The Church’s Position vs the Lord’s Position

Robert J. Matthews,
“ Perspective—A Look at Religious Education at BYU”
Address to Full-time Religion Faculty
Pre-school Conference, 28 August 1985,
printed copy, page 10.

But the message and interpretation of what one teaches in the gospel should come from the Brethren and the Lord, not from the world. Once when Elder Harold B. Lee was present in a meeting of teachers at the Logan Institute, he was asked, “Has the Church taken a stand on such and such an issue?” His reply was, “Maybe the Church has not taken a public stand, but the Lord has,” and then he turned to the D&C and read us the Lord’s answer to the question.

President Boyd K. Packer, "The Instrument of Your Mind and the Foundation of Your Character," CES Fireside for Young Adults (Satellite), 2 February 2003.

People write asking what is the position of the Church on the Word of Wisdom, for instance, on soft drinks or something. And we think, "Why do they have to ask?" It is a principle, and you have the freedom to do as you will. You do not have to be commanded in all things. Without having to have the Church deliver a statement on it, you should know what the Lord's position is on abortion or cloning or same-gender marriage or birth control. All of those things are built in as a part of what we know and what we are.

We are about the only ones left in the world who hold to these standards. When we look around, we cannot find any organization that is holding to the standards. We do not like to talk about the other churches, but we are going to stand alone. If so, there we will stand.