I think taking the mother goddess references out totally changes things. Let me tell you how I see it. The LDS Church needs to figure out how to make the church seem more main stream with out making huge changes that would surely effect current membership, the church has continually made minor changes that make them look Christian on the outside but by making these changes may not be Doctrinally because they will teach it somewhere else and that somewhere else is what I am talking about. Once you get someone in and make them feel warm and like they belong then you slowly put my and more conditions on them to be a good Mormon. at this point, probably a year after they are doing what is required to be a good Mormon you give them more and more and if they don’t then they are not a good Mormon. Of course the church does not come out and tell you, your bad but it is implied. And by this time the convert is so exposed to the Mormon culture they feel they must stay or face horrible consequences and loose all their friend, so most people just choose to go along. Being suppressed and not knowing where to turn. These changes you say are not significant but I say they are a deception to get more people trapped in the Mormon life style. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and his true church is his body and that we can have a personal relationship with him. I am not angry with you for telling me that my beliefs are wrong. Why do you get so angry when people tell you yours are wrong? If the mormon religion was true then certainly it could hold up to the test, but the only thing you really have to go on is Joseph smith and some other men who wanted to have many wives’s and power over man.
I love all people and the savior wants you to come to him and ask him what is the way. Do not be afraid it will surely hurt when you find out you have been deceived for some it will be devastating but through Christ you will be healed. It is a process. Ask him to release you from all the lies of Mormonism.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Some sound advice
Jeremiah 17:9 (King James Version)
9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
1 Peter 5:8 (King James Version)
8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Matthew 24:24 (King James Version)
24For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Matthew 16:18 (King James Version)
18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (King James Version)
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
1 Peter 5:8 (King James Version)
8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Matthew 24:24 (King James Version)
24For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Matthew 16:18 (King James Version)
18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (King James Version)
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Gospel Principles changes
This the book that all members will be taught from for the next two years or should I say indoctrinated, not only life long members but all converts and people who are investigating the church, As you can see for yourself making these changes will certainly distort the teachings of the LDS, many members will fall for the new changes as they always have in the passed and some will wake up and leave the Church,
Changes to Gospel Principles
The following are some notable changes between editions of Gospel Principles. The editions published are as follows: 1978, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1997, and 2009.
Underlined text marks something as new. Not all changes have been compiled, but only what seemed at least moderately notable. The most salient changes are marked in yellow. We recommend taking a special look at the changes made in 2009 to chapter 47.
Just like Gospel Principles, this compilation is a work in progress. Please send corrections or suggestions to aaron@mrm.org.
Chapter 1 - Our Heavenly Father
1997 to 2009
God is the Supreme and Absolute Being in whom we believe and whom we worship. He is "the Great Parent of the universe," and He "looks upon the whole of the human family with a fatherly care and paternal regard" (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 39)...
Because we are made in His image (see Moses 2:26; 6:9), we know that our bodies are like His body. His eternal spirit is housed in a tangible body of flesh and bones (see D&C 130:22). God's body, however, is perfected and glorified, with a glory beyond all description.
God is perfect. He is a God of righteousness, with attributes such as love, mercy, charity, truth, power, faith, knowledge, and judgment. He has all power. He knows all things. He is full of goodness.
All good things come from God. Everything that He does is to help His children become like Him. He has said, "Behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39)...
Joseph Smith—History 1:17 (Father and Son are separate beings)
Chapter 2 - Our Heavenly Family
1997 to 2009
Every person who was ever born on earth is our spirit brother or sister . Because we are the spirit children of God, we have inherited the potential to develop His divine qualities. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can become like our Heavenly Father and receive a fulness of joy...
We were not all alike in heaven. We know, for example, that we were sons and daughters of heavenly parents—males and females (see "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102). We possessed different talents and abilities, and we were called to do different things on earth. We can learn more about our "eternal possibilities" when we receive our patriarchal blessings (see Thomas S. Monson, in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 82; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 66).
A veil covers our memories of our premortal life, but our Father in Heaven knows who we are and what we did before we came here ...
Our Heavenly Father knew we could not progress beyond a certain point unless we left Him for a time. He wanted us to develop the godlike qualities that He has. To do this, we needed to leave our premortal home to be tested and to gain experience. Our spirits needed to be clothed with physical bodies. We would need to leave our physical bodies at death and reunite with them in the Resurrection. Then we would receive immortal bodies like that of our Heavenly Father. If we passed our tests, we would receive the fulness of joy that our Heavenly Father has received. (See D&C 93:30-34.)...
