Gospel Principles

If you are looking for clear statements of the gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by The Church of Jesus Christ, there is no better place to start. Written in easy to understand prose, and making regular reference to scripture and the statements of prophets, the honest reader will come away with a broad picture of the great plan of God for His children.

There are slight word changes, additions and omissions from the previous edition. Careful wording gives a more precise explanation of official LDS doctrines. A word-by-word comparison of the two editions would make interesting reading but would probably not uncover any "changes" in doctrine. I find it very interesting and worthy of study for understanding and explaining the "official" Church stance of doctrinal topics. This was the priesthood/Relief Society manual in 2009-2010. For one of those years it was used as the manual for the adult Sunday School classes. It continues to be used in "investigators' classes". Beautifully illustrated. Some pictures are in color. It is well indexed and referenced.

Very basic, but definitely helpful if teaching a class of new members.

Basic lessons for newer members or possibly young adults. It's often quite difficult to fill a class period from a single lesson without a lot of supplements and discussion.

This is a manual, and thus, meant for study. So, it does not make sense to give a lot of comments. Here are a couple of things that impressed me as I finished the book.

"We Should Prepare Now for Judgment"

"What must we do to be ready for the Final Judgment?"

"In reality, every day is a day of judgment. We speak, think, and act according to celestial, terrestrial, or telestial law. Our faith in Jesus Christ, as shown by our daily actions, determines which kingdom we will inherit."
From Page 273 from Chapter 46

"To be exalted, we first must place our faith in Jesus Christ and then endure in that faith to the end of our lives. Our faith in Him must be such that we repent of our sins and obey His commandments."

"He commands us all to receive show more certain ordinances:
1. We must be baptized.
2. We must receive the laying on of hands to be confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
3. Brethren must receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and magnify their callings in the priesthood.
4. We must receive the temple endowment.
5. We must be married for eternity, either in this life or in the next. "

"In addition to receiving the required ordinances, the Lord commands all of us to:
1. Love God and our neighbors.
2. Keep the commandments.
3. Repent of our wrongdoings.
4. Search out our kindred dead and receive the saving ordinances of the gospel for them.
5. Attend our Church meetings as regularly as possible so we can renew our baptismal covenants by partaking of the sacrament.
6. Love our family members and strengthen them in the ways of the Lord.
7. Have family and individual prayers every day.
8. Teach the gospel to others by word and example.
9. Study the scriptures.
10. Listen to and obey the inspired words of the prophets of the Lord."
Most of Page 278 from Chapter 47 show less

This is a manual, and thus, meant for study. So, it does not make sense to give a lot of comments. Here are a couple of things that impressed me as I finished the book.

"We Should Prepare Now for Judgment"

"What must we do to be ready for the Final Judgment?"

"In reality, every day is a day of judgment. We speak, think, and act according to celestial, terrestrial, or telestial law. Our faith in Jesus Christ, as shown by our daily actions, determines which kingdom we will inherit."
From Page 273 from Chapter 46

"To be exalted, we first must place our faith in Jesus Christ and then endure in that faith to the end of our lives. Our faith in Him must be such that we repent of our sins and obey His commandments."

"He commands us all to receive show more certain ordinances:
1. We must be baptized.
2. We must receive the laying on of hands to be confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
3. Brethren must receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and magnify their callings in the priesthood.
4. We must receive the temple endowment.
5. We must be married for eternity, either in this life or in the next. "

"In addition to receiving the required ordinances, the Lord commands all of us to:
1. Love God and our neighbors.
2. Keep the commandments.
3. Repent of our wrongdoings.
4. Search out our kindred dead and receive the saving ordinances of the gospel for them.
5. Attend our Church meetings as regularly as possible so we can renew our baptismal covenants by partaking of the sacrament.
6. Love our family members and strengthen them in the ways of the Lord.
7. Have family and individual prayers every day.
8. Teach the gospel to others by word and example.
9. Study the scriptures.
10. Listen to and obey the inspired words of the prophets of the Lord."
Most of Page 278 from Chapter 47 show less