Does Hinckley pass the test as a "True Prophet"?

I found this excellent article here.

Hinckley has blown some real opportunities to shine as a true leader, let alone as a real prophet.

Here's some examples of what President Hinckley could have said, compared to what he actually did say:

1. War in Afghanistan

In speaking on the start of the war in Afghanistan in October 2001, as a real prophet, Hinckley would have said:

"Now we are at war. Great forces have been mobilized and will continue to be. Political alliances are being forged. The Lord has assured me that America will soon vanquish the Taliban from Afganistan. The Lord has told me that this conflict will not adversely affect the progress of the church, but that we are to help in relieving the suffering of the Afghani people as much as possible."

"I testify that the Lord is aware of our times and is watching over this people. He expects us to be a beacon of charity in service to those who suffer from oppression. I am optimistic. I know the Lord will provide for the true needs of the church, even if some of you may struggle with paying a full tithe for a season. The Lord understands. He is forgiving."

"Now, brothers and sisters, we must do our duty, especially as citizens of this great nation. The Lord has warned me that some may use this time of crisis in order to limit civil liberties. Peace may be denied for a season, but as members of the church, and as responsible citizens, we must be vigilant in upholding our liberties and defending the great principles of the constitution. At this time may we all follow the righteous example of Captain Moroni in the Book of Mormon, of which was written: "And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery; Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people." (Alma 48:11-12) Our safety lies in defending the freedoms and rights granted in the constitution. Our strength comes of our commitment to social justice."

Instead, this is what he actually said:

"Now we are at war. Great forces have been mobilized and will continue to be. Political alliances are being forged. We do not know how long this conflict will last. We do not know what it will cost in lives and treasure. We do not know the manner in which it will be carried out. It could impact the work of the Church in various ways."

"No one knows how long it will last. No one knows precisely where it will be fought. No one knows what it may entail before it is over. We have launched an undertaking the size and nature of which we cannot see at this time."

"I do not know what the future holds. I do not wish to sound negative, but I wish to remind you of the warnings of scripture and the teachings of the prophets which we have had constantly before us."

"Now, I do not wish to be an alarmist. I do not wish to be a prophet of doom. I am optimistic. I do not believe the time is here when an all-consuming calamity will overtake us. I earnestly pray that it may not." There is so much of the Lord’s work yet to be done. We, and our children after us, must do it. I can assure you that we who are responsible for the management of the affairs of the Church will be prudent and careful as we have tried to be in the past. The tithes of the Church are sacred."

"How grateful I am for the law of tithing. It is the Lord’s law of finance. It is set forth in a few words in the 119th section of the Doctrine and Covenants. It comes of His wisdom. To every man and woman, to every boy and girl, to every child in this Church who pays an honest tithing, be it large or small, I express gratitude for the faith that is in your hearts. I remind you, and those who do not pay tithing but who should, that the Lord has promised marvelous blessings (see Mal. 3:10-12). He has also promised that “he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming” (D&C 64:23)."

"Now, brothers and sisters, we must do our duty, whatever that duty might be. Peace may be denied for a season. Some of our liberties may be curtailed. We may be inconvenienced. We may even be called on to suffer in one way or another. But God our Eternal Father will watch over this nation and all of the civilized world who look to Him. He has declared, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Ps. 33:12). Our safety lies in repentance. Our strength comes of obedience to the commandments of God."- Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Times in Which We Live,” October 2001 General Conference (Ensign, Nov. 2001, Page 72)

2. Nature of God

In a January 2002 interview, Hinckley was asked to characterize God's connubial relationship. With prophetic power he could have explained:

"Brigham Young was a great prophet of the Lord who received many revelations pertaining to the salvation of mankind, as have many other church prophets. We know through modern revelation that there is eternal progression and worlds without number for those who live worthily. As you learn more about the gospel, you come to a true understanding of the nature of God and what eternal progression means."

