Revised Gospel Principals Manual

[David T]

Chapter 13: The Priesthood

The priesthood is the eternal power and authority of God. By his priesthood power the heavens and the earth were created. Through the priesthood He created and governs the heavens and the earth.

Our Heavenly Father shares delegates His priesthood power with worthy male members of the Church.

Only those who hold the priesthood can ordain others, and they can do so only when authorized by those who hold the keys for that ordination (see chapter 14 in this book).

he can do many wonderful things for his family and others. He can baptize and , confirm, and administer the sacrament when authorized by those who hold the keys for those ordinances. He can , and bless the sick. He can give priesthood blessings to his family members to encourage and protect them when they have special needs. He can also help other families with these ordinances and blessings when asked to do so.

Men use priesthood authority to preside in the Church in such callings as branch president, bishop, quorum president, or stake and mission leader stake president, and mission president. Men and women who hold positions in the Church as officers and teachers work under the direction of the priesthood leaders and under the guidance of the Holy Ghost.

A great latter-day prophet, President David O. McKay, promised every man who uses the priesthood in righteousness that he â??will find his life sweetened, his discernment sharpened to decide quickly between right and wrong, his feelings tender and compassionate, yet his spirit strong and valiant in defense of right; he will find the priesthood a neverfailing source of happinessâ?? a well of living water springing up unto eternal lifeâ? (â??Priesthood,â? Instructor, Oct. 1968, p. 378 Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay [2003], 116 ).

[mfbukowski]

*Bart Simpson writes on blackboard*

Somnolence is not a gift of the Spirit.

Somnolence is not a gift of the Spirit.

Somnolence is not a gift of the Spirit.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

Drama is a gift of the spirit? The need for constant stimulation is an addiction. Ask anyone on this forum.

[David T]

Chapter 14: Priesthood Organization

The priesthood is divided into two parts: the Melchizedek Priesthood and the Aaronic Priesthood (see D&C 107:1). The greater priesthood is the Melchizedek Priesthood. Long ago it was called The first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood . . . because Melchizedek was such a great high priest.

Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God. But the name was changed so the name of the Lord would not be used so often. The Church in ancient days called the priesthood the Melchizedek Priesthood after a great high priest who lived during the time of Abraham. (See D&C 107:24.)

But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid frequent repetition of his name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood. (D&C 107:2-4)

Those who hold the Aaronic Priesthood have authority to administer the outward ordinances of repentance the sacrament and baptism. (See D&C 20:46; D&C 107:13; 14, 20.)

Those holding the Melchizedek Priesthood have the power and authority to lead the Church and direct the preaching of the gospel in all parts of the world. They are in charge of administer all the spiritual work of the Church.

"There is a difference between priesthood and the keys being ordained to an office in the priesthood and receiving keys of the priesthood. A priest in a ward has power sufficient to baptize, yet he has not the right to perform this ordinance until he has been authorized by the bishop. The bishop has the keys to administer to the affairs belonging under his ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Therefore, he is the person who can tell a priest to baptize. The president and prophet of the Church has the keys of the priesthood to administer in all spiritual and temporal affairs of the Church. It is his right to delegate stake presidents, bishops, patriarchs and others, as holders of the keys pertaining to specific offices in certain geographical areas.

President Joseph F. Smith taught on this subject:

The Priesthood in general is the authority given to man to act for God. Every man ordained to any degree of the priesthood has this authority delegated to him.

But it is necessary that every act performed under this authority shall be done at the proper time and place, in the proper way, and after the proper order. The power of directing these labors constitutes the keys of the Priesthood. In their fulness, the keys are held by only one person at a time, the prophet and president of the Church. He may delegate any portion of this power to another, in which case that person holds the keys of that particular labor. Thus, the president of a temple, the president of a stake,

the bishop of a ward, the president of a mission, the president of a quorum, each holds the keys of the labors performed in that particular body or locality. His Priesthood is not increased by this special appointment; . . . the president of an elders quorum, for example, has no more Priesthood than any member of that quorum. But he holds the power of directing the official labors performed in the . . . quorum, or in other words, the keys of that division of that work.(Gospel Doctrine, p. 136) (Melvin R. Brooks, L.D.S. Reference Encyclopedia, p. 393 Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith [1998], 141;).

