I think that you’ll enjoy this short video, if you can take just five minutes to watch it:
On the same topic, I like this piece from Stephen Smoot, who blogs at Ploni Almoni and who originally posted what follows on his Facebook page. I hope that he won’t mind my pilfering it here (with full credit, of course, and links):
Consider the significance of last night’s Face 2 Face event with Elder Quentin L. Cook, Dr. Kate Holbrook, and Dr. Matthew Grow.
Here is an apostle sitting next to two professional historians. When questions about Church history came from the two young adult hosts (questions concerning seer stones, polygamy, and First Vision accounts) this apostle did not immediately jump in and claim to have all the answers. Instead he turned to the historians and asked them for their perspective before adding his own and bearing his apostolic testimony of the Restoration.
In other words, Elder Cook never put up any pretense to being infallible or omniscient on matters of Church history and doctrine. Nor, for that matter, did Drs. Holbrook and Grow grovel before Elder Cook and obsequiously defer to him as the final authority. It was a mutual, reciprocal, and respectful partnership built on trust and faith.
In case you think Elder Cook might be an outlier, consider these words from Elder M. Russell Ballard, another apostle:
“When something has the potential to threaten our spiritual life, our most precious family relationships, and our membership in the kingdom, we should find thoughtful and faithful Church leaders to help us. And, if necessary, we should ask those with appropriate academic training, experience, and expertise for help.
“This is exactly what I do when I need an answer to my own questions that I cannot answer myself. I seek help from my Brethren in the Quorum of the Twelve and from others with expertise in fields of Church history and doctrine.” (Elder M. Russell Ballard, “By Study and by Faith,” Ensign, December 2016)
Apostles and historians sitting side-by-side and directly tackling the questions raised by sincere seekers and the challenges lobbed by antagonists.
This, I believe, is exactly the way it should be (D&C 88:118).
I agree. This is exactly the way it should be.
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