Instead, this is what he actually said:

"Brigham Young said if you went to Heaven and saw God it would be Adam and Eve. I don't know what he meant by that." Pointing to a grim-faced portrait of the Lion of the Lord, as Young was called, Hinckley said, "There he is, right there. I'm not going to worry about what he said about those things." I asked whether Mormon theology was a form of polytheism. "I don't have the remotest idea what you mean," Hinckley said impatiently.- Hinckley Interview in "Lives of the Saint", New Yorker, January 2002

3. The Celestial Kingdom

When a young woman in the church wrote Hinckley and asked him if women can go to the Celstial Kingdom without a man, Hinckley answered her question from the tabernacle puplit. Here's what he should have said if he were a true prophet:

"Beyond the wonderful and descriptive words found in sections 76 and 137, the Lord has revealed to me that yes, righteous women, as well as righteous men, will receive full blessings and fellowship in that kingdom. I know this question troubles many worthy sisters in the church who, for whatever reason, have experienced divorce. Some in the church may be confused and incorrectly think that women cannot enter the Celestial Kingdom without a man. But let me make it clear that the Lord loves righteous single women as much as righteous married women and their relationship with the Lord is not diminished by the absence of a husband."

This is what Hinckley actually said:

"Beyond the wonderful and descriptive words found in sections 76 and 137 [D&C 76; D&C 137] we know relatively little concerning the celestial kingdom and those who will be there. At least some of the rules of eligibility for acceptance into that kingdom are clearly set forth, but other than that, we are given little understanding."- Gordon B. Hinckley, “Daughters of God,” Ensign, Nov. 1991, Page 97

4. Why Eve Was Created From Adam and Why Adam should Rule Over Eve.

When asked this question, Hinckley as a prophet could have said:

"The next question you ask is why Eve was created from Adam. I can understand why this part of the Genesis narrative could be interpreted as a evidence that Man is superior to women. But nothing could be further from the truth. As I have prayed and pondered over your sincere question, I have learned from the Lord that as an all-wise Creator he did not in fact create Eve in this way, nor did he command Adam to rule over Eve. These parts of the story of Adam and Eve are not doctrinal."

"You ask whether men are more important than women. Let me assure you that that notion is also false doctrine and has no part in the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

This is what Hinckley actually said:

"The next question you ask is why Eve was created from Adam. I can only respond that an all-wise Creator did it that way.... Now, Virginia, you call attention to the statement in the scriptures that Adam should rule over Eve. (See Gen. 3:16.) You ask why this is so. I do not know."

"You ask whether men are more important than women. I am going to turn that question back to you. Would any of us be here, either men or women, without the other?"- Gordon B. Hinckley, “Daughters of God,” Ensign, Nov. 1991, Page 97

5. Doctrine that God Was Once Man

When asked if the church believes that God the Father was once a man like we are, Hinckley should have said:

"One of the great blessings of this church is that we have the fullness of the gospel and through modern revelation know the true nature of God and the purpose of life. The prophet of the restoration, Joseph Smith revealed that 'God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted Man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens.' The Prophet Smith declared that 'That is the great secret... It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the character of God and to know...that he was once a man like us.... Here, then, is eternal life - to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves,... the same as all Gods have done before you...' (Journal of Discourses 6:3-4, also in Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 342-345) That revelation has been sustained many times by other leaders of this church, as I sustain it today."

Hinckley actually said:

"I don't know that we teach it. I don't know that we emphasize it. I haven't heard it discussed for a long time in public discourse. I don't know. I don't know all the circumstances under which that statement was made. I understand the philosophical background behind it. But I don't know a lot about it and I don't know that others know a lot about it."- Interviewing Gordon B. Hinckley, Time Magazine, Aug 4, 1997

6. Blacks and the Priesthood

In a January 2002 interview, Hinckley was asked: "Until 1978 no person of color attained the priesthood in your church. Why it took so long time to overcome the racism?"

If Hinckley was a real prophet, he could have answered:

"We are under the dictates of our Heavenly Father, and it was not my policy or the Church's policy. It was the policy of the Lord who established it. We are subject to revelations of the Lord in cases when he wishes to make changes. The Lord had his reasons, which were revealed by the prophets alive during the time of the priesthood ban on blacks. But as we are blessed with on-going revelations from the Lord, that is all behind us know."

Instead, this is what Hinckley actually said:

"I don’t know. I don’t know. I can only say that. (long pause) But it’s here now."- Gordon B. Hinckley Interview – ZDF German Television, Salt Lake City, Utah January 29, 2002.

