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

Lesson 6: “I Will Tell You in Your Mind and in Your Heart, by the Holy Ghost” – Scriptures and Quotes

Reading 1 – President Henry B. Eyring wrote: “The trials of mortality may increase in intensity, yet for us, darkness need not increase if we focus our eyes more singly on the light that streams down on us as we follow the Master. He will lead us and help us along the path that leads upward to the home for which we yearn.” (Ensign, December, 2009)

Sister Julie B. Beck wrote, “Relief Society presidents who get on their knees and ask Heavenly Father to tell them what they need to learn will have revelation pouring down to them in beauty and detail.” (Liahona, September, 2010)

Reading 2 – Doctrine and Covenants 8:2-3

Reading 3 - Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve taught: “Visions do happen. Voices are heard from beyond the veil. I know this. But these experiences are exceptional. … Most of the revelation that comes to leaders and members of the Church comes by the still, small voice or by a feeling rather than by a vision or a voice that speaks specific words we can hear. I testify to the reality of that kind of revelation, which I have come to know as a familiar, even daily, experience to guide me in the work of the Lord” (“Teaching and Learning by the Spirit,” Ensign, Mar. 1997, 14)

Joseph Fielding McConkie, the son of Elder Bruce R. McConkie, an apostle and marvelous scriptorian and student of church doctrine and the grandson of President Joseph Fielding Smith, also a noted scriptorian and student of church doctrine, tells the following storie: “I had a father and two grandfathers who shared a great love of the gospel and who had devoted their lives to its study. They were a marvelous source of understanding.

I have, however, a very distinct memory of the occasion that I went to my father with some gospel questions only to receive the following response: “Look, Junior, you have the same sources available to you as I have to me.”

More important than any answers these men gave to my questions was their teaching me how to get answers for myself. They are now gone. Questions continue, as does the confidence that the same sources that were available to them are available to me.” (Finding Answers, BYU Devotional, December 12, 2006)

Reading 4 – Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve taught: “These delicate, refined spiritual communications are not seen with our eyes nor heard with our ears. And even though it is described as a voice, it is a voice that one feels more than one hears” (That All May Be Edified [1982], 335).

Elder Dallin H. Oaks cautioned: “Some [people] have looked exclusively for the great manifestations that are recorded in the scriptures and have failed to recognize the still, small voice that is given to them. … We need to know that the Lord rarely speaks loudly. His messages almost always come in a whisper. …

“Not understanding these principles of revelation, some people postpone acknowledging their testimony until they have experienced a miraculous event. They fail to realize that with most people … gaining a testimony is not an event but a process” (Ensign, Mar. 1997, 11–12, 14).

Reading 5 – Doctrine and Covenants 11:13-14

Doctrine and Covenants 9:7-8

Luke 24:32

Reading 6 - President Boyd K. Packer explained: “This burning in the bosom is not purely a physical sensation. It is more like a warm light shining within your being” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1994, 77; or Ensign, Nov. 1994, 60).

Elder Dallin H. Oaks said: “I have met persons who told me they have never had a witness from the Holy Ghost because they have never felt their bosom ‘burn within’ them. What does a ‘burning in the bosom’ mean? Does it need to be a feeling of caloric heat, like the burning produced by combustion? If that is the meaning, I have never had a burning in the bosom. Surely, the word ‘burning’ in this scripture signifies a feeling of comfort and serenity” (Ensign,Mar. 1997, 13).

Doctrine and Covenants 88:68

Reading 7 - Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught: “The Lord will speak to us through the Spirit in his own time and in his own way. Many people do not understand this principle. They believe that when they are ready and when it suits their convenience, they can call upon the Lord and he will immediately respond, even in the precise way they have prescribed. Revelation does not come that way. …

“The principle stated in [D&C 88:68] applies to every communication from our Heavenly Father: ‘It shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.’ We cannot force spiritual things” (Ensign, Mar. 1997, 10–11).

Reading 8 - Elder Boyd K. Packer counseled: “Sometimes you may struggle with a problem and not get an answer. What could be wrong? It may be that you are not doing anything wrong. It may be that you have not done the right things long enough. Remember, you cannot force spiritual things. Sometimes we are confused simply because we won’t take no for an answer. …

“Put difficult questions in the back of your minds and go about your lives. Ponder and pray quietly and persistently about them.

“The answer may not come as a lightning bolt. It may come as a little inspiration here and a little there, ‘line upon line, precept upon precept’ (D&C 98:12).

