In response to my blog post on the topic of Patrick Mason's comments on OD-1 and how they do not support prophetic infallibility/being inspired on a 24/7 basis, a former LDS who is now a bit of a spam bot on LDS twitter accounts respond as follows:
@LDSApologian But D&C 68:4
This is a prime example of the eisegesis many critics engage in, even of uniquely Latter-day Saint Scriptures, to attack the Church (this same fellow has claimed that Alma 34:32-34 is contrary to LDS theology, something refuted here). I wish critics invested in a book on the basics of exegesis. My lament notwithstanding let us examine the text:
And this is the ensample unto them, that they shall speak as they are moved by the Holy Ghost. And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation. (D&C 68:3-4)
Notice the qualifications—“when they are moved by the Holy Ghost.” This is not a statement that any comment by a Latter-day Saint leader is ipso facto revelation and inspired; instead, only those that are inspired by the Holy Spirit “shall be scripture.” This is commensurate with the comments by Brigham Young on how to judge when his sermons are authoritative (discussed here) and the formation and proclamation of Latter-day Saint doctrine (discussed here).
In addition, the critic is guilty of wrenching the verses out of its historical context. Let us read vv.1-2 of this revelation:
My servant, Orson Hyde, was called by his ordination to proclaim the everlasting gospel, by the Spirit of the living God, from people to people, and from land to land, in the congregations of the wicked, in their synagogues, reasoning with and expounding all scriptures unto them. And behold, and lo, this is an ensample unto all those who were ordained unto this priesthood, whose mission is appointed unto them to go forth.
The passage, when read in its historical and textual context, is specifically referring to those who are sent on missions and is instructing these missionaries about when and how they are to speak when talking to those investigating the Church. To apply this statement to anything said by an LDS prophet under any circumstance is to engage in eisegesis, not exegesis, of the pericope.
