We Believe: Doctrines of Mormonism: Teaching

List of Doctrines on "Teaching"

801. Teachers of the gospel are to teach the official views and doctrines of the Church set forth in the Church-published words of the prophets.

802. To convincingly teach the gospel we must live the gospel.

803. Before we can effectively teach the gospel we must first obtain an understanding of the gospel.

804. Church members are to teach only under direction of the Spirit, without which they are commanded not to teach.

805. Church teachers are to avoid discussion of theories and "mysteries"—subjects not taught by the prophets.

806. All members of the Church are to confine their public interpretations of doctrine to those that are in harmony with the President of the Church.

801. Teachers of the gospel are to teach the official views and doctrines of the Church set forth in the Church-published words of the prophets.

J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
Mark E. Petersen
President Joseph F. Smith
Mormon
Joseph Smith
President Ezra Taft Benson
Joseph Smith
Orson Pratt
Hyrum Smith
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
Related Witnesses
Joseph Smith
Jesus
Nephi, son of Lehi
President Harold B. Lee
Peter
Jesus
President Heber J. Grant

J. Reuben Clark, Jr.

You are to teach this Gospel using as your sources and authorities the Standard Works of the Church, and the words of those whom God has called to lead His people in these last days. You are not, whether high or low, to intrude into your work your own peculiar philosophy, no matter what its source or how pleasing or rational it seems to you to be. To do so would be to have as many different churches as we have seminaries—and that is chaos.
You are not, whether high or low, to change the doctrines of the Church or to modify them, as they are declared by and in the Standard Works of the Church and by those whose authority it is to declare the mind and will of the Lord to the Church. The Lord has declared he is "the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Speaking in behalf of the First Presidency [see letter of First Presidency, MOFP6:208-09] to seminary, institute, and Church school teachers at Aspen Grove. Entire speech published in Deseret News, Church Section, Aug. 13, 1938 and in IE1938Sep:520ff; copied in MOFP6:44-58. The speech was extracted for use as Lesson 18 of the Melchizedek Priesthood Course of Study, 1969-70, p. 129ff) MOFP6:55; TLDP:671

Elder Spencer W. Kimball

There are great numbers of unusually splendid and talented members of the Church all through the world who are intelligent and well-meaning, but I repeat again the statement I made in conference: That while they may think as they please, no one has the right to give his own private interpretations when he has been invited to teach in the organizations of the Church: he is a guest; he has been given an authoritative position and the stamp of approval is placed upon him, and those whom he teaches are justified in assuming that, having been chosen and sustained in the proper order, he represents the Church and the things which he teaches are approved by the Church. No matter how brilliant he may be and how many new truths he may think he has found, he has no right to go beyond the program of the Church. Certainly if any one or group of individuals have felt they have advanced inspiration or revelation, there is a way by which they can present it for approval. [Italics added] (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pp. 532-33) TLDP:672-73

Mark E. Petersen

It is my full belief that whenever any of us accepts a position of any description in the Church, we accept along with it the responsibility of that office, whatsoever it may be. I believe that if a person accepts a position as a teacher in one of our organizations, or if he accepts the responsibility of preaching from the pulpit, such person accepts the responsibility which goes with that call. He becomes a representative of the Church in that position. Every teacher and every preacher therefore is duty bound, upon accepting such a call, to represent the official views and doctrines of the Church, and to teach those official doctrines in his class or from the pulpit with the one thought in mind that conversion is to come about in the hearts of those who listen to him. I do not believe that conversion to the truth comes through the teaching of half-truths or untruths.
Our classrooms and our assembly rooms have been built at great expense with one thought in mind, and that is that in them we may teach the truth so that we may convert those who come there, so that they in turn will live the gospel and work out their salvation in the earth. CR1953Apr:83

President Joseph F. Smith

We have nothing that is not in common with the Latter-day Saints. We know nothing, and we will preach nothing to the people except that which the Lord God has revealed, and we advise and counsel those who are in authority, and whose duty and business it is to teach and preach the principles of the gospel to the world and to the Latter-day Saints, to confine their teachings and their instructions to the word of God that has been revealed. CR1917Oct:5

Mormon

And he commanded them that they should teach nothing save it were the things which he had taught, and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets. (Alma organizes the Church of Christ and ordains priests, about 148 B.C.) Mosiah 18:19

