eternal marriage

396 Pages·2003·3.98 MB·English

ETERNAL AL
MARRIAGE AGE
STUDENT MANUAL NUAL
Religion 234 and 235
ETERNAL MARRIAGE
STUDENT MANUAL
Preparing for an Eternal Marriage, Religion 234
Building an Eternal Marriage, Religion 235
Prepared by the
Church Educational System
Published by
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Salt Lake City, Utah
Send comments and corrections, including typographic errors, to
CES Editing, 50 E. North Temple Street, Floor 8, Salt Lake City, UT 84150-2772 USA.
E-mail: [email protected]
© 2001 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America
English approval: 8/01
CONTENTS
Preface Communication
Using the Student Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii Related Scriptures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Purpose of the Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Organization of the Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii Family Communications,
Elder Marvin J. Ashton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Living by Gospel Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
Listen to Learn, Elder Russell M. Nelson . . . . . .35
Abortion
Covenants and Ordinances
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Abuse
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Keeping Our Covenants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Abuse Defined . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Our Covenant-Based Relationship
with the Lord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Policy toward Abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Wayward Children Born under
Causes of Abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
the Covenant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Avoiding Abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Covenant Marriage, Elder Bruce C. Hafen . . . . .47
Healing the Tragic Scars of Abuse,
Dating Standards
Elder RichardG. Scott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Adjustments in Marriage
For the Strength of Youth: Fulfilling
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Our Duty to God, booklet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Adjusting to In-Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Debt
Financial Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Related Scriptures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Adjusting to an Intimate Relationship . . . . . .9
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Related Scriptures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
To the Boys and to the Men,
Atonement and Eternal Marriage President Gordon B. Hinckley . . . . . . . . . . . .60
“The Peaceable Things of the Kingdom,” Differences Inherent between
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Men and Women
Birth Control Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 For Time and All Eternity,
Elder Boyd K. Packer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
I Have a Question, Dr. Homer Ellsworth . . . . . .17
Charity The Joy of Womanhood,
Sister Margaret D. Nadauld . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Divorce
Related Scriptures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Becoming Partakers of the Divine Nature . . . .20
Related Scriptures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
Commitment
Concern for Family Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Growing Plague of Divorce Is Not of God . . .73
Our Solemn Responsibilities,
President Gordon B. Hinckley . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Marriage and Divorce, Elder David B. Haight . .74
Endure and Be Lifted Up, Education
Elder Russell M. Nelson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Prepare for the Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
iv CONTENTS
Importance of Education for Women . . . . . .78 Cornerstones of a Happy Home,
President Gordon B. Hinckley . . . . . . . . . . 127
Equality of Men and Women
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Cultivating Divine Attributes,
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
Eternal Perspective
Happiness in Marriage
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
The Family: A Proclamation to the World
Marriage Brings Happiness and Joy . . . . . . 133
The Family: A Proclamation to the World,
First Presidency and Quorum of the Satan Tries to Destroy Happiness . . . . . . . .134
Twelve Apostles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
Holy Spirit of Promise
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Principle of Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84 Independence
Principle of Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85 Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Principle of Repentance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86 Intimacy in Marriage
Principle of Forgiveness in Marriage . . . . . . . .88 Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Forgiveness: The Ultimate Form of Love, Related Scripture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139
Elder Marion D. Hanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89 Physical Intimacy Ordained of God . . . . . .139
Principle of Mutual Respect . . . . . . . . . . . . .90 Physical Intimacy Only in Marriage . . . . . .140
Principle of Compassion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Purposes of Intimacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140
Principle of Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93 Misused Physical Intimacy . . . . . . . . . . . . .140
“Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel,” The Fountain of Life, Elder Boyd K. Packer . .141
Elder Neal A. Maxwell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Jesus Christ
Principle of Wholesome Recreational
The Living Christ: The Testimony of
Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
the Apostles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
The Eternal Family, Elder RobertD. Hales . . . .100
Knowledge of Spiritual Things
The Family, Elder Henry B. Eyring . . . . . . . . . 104 Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge,
Fidelity in Marriage Elder RichardG. Scott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 Living Together without Marriage
Doctrine of Fidelity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 Related Scripture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152
Costs of Infidelity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Precautions That Help Prevent Infidelity . .113 Love
Finances Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Related Scriptures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154
One for the Money: Guide to Family Finance, What Is True Love? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Elder Marvin J. Ashton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
What Are Some of the Counterfeits
Greed, Selfishness, and Overindulgence, of True Love? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156
Elder Joe J. Christensen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
How Does Our Love for God Influence
Foundations for Eternal Marriage Our Ability to Love Others? . . . . . . . . . . .157
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 What Types of Conduct Help Develop
True Love in Relationships? . . . . . . . . . . .157
The Constitution for a Perfect Life,
President Harold B. Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 “How Do I Love Thee?”
