In a previous post, I found the scriptural definition of "the doctrine of Christ." A quick summary is of the doctrine of Christ is: Faith, Repentance, Baptism, the Gift of the Holy Ghost, Enduring to the End is the only way to be saved and return to live with god (see 2nd Nephi 31:17-21)
One thing that I didn't mention is that often the doctrine of Christ is contained in what are referred to as "bookends". In 2 Nephi 31 for instance, Nephi starts by saying in verse 2 "I must speak concerning the doctrine of Christ." Then, when concluding in verse 21, he says "And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ". The purpose being to make more obvious that what is contained between those two verses is the doctrine of Christ.
Another example would be in 3rd Nephi 11:31-39. Christ is teaching his doctrine to the Nephites and begins by saying, in verse 31, "I will declare unto you my doctrine" and ends in verse 39 by saying "verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my doctrine." It's an interesting thing to note that the doctrine of Christ is the first thing that Christ teaches the Nephites in his long-awaited visit to them in the Americas.
Last example: 3rd Nephi 27:13-21. In verse 13 Christ says "I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you--" he then teaches the doctrine Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost, Enduring to the End, and concludes in verse 21 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel." Here again we see the bookends.
I chose those two examples because they are larger bookends themselves: If you look closer you'll see that the first thing that Christ teaches when he comes in 3rd Nephi 11 is the doctrine of Christ (as mentioned earlier), and the last thing that he teaches before ascending is the doctrine of Christ (3rd Nephi 27). The only thing I can think to say is that the doctrine of Christ must be pretty important.
Places I've found the doctrine of Christ (by name or principles all together):
2nd Nephi 9:23-24
2nd Nephi 31
Mosiah 18:7&10
3rd Nephi 9:20-21
3rd Nephi 11:32-39
3rd Nephi 26:17
3rd Nephi 27:13-21
Mormon 7:8-10
Ether 4:18-19
Moroni 7:32-34
Moroni 8:24-26
Moses 6:52
And I'm certain that those aren't the only places to find it! They're just the only ones that I've seen so far. I'm sure I'm missing many other places. Feel free to share any you find with me! :)
Why did I bring all of this up? you may be asking yourself. As I was studying bookends this morning, I noticed that not only is the doctrine of Christ bookended, and other important chapters and teachings as well, but the ENTIRE Book of Mormon is bookended! In 1st Nephi 6:4 Nephi states that "the fulness of ine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto . . . God." Then if we flip to the very end, in Moroni 10:32, Moroni implores "Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him . . . " How sweet is that? (Myabe I'm just a scripture/gospel nerd but I think that's awesome!)
Which got me to thinking, if the Book of Mormon is bookended, could it be an example of the doctrine of Christ? Then my mind turned to some of the major prophets and what I associate them with:
Nephi--Faith
Alma the Younger--Repentance
3rd Nephi--Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost
Moroni--Enduring to the End
Ok, now I'm really excited! The ENTIRE Book of Mormon is bookended, and is a GIANT example of the doctrine of Christ! Wow!! The Book of Mormon really IS another testament of Jesus Christ!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
The Power of the Temple
In the middle of Brampton, a suburb of Toronto, is nestled the Toronto, Ontario Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is easily the tallest and most beautiful building in the area, and attracts a lot of attention from the many people that view it every day. A few years ago, an Indian family that had just relocated from Punjab India, walked into the reception area of the temple. I'm sure that they were quite a sight for the receptionist as all 7 of them (2 adults and 5 children ages 10 to 21) were dressed in flowing robs, had turbans on their heads, and the men had beards.
The receptionist, a little taken aback, asked what he could to to help them. Their reply was simple and profound, "We would like to join your church and become Christians!" The receptionist told them a little about the temple and then directed them across the street to the stake center, where the missionaries were having a meeting. When they were approached by the Elders (who couldn't believe their luck), they told them the same thing "We would like to join your church and become Christians." The Elders looked at them in stunned silence for a few minutes. Then one of them found his voice and said, "Well you're inspired because this is God's one true church upon the earth." The family agreed that they truly had been blessed to have walked into God's true church, and found the missionaries all at the same time.
That very day, they were taught much of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A baptismal date was set, and the temple was discussed and set as a far off goal. Over the next three weeks the family attended church, was taught the doctrine of Christ, and were each baptized and confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Over the next year they received callings, served in various capacities, and finally, a year from the time of their baptism, they went to the House of the Lord. They walked in the same temple doors they had just a year ago, and were sealed as a family for time and all eternity. To this day and the best of my knowledge, they still serve faithfully in the church, and attend the temple regularly.
When asked how this all happened, they remarked "We saw that building and knew that it was the House of God, and that we would find the truth there. When we saw it, we felt drawn to it spiritually." Their words, not mine. I would add my testimony that the temple IS the House of God. There is no other place like it on this earth. Inside its walls are: peace, truth, enlightenment, comfort, understanding, eternal families, and so much more. It is God's House.
Doctrine of Christ
Nicole, this one is for you because you asked me about it last night.
