April 14 — After the death of Russell M. Nelson, it was announced in October 2025 that Dallin H. Oaks would be the new prophet of the Mormon Church. When I was a Mormon, this was a very exciting time for us, as we tried to guess who the next prophet would be. I was only a member of the church for a year when Howard W. Hunter passed away in March 1995.
I remember how thrilled all the long-time members of the Church were at the thought of what revelations God would give this new prophet, and if there would be any doctrinal changes.
As a Mormon I was taught that the prophet speaks for God and what he said from the pulpit was as good as if I was reading from scripture. This is why I found the remark Patrick Kearon made during his talk at the recent April General Conference so odd. As he spoke about Oaks and his call to being the next prophet of the Church he said-
“Now, 42 years later, we joyfully sustain him as the Lord’s chief Apostle, as his whole soul once again responds to a call, claiming no infallibility while trusting in the Lord’s guiding hand.”
What exactly does he mean by, “no infallibility”?
Is he saying that it’s possible for Mormon prophets to make doctrinal errors? If this is so, then why do they need prophets? I think about my years as a Church member, and I can’t think of one revelation any prophet gave to the Church. Unless you count the one set of ear piercings Gordon B. Hinckley talked about in the Relief Society session of General Conference many years ago. He cautioned against church members having tattoos and bodily piercings. Then went on to say men shouldn’t have any ear piercings, while women can have one set.
I remember sitting there and listening to his talk, thankful that I only had one set of ear piercings. As we were leaving many women commented that they were taking out their extra set of ear piercings when they got home.
There are so many things previous church leaders have said about the importance of following the prophet because he can never steer the Church in the wrong direction.
Eldon Tanner said in the April 1979 General Conference –
“When the prophet speaks, the debate is over”.
In the Improvement Era, June 1945, page 36 as part of the Ward Teaching, under “Sustaining General Authorities” it says:
“When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done. When they propose a plan–it is God’s plan. When they point the way, there is no other which is safe. When they give direction, it should mark the end of controversy. God works in no other way. To think otherwise, without immediate repentance, may cost one his faith, may destroy his testimony, and leave him a stranger to the kingdom of God.”
When my boys were young, they learned the Primary song Follow the Prophet. Part of the song goes,
“Follow the prophet, follow the prophet,
Follow the prophet; don’t go astray.
Follow the prophet, follow the prophet,
Follow the prophet; he knows the way.”
There’s also Ezra Taft Benson’s Fourteen Fundamentals for Following the Prophet.
You can see the full list in the article linked below. Just a few are:
The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
The prophet will never lead the Church astray.
As I think about all these things, I keep going back to, if the prophet can’t claim infallibility when speaking as the prophet of the church how can the church members trust him? The whole foundation of Mormonism is they have “living prophets” to guide them and their church. His comment should make Mormons scratch their heads and wonder what is going on with their Church.
In Christ,
Melissa Grimes
Gordon B. Hinckley General Conference
So sad. God doesnt appoint their prophets cuss they aren’t true prophets. 🙏🙏🙏🙏
It’s sad indeed MJ. So blessed that Melissa got saved & that she helps me in the ministry!
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