CHARACTER OF GOD
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “If we start right, it is very easy for us to go right all the time; but if we start wrong, we may go wrong, and it is a hard matter to get right. [1] If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend their own character. [2] They cannot comprehend anything that is past or that which is to come. The first principle of truth is to know for a certainty the character of God. [3] Having a knowledge of God, we begin to know how to approach Him, and how to ask so as to receive an answer. . . . [And] he begins to unfold the heavens to us” (“The King Follett Discourse,” Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 343).
The Prophet Joseph Smith
Described the character of God. He said he is merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abundant in goodness, unchangeable, no respecter of persons, loving, a God of truth, he cannot lie, long-suffering, and he has a forgiving disposition (See Lecture 3, paragraphs 12-20).
DOCTRINE
We cannot ever know God without understanding and living his doctrine. The word doctrine literally means “teaching.” Doctrines are the teachings of the gospel, particularly as they relate to the core message or teachings about Jesus Christ—that he came to this earth to Atone for our sins, to die, and be resurrected. All other revealed teachings are either aspects of the doctrine of Jesus Christ or extensions, elaborations, or “appendages” to it. They show us how to come unto Christ and be saved (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 121).
Appendages
Some of these “appendages” include (1) faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; (2) repentance; (3) baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; (4) the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying-on of hands; (5) enduring in righteousness to the end; and (6) the resurrection of all human beings to be judged by Christ.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie
“Apostles and prophets have been set in the Church for the purpose of teaching and identifying true doctrine, lest men be ‘tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine’ (Ephesians 4:11-14)” (Mormon Doctrine, 205).
When “we come to a true understanding of the doctrine [of the Restored Church] and [then] pursue [that] course we will not be troubled [anymore] with the intellectual views and expressions of uninspired people. We will soon obtain for ourselves the witness of the Spirit that we are pursuing a course that is pleasing to the Lord, and this knowledge will have a cleansing and sanctifying and edifying influence upon us” (“The Seven Deadly Heresies,” BYU Speeches of the Year, 1 June 1980, 74-80).
Elder Neal A. Maxwell
“[many] Church members know just enough about the doctrines to converse superficially on them, but their scant knowledge about the deep doctrines is inadequate for deep discipleship. Thus uninformed about the deep doctrines, they make no deep change in their lives. They lack the faith to ‘give place’ (Alma 32:27) consistently for real discipleship. Such members move out a few hundred yards from the entrance to the straight and narrow path and repose on the first little rise, thinking, ‘Well, this is all there is to it’; and they end up living far below their possibilities” (Men and Women of Christ, 2).
Elder Boyd K. Packer
described a fourth blessing of understanding doctrine “True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. . . . That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel” (Ensign, Nov. 1986, 17).
PRINCIPLES
The Prophet Joseph Smith was once asked how he governed his people. He said: “I teach them correct principles, and they govern [or are able to govern] themselves” (Millennial Star, 13:339).
Elder Richard G. Scott:
“As you seek spiritual knowledge, search for principles. Carefully separate them from the detail used to explain them. Principles are concentrated truth, packaged for application to a wide variety of circumstances. A true principle makes decisions clear even under the most confusing and compelling circumstances. It is worth great effort to organize the truth we gather to simple statements of principle” (Ensign, Nov. 1993, 86).
Principles come from doctrine. Elder Packer said: “From doctrine, we learn principles of conduct, how to respond to problems of everyday living, even to failures, for they too are provided for in the doctrines” (Ensign, May 1994, 20).
President Ezra Taft Benson
“One of the most important things you can do… is to immerse yourselves in the scriptures. Search them diligently. Feast upon the words of Christ. Learn the doctrine. Master the principles that are found therein” (Ensign, May 1986, 81)
The scriptures cannot tell us everything to do or not to do in every situation. We are to ponder, pray, and “liken them to us” (1 Nephi 19:23. Find the principle behind the scripture.
THREE COMPONENTS OF A PRINCIPLE
First, principles consist of an “if-then” relationship, where the “if” part is a statement of general counsel and the “then” part is a promise.
READ ALMA 37:37. God is omniscient. He knows all things. If we counsel with him, then he will direct us for good.
READ ALMA 26:12. God is omnipotent. He has all power. If we rely upon God and his strength, then we can do all things. If we trust in the arm of flesh, then there will be many things we won’t be able to do.
Second, true principles are universal, unchanging and eternally true (theories of men are continually changing). They are true in all situations in all cultures at all times. The third Article of Faith states: “We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.”
You will never go wrong basing your conduct on true principles.
Principles are general and abstract---they do not refer to specifics (e.g., The Word of Wisdom,” Sabbath Day”).
Principles relate to the “big picture.”
The principles we will study in this course can be applied regardless of gender, dating or marital status. It won’t matter whether you are single or married, whether you have never had a date or are a veritable “dating machine,” the principles have application. However, the responsibility generally falls upon our shoulders to discern the meaning and application of principles into our own lives. Without thought, without pondering, without prayer that may not happen.
Third, principles are timeless. They can be applied in all stages of life.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie said: “[Gospel principles, like all truth] never vary; what is true in one age is true in every age. What is true in one eternity is true in the next” (Mormon Doctrine, 811).
It is important to distinguish doctrine and principles which never change from policies, procedures, and programs that may change over time.
By learning and living correct principles, we can know how to govern ourselves in any situation or during any period of our lives. Elder Glen L. Pace said:
“Programs blindly followed [will] bring us to a discipline of doing good, but principles understood and practiced bring us to a disposition to do good” (Ensign, May 1986, 24).
APPLICATIONS
Whenever the Lord reveals doctrine or principles, it is with the intent that they will be applied (See D&C 101:78). Every time we apply doctrine or principles, it is a reflection of our faith. In making application of doctrine and principles, consider three important points:
First, the knowledge of how to apply a doctrine or principle generally comes through the Holy Ghost.
Thus, the more we have the companionship of the Holy Ghost, the easier it will be to discern the appropriate application of a principle in our own lives.
Second, the application of doctrine and principles varies from one person to another, from one period of life to another.
The doctrine and principles don’t change, but the applications do. That is important to remember, in relationships. How a principle would best apply to one partner might not be the best application of that principle for the other partner.
Third, consider the link between pondering and application.
The English word, ponder, comes from a Latin root meaning weight, in other words, “to give weight to consider something deeply and thoroughly, to weigh carefully in the mind” (Webster).
Pondering is not daydreaming. It is not just letting our minds wander. It is focused mental exertion. It is an exercise in discernment of truth from error, right from wrong, important from unimportant. Pondering is a prerequisite to wisdom.
Pondering enables knowledge to go from the mind to the heart. Elder Marvin J. Ashton said: “By pondering, we give the Spirit an opportunity to impress and direct. Pondering is a powerful link between the heart and the mind” (“There Are Many Gifts,” Ensign, Nov. 1987, 20).
The link between pondering and application is often the key to motivation. Most people are not motivated to act until they feel the importance of something in their hearts. Simply knowing they should or should not do something is generally not enough to get them to act. It is only when sufficient time is spent pondering the importance of something that one begins to feel its importance and is motivated to act upon that feeling.
In this course, we will focus on the revealed doctrine and principles that are the foundation of successful relationships. As you read, and as we discuss the material in class, the Spirit will impress a certain idea or principle upon your mind. While many principles will be taught each day, the Spirit will impress one idea more than others if you are seeking to know. Look for that one idea, write it down, and then make time to ponder it. Let the Spirit direct your thoughts and feelings as to how to apply that principle in your life. Then commit yourself to taking action.
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