01/05 ... essential/

[_CameronMO]

Remind me, which teachings ARE the true and exclusive teachings?

[_SteelHead]

None. History has shown that the brethren can insert and remove core doctrine at will. The sheeple will keep blee(t)ving.

[Guest]

This is a post from my blog in which I ask my fellow Mormons the following question: What teachings of the LDS church do you consider to be essential? In other words, what church teachings are so important – so foundational – that if you found out they weren’t true you’d probably leave the church?

http://in-fide-scientiam.com/2014/01/05 ... essential/

Which of the foundational teachings of the Church have been proven true?

Edited to add: Which of the unique foundational teachings of the Church have not subsequently been altered?

[_moksha]

1. Polygamy was essential till it was not. Now it will be administered in the sweet hereafter based on the fullness of your keyring.

2. We have a living Prophet.

3. There is no set formula on tithing, however for maximal heavenly benefits, make sure you give generously and often.

[_Bazooka]

1. Polygamy was essential till it was not. Now it will be administered in the sweet hereafter based on the fullness of your keyring.

Polygamy is non Doctrinal, the living Prophet said so.

2. We have a living Prophet.

Who, according the Uchtdorf, is no more reliable than any other human and is susceptible to imposing his own personal agenda, bias and greedy desires.

3. There is no set formula on tithing, however for maximal heavenly benefits, make sure you give generously and often.

There is a set formula for tithing, but it's up to you to decide if that means gross or net.

[_moksha]

1. Polygamy was essential till it was not. Now it will be administered in the sweet hereafter based on the fullness of your keyring.

Polygamy is non Doctrinal, the living Prophet said so.

2. We have a living Prophet.

Who, according the Uchtdorf, is no more reliable than any other human and is susceptible to imposing his own personal agenda, bias and greedy desires.

3. There is no set formula on tithing, however for maximal heavenly benefits, make sure you give generously and often.

There is a set formula for tithing, but it's up to you to decide if that means gross or net.

Seems there are unique elements in each of these, if you consider the mechanism for choosing the Living Prophet and the nature of heavenly benefits being Godhood, your own planet and a harem of perfected Sister-Wives. Pastafarianism may promise some of the same, but you end up in the arms of his Noodley Goodness in the grotto of the Playboy mansion.

[_Bazooka]

Seems there are unique elements in each of these, if you consider the mechanism for choosing the Living Prophet and the nature of heavenly benefits being Godhood, your own planet and a harem of perfected Sister-Wives. Pastafarianism may promise some of the same, but you end up in the arms of his Noodley Goodness in the grotto of the Playboy mansion.

If I recall correctly, the process for choosing the Living Prophet is on the basis of dead man's shoes.
When the living Prophet is no longer living, the Apostle who has served the longest in that calling is automatically appointed regardless of God's thoughts on the matter. Noodly Goodness indeed.....

[_Gunnar]

When I think about that question, I can't help but wonder how many of the top 15 realize just how tenuous and highly questionable are any of the Church's foundational claims. They are not really stupid men, and some of them have very impressive academic credentials. I find it very hard to believe that none of them seriously doubt that the church they lead is everything they claim to believe it is.

[_Bazooka]

When I think about that question, I can't help but wonder how many of the top 15 realize just how tenuous and highly questionable are any of the Church's foundational claims. They are not really stupid men, and some of them have very impressive academic credentials. I find it very hard to believe that none of them seriously doubt that the church they lead is everything they claim to believe it is.

Jeffrey R Holland put paid to your optimsm in his interview with the BBC.