Joseph Smith

President Ezra Taft Benson,

also quoting Mormon and Joseph Smith
[W]hat should be the source for teaching the great plan of the Eternal God? The scriptures, of course—particularly the Book of Mormon. This should also include the other modern-day revelations. These should be coupled with the words of the Apostles and prophets and the promptings of the Spirit. Alma "commanded them that they should teach nothing save it were the things which he had taught, and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets" (Mosiah 18:19). The Doctrine and Covenants states: "Let them journey from thence preaching the word by the way, saying none other things than that which the prophets and apostles have written, and that which is taught them by the Comforter through the prayer of faith" (D&C 52:9). CR1987Apr:107

Joseph Smith

And let them journey from thence preaching the word by the way, saying none other things than that which the prophets and apostles have written, and that which is taught them by the Comforter through the prayer of faith. (Revelation for the elders of the Church, June 7, 1831; various elders sent to preach the gospel) D&C 52:9

Orson Pratt

Have we not a right to make up our minds in relation to the things recorded in the word of God, and speak about them, whether the living oracles believe our views or not? We have not the right. Why? Because the mind of man is weak: one man may make up his mind in this way, and another man may make up his mind in another way, and a third individual may have his views; and thus every man is left to be his own authority, and is governed by his own judgment, which he takes as his standard.
Do you not perceive that this would, in a short time, cause a complete disunion and division of sentiment throughout the whole Church? (Address printed in published message of the First Presidency of the Church, Sept. 22, 1860) MOFP2:219

Hyrum Smith

And again I say unto you, an elder has no business to undertake to preach mysteries in any part of the world, for God has commanded us all to preach nothing but the first principles unto the world. Neither has any elder any authority to preach any mysterious thing to any branch of the church unless he has a direct commandment from God to do so. Let the matter of the grand councils of heaven, and the making of Gods, worlds, and devils entirely alone: for you are not called to teach any such doctrine—for neither you nor the people are capacitated to understand any such principles—less so to teach them. For when God commands men to teach such principles the saints will receive them. Therefore beware what you teach for the mysteries of God are not given to all men; and unto those to whom they are given they are placed under restrictions to impart only such as God will command them, and the residue is to be kept in a faithful breast, otherwise he will be brought under condemnation. By this God will prove his faithful servants, who will be called and numbered with the chosen. (Times and Seasons, March 15, 1844, p. 474) TLDP:671

Elder Spencer W. Kimball

There are those today who seem to take pride in disagreeing with the orthodox teachings of the Church and who present their own opinions which are at variance with the revealed truth. Some may be partially innocent in the matter; others are feeding their own egotism; and some seem to be deliberate. Men may think as they please, but they have no right to impose upon others their unorthodox views. Such persons should realize that their own souls are in jeopardy. The Lord said to us through the Prophet Joseph:
"[T]each the principles of my gospel, which are in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, in the which is the fulness of the gospel.
And they shall observe the covenants and church articles to do them, and these shall be their teachings, as they shall be directed by the Spirit.
. . . . And if ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach." (D&C 42:12-14). . . .
If one cannot accept and teach the program of the Church in an orthodox way without reservations, he should not teach. . . .
And so we admonish the leaders in stakes, wards, and missions to be ever vigilant to see that no incorrect doctrines are promulgated in their classes or congregations. . . . And we warn again those who write or preach or otherwise teach subversive doctrines, that their punishment is sure for their "worm dieth not." CR1948Apr:109-10

Related Witnesses:

Joseph Smith

I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: "They draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof." (Vision of the Father and the Son, spring of 1820) JS-H 1:19

Jesus,
quoted by Mormon

And now it came to pass that when Jesus had said these words he said unto them again, after he had expounded all the scriptures unto them which they had received. . . .
14. And now it came to pass that when Jesus had expounded all the scriptures in one, which they had written, he commanded them that they should teach the things which he had expounded unto them. (The resurrected Jesus Christ instructs his disciples among the Nephite people, A.D. 34) 3 Nephi 23:6,14

Nephi, son of Lehi

Now it came to pass that I, Nephi, did teach my brethren these things; and it came to pass that I did read many things to them, which were engraven upon the plates of brass, that they might know concerning the doings of the Lord in other lands, among people of old.
23. And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses ; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning. (Nephi's writings, between 588-570 B.C.) 1 Nephi 19:22-23

President Harold B. Lee

I say that we need to teach our people to find their answers in the scriptures. . . . But the unfortunate thing is that so many of us are not reading the scriptures. We do not know what is in them, and therefore we speculate about the things that we ought to have found in the scriptures themselves. I think that therein is one of our biggest dangers of today. ("Find the Answers in the Scriptures," EN1972Dec:3) MPSG1984:3

Peter

[T]here shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (Letter to members of the Church, about A.D. 60-64) 2 Peter 2:1

Jesus,
recorded in Luke

Woe unto you, lawyers for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: [the fulness of the scriptures (see revised version)] ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. (Jesus reproaches the lawyers) Luke 11:52

President Heber J. Grant

Author's Note: See the topic in this book, REVELATION: (1) Law of Witness, which sets forth how we can always know what are the "official views" of the prophets.

