From the Mormon church apologetic:

"Toward the end of his life, Church founder Joseph Smith openly opposed slavery."

Yeah, that must have been mixed in with Jos. Smith's other public policy...stated in January 1843 -- less than 18 mos. before his death...of...

Had I anything to do with the negro, I would confine them by strict law to their own species, and put them on a national equalization.

Source: (Lds) History of the Church, Volume 5, pp. 217-218 Copyright page reads:

History of Joseph Smith, the Prophet. By Himself. Volume V. An Introduction and Notes by B.H. Roberts. Published by the Church. By Deseret Book Company Salt Lake City, Utah 1978

Funny...how something republished by the Church 35 years ago...the EXACT same year of the so-called Kimball "revelation" on blacks -- and written by Joseph Smith himself -- gets totally ignored for "study" by their members (& investigators).

IIRC, the current wisdom is that only the words of the standing LDS prophet are binding. Once that prophet dies and another takes his place, the dead prophet's words are no longer binding on Mormons. The new prophet is permitted to countermand if not outright contradict anything a previous prophet said.

Shirley; you MUST be kidding!!

In conclusion let us summarize this grand key, these “Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet”, for our salvation depends on them.

1. The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
3. The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
4. The prophet will never lead the church astray.
5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
6. The prophet does not have to say “Thus Saith the Lord,” to give us scripture.
7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
8. The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.
9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.
10. The prophet may advise on civic matters.
11. The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
13. The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church.
14. The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.

I testify that these fourteen fundamentals in following the living prophet are true. If we want to know how well we stand with the Lord then let us ask ourselves how well we stand with His mortal captain—how close do our lives harmonize with the Lord’s anointed—the living Prophet—President of the Church, and with the Quorum of the First Presidency.

Ezra Taft Benson

(Address given Tuesday, February 26, 1980 at Brigham Young University) http://www.lds.org/liahona/1981/06/fourteen-fundamentals-in-following-the-prophet?lang=eng

It seems to me that either they can believe that their “living prophets” are infallible, or that they are just spouting “theories”. You can’t believe both and be consistent.
IIRC, the current wisdom is that only the words of the standing LDS prophet are binding. Once that prophet dies and another takes his place, the dead prophet’s words are no longer binding on Mormons. The new prophet is permitted to countermand if not outright contradict anything a previous prophet said.

Call it “Simon says”.

****

Those remarks made are not totally accurate doctrine does not change but times we live in does constantly change we no longer live in a horse & buggy age or what ever else is going on which different from the core of the doctrine which always remains the same.

But circumstances is always changing...

the blue prints to the minefields we are walking through are always changing and the LDS believe we have living prophet to guild us through these latter days.

So the council give at another time might not be the one need for the era we go going through.

Also the Lord’s children are always growing and new lessons are to be added on and learn.

Line upon line, precept upon percept here a little there a little.

Isaiah 28

9 ¶Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

13 But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

D&C 98

8 I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free.

9 Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn.

10 Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil.

11 And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall forsake all evil and cleave unto all good, that ye shall live by every word which proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God.

12 For he will give unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon precept; and I will try you and prove you herewith.

13 And whoso layeth down his life in my cause, for my name’s sake, shall find it again, even life eternal.

14 Therefore, be not afraid of your enemies, for I have decreed in my heart, saith the Lord, that I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that you may be found worthy.

15 For if ye will not abide in my covenant ye are not worthy of me.

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