Revised Gospel Principals Manual

[mfbukowski]

Is the new manual online as PDF?

It is not; that is why nackhadlow should be given the MADB Award for Selfless Service Medallion for all his work.

[BCSpace]

BC, while a appreciate much of what you contribute here, I am one of those who thinks you are misreading the Churches statement on doctrine.

All the best,

T-Shirt

Obviously, I agree and it can be terribly misleading especially to a new member or investigator.

Any confusion on an investigator's part comes only from your side of the argument. For example:

1. Why do some members of the Church disagree with what the Church says?

2. Why would the Church publish in it's manuals that which is not doctrine without identifying it as such?

[Rob Osborn]

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

Here is a welcome change

I have been writing on the board for years that baptism is just the gateway or entrance to the path tot he Celestial Kingdom. It is thus a "preparaotry ordinance"- it prepares us to enter the path leading back to Heavenly Father. Many think that the lowest degree of the Celestial heaven is reserved just for those who have the basic baptism and nothing else which of coarse is not true.

17 Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.

18 And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.

(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 31:17 - 18)

Now the tie just needs to be made that there is no other way for man to enter into the path, and, that outside of the path is NOT salvation in any degree.

[mysteryman]

And I will keep saying it because it is true. It's what the Church has stated. It's how every ecclesiastical authority above and below me understands it. It's exactly how it's been taught for at least the last 30 years. Have you read the Church's statement yet? I link to it in my siggy.

Doesn't matter and that is a cognitive disconnect that actually changes the subject. The Church says the doctrine is established in official publications. The scriptures, for example, are indeed sources of doctrine and you may certainly go there to find doctrine, but neither you or I can establish doctrine from the scriptures. That is the job of the prophets (2 Peter 1:21).

Depends on the context. For example, iirc, I believe the Ensign also once published the entire KFD. But that was for a historical look. Therefore, the doctrine would be that the KFD is a historical look at what JS' opinion/understanding was at the time. A better and more modern example would be the intorduction to the Bible Dictionary. The intro establishes that the doctrine that the Bible dictionary is not doctrine. So context and stated caveats are the way to determine if something published by the Church is not doctrine. Otherwise, it is.

Edit: The manuals quote many works that are not doctrinal such as BRM's "Mormon Doctrine". Those particular quotes are doctrine because they are also published in an official work. So in the case of the KFD being quoted in the JS manual, I'll bet that there is no overriding context and those particular KFD quotes therefore are doctrine.

I may be a little late in mentioning this since this discussion has faded, but I just want to say that the King Follet Discourse is quoted and taught in the CES Manuel titled "Doctrines of the Gospel."

[David T]

Chapter 22: The Gifts of the Spirit

Following baptism, each of us had hands laid on our heads to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. If we are faithful, we can have his influence constantly continually with us. Through him, each of us can be blessed with certain spiritual powers called gifts of the Spirit. These gifts are given to those who are faithful to Christ. â??All these gifts come from God, for the benefit of the children of Godâ? (D&C 46:26). They help us know and teach the truths of the gospel. They will help us bless others. They will guide us back to our Heavenly Father. To use our gifts wisely, we need to know what they are, how we can develop them, and how to recognize Satanâ??s imitations of them.

Sometimes it is necessary to communicate the gospel in a language we have not learned that is unfamiliar to us . When this happens, the Lord can bless us with the ability to speak that language. Many missionaries have received the gift of tongues when there was a great need for it.

When we receive knowledge by revelation from the Holy Ghost, his Spirit speaks to our minds and our hearts and we feel the truth burn within us (see D&C 8:2).

The Gift of Knowing That Jesus Christ Is the Son of God (D&C 46:13)

This has been the gift of prophets and apostles who have been called as special witnesses of Jesus Christ. However, others are also given this gift. Every person can have a testimony. It usually comes through the whispering of the Holy Spirit but may come in a dream or vision. Elder Orson F. Whitney saw a vision of the Savior in Gethsemane. He saw the great suffering of the Savior, and it caused him to weep. Then the Savior took him into his arms and blessed him. (See Bryant S. Hinckley, The Faith of Our Pioneer Fathers, pp. 211â??13.) President David O. McKay taught: â??It is given unto some, says the Lord in the Doctrine and Covenants, to know by the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Son of God and that He was crucified for the sins of the world [ see D&C 46:13]. It is to these I refer who stand firm upon the rock of revelation in the testimony that they bear to the worldâ? (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay [2003], 166).

