1. John Jaques, “Oh Say, What Is Truth?,” in Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1985), no. 272.

2. Joseph Smith stated that “Mormonism is truth; and every man who embraced it felt himself at liberty to embrace every truth.” “Copy of a Letter from J. Smith Jr. to Mr. Galland,” Times and Seasons 1, no. 4 (February 1840): 53.

3. Doctrine and Covenants 93:24. One scholar pointed out that this definition closely aligns with the correspondence theory of truth. See Loyd Ericson, “The Challenges of Defining Mormon Doctrine,” Element 3, nos. 1 and 2 (2007): 69–90. For a modern definition of the correspondence theory of truth, see Marian David, “The Correspondence Theory of Truth,” in Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, ed. Edward N. Zalta (2016), https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2020/entries/truth-correspondence/.

4. “Divine Truth,” in Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual, ed. Church Educational System (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2010), 2–3.

5. See Doctrine and Covenants 1:39; 88:66; 93:29–30.

6. Three times in Alma’s teachings recorded in Alma 42, he states that such a deviation from truth would cause God to cease to be God, even as he emphatically states, “But God ceaseth not to be God” (42:23).

7. “He [Christ] that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth; which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made. As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made; as also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made; and the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand. And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings; which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—the light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things” (D&C 88:6–13).

8. L. Tom Perry, “The Doctrines and Principles Contained in the Articles of Faith,” Ensign 43, no. 11 (November 2013): 46; see also Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “We Are Doing a Great Work and Cannot Come Down,” Ensign 39, no. 5 (May 2009): 59–62.

9. C. Terry Warner, “Truth,” in Encyclopedia of Mormonism, ed. Daniel H. Ludlow, 4 vols. (New York: Macmillan, 1992), 4:1490.

10. As taught by D. Todd Christofferson in “Truth Endures,” address to Church Educational System religious educators, January 26, 2018, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts/article/evening-with-a-general-authority/2018/01/truth-endures?lang=eng.

11. Bruce R. McConkie, “The Lord’s People Receive Revelation,” Ensign 1, no. 6 (June 1971): 77.

12. “Prophets,” in True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference, ed. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2004), 129.

13. “Instruction on Priesthood, Circa 5 October 1840,” 1, Joseph Smith Papers, accessed April 5, 2021, https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/instruction-on-priesthood-circa-5-october-1840/1; see also James E. Faust, “The Key of the Knowledge of God,” Ensign 34, no. 11 (November 2004): 52.

14. A national survey has found that strong majorities of those who identify as Mormons agree on such major doctrinal issues regarding Christ’s resurrection (98%), eternal families (95%), modern prophets (94%), and the Book of Mormon (91%). “Mormons in America—Certain in Their Beliefs, Uncertain of Their Place in Society,” Pew Research Center, January 12, 2012, http://www.pewforum.org/2012/01/12/mormons-in-america-executive-summary/.

15. “History, 1838–1856, Volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843],” 1464 (February 8, 1843), Joseph Smith Papers, accessed April 5, 2021, https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-1838-1856-volume-d-1-1-august-1842-1-july-1843/107.

16. Joseph complained that “he did not enjoy the right vouchsafed to every American citizen—that of free speech. He said that when he ventured to give his private opinion, his words were often garbled and their meaning twisted. And then given out as the word of the Lord because they came from him.” Jesse W. Crosby, quoted in They Knew the Prophet: Personal Accounts from over 100 People Who Knew Joseph Smith, ed. Hyrum L. Andrus and Helen Mae Andrus (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1974), 144.

17. Steven C. Harper, “‘That They Might Come to Understanding’: Revelation as Process,” in You Shall Have My Word: Exploring the Text of the Doctrine and Covenants, ed. Scott C. Esplin, Richard O. Cowan, and Rachel Cope (Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2012), 21.

18. “History, 1838–1856, Volume F-1 [1 May 1844–8 August 1844],” 21 (May 12, 1844), Joseph Smith Papers, accessed April 5, 2021, https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-1838-1856-volume-f-1-1-may-1844-8-august-1844/27.