7. Tattoos and Body Piercing

Here's what a real prophet should have said:

"I can understand why some young men and women would be tempted to follow recent fashion trends of body piercing and tattoos. Each generation of youth struggles with the desire for acceptance and feelings of rebellion. Many parents have asked church leaders to speak out against tattoos and body piercing. However, the spirit of the Lord reminds us of the wisdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith when faced with a similar issue. The Prophet was once asked by a visitor to the city of Nauvoo how it was that he governed so many people who lived in such peace and prosperity. The Prophet said, “I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves” (Journal of Discourses, 10:57-58)."

"This same advice would apply to the changing fads and fashions of the world. It is neither possible nor proper for Church leaders to comment on how members should react to every fad that comes along. We know from the teachings of Jesus Christ that the body is a temple at that we should strive to keep it holy. No more church direction need be given."

"However, there is a larger issue involved in the question of bodily adornment that we as Latter-Day Saints must consider. The Lord has taught us that his true disciples should not judge others too harshly, especially in matters of outward appearances. I am reminded of the great council the Lord gave Samuel when He said, "Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." (1 Sam. 16: 7)"

"This simple scripture contains much wisdom. It reminds us that outward appearances can be deceiving. It also tells us that if we can look past the tattoos or earrings that many a youth bear on the outside, we may find great hearts willing to do good."

"How sorrowful the Lord must feel when we are fooled by appearances and reject good people who could benefit from our loving fellowship and His gospel."

But instead, this is what Hinckley actually said:

"I cannot understand why any young man—or young woman, for that matter—would wish to undergo the painful process of disfiguring the skin with various multicolored representations of people, animals, and various symbols... Fathers, caution your sons against having their bodies tattooed. They may resist your talk now, but the time will come when they will thank you. A tattoo is graffiti on the temple of the body."

"I submit that it is an uncomely thing, and yet a common thing, to see young men with ears pierced for earrings, not for one pair only, but for several. They have no respect for their appearance. Do they think it clever or attractive to so adorn themselves? I submit it is not adornment. It is making ugly that which was attractive. Not only are ears pierced, but other parts of the body as well.. It is absurd."

"May I mention earrings and rings placed in other parts of the body. These are not manly. They are not attractive. You young men look better without them... As for the young women, you do not need to drape rings up and down your ears. One modest pair of earrings is sufficient."- Gordon B. Hinckley, “Your Greatest Challenge, Mother,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 97 and text of a talk given to youth and young single adults on 12 November 2000 at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City and broadcast by satellite throughout the Church.


My thoughts are:

I have no faith in this man whatsoever in his ability as a prophet, seer, and revelator, spokesperson for God, or authority figure of a major religion. I actually heard first-hand his conference talk about the earrings, and I remember sitting there with baited breath, hoping that he wasn't about to decree that the wearing of earrings, even ONE pair was no longer going to be allowed. I was actually relieved when he said that the church would take no position on the wearing of one pair of earrings by women. And the entire crowd present in person at the conference let out an audible sigh as well.
I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW STUPID THAT WAS.

Why would I give a damn what a 90+ year old man thinks about piercings? He doesn't even know the doctrine of his own church, and he doesn't have the ability to bring forth answers to questions posed about doctrine. What the hell good is he if he can't even act in the capacity as a PROPHET? What is it that he does, if it is not prophesy, or speak for God? He doesn't have any answers for us, so why is he exhalted as a PROPHET?

When was the last time a prophet of this church actually STOOD FOR SOMETHING?
Why would we listen to those leaders who can't even excercise the "priesthood powers" to get some direction and some insight as to what God wants in his "true church"?

Occam's razor, people. Please, apply it here.

The simplest answer is the one that Gordon B. Hinckley has supplied himself.
HE DOESN'T KNOW. Nobody in the church knows, and therefore they cannot claim to have any authority to speak for God. None of them have any more "divine knowledge" than any other member of the church, and therefore, each member of the church is left to discover their own answers, or to simply set aside their questions on the "we don't have the answers shelf" and move on with the masses who continue to FOLLOW THE PROPHET, HE KNOWS THE WAY.

HE HIMSELF says he DOESN'T KNOW.

How much more plain can it be?