Introduction to the New Testament Seminary Teacher Manual, Lesson 1: Introduction to the New Testament, Lesson 5: Context and Overview of the New Testament, Home-Study Lesson: The Plan of SalvationIntroduction to and Context of the New Testament (Unit1), Introduction to the Gospel According to St. Matthew, Home-Study Lesson: Matthew 15 (Unit2), Home-Study Lesson: Matthew 6:113:23 (Unit3), Home-Study Lesson: Matthew 13:2417:27 (Unit 4), Home-Study Lesson: Matthew 18:122:26 (Unit 5), Lesson 27: Joseph SmithMatthew; Matthew 24, Home-Study Lesson: Matthew 23:126:30 (Unit 6), Introduction to the Gospel According to St. Mark, Home-Study Lesson: Matthew 26:31Mark 3:35 (Unit 7), Introduction to the Gospel According to St. Luke, Home-Study Lesson: Mark 10Luke 4 (Unit 9), Home-Study Lesson: Luke 5:110:37 (Unit 10), Home-Study Lesson: Luke 10:3817:37 (Unit 11), Introduction to the Gospel According to St. John, Home-Study Lesson: Luke 18John 1 (Unit 12), Home-Study Lesson: John 1115 (Unit 15), Home-Study Lesson: John 1621 (Unit 16), Home-Study Lesson: Acts 1319 (Unit 19), Introduction to the Epistle of Paul to the Romans, Home-Study Lesson: Acts 20Romans 7 (Unit 20), Introduction to the First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, Home-Study Lesson: Romans 81 Corinthians 6 (Unit 21), Home-Study Lesson: 1 Corinthians 714 (Unit 22), Introduction to the Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, Home-Study Lesson: 1 Corinthians 152 Corinthians 7 (Unit 23), Introduction to the Epistle of Paul to the Galatians, Introduction to the Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians, Home-Study Lesson: 2 Corinthians 8Ephesians 1 (Unit 24), Introduction to the Epistle of Paul to the Philippians, Home-Study Lesson: Ephesians 2Philippians 4 (Unit 25), Introduction to the Epistle of Paul to the Colossians, Introduction to the First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians, Introduction to the Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians, Introduction to the First Epistle of Paul to Timothy, Home-Study Lesson: Colossians1 Timothy (Unit 26), Introduction to the Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy, Introduction to the Epistle of Paul to Titus, Introduction to the Epistle of Paul to Philemon, Introduction to the Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews, Home-Study Lesson: 2 Timothy 1Hebrews 4 (Unit 27), Introduction to the General Epistle of James, Home-Study Lesson: Hebrews 5James 1 (Unit 28), Introduction to the First Epistle General of Peter, Home-Study Lesson: James 21 Peter 5 (Unit 29), Introduction to the Second Epistle General of Peter, Introduction to the First Epistle General of John, Introduction to the Second Epistle of John, Introduction to the Third Epistle of John, Introduction to the General Epistle of Jude, Home-Study Lesson: 2 PeterJude (Unit 30), Introduction to the Revelation of St. John the Divine, Home-Study Lesson: Revelation 111 (Unit 31), Home-Study Lesson: Revelation 1222 (Unit 32), The Mortal Ministry of Jesus Christ at a Glance, Basic Doctrines, New Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2016), Basic Doctrines, New Testament Seminary Teacher Manual. I testify that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and that His is the only name by which we can be saved.63 All things that are good are made available only through Him.64 But to actually lay hold upon every good thing,65 including eternal life, we must continually apply the doctrine of Christ in our lives. B. H. Roberts (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1909), 5:402. See 2Corinthians 3:18; Ether 12:27; Doctrine and Covenants 35:2; Moses 1:39. Brothers and sisters, as we apply the doctrine of Christ in our lives, we are blessed both temporally and spiritually, even in trials. Related references: Psalm 119:105; Ephesians 4:1114; 2Timothy 3:1517; James 1:56; Moroni 10:45. Revelation can also come through visions, dreams, and visitations by angels. Doctrine and Covenants 1:37-38; Doctrine and Covenants 21:4-6; Teachings of Prophets and Other Church Leaders. He is Jehovah of the Old Testament and the Messiah of the New Testament. The term "Spirit of the Lord" is used forty times, "Spirit of God" twenty times, and "power of God" fifty-four times. Is Polygamy a True Law of God? The Church will know by the testimony of the Holy Ghost in the body of the members, whether the brethren in voicing their views are moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and in due time that knowledge will be made manifest (Church Leaders Words, 10). In this premortal existence we participated in a council with Heavenly Fathers other spirit children. This may very well explain why Nephi limited his formulation of the doctrine of Christ to the set of plain teachings examined above. And they [who accompanied Peter] were astonished because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. Sincere repentance25 will become a joyful26 part of our livesboth to be forgiven for sin and to be changed in the image of Christ.27 Repentance with faith in Christ gives us access to the Atonement of Christ. First, faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement. It says, [We] invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.10. Amen. Authorized teachings can come in various types, from the eternal, to the personal, to commandments, to policies, to explanatory teachings. Thus, they are entitled to the power needed to serve and fulfill the responsibilities of their callings. The second article summarizes the main contents of this collection of revelations and official statements of the Church. During this mortal life, we are to love and serve others (see Mosiah 2:17; Moroni 7:45, 4748). On my parents' thirty-sixth wedding anniversary, they took me to the temple to be endowed with power. Related references: Joshua 24:15; Matthew 22:3639; 2Nephi 28:79; Alma 41:10; D&C 58:27. James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith: A Series of Lectures on the Principal Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1899). 