19. Wilford Woodruff, “Remarks by President George Q. Cannon and President Wilford Woodruff, at the Sixty-First Semi-annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, October 6, 1891, Immediately Following the Adoption by the General Assembly of the Manifesto Issued by President Wilford Woodruff in Relation to Plural Marriage,” Deseret Evening News, October 11, 1890, 2.

20. The following are just four of many such talks: Neil L. Andersen, “Trial of Your Faith,” Ensign 42, no. 11 (November 2012): 39–42; M. Russell Ballard, “Stay in the Boat and Hold On!,” Ensign 44, no. 11 (November 2014): 89–91; Jeffrey R. Holland, “‘Lord, I Believe,’” Ensign 43, no. 5 (May 2013): 93–95; Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Be Not Afraid, Only Believe,” Ensign 45, no. 11 (November 2015): 76–79.

21. Two examples are M. Russell Ballard, “To the Saints in the Utah South Area,” address broadcast to the stakes of the Utah South Area, September 13, 2015, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/to-the-saints-in-the-utah-south-area?lang=eng; Uchtdorf, “Be Not Afraid, Only Believe,” 76–79.

22. For a few examples, see Doctrine and Covenants 10:62; 11:16; 68:25; 97:14; 128:7; 2 Nephi 31:2; 32:6; Jacob 7:2; Helaman 11:22; 3 Nephi 11:28; Matthew 7:28; 22:33; Mark 1:22; 11:18; Luke 4:32; John 7:16; 18:19.

23. For a few examples, see Doctrine and Covenants 46:7; 2 Nephi 3:12; 28:9; Alma 1:16; Matthew 15:9; Mark 7:7; 1 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 13:9. For a more thorough investigation into how scriptures use the word doctrine, see M. Gerald Bradford and Larry E. Dahl, “Meaning, Source, and History of Doctrine,” in Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 1:393–97.

24. Anthony Sweat, Michael H. MacKay, and Gerrit J. Dirkmaat, “Doctrine: Models to Evaluate Types and Sources of Latter-day Saint Teachings,” Religious Educator 17, no. 3 (2016): 103.

25. The search was performed using the LDS General Conference Corpus at https://www.lds-general-conference.org/.

26. D. Todd Christofferson, “The Doctrine of Christ,” Ensign 42, no. 5 (May 2012): 86–89; Howard W. Hunter, “‘Exceeding Great and Precious Promises,’” Ensign 24, no. 11 (November 1994): 7–9; Gordon B. Hinckley, “God Is at the Helm,” Ensign 24, no. 5 (May 1994): 53–60.

27. Christofferson, “Doctrine of Christ,” 86–87, quoting from J. Reuben Clark Jr., “When Are Church Leaders’ Words Entitled to Claim of Scripture?,” Church News, July 31, 1954, 9–10. See also Doctrine and Covenants 28:1–2, 6–7, 11–13.

28. These three criteria are not meant to be an authoritative declaration of how to determine doctrine but rather a systematic analysis of how members of the First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve have done so over the last several decades.

29. “Discourse, 5 January 1841, as Reported by Unidentified Scribe,” 1 (January 5, 1841), Joseph Smith Papers, accessed April 5, 2021, https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/discourse-5-january-1841-as-reported-by-unidentified-scribe/1.

30. Boyd K. Packer, “Principles,” Ensign 15, no. 3 (March 1985): 8, emphasis original. See also Gordon B. Hinckley, “This Work Is Concerned with People,” Ensign 25, no. 5 (May 1995): 51–53.

31. James E. Faust, “Lord, I Believe; Help Thou Mine Unbelief,” Ensign 33, no. 11 (November 2003): 21–22.

32. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Developing Christlike Attributes,” Ensign 38, no. 10 (October 2008): 5.

33. For examples, see Teachings of the Living Prophets Student Manual (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2010); New-Teacher Training Resource: A Teacher-Improvement Companion to the Gospel Teaching and Learning Handbook (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2016); Teaching in the Savior’s Way (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2015).

34. Neil L. Andersen, “Trial of Your Faith,” Ensign 42, no. 11 (November 2012): 41. See also Christofferson, “Doctrine of Christ,” 88, for a similar statement.