“Some answers will come from reading the scriptures, some from hearing speakers. And, occasionally, when it is important, some will come by very direct and powerful inspiration. The promptings will be clear and unmistakable” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1979, 29–30; or Ensign, Nov. 1979, 21).

President Joseph F. Smith wrote the following: “When I as a boy first started out in the ministry, I would frequently go out and ask the Lord to show me some marvelous thing, in order that I might receive a testimony. But the Lord withheld marvels from me, and showed me the truth, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, until he made me to know the truth from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, and until doubt and fear had been absolutely purged from me. He did not have to send an angel from the heavens to do this, nor did he have to speak with the trump of an archangel. By the whisperings of the still small voice of the Spirit of the living God, he gave to me the testimony I possess. And by this principle and power he will give to all the children of men a knowledge of the truth” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 7).

Gospel Doctrine Lesson 2: “Behold, I Am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World”

Elder Boyd K. Packer said:  “[The Atonement of Jesus Christ] is the very root of Christian doctrine. You may know much about the gospel as it branches out from there, but if you only know the branches and those branches do not touch that root, if they have been cut free from that truth, there will be no life nor substance nor redemption in them” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1977, 80; or Ensign, May 1977, 56).

 Reading 1 – Joseph Smith said, "Let us here observe, that three things are necessary in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in God unto life and salvation. First, the idea that he actually exists. Secondly, a correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes. Thirdly, an actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing is according to his will. For without an acquaintance with these three important facts, the faith of every rational being must be imperfect and unproductive; but with this understanding it can become perfect and fruitful, abounding in righteousness, unto the praise and glory of God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." ( Lectures on Faith [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1985], 3:5.)
 

The last sentence of the Explanatory Introduction to the Doctrine & Covenants [second page, at the end of the paragraph beginning "In the revelations the doctrines"] reads:  "Finally, the testimony that is given of Jesus Christ--his divinity, his majesty, his perfection, his love, and his redeeming power--makes this book of great value to the human family and of more worth than the riches of the earth."

 Reading 1A – Elder Wilford Woodruff said, "I consider that the Doctrine and Covenants, our testament, contains a code of the most solemn, the most godlike proclamations ever made to the human family.” (Elder Wilford Woodruff, J.D., Vol. 22, p. 147

 Reading 2 - Doctrine and Covenants 50:40-45

 Reading 3 – Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19

 Doctrine and Covenants 18:9-14

 Reading 4 – Definition of Repentance in Bible Dictionary, page 760

 Reading 5 – Doctrine and Covenants 88:14-16

 Reading 6 – Doctrine and Covenants 93:33

 Reading 7 – Alma 11:42-44

 Doctrine and Covenants  18:11-12

 Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-17

 Doctrine and Covenants 88:15-18


Doctrine and Covenants 58:42

 Reading 7A - Brother Robert Millet wrote: “Life is repentance . . . progression and improvement and growth and maturity and refinement are all forms of repentance . . . the God-fearing live in a constant state of repentance. It is not intended that we exist in a constant fear or frustration or anxiety but rather that we have desires for holiness and purity, longings to feel quiet confidence before God.
To push ourselves beyond the mark is, in a strange sort of way, a statement that we fear we must do the job ourselves if we expect to get it done.
Balance – that is the key. I have come to sense the need to balance a type of “divine discontent” – a healthy longing to improve – with what Nephi called a “perfect brightness of hope,” the Spirit-given assurance that in and through Jesus Christ we are going to make it. (Robert Millet, Grace Works, Deseret Book , 2007)

 Reading 8 – Doctrine and Covenants 76:62-70

 Doctrine and Covenants 122:8

 Doctrine and Covenants 45:3-5


Doctrine and Covenants 19:23


Reading 9 - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has said: "When … difficult times come to us, we can remember that Jesus had to descend below all things before He could ascend above them, and that He suffered pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind that He might be filled with mercy and know how to succor His people in their infirmities." (Ensign, Nov 1995, p69)

Lesson 2: “Behold, I Am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World”

Lesson 2: “Behold, I Am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World” Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Class Member Study Guide, (1999), 3–4

Reading assignment: Study the scripture passages listed in the following questions and in the scripture chain for this lesson.

The Bible, the books of Moses and Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price, and the Book of Mormon are ancient testaments, or witnesses, of Jesus Christ. The Doctrine and Covenants is a testament of Jesus Christgiven in this dispensation.