Our Heavenly Father called a Grand Council to present His plan for our progression...
We learned that He would provide an earth for us where we would prove ourselves (see Abraham 3:24-26). A veil would cover our memories, and we would forget our heavenly home. This would be necessary so we could exercise our agency to choose good or evil without being influenced by the memory of living with our Heavenly Father...
At the Grand Council we also learned the purpose for our progression: to have a fulness of joy. However, we also learned that some would be deceived, choose other paths, and lose their way...
At this council we also learned that because of our weakness, all of us except little children would sin (see D&C 29:46-47). We learned that a Savior would be provided for us so we could overcome our sins and overcome death with resurrection. We learned that if we placed our faith in Him, obeying His word and following His example, we would be exalted and become like our Heavenly Father. We would receive a fulness of joy.
Chapter 3 - Jesus Christ, Our Chosen Leader and Savior
1997 to 2009
We understood that we would have to leave our heavenly home for a time. We would not live in the presence of our Heavenly Father...
Jesus Christ, who was called Jehovah, said, "Here am I, send me" (Abraham 3:27; see also Moses 4:1-4)...
Satan wanted to force us all to do his will. Under his plan, we would not be allowed to choose. He would take away the freedom of choice that our Father had given us. Satan wanted to have all the honor for our salvation. Under his proposal, our purpose in coming to earth would have been frustrated (see Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay [2003], 207)...
Satan and his followers fought against Jesus Christ and His followers. The Savior's followers "overcame [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony" (Revelation 12:11)...
In our premortal life, we chose to follow Jesus Christ and accept God's plan. We must continue to follow Jesus Christ here on earth. Only by following Him can we return to our heavenly home...
By following His teachings, we can inherit a place in the celestial kingdom. He did His part to help us return to our heavenly home. It is now up to each of us to do our part and become worthy of exaltation.
Chapter 4 - Freedom to Choose
1997 to 2009
Agency one of the principal issues to arise in the premortal Council in Heaven. It was one of the main causes of the conflict between the followers of Christ and the followers of Satan. Satan said, "Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor" (Moses 4:1). In saying this, he "rebelled against [God] and sought to destroy the agency of man" (Moses 4:3). His offer was rejected, and he was cast out of heaven with his followers (see D&C 29:36-37)...
We cannot choose righteousness unless the opposites of good and evil are placed before us...
The consequences, whether good or bad, follow as a natural result of any choice we make (see Revelation 22:12).
Chapter 6 - The Fall of Adam and Eve
1997 to 2009
Adam and Eve were foreordained to become our first parents...
. Eve was "the mother of all living" (Moses 4:26). God brought Adam and Eve together in marriage because "it was not good that the man should be alone" (Moses 3:18; see also 1 Corinthians 11:11)...
They had spiritual life because they were in the presence of God ...
God commanded them to have children ...
Because Adam and Eve had eaten the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, the Lord sent them out of the Garden of Eden into the world . Their physical condition changed as a result of their eating the forbidden fruit. As God had promised, they became mortal. ...
Adam and Eve and their children were separated from God both physically and spiritually...
Chapter 7 - The Holy Ghost
1997 to 2009
The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead (see 1 John 5:7; D&C 20:28). He is a "personage of Spirit" (D&C 130:22)...
The Holy Ghost will witness to us that Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer (see 3 Nephi 28:11; D&C 20:27).
Chapter 9 - Prophets of God
1997 to 2009
Nephi, a Book of Mormon prophet, journeyed from Jerusalem to the Americas 600 years before the birth of Christ...
He holds "the keys of the kingdom," meaning that he has the authority to direct the entire Church and kingdom of God on earth, including the administration of priesthood ordinances (see Matthew 16:19). No person except the chosen prophet and President can receive God's will for the entire membership of the Church. The Lord said, "There is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred" (D&C 132:7). The President of the Church is assisted by his counselors in the First Presidency and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve, who are also prophets, seers, and revelatory...
" The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place" ( Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff [2004], 199)...
In order to stand, the true Church must be "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" (Ephesians 2:20).
Chapter 10
1997 to 2009
Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord has expanded our understanding of some passages in the Bible. The Lord inspired the Prophet Joseph to restore truths to the Bible text that had been lost or changed since the original words were written. These inspired corrections are called the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible. In the Latter-day Saint edition of the King James Version of the Bible, selected passages from the Joseph Smith Translation are found on pages 797-813 and in many footnotes...