35. Doctrine and Covenants 107:27. The following statement from President Gordon B. Hinckley reinforces this principle: “But any major questions of policy, procedures, programs, or doctrine are considered deliberately and prayerfully by the First Presidency and the Twelve together. These two quorums, the Quorum of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve, meeting together, with every man having total freedom to express himself, consider every major question. And now I quote again from the word of the Lord: ‘And every decision made by either of these quorums must be by the unanimous voice of the same; that is, every member in each quorum must be agreed to its decisions.’” Gordon B. Hinckley, “God Is at the Helm,” 54.

36. “Approaching Mormon Doctrine,” Newsroom, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, May 4, 2007, https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/approaching-mormon-doctrine.

37. David A. Bednar, Increase in Learning—Spiritual Patterns for Obtaining Your Own Answers (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2011), 151.

38. For examples, see Neal A. Maxwell, “‘Endure It Well,’” Ensign 20, no. 5 (May 1990): 34; Neil L. Andersen, “‘Whom the Lord Calls, the Lord Qualifies,’” Ensign 23, no. 5 (May 1993): 82; M. Russell Ballard, “Standing for Truth and Right,” Ensign 27, no. 11 (November 1997): 38; Henry B. Eyring, “The Power of Teaching Doctrine,” Ensign 29, no. 5 (May 1999): 73–75; Jeffrey R. Holland, “A Prayer for the Children,” Ensign 33, no. 5 (May 2003): 85.

39. Dallin H. Oaks, “The Godhead and the Plan of Salvation,” Ensign 47, no. 5 (May 2017): 103; Dean M. Davies, “A Sure Foundation,” Ensign 44, no. 5 (May 2013): 10; Dallin H. Oaks, “No Other Gods,” Ensign 43, no. 11 (November 2013): 74; Robert D. Hales, “Agency: Essential to the Plan of Life,” Ensign 40, no. 11 (November 2010): 24–25; James E. Faust, “Called and Chosen,” Ensign 35, no. 11 (November 2005): 54; Richard C. Edgley, “‘We Care Enough to Send Our Very Best,’” Ensign 26, no. 11 (November 1996): 63; Robert D. Hales, “Gratitude for the Goodness of God,” Ensign 22, no. 5 (May 1992): 63.

40. Loyd Ericson points to this reality: “Furthermore, just because a statement about a religious matter happens to be true, its truthfulness is likewise not a sufficient condition for being doctrine. For example, it may be the case that the mortal Jesus was actually married or that Earth was created less than 13,000 years ago. Even if those were true unbeknownst to us, that would not be sufficient for it to be doctrine. Like the location of the Potomac River, Church doctrine is silent on these matters.” Ericson, “Challenges of Defining Mormon Doctrine,” 80.

41. What began as the sacrificial ordinance with Adam was changed in its details within the law of Moses, which was changed by the Savior into his sacrament, which was further developed as Joseph Smith made modifications in its practice. See Doctrine and Covenants 27.

42. Basic Doctrines (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2013), 5.

43. Dallin H. Oaks, “The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood,” Ensign 44, no. 5 (May 2014): 50.

44. For further detail, see Bradford and Dahl, “Meaning, Source, and History of Doctrine,” 1:393–97.

45. Dallin H. Oaks, Life’s Lessons Learned: Personal Reflections (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2011), 68–69. In addition, two Latter-day Saint scholars also explained, “Doctrines, however, no matter how pure, do not exist in a vacuum. We encounter them through teachings, programs, manuals, personal interactions, and institutional forms and practices. And in the process, we occasionally find the pure gospel entangled with unfortunate ideas, pharisaical behavior, legalistic thinking, judgmentalism, and rules based more on tradition than inspiration.” See Terryl Givens and Fiona Givens, Crucible of Doubt: Reflections on the Quest for Faith (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2014), 103.

46. See Stephen L. Richards, in One Hundred Ninth Semi-annual Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1938), 115–16; Ezra Taft Benson, “The Gospel Teacher and His Message,” in Charge to Religious Educators, 2nd ed. (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1982), 51–52; James E. Faust, “The Abundant Life,” Ensign 15, no. 11 (November 1985): 9.

47. See Doctrine and Covenants 43:1–7; and Christofferson, “Doctrine of Christ,” 88.

48. Harold B. Lee, address, in The First Area General Conference for Germany, Austria, Holland, Italy, Switzerland, France, Belgium, and Spain of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, held in Munich, Germany, August 24–26, 1973, with Reports and Discourses (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1974), 69.