[David T]

(chapter 14, continued)

When the Aaronic Priesthood is conferred on a man or boy, he is ordained to an office in that priesthood. The offices in the Aaronic Priesthood are deacon, teacher, priest, and bishop. Each office carries duties and responsibilities. Each group or quorum is presided over by a group leader or quorum president who teaches the members their duties and asks them to fill assignments. Some men join the Church or become active after they have passed the usual age to receive the offices of this priesthood. They are usually ordained to an office in the Aaronic Priesthood and can soon be advanced to higher offices if they are as they remain worthy.

The deacons are usually assigned to pass the sacrament to members of the Church, act as ushers, keep Church buildings and grounds in good order, act as messengers for priesthood leaders, and fulfill special assignments such as collecting fast offerings.

Teachers in the Aaronic Priesthood are to help Church members live the commandments (see D&C 20:53â??59). To help fulfill this responsibility, they are usually called assigned to serve as home teachers.

Elders may administer to the sick (see D&C 42:44) . They are commanded to and bless little children (see D&C 20:70).

A high priest may be is given the authority to officiate in the Church and be in charge of administer spiritual things (see D&C 107:10, 12).

Patriarchs are ordained by General Authorities, or by stake presidents when they are authorized by the Council of the Twelve, to give special patriarchal blessings to members of the Church.

Seventies are special witnesses of Jesus Christ to the world and assist in building up and regulating the Church under the direction of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (see D&C 107:25, 34, 38, 93â??97).

An Apostle is a special witness of the name of Jesus Christ in all the world (see D&C 107:23).

There are in the stakes of Zion the following Melchizedek Priesthood quorums: At the general Church level, the members of the First Presidency form a quorum, as do the Twelve Apostles. The Seventies are also organized in quorums.

At the local Church level â?? in wards and branches and stakes and districts â?? Melchizedek Priesthood bearers are organized into the following quorums:

The quorum is to consist of up to ninety-six elders, presided over by a quorum presidency that is called by

the stake president. When this number is exceeded, the quorum may be divided.

Even though a man may be called and released from Church assignments callings, such as teacher, officer, quorum president, bishop, high councilor, or stake president, his membership in his quorum does not change.

Auxiliaries to the Priesthood

All organizations in the Church work under the direction of priesthood leaders and help them carry out the work of the Lord. For example, the presidencies in a ward's Relief Society, Young Women, Young Men, Primary, and Sunday School organizations serve under the direction of the bishopric. These organizations are called auxiliaries to the priesthood.

[mnn727]

To me this is quite a difference in meaning or understanding -- it may be more accurate, but I think it will shock some people and definatly change some understandings

An Apostle is a special witness of the name of Jesus Christ in all the world (see D&C 107:23).

[cinepro]

To me this is quite a difference in meaning or understanding -- it may be more accurate, but I think it will shock some people and definatly change some understandings

As I said before, I find all these small changes fascinating.

A great latter-day prophet, President David O. McKay, promised every man who uses the priesthood in righteousness...

Oh snap!

[Jeff K.]

I have yet to see anything of a substantial difference. But one supposes there are always people, lonely curmudgeons, who will use a microscope to increase the size of a molehill.

[Scott Lloyd]

To me this is quite a difference in meaning or understanding -- it may be more accurate, but I think it will shock some people and definatly change some understandings

Can you be more specific about what you see as the distinction?

[mnn727]

Can you be more specific about what you see as the distinction?

I think a lot of old time Mormons and some younger ones, believe the Apostles are witnesses in that they have seen/met Christ. Being a 'witness to his name' pretty much quashes that belief.

It appears that they are trying to stop speculation which is a good thing.

[Jeff K.]

I think a lot of old time Mormons and some younger ones, believe the Apostles are witnesses in that they have seen/met Christ. Being a 'witness to his name' pretty much quashes that belief.

It appears that they are trying to stop speculation which is a good thing.

Some might believe that. On the other hand it doesn't squash the possibility, but leaves open the depth of such a witness.

[David T]

...And yet reverts back to the wording of the original revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants. I truly love that the majority of these changes truly are bringing the book into closer accord with revealed scripture, removing many 'cultural' phrases and extensions/interpretations of concepts.

[zomg]

...And yet reverts back to the wording of the original revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants. I truly love that the majority of these changes truly are bringing the book into closer accord with revealed scripture, removing many 'cultural' phrases and extensions/interpretations of concepts.

That's how I feel when reading the changes!

