Intro

Standards of Truth is a guide to improving critical thinking and finding reliable ways to identify true prophets.

It also contains the world’s largest list of problematic statements by prophets of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (CoJCoLdS, LDS Church, Mormonism, Mormon Church).

This book challenges readers to think deeply about questions such as:

• Why is it important to identify true prophets?

• How can one best identify true prophets?

• How do cognitive biases and poor epistemic standards hinder the identification of true prophets?

• How can the "ultimate epistemic question" promote more thoughtful and respectful discussions around religious topics?

Who is this book for?

• Members of the CoJCoLdS and those familiar with or curious about its teachings

• People interested in how critical thinking and epistemology apply to religious beliefs

• Readers seeking deeper insights into how to identify truth and navigate challenging questions of faith

For those who already feel confident in their understanding of how to identify true prophets, this book may still offer value. It serves as an opportunity to reflect on the epistemic methods you already use, identify potential areas of refinement, and explore how to help others grapple with these critical questions. Even if you already know what works for you, understanding why it works can make you more effective in conversations with those who think differently.

Prophets hold a central role in many religions, especially the CoJCoLdS. Definitions of prophets have varied widely across cultures—from individuals with unique spiritual insights to divinely appointed messengers who teach eternal truths and foretell future events. 

The official CoJCoLdS website describes prophets as follows:  

• “As members… we are blessed to be led by living prophets… They make known God’s will and true character. They speak boldly and clearly, denouncing sin and warning of its consequences. At times, they may be inspired to prophesy of future events for our benefit. We can always trust the living prophets.” 

This definition (explored in greater depth later) emphasizes that prophets are individuals sent by God to teach divine truths, boldly denounce sin, and foretell the future when inspired to do so. 

CoJCoLdS teachings highlight profound blessings for those who identify and follow true prophets: 

• “Our greatest safety lies in strictly following the word of the Lord given through His prophets...” (churchofjesuschrist.org) 

• “And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men... the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy...” (Mosiah 3:13) 

• “The Lord promised us that if we believe in the holy prophets, we should have eternal life” (October 2010 General Conference) 

In contrast, these teachings also warn of severe consequences for not following the prophets: 

• "But if they will not hearken to my voice, nor unto the voice of these men whom I have appointed, they shall not be blest... For instead of blessings, ye, by your own works, bring cursings, wrath, indignation, and judgments upon your own heads, by your follies, and by all your abominations, which you practice before me, saith the Lord.” (D&C 124:46-48) 

• “...and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people.” (D&C 1:14) 

These passages suggest that identifying and following true prophets can lead to spiritual safety, joy, and eternal life. Conversely, ignoring prophets may bring judgments, curses, and spiritual separation from God. Clearly, the stakes are high. 

Distinguishing true prophets from false ones is no simple task. Throughout history, countless individuals have claimed some degree of divine authority—ranging from well-known religious figures to obscure self-proclaimed visionaries. Amidst this multitude of claims, an essential question arises: 

“What would be the most reliable standards for identifying true prophets?” 

This question is epistemic (i.e., involving epistemology—the study of ways to find truth) because it focuses on "reliable standards" for finding truth. Importantly, not all epistemic standards are equally reliable. To illustrate this, consider an obviously flawed standard for finding the solution to a math problem: 

• Ask a newborn baby. The baby’s reply is the true solution. 

This method is unlikely to produce consistent, reliable results. Now, applying this concept to prophets, here’s another potentially unreliable standard: 

• A person is a true prophet if they claim to be a true prophet. 

This standard may also be unreliable, as countless individuals would fulfill the criteria and thus be counted as true prophets. Should we then follow the teachings of all such individuals? For contrast, here is a stricter standard: 

• A person is a true prophet if they never make mistakes. 

While appealing at first glance, this standard might also be unreliable. If the saying "nobody's perfect" holds true, even genuine prophets might fall short of this criterion. Finally, consider this standard:

• A person is a true prophet if they hold a top-ranking position in my religion. 

If everyone in the world used this standard, thousands of religious leaders would qualify as true prophets—many of whom teach conflicting doctrines about morality, deity, and the afterlife. It might be impossible to reconcile or follow all their teachings at once. 

As these examples demonstrate, not all standards for identifying prophets are equally reliable. The question remains: 

“What would be the most reliable standards for identifying true prophets?” 

This question is neither simple nor easily answered, but it is crucial. The purpose of this book is to explore it step by step: 

1. How NOT to answer—An exploration of common epistemic pitfalls, such as cognitive biases and poor epistemic standards. 

2. Brainstorming answers—Thought-provoking prompts to help readers develop their own criteria for identifying true prophets. 

3. Example answer—A sample set of standards, followed by an evaluation of CoJCoLdS leaders based on these criteria. 

4. Keep asking—A discussion of how epistemic questions can promote positive dialogue and encourage critical thinking. 

Through this approach, Standards of Truth aims to equip readers with powerful tools for thoughtful evaluation, enabling them not only to navigate one of religion’s most profound questions, but also to become a voice of reason in a world inundated with truth claims.