I started this study with the all-mighty power of google: I punched in "Doctrine of Christ" and eagerly awaited the results. Would you believe that in .28 seconds google spit out over 12.3 million different results? Crazy! I spent a good deal of time perusing them to see what the different results were about. Many of them were questions and concerns about what the Doctrine of Christ really is. (for instance: http://www.learnthebible.org/the-doctrine-of-christ.html and http://www.bibletruths.net/Archives/BTAR205.htm and http://www.piney.com/Doctrine.Christ.html)
You see, in the Bible the phrase "doctrine of Christ" is found two places. One which says: (2 John 1:9) "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." A stern promise indeed. However, nowhere in the Old or New Testaments is found an explicit definition of what exactly the doctrine of Christ is. Hence the reason that there are over 12.3 million google hits, and countless people proffering their own, often conflicting, opinions on what that doctrine is.
Enter the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. The exact phrase "doctrine of Christ" is found in 4 places in the Book of Mormon, with substantial amounts of explication of the phrase. In fact, 2nd Nephi 31 is an entire chapter devoted to the definition and declaration of the doctrine of Christ:
v2-- "I must speak concerning the doctrine of Christ . . ."
v3 through 8-- Christ is the perfect example of the doctrine of Christ through his obedience, baptism, Holy Ghost, etc
v9 and 10-- Christ set the example and said "Follow thou me"
Ok, so Nephi says he's going to teach us the doctrine of Christ, then teaches us that Christ was the ultimate example by being obedient, being baptized and receiving the Holy Ghost. Then Christ says "Follow thou me." So Nephi is definitely getting at something. He clarifies further:
v10--"Can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?"
v11--"And the Fater said: Repend ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son."
v12--"He that is baptized . . . to him wil the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me and do the things which ye have seen me do."
So there it is, the doctrine of Christ as defined by Nephi: Repent, Be Baptized, Receive the Holy Ghost. It's even nicely bookended by v10 saying Follow me, then the explanation, then v12 saying follow my example.
Nephi then summarizes the doctrine of Christ in verse 13. "Wherefore . . . I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocristy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father thta ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism--yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold,then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel."
Ok, so that's a lot to digest. I'll try to summarize more but the doctrine is so powerful and so pure it's hard to. Then in v14 we're told that that isn't the end of it, and in 15 we're told that the last part is that "He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved."
With this additional point, Nephi concludes the chapter with a summary of the complete "doctrine of Christ;" which is:
Faith/Obedience--v17 "do the things which i have seen that your Lord and Redeemer should do"
Repentence--v17 "the gate by which ye should enter is repentence"
Baptism--v17 cont "baptism by water"
Gift of the Holy Ghost--v17 cont "and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost"
Enduring to the End--v18-20 "ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ . . . and endure to the end."
v27 The concluding verse of the chapter says "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"
This, then, is the doctrine of Christ: Faith, Repentence, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, the reception of the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End that "thus saith the Father, ye shall have eternal life." v20
There is so much more I could say. However, I'll stop at this point for today, having arrived at the definition of the doctrine of Christ, and expound more upon it tomorrow. I know that truely this is the doctrine of Christ whereby men can be saved. The Holy Ghost has so borne witness to me.
I started this study with the all-mighty power of google: I punched in "Doctrine of Christ" and eagerly awaited the results. Would you believe that in .28 seconds google spit out over 12.3 million different results? Crazy! I spent a good deal of time perusing them to see what the different results were about. Many of them were questions and concerns about what the Doctrine of Christ really is. (for instance: http://www.learnthebible.org/the-doctrine-of-christ.html and http://www.bibletruths.net/Archives/BTAR205.htm and http://www.piney.com/Doctrine.Christ.html)
You see, in the Bible the phrase "doctrine of Christ" is found two places. One which says: (2 John 1:9) "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." A stern promise indeed. However, nowhere in the Old or New Testaments is found an explicit definition of what exactly the doctrine of Christ is. Hence the reason that there are over 12.3 million google hits, and countless people proffering their own, often conflicting, opinions on what that doctrine is.
Enter the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. The exact phrase "doctrine of Christ" is found in 4 places in the Book of Mormon, with substantial amounts of explication of the phrase. In fact, 2nd Nephi 31 is an entire chapter devoted to the definition and declaration of the doctrine of Christ:
v2-- "I must speak concerning the doctrine of Christ . . ."
v3 through 8-- Christ is the perfect example of the doctrine of Christ through his obedience, baptism, Holy Ghost, etc
v9 and 10-- Christ set the example and said "Follow thou me"
Ok, so Nephi says he's going to teach us the doctrine of Christ, then teaches us that Christ was the ultimate example by being obedient, being baptized and receiving the Holy Ghost. Then Christ says "Follow thou me." So Nephi is definitely getting at something. He clarifies further:
v10--"Can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?"
v11--"And the Fater said: Repend ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son."
v12--"He that is baptized . . . to him wil the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me and do the things which ye have seen me do."
So there it is, the doctrine of Christ as defined by Nephi: Repent, Be Baptized, Receive the Holy Ghost. It's even nicely bookended by v10 saying Follow me, then the explanation, then v12 saying follow my example.
