3 Nephi 8

(May 26, 2014)
The dual problems of inerrancy and infallibility are not problems in the Church.  On the issue of infallibility, we are very open about the mistakes that our leaders make – whether they be (from time to time) spiritual mistakes or whether they be temporal mistakes (such as in the reckoning of time, as Mormon mentioned here).  On the issue of inerrancy, this scripture refutes that (as does the revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants that Paul, in at least one instance, was speaking as himself as a man rather than speaking by the Spirit).

When I speak with people who are not familiar with this concept, they tend to argue against positions that we don’t hold (‘such and such said this once, so defend it!’) or they take the counter position that if a leader is not infallible then they are worthless or if the scriptures are not inerrant, they are useless.  Both of these ignore the fact that our leaders and the scriptures both serve to bring us closer to Christ – He is perfect, even if our meager, halting efforts to move towards Him (and help others towards Him) are not.