When a gospel teacher supplements a lesson with material outside the lesson manual, it would appear that this doctrine tells us that such material must harmonize with the official views of the Church

In a church or seminary classroom setting, a "spiritually prepared" teacher is often challenged by an intellectual argument from some gifted student who, not being at the moment in the same spirit, is able to intellectually conceive of alternate ideas, ideas that argue against the teacher's sound and correct interpretation of a doctrine—(sound and correct because the teacher is "spiritually prepared" and teaches doctrine derived from the witnesses of more than one prophet in written scripture). Church members lose much on those occasions when they prefer to use their intellectual talent and judgment in matters pertaining to the Spirit instead of their spiritual discernment. When the Holy Ghost speaks through several prophets who say the same thing, we ought to let the Holy Ghost in us give full credence to those inspired words of the prophets. The Spirit should override the talent of our meager intellects. We ought to humbly and gratefully honor and respect those scriptural expressions of prophetic witnesses so they become part of our own spiritual fiber. Then the Spirit in us will also find room for deep gratitude toward those worthy prophets through whom the Lord has spoken.

802. To convincingly teach the gospel we must live the gospel.

President Heber J. Grant
Marion G. Romney
Paul
Richard L. Evans
President Brigham Young
Melvin J. Ballard
Hugh B. Brown
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Related Witnesses
Jesus
Jesus
Nephi, son of Lehi

President Heber J. Grant

No man can teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ under the inspiration of the living God and with power from on high unless he is living it. He can go on as a member and we will pray for him, no matter how many years it may require, and we will never put a block in his way, because the Gospel is one of love and of forgiveness, but we want true men and women as our officers in the Priesthood and in the Relief Societies. And a man has no right to be in a high council who can not stand up and say that he knows the Gospel is true and that he is living it. CR1938Apr:15

Marion G. Romney

For those of us who desire to effectively share the gospel, there are some very important lessons taught in this message: We must put our lives in order so the Lord's Spirit can influence our thoughts and actions—so we can be taught from on high. ("Records of Great Worth," EN1980Sept:7) TLDP:670-71

Paul

Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. (Paul writes to the Church at Corinth, Greece, about A.D. 55) 1 Corinthians 9:14

Richard L. Evans

Abstract qualities of character don't mean much in the abstract. It is how we live, how we serve, how we teach our children, what we do from day to day that both indicate what we are and determine what we are; and all the theory and all the speculation, all the quoting of scripture, all the searching of the mysteries, and all the splitting of hairs, and all the knowledge of the letter of the law don't in the final and saving sense amount to very much unless we live the gospel, unless we keep the commandments, unless we prove the principles, unless we live lives of effectiveness, sincerity, and service. CR1966Apr:89-90

President Brigham Young,
quoted by John A. Widtsoe

A few words now, with regard to preaching. The greatest and loudest sermon that can be preached, or that ever was preached on the face of the earth, is practice. No other is equal to it. (In new Tabernacle, Aug. 16, 1868, JD12:271) DBY:336

Melvin J. Ballard

The most powerful sermon any of us shall ever preach will be the sermon of our lives. CR1934Oct:115

Hugh B. Brown

What the teacher is counts for more than what he says. CR1963Apr:89

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Now, my dear grandfathers, fathers, uncles, brothers, and friends of our young people, we can be of great help in this process. King Benjamin taught that when parents are truly converted, they "will teach [their children] to walk in the ways of truth and soberness [and] will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another" (Mosiah 4:15). It has been said, "Teaching by example is one way to teach." I would say, "Teaching by example is the best way to teach." ¶ Please teach our young people by your example of being a temple-worthy priesthood holder. Your good life, your love for God and fellow men, your applied testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ will be a convincing power to our youth, and it will help them to see the end from the beginning. (See the End from the Beginning, CR April 2006)

Related Witnesses:

Jesus,
recorded in Matthew

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Jesus Christ teaches the multitude, about A.D. 30) Matthew 5:19

