Sunday, July 29, 2018

Orson Hyde on the Need for Continuing Revelation

It is no secret that Latter-day Saints reject the Protestant teaching of Sola Scriptura. I have written much against this doctrine, both biblically as well as historically. For a very detailed refutation of this doctrine, see:

Not by Scripture Alone: A Latter-day Saint Refutation of Sola Scriptura

It should be noted, however, that LDS do not believe that their expanded canon is formally sufficient, too, and that there will always be a need for continuing revelation to supplement inscripturated revelation as well as to speak to then-contemporary issues, whether moral or theological.

In a sermon dated 6 October 1854, Orson Hyde said the following:

It is so with the servants of God. There is a Spirit that is ever ready, and points out, under varied and conflicting circumstances, the very course which the servants of God should pursue. The Bible is not a sufficient guide; it is only the history of the people who lived 1800 years ago. The history of our Church in this day, presents the scenes and transactions of this people—the revelations and words of God to them; but if an individual living an hundred, or eighteen hundred, years hence, under different circumstances, were to adopt the history of this people for his guide in all things, he would not find it sufficient to answer the circumstances surrounding him. (JOD 2:75)




Blog Archive