49. Edward L. Kimball, “Spencer W. Kimball and the Revelation on Priesthood,” BYU Studies 47, no. 2 (2008): 44–59.

50. Joseph Fielding McConkie, Answers: Straightforward Answers to Tough Gospel Questions (Deseret Book: Salt Lake City, 1998), 213–14.

51. See “Changes Help Balance Gospel Instruction at Home and at Church,” Ensign 48, no. 11 (November 2018): 117–19.

52. This study will focus on the last three decades. However, there have been numerous works written since the days of Joseph Smith that have sought to explain Church doctrine. The following comes from Eleanor Knowles, “Treatises on Doctrine,” in Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 1:404. “Following is a list of books that have made significant contributions to the understanding of doctrine (unless otherwise noted, these works were published in Salt Lake City): Parley P. Pratt, A Voice of Warning (New York, 1837) and Key to the Science of Theology (1856); Orson Pratt, An Interesting Account of Several Remarkable Visions and of the Late Discovery of Ancient American Records (Edinburgh, 1840); Orson Spencer, Spencer’s Letters (Liverpool and London, 1852); John Taylor, Mediation and Atonement (1882) and The Government of God (1884); Franklin D. Richards and James Little, A Compendium of the Doctrines of the Gospel (1882); B. H. Roberts, The Gospel (Liverpool, 1888), Mormon Doctrine of Deity and Jesus Christ: The Revelation of God (1903), and The Seventy’s Course in Theology, 5 vols. (1907–1912); James E. Talmage, Articles of Faith (1899) and Jesus the Christ (1915); Orson F. Whitney, Gospel Themes (1914) and Saturday Night Thoughts (1921); Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine (1919); Brigham Young, Discourses of Brigham Young, ed. John A. Widtsoe (1926); John A. Widtsoe, Priesthood and Church Government (1939), A Rational Theology (1945), and Evidences and Reconciliations, 3 vols. in 1 (1960); Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, comp. by Joseph Fielding Smith (1938); Orson Pratt, Orson Pratt’s Works, ed. Parker P. Robison (1945), and Masterful Discourses of Orson Pratt, ed. N. B. Lundwall (1946); Milton R. Hunter, The Gospel Through the Ages (1945); Daniel H. Ludlow, ed., Latter-day Prophets Speak (1948); J. Reuben Clark, Jr., On the Way to Immortality and Eternal Life (1949); Writings of Parley P. Pratt, ed. Parker P. Robison (1952); Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine (1958, rev. 1966); Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness (1969); and George Q. Cannon, Gospel Truth, ed. Jerreld Newquist, 2 vols. (1972, 1974).”

53. See Doctrine and Covenants 28:1–7; 43:1–7; 81:2; 112:30.

54. Armand L. Mauss, “Fading of the Pharaoh’s Curse: The Decline and Fall of the Priesthood Ban against Blacks in the Mormon Church,” in Neither White or Black: Mormon Scholars Confront the Race Issue in a Universal Church, ed. Lester E. Bush Jr. and Armand L. Mauss (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1984), 173–75. Note that as with each of the following sets of criteria, this paper will provide only a brief listing of the said criteria and point to the ramifications that flow from them. For a fuller picture of the rationale and basis behind each set of criteria, the reader is encouraged to thoroughly review each publication.

55. Stephen E. Robinson, Are Mormons Christians? (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1991), 13–18. Robinson references the source of this criterion to B. H. Roberts: “The Church has confined the sources of doctrine by which it is willing to be bound before the world to the things that God has revealed, and which the Church has officially accepted, and those alone. These would include the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price; these have been repeatedly accepted and endorsed by the Church in general conference assembled, and are the only sources of absolute appeal for our doctrine.” F. W. Otterstrom, “Answer Given to ‘Ten Reasons Why “Christians” Can Not Fellowship with Latter-day Saints’: Discourse Delivered in Salt Lake Tabernacle July 10, 1921, by Elder Brigham H. Roberts,” Deseret News, July 23, 1921, 7.