Jesus,
quoted by Joseph Smith,

translating Matthew
Whosoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so to do, he shall in no wise be saved in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach these commandments of the law until it be fulfilled, the same shall be called great, and shall be saved in the kingdom of heaven. (Jesus Christ teaches the multitude, about A.D. 30) JST (Matthew 5:21 in Appendix)

Nephi, son of Lehi

Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord; and their works shall be in the dark.
10. And the blood of the saints shall cry from the ground against them.
11. Yea, they have all gone out of the way; they have become corrupted.
12. Because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted, and their churches are lifted up; because of pride they are puffed up.
13. They rob the poor because of their fine sanctuaries; they rob the poor because of their fine clothing; and they persecute the meek and the poor in heart, because in their pride they are puffed up.
14. They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.
15. O the wise, and the learned, and the rich, that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, and all those who preach false doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms, and pervert the right way of the Lord, wo, wo, wo be unto them, saith the Lord God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell (Nephi foretells of false teachers and false churches in the last days, and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 28:9-15

Author's Note: The Lord does not require perfection. We all sin, yet we are to strive to live the gospel principles. A teacher must not be a hypocrite, teaching what he or she does not even attempt to practice.

803. Before we can effectively teach the gospel we must first obtain an understanding of the gospel.

Joseph Smith
President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Daniel H. Wells
Marion G. Romney
Howard W. Hunter
N. Eldon Tanner

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men. (Revelation for Hyrum Smith, May 1829) D&C 11:21

President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Daniel H. Wells

(First Presidency)
This should be a lasting lesson to the Elders of Israel not to undertake to teach doctrine they do not understand. If the Saints can preserve themselves in a present salvation day by day, which is easy to be taught and comprehended, it will be well with them hereafter. (Published message of the First Presidency of the Church, Sept. 22, 1860) MOFP2:223

Marion G. Romney

As Latter-day Saints, we are commissioned to deliver that which we receive from the Lord to those we teach. Sometimes, though, we attempt to teach without first obtaining the proper information and spirit. . . .
For those of us who desire to effectively share the gospel, there are some very important lessons taught in this message: We must put our lives in order so the Lord's Spirit can influence our thoughts and actions—so we can be taught from on high. We must work and study his word with full desire until his teachings become our teachings. Then we will be able to speak with power and conviction. If we choose to follow some other path of preparation, we have no assurance of success. We will end up delivering our own ideas or some other man's ideas, and we will not be profitable servants of the Lord. The primary source of the Lord's word is in the standard works, augmented as needed by living prophets.
I feel that it is important for us to become familiar with these spiritual fundamentals. When I pray for the Spirit of the Lord to help me in my life and to teach, I pray for the spirit of revelation, the help of the Holy Ghost. ("Records of Great Worth," EN1980Sept:7) TLDP:670-71

Howard W. Hunter

From the scriptures . . . several things are made abundantly clear:
1. Every bearer of the priesthood within his sphere of influence and responsibility is to teach the gospel through precept and example. That is, he should be teaching by the example of living the gospel; also through words, learning experiences, and instructional materials.
2. Every bearer of the priesthood is to prepare himself to be an effective teacher by study, prayer, and faith.
3. Every bearer of the priesthood should seek the direction of the Spirit to guide him in his own life and to inspire him in his teaching efforts.
4. Every bearer of the priesthood has a sacred stewardship in the kingdom of God. Our time, our talents, our property, our priesthood callings are part of this stewardship. CR1971Apr:49-50

N. Eldon Tanner

If teachers only knew it, they could find enlightenment in the scriptures on any subject they might be teaching. Through accepting and living the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ, they would be entitled to the additional light and knowledge that comes through the Holy Ghost and the Spirit of God by which a man may know the truth of all things. Their learning would be enhanced and their ability to impart and instruct would be greatly increased as the gifts of the Spirit worked upon them. ("Right Answers," EN1973Oct:3) TLDP:673

804. Church members are to teach only under direction of the Spirit, without which they are commanded not to teach.

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
Elder John Taylor
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Howard W. Hunter
Related Witnesses
Joseph Smith

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

[N]o one should be called upon to teach and no one should attempt to teach the doctrines of the Church unless he is fully converted and has an abiding testimony of their truth. This testimony can only be received through prayerful study and obedience to all the commandments of the Lord. No man or woman can teach by the Spirit what he or she does not practice. Sincerity, integrity and loyalty are essential factors, and these will be accompanied by the spirit of prayer. The Comforter, "who knoweth all things," we should rely on, and then our teachings shall be approved of our Father in Heaven. CHMR1:184-85; DCSM:83