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
CONTENTS v
A Union of Love and Understanding, To the Fathers in Israel,
Elder Marlin K. Jensen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162 President Ezra Taft Benson . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203
Marriage for Eternity Being a Righteous Husband and Father,
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 President HowardW. Hunter . . . . . . . . . . .206
Eternal Increase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167 Living Worthy of the Girl You Will Someday
Marry, President Gordon B. Hinckley . . . . .209
The New and Everlasting
Covenant of Marriage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Our Sacred Duty to Honor Women,
Elder Russell M. Nelson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Those Who Do Not Marry . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
The Hands of the Fathers,
Marriage and Divorce,
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
President Spencer W. Kimball . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Morality and Modesty
What God Hath Joined Together,
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
President Gordon B. Hinckley . . . . . . . . . . 174
Consequences of Obedience or
Why Marry in the Temple?
Disobedience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221
Elder John A. Widtsoe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Modesty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221
Marriage, Elder Boyd K. Packer . . . . . . . . . . . .180
Modesty in Thought . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Marriage throughout the Years
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184 Modesty in Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
The Enriching of Marriage, Modesty in Dress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
Elder James E. Faust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184 Modest Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Hinckleys to Note 60th Anniversary, Put on the Whole Armor of God,
Dell Van Orden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 President Harold B. Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Mate Selection The Law of Chastity,
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 President Ezra Taft Benson . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227
Importance of Choosing Wisely . . . . . . . . .188 Office of the First Presidency,
letter to all members of the Church . . . . . . 230
Background Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Our Moral Environment,
The Right Person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
Elder Boyd K. Packer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Outer Appearance and Inner Beauty . . . . . . 189
Personal Purity, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland . . . . .233
Counsel for Single Sisters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189
Mothers’ Employment outside
Counsel for Single Brethren . . . . . . . . . . . . .190 the Home
The Role of Prayer and Personal Revelation . .191 Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Finding the Right One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191 Parenthood: Creating a Gospel-
Centered Home
Mission or Marriage? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Making the Decision at the
Appropriate Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192 Parental Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241
Agency or Inspiration? Family Home Evening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .243
Elder Bruce R. McConkie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193
Family Council Processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .244
Maturity
Good Marriages Bless Children . . . . . . . . . . 245
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Parenting: An Eternal Perspective . . . . . . . . 246
Men’s Divine Roles and Responsibilities
The Joy of Parenthood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Teaching Children the Gospel . . . . . . . . . .248
Father, Consider Your Ways, pamphlet . . . . . .200
vi CONTENTS
Teaching Children to Work . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 Same-Gender Attraction
A Father’s Duty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251 Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
A Mother’s Duty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 Same-Gender Attraction,
Elder Dallin H. Oaks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Disciplining with Love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Same-Sex Marriage
Personal Righteousness Prepares Parents . . 253
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Spending Time with Children . . . . . . . . . . 254
Selfishness
The Greatest Challenge in the World—Good
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Parenting, Elder James E. Faust . . . . . . . . . . 255
Self-Reliance
Plan of Salvation
Self-Reliance, Elder Boyd K. Packer . . . . . . . . .305
“The Great Plan of Happiness,”
Elder Dallin H. Oaks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259 Becoming Self-Reliant, Elder L. Tom Perry . . . 307
Pornography Single Parents
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264 Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Effects of Pornography on Dating, Temple Preparation
Marriages, and Families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264 Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Movies and Videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266 Temple Worthiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Pride
Covenants and Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Cleansing the Inner Vessel,
Symbolism of the Temple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
President Ezra Taft Benson . . . . . . . . . . . . . .268
Purpose of the Endowment . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Beware of Pride,
President Ezra Taft Benson . . . . . . . . . . . . . .269 Understanding the Endowment . . . . . . . . . 315
Principles Arrangements for a Temple Marriage . . . . . . . 316
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274 Laws of the Land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .316
Priorities and Balance Church Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276 The Holy Temple,
President Boyd K. Packer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Spiritual Priorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
The Temple Garment: “An Outward
Family Priorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276
Expression of an Inward Commitment,”
A Letter to Church Members from
