bcspace wrote:Well that's the point. The church teaches what amounts to opinion out of manuals that many people take as doctrine and run with it.
CFR
You really need references for this? Have you ever taught out of a church manual? OK. Here are a few I dug up in about 5 minutes searching LDS.org. They're probably not the best examples, but they'll do. For the purposes of this thread I define "opinion" as anything that is not doctrine according to the Internet apologists I have read over the years. If I list something that really is doctrine, and not just opinion, please correct me:
Aaronic Priesthood Manual 1 Chapter 34: Obedience
If the prophet tells us to do something, how should we respond?
As the young men discuss this, point out that we should always follow the counsel of the prophet. When our Church leaders give us counsel, it is as if the Savior were giving us counsel himself.
Aaronic Priesthood Manual 1 Chapter 12: Following the Prophet
Display a picture of the living prophet. Point out that we have been specifically directed to follow the living prophet’s inspired counsel...
...When the prophet speaks … the debate is over
Gospel Principle Manual Chapter 32: Tithing
A tithe is one-tenth of our increase. This means that we give one-tenth of all we earn before we pay for our own needs such as food, clothing, and shelter.
Gospel Principles Manual Chapter 46: The Last Judgment
The Apostle John taught that "the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son" (John 5:22). The Son, in turn, will call upon others to assist in the Judgment....President John Taylor said the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles in our own dispensation will also judge us
Gospel Principles Manual Chapter 33: Missionary Work
Every member of the Church is to be a missionary. We should be missionaries even if we are not formally called and set apart. We are responsible to teach the gospel by word and deed to all of our Heavenly Father's children.
Young Women's Manual 1, Chapter 7: Homemaking
Explain that homemaking is one of the responsibilities we have been given...
Explain that homemaking involves a wide variety of activities, all of them important. Of great importance, of course, is keeping a house clean and taking care of the physical needs of the family members....
Chalkboard discussion
• How can you be a homemaker in your home now?
Small group activity
Divide the young women into two groups and give each group one of the following problems. Ask them to discuss it and prepare some precise instructions on how to solve the problems and accomplish the needed tasks. Ask them to mention sources of assistance. Provide paper and pencils for notes.
Task 1
You come home from school to find your mother feeling ill with a severe headache. The baby is crying, your two younger brothers are quarreling, and the house is a mess. Your father will be home for dinner soon. What could you do to create a spiritual atmosphere in your home? How would you go about it?
"We of this Church do not rely on any man-made statement concerning the nature of Deity. Our knowledge comes directly from the personal experience of Joseph Smith." - Gordon B. Hinckley
"It's wrong to criticize leaders of the Mormon Church even if the criticism is true." - Dallin H. Oaks