The Doctrine Test
Not everything ever said by a Latter-day Saint is a doctrine of the Church. This nine-question instrument sorts any claim into one of five destinations — so a sermon is never mistaken for scripture, and a rumor is never mistaken for either.
Why It Exists
Five destinations, one question at a time
Critics and members alike often flatten a century of statements into a single “the Church teaches.” The Doctrine Test restores the distinctions the Church itself draws — between what is canonized, what is currently taught, what a leader once said, what has never been revealed, and what simply isn’t true. Every article we publish routes its central claim through this instrument, in public, on the page.
1
Canonized Doctrine
In the standard works, sustained by common consent. Binding.
2
Current Teaching
Taught frequently and by many, in official channels, today. Governing.
3
Reported Teaching
Said by a leader on occasion; never canonized. Held, denounced, or disavowed.
4
Unrevealed
The question is open. No answer is doctrine — including the confident ones.
Misinformation
Contradicts the canon or strips context. Off the map entirely.
The Nine Questions
What the instrument actually asks
The five destinations are reached by nine questions, applied in order. The first four locate a claim’s authority; the next five stress-test how it is being used. Any claim that fails a context check lands on the misinformation rail, regardless of where it started.
1
Is it in the standard works — canonized by common consent?
The scriptures the whole Church has voted to bind itself to. The highest tier of authority.
2
Is it taught consistently — “frequently and by many” — in official channels today?
Current, governing teaching: the Handbook, current prophets, official statements now in force.
3
Was it taught by a leader on occasion, but never canonized or consistently repeated?
A sermon, an interview, a single statement. Authoritative as opinion — not binding as doctrine.
4
Does revelation address the question at all?
If not, the honest answer is that the matter is unrevealed — and no answer, however confident, is doctrine.
5
Is it consistent with the canon read whole — not a fragment lifted from context?
A claim that contradicts scripture read in full fails, no matter who said it.
6
Is it kept with its balancing truths, not isolated?
Doctrine travels in balance. A fragment severed from its counterweight distorts.
7
Is it free of speculation dressed as certainty?
Where the record is silent, saying so is the doctrine. Filling the silence is not.
8
Are the hard facts owned — including the ones that cost?
A claim that survives only by hiding its counter-evidence is not being tested honestly.
9
Does it keep the gospel’s core in view, not overshadow it with a distraction?
The main things stay the main things. A true fact can still be a distraction.
The Test, Applied
Every verdict this instrument has reached
Each article in the Tough Questions series runs its central claim through the Doctrine Test on the page. The verdicts below span all five destinations — proof the instrument classifies rather than defends.
Canonized principle
Are Mormons Racist?
Current, governing teaching
Racism Is Sin
Reported teaching — held
God Once a Man
Reported teaching — denounced
Adam-God
Reported teaching — disavowed
The Curse of Cain
Reported / repudiated
Blood Atonement
Unrevealed
The Priesthood Ban
A reading — retired
Is the Book of Mormon Racist?
Misinformation rail