Elder Carlos E. Asay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .322
the First Presidency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Temporal Preparedness
Parents in Zion, President Boyd K. Packer . . . 277
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Keeping Life’s Demands in Balance,
Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Elder M. Russell Ballard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Employment and Finances . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Problem Solving in Marriage
Home Storage and Production . . . . . . . . . .329
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Temptations of Satan and the
Marriage and the Great Plan of Happiness,
Natural Man
Elder Joe J. Christensen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Overcoming Those Differences of Opinion:
A Formula for Finding Unity in Marriage, Our Fading Civility,
Elder RobertE. Wells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286 President Gordon B. Hinckley . . . . . . . . . . 331
Prophetic Counsel Discipline a Violent Temper,
President Gordon B. Hinckley . . . . . . . . . . 332
Finding Safety in Counsel,
Elder Henry B. Eyring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
CONTENTS vii
Put Off the Natural Man, and Come Off Achieving Unity through Effective
Conqueror, Elder Neal A. Maxwell . . . . . . .333 Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Related Scriptures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336 Blessings of Unity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Traditions of the Fathers Women’s Divine Roles and
Responsibilities
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Maintaining Righteous Traditions . . . . . . . 337
The Divine Work of Women . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Examples of False Traditions . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
What Is a Help Meet? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Overcoming False Traditions . . . . . . . . . . . 338
The Role of Righteous Women,
The Tradition of Their Fathers,
President Spencer W. Kimball . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Elder Marion D. Hanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
To the Mothers in Zion,
Trust in Marriage
President Ezra Taft Benson . . . . . . . . . . . . . .352
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Women of the Church,
Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .342
President Gordon B. Hinckley . . . . . . . . . . 357
Greater Respect, Loyalty, and Unity . . . . . .342
The Joy of Living the Great Plan of Happiness,
Unity Elder RichardG. Scott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
Selected Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
We Are Women of God,
Importance of Unity in Marriage . . . . . . . .344 Sister Sheri L. Dew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .364
Achieving Unity through Seeking the Lord “One Thing Needful”: Becoming Women
and His Righteousness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344 of Greater Faith in Christ,
Sister Patricia T. Holland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Achieving Unity through Charity . . . . . . . . 344
Sources Cited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
Achieving Unity through Loyalty . . . . . . . . 345
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375
viii
PREFACE The second type of quotation is a complete talk
about the chosen topic. Most topics have selected
teachings and one or more complete talks. This type
of organization emphasizes to the reader the power
I teach them correct principles, and
of the law of witnesses. Elder Henry B. Eyring,
they govern themselves. amember of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles,
taught the importance of the law of witnesses:
—The Prophet Joseph Smith
“In our own time, we have been warned with counsel
on where to find safety from sin and from sorrow.
One of the keys to recognizing those warnings is
USING THE STUDENT MANUAL that they are repeated. For instance, more than once
in these general conferences, you have heard our
This manual is a collection of student readings for prophet say that he would quote a preceding prophet
two institute of religion courses: and would therefore be a second witness and
• Religion 234, “Preparing for an Eternal sometimes even a third. Each of us who has listened
Marriage” has heard President Kimball give counsel on the
importance of a mother in the home and then heard
• Religion 235, “Building an Eternal Marriage”
President Benson quote him, and we have heard
President Hinckley quote them both. The Apostle Paul
PURPOSE OF THE MANUAL
wrote that ‘in the mouth of two or three witnesses
The student readings are a collection of teachings shall every word be established’ (2Corinthians 13:1).
about dating and marriage, as taught by past and One of the ways we may know that the warning is
present prophets, leaders of the Church, and the from the Lord is that the law of witnesses, authorized
scriptures. This manual gives students the witnesses, has been invoked. When the words of
opportunity to read the assigned talks before each prophets seem repetitive, that should rivet our
classperiodsotheycanpreparetobetterparticipate in attention and fill our hearts with gratitude to live
and contribute to classroom discussions and activities. in such a blessed time.
Through understanding and living by the teachings “Looking for the path to safety in the counsel of
of prophets about dating, marriage, and family life, prophets makes sense to those with strong faith”
students will be better prepared to govern their lives (in Conference Report, Apr. 1997, 32; or Ensign,
with correct principles and follow the Lord’s great May 1997, 25).
plan of happiness. The guiding principle for selecting
LIVING BY GOSPEL PRINCIPLES
teachings for this manual came from “The Family:
A Proclamation to the World.” The proclamation
states: “Happiness in family life is most likely to be Governing Our Lives with Principles
achieved when founded upon the teachings of the
President Ezra Taft Benson counseled: “One of the
Lord Jesus Christ” (Ensign,Nov. 1995, 102).
most important things you can do . . . is to
immerse yourselves in the scriptures. Search them
ORGANIZATION OF THE MANUAL
diligently. Feast upon the words of Christ. Learn the
The student manual is organized topically in doctrine. Master the principles that are found
alphabetical order, similar to an encyclopedia. It therein” (“The Power of the Word,” Ensign,May
contains an index that cross-references articles that 1986, 81). Knowing and living by correct principles
cover more than one topic. is essential to a happy life.
