It’s hard to keep track of links that are four years old so the update is helpful.

The Liahona guided the faithful based on their steadfastness. If Lehi and his family were not progressing, they would have died in the wilderness. If they had not been faithful, the Liahona would not have guided them anywhere. It was a powerful tool that guided them to the promised land. Far from “imperfect and highly subjective.” More than a mere measuring stick.

But I agree that both are necessary. The gospel has taught me that my relationship with God is an entirely personal one, one that no one else could understand. He guides me according to my faith in Him (like the Liahona). Likewise, my relationship with God is strengthened by my relationship with His children, we are all guided as brothers and sisters through revelation given through prophets (the Iron Rod).

That said, I identify more with the Liahona saint as described by brother Poll.

Our view of our own ‘Liahona’ is imperfect and highly subjective, too much time spent triangulating, questioning, or engaging in similar activities without a firm grip on the ‘Rod’ is to put ourselves in danger personal apostasy — not all at once, but in very small degrees. These minor deviations away from the correct path may seem innocuous at first, but become nearly impassable divides after time.

On the other hand, the Rod is a continuum. If we are not moving forward along it (either because we are stagnating, or regressing) we will never reach the reward which lies at its end. Our ‘Liahona’ should be an excellent tool to help us measure our own pace and progress.

I appreciated the points you made in your post. I too thought of the “Iron Rod vs. Liahona” debate as the best way to explain the different viewpoints shared in the T&S discussion, but it was much better coming from a 3rd party!

Keep on blogging.

For me it’s the same thing with T&S, I understand they like to question and debated. I just don’t want to participate in that my self because I’m concerned that I “might become” a critic and I’m not comfortable with that.

The question then arises, how do we act towards things in the church we don’t have a testimony of? Some assume a “de facto” truth towards everything, whether they know it is true or not. That then leads to problems, such as issues relative to blacks and especially black saints. There have been many things believed “de facto” which have then been taught against by the church. This ought to urge caution. But by the same measure there are many true important principles that you ought to obey even if you don’t yet have a testimony of them.

Add into all that the difficulties of personal revelation and things can get tricky.

For me it’s the same thing with T&S, I understand they like to question and debated. I just don’t want to participate in that my self because I’m concerned that I “might become” a critic and I’m not comfortable with that.