It seems to me that there are as-yet unexplored potentialities in Mormonism that may, at some point, become important and perhaps dominant; but have been so-far held back due to the decline and collapse of secular morality, and the fact the CJCLDS has therefore been in a more-or-less constant state of defensive siege.

There is no doubt that the possibility, indeed the requirement, for personal revelation as a confirmation of faith and action has many and deep implications. Indeed, I think the implications include nothing less than a new phase in the primary root or source of divine guidance upon human morality.

Mormonism is perfectly clear that Men are partially divine – that each person – because he is a child of God – is in essence a divine being. Therefore (it seems to follow) each person has within him the potential for divine guidance.

The validity of personal revelation is – implicitly – based on this reality of a unity of understanding between the human-divine and the deity-divine; and further suggests the possibility of inner guidance from our own inner divinity.

In the past history of Christianity (and indeed some other religions) there has been, first, what might be termed the catholic tradition of obedience to the authority of God (as interpreted by tradition and the church): obedience being seen as the primary means of virtue (for instance, reaching its earthly ideal in monasticism).

Then secondly there came the protestant tradition of obedience to personal conscience (informed mainly by scripture, individually read and comprehended).

Mormonism introduces the ideal of each person operating from his own inner divinity by personal revelation – Not ignoring the church or scripture, of course! – But with inner guidance as the necessary, and indeed primary, basis of conduct.

I mean, that in Mormonism the ultimate reason for choice and action is from personal revelation derived-from, given-authority-by, our inner divinity. Ultimately, we are autonomous moral agents; and we want to – and need to – ‘own’ our own choices and actions.

(Not that these decisions necessarily are, or should be, experienced as a ‘choice’ – because when we understand and know reality and God’s plan, and have faith in this; then there may be only one valid decision to reach; only one valid ‘choice’.)

As I say, in a world hostile to Christianity, this remains more of a future possibility or destiny – rather than a practical way of life here-and-now. When we are (as now) surrounded by hostile, subversive, wicked propaganda; and increasing social, regulatory and legal pressures (increasingly coercions) towards evil thoughts and act – then the role of obedience to the church and adherence to scripture will continue to remain urgently important: a necessary bulwark against our own corruption.

But I think we can foresee that in a better world, in Zion, we will each and all be able to, will want and need to, be guided primarily by inner revelation within the framework of commandments, doctrines and scripture.