[David T]

Chapter 15: The Lord's Covenant People

We covenant with the Savior at baptism to take upon ourselves his name. He promises that â??as many as . . . repent and are baptized in my name, which is Jesus Christ, and endure to the end, the same shall be savedâ? (D&C 18:22).

We covenant with the Lord as we partake of the sacrament. We promise to take His name upon ourselves, to remember Him and to obey His commandments. We are promised that the Holy Spirit will be with us. (See D&C 20:77â??79.) As members of the Church, we also covenant to obey the law of chastity, to keep the Sabbath day holy, and to be honest. When we enter into the eternal marriage covenant, When we receive temple ordinances, we make other sacred promises covenants and are promised exaltation for faithful obedience. (see D&C 132; see also chapter 47 in this manual).

God made the same covenant with Abrahamâ??s son Isaac and again with Isaacâ??s son Jacob. God changed Jacobâ??s name to Israel. Since that time, the descendants of Jacob, called Israelites, have been known as Godâ??s covenant people.

When we are baptized into the Church, we are adopted into Abrahamâ??s family and have part in enter into the covenant the Lord made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (see Galatians 3:26â??29). If we are obedient, we inherit the blessings of that covenant. We have the right to receive help and guidance from the Holy Ghost. We Worthy males have the right to hold the priesthood. Families can receive the blessings of the priesthood. We can gain eternal life in the celestial kingdom. There are no greater blessings than these.

As the Lordâ??s covenant people, we must should keep his commandments.

As we keep our covenants, our Heavenly Father promises us that we will receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom (see D&C 132:20â??24; see also chapter 47 in this manual).

How blessed we are to be Godâ??s covenant people. To the faithful Saint, the Lord has promised, â??All that my Father hath shall be given unto himâ? (D&C 84:38). The greatness of that promise is hard for mortals to understand. The commandments he gives are for our benefit, and as we are faithful we may forever share the blessings and beauties of heaven and earth. We may live in his presence and partake of his love, compassion, power, greatness, knowledge, wisdom, glory, and dominions.

[David T]

Chapter 16: The Church of Jesus Christ in Former Times

Jesus established his Church when he was on the earth. It was called the Church of Jesus Christ (see 3 Nephi 27:8 ) , and the members were called Saints. Through the persecution and martyrdom of Church leaders and the general wickedness of the people, the Church of Jesus Christ was taken from the earth. Today the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored and is called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All of the offices and functions of the Church in the days of Jesus are present in the Church today.

Thus, our New Testament contains letters written by the Apostles Paul, Peter, James, John, and Jude, giving counsel and instruction to the local priesthood leaders.

Soon after Jesus had ascended into heaven, the eleven Apostles met together to choose someone to take the place of Judas. Through revelation from the Holy Ghost, they chose Matthias. (See Acts 1:23;26.) Later, other Apostles died or were killed. Paul, Barnabas, and James, the brother of the Lord, were all ordained in their places. Jesus had set a pattern for twelve Apostles to govern the Church.

The Apostles taught two basic principles: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and repentance. After new converts had faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and their Redeemer and had repented of their sins, they received two ordinances: baptism by immersion and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. These were the first principles and ordinances of the gospel. Jesus had taught, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5). Everyone needed these saving ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost.

After Jesus was resurrected, he visited the people in America the Americas and organized his Church among them, teaching the people for three days and then returning often for some time thereafter (see 3 Nephi 11:28).

Throughout history, evil people have tried to destroy the work of God. This happened while the Apostles were still alive and supervising the young, growing Church. Some members taught ideas from their old pagan or Jewish beliefs instead of the simple truths taught by Jesus. Some rebelled openly. In addition, there was persecution from outside the Church. Church members were tortured and killed for their beliefs. One by one, the Apostles were killed or otherwise taken from the earth . Because of the persecution, surviving Apostles could not meet to choose and ordain men to replace those who were dead. Eventually, local priesthood leaders were the only ones who had authority to direct the scattered branches of the Church. Because of wickedness and apostasy, the apostolic authority and priesthood keys were also taken from the earth. The perfect organization of the Church that Jesus Christ had established no longer existed, and confusion resulted. More and more error crept into Church doctrine, and soon the destruction dissolution of the Church was complete. The period of time when the true Church no longer existed on earth is called the Great Apostasy.

Soon pagan beliefs dominated the thinking of those called Christians. The Roman emperor adopted this false Christianity as the state religion. This church was very different from the church Jesus organized. Members of this church believed It taught that God was a being without form or substance.

