(Speaking about the Nicene Creed) Elder Talmage said, It would be difficult to conceive of a greater number of inconsistencies and contradictions expressed in words as few (Articles of Faith, p. 48). And to many, God is just such a mystery, and as incomprehensible. In these latter days God again has revealed himself to man as he did in former times. Biblical prophecies predict a falling away from the true gospel, or an apostasy, and also a restoration, including the manner in which it should come. This great event did actually occur when the Father and the Son appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith, who in his generation could and did testify that they were two separate beings and that one said, pointing to the other, This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! (JS H 1:17.) (N. Eldon Tanner, A Basis for Faith in the Living God, Ensign, Nov 1978, 46) Realizing the importance of knowing the true nature of God, men had struggled to find a way to define Him. Learned clerics argued with one another. When Constantine became a Christian in the fourth century, he called together a great convocation of learned men with the hope that they could reach a conclusion of understanding concerning the true nature of Deity. All they reached was a compromise of various points of view. The result was the Nicene Creed of a.d. 325. This and subsequent creeds have become the declaration of doctrine concerning the nature of Deity for most of Christianity ever since. I have read them all a number of times. I cannot understand them. I think others cannot understand them. I am sure that the Lord also knew that many would not understand them. And so in 1820, in that incomparable vision, the Father and the Son appeared to the boy Joseph. They spoke to him with words that were audible, and he spoke to Them. They could see. They could speak. They could hear. They were personal. They were of substance. They were not imaginary beings. They were beings tabernacled in flesh. And out of that experience has come our unique and true understanding of the nature of Deity. No wonder that when Joseph in 1842 wrote the Articles of Faith he stated as number one, We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost (Articles of Faith 1:1). We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam s transgression (A of F 1:2). This not only means that we will not be punished for what Adam did in the garden, but also that we cannot excuse our own behavior by pointing a finger to Adam or anyone else. The real danger in failing to accept responsibility for our own actions is that unless we do, we may never even enter on the strait and narrow path. Elder F. Burton Howard of the Seventy, Repentance, Ensign, May 1991, 13.
For some reason, we think the Atonement of Christ applies only at the end of mortal life to redemption from the Fall, from spiritual death. It is much more than that. It is an ever-present power to call upon in everyday life. When we are racked or harrowed up or tormented by guilt or burdened with grief, He can heal us. While we do not fully understand how the Atonement of Christ was made, we can experience the peace of God, which passeth all understanding (Philip. 4:7). President Boyd K. Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, The Touch of the Master s Hand, Ensign, May 2001 Through the Atonement and those singular events surrounding it, all of the terrible individual and collective sins of all mankind were taken upon the Lord s shoulders. The marvelous result of this great suffering was that He was able to redeem from physical death the believers and the obedient as well as the unbelieving and disobedient. (See D&C 46:13 14; Acts 24:15; 1 Cor. 15:22.) Every person ever born or yet to be born is the beneficiary of both the mediation and the atonement of the Savior. (See Alma 11:42.) James E. Faust, The Supernal Gift of the Atonement, Ensign, Nov 1988 That s what the fifth article of faith means that every calling comes by prophecy, which is revelation. Those who accept the callings are set apart by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, which refers to the priesthood and its keys. Everybody, whether he or she serves in the nursery or in a stake presidency, has the right to a spiritual confirmation that he or she was called of God. (Robert S. Wood New Era Nov 2005) The Bible helps us understand that Jesus organized His Church with apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and other Church officials who held the priesthood, which is the authority to act in God s name. We declare that the great restoration that the ancient prophets spoke of began in 1820, when the Lord called a young man named Joseph Smith to reestablish the Church. In time Joseph received the priesthood of God, giving him the authority to organize the Church once again. The Church now exists with apostles, prophets, and others who have authority to administer the ordinances of the gospel. Elder John B. Dickson of the Seventy, A Brief Introduction to the Church, Ensign, May 2000, 82.