The book of Moses contains an account of some of the visions and writings of Moses, revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith ...
Their words come to us through conferences, the Liahona or Ensign magazine, and instructions to local priesthood leaders...
We should read the standard works with our children so they will learn to love them and use them for the truths they contain.
Chapter 11
1997 to 2009
All of the prophets since Christ have testified that He did come. All of us need to study the life of the Savior and follow Him faithfully throughout our lives. ...
By the time He was 12 years old, Jesus had grown in His understanding that He had been sent to do the will of His Father. He went with His parents to Jerusalem. When His parents were returning home, they discovered that He was not with their group. They went back to Jerusalem to look for Him. "After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, and they were hearing him, and asking him questions" (Joseph Smith Translation, Luke 2:46)...
Joseph and Mary were relieved to find Him, but "they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why bast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing." Jesus answered her , saying, "Wist ye not that I must be about my [Heavenly] Father's business?" (Luke 2:48-49)...
When Jesus was 30 years old, He came to John the Baptist to be baptized in the Jordan River. John was reluctant to baptize Jesus because he knew that Jesus was greater than he...
Soon after Jesus was baptized, He fasted for 40 days and 40 nights to be with God. After that, Satan came to tempt Him. Jesus firmly resisted all of Satan's temptations and then commanded Satan to leave. (See Matthew 4:1-11; see also Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 4:1, 5-6, 8-9, 11.) Jesus Christ remained sinless, the one perfect being to ever walk the earth (see Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:21-22)...
After His fast and His encounter with Satan, Jesus began His public ministry...
Near the end of His mortal ministry, Jesus prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for all the sins of mankind...
In a modern revelation the Savior described how great His suffering was, saying it caused Him "to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit" (D&C 19:18). He suffered "according to the flesh," taking upon himself our pains, sicknesses, infirmities, and sins (see Alma 7:10-13)...
After suffering on the cross, He cried out in agony, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34). In Jesus's bitterest hour, the Father had withdrawn from Him so Jesus could finish suffering the penalty for the sins of all mankind that Jesus might have complete victory over the forces of sin and death (see James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 3rd ed. [1916], 660-61)...
Some friends took the Savior's body to a tomb, where it lay until the third day...
He willingly and humbly went through the sorrow in Gethsemane and the suffering on the cross so we could receive all the blessings of the plan of salvation. To receive these blessings, we must come unto Him, repent of our sins, and love Him with all our hearts.
Chapter 13
1997 to 2009
The priesthood is the eternal power and authority of God. Through the priesthood He created and governs the heavens and the earth ...
Our Heavenly Father delegates His priesthood power to worthy male members of the Church...
Only those who hold the priesthood can ordain others, and they can do so only when authorized by those who hold the keys for that ordination (see chapter 14 in this book)...
He can baptize, confirm, and administer the sacrament when authorized by those who hold the keys for those ordinances...
Men and women who hold positions in the Church as officers and teachers work under the direction of priesthood leaders and under the guidance of the Holy Ghost...
Chapter 14
1997 to 2009
Those holding the Melchizedek Priesthood have the power and authority to lead the Church and direct the preaching of the gospel in all parts of the world. They administer all the spiritual work of the Church (see D&C 84:19-22; 107:8). They direct the work done in the temples; they preside over wards, branches, stakes, and missions...
They are usually ordained to an office in the Aaronic Priesthood and can soon be ordained to other offices as they remain worthy...
To help fulfill this responsibility, they are usually assigned to serve as home teachers...
Patriarchs are ordained by General Authorities, or by stake presidents when they are authorized by the Council of the Twelve, to give patriarchal blessings to members of the Church...
An Apostle is a special witness of the name of Jesus Christ in all the world (see D&C 107:23)...
All organizations in the Church work under the direction of priesthoodleaders and help them carry out the work of the Lord. Forexample, the presidencies in a ward's Relief Society, Young Women,Young Men, Primary, and Sunday School organizations serve underthe direction of the bishopric. These organizations are called auxiliariesto the priesthood.
Chapter 15
1997 to 2009
...
He made a special covenant with Abraham and his descendants that blesses members of the Church and all nations of the earth today...
...
When we are baptized into the Church, we enter into the covenant the Lord made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (see Galatians 3:26-29)...
