Brian C. Hales
Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 10 (2014)

This essay explores the reasons behind the estrangement of individuals from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), particularly focusing on dissenters who argue that the Church is not led by inspired leaders. A common justification for their departure is the “Samuel Principle,” which suggests that God allows His followers to go astray if they choose unrighteousness. The essay critiques this interpretation, presenting historical examples that demonstrate God’s tendency to call errant followers to repentance through righteous leaders rather than allowing them to stray unchecked.

Dissenters often portray the Church as wrong to validate their own beliefs and practices outside of it. They may claim superior knowledge, righteousness, or experiences compared to the mainstream Church members. This superiority complex necessitates a narrative that the Church has lost its truth or authority at some point in history. Some dissenters identify as “fundamentalists,” asserting they have returned to the original teachings of Joseph Smith, which they believe have been abandoned by the Church.

To support their claims, dissenters employ two main strategies. The first is the assertion that God could allow the Church and its leaders to go astray, citing scriptural examples where God granted the desires of His followers, even if those desires led to spiritual decline. Examples include God allowing the Israelites to have a king (1 Samuel 8:6–10) and Joseph Smith giving Martin Harris the first 116 pages of the Book of Mormon despite previous denials (D&C 3, 10). The second strategy involves the belief that the “priesthood” can exist separately from the Church, allowing dissenters to claim authority independent of the Church’s leadership.

The essay critiques the “Samuel Principle,” arguing that it misrepresents God’s typical response to apostasy. Instead of allowing His followers to stray, God often raises up prophets to call them to repentance, as seen in the case of the Zoramites in the Book of Mormon (Alma 31). The essay emphasizes that God can maintain inspired leadership within His Church without infringing on the free agency of its members. It argues that God has the power to control the timing and circumstances of leaders’ lives, ensuring that righteous leaders can guide His Church.

The essay also discusses prophecies indicating that the Church established by Joseph Smith will continue until the millennium, citing revelations that affirm the Church’s permanence and its role in the latter days. Dissenters’ claims of apostasy are examined through historical events, such as the condemnation of early Saints in 1832 (D&C 84) and the 1890 Manifesto that ended the practice of plural marriage. The essay argues that these events do not signify a complete loss of divine guidance or authority within the Church.

The essay addresses the notion that the Church and the priesthood are separate entities, asserting that true priesthood is inherently linked to the Church. It argues that the priesthood cannot exist independently and that the Church’s authority is vested in its leaders. The essay critiques dissenters’ interpretations of scriptural proof-texts that they use to support their claims of apostasy, emphasizing that these interpretations often ignore the broader context of the scriptures.

The essay concludes by asserting that dissenters, while often sincere in their beliefs, are in a state of apostasy themselves. It warns against the dangers of being influenced by false spirits and emphasizes the importance of adhering to the teachings and authority of the Church. The essay calls for a recognition of the ongoing divine guidance within the Church and the necessity of maintaining faith in its leaders and doctrines.

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