Are Mormons Guilty of "Blind Obedience" to the Prophet?

Posted by Jenny Evans Aug 11, 2009

For me, having a testimony that the prophet is the chosen representative of the Lord makes all the difference. I've asked God if the prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a real prophet, and it's been undeniably confirmed to me by the Holy Ghost.

If I didn't have that, then listening to the prophet would be a sort of blind obedience. But in light of the testimony I have of the prophet, it's more like an intelligent, informed decision to listen to the counsel I know is best for me.

I've heard it compared to a fence with a sign on it reading "Danger: High Voltage — Do Not Touch." Because you trust that the government officials who placed that sign know what they're talking about and are telling you the truth, you obey the sign. It's not blind obedience because of what you know about how the sign got there.

Because I know where the prophet's words come from, I am completely willing to listen and comply. God's counsel to the church as a whole comes through the prophet, and knowing that has made all the difference to me.