Follow the Prophet

The Mormon prophet’s test kitchen

By Jana Riess — October 3, 2023
(RNS) — Why do mature adults practice obedience? Hint: It’s not because someone told them, again and again, to obey.

8 quotes from Mormon leaders on independent thinking

By Jana Riess — March 23, 2016
Mormons have likely heard the adage that when the prophet speaks, the thinking has been done. These LDS leaders beg to differ.

The dangers of idolizing Mormon prophets

By Jana Riess — October 24, 2014
The Church teaches us on the one hand that a living prophet is more valuable to us than even the scriptures (!), and instructs Primary children to follow the prophet and never "go astray." But then it also tries to emphasize that a prophet is only a prophet "when he is acting as such," and that not every teaching is doctrine. Which is it?
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