Beliefs > Question & Answer > Modern Day Revelation

Question

Why do Churches constantly change their doctrine?

Response

It is so common to see all of the different churches in the world, 900 or so of them, dwell in a constant state of change and alteration to their doctrine. Why? We believe that they don't have true apostles and prophets at their head to keep their members from being "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine." (see Ephesians. 4:14) Because of the experiences I've had of traveling all over the world and in talking to many different kinds of people in all different kinds of religions, it is my opinion that most, but not all, ministers, clergymen, pastors, bishops, etc. want to be accepted by their congregations, and their position, job and livelihood depends on it. We must remember that God never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Man has taken God's doctrine and changed, modified and even added their own doctrine to keep their followers. God, who was the God of ancient Israel, is also our God. He looks upon sin and iniquity in just the same way that He looked upon it thousands of years ago. If it was sin then, it is sin now; and what was displeasing in His sight then, is displeasing now, for God never changes. Circumstances surrounding the people of God may change, but eternal principles never do. I have a good friend, John Max, who lives in Provo, Utah. He was once a member of another religion back in the 1960's (I won't say which one out of respect for their beliefs). He was confused about the Trinity. It was explained to him that the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are one in the same person. He couldn't quite comprehend this doctrine and the best explanation anyone could give him was that it's a mystery of the faith. Interestingly enough though, this doctrine has since been changed to three people now. Trying not to repeat myself here from a previous question, but again I'll ask, who has the right to interpret any writing by any author, particularly the doctrines of God? Only a prophet of God can speak on behalf of Him, not a council of some privileged few. The Greeks first created the custom of holding provincial councils. The bishops of a province would meet in councils regarding matters of common interest to their churches. At first the bishops regarded themselves as merely the representatives of their respective churches without any further jurisdiction. But gradually their advising and petitioning was usurped with power to order by decree. It was so easy to change the language of exhortation to a commandment! Eventually, these different councils forced upon the respective churches laws that were to be strictly obeyed. There was some resistance to this at first from the lower orders of the clergy, but that resistance was quickly overcome by the activity and ambition of the bishops, who were only too glad to escape the restraints of "common consent." Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe in continued revelation from God, that the authority to act in His name and to administer in all of the affairs of His church has once again been restored to earth. These individuals are called of God and set apart for this assignment just as the apostles of old were. They are not called to change doctrine when they feel it is necessary. This is not their church. The doctrine was established by God who is the same yesterday, today and forever. The articles of faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are the same today as they were when the church was first restored, and those same principles are in force today. There have been no changes made to them. You might be thinking, "What about all the changes that have taken place in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over the years such as the priesthood privileges to all male members, etc." Changes take place constantly, but not in doctrine, only in how God deals with his children. For example, let's go back to the time when the Law of Moses was the way of life. Jesus put an end to that. He taught a new gospel and instituted a new ordinance, the Sacrament. Did the laws of God change? No, but the way in which God deals with mankind changed, and it will always be this way as long as we have prophets of God on the face of the earth to reveal the will of the Lord. (see Amos 3:7) Sincerely, Donny Osmond See related multimedia presentations

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