• •
  Read D&C 19:16–19. What does this passage teach about the Savior’s suffering for us? Why was Jesus willing to experience such great suffering for us? (See D&C 18:10–11; 19:19, 24; 34:3.)
• •
  Read D&C 88:14–18; 93:33; Alma 11:42–44. What can you learn about the Resurrection from these passages?
• •
  Read D&C 18:11–12; 19:16–17, 20; 58:42; 76:62–70. What do these passages teach about the blessings we can receive through the Savior’s Atonement?
• •
  How can you show the Savior your gratitude for His Atonement?

Scripture Chain: Roles and Attributes of the Savior 

• D&C 6:20–21
• D&C 6:32–37
• D&C 19:1–3
• D&C 29:1–2
• D&C 38:1–3
• D&C 45:3–5
• D&C 50:44
• D&C 93:5–19
• D&C 133:42–52

Lesson 48: Come unto Christ – Scriptures and Quotes

In General Conference, April, 1986, President Benson said, "The Book of Mormon will change your life"

 Reading 1 – Mormon 7:2-5

Reading 2 – President Joseph F. Smith wrote: "The ancient prophets speak of 'entering into God's rest'; what does it mean? To my mind, it means entering into the knowledge and love of God, having faith in his purpose and in his plan, to such an extent that we know we are right, and that we are not hunting for something else, we are not disturbed by every wind of doctrine, or by the cunning and craftiness of men who lie in wait to deceive." (Gospel Doctrine, p58)

Reading 3 – Moroni 7:6-13

Reading 4 - President Marion G. Romney wrote: "About a quarter of a century ago Sister Romney and I moved into a ward in which they were just beginning to build a meetinghouse. The size of the contribution the bishop thought I ought to contribute rather staggered me. I thought it was at least twice as much as he should have asked. However, I had just been called to a rather high Church position, so I said, 'Well, I will pay it, Bishop, but I will have to pay it in installments because I don't have the money.' And so I began to pay. And I paid and paid until I was down to about the last three payments, when, as is my habit, I was reading The Book of Mormon, and came to the scripture which said:

"'...if a man...giveth a gift ...grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God.'

    "This shocked me because I was out about a thousand dollars. Well, I went on and paid the three installments I had promised to pay, and then I paid several more installments to convince the Lord that I had done it with the right attitude." (Relief Society Magazine, Feb 1968)

Reading 5 – Moroni 7:14-17

Reading 6 – Bible Dictionary definition of Light of Christ

Moroni 7:19-20

Reading 7 – Moroni 7:25-26

Moroni 7:40-43

Reading 8 - Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote:  "As used in the revelations, hope is the desire of faithful people to gain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God hereafter.... Faith and hope are inseparable. Hope enables us to have faith in the first instance then because of faith that hope increases until salvation is gained." (Mormon Doctrine, p365-366)

Moroni 7:44-48

Reading 9 – Moroni 10:4-5

Reading 10 – Brother Daniel H. Ludlow has written: "When a person follows this divine formula, the results are certain: He will gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon. God cannot and does not lie, and his promises made through his prophets are sure. Therefore, any person who claims to have followed the various requirements but says he has not gained a testimony should check to see which step he has not followed faithfully or completely." (Ensign, Mar 1986)

Moroni 10:7

Lesson 48: Come unto Christ - Study Guide

Moroni 7–8 contains teachings of Moroni’s father, Mormon. Moroni 10 contains Moroni’s final written testimony.

• •
  Mormon referred to the members of the Church as “peaceable followers of Christ” (Moroni 7:3). On what basis did Mormon make this judgment? (See Moroni 7:4–5.) How do we become “peaceable followers of Christ”?

Moroni closed his record with “a few words by way of exhortation” (Moroni 10:2). The word exhort means to advise or urge strongly. As you study Moroni 10, you may want to mark the word exhort each time it appears. Ponder the meaning and importance of Moroni’s exhortations in this chapter.

• •
  What did Moroni teach about spiritual gifts? (See Moroni 10:8–19.)
• •
  How does Moroni’s exhortation to “come unto Christ” reflect the entire message of the Book of Mormon? (Moroni 10:30, 32). In what specific ways has this year’s study of the Book of Mormon helped you come unto Christ?

Suggestion for Family Discussion

Bear your testimony of the Book of Mormon, and invite family members to do the same. Then read the following statement by President Ezra Taft Benson:

“The Book of Mormon is studied in our Sunday School and seminary classes every fourth year. This four-year pattern, however, must notbe followed by Church members in their personal and family study. We need to read daily from the pages of the book that will get a man ‘nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book’ (History of the Church, 4:461)” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1988, 3; orEnsign, Nov. 1988, 4).

