Can someone tell me the difference between doctrine, policy, and opinion please?

One day I was doing what most people do on facebook. I was having a discussion with a friend of mine.

The subject was vaccinations.

She’s and anti-vaxxer but she doesn’t buy into the idea that vaccines cause autism. I look at not vaccinating your child as borderline child abuse.

I reminded her that the church has spoken on this issue.in 1978 and in 1985 and in 2012 and several times in between those dates.

In case you haven’t looked at these links before, you should.

The language they use is quite strong.

“We urge members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to protect their own children through immunization. Then they may wish to join other public-spirited citizens in efforts to eradicate ignorance and apathy that have caused the disturbingly low levels of childhood immunization.” (1978)

“Some feel that there is no need; others fear adverse side effects. But parents have an obligation to protect their families through immunization.” (1985)

“Church makes immunizations an official initiative, provides social mobilization” (2012)

She looked at quotes like these and basically said the following.

“Nowhere does the church say it’s a commandment to vaccinate your kids. Therefore this is general counsel for members but we don’t have to do it if our prayers say otherwise.”

I heard this and realized I didn’t have a good response.

She’s right after all.

If you don’t vaccinate your child you’re not subject to losing your temple recommend. In fact the church despite it’s strong language there seem to be no other consequences to choosing not to vaccinate your children apart from the temporal.

All of this highlights one basic idea.

One thing I never understood and always wished I did was the difference between doctrine, policy, and opinion in the church.

I still don’t know the difference. And I’m not sure where to start.

As far as I know, doctrines are spiritual truths given to us by God. The atonement is a doctrine. God is our Heavenly Father is a doctrine. Sacrifice is a doctrine.

Policy is simply the church’s stance on a given issue. Policies are subject to change. They can come from God but they can come from the leaders as well.

Church members have always been asked to sacrifice for example. However sometimes they were asked to sacrifice animals, other times they were asked to sacrifice their homes and livelihoods. Currently we’re asked to sacrifice 10% of our increase, Sunday and however much time it takes for us to do our callings.

Opinion is everything else. Opinions can be correct but they can also be wrong. Opinions can develop from prior biases or from thoughtful meditation.

Some church leaders had some pretty unpleasant opinions for why black people couldn’t have the Priesthood. Some church leaders have made comments on caffeine.

The problem with placing all things church related into these three categories is that there is no clear-cut way to tell the difference.

It wasn’t until a recent comment by Elder Christofferson that I learned you officially could be a member in good standing and support same-sex marriage.

For a while polygamy was taught as an eternal law. But now it isn’t.

Bruce R McConkie said evolution could never be in line with church doctrines. But again, he was wrong.

Where are the lines?

How much must I accept principles I don’t understand on faith and how much can I say, “Sorry but the church is wrong on this issue,” and still be a faithful member?

Simply put, I don’t have an answer,

I’d love for someone to offer me some guidance on this issue because thus far none of the answers I have heard have been sufficient.

As far as I can tell we’re expected to assume everything is doctrine… until it isn’t.

And that can’t be right.

**Featured Image by US Army Corp