Apostasy is repeatedly acting in clear, open, and deliberate public opposition to the Church or its faithful leaders, or persisting, after receiving counsel, in teaching false doctrine.

June 28, 2014

In God's plan for the happiness and eternal progression of His children,

the blessings of His priesthood are equally available to men and women. Only

men are ordained to serve in priesthood offices. All service in the Church has

equal merit in the eyes of God. We express profound gratitude for the millions

of Latter-day Saint women and men who willingly and effectively serve God

and His children. Because of their faith and service, they have discovered that

the Church is a place of spiritual nourishment and growth.

We understand that from time to time Church members will have

questions about Church doctrine, history, or practice. Members are always

free to ask such questions and earnestly seek greater understanding. We feel

special concern, however, for members who distance themselves from Church

doctrine or practice and, by advocacy, encourage others to follow them.

Simply asking questions has never constituted apostasy. Apostasy is

repeatedly acting in clear, open, and deliberate public opposition to the

Church or its faithful leaders, or persisting, after receiving counsel, in teaching

false doctrine.

THE COUNCIL OF

THE FIRST PRESIDENCY AND

OUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES

OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

teach them to never follow those who think they know more about how to administer the affairs of the Church than … Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ do” through the priesthood leaders who have the keys to preside.

 Keep the eyes of the mission on the leaders of the Church. … We will not and … cannot lead [you] astray.

“And as you teach your missionaries to focus their eyes on us, teach them to never follow those who think they know more about how to administer the affairs of the Church than … Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ do” through the priesthood leaders who have the keys to preside.

“I have discovered in my ministry that those who have become lost [and] confused are typically those who have most often … forgotten that when the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve speak with a united voice, it is the voice of the Lord for that time. The Lord reminds us, ‘Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same’ [D&C 1:38].”

In other words, they leave the Old Ship Zion—they fall away; they apostatize. Tragically, they often experience short-term and eventually long-term unintended consequences, not only for themselves but also for their families.

Stay in the Boat and Hold On!

October 2014

2010–2019

M. Russell Ballard

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2014/10/stay-in-the-boat-and-hold-on?lang=eng&verse=#p

Bearing One Another's Burdens Includes Sustaining Church Lead

 To bear another’s burdens includes helping, supporting, and understanding everyone, including the sick, the infirm, the poor in spirit and body, the seeker and the troubled, and also other member-disciples—including Church leaders who have been called by the Lord to serve for a season.

Stay in the Boat and Hold On!

October 2014

2010–2019

M. Russell Ballard

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2014/10/stay-in-the-boat-and-hold-on?lang=eng&verse=#p

Go Back to the Basics

 Go Back to the Basics

There have been times when I didn’t understand certain commandments. Moments when I had questions about polygamy, same-sex attraction, or other things.

But I learned a powerful lesson from the way God taught Adam and Eve.

We’re taught that “God gave unto them commandments, after having made known unto them the plan of redemption” (Alma 12:32, emphasis added).

It wouldn’t surprise me if Adam and Eve had plenty of questions about the commandments they were asked to follow. But before they could understand the commandments, they first had to learn about the plan of salvation.

How well do you understand the plan of salvation? When you have questions, do you go back to the basic principles of God’s plan? As I’ve searched for answers to my questions, studying the plan of salvation has helped me receive glimpses of God’s answers.

When I focus on the basic truths I know, I’m able to stand on a firm foundation. I don’t let trivial things shake my faith. I do not know everything, but I know enough.

“I Do Not Know the Meaning of All Things,” and That’s OK

April 2022

Liahona

Megan Thomson Ramsey

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2022/04/young-adults/13-i-do-not-know-the-meaning-of-all-things-and-thats-ok?lang=eng&verse=#p

Looking Beyond the Mark

After Adam and Eve transgressed, the Lord clothed, or covered, them with coats of skins (see Genesis 3:21). The Hebrew word for Atonement means “to cover” or “to forgive.”

 After Adam and Eve transgressed, the Lord clothed, or covered, them with coats of skins (see Genesis 3:21). The Hebrew word for Atonement means “to cover” or “to forgive.”

Finding Jesus Christ in the Old Testament

January 2022

Liahona

Marissa Widdison

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2022/01/finding-jesus-christ-in-the-old-testament?lang=eng&verse=#p

You will face emotional and spiritual challenges that most of your pioneer ancestors could never have imagined.

 Many years ago, some of my younger cousins were assigned to do a service project at our Grandpa Crozier Kimball’s farm. As a reward, they were promised Grandma Clara’s fabulous homemade cake.

When they had completed their tasks, they headed to the kitchen for their reward. Grandpa, however, blocked the kitchen door. My cousin Kathy Galloway, who was about 14 at the time, recalls that he sat down on a piano bench and invited the cousins to sit on the floor. He thanked them for their hard work and then said he had something important to share before they ate their cake.

“There will come a time in your lives when you will need to know and act on what I am about to share with you,” he said.

He explained that his grandfather Heber C. Kimball (1801–68) and other pioneer ancestors had faced arduous physical challenges. Grandpa said the pioneers quickly learned that to survive, they had to work together and love and serve each other.

“This is one of the great legacies they left to you!” he said as tears began to roll down his cheeks.

“In my calling as a patriarch and as your grandfather, when I look down the corridors of time, … my heart aches for you,” he said. “You will face emotional and spiritual challenges that most of your pioneer ancestors could never have imagined.”

Unless the younger generation honors the pioneers’ great legacy of love and service, he added, “many of you will fail because you will not be able to survive on your own.”

Then, with a spirit-to-spirit connection, Grandpa Kimball concluded: “We need each other. In addition to sharing our testimonies of the gospel with one another, our duty is to love and serve and strengthen and nourish and support and sustain each other, … especially in our family. Please remember that in the last days, your very survival may depend on your willingness to work together and to love and serve each other. Now, let us go eat cake!”....We need loving families, service-filled quorums and Relief Societies, and supportive branches, wards, and stakes.

Pursuing the Path of Happiness

January 2022

Liahona

Quentin L. Cook

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2022/01/pursuing-the-path-of-happiness?lang=eng&verse=#p

Pursuing the Path of Happiness

January 2022

Liahona

Quentin L. Cook

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2022/01/pursuing-the-path-of-happiness?lang=eng&verse=#p

God's Will For Us

 Agency and Gods Will for us

What He would Have us Do.  

https://youtu.be/g7tii0OBSnU?t=1440

David A. Bednar, Face to Face with Elder and Sister Bednar: Ask, Seek, Knock