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I Don't Agree Bishop

Sometimes I love my bishop to death because he really seems to take an interest in how I am doing but sometimes I just do not agree with some of his advice. Do you think it is okay to tell him I do not agree? Sometimes I feel bad just thinking I disagree like a sinner or something. Am I wrong for not just agreeing with him?

Bishop Agree Dont I

Not only is not agreeing with your leaders ok, it is expected to happen. Just because their are leaders, does not make them inspired. You have more inspiration over your own life than your leaders do. That is the plan. To obey your leader for no other reason than "they are your leader" is actually against the plan. It is called "Trusting in the arm of flesh". the goal is for all of us to have the connection with God so that we do not need to rely on others to talk to God for us, because we become capable of talking to God for ourselves. so, eventually, man will no counsel his fellow man, neither will we trust in the counsel of other fallible men, the arm of flesh...

In the end, we cannot make it to exaltation by following our leaders without questioning for ourselves. This process will inevitably cause us to disagree with them on some point or another. When it comes to counsel, you must life your life to the highest light you have received from the Holy Ghost inside you, (Trust in the spirit), not from any man, (the arm of flesh).

I Don't Agree Bishop Studies Doctrine Mormon

It is helpful if in your writings you add "In my opinion..." So that your words are not presented as fact (See the Read Me Thread within this Board).

Without giving details I am interested to know what kind of advice you are talking about. Is it spiritual advice or just life's things like education or work?

Bishop Agree Dont I

Bishop's want people to explain their concerns when dealing with his council. He has been called to help people with the repentance process as well as helping them strengthen their faith.

And just because we disagree with a leader, does not mean that he is any less called of God. We must be cautious not to ignore loving counsel given by a Bishop as it is meant to improve our lives, not restrict it.

As with all counsel, it is up to us to ignore or follow our leaders words. We must decide.

Unfortunately, there are times in all of our lives where others can have a better perspective on what we need then even we do. It is unwise to immediately ignore others loving words because we think we know better. I learned by sad experience as a teenager, that trying to do it alone can be a very hard and difficult road to follow. I was in desperate need of the help of others and it saved my spiritual life.

I would suggest that you take the words the Bishop gives you and take them to the Lord in Humility. There may be something there.

Bishop Agree Dont I

As with everything I write, this is my opinion. It just so happens to be the opinion of Brigham Young also,

And Apostle Samuel Adam's Opinion, who said:

Oh, and Joseph Smith's opinion:

and George Q. Cannon...

and Apostle Moses Thatcher...

In fact, everyone in and out of the Church teaches the "philosophies of men mingled with scriptures". Myself included, even in sacrament meeting or teaching classes. The only source of truth is the Holy Ghost. (Period)

Prophets are there to teach us to be prophets and not to teach us to rely on them. Anyone teaching you to follow them does not understand the priesthood, lead by persuasion not expectation.

Edited: Amonhi on 24th Oct, 2007 - 12:47am

I Don't Agree Bishop

Fine, but since most times it is not written like that I would say that you use "In my opinion..." As is required in this Community. As I said before, read the 'Read Me Thread' of this Board to learn how things are handled here.

I would like to say two things:

1. This Thread is not about the Prophets. This is a simple Thread about Jen asking if it is okay to say she does not agree with her Bishop. We are yet still to know in what aspect she is speaking about. Agree with what? It would be wise to find out first before jumping to conclusions or absolutes. A good for instance would be this... If Jen's Bishop says that he wants the Deacons passing the sacrament to wear white shirts and Jen disagrees then there would be an answer for that. In fact it would not matter much if Jen agreed or disagreed because that is a decision for the Bishop to make as President of the Aaronic Priesthood.

2. The focus you were heading with all your quotes is had in a Thread called, "The Prophet Said So Is It Enough", and that can be Discussed and had ONLY in the Mature LDS Board because of certain content not suitable for public viewing. Additionally, it is not even needed here.