Worthy males have the right to hold the priesthood. Families can receive the blessings of the priesthood...
As the Lord's covenant people, we should keep His commandments...
Chapter 16 - The Church of Jesus in Former Times
1997 to 2009
...
It was compared to a building that was "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" (Ephesians 2:20)...
The Apostles visited and wrote letters to the leaders in the various branches...
...
...
Some members taught ideas from their old pagan or Jewish beliefs instead of the simple truths taught by Jesus. ... One by one, the Apostles were killed .
Because of wickedness and apostasy, the apostolic authority and priesthood keys were also taken from the earth. The organization that Jesus Christ had established no longer existed, and confusion resulted. More and more error crept into Church doctrine, and soon the dissolution of the Church was complete...
This church was very different from the church Jesus organized. It taught that God was a being without form or substance...
The emperor chose his own leaders and sometimes called them by the same titles used by priesthood leaders in the true Church of Christ. .
Chapter 17 - The Church of Jesus Christ Today
1997 to 2009
The Savior told him not to join any church because the true Church was not on the earth. He also said that the creeds of present churches were "an abomination in his sight" ( Joseph Smith-- History 1:19; see also verses 7-18, 20)...
When the Church was first organized, only the framework was set up. The organization would develop as the Church continued to grow...
Twelve Apostles, who are special witnesses of the name of Jesus Christ, teach the gospel and regulate the affairs of the Church in all parts of the world...
1. Our Heavenly Father is a real being with a tangible, perfected body of flesh and bones, and so is Jesus Christ. The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit...
6. There are three kingdoms of glory in the heavens, and through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, people will be rewarded according to their actions on earth and according to the desires of their hearts...
8. Ordinances and covenants are required for salvation and are available for both the living and the dead.
Chapter 18
1997 to 2009
Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel. It is a spiritual gift, and it is necessary to our salvation... Faith is a principle of action and power that motivates our day-to-day activities...
...
"When faith comes it brings . . . apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, gifts, wisdom, knowledge, miracles, healings, tongues, interpretation of tongues, etc. All these appear when faith appears on the earth, and disappear when it disappears from the earth; for these are the effects of faith. . . . And he who possesses it will, through it, obtain all necessary knowledge and wisdom, until he shall know God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, whom he has sent-- whom to know is eternal life" (Lectures on Faith [19851, 83).
Chapter 47 - Exaltation
1985 to 1992
When we lived with our Heavenly Father, he explained a plan for our progression. We could become like him, an exalted being. The plan required that we be separated from him and come to earth. This separation was necessary to prove whether we would obey our Father's commandments even though we were no longer in his presence. The plan provided that when earth life ended, we would be judged and rewarded according to the degree of our faith and obedience. We would then be assigned to the place for which we had prepared.
Jesus taught, "In my Father's house are many mansions" (John 14:2). From the scriptures we learn that there are three kingdoms of glory in heaven...
Exaltation is eternal life, the kind of life God lives. He lives in great glory. He is perfect. He possesses all knowledge and all wisdom. He is the Father of spirit children. He is a creator. We can become like our Heavenly Father. This is exaltation.
If we prove faithful to the Lord, we will live in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom of heaven. We will become exalted, just like our Heavenly Father. Exaltation is the greatest gift that Heavenly Father can give his children (see D&C 14:7)...
Those who receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ will receive special blessings. The Lord has promised, "All things are theirs" (D&C 76:59). These are some of the blessings given to exalted people...
List some of the blessings that will be given to those who are exalted...
To be exalted, we first must place our faith in Jesus Christ and then endure in that faith to the end of our lives. Our faith in him must be such that we repent of our sins and obey his commandments.
He commands us all to receive certain ordinances:...
We must receive the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost...
In addition to receiving the required ordinances, the Lord commands all of us to ...
Finally, each of us needs to receive the Holy Ghost and learn to follow his direction in our individual lives...
What happens when we have endured to the end in faithful discipleship to Christ?...
This is the way our Heavenly Father became God...
Our Heavenly Father knows our trials, our weaknesses, and our sins.
1997 to 2009
... If we prove faithful to the Lord, we will live in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom of heaven. We will become exalted, to live with our Heavenly Father in eternal families. Exaltation is the great¬est gift that Heavenly Father can give His children (see D&C 14:7)...
Our Heavenly Father is perfect , and He glories in the fact that it is possible for His children to become like Him...