The emperor chose his own leaders and sometimes called them by the same titles used by priesthood leaders in the true Church of Christ. Church officers were given honor and wealth. Bishops and archbishops fought among themselves to gain more power. There were no Apostles or other priesthood leaders with power from God, and there were no spiritual gifts.

[Scott Lloyd]

Some might believe that. On the other hand it doesn't squash the possibility, but leaves open the depth of such a witness.

I agree that the change might inhibit rampant speculation, but I don't know that it would shock a lot of people.

Also, it is not unheard of for an apostle in the post-Joseph Smith period to have reported seeing Christ. As I recall, Melvin J. Ballard did so.

[David T]

Chapter 17: The Church of Jesus Christ Today

As a young boy, Joseph Smith wanted to know which of all the churches was the true Church of Jesus Christ.

On that morning a miraculous thing happened. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. The Savior told him not to join any church because the true Church was not on the earth. He also said that the teachings creeds of present churches were "an abomination in his sight" (Joseph Smith-History 1:19; see also 1:7-20).

John the Baptist came in 1829 to ordain Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to the Aaronic Priesthood confer the Aaronic Priesthood upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. (see D&C 13; 27:8 ) .

When the Church was first organized, only the framework was set up. The organization was completed during the next several years would continue to develop as the Church continued to grow .

Twelve Apostles, who are special witnesses of the name of Jesus Christ, teach the gospel and regulate the affairs of the Church in all parts of the world. Other general officers of the Church with special assignments, include including the Presiding Bishopric and the Quorums of the Seventy , serve under the direction of the First Presidency and the Twelve.

The offices of the priesthood include apostles, seventies, patriarchs, high priests, bishops, elders, priests, teachers, and deacons. These are the same offices that existed in the original Church.

In areas of the world where the Church is developing, there are missions, which are divided into the smaller units of districts, which are like stakes. Districts are divided into smalled units called branches, small branches, groups, and families which are like wards.

Other important truths that the Lord restored include the following:

1.Our Heavenly Father is a real person being with a tangible, perfected body of flesh and bones , and so is Jesus Christ. The Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit.

6.There are three degrees kingdoms of glory in the heavens, and through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, people will be rewarded according to their actions on earth and according to the desires of their hearts.

8.The temple endowment and sealings Ordinances and covenants are required for salvation and are available for both the living and the dead.

[David T]

Chapter 18: Faith in Jesus Christ

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel. It is a spiritual gift, and it is necessary to our salvation.

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that faith is a principle of Faith is a principle of action and power that motivates our day-to-day activities.

To have faith in Jesus Christ means to have such trust in him that we obey whatever he commands. There is no faith where there is no obedience. Likewise, there is true obedience only where there is faith. As we place our faith in Jesus Christ, becoming his obedient disciples, Heavenly Father will forgive our sins and prepare us to return to him.

The Prophet Alma compared increasing our faith to planting a seed: the word of God to a seed that must be nurtured by Faith:

By the gift of faith, miracles are wrought, angels appear, the gifts of the Spirit are given, prayers are answered, and men become the sons of God (see Moroni 7:25â??26, 36â??37). The Prophet Joseph Smith taught:

â??When faith comes it brings . . . apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, gifts, wisdom, knowledge, miracles, healings, tongues, interpretation of tongues, etc. All these appear when faith appears on the earth, and disappear when it disappears from the earth; for these are the effects of faith. . . . And he who possesses it will, through it, obtain all necessary knowledge and wisdom, until he shall know God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, whom he has sentâ??whom to know is eternal life. Amenâ? (Lectures on Faith, p. 69 [1985], 83).

[cinepro]

Interesting to see the emphasis on faith being a gift.

[David T]

...and removing the implication that the Lectures on Faith were written by Joseph Smith

[David T]

Chapter 19: Repentance

What is sin? The Apostle James said, â??To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sinâ? (James 4:17). Another Apostle John described sin as â??all unrighteousnessâ? (1 John 5:17) and â??the transgression of the lawâ? (1 John 3:4).

Elder President Spencer W. Kimball declared: â??There is no royal road to repentance, no privileged path to forgiveness. Every man must follow the same course whether he be rich or poor, educated or untrained, tall or short, prince or pauper, king or commoner. . . . There is only one way. It is a long road spiked with thorns and briars and pitfalls and problemsâ? (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 149 Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 38).