Elder John Taylor

There is no man living, and there never was a man living, who was capable of teaching the things of God only as he was taught, instructed and directed by the spirit of revelation proceeding from the Almighty. And then there are no people competent to receive true intelligence and to form a correct judgment in relation to the sacred principles of eternal life, unless they are under the influence of the same spirit, and hence speakers and hearers are all in the hands of the Almighty. (General conference, Apr.il 1875, JD16:369) TLDP:668

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

Verily I say unto you, he that is ordained of me and sent forth to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the Spirit of truth, doth he preach it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?
18. And if it be by some other way it is not of God.
19. And again, he that receiveth the word of truth, doth he receive it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?
20. If it be some other way it is not of God.
21. Therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know, that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth?
22. Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together. (Revelation for the elders of the Church, May 1831) D&C 50:17-22

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

And again, the elders, priests and teachers of this church shall teach the principles of my gospel, which are in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, in the which is the fulness of the gospel.
13. And they shall observe the covenants and church articles to do them, and these shall be their teachings, as they shall be directed by the Spirit.
14. And the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith; and if ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach.
15. And all this ye shall observe to do as I have commanded concerning your teaching, until the fulness of my scriptures is given.
16. And as ye shall lift up your voices by the Comforter, ye shall speak and prophesy as seemeth me good; . . . (Revelation, Feb. 9, 1831) D&C 42:12-16
Joseph Smith
A fanciful and flowery and heated imagination beware of; because the things of God are of deep import; and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Thy mind, O man if thou wilt lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost heavens, and search into and contemplate the darkest abyss, and the broad expanse of eternity—thou must commune with God. How much more dignified and noble are the thoughts of God, than the vain imaginations of the human heart None but fools will trifle with the souls of men.
How vain and trifling have been our spirits, our conferences, our councils, our meetings, our private as well as public conversations—too low, too mean, too vulgar, too condescending for the dignified characters of the called and chosen of God, according to the purposes of His will, from before the foundation of the world We are called to hold the keys of the mysteries of those things that have been kept hid from the foundation of the world until now. (Epistle to the Church from Liberty Jail, Mar. 25, 1839) HC3:295-96

Howard W. Hunter

Related Witnesses:

Joseph Smith

805. Church teachers are to avoid discussion of theories and "mysteries"—subjects not taught by the prophets.

Joseph Smith
Elder Wilford Woodruff
Elder Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, John E. Page, Elder Wilford Woodruff, Elder John Taylor, George Albert Smith
Bruce R. McConkie
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
Stephen L. Richards
Related Witnesses
President Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, Charles W. Penrose
President Heber J. Grant
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
Paul
Paul

Joseph Smith,
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

Oh ye elders of Israel, harken to my voice; and when you are sent into the world to preach, tell those things you are sent to tell; preach and cry aloud, "Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; repent and believe the Gospel." Declare the first principles, and let mysteries alone, lest ye be overthrown. Never meddle with the visions of beasts and subjects you do not understand. (General conference in Nauvoo, Ill., April 8, 1843, on the floor of the temple) HC5:344; TPJS:292; DCSM:15

Elder Wilford Woodruff

The books used [in the Sunday Schools and Improvement Associations] should be almost without exception, the revelations of God as contained in ancient and modern Scripture, together with the other works of the Church. . . . In the theological and other classes all discussions should be avoided as much as possible on subjects which God in His wisdom has not yet fully revealed. We know there are many persons who appear to take more delight in dwelling upon questions which are mysterious and cannot very well, in our present state of knowledge, be answered than they do upon those subjects which are plain and simple and essential to present progress. . . . In our theological classes, quorum meetings and other assemblies, therefore, these debatable questions need not be discussed or be dwelt upon. . . . (An epistle to the Church from the President of the Twelve, Wilford Woodruff, upon the death of President John Taylor, Oct. 10, 1887) MOFP3:139

Elder Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, John E. Page, Elder Wilford Woodruff, Elder John Taylor, George Albert Smith

Be careful that you teach not for the word of God the commandments of men, nor the doctrines of men, nor the ordinances of men, inasmuch as you are God's messengers. Study the word of God, and preach it and not your opinions, for no man's opinion is worth a straw. Advance no principle but what you can prove, for one scriptural proof is worth ten thousand opinions. We would moreover say, abide by that revelation which says "Preach nothing but repentance to this generation," and leave the further mysteries of the kingdom till God shall tell you to preach them, which is not now. (Epistle from the Twelve Apostles, 1837) HC3:395-96