It is contrary to the order of heaven for a person to receive revelation for someone higher in authority over who he or she does not preside. If we truly have the gift of prophecy, we will not receive any revelation that does not agree with what the Lord has said in the scriptures (see Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3:203â??4).

Sometimes patriarchal blessings will tell us help us know which gifts we have been given.

We must be obedient and faithful to be given our gifts. We then should use these gifts to do the work of the Lord. They are not given to satisfy our curiosity or to prove anything to us because we lack faith. Our gifts are to be used to build up the kingdom of God and to strengthen our testimonies. Of spiritual gifts, the Lord said, â??They are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh to doâ? (D&C 46:9)

The Lord asks only one thing In return for giving us these gifts. He says, â??Ye must , the Lord asks that we â??give thanks unto God in the Spirit for whatsoever blessing ye [we] are blessed withâ? (D&C 46:32).

[T-Shirt]

Any confusion on an investigator's part comes only from your side of the argument. For example:

1. Why do some members of the Church disagree with what the Church says?

2. Why would the Church publish in it's manuals that which is not doctrine without identifying it as such?

BC, the Church's statement is very specific on where official doctrine "resides". Manuals are not listed among those places.

Best,

T-Shirt

[Scott Lloyd]

Chapter 22: The Gifts of the Spirit

... over who he or she does not preside.

Does the revised manual really say "over who"? That is improper grammar. It should be "over whom".

[Mormon Vader]

Now this is a teaching I am very glad to see they are officially moving away from. I have seen the church moving away from it gradually, but this is such a welcome change to see in the GP manual!

The old, deemphasized, teaching:

"Elder President Kimball said: “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 you” (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 200)."

The new teaching is that you can be forgiven immediately, not that you have to live the balance of your life "trying to live the commandments" before you "eventually [get] pardon[ed]."

[Scott Lloyd]

Now this is a teaching I am very glad to see they are officially moving away from. I have seen the church moving away from it gradually, but this is such a welcome change to see in the GP manual!

The old, deemphasized, teaching:

"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)."

The new teaching is that you can be forgiven immediately, not that you have to live the balance of your life "trying to live the commandments" before you "eventually [get] pardon[ed]."

I think the intended meaning was always that a determination to obey God and serve Him faithfully to the end is a measure of the sincerity (and genuineness) of one's repentance. I don't see the Church backing away from that.

[Mormon Vader]

I think the intended meaning was always that a determination to obey God and serve Him faithfully to the end is a measure of the sincerity (and genuineness) of one's repentance. I don't see the Church backing away from that.

I probably wasn't clear. Let me illustrate a somewhat common approach to sin and repentance in the church:

Then

We have to suffer for our sins for [insert measure of time], and live a good life [insert measure of time] before we can be forgiven.

Now

We can be forgiven immediately (this doesn't remove consequences, of course) if we face the Savior and begin following the commandments from that day forth. A man can receive forgiveness immediately for adultery the second he turns his life to the Savior and begins keeping the commandments, but this doesn't take away the consequences of him possibly losing his family and being excommunicated.

My personal opinion is you can be forgiven of a sin you committed and still be under priesthood restriction to refrain from taking the sacrament or participating in other activities reserved for worthy members. It's like forgiving your kid for missing his curfew: you forgive him, but he's still grounded for a week.

The church is not backing away from desiring and living a good life, so I agree with you there, but I think they are backing away from it takes time and more time to finally (eventually) receive forgiveness. You still must live (or try to live) a good life after you receive forgiveness, otherwise it's not really repenting is it?

[Scott Lloyd]

I probably wasn't clear. Let me illustrate a somewhat common approach to sin and repentance in the church:

Then

We have to suffer for our sins for [insert measure of time], and live a good life [insert measure of time] before we can be forgiven.

Now

We can be forgiven immediately (this doesn't remove consequences, of course) if we face the Savior and begin following the commandments from that day forth. A man can receive forgiveness immediately for adultery the second he turns his life to the Savior and begins keeping the commandments, but this doesn't take away the consequences of him possibly losing his family and being excommunicated.

My personal opinion is you can be forgiven of a sin you committed and still be under priesthood restriction to refrain from taking the sacrament or participating in other activities reserved for worthy members. It's like forgiving your kid for missing his curfew: you forgive him, but he's still grounded for a week.