3:16. See Adjusting to Missionary Life (booklet, 2013), 46. In Joppa, Peter had a dream in which he saw a variety of animals lowered to earth from heaven in a great sheet knit at the four corners (Acts 10:11) and was commanded to kill, and eat (Acts 10:13). As we do so, we become more like Christ and are able to endure to the end, with all that that entails.55, In other words, the reception of the Holy Ghost and the change that reception creates in us further builds our faith. The people were astonished at his doctrine, Matt. Latter-day Saints believe God is embodied, though His body is perfect and glorified. Understanding and Teaching Correct Doctrine Correctly It is the doctrine of Christ that allows us to access the spiritual power that will lift us from our current spiritual state to a state where we can become perfected like the Savior.10 Of this process of rebirth, Elder D. Todd Christofferson has taught: Being born again, unlike our physical birth, is more a process than an event. People who trust the doctrine of Christ press forward with steadfastness in Christ and endure to the end. One example is the Great Apostasy, which occurred after the Savior established His Church (see 2Thessalonians 2:13). Resurrection is the reuniting of our spirit bodies with our perfected physical bodies of flesh and bones (see Luke 24:3639). May 4, 2021. Our sins make us uncleanunworthy to return to and dwell in the presence of our Heavenly Father. Through the priesthood, God created and governs the heavens and the earth. The church is headquartered in the United States in Salt Lake City, Utah and has established congregations and built temples worldwide. Mormons express their doctrines using biblical terminology. Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them (3Nephi 11:3235, 39). Commentary Approaching Mormon Doctrine ,, Much misunderstanding about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints revolves around its doctrine. The first was a revelation directed to the head of the Church. About two years after his baptism, Travis was called to serve in the bishopric. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, Deut. He said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.29. Physical death is the separation of the spirit from the mortal body. The telestial kingdom is the lowest of the three kingdoms of glory. This central teaching gave coherence and foundation to all the teachings of the Book of Mormon prophets, focusing all religious hope and knowledge on the atonement of Christ, which makes the fulfillment of the Fathers promise [of eternal life] possible.4. Faith can increase as we pray, study the scriptures, and obey Gods commandments. See RussellM. Nelson, Repentance and Conversion, Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 1025. The majority of the scripture references listed in this document refer to scripture mastery passages. Lets explore each element of the doctrine of Christ. They attempted to return religious doctrine, practices, and organization to the way the Savior had established them. See RussellM. Nelson, The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation, Liahona, Nov. 2021, 95: I invite you to set a regular time to rehearse in your mind the covenants you have made.. Fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and provide the necessities of life. Teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom, D&C 88:7778. Related references: John 3:5; Acts 3:1921. Kacie spoke to me of her future. 7:28. The spirits of the righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise. Joseph Smith, in History of the Church, 5:265. Mortal life is a time of learning when we can prepare for eternal life and prove that we will use our agency to do all that the Lord has commanded. Joseph Smith, History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ed. It is the only way to receive the Savior and become His sons and daughters.58 In fact, the only way to be redeemed from sin and progress spiritually is to apply the doctrine of Christ in our lives.59 Alternatively, the Apostle John taught that whosoever abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.60 And Jesus Himself told the Nephite Twelve that if we fail to exercise faith in Christ, repent, be baptized, and endure to the end, we will be hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence [we] can no more return.61. It is a gift from God. After a person is baptized, one or more Melchizedek Priesthood holders lay their hands on the persons head and confirm him or her a member of the Church. Noel B. Reynolds, The True Points of My Doctrine, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 5, no. See NeilL. Andersen, Repent That I May Heal You, Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 4043. The Savior loves us always but especially