" Have we not a right to make up our minds in relation to the things recorded in the word of God, and speak about them, whether the living oracles believe our views or not? We have not the right...God placed Joseph Smith at the head of this church; God has likewise placed Brigham Young at the head of this church; and he has required you and me, male and female, to sustain those authorities placed over us in all things, and receive their words as from the mouth of God..." - Orson Pratt, Apostle, Journal of Discourses 7:374-375, Sermon January 29, 1860

" 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 way that is safe. When they give direction, it should mark the end of controversy." - Improvement Era, June 1945, p. 354

" God made Aaron to be the mouthpiece for the Children of Israel, and he made me to be god to you in His stead, and the Elders to be the mouth for me; and if you don't like it, you must lump it." - Joseph Fielding Smith, Teaching of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 363

"...learn to do as you are told,...if you are told by your leader to do a thing, do it, none of your business whether it is right or wrong." - Herber C. Kimball, 1st Counselor to Brigham Young. Journal of Discourses, v.2, p.106

" The doctrines of the church cannot be fully understood unless it is tested by mind, by feelings, intellect and emotions, by every power of the investigator. Every church member is expected to understand the doctrine of the church intelligently. There is no place in the church for blind adherence." - John A. Widstoe, Apostle, Evidence and Reconciliations, p. 226

" Mormonism as it is called, must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith. He was either a prophet of God, divinely called, properly appointed and commissioned, or he was one of the biggest frauds this world has ever seen. There is no middle ground. If Joseph Smith was a deceiver who willfully attempted to mislead the people, then he should be exposed; his claims should be refuted, and his doctrines shown to be false, for the doctrines of an imposter cannot be made to harmonize, in all particulars with divine truth. If his claims and declarations were built on fraud and deceit, there would appear many errors and contradictions, which would be easy to detect. The doctrines of false teachers will not stand the test when tried by the accepted standards of measurement, the scriptures." - Joseph Fielding Smith, 10th President, Doctrines of Salvation 1: 188

"I say to the whole world, receive the truth, no matter who presents it to you. Take up the Bible, compare the religion of the Latter-Day Saints with it will stand the test." - Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 16:46

"If I should hear a man advocate the erroneous principles he had imbibed through education, and oppose those principles, some might imagine that I opposed to that man, when I am opposed to every evil and erroneous principle he advances." - Brigham Young, - Journal of Discourses 7:191

"The nature of the message of the Book of Mormon is such, that if true, no one can possibly be saved and reject it, if false, no one can possibly be saved and receive it... if after a rigid examination it be found to be an imposition, it should be extensively published to the world as such; the evidences and arguments on which the imposture was detected should be clearly and logically stated,that those who have been sincerely yet unfortunately deceived may perceive the nature of the deception and be reclaimed... " Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon - Orson Pratt 1851

" If we cannot convince you by reason nor by the word of God that your religion is wrong, we will not persecute you, but will sustain you in the privileges, guaranteed i the Great Charter of American Liberty; we ask from you the generosity - protect us in the exercises of our religious rights - convince us of our errors of doctrine, if we have any, by reason, by logical arguments. or by the word of God, and we will ever be grateful for the information, and you will ever have the pleasing reflection that you have been instruments in the hands of God of redeeming your fellow beings from the darkness which you may see enveloping their minds." - Orson Pratt, The Seer, p. 15-16

"Jesus Christ was not begotten by the Holy Ghost....' if the Son was begotten by the Holy Ghost, it would be very dangerous to baptize and confirm females, and give the Holy Ghost to them, lest he should beget children to be palmed upon the elders by the people, bringing the elders into great difficulties.'" - Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, v.1, p.51

"The traditional Christ of whom they speak is not the Christ of whom I speak" Gordon B. Hinckley Church News, June 20, 1998, p.7

"If it is not in the standard work, we may well assume that it is speculation, man's own personal opinion; and if it contradicts what is in the scripture, it is not true. This is the standard by which we measure all truth." - Harold B. Lee, 11th President, Improvement Era, January 1969 p.13

"In addition to these 4 books of scripture, the inspired works of our living prophets become scripture to us. Their words come to us through conferences, church publications and instructions to local priesthood leaders." - Gospel Principles, p.51-52

"If a faith will not bear to be investigated; if it's preachers and professors are afraid to have examined, their foundation must very weak." - George Smith, First Counselor to Brigham Young. Journal of Discourses 14:216