The church is not backing away from desiring and living a good life, so I agree with you there, but I think they are backing away from it takes time and more time to finally (eventually) receive forgiveness. You still must live (or try to live) a good life after you receive forgiveness, otherwise it's not really repenting is it?

I think we are on the same page regarding forgiveness more-or-less immediately following repentance with the requirement that one continue to live righteously. I'm unconvinced, though, that this understanding reflects a paradigm shift on the part of the Church, though in the past it may have been expressed imprecisely or misunderstood on occasion.

[Mormon Vader]

I think we are on the same page regarding forgiveness more-or-less immediately following repentance with the requirement that one continue to live righteously. I'm unconvinced, though, that this understanding reflects a paradigm shift on the part of the Church, though in the past it may have been expressed imprecisely or misunderstood on occasion.

That may very well be.

[jkfrost]

Gospel Principles (2009)

I haven't seen it readable online at LDS.org yet, just for purchase. Does anyone know anything more about this manual?

EDIT: (august 6) Starting on post #155 of this thread, I've started documenting the changes in each chapter. Click ahead to skip the speculation, and see what actually has or has not changed in these chapters:

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3: Jesus Christ, Our Chosen Leader and Savior

Chapter 4: Freedom to Choose

Chapter 5: The Creation

Chapter 6: The Fall of Adam and Eve

Chapter 7: The Holy Ghost

Chapter 8: Praying to Our Heavenly Father

Chapter 9: Prophets of God

Chapter 10: Scriptures

Chapter 11: The Life of Christ

Chapter 12: The Atonement

Chapter 13: The Priesthood

Chapter 14: Priesthood Organization

Chapter 15: The Lord's Covenant People

Chapter 16: The Church of Jesus Christ in Former Times

Chapter 17: The Church of Jesus Christ Today

Chapter 18: Faith in Jesus Christ

Chapter 19: Repentance

Chapter 20: Baptism

Chapter 21: The Gift of the Holy Ghost

Chapter 22: The Gifts of the Spirit

Do you have the chapter on exaltation coming up?

Would like to see how it is condensed or clarified.

I ordered a box of books for the GP class.

[onthepath]

In Chapter 16, where it discusses The Great Apostasy, the new manual (and apparently the old one, too) says: "There were no Apostles or other priesthood leaders with power from God, and there were no spiritual gifts."

The list of spiritual gifts we've always discussed (as listed in both the NT and the BOM) in classes has been emphasized as a list of gifts available to all, regardless of priesthood authority.

Does the chapter on spiritual gifts say that those gifts are only available to baptized LDS members?

And if Mormons are the only ones with access to spiritual gifts, how do we then explain the gifts of faith, wisdom, healing, knowledge, etc. that have existed in the intervening millennia (and continue to be manifested by people of other faiths even today)?

[David T]

And if Mormons are the only ones with access to spiritual gifts, how do we then explain the gifts of faith, wisdom, healing, knowledge, etc. that have existed in the intervening millennia (and continue to be manifested by people of other faiths even today)?

A gift of the Spirit is an element of godliness, a portion of our full potential being 'unlocked' to us now, as an 'earnest' for what is to come. The unlocking comes in an authorized manner. I believe that aspects of the 'prompting' or 'witness' of the spirit can manifest itself similarly to many of the gifts for an initial witness of His presence to nonmembers, but will not remain and be the right of the individual to access without receiving the authorized Gift of the Holy Ghost.

A source that promises the right to and consistent use of these gifts without doing so in the Lord's way is unauthorized, and is contrary to the will and economy of God. In the words of the manual:

Satan Imitates the Gifts of the Spirit

Satan can imitate the gifts of tongues, prophecy, visions, healings, and other miracles. Moses had to compete with Satans

imitations in Pharaohs court (see Exodus 7:822). Satan wants us to believe in his false prophets, false healers, and false miracle workers. They may appear to be so real to us that the only way to know is to ask God for the gift of discernment.

The devil himself can appear as an angel of light (see 2 Nephi 9:9).

Satan wants to blind us to the truth and keep us from seeking the true gifts of the Spirit. Mediums, astrologers, fortune tellers, and sorcerers are inspired by Satan even if they claim to follow God. Their works are abominable to the Lord (see Isaiah 47:1214; Deuteronomy 18:910). We should avoid all associations with the powers of Satan.

[cinepro]

I may be a little late in mentioning this since this discussion has faded, but I just want to say that the King Follet Discourse is quoted and taught in the CES Manuel titled "Doctrines of the Gospel."