Bruce R. McConkie

Every gospel teacher—from the Chief Elder, who is Christ, to the least and lowest of his servants—must determine, in all teaching situations, what portion of eternal truth he will offer to his hearers of the moment. The gospel and its eternal truths are always the same; what was true two thousand years ago is true today. . . . The Lord gives his word to men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, confirming their hope, building each new revelation upon the foundations of the past, giving his children only that portion of his word which they are able to bear. . . . [T]he servants of the Lord [are to] go forth to teach what people are prepared to receive, nothing more. They are to declare glad tidings, to proclaim the message of the restoration, to teach the simple and easy doctrines, and to leave the mysteries alone. They are not to present lessons in calculus to students who must first learn arithmetic; they are not to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom until people believe the first principles: they are to give milk before meat.
Alma summarized the restrictions under which preachers of righteousness serve by saying: "It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him." Such is the universal principle; it is not how much the teacher knows, but how much the student is prepared to receive. [Italics added] Strong and deep doctrine, spoken to rebellious people, drives them further away and widens the gulf between them and the saints of God. [Alma 12:9]
Even the true saints—the believing disciples, those who have accepted the gospel and received the gift of the Holy Ghost—are not prepared to receive all things. We have the fulness of the everlasting gospel, meaning we have every truth, power, priesthood, and key needed to enable us to gain the fulness of salvation in our Father's kingdom. But we do not have, and are not yet prepared to receive, the fulness of gospel truth. (The Mortal Messiah, 2:235-37) TLDP:672-73

J. Reuben Clark, Jr.

You are to teach this Gospel using as your sources and authorities the Standard Works of the Church, and the words of those whom God has called to lead His people in these last days. You are not, whether high or low, to intrude into your work your own peculiar philosophy, no matter what its source or how pleasing or rational it seems to you to be. To do so would be to have as many different churches as we have seminaries—and that is chaos.
You are not, whether high or low, to change the doctrines of the Church or to modify them, as they are declared by and in the Standard Works of the Church and by those whose authority it is to declare the mind and will of the Lord to the Church. The Lord has declared he is "the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Speaking in behalf of First Presidency [see letter of First Presidency, MOFP6:208-09] to seminary, institute, and Church school teachers at Aspen Grove. Entire speech published in Deseret News, Church Section, Aug. 13, 1938 and in IE1938Sep:520ff; copied in MOFP6:44-58. The speech was extracted for use as Lesson 18 of the Melchizedek Priesthood Course of Study 1969-70, p. 129ff) MOFP6:55; TLDP:671

Stephen L. Richards

Another thing for which I am likewise grateful is that there is substantially no variance or uncertainty in our missionary teaching. It is not necessary that there be long debates or discussions as to interpretations of doctrine. What we teach is the revelations which, for the most part are direct, certain, and unequivocal in their import. If any mysteries seem to arise, we leave the solution of such mysteries for future revelation. The Lord has given us sufficient for this day and time, and for the people who live in the world.
When I read of the discussions, debates, and sometimes controversies, arising among religious leaders and learned men as to the problems and programs for Christian churches, I assure you I am profoundly grateful to be identified with a lofty cause, whose course is so fully and accurately and permanently charted that all you have to do to know the way and perceive the light is to ask and discover what the revelations say and what the priesthood directs. It seems to me that all that should be necessary to guide the course of any Christian cause is a simple declaration of the divine nature of the Christ and his supremacy in the world as the author of divine law which governs in the affairs of men. CR1954Oct:96

Related Witnesses:

President Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, Charles W. Penrose

(First Presidency)
Dogmatic assertions do not take the place of revelation, and we should be satisfied with that which is accepted as doctrine, and not discuss matters that, after all disputes, are merely matters of theory. (Published message of the First Presidency of the Church, Jan. 1912; IE1912Mar:418) MOFP4:265

President Heber J. Grant

Teachers will do well to give up indoctrinating themselves in the Sectarianisms of the new "Divinity School theology. . . ."
In the teaching, the teachers will use verbiage and terminology which have become classic in the Church. . . .
Furthermore, teachers will not advance their own theories about the Gospel or Gospel principles. (Letter from First Presidency to Franklin L. West, Church commissioner of education, 1940) MOFP6:209
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.,
quoting Matthew Cowley
I am told that Brother Matt Cowley once voiced this idea: He said something of this sort, "You know, I am so busy trying to understand the first principles of the Gospel that I have no time for the mysteries." CR1960Apr:20

