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QuestionAbound, I have thought about this conversation several times recently. In June I wrote:
Quote:Well, I’m not qualified to make a list for you, but it’s good to keep the focus on our Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, faith, repentance, and the gift of the Holy Ghost.
That’s not an incorrect answer, but I am not satisfied with it. I have been in anguish at times trying to figure out what is God’s truth and what is the doctrine of men. I thought I was left alone in the desert. I have realized that the Holy Ghost will guide me to all truth and help me determine what to focus on. This is the Sunday School answer, but I think it’s very significant. It’s so simple that I have overlooked it.Shawn wrote:QuestionAbound, I have thought about this conversation several times recently. In June I wrote:
Quote:Well, I’m not qualified to make a list for you, but it’s good to keep the focus on our Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, faith, repentance, and the gift of the Holy Ghost.
That’s not an incorrect answer, but I am not satisfied with it. I have been in anguish at times trying to figure out what is God’s truth and what is the doctrine of men. I thought I was left alone in the desert. I have realized that the Holy Ghost will guide me to all truth and help me determine what to focus on. This is the Sunday School answer, but I think it’s very significant. It’s so simple that I have overlooked it.
I struggle with this question, too, Shawn, but I also struggle with the whole Holy Ghost and feelings and revelation thing – so I still feel that I’m on my own to figure it out.Should we start a discussion thread to list the things that have become part of our culture, but have never been part of our doctrine? I’m my opinion Mormonism can be summarized as follows: follow the current prophet. And I believe what the prophet will tell you to do will be some variation of the following:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Matt. 22
shoshin wrote:I’m my opinion Mormonism can be summarized as follows: follow the current prophet.
And I believe what the prophet will tell you to do will be some variation of the following:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Matt. 22
I don’t have a problem following the current prophet since I have figured out what he’s saying. I’ve had problems with some in the past while they were the current prophet, though. I agree that TSM’s message is love, but that has not been the case with all of the recent ones. That is to say, in addition to the love message, some have said other stuff that is more along the lines of strict obedience and letter of the law (example: only one set of earrings). Bottom line: I don’t believe everything, or even most, of what the prophet says is necessarily inspired and I don’t think God’s expectation is that we blindly follow the prophet – I think he wants us to know for ourselves. And, in context pf the original question, the love message has been here for thousands of years – it didn’t need to be “restored.”
shoshin wrote:I’m my opinion Mormonism can be summarized as follows: follow the current prophet.
Following the prophet wouldn’t be listed at all in my top-ten list of things that define or summarize Mormonism. Where did this “follow the prophet” mantra come from? I wonder if any prophet in the Bible or Book or Mormon said anything like, “Look tome. Follow me. Do what Isay.” I really don’t know and I’d appreciate any insight from anyone here. Joseph Smith specifically taught people to
notput their trust in him and he repeatedly told people he was just a man. Despite his wishes, he has been semi-deified. I reckon Brigham Young was a forceful leader at times, but he said:
Quote:I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence that in itself would thwart the purposes of God in their salvation, and weaken that influence they could give to their leaders, did they know for themselves, by the revelations of Jesus, that they are led in the right way. Let every man and woman know, by the whispering of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not (Journal of Discourse 9:150).
When Wilford Woodruff was doing what was necessary to save the church – at least the properties of the church – hesaidI understand prophets generally preach of Christ. They can do that best by saying, “Look to
Christ. Follow Him. Do what He says.” It just doesn’t feel right when I hear “follow the prophet.” QuestionAbound wrote:If we were to … practice “pure gospel”…how would we define it?
What is the Savior’s gospel…the whole thing as we understand it?
The simplest answer is obvious: “Love” Everything else should grow out of this. Love is the great commandment, love is the reward, love is the challenge, love is the very power of God. All symbols should point to this, all ordinances and covenants should orient us toward a greater love – in all its manifestations.
I know all of our current policies and practices cannot easily be tied to this basic foundation, in my opinion this is why the restoration is ongoing.
QuestionAbound wrote:If we were to strip away the things that irk us about the church organization and culture, and practice “pure gospel”…how would we define it?
What is the Savior’s gospel…the whole thing as we understand it?
I see two different questions here and I will address them in reverse order.What is the Savior’s gospel?I’ll answer with 3 Nephi 27:
Quote:Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me. And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—…
And D&C 76:
Quote:And this is the gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us—That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; That through him all might be saved whom the Father had put into his power and made by him; Who glorifies the Father, and saves all the works of his hands, except those sons of perdition who deny the Son after the Father has revealed him.
How do we practice the pure gospel?By exercising faith in Christ, repenting, and following him. Love is a central part of that. I believe Shawn and Orson said it best loving others and the atonement what the restored gospel is all about. I would say that at its core the restored gospel is these four things: * The restoration of the priesthood, which enables the performance of crucial ordinances such as baptism, confirmation, and temple ordinances, etc.
* The restoration of prophets and apostles.
* The bringing forth of additional scripture.
* The restoration of correct doctrine, such as the correct understanding of the nature of God and the way to salvation.
Hmmm, Mikegriffith1, not sure that’s my definition of the gospel of Christ. That’s more the foundation of the LDS church. Anyway, the OP wasn’t really asking what the restored gospel is, but what Christ’s pure religion is. My answer is: Even though my feelings are ambivalent about the BOM right now, one of my favorite scriptures has always been
2 Neph1 31:20-21:
Quote:20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope,
and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. 21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.
I also love the hymn “Press Forward, Saints” #81 which is based on these verses.
Quote:1. Press forward, Saints, with steadfast faith in Christ,
With hope’s bright flame alight in heart and mind,
With love of God and love of all mankind.
(Chorus)
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
2. Press forward, feasting on the word of Christ.
Receive his name, rejoicing in his might.
Come unto God; find everlasting light.
3. Press on, enduring in the ways of Christ.
His love proclaim thru days of mortal strife.
Thus saith our God: “Ye have eternal life!”
For me, this sums up the whole purpose of life in a nutshell.
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