56. For examples, see Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation: Sermons and Writings of Joseph Fielding Smith, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1956), 3:203–4; Harold B. Lee, “Using the Scriptures in Our Church Assignments,” Improvement Era 72, no. 1 (January 1969): 13; Harold B. Lee, “Viewpoint of a Giant” (address to religious educators, Brigham Young University, July 18, 1968), 6; Theodore M. Burton, “‘Blessed Are the Peacemakers,’” Ensign 4, no. 11 (November 1974): 55; Joseph Fielding Smith, as quoted in Church News editorial, April 17, 1983.

57. “History, 1838–1856, Volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843],” 1523 (April 8, 1843), Joseph Smith Papers, accessed April 5, 2021, https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-1838-1856-volume-d-1-1-august-1842-1-july-1843/166. He further stated, “There are many things in the Bible which do not as they now stand, accord with the Revelations of the Holy Ghost to me,” 1573.

58. The following lists several of these articles or book chapters as contained in footnote 2 in Ericson, “Challenges of Defining Mormon Doctrine.” See also Robert L. Millet, “What Do We Really Believe? Identifying Doctrinal Parameters within Mormonism,” in Discourses in Mormon Theology: Philosophical and Theological Possibilities, ed. James M. McLachlan and Loyd Ericson (Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2007), 265–81. A previous version of this essay was also published in “What Is Our Doctrine?” Religious Educator 4, no. 3 (2003): 15–33. Also selections from this essay, including his authoritative model, are included in his latest books: Getting at the Truth: Responding to Difficult Questions about LDS Beliefs (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004), 43–63; What Happened to the Cross? Distinctive LDS Teachings (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2007), 52–65.

59. “Before beginning this discussion, let me affirm that I understand implicitly that the authority to declare, interpret, and clarify doctrine rests with living apostles and prophets. This article will thus speak only about doctrine and in no way attempt to reach beyond my own stewardship.” Millet, “What Is Our Doctrine?,” 15.

60. Millet, “What Is Our Doctrine?,” 19.

61. For examples of conference addresses emphasizing the need for modern prophets, see Neil L. Andersen, “The Voice of the Lord,” Ensign 47, no. 11 (November 2017): 122–26; D. Todd Christofferson, “The Voice of Warning,” Ensign 47, no. 5 (May 2017): 108–11; Henry B. Eyring, “Continuing Revelation,” Ensign 44, no. 11 (November 2014): 70–73; Russell M. Nelson, “Sustaining the Prophets,” Ensign 44, no. 11 (November 2014): 74–77; Ronald A. Rasband, “Standing with the Leaders of the Church,” Ensign 46, no. 5 (May 2016): 46–49.

62. Nathan B. Oman, “Jurisprudence and the Problem of Church Doctrine,” Element 2, no. 2 (Fall 2006): 1–19.

63. Oman, “Jurisprudence,” 7, 9–10.

64. Neal A. Maxwell, “‘Behold, the Enemy Is Combined’ (D&C 38:12),” Ensign 23, no. 5 (May 1993): 78.

65. Anthony Sweat, Michael Hubbard MacKay, and Gerrit J. Dirkmaat, “Doctrine: Models to Evaluate Types and Sources of Latter-day Teachings,” Religious Educator 17, no. 3 (2016): 101–25.

66. Besides the purpose of confirming truth, Henry B. Eyring stated that “doctrine gains its power [in the life of the member] as the Holy Ghost confirms that it is true.” Eyring, “The Power of Teaching Doctrine,” 74.

67. See Nehemiah 9:30; John 5:32; 1 Corinthians 2:11; 2 Nephi 31:18; Alma 5:46; Moroni 10:3–5; Doctrine and Covenants 9:7–9.

68. See “Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844–January 1846; Volume 1, 10 March 1844–1 March 1845,” 120 (April 11, 1844), Joseph Smith Papers, accessed April 5, 2021, http://www.josephsmithpapers.com/paper-summary/council-of-fifty-minutes-march-1844-january-1846-volume-1-10-march-1844-1-march-1845/122.

69. “History, 1838–1856, Volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844],” 1888 (February 12, 1844), Joseph Smith Papers, accessed April 5, 2021, https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-1838-1856-volume-e-1-1-july-1843-30-april-1844/260.

Michael A. Goodman

BYU Studies Publications