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

We who are called and ordained to the ministry or to teach in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints carry a very grave responsibility. Every man that teaches holds a great responsibility. And he that teaches error and leads men from the path of truth is committing one of the greatest crimes that it is possible for man to commit. If he, through his teachings, is presenting false doctrine, and leading men astray from that which is eternal truth, away from the kingdom of God, he is taking upon himself a grave responsibility for which he will have to answer at the judgment seat of God.
The Lord said in one of the early revelations before the organization of the Church that the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. Then he said if a man should labor all his days and convert but one soul, he should have great joy in the kingdom of our Father, and if he should convert many souls, then much greater would be that joy. Reversing the picture, he who blinds one soul, he who spreads error, he who destroys, through his teachings, divine truth, truth that would lead a man to the kingdom of God and to its fulness, how great shall be his condemnation and his punishment in eternity. For the destruction of a soul is the destruction of the greatest thing that has ever been created. . . .
No matter what you teach, if it is not of God, it is darkness. And eventually, no matter how well it may be received, it must come to an end. (Take Heed to Yourselves pp. 190-91) TLDP:668

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

The gospel is simple. There is nothing difficult about it. There are mysteries, no doubt. We do not need to bother about the mysteries, but the simple things pertaining to our salvation and exaltation we can understand. CR1958Oct:22

Paul

For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9. So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. (Paul writes to the Church at Corinth, Greece, about A.D. 55) 1 Corinthians 14:8-9

Paul

Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. (Paul writes to the Church at Corinth, Greece, about A.D. 55) 1 Corinthians 14:19

Author's Note: We are encouraged to learn the "mysteries of God," as Ammon states in Alma 26:22. But it appears we are not to teach the mysteries until they are confirmed by the law of witnesses, by the voice of many prophets. This way we can avoid teaching views which do not harmonize with the official views of the Church. Orson Pratt once publicly expressed his regret at having done this very thing. He said: "There are a few things which have been a source of sorrow to myself. . . .
. . . . There are some points of doctrine which I have unfortunately thrown out before the people.
At the time I expressed those views, I did most sincerely believe that they were in accordance with the word of God. I did most sincerely suppose that I was justifying the truth. But I have since learned from my brethren that some of the doctrines I had advanced . . . were incorrect." Elder Pratt then proceeded to say why it is important not to teach our own views, even though sincere. "Have we not a right to make up our minds in relation to the things recorded in the word of God, and speak about them, whether the living oracles believe our views or not? We have not the right. Why? Because the mind of man is weak: one man may make up his mind in this way, and another man may make up his mind in another way, and a third individual may have his views; and thus every man is left to be his own authority, and is governed by his own judgment, which he takes as his standard.
Do you not perceive that this would, in a short time, cause a complete disunion and division of sentiment throughout the whole Church?" (MOFP2:219)
(Orson Pratt was, at times, publicly criticized by Brigham Young for teaching incorrect doctrine. But it is of great interest to note Brigham Young's famous tribute to Orson Pratt: "If Elder Pratt was chopped up in inch pieces, each piece would cry out Mormonism is true" (Brigham Young's secretary's journal, Oct. 1, 1860)

806. All members of the Church are to confine their public interpretations of doctrine to those that are in harmony with the President of the Church.

President Brigham Young, Elder Wilford Woodruff, George A. Smith, Amasa M. Lyman, Ezra T. Benson, Charles C. Rich, Elder Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, George Q. Cannon
Orson Pratt
Mark E. Petersen
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
Related Witnesses
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
Mormon
President Joseph F. Smith
President Joseph Fielding Smith
Anthon H. Lund, Charles W. Penrose
J. Reuben Clark, Jr., David O. McKay

President Brigham Young, Elder Wilford Woodruff, George A. Smith, Amasa M. Lyman, Ezra T. Benson, Charles C. Rich, Elder Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, George Q. Cannon

It ought to have been known, years ago, by every person in the Church—for ample teachings have been given on the point—that no member of the Church has the right to publish any doctrines, as the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, without first submitting them for examination and approval to the First Presidency and the Twelve. There is but one man upon the earth, at one time, who holds the keys to receive commandments and revelations for the Church, and who has the authority to write doctrines by way of commandment unto the Church. And any man who so far forgets the order instituted by the Lord as to write and publish what may be termed new doctrines, without consulting with the First Presidency of the Church respecting them, places himself in a false position, and exposes himself to the power of darkness by violating his Priesthood.
While upon this subject, we wish to warn all the Elders of the Church, and to have it clearly understood by the members, that, in the future, whoever publishes any new doctrines without first taking this course, will be liable to lose his Priesthood. (Published proclamation of the First Presidency of the Church and the Twelve, Oct. 21, 1865) MOFP2:238-39