3. They will be united eternally with their righteous family mem¬bers and will be able to have spirit children also. These spirit children will have eternal increase...
He commands us all to receive certain ordinances...
3. Brethren must receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and magnify their callings in the priesthood.
4. We must receive the temple endowment.
5. We must be married for eternity, either in this life or in the next...
In addition to receiving the required ordinances, the Lord com¬mands all of us to...
2. Keep the commandments...
...
...
...
How do ordinances and covenants prepare us for exaltation?
How does faith in Jesus Christ help us obey the commandments?...
Joseph Smith taught: "It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God. . . . He was once a man like us; . . . God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ himself did" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 345-46).
Imagine what joy each of us will have when we return to our Heavenly Father if we can say: "Father, I lived according to Thy will.
See Also
• Should We Stop Addressing Old Teachings and Non-Official Beliefs?
• Six Reasons I Take a Cautious Approach to Seeming Changes
contact@mrm.org
Unless otherwise noted, you are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute our text, audio, and video in any format provided that you do not alter the content in any way and you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. Translations faithful to the original meaning in other languages are also permitted and encouraged. For web posting, a link to our website is preferred. Any exceptions to the above must be explicitly approved by Mormonism Research Ministry.
Changes to Gospel Principles
The following are some notable changes between editions of Gospel Principles. The editions published are as follows: 1978, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1997, and 2009.
Underlined text marks something as new. Not all changes have been compiled, but only what seemed at least moderately notable. The most salient changes are marked in yellow. We recommend taking a special look at the changes made in 2009 to chapter 47.
Just like Gospel Principles, this compilation is a work in progress. Please send corrections or suggestions to aaron@mrm.org.
Chapter 1 - Our Heavenly Father
1997 to 2009
God is the Supreme and Absolute Being in whom we believe and whom we worship. He is "the Great Parent of the universe," and He "looks upon the whole of the human family with a fatherly care and paternal regard" (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 39)...
Because we are made in His image (see Moses 2:26; 6:9), we know that our bodies are like His body. His eternal spirit is housed in a tangible body of flesh and bones (see D&C 130:22). God's body, however, is perfected and glorified, with a glory beyond all description.
God is perfect. He is a God of righteousness, with attributes such as love, mercy, charity, truth, power, faith, knowledge, and judgment. He has all power. He knows all things. He is full of goodness.
All good things come from God. Everything that He does is to help His children become like Him. He has said, "Behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39)...
Joseph Smith—History 1:17 (Father and Son are separate beings)
Chapter 2 - Our Heavenly Family
1997 to 2009
Every person who was ever born on earth is our spirit brother or sister . Because we are the spirit children of God, we have inherited the potential to develop His divine qualities. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can become like our Heavenly Father and receive a fulness of joy...
We were not all alike in heaven. We know, for example, that we were sons and daughters of heavenly parents—males and females (see "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102). We possessed different talents and abilities, and we were called to do different things on earth. We can learn more about our "eternal possibilities" when we receive our patriarchal blessings (see Thomas S. Monson, in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 82; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 66).
A veil covers our memories of our premortal life, but our Father in Heaven knows who we are and what we did before we came here ...
Our Heavenly Father knew we could not progress beyond a certain point unless we left Him for a time. He wanted us to develop the godlike qualities that He has. To do this, we needed to leave our premortal home to be tested and to gain experience. Our spirits needed to be clothed with physical bodies. We would need to leave our physical bodies at death and reunite with them in the Resurrection. Then we would receive immortal bodies like that of our Heavenly Father. If we passed our tests, we would receive the fulness of joy that our Heavenly Father has received. (See D&C 93:30-34.)...
Our Heavenly Father called a Grand Council to present His plan for our progression...
We learned that He would provide an earth for us where we would prove ourselves (see Abraham 3:24-26). A veil would cover our memories, and we would forget our heavenly home. This would be necessary so we could exercise our agency to choose good or evil without being influenced by the memory of living with our Heavenly Father...
At the Grand Council we also learned the purpose for our progression: to have a fulness of joy. However, we also learned that some would be deceived, choose other paths, and lose their way...
At this council we also learned that because of our weakness, all of us except little children would sin (see D&C 29:46-47). We learned that a Savior would be provided for us so we could overcome our sins and overcome death with resurrection. We learned that if we placed our faith in Him, obeying His word and following His example, we would be exalted and become like our Heavenly Father. We would receive a fulness of joy.