Yes, but only those portions specifically quoted might be considered "Doctrine" (and only then if they meet the different standards of "Doctrine" set forth by different members of the Church).

[David T]

Chapter 23: The Sacrament

To help them remember, he introduced the sacrament. He broke bread into pieces and blessed it. Then he said, â??Take, eat; this is in remembrance of my body which I give a ransom for youâ? (Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 26:22). Next he took a cup of wine, blessed it, and gave it to his Apostles to drink. He and said: â??Drink ye all of it. For this is in remembrance of my blood . . . , which is shed for as many as shall believe on my name, for the remission of their sinsâ? (Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 26:23â??24; see also Matthew 26:26â??28; Mark 14:22â??24; Luke 22:15â??20).

After his resurrection, Jesus the Savior came to the Americas and taught the Nephites the same ordinance (see 3 Nephi 18:1â??11).

A priest or elder Melchizedek Priesthood holder breaks bread into pieces, kneels, and blesses it (see D&C 20:76). A deacon or other priesthood holder then passes the sacrament bread to the congregation. Then the priest or elder Melchizedek Priesthood holder blesses the water and it too is passed to the members.

We covenant that we are willing to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ. By this we show we are willing to be identified with him and his Church. We commit to serve Him and our fellowman. We promise that we will not bring shame or reproach upon that name.

Jesus gave us the pattern for partaking of the sacrament (see 3 Nephi 18:1â??12) and said that when we follow this pattern, repenting of our sins and believing on His name, we will gain a remission of our sins (see Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 26:24).

Before partaking of the sacrament, we are to prepare ourselves spiritually. The Lord emphasizes that no one should partake of the sacrament unworthily. That means we must repent of our sins before taking the sacrament. The scriptures say, â??If any have trespassed, let him not partake until he makes reconciliationâ? (D&C 46:4). The scriptures also say The Lord instructed his twelve Nephite disciples, â??Ye shall not suffer any one knowingly to partake of my flesh and blood unworthily, when ye shall minister it; For whoso eateth and drinketh my flesh and blood unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to his soulâ? (3 Nephi 18:28â??29).

[emeliza]

Does the chapter on spiritual gifts say that those gifts are only available to baptized LDS members?

The way my local ward has been teaching this is that everyone has a spiritual gift (which is what it says in the scriptures). Priesthood is the power of authority to salvation. It isn't the power to heal or communicate or any of those types of things. It is for the salvation of man. Sometimes those tangle together, but everyone has a gift, in and out of the Church. Some just don't know it.

[David T]

I'll regress, since I don't want to have to send people to anti sites to read of changes in chapters. So following will be Chapters 1, 2, and 47...

[David T]

Chapter 1: Our Father in Heaven Heavenly Father

The prophets have taught us that God is the almighty ruler of the universe. God dwells in heaven (see D&C20:17). Through his Son, Jesus Christ, he created the heavens and the earth and all

things that are in them (see Moses 2:1).

God is the one Supreme and Absolute being in whom we believe and whom we worship. He is the Creator, Ruler, and Preserver of all things (see Discourses of Brigham Young, pp. 18â??23). â??Great Parent of the Universe,â? and He â??looks upon the whole of the human family with a fatherly care and paternal regardâ? (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 39).

Because we are made in his image (see Moses 6:9), we know that God has a body that looks like ours our bodies are like His body . His eternal spirit is housed in a tangible body of flesh and bones (see D&C 130:22). Godâ??s body, however, is perfected and glorified, with a glory beyond all description.

God is perfect. He is a God of righteousness, with attributes such as love, mercy, charity, truth, power, faith, knowledge, and judgment. He has all power. He knows all things. He is full of goodness.

All good things come from God. Everything that he does is to help his children become like him â??a god. He has said, â??Behold, this is my work and my gloryâ??to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of manâ? (Moses 1:39).

[David T]

Chapter 2: Our Heavenly Family

God is not only our ruler and creator; he is also our Heavenly Father. â??All men and women are . . . literally the sons and daughters of Deity God. . . . â??Man, as a spirit, was begotten and born of heavenly parents, and reared to maturity in the eternal mansions of the Father, prior to coming upon the earth in

a temporal [physical] bodyâ? (Joseph F. Smith, â??The Origin of Man,â? Improvement Era, Nov. 1909, pp. 78, 80) (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith [1998], 335).