when we repent. Samuel the Lamanite taught, If ye believe on [Christs] name ye will repent of all your sins.23 Repentance is a precious gift from our Heavenly Father that is made possible through the sacrifice of His Only Begotten Son. During that council, Heavenly Father presented His plan and the premortal Jesus Christ covenanted to be the Savior. For more information on these topics, go to LDS.org, Teachings, Gospel Topics; or see True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference (2004). We value scholarship that enhances understanding, but in the Church today, just as anciently, establishing the doctrine of Christ or correcting doctrinal deviations is a matter of divine revelation to those the Lord endows with apostolic authority.2, In 1954, President J.Reuben ClarkJr., then a counselor in the First Presidency, explained how doctrine is promulgated in the Church and the preeminent role of the President of the Church. After resurrection, the spirit and body will never again be separated and we will be immortal. The teaching of 2Nephi 3132 includes several other important elements that are part of the doctrine of Christ, such as holding fast to the word of Christ (see 2Nephi 31:1920; 32:3); keeping commandments (see 2Nephi 31:7, 10,18); prayer (see 2Nephi 32:89); and at its very core, the doctrine that Christs atoning sacrifice is the only way whereby we can be saved (see 2Nephi 31:21). Nevertheless, the voice said to Peter in his dream, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common (Acts 10:15). I cite two illustrations from the New Testament. Nephis treatise on the doctrine of Christ is a treasure to those who feast upon it. Before baptism, a person can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost from time to time and through that influence can receive a testimony of the truth (see Moroni 10:45). It was a little over a year ago that I was privileged to meet Travis and Kacie. After Paul, Barnabas, and perhaps others spoke in support of Peters declaration, James moved that the decision be implemented by letter to the Church, and the council was united with one accord (Acts 15:25; see also verses 1223). 5:9; Eph. Some of the websites are maintained by third parties. Others of the General Authorities are not given this special spiritual endowment and authority covering their teaching; they have a resulting limitation, and the resulting limitation upon their power and authority in teaching applies to every other officer and member of the Church, for none of them is spiritually endowed as a prophet, seer, and revelator. She anticipated the time, not far distant, when she would be widowed, blind, without financial support, and left alone to raise four growing children. In one circumstance, Paul stood alone and lamented that all men forsook me (2Tim. Increased faith leads to additional repentance. Central to that work would be a booka book that exposes Satan's lies and gathers the righteous. Core Beliefs and Doctrines THE NATURE OF GOD God is often referred to in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as our Heavenly Father because He is the Father of all human spirits and they are created in His image (see Genesis 1:27). Just as in the days of the ancient Apostles, members of the Church of Jesus Christ are given the gift of the Holy Ghost, which facilitates an ongoing communication with their Heavenly Father, or, in other words, personal revelation (see Acts 2:3738). Douglas D. Holmes, Come unto Christthe Doctrine of Christ, unpublished manuscript. D. Todd Christofferson, "The Doctrine of Christ," Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 86-90 Neil L. Andersen, "Trial of Your Faith," Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 39-42 Henry B. Eyring, "The Power of Teaching Doctrine," Ensign, May 1999, 73-75 What is the Doctrine of Christ? | Book of Mormon Central See Romans 10:17; 2Nephi 31:19; Alma 32:2729; Moroni 7:25. He is often referred to as the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the Lord, and the Comforter. We are also tested by the difficulties of life and the temptations of the adversary. Nephi indicated that he wished to speak plainly about the doctrine of Christ because of how important it would be for Gods children to straightforwardly understand this doctrine in their lives (2 Nephi 31:23). As part of His Atonement, Jesus Christ not only suffered for our sins but also took upon Himself the pains, sicknesses, and infirmities of all people (see Alma 7:1113). God gives priesthood authority to worthy male members of the Church so they can act in His name for the salvation of His children. D.Todd Christofferson, The Power of Covenants, Ensign or Liahona, May 2009, 22. Revelation is communication from God to His children. "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." 