Chapter 3 - Jesus Christ, Our Chosen Leader and Savior
1997 to 2009
We understood that we would have to leave our heavenly home for a time. We would not live in the presence of our Heavenly Father...
Jesus Christ, who was called Jehovah, said, "Here am I, send me" (Abraham 3:27; see also Moses 4:1-4)...
Satan wanted to force us all to do his will. Under his plan, we would not be allowed to choose. He would take away the freedom of choice that our Father had given us. Satan wanted to have all the honor for our salvation. Under his proposal, our purpose in coming to earth would have been frustrated (see Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay [2003], 207)...
Satan and his followers fought against Jesus Christ and His followers. The Savior's followers "overcame [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony" (Revelation 12:11)...
In our premortal life, we chose to follow Jesus Christ and accept God's plan. We must continue to follow Jesus Christ here on earth. Only by following Him can we return to our heavenly home...
By following His teachings, we can inherit a place in the celestial kingdom. He did His part to help us return to our heavenly home. It is now up to each of us to do our part and become worthy of exaltation.
Chapter 4 - Freedom to Choose
1997 to 2009
Agency one of the principal issues to arise in the premortal Council in Heaven. It was one of the main causes of the conflict between the followers of Christ and the followers of Satan. Satan said, "Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor" (Moses 4:1). In saying this, he "rebelled against [God] and sought to destroy the agency of man" (Moses 4:3). His offer was rejected, and he was cast out of heaven with his followers (see D&C 29:36-37)...
We cannot choose righteousness unless the opposites of good and evil are placed before us...
The consequences, whether good or bad, follow as a natural result of any choice we make (see Revelation 22:12).
Chapter 6 - The Fall of Adam and Eve
1997 to 2009
Adam and Eve were foreordained to become our first parents...
. Eve was "the mother of all living" (Moses 4:26). God brought Adam and Eve together in marriage because "it was not good that the man should be alone" (Moses 3:18; see also 1 Corinthians 11:11)...
They had spiritual life because they were in the presence of God ...
God commanded them to have children ...
Because Adam and Eve had eaten the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, the Lord sent them out of the Garden of Eden into the world . Their physical condition changed as a result of their eating the forbidden fruit. As God had promised, they became mortal. ...
Adam and Eve and their children were separated from God both physically and spiritually...
Chapter 7 - The Holy Ghost
1997 to 2009
The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead (see 1 John 5:7; D&C 20:28). He is a "personage of Spirit" (D&C 130:22)...
The Holy Ghost will witness to us that Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer (see 3 Nephi 28:11; D&C 20:27).
Chapter 9 - Prophets of God
1997 to 2009
Nephi, a Book of Mormon prophet, journeyed from Jerusalem to the Americas 600 years before the birth of Christ...
He holds "the keys of the kingdom," meaning that he has the authority to direct the entire Church and kingdom of God on earth, including the administration of priesthood ordinances (see Matthew 16:19). No person except the chosen prophet and President can receive God's will for the entire membership of the Church. The Lord said, "There is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred" (D&C 132:7). The President of the Church is assisted by his counselors in the First Presidency and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve, who are also prophets, seers, and revelatory...
" The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place" ( Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff [2004], 199)...
In order to stand, the true Church must be "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" (Ephesians 2:20).
Chapter 10
1997 to 2009
Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord has expanded our understanding of some passages in the Bible. The Lord inspired the Prophet Joseph to restore truths to the Bible text that had been lost or changed since the original words were written. These inspired corrections are called the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible. In the Latter-day Saint edition of the King James Version of the Bible, selected passages from the Joseph Smith Translation are found on pages 797-813 and in many footnotes...
The book of Moses contains an account of some of the visions and writings of Moses, revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith ...
Their words come to us through conferences, the Liahona or Ensign magazine, and instructions to local priesthood leaders...
We should read the standard works with our children so they will learn to love them and use them for the truths they contain.
Chapter 11
1997 to 2009
All of the prophets since Christ have testified that He did come. All of us need to study the life of the Savior and follow Him faithfully throughout our lives. ...
By the time He was 12 years old, Jesus had grown in His understanding that He had been sent to do the will of His Father. He went with His parents to Jerusalem. When His parents were returning home, they discovered that He was not with their group. They went back to Jerusalem to look for Him. "After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, and they were hearing him, and asking him questions" (Joseph Smith Translation, Luke 2:46)...