Nephi then summarizes the doctrine of Christ in verse 13. "Wherefore . . . I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocristy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father thta ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism--yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold,then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel."
Ok, so that's a lot to digest. I'll try to summarize more but the doctrine is so powerful and so pure it's hard to. Then in v14 we're told that that isn't the end of it, and in 15 we're told that the last part is that "He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved."
With this additional point, Nephi concludes the chapter with a summary of the complete "doctrine of Christ;" which is:
Faith/Obedience--v17 "do the things which i have seen that your Lord and Redeemer should do"
Repentence--v17 "the gate by which ye should enter is repentence"
Baptism--v17 cont "baptism by water"
Gift of the Holy Ghost--v17 cont "and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost"
Enduring to the End--v18-20 "ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ . . . and endure to the end."
v27 The concluding verse of the chapter says "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"
This, then, is the doctrine of Christ: Faith, Repentence, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, the reception of the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End that "thus saith the Father, ye shall have eternal life." v20
There is so much more I could say. However, I'll stop at this point for today, having arrived at the definition of the doctrine of Christ, and expound more upon it tomorrow. I know that truely this is the doctrine of Christ whereby men can be saved. The Holy Ghost has so borne witness to me.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Truth
I've chosen to follow the outline from the manual, Doctrines of the Gospel. The first topic . . . "Eternal Truths."
When I begin to study any topic of the gospel, the first thing that I do is take some time to think about and ponder the topic. In this case, my initial thoughts about Truth start with Change.
In our lives, there is always so much change and uncertainty. Relationships and feelings change, plans change, we age, we grow, lose hair, gain and lose weight. Pluto isn't a planet anymore? ;) Life goes up and down, we have good days, we have bad days, friends come and go. One day is the best ever, the next we feel like we're drowning, overcome by the crushing waves of life.
What things can we depend on? What things don't change? What can we trsut? What is ALWAYS the same? What is TRUE?
Truth (defined in the dictionary) - conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been, or shall be. Reliable, unfailing, sure.
Or as it says in D&C 93:24 " And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come."
I will assume for the sake of my thoughts that we all believe and/or know that the Gospel is true. With that in mind, my first thoughts:
Wow! The Gospel is TRUE! Or in other words, the Gospel is "reliable, unfailing, sure." For the Gospel to be True, it must never be wrong or anything less than 100% truth. Meaning, we can ALWAYS depend on the gospel. We can ALWAYS count on it to be True. Every promise, every teaching, every single solitary aspect of it is ALWAYS right.
And so I end where I began: The Gospel is not merely proffered as a thought, or ideas. No, it is knoweldge of eternal and unchanging truths. The philosophies of men change every day: that which is believed to be true one day, is often refuted the next. This must be what prompted Christ to say in Matt, Mark, Luke, and John "Heaven and Earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away."
Scriptures Studied:
Jacob 4:13; D&C 93:24--Truth is knowledge of things as they really are, were, and are to come.
Psalm 117:2; D&C 1:37-39; 88:66--Truth is eternal
Alma 7:20; Helaman 8:24; Moroni 8:18; D&C 3:2--Divine truth is absolute
When I begin to study any topic of the gospel, the first thing that I do is take some time to think about and ponder the topic. In this case, my initial thoughts about Truth start with Change.
In our lives, there is always so much change and uncertainty. Relationships and feelings change, plans change, we age, we grow, lose hair, gain and lose weight. Pluto isn't a planet anymore? ;) Life goes up and down, we have good days, we have bad days, friends come and go. One day is the best ever, the next we feel like we're drowning, overcome by the crushing waves of life.
What things can we depend on? What things don't change? What can we trsut? What is ALWAYS the same? What is TRUE?
Truth (defined in the dictionary) - conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been, or shall be. Reliable, unfailing, sure.
Or as it says in D&C 93:24 " And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come."
I will assume for the sake of my thoughts that we all believe and/or know that the Gospel is true. With that in mind, my first thoughts:
Wow! The Gospel is TRUE! Or in other words, the Gospel is "reliable, unfailing, sure." For the Gospel to be True, it must never be wrong or anything less than 100% truth. Meaning, we can ALWAYS depend on the gospel. We can ALWAYS count on it to be True. Every promise, every teaching, every single solitary aspect of it is ALWAYS right.
And so I end where I began: The Gospel is not merely proffered as a thought, or ideas. No, it is knoweldge of eternal and unchanging truths. The philosophies of men change every day: that which is believed to be true one day, is often refuted the next. This must be what prompted Christ to say in Matt, Mark, Luke, and John "Heaven and Earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away."
Scriptures Studied:
Jacob 4:13; D&C 93:24--Truth is knowledge of things as they really are, were, and are to come.
Psalm 117:2; D&C 1:37-39; 88:66--Truth is eternal
Alma 7:20; Helaman 8:24; Moroni 8:18; D&C 3:2--Divine truth is absolute
Scritpure Study
So I've jumped on the blog bandwagon. However, it's for a different purpose than most. I've created this blog in order to have a place where I can log my studies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and as a place where others can study it with me.
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