Orson Pratt,
quoted by President Brigham Young

There are a few things which have been a source of sorrow to myself, at different times, for many years.
Perhaps you may be desirous to know what they are. I will tell you. There are some points of doctrine which I have unfortunately thrown out before the people.
At the time I expressed those views, I did most sincerely believe that they were in accordance with the word of God. I did most sincerely suppose that I was justifying the truth. But I have since learned from my brethren that some of the doctrines I had advanced . . . were incorrect. Naturally being of a stubborn disposition, and having a kind of selfwill about me, and moreover supposing really and sincerely that I did understand what true doctrine was in relation to those points, I did not feel to yield to the judgment of my brethren, but believed they were in error. Now, was this right? No, it was not. Why? Because the Priesthood is the highest and only legitimate authority in the Church in these matters.
How is it about this? Have we not a right to make up our minds in relation to the things recorded in the word of God, and speak about them, whether the living oracles believe our views or not? We have not the right. Why? Because the mind of man is weak: one man may make up his mind in this way, and another man may make up his mind in another way, and a third individual may have his views; and thus every man is left to be his own authority, and is governed by his own judgment, which he takes as his standard.
Do you not perceive that this would, in a short time, cause a complete disunion and division of sentiment throughout the whole Church? . . .
"You have made this confession," says one; "and now we want to ask you a question on the subject. What do you believe concerning those points now?"
I will answer. . . . So far as revelation from the heavens is concerned, I have had none in relation to those points of doctrine. (Published message of the First Presidency of the Church, including primarily an address of Orson Pratt, Sr., Sept. 22, 1860) MOFP2:218-19

Mark E. Petersen

I believe that if a person accepts a position as a teacher in one of our organizations, or if he accepts the responsibility of preaching from the pulpit, such person accepts the responsibility which goes with that call. He becomes a representative of the Church in that position. Every teacher and every preacher therefore is duty bound, upon accepting such a call, to represent the official views and doctrines of the Church, and to teach those official doctrines in his class or from the pulpit with the one thought in mind that conversion is to come about in the hearts of those who listen to him. I do not believe that conversion to the truth comes through the teaching of half-truths or untruths.
Our classrooms and our assembly rooms have been built at great expense with one thought in mind, and that is that in them we may teach the truth so that we may convert those who come there, so that they in turn will live the gospel and work out their salvation in the earth. CR1953Apr:83

J. Reuben Clark, Jr.

You are not, whether high or low, to change the doctrines of the Church or to modify them, as they are declared by and in the Standard Works of the Church and by those whose authority it is to declare the mind and will of the Lord to the Church. The Lord had declared he is "the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Speaking in behalf of First Presidency [see letter of First Presidency, MOFP6:208-09] to seminary, institute, and Church school teachers at Aspen Grove. Entire speech published in Deseret News, Church Section, Aug. 13, 1938 and in IE1938Sep:520ff; copied in MOFP6:44-58. The speech was extracted for use as Lesson 18 of the Melchizedek Priesthood Course of Study 1969-70, p. 129ff) MPSG1969-70:137

Related Witnesses:

Elder Spencer W. Kimball

Mormon

President Joseph F. Smith

President Joseph Fielding Smith, Anthon H. Lund, Charles W. Penrose

(First Presidency),
quoted by
President George Albert Smith, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., David O. McKay

(First Presidency)
When visions, dreams, tongues, prophecy, impressions, or an extraordinary gift of inspiration conveys something out of harmony with the accepted revelations of the Church or contrary to the decisions of its constituted authorities, Latter-day Saints may know that it is not of God, no matter how plausible it may appear. Also, they should understand that directions for the guidance of the Church will come by revelation, through the head. (Published message of the First Presidency of the Church, Dec. 29, 1945, republishing a message of the previous First Presidency in 1913) MOFP6:244

We Believe: Doctrines and Principles

Monday, December 2, 2013

Teaching

801. Teachers of the gospel are to teach the official views and doctrines of the Church set forth in the Church-published words of the prophets.

Related Witnesses:

802. To convincingly teach the gospel we must live the gospel.

Related Witnesses:

803. Before we can effectively teach the gospel we must first obtain an understanding of the gospel.

804. Church members are to teach only under direction of the Spirit, without which they are commanded not to teach.

Related Witnesses:

805. Church teachers are to avoid discussion of theories and "mysteries"—subjects not taught by the prophets.

Related Witnesses:

806. All members of the Church are to confine their public interpretations of doctrine to those that are in harmony with the President of the Church.

Related Witnesses: