fuzzybabybunny:
So if I'm reading this right, the forward voltage (in my case ~2V) will be generated automatically by the p-n junction when any kind of current starts flowing, and it will stay at 2V regardless of if the input voltage is 5V, 12V, or 1,000V?
It depends. You can run it at higher currents and the voltage will rise with increasing current but unless you have it sitting in a canister of dry ice, heat will quickly kill it à la the post by @be80be. Is there a current limiting resistor in the circuit? A graph of current vs. voltage.