Joseph and Mary were relieved to find Him, but "they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why bast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing." Jesus answered her , saying, "Wist ye not that I must be about my [Heavenly] Father's business?" (Luke 2:48-49)...
When Jesus was 30 years old, He came to John the Baptist to be baptized in the Jordan River. John was reluctant to baptize Jesus because he knew that Jesus was greater than he...
Soon after Jesus was baptized, He fasted for 40 days and 40 nights to be with God. After that, Satan came to tempt Him. Jesus firmly resisted all of Satan's temptations and then commanded Satan to leave. (See Matthew 4:1-11; see also Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 4:1, 5-6, 8-9, 11.) Jesus Christ remained sinless, the one perfect being to ever walk the earth (see Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:21-22)...
After His fast and His encounter with Satan, Jesus began His public ministry...
Near the end of His mortal ministry, Jesus prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for all the sins of mankind...
In a modern revelation the Savior described how great His suffering was, saying it caused Him "to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit" (D&C 19:18). He suffered "according to the flesh," taking upon himself our pains, sicknesses, infirmities, and sins (see Alma 7:10-13)...
After suffering on the cross, He cried out in agony, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34). In Jesus's bitterest hour, the Father had withdrawn from Him so Jesus could finish suffering the penalty for the sins of all mankind that Jesus might have complete victory over the forces of sin and death (see James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 3rd ed. [1916], 660-61)...
Some friends took the Savior's body to a tomb, where it lay until the third day...
He willingly and humbly went through the sorrow in Gethsemane and the suffering on the cross so we could receive all the blessings of the plan of salvation. To receive these blessings, we must come unto Him, repent of our sins, and love Him with all our hearts.
Chapter 13
1997 to 2009
The priesthood is the eternal power and authority of God. Through the priesthood He created and governs the heavens and the earth ...
Our Heavenly Father delegates His priesthood power to worthy male members of the Church...
Only those who hold the priesthood can ordain others, and they can do so only when authorized by those who hold the keys for that ordination (see chapter 14 in this book)...
He can baptize, confirm, and administer the sacrament when authorized by those who hold the keys for those ordinances...
Men and women who hold positions in the Church as officers and teachers work under the direction of priesthood leaders and under the guidance of the Holy Ghost...
Chapter 14
1997 to 2009
Those holding the Melchizedek Priesthood have the power and authority to lead the Church and direct the preaching of the gospel in all parts of the world. They administer all the spiritual work of the Church (see D&C 84:19-22; 107:8). They direct the work done in the temples; they preside over wards, branches, stakes, and missions...
They are usually ordained to an office in the Aaronic Priesthood and can soon be ordained to other offices as they remain worthy...
To help fulfill this responsibility, they are usually assigned to serve as home teachers...
Patriarchs are ordained by General Authorities, or by stake presidents when they are authorized by the Council of the Twelve, to give patriarchal blessings to members of the Church...
An Apostle is a special witness of the name of Jesus Christ in all the world (see D&C 107:23)...
All organizations in the Church work under the direction of priesthoodleaders and help them carry out the work of the Lord. Forexample, the presidencies in a ward's Relief Society, Young Women,Young Men, Primary, and Sunday School organizations serve underthe direction of the bishopric. These organizations are called auxiliariesto the priesthood.
Chapter 15
1997 to 2009
...
He made a special covenant with Abraham and his descendants that blesses members of the Church and all nations of the earth today...
...
When we are baptized into the Church, we enter into the covenant the Lord made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (see Galatians 3:26-29)...
Worthy males have the right to hold the priesthood. Families can receive the blessings of the priesthood...
As the Lord's covenant people, we should keep His commandments...
Chapter 16 - The Church of Jesus in Former Times
1997 to 2009
...
It was compared to a building that was "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" (Ephesians 2:20)...
The Apostles visited and wrote letters to the leaders in the various branches...
...
...
Some members taught ideas from their old pagan or Jewish beliefs instead of the simple truths taught by Jesus. ... One by one, the Apostles were killed .
Because of wickedness and apostasy, the apostolic authority and priesthood keys were also taken from the earth. The organization that Jesus Christ had established no longer existed, and confusion resulted. More and more error crept into Church doctrine, and soon the dissolution of the Church was complete...
This church was very different from the church Jesus organized. It taught that God was a being without form or substance...
The emperor chose his own leaders and sometimes called them by the same titles used by priesthood leaders in the true Church of Christ. .
