The First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel - Scriptures and Quotes

Lesson 7, Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual

Reading 1 – Joseph Smith said:  “When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the Gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Six 1843–44, p.348)

Reading 2 – Brother Stephen R. Covey wrote:  "Let us never stray from forcefully, clearly, explicitly declaring our faith in Jesus Christ as the first principle of the gospel, as the foundation principle, as the principle from which all other gospel principles derive their power and efficacy, as the integrating, organizing, unifying, harmonizing principle. . . . He is the head of our church. It bears his name. We belong to his kingdom. He is the Truth, the Way, the Life, the Light. He is our advocate and mediator, our Savior and Redeemer. We have taken upon ourselves his name. Through the gospel and the spiritual rebirth we become his children, his sons and his daughters. He is the driving force."  (The Divine Center, p84)

Reading 3 – Doctrine and Covenants 19:23

Reading 4 – Doctrine and Covenants 88:118

Reading 5 – Brigham Young said :  "If mankind could know the object God has in their creation, and what they might obtain by doing right and by applying to the source and fountain of wisdom for information, how quickly they would turn away from every ungodly action and custom." (Journal of Discourses, 10:208) 

Reading 6 – Doctrine and Covenants 20:69

Reading 7 – Enos 1:11

Reading 8 – Jacob 4:6

Reading 9 – Doctrine and Covenants 58:42

Reading 10 - Jeffrey R. Holland has said, "When [Jesus] says to the poor in spirit, 'Come unto me,' He means He knows the way out and He knows the way up. He knows it because He has walked it. He knows the way because He is the way." ("Broken Things to Mend", General Conference, April, 2006)

Reading 11 – Doctrine and Covenants 18:11-13

Reading 12 – Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19