A Thoughtful Gospel Principles. Chapter 10: The Scriptures

(I switched the lesson order around a little to make sure I could teach the Atonement on East Sunday)

God inspires people all over the world to teach good principles

Gospel Principles page 45: …From the beginning, the Lord has commanded His prophets to keep a record of His revelations and His dealings with His children. He said: “I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written”

Alma, a Book of Mormon prophet said (Alma 29:7-8): 

7 Why should I desire that I were an angel, that I could speak unto all the ends of the earth?8 For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true.

This teaches us that God is able to communicate to all of his children around the world, via inspired men and women. They write this down and people consider it as scripture.

God speaks to his children all over the world and they write his divine communication.

President James E. Faust succinctly said that: “God’s inspiration is not limited to the Latter-day Saints.” (First Presidency Message, “Communion with the Holy Spirit,” Ensign, Mar 2002)

Speaking in General Conference, President Howard W. Hunter taught that: “God operates among his children in all nations, and those who seek God are entitled to further light and knowledge, regardless of their race, nationality, or cultural traditions.”

(The Gospel-A Global Faith, General Conference, Oct 1991)

An August 2000 Ensign Article quoted a general authority of the church, Elder B. H. Roberts who said:

“While the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is established for the instruction of men; and it is one of God’s instrumentalities for making known the truth yet he is not limited to that institution for such purposes, neither in time nor place. God raises up wise men and prophets here and there among all the children of men, of their own tongue and nationality, speaking to them through means that they can comprehend. … All the great teachers are servants of God; among all nations and in all ages. They are inspired men, appointed to instruct God’s children according to the conditions in the midst of which he finds them.”
(Defense of the Faith and the Saints, 2 vols. (1907), 1:512–13, quoted in an Aug 2000 Ensign Article)

As members of the church we should feel very comfortable with the idea that other religions also have inspired Scriptures. Each culture is given the divine guidance needed to lead them further along the path to godliness.

We can evaluate whether a teaching is from God or not depending on where it leads. Mormon taught us a simple method for discernment:

Moroni 7:13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.

Having the scriptures and having a "fullness" does not mean we know everything.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf put it succinctly when he said: “Yes, we do have the fulness of the everlasting gospel, but that does not mean that we know everything. In fact, one principle of the restored gospel is our belief that God ‘will yet reveal many great and important things.’”
What Is Truth? CES Devotional, Jan 2013

The 9th Article of Faith states "...we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things..." and D&C 93:18-20 says "And it shall come to pass, that if you are faithful you shall receive the fulness of the record... therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace."

In the April 2014 General Conference President Uchtdorf also said: Sometimes we think of the Restoration of the gospel as something that is complete, already behind us—Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, he received priesthood keys, the Church was organized. In reality, the Restoration is an ongoing process; we are living in it right now. It includes “all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal,” and the “many great and important things” that “He will yet reveal.”

Are you sleeping through the Restoration

(For class, get a jug and a small and large glass)

The “fullness” of the gospel might be compared to an almost overflowing glass of water. The glass may be full, but there is still more water available from the source. The water represents God’s word and principles, given to mankind. The glass represents the current capacity of us as individuals and the church collectively to receive principles of truth. The fullness of God’s gospel is only limited by what the church’s collective practices and paradigms can receive. The more we enlarge and expand our mind and spirit, the more there will be available to us.

This means there is more to know in future but enough to consider and embrace today. As we become willing to open our minds and hearts and enlarge the capacity of our spiritual “glasses” we will receive a greater “fullness.” If we are not willing to, then the pure living waters will fill our glasses to over-flowing and we will miss out on the truths and greater "fullness" available to us.

Avoid the expectation of perfection

The scriptures are the writings of inspired men. We can embrace their words while feeling comfortable with their natural human weakness. We should not expect perfection.

The prophets of the Bible, Book of Mormon and Restoration all taught that the impact of both human fallibility and the weakness of our language lead to limitations in our knowledge and doctrine. 

Nephi’s beautiful poetry laments the challenge: “my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.” (2 Nep. 4:16)

I take great solace and encouragement from prophets being openly and unashamedly aware of their limitations. Joseph Smith said “I do not want you to think that I’m very righteous, for I am not. There was one good man, and his name was Jesus” (Documentary History of the Church, 5:401)

As a result, the words of prophets are influenced by their weakness. The aforementioned Nephi said that “…the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good.” (2 Nephi 33:4) Nephi had been taught this by his father Lehi, who he recorded as saying: “…the weakness of their words will I make strong in their faith…”  (2 Nep 3:21)

We should accept and expect scripture and the words of prophets to have mistakes. By divine design, humans are fallible. Prophets are not exempt. Mormon declares as much in the title page of the Book of Mormon: "And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men." The opening section of the Doctrine and Covenants (1:34) similarly says:  "...these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language…"

President Uchtdorf encourages us to find peace with this principle: 

“We simply do not know all things—we can’t see everything. What may seem contradictory now may be perfectly understandable as we search for and receive more trustworthy information. Because we see through a glass darkly, we have to trust the Lord, who sees all things clearly.” (What Is Truth? CES Devotional, Jan 2013)

Paul’s comments on prophesy is worth revisiting: 

“…whether there be prophecies, they shall fail… whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away… For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away… For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1 Corinthians 13:10) 

As President Uchtdorf points out: we still see through a glass darkly; that which is perfect is still yet to come.

Seek learning from inspired and inspiring texts

While other religions have their own, inspired texts, we embrace four volumes that we accept scripture. They are:

The Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, The Pearl of Great Price

(If time allows, discuss the timeline and origin of each)

We are also encouraged to search out answers and guidance from many other sources. Article of Faith 13 says: "...If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." Through Joseph Smith, we’re taught to: "...study and learn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people" (D&C 90:15) and to seek “out of the best books words of wisdom.” (D&C 88:118)

Gospel Principles page 49: As we read, ponder, and pray about the scriptures and ask God for understanding, the Holy Ghost will bear witness to us of the truth of these things. We will each know for ourselves that these things are true. We will not be deceived (see Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:37). We can receive the same feelings Nephi expressed when he said, “My soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard” (2 Nephi 4:16).

In doing this, it enables us to enlarge our capacity to receive the things of the Lord. As we grow the size of our “spiritual cup” we can also increase the question we ask and the answers we gain.

2 Nep 28:30 For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.