Encourage family members to continue studying the Book of Mormon and sharing it with others.

Lesson 47- Scriptures and Quotes

Photo by David Vandagriff

Orson Hyde, speaking of Moroni, said:

In those early and perilous times, our men were few, and our resources limited. Poverty was among the most potent enemies we had to encounter; yet our arms were successful; and it may not be amiss to ask here, by whose power victory so often perched on our banner? It was by the agency of that same angel of God that appeared unto Joseph Smith, and revealed to him the history of the early inhabitants of this country, whose mounds, bones and remains of towns, cities and fortifications speak from the dust in the ears of the living with the voice of undeniable truth. This same angel presides over the destinies of America, and feels a lively interest in all our doings. He was in the camp of Washington; and, by an invisible hand, led on our fathers to conquest and victory; and all this to open and prepare the way for the Church and kingdom of God to be established on the western hemisphere, for the redemption of Israel and the salvation of the world.

This same angel was with Columbus, and gave him deep impressions, by dreams and by visions, respecting this New World. Trammelled by poverty and by an unpopular cause, yet his persevering and unyielding heart would not allow an obstacle in his way too great for him to overcome; and the angel of God helped him was with him on the stormy deep, calmed and troubled elements, and guided his frail vessel to the desired haven. Under the guardianship of this same angel, or Prince of America, have the United States grown, increased, and flourished, like the sturdy oak by the rivers of water (Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, Vol.6, p.368).

Reading 1 – Moroni 1:1-4

Reading 2 – Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has said, speaking of the sacrament: “…every ordinance of the gospel focuses in one way or another on the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, and surely that is why this particular ordinance with all its symbolism and imagery comes to us more readily and more repeatedly than any other in our life. It comes in what has been called ‘the most sacred, the most holy, of all the meetings of the Church’ (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:340).

“Perhaps we do not always attach that kind of meaning to our weekly sacramental service. How ‘sacred’ and how ‘holy’ is it? Do we see it as our passover, remembrance of our safety and deliverance and redemption?

“With so very much at stake, this ordinance commemorating our escape from the angel of darkness should be taken more seriously than it sometimes is. It should be a powerful, reverent, reflective moment. It should encourage spiritual feelings and impressions. As such it should not be rushed. It is not something to ‘get over’ so that the real purpose of a sacrament meeting can be pursued. This is the real purpose of the meeting. And everything that is said or sung or prayed in those services should be consistent with the grandeur of this sacred ordinance.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1995, “This Do in Remembrance of Me”)

Reading 3 – Moroni 4:3

Reading 4 – Elder Dallin H. Oaks has said, "Those who are found worthy to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ at the last day are described in the great revelations recorded in the ninety-third and seventy-sixth sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. Here the Savior revealed to Joseph Smith that in due time, if we keep the commandments of God, we can receive the ‘fulness’ of the Father. (D&C 93:19-20.) Here the Savior bears record that ‘all those who are begotten through me are partakers of the glory of the [Father], and are the church of the Firstborn.’ (D&C 93:22.) ‘They are they into whose hands the Father has given all things. … Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods’ who ‘shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever.’ (D&C 76:55, 58, 62.) ‘And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.’ (John 17:3; see also D&C 88:4-5.) This is the ultimate significance of taking upon us the name of Jesus Christ." (Conference Report, May 1985 Ensign, “Taking Upon Us the Name of Jesus Christ”)

Reading 5 – Elder Joseph E. Taylor said, “You partake of the ordinance in order that His Spirit may be with you.  You cannot have spiritual life without it.  You show me a person who from Sabbath to Sabbath, month to month, and year to year, absents himself from these sacred meetings of the Latter-day Saints, and I will show you a man from whom the Spirit of the Lord will be taken and he will become spiritually dead.  Do you believe it?  It seems to lay at the very foundation of your spiritual life and mine.” (Collected Discourses 1886-1898, ed. by Brian Stuy, vol. 5, Joseph E. Taylor, Nov. 18, 1894)

Reading 6 – Moroni 6:1-4

Reading 7 - President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “With the ever increasing number of converts, we must make an increasingly substantial effort to assist them as they find their way. Every one of them needs three things: a friend, a responsibility, and nurturing with ‘the good word of God’ (Moroni 6:4)” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1997, 66; or Ensign, May 1997, 47).