The first step of repentance is to To repent, we must admit to ourselves that we have sinned. If we do not admit this, we cannot repent.

We must confess all our sins to the Lord. In addition, we must confess serious sins -- such as adultery, fornication, and robbery, homosexual relations, spouse or child abuse, and the sale or use of illegal drugs --which might affect our standing in the Church, to the proper priesthood authority.

Elder President Kimball said: â??Repentance means not only to convict yourselves of the horror of the sin, but to confess it, abandon it, and restore to all who have been damaged to the total extent possible; then spend the balance of your lives trying to live the commandments of the Lord so he can eventually pardon you and cleanse youâ? (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 200). first, one repents. Having gained that ground he then must live the commandments of the Lord to retain his vantage point. This is necessary to secure complete forgivenessâ? (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, 43)

[David T]

Chapter 20: Baptism

Today, as in the days of Jesus, there are certain principles and ordinances of the gospel that we must learn and obey. A gospel principle is a true belief or a teaching.

Baptism is the gateway through which we enter the path to the celestial kingdom.

The Apostle Paul taught that being immersed in water and coming out again is symbolic of death

, burial, and resurrection. Our sins are washed away when we are baptized. After baptism we start a new life.

[David T]

In case you're wondering, the teaching that sins are washed away when we are baptized is taught very clearly two other times in the chapter. The removal here is to better simplify the subtopic at hand: newness of life

[David T]

Chapter 21: The Gift of the Holy Ghost

In chapter 7 we learned that the Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead. He is a spirit in the form of a man â??personage of Spiritâ? (D&C 130:22). He does not have a body of flesh and bones. He can be in only one place at a time, but His influence can be everywhere at once. His mission is to bear witness of the Father and the Son and of all truth.

Today many nonmembers people who are not members of the Church learn by the power of the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true (see Moroni 10:4â??5). But that flash of initial testimony leaves them if they do not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. They do not receive the continuing assurance that can come to those who have the gift of the Holy Ghost.

People who have been baptized and confirmed are After people are baptized, they are confirmed members of the Church and given the gift of the Holy Ghost through the laying on of hands by the elders of the Church. The Lord said, â??Whoso having faith you shall confirm in my church, by the laying on of the hands, and I will bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost upon themâ? (D&C 33:15).

Each person must â??receive the Holy Ghost.â? This means that the Holy Ghost will come to us only when we are faithful and desire help from this heavenly messenger (see Bruce R. McConkie, MormonDoctrine, p. 313). To be worthy to have the help of the Holy Ghost, we must seek earnestly to obey the commandments of God. We must keep our thoughts and actions pure. President David O. McKay said: â??One chief purpose of life is to overcome evil tendencies, to govern our appetites, to control our passionsâ?? anger, hatred, jealousy, immorality. We have to overcome them; we have to subject them, conquer them because God has said: â??. . . the Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy templesâ??â?? (Helaman 4:24), nor will it â??. . . always strive with manâ?? (2 Nephi 26:11)â? (â??Emotional Maturity,â? Instructor, Sept. 1959, p. 281).

Recognizing the Influence of the Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost usually communicates with us quietly. His influence is often referred to as a â??still small voiceâ? (see 1 Kings 19:9-12; Helaman 5:30; D&C 85:6). President Boyd K. Packer explained: â??The Holy Ghost speaks with a voice that you feel more than you hear...While we speak of 'listening' to the whisperings of the Spirit, most often one describes a spiritual prompting by saying, â??I had a feeling...'â? He continued: â??This voice of the Sprit speaks gently, prompting you what to do or what to say, or it may caution or warn youâ? (in Conference Report, Oct 1994, 77; or Ensign, Nov 1994, 60).

[Scott Lloyd]

Interesting to see the emphasis on faith being a gift.

But hardly surprising, since it is not new or unfamiliar doctrine. In both 1 Corinthians 12 and Moroni 10, where gifts of the Spirit are enumerated, faith is among the gifts listed.

Morover, in both 1 Corinthinas 12 and in D&C 46:8-9, one is enjoined to seek earnestly the best gifts, suggesting that the gift of faith does not come willy-nilly, but stems in part from the individual effort of the one receiving the gift. It is hard to conceive of a more essential gift than faith, though charity is designated as the greatest of the spiritual gifts.

[Joseph Antley]

Is the new manual online as PDF?