Moroni says that all spiritual gifts come by the Spirit of Christ. (Moro. 10:17.) The Spirit of Christ giveth light to every man that cometh into the world. (D&C 84:46.) It is given to every man, that he may know good from evil. (Moro. 7:16.) By this means every son and daughter of God has the light to judge what is right, and to seek to lay hold upon every good thing. (Moro. 7:18 19.) By this Spirit, all may seek to learn of God and to exercise faith in Him. Enlightened by this Spirit, all may seek spiritual gifts, which, Moroni says, come unto every man severally, according as he will. (Moro. 10:17.)... Spiritual gifts do not come visibly, automatically, and immediately to all who have received the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that most such gifts are not visible to the natural vision, or understanding of man, and that it require[s] time and circumstances to call these gifts into operation. (Teachings, pp. 244, 246.)... Spiritual gifts do not come visibly, automatically, and immediately to all who have received the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that most such gifts are not visible to the natural vision, or understanding of man, and that it require[s] time and circumstances to call these gifts into operation. (Teachings, pp. 244, 246.) The scriptures tell us that we should desire and zealously seek spiritual gifts. (See D&C 46:8; 1 Cor. 12:31; 1 Cor. 14:1, 11.) We are also told that some will receive one gift and some will receive another. (See D&C 46:11; 1 Cor. 12; Moro. 10:8 18.) In every case, the receipt of spiritual gifts is predicated upon faith, obedience, and personal righteousness. (See Bruce R. McConkie, A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1985, p. 367.) Dallin H. Oaks, Spiritual Gifts, Ensign, Sep 1986 It is not by chance or coincidence that we have the Bible today. Righteous individuals were prompted by the Spirit to record both the sacred things they saw and the inspired words they heard and spoke. Other devoted people were prompted to protect and preserve these records. Men like John Wycliffe, the courageous William Tyndale, and Johannes Gutenberg were prompted against much opposition to translate the Bible into language people could understand and to publish it in books people could read. I believe even the scholars of King James had spiritual promptings in their translation work.... Those who join this Church do not give up their faith in the Bible they strengthen it. The Book of Mormon does not dilute nor diminish nor de-emphasize the Bible. On the contrary, it expands, extends, and exalts it. The Book of Mormon testifies of the Bible, and both testify of Christ. M. Russell Ballard, The Miracle of the Holy Bible, Ensign, May 2007
The Bible and the Book of Mormon are both witnesses of Jesus Christ. They teach that He is the Son of God, that He lived an exemplary life, that He atoned for all mankind, that He died upon the cross and rose again as the resurrected Lord. They teach that He is the Savior of the world... Love for the Book of Mormon expands one s love for the Bible and vice versa. Scriptures of the Restoration do not compete with the Bible; they complement the Bible. We are indebted to martyrs who gave their lives so that we could have the Bible. It establishes the everlasting nature of the gospel and of the plan of happiness. The Book of Mormon restores and underscores biblical doctrines such as tithing, the temple, the Sabbath day, and the priesthood.... I express my profound gratitude for scriptural witnesses. I have seen the mighty change that comes to people who apply the Lord s teachings in their lives. Such transformation leads to the blessing of eternal life.44 I know that God lives. Jesus is the Christ. His gospel has been restored in these latter days. President Gordon B. Hinckley is His prophet at this time. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Russell M. Nelson, Scriptural Witnesses, Ensign, Nov 2007, 43 45 God continues to reveal His will to mankind, as He has in all periods of time when He has had authorized servants upon the earth. Image We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. 1 We declare to the world that the heavens are not closed. God continues to reveal His will to mankind, as He has in all periods of time when He has had authorized servants upon the earth. This fact should be familiar to all of our Father in Heaven s children, for the scriptures give abundant evidence of this. L. Tom Perry, We Believe All That God Has Revealed, Ensign, Nov 2003
Here on earth, missionary work is crucial to the gathering of Israel. The gospel was to be taken first to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Consequently, servants of the Lord have gone forth proclaiming the Restoration. In many nations our missionaries have searched for those of scattered Israel; they have hunted for them out of the holes of the rocks ; and they have fished for them as in ancient days. The choice to come unto Christ is not a matter of physical location; it is a matter of individual commitment. People can be brought to the knowledge of the Lord without leaving their homelands. True, in the early days of the Church, conversion often meant emigration as well. But now the gathering takes place in each nation.... The place of gathering for Brazilian Saints is in Brazil; the place of gathering for Nigerian Saints is in Nigeria; the place of gathering for Korean Saints is in Korea; and so forth. Zion is the pure in heart. Zion is wherever righteous Saints are. Publications, communications, and congregations are now such that nearly all members have access to the