I Don't Agree Bishop

Hey Jen,

Is the information provided to you in this thread enough to answer your specific question? It seems from JB's comment that it would be useful to discuss the specific advice the bishop is giving you so that we can all decide whether we agree with the bishop or not? ;-) (Which still doesn't make us right or wrong...)

IF you would like to share details, we would all like to hear. Regardless, your salvation and life are in your hands and God will never condemn you for doing the best you know how, even if it is wrong. He placed the veil over our minds for a purpose which is a blessing. So we muddle around not knowing what we are supposed to do, having forgotten all. So, while we are still under this veil, we are covered by the atonement, and cannot sin, but rather we transgress because we do not have knowledge. The problem is, sin or transgression, atonement or not we still have to deal with the choices and actions we make. The Bishop may give you the advice, but you have to deal with the consequences of your actions, whether you follow his advice or not. If you like the consequences of following his "advice" then you do that, if not, don't.

Again, their is no sin in disagreeing with your leaders. That was the entire point I am trying to make. I used to feel this way also. There is a lot of pressure to think that we "Have to" Follow our leaders if we are to be righteous. That is simply not true. Any leader who expects that of us does not understand the priesthood. (I know, I used to expect that of those over whom I was a leader.)

Even Apostle Bruce R. McConkie disagreed with his Father-in-law (President of the church) on 6 points of doctrine when he died. There were only 6 points that they disagreed on, but the point is that he didn't feel like he had to agree with everything his leader said. (If you read his books, he disagreed with himself too... ;^)

Disclaimer: Everything I say, (as well as any other person), is to be considered the philosophies of men mingled with scripture, or in other words, OPINION unless you personally receive a witness from the Holy Ghost, in which case it is scripture, it is the will of the Lord, the mind of the Lord, the word of the Lord, the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation. D&C 68:4

I Don't Agree Bishop Mormon Doctrine Studies

I do not think it is wise for any of us to flippantly disregard a leaders counsel be it a Bishop, Stake president or any other leader. The Bishops of the church for example have been set up as "judges in israel". This only means that they have stewardship over their ward in matters relating to Church participation.
From
"Judge Not" and Judging
By Elder Dallin H. Oaks

This story illustrates that there is a time when a Bishop, because of their stewardship over a Ward, may have the responsibility to counsel and advise.

If a bishop says (for example) "following the law of Tithing will bless you" or suggests that we not live with someone before marrying them then that bishop is giving advice that is inspired by the Lord. This is within there stewardship. They can even deny entrance into the temple if one says "I live with someone but I still think I am worthy to enter the Temple".

I think when an apostle or Prophet says we should not rely on our ecclesiastical leaders, I believe they are saying that we should not base our testimonies upon there actions, or think that they can bring us to the Celestial Kingdom. It is only the spirit that can ultimately draw us to God.

But Bishops still can be an important and necessary part (especially in the case of serious sins) in regards to the repentance process and being found worthy to enter the Temple.

Rather off topic, but... QUOTE So, while we are still under this veil, we are covered by the atonement, and cannot sin, but rather we transgress because we do not have knowledge. The atonement, I believe, does not stop one from sinning. We have enough knowledge at this point in our probation where we knowingly sin all the time. The atonement can have the power to help us not to continue in sin. But we are always in danger of falling back into old habits. if we do not watch our "thoughts, our words, and our deeds, and observe the commandments of God" (Mosiah 4:30). The atonement does not cover us if we choose willingly to disregard eternal commandments

The atonement, I believe, does not stop one from sinning.
We have enough knowledge at this point in our probation where we knowingly sin all the time.
The atonement can have the power to help us not to continue in sin. But we are always in danger of falling back into old habits. if we do not watch our "thoughts, our words, and our deeds, and observe the commandments of God" (Mosiah 4:30). The atonement does not cover us if we choose willingly to disregard eternal commandments