9. President Ezra Taft Benson taught, The Book of Mormon contains the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ (D&C 20:9). See Brian W. Ricks, "James E. Talmage and the Doctrine of the Godhead," in Religious Educator 13, no. The History and Doctrine of the Adam-ondi-Ahman Revelation (D&C 116) A reference work penned primarily for Missionaries in the field. Second, repentance. When we have built our houses on the foundation of a covenantal relationship with Christ, we are trusting the doctrine of Christ. He is revealed by His prophets and through the power of the Holy Ghost as we seek Him. Latter-day Saints have some rather unique beliefs and views regarding Adam and Eve that are not held by other Christian faiths and traditions. The term Mormon, often used to refer to members of this church, comes from the Book of Mormon, which was published by Smith in 1830; use of the term is discouraged by the church.. Now an international movement, the church . As we study the words of prophets, we can learn truth and receive guidance (see 2Nephi 32:3). I testify that God our Father so loved the world He sent His Son to redeem us from sin36 and heal us from sorrow.37 I testify that He has called a prophet of God in our time, even President RussellM. Nelson, through whom He speaks and guides us. We believe that Jesus of Nazareth was and is the fulfillment of those prophecies. In addition to introducing physical and spiritual death, it gave us the opportunity to be born on the earth and to learn and progress. Through this power He redeems and exalts His children, bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1:39). Copyright 2023 Book of Mormon Central: A Non-Profit Organization. Andrew C. Skinner and Gaye Strathearn (Provo, UT: Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, 2012), 281308. The fulness of the gospel has been restored, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is "the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth" . My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me, John 7:16. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that a prophet [is] a prophet only when he [is] acting as such.5 President Clark, quoted earlier, observed: To this point runs a simple story my father told me as a boy, I do not know on what authority, but it illustrates the point. Please select the Tab Content in the Widget Settings. You are a wonderful sight and the best young men and young women in the whole world. Elder RussellM. Nelson: Epistles of the Lord,, Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service, Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives. The Doctrine and Covenants (sometimes abbreviated and cited as D&C or D. and C.) is a part of the open scriptural canon of several denominations of the Latter Day Saint movement. In my minds eye, I see the aging prophet Nephi at his desk, the plates of gold spread before him, his stylus in hand. This doctrine, Nephi assured his readers, was necessary to follow to obtain a promise of eternal life from God. After baptism we are given the gift of the Holy Ghost through the ordinance of confirmation.45 This gift, if we receive it, allows us to have the constant companionship of a God46 and continual access to the grace that inherently comes with His influence. Confirmation occurs by the laying on of hands (see, for example, Acts 8:17). Third parties websites have their own terms of use, privacy policies, and security practices that differ from those on our website. 2 (2012): 185-209. Although the doctrine is rejected by the LDS Church today, [1] it is still an accepted part of the modern theology of some Mormon fundamentalists . Elder D. Todd Christofferson: 'The Doctrine of Belonging' - Church News Some ordinances are essential to exaltation and are called saving ordinances. The Church will eventually fill the whole earth and stand forever. Many churches were established, but they did not have the authority to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost or perform other priesthood ordinances. James E. Talmage was a chemist and geologist who was asked to turn his intellect to writing about LDS doctrine including works like "Jesus The Christ" and "Articles of Faith." James E . The Doctrine of Christ - Home Page - doctrineofchrist.com Let us feast upon the Word. This greater priesthood was given to Adam and has been on the earth whenever the Lord has revealed His gospel. The principles and teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Why Did Christ Appear to Two Disciples on the Road to Emmaus. I am the light and the life of the world." 10. Widespread fornication and idolatry brought apostolic alarm (see 1Cor. See NealA. Maxwell, From the Beginning, Ensign, Nov. 1993, 1819: James decried wars and fightings among the Church (James 4:1). Our record of this council is certainly incomplete, but we are told that after much disputing (Acts 15:7), Peter, the senior Apostle, rose up and declared what the Holy Spirit had confirmed to him. Because Adam and Eve transgressed Gods command, they were cast out from His presence and became mortal. Regarding church disciplines, worship, and tradition, there is notable freedom from congregation to congregation in . Andrew C. Skinner, Third Nephi: The Fifth Gospel (Springville, UT: Cedar Fort, 2012), 8398. Nephi was in the process of finishing his last engraving on the record. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. He may direct Himself to His servants individually or acting in council (see 3Nephi 27:18). There are three kingdoms of glory (see 1Corinthians 15:4042). Get the latest updates on Book of Mormon topics and research for free. The first article is an introduction to the Latter-day Saint scripture known as the Doctrine and Covenants, its meaning, significance, and use in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Let us fast from critical talk and worldly behavior. DallinH. Oaks, Our Message for Missionaries (worldwide missionary broadcast, Jan.20, 2016); see also DallinH. Oaks, Sin and Suffering, Ensign, July 1992,73.