One of the features presented by the LDS Church to potential converts of proof of its own divinity is that it is guided by modern-day revelation. Current Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley stated in an interview published in the San Francisco Chronicle that "We believe in the principle of continuous revelation." However, when asked about how that works he replied, "We don't need much revelation. We need to pay more attention to the revelation we've already received."

Why does President Hinckley seem to back away from the distinctiveness of modern-day revelation within the LDS Church when he is presented with the chance to declare it in public statements to the media?

Each of us is given a valuable gift, the gift of agency. It is incumbent upon each of us to learn to choose and act in behalf of ourselves. If the Lord constantly "told" us what to do, this would interfere with our agency. It is possible this is what Pres. Hinckley is referring to. We really don't need, in fact, we really shouldn't have the Lord telling us everything we should do on a day to day basis. EAch of us should learn by revelation the fact that Jesus is the Son of God, that Father is there and that the Holy Ghost can teach us eternal truths, this leads us to eternal life. This is imperative to learn through revelation. But when it comes to basic knowledge, the Lord would seem likely to expect us to learn what he has already revealed. when we have exhausted that, perhaps he will start revealing more to us, but my experience has shown that most people, if not the vast majority, never even crack the revelations that have been given in times past. Hence, We have a lot already, we have all the basics. Get a handle on that and perhaps the Lord will start revealing more. -R.F. (LDS)

Because he knows all the trouble Joseph Smith got in because of his false prophecies. No, more likely he wants to appear more 'Christian' to the true Christian church at large so he de-emphesizes things like as "As man is God once was…" because we see this as heresy. Do I win any prizes? By the way I am in a ministry to Mormons also. Ask me about it sometime. -K.B. (non-LDS)

Your question is very. . .for lack of better word. . .irrelevent. He doesn't back away from media confrontation, he says what needs to be said. Your question really isn't a question at all, it is just your personalized opinion. -Anonymous (LDS)

You pose a very interesting question. At first the President's two statements do seem slightly contradictory. But upon further inspection, I believe they become much less so. Notice that Hinckley says "We don't need MUCH revelation." He does not say "We don't need ANY" In Hebrews 13:8, among other places in the LDS standard works, it reads "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to day and for ever." If this is true, and I believe it is, then once a true gospel has been established, very little revelation would be needed to keep that gospel true. From the time of Moses until the time of Malachi, the Church changed very little. After the Lord revealed the law to Moses, He did not need to make very many huge, doctrine changing revelations. Prophets, though, were by no means unnecessary. God still needed th [remainder of response missing] - JS (LDS)

an lds member responded saying "we really shouldn't have the lord telling us everything we should do on a day to day basis." article of faith 1:9 states, "we believe all that god has reveled, all that he does now reveal and WE BELIEVE THAT HE WILL YET REVEAL MANY GREAT AND IMPORTANT THINGS PERTAINING TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD" the mormon also said "get a handle on that and perhaps the lord will start reveling more." he was referring to what has already been reveled. so who is correct here--this mormon or the articles of faith?

if it truly is the word of god (i don't believe it is) then there should be more revelation, and if we cannot handle it, well then is that what the prophets and teachers are to teach us? teachings of the prophet j. smith pg 328 states "ALL SCRIPTURE comes by revelation. whenever any revealed truth is expressed in words those words are SCRIPTURE. the holy ghost is the revelator." JOSEPH SMITH said no man can receive the holy ghost without receiving revelations.

well it would appear as if we have a problem. we need the holy ghost in our lives yet the PROPHET J SMITH stated without revelations we cannot have the holy spirit. is the prophet wrong? if so mormonism is false; if not then a lot of mormons do not have the holy spirit because they are not receiving revelations and the mormon church is down-playing the need for such. so they are doing a poor job leading the mormons to the eternal truths. for a more in-depth talk please write me at "[email protected]". i would love to share the true gospel and real jesus christ with you. -RB (non-LDS)

"we believe all that god has reveled, all that he does now reveal and WE BELIEVE THAT HE WILL YET REVEAL MANY GREAT AND IMPORTANT THINGS PERTAINING TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD"

^ that is true ^ and "get a handle on that and perhaps the lord will start reveling more." is also true, it doesn't even come close to contradicting the article of faith. where does it say that these many great and important things to be revealed will come immediatly? It doesn't everything will be revealed in it's own time. -ER (LDS)