Several types of quotations are listed under the Elder Richard G. Scott, a member of the Quorum of
topical headings. The first is “Selected Teachings,” the Twelve Apostles, stated: “As you seek spiritual
portions of talks or quotations that relate to that knowledge, search for principles. Carefully separate
topic. These quotations are often presented under them from the detail used to explain them.
subheadings that relate to the main topic. Principles are concentrated truth, packaged for
application to a wide variety of circumstances. A
true principle makes decisions clear even under the
EETTEERRNNAALL MMAARRRRIIAAGGEE SSTTUUDDEENNTT MMAANNUUAALL
PREFACE ix
most confusing and compelling circumstances. It is endowment, and sealing, we make covenants with
worth great effort to organize the truth we gather to the Lord. When we keep these covenants it is
simple statements of principle” (in Conference possible for the full power of the Atonement to
Report, Oct. 1993, 117; or Ensign,Nov. 1993, 86). have its effect upon us.
When the Prophet Joseph Smith was asked how he
We Must Do Our Part
governed his people, he replied, “I teach them correct
principles, and they govern themselves” (in John Principles can often be divided into two main parts:
Taylor, “The Organization of the Church,” ifand then.The ifpart is a statement of general
Millennial Star,15 Nov. 1851, 339). counsel from the Lord. The thenpart is the promised
results of obeying or disobeying that counsel. Ifwe
The first step in living by correct principles is
keep the commandments, thenwe shall prosper in
knowing what a principle is and how to use it.
the land (see 1 Nephi 4:14).
Gospel principles include doctrine, commandments,
ordinances, and precepts. In this manual, however, The Lord keeps His promises: “I, the Lord, am bound
the term principlerefers to a gospel truth that gives when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what
us counsel and guidance for conduct. I say, ye have no promise” (D&C 82:10). We should
remember that God determines the thenpart
General principles extracted from counsel that applies
according to His wisdom and not according to our
to everyday life are useful because they can be applied
expectations.
to a wide variety of situations not specifically
mentioned in the scriptures. Understanding principles God called the Word of Wisdom “a principle with
helps us obey the scriptural counsel, “For behold, it promise” (D&C 89:3). The ifpart refers to the counsel
is not meet that I should command in all things; to keep our bodies physically and spiritually pure.
for he that is compelled in all things, the same is The thenpart promises health, wisdom, strength,
a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he and other blessings.
receiveth no reward” (D&C 58:26).
Principles are not always taught or written in the
The scriptures cannot tell us everything to do or not if-thenformat. For example, General Authorities do
to do in every situation (see Mosiah 4:29–30). We not always say “ifyou have faith, thenyou will have
are required to ponder the principles behind the the Lord’s power in your life.” Instead, they may tell
scriptures and “liken” them to our individual stories that illustrate faith or motivate us to be
situations, as Nephi did: “For I did liken all scriptures faithful. Or they may use maxims. Maximsare short
unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning” sayings that relate a familiar truth, a useful thought,
(1 Nephi 19:23). or a rule of conduct. Some examples are “a stitch in
time saves nine” and “sacrifice brings forth the
Principles Should Govern Our Conduct blessings of heaven.”
Elder Boyd K. Packer explained, “From doctrine, we Scriptural principles are often expressed in maxims;
learn principles of conduct, how to respond to for example, “Wickedness never was happiness”
problems of everyday living, even to failures, for (Alma 41:10) and “Repent or suffer” (D&C 19:4).
they too are provided for in the doctrines” (in
Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve
Conference Report, Apr. 1994, 26; or Ensign,May
Apostles taught: “Orthodoxy ensures balance between
1994, 20).
the gospel’s powerful and correct principles. . . . But
Unlike the theories of men that are continually the gospel’s principles do require synchronization.
changing, gospel principles of conduct are When pulled apart from each other or isolated,
unchanging and eternally true. You will never go men’s interpretations and implementations of these
wrong basing your conduct on true principles. doctrines may be wild” (in Conference Report, Apr.
1993, 97; or Ensign,May 1993, 78). Because principles
Principles of conduct help us keep sacred covenants
are presented in many different ways, extracting
and give us access to the Lord’s power and blessings.
them may require much labor and meditation. All
Doctrine and Covenants 84:20–21 states that the
principles are conditioned on our faithfulness and
power of God is given to us through the ordinances
are eternal, consistent, and true.
of the gospel. During such ordinances as baptism,
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