Chapter 17 - The Church of Jesus Christ Today
1997 to 2009
The Savior told him not to join any church because the true Church was not on the earth. He also said that the creeds of present churches were "an abomination in his sight" ( Joseph Smith-- History 1:19; see also verses 7-18, 20)...
When the Church was first organized, only the framework was set up. The organization would develop as the Church continued to grow...
Twelve Apostles, who are special witnesses of the name of Jesus Christ, teach the gospel and regulate the affairs of the Church in all parts of the world...
1. Our Heavenly Father is a real being with a tangible, perfected body of flesh and bones, and so is Jesus Christ. The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit...
6. There are three kingdoms of glory in the heavens, and through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, people will be rewarded according to their actions on earth and according to the desires of their hearts...
8. Ordinances and covenants are required for salvation and are available for both the living and the dead.
Chapter 18
1997 to 2009
Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel. It is a spiritual gift, and it is necessary to our salvation... Faith is a principle of action and power that motivates our day-to-day activities...
...
"When faith comes it brings . . . apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, gifts, wisdom, knowledge, miracles, healings, tongues, interpretation of tongues, etc. All these appear when faith appears on the earth, and disappear when it disappears from the earth; for these are the effects of faith. . . . And he who possesses it will, through it, obtain all necessary knowledge and wisdom, until he shall know God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, whom he has sent-- whom to know is eternal life" (Lectures on Faith [19851, 83).
Chapter 47 - Exaltation
1985 to 1992
When we lived with our Heavenly Father, he explained a plan for our progression. We could become like him, an exalted being. The plan required that we be separated from him and come to earth. This separation was necessary to prove whether we would obey our Father's commandments even though we were no longer in his presence. The plan provided that when earth life ended, we would be judged and rewarded according to the degree of our faith and obedience. We would then be assigned to the place for which we had prepared.
Jesus taught, "In my Father's house are many mansions" (John 14:2). From the scriptures we learn that there are three kingdoms of glory in heaven...
Exaltation is eternal life, the kind of life God lives. He lives in great glory. He is perfect. He possesses all knowledge and all wisdom. He is the Father of spirit children. He is a creator. We can become like our Heavenly Father. This is exaltation.
If we prove faithful to the Lord, we will live in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom of heaven. We will become exalted, just like our Heavenly Father. Exaltation is the greatest gift that Heavenly Father can give his children (see D&C 14:7)...
Those who receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ will receive special blessings. The Lord has promised, "All things are theirs" (D&C 76:59). These are some of the blessings given to exalted people...
List some of the blessings that will be given to those who are exalted...
To be exalted, we first must place our faith in Jesus Christ and then endure in that faith to the end of our lives. Our faith in him must be such that we repent of our sins and obey his commandments.
He commands us all to receive certain ordinances:...
We must receive the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost...
In addition to receiving the required ordinances, the Lord commands all of us to ...
Finally, each of us needs to receive the Holy Ghost and learn to follow his direction in our individual lives...
What happens when we have endured to the end in faithful discipleship to Christ?...
This is the way our Heavenly Father became God...
Our Heavenly Father knows our trials, our weaknesses, and our sins.
1997 to 2009
... If we prove faithful to the Lord, we will live in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom of heaven. We will become exalted, to live with our Heavenly Father in eternal families. Exaltation is the great¬est gift that Heavenly Father can give His children (see D&C 14:7)...
Our Heavenly Father is perfect , and He glories in the fact that it is possible for His children to become like Him...
3. They will be united eternally with their righteous family mem¬bers and will be able to have spirit children also. These spirit children will have eternal increase...
He commands us all to receive certain ordinances...
3. Brethren must receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and magnify their callings in the priesthood.
4. We must receive the temple endowment.
5. We must be married for eternity, either in this life or in the next...
In addition to receiving the required ordinances, the Lord com¬mands all of us to...
2. Keep the commandments...
...
...
...
How do ordinances and covenants prepare us for exaltation?
How does faith in Jesus Christ help us obey the commandments?...
Joseph Smith taught: "It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God. . . . He was once a man like us; . . . God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ himself did" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 345-46).
Imagine what joy each of us will have when we return to our Heavenly Father if we can say: "Father, I lived according to Thy will.
See Also
• Should We Stop Addressing Old Teachings and Non-Official Beliefs?
• Six Reasons I Take a Cautious Approach to Seeming Changes
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