A Lesson on Doctrine and Principles

Hi everyone,

This week I learned about doctrine and principles.

 I’d like to talk about how doctrine is different from typical beliefs that people have. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve been surprised to hear people say that they were changing the congregation they usually go to, or changing to a new Church or a new religion. The reasons are varied, just as we are varied as people with different backgrounds and different teachings we were raised around. Some of the reasons I’ve heard were, “I didn’t like the new Father who came and changed the core beliefs of our religion and started preaching his interpretation.” Another person said, “I liked that the minister said we could drink beer and still get to heaven.” That last one made me laugh along with the person who said it. This is why doctrine is different from interchanging beliefs people have changed and interpreted in different ways.

The following examples are from my instructor Brother Graf. He taught me, “A Doctrine is a fundamental, unchanging truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some examples of different doctrines are:

·         “Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Holy Ghost”

·         “Heavenly Father has a body of flesh and bones”

·         “Baptism is necessary to enter the kingdom of God”

·         “All men will be resurrected”

These examples are doctrine that doesn’t change just because a new law has been passed or because people no longer want to accept the belief. They are truths that are established and decreed by God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. For me, having doctrine that comes right from God, given through ordained Prophets is a comfort. I don’t need to be confused and constantly change what the world decides is now acceptable or not. I know what God wants from me. I also have a way to test if I want to believe and follow the doctrines. I have found as I really study out in the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon and other scripture and read and study the words of God, I can start to understand what the doctrine can add and improve in my life. I can also pray directly to my Heavenly Father and ask Him to know if what I read and study is true. I can tell you from personal experience that our Heavenly Father greatly wants to talk with us, His children, and it pleases Him to answer us with comfort, peace, inspiration, and understanding through the Holy Ghost.

Brother Graf continued by teaching me what a Principle is. He taught, “A principle is an enduring truth or rule individuals can adapt to guide them in making decisions. Gospel principles are universal and help people apply the doctrines of the gospel to everyday living. This means that a gospel principle usually suggests action as well as the consequences that follow.”

 So what we can understand from these words is that a principle leads us to action and helps us know how we can live the doctrine.

A couple of ways the scriptures teach doctrine and principles is by teaching doctrine and principles in a stated way. A stated way is easier to recognize because you usually see these keys words: behold, therefore, thus we see, and wherefore and if/then statements. If you read this words, pay close attention to what follows because it will be an unchanging and enduring truth that can bless our lives.

In closing, I’d like to share an example from my own reading of the Book of Mormon that shows a couple of examples of stated doctrine taught. The scripture is found in 1 Nephi 17:3. Within this verse you’ll see thus we see, wherefore, and if/then statements of doctrine/principles. It reads:

“And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God (then) he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness.”

I love the doctrine and principles stated that our God rewards our obedience by nourishing and strengthening us and providing means that help us to be able to keep His commandments.

I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he loves us and will bless us as we try our best to keep the commandments of God. I invite each of you to study and look for doctrine and principles, in the scriptures, that will bless you and guide you throughout your lives.

My Journey To Learning

Hi everyone!
     I decided to make some big decisions this year to help me stretch myself and to promote personal growth. Some of those choices have been to skydive, despite a huge fear of heights, and I did it!! Another big decision was to go back to school after a 28 year break. This decision was made only after much prayer, asking our Heavenly Father if now was the right time to embark on such a big commitment. My answer was a very clear YES!!
     Part of my schooling requires me to teach others....so this blog is my forum. Welcome to class everyone!
     Today I would like to discuss choices and where our choices can take us. Also, my material will be coming from 1 Nephi 1-5 of the Book of Mormon. What is the Book of Mormon you ask? Great question. Here are a couple of links you can go to to learn more about the Book of Mormon as well as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
 http://lds.org
  https://www.mormon.org/beliefs/book-of-mormon
Now back to Nephi. Nephi was an ancient prophet, called of God like Moses and Abraham. Nephi's family consisted of his father Lehi, who was also a prophet, his mother Sariah, and his older brothers; Laman, Lemuel, and Sam.
      Lehi was commanded to take his family and leave their homeland of Jerusalem. Many difficult choices and experiences lay ahead of them. This is where we come to choices. Laman and Lemuel did not want to be obedient to their father nor to their Heavenly Father. They made the choice to set their hearts on being disobedient and not seeking to know about God and His mysteries. They are described as having a "stiffneckedness" attitude. This term is not new in scripture. You can find this word in the Old Testament and in the New Testament of the Holy Bible as well as in the Book of Mormon. The topical guide has the synonyms; Hardheartedness, Rebellion, and Stubbornness listed under stiffneckedness. That helps you understand what Laman and Lemuel's attitudes were towards being obedient to God's commandments. In 1 Nephi 2:11-12 we read that Laman and Lemuel "did murmur in many things against their father because he was a visionary man" and "they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them." Continuing in verse 13 we read "they were like unto the Jews who were at Jerusalem, who sought to take away the life of my father." We learn from these verses that Laman and Lemuel made the choices to be stubborn, reject prophecy, were complainers, and even were murderers in their hearts.
     In contrast, Nephi made the choice from the very beginning to turn to God. In 1 Nephi 2:16 Nephi is describing himself as "having great desires to know the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry into the Lord" and that the Lord "did soften my heart." Nephi "did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father" and"did not rebel against him like unto my brothers."
     So we see that Nephi had righteous desires, he prayed to God in faith, as well as with an attitude that submitted to the Lord's will and chose to be obedient to God's commandments.
     We may not be asked to leave our homes and countries like Nephi's family was, but each of us are given daily choices to choose what kind of people we will be. Are we willing to keep the commandments of God? Do we pray with faith? Do we listen for the answers that can bring us peace, clarity, and softened hearts? Our Heavenly Father loves each of us and desires to bless and help us, just as He always has with His children since the beginning of time. I have learned this past week to pray when I have difficulties and need guidance. Also, to have righteous desires and faith in the Lord that He will bless and help me in whatever it is He knows I need in my life.
     I invite everyone to read and study the story of Nephi, and his family, as they journeyed in the wilderness and look for lessons and examples from Nephi that can help you in your lives and decisions you need to make. I promise if you look with faith, you will receive.