doctrines, keys, ordinances, and blessings of the gospel, regardless of their location. Spiritual security will always depend upon how one lives, not where one lives. Saints in every land have equal claim upon the blessings of the Lord. Russell M. Nelson, The Gathering of Scattered Israel, Liahona, Nov 2006, 79 82 We can respect other religions, and we must do so. We must recognize the great good they accomplish. We must be tolerant and friendly toward those not of our faith. Let us be true disciples of the Christ, observing the Golden Rule, doing unto others as we would have them do unto us. Love and respect will overcome every element of animosity. Our kindness may be the most persuasive argument for that which we believe. President Gordon B. Hinckley, We Bear Witness of Him, Ensign, May 1998, 4 5. As I have said before, we must not be clannish. We must never adopt a holier-than-thou attitude. We must not be self-righteous. We must be magnanimous and open and friendly. We can keep our faith. We can practice our religion. We can cherish our method of worship without being offensive to others. I take this occasion to plead for a spirit of tolerance and neighborliness, of friendship and love toward those of other faiths. In the furtherance of this attitude as the years pass, there will likely be an increasing tendency to emphasize this diversity in the 24th of July parade and associated festivities. Gordon B. Hinckley, Remarks at Pioneer Day Commemoration Concert, Ensign, Oct 2001, 70 72 Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915 85) said, Every truth found in every church in all the world we believe. But we also say this to all men Come and take the added light and truth that God has restored in our day
Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath? Jesus counter-challenged. (Mark 3:4; italics added.) Can we not keep the spirit of the law without leaving other things undone? Without such spiritual balance, staying on the straight and narrow path will be a great trial for us. (See 2 Cor. 3:6.) Even seeking after things which are praiseworthy or lovely is accelerated by believing all the Articles of Faith which precede article thirteen. Similarly, the followers of the Ten Commandments are not divided into two vast platoons one specializing in the thou shalts and the other in the thou shalt nots. True orthodoxy consists of keeping the doctrines, ordinances, covenants, and programs of the Church and Christian service in proper balance. In this daily balancing process, we are not excused from exercising good judgment after all that manuals and handbooks can do. Neal A. Maxwell, Answer Me, Ensign, Nov 1988, 31 That article of our faith is one of the basic declarations of our theology. We ought to reflect on it again and again. Then, whenever we might be tempted to do anything shoddy or dishonest or immoral, there would come into our minds with some force this great, all-encompassing statement of the ethics of our behavior. There would be less rationalizing over some elements of our personal conduct which we try to justify with one excuse or another.... If we will be prayerful, seeking wisdom from God, who is the source of all true wisdom; if we will cultivate a spirit of love and peace and harmony in our homes; if we will fulfill our assigned responsibilities in the Church with enthusiasm and faithfulness; if we will reach out to our neighbors and others in a spirit of Christian love and appreciation, helping those in distress wherever we may find them; if we will be honest with the Lord in the payment of our tithes and offerings, we shall be blessed as God has promised. Our Father has made explicit covenants with His people. He is in a position to keep those covenants. It is my testimony that He does so. Gordon B. Hinckley Liahona Feb. 2000 Surely we live in troubled times, but we can seek and obtain the good despite Satan s temptations and snares. He cannot tempt us beyond our power to resist. (See 1 Cor. 10:13.) When we seek anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we are seeking to emulate the Savior and follow his teachings. Then we are on the path that can lead us to eternal life. Joseph B. Wirthlin Seeking the Good, Ensign, May 1992, 88
The fruits of faith and hope are beautiful to behold. While in Hawaii several years ago, I met with a vice premier of the People s Republic of China who had requested a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center. The vice premier was accompanied by his wife and by the Chinese ambassador to the United States. More than 20 other dignitaries were also in their party. Because Elder Loren C. Dunn of the Seventy and I were already in Hawaii for meetings with Church leaders, we were asked to go to the center and extend an official welcome to the Chinese delegation in behalf of the First Presidency and General Authorities. As these influential visitors toured the center and the adjoining BYU Hawaii Campus, they were impressed. The vice premier noted the sisterly and brotherly blending of some 60 different nationalities and 30 different languages. He even noticed that Samoans sang with Fijians, that Tongans danced with Tahitians, and so on. The spirit of unity among the Latter-day Saint youth was easily evident to all of us.... When the Church s 2,000th stake was created in Mexico City in December 1994, President Howard W. Hunter said that the great purposes of the Lord could not have been achieved with dissension or jealousy or selfishness. [The Lord] will bless each of us as we cast off pride, pray for strength, and contribute to the good of the whole. Russell M. Nelson, A More Excellent Hope, Ensign, Feb 1997, 60