Every person who was ever born on earth was is our spirit brother or sister in heaven. The first spirit born to our heavenly parents was Jesus Christ (see D&C 93:21), so he is literally our elder brother (see Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 26). Because we are the spiritual children of our heavenly parents God , we have inherited the potential to develop their His divine qualities. If we choose to do so Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can become perfect, just as they are like our Heavenly Father and receive a fulness of joy.

The scriptures teach us that the prophets prepared themselves to become leaders on earth while they were still spirits in heaven (see Alma 13:1â??3). God foreordained (chose) them to be his leaders on earth before they were born into mortal bodies Before they were born into mortal bodies, God foreordained (chose) them to be leaders on earth. Jesus, Adam, and Abraham were some of these leaders. (See Abraham 3:22â??23.) Joseph Smith taught that everyone who has a calling to lead people on earth in the Church was foreordained to do so (see Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 365) â??every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was [fore]ordained to that very purposeâ? (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 511). . However, everyone is free on earth is free to accept or reject the calling any opportunity to serve .

We were not all alike in heaven. We know, for example, that we were sons and daughters of heavenly parents â?? males and females (see â??The Family: A Proclamation to the World,â? Ensign, Nov 1995, 102).We were given possessed different talents and abilities, and we were called to do different things

on earth. (See Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 51.) We can learn more about our talents and callings â??eternal possibilitiesâ? when we receive our patriarchal blessings (see Harold B. Lee, Stand Ye in Holy Places, p. 117). (see Thomas S. Monson, in Conference Report, Oct 1986, 82; or Ensign, Nov 1986, 66).

Even though we have forgotten, A veil covers our memories of our premortal life, but our Father in Heaven remembers who we were and what we did before we came here (see Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 50). He has chosen the time and place for each of us to be born so we can learn the lessons we personally need and do the most good with our individual talents and personalities.

Our Heavenly parents provided us with a celestial home more glorious and beautiful than any place on earth. We were happy there. Yet they Father knew we could not progress beyond a certain point unless we left them Him for a time. They He wanted us to develop the godlike qualities that they have He has . To do this, we needed to leave our celestial premortal home to be tested and to gain experience. We needed to choose good over evil. Our spirits needed to be clothed with physical bodies. We would need to leave our physical bodies at death and reunite with them in the Resurrection. Then we would receive immortal bodies like those that of our Heavenly parents Father. If we passed our tests, we would receive the fulness of joy that our Heavenly parents have Father has received. (See D&C 93:30â??34.)

Since we could not progress further in heaven, oOur Heavenly Father called a Grand Council to present His plan for our progression (see Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 348, 349, 365) (see Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 209, 511). We learned that if we followed His plan, we would become like Him. We would have a be resurrected body; we would have all power in heaven and on earth; we would become heavenly parents and have spirit children just as He does (see D&C 132:19â??20).

We learned that he would provide an earth for us where we would be tested prove ourselves.(see Abraham 3:24â??26). A veil would cover our memories, and we would forget our heavenly home. This would be necessary so we could exercise our agency to choose good or evil without being influenced by the memory of living with our Heavenly Father. Thus we could obey Him because of our faith in Him, not because of our knowledge or memory of Him. He would help us recognize the truth when we heard it again on earth (see John 18:37).

At the Grand Council we also learned the purpose for our progression: to have a fulness of joy. However, we also learned that not all of our Fatherâ??s children would want to receive a fulness of joy. some of us would be deceived, choose other paths, and lose our their way. We learned that all of us would have trials in our lives: sickness, disappointment, pain, sorrow, and death. But we understood that these would be given to us for our experience and our good (see D&C 122:7). If we allowed them to, these trials would purify us rather than defeat us. They would teach us to have endurance, patience, and charity (see Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, pp. 97â??98) (see Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 15-16) .

At this council we also learned that because of our weakness, all of us except little children would sin. We learned that a Savior would be provided for us so we could overcome our sins and overcome death with resurrection. We learned that if we placed our faith in Him, obeying His word and following his example, we would be exalted and become like our Heavenly parents Father . We would receive a fulness of joy.

[David T]

For the record, that above is the entire text of Chapter 2. Context is very important. Just because a teaching is removed or de-emphasized from a line, doesn't mean it isn't present in the chapter.

[Scott Lloyd]

I think it interesting that some of the source citations have been altered to reference books in the "Teachings of the Presidents of the Church" series. This tells me that these manuals for Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society classes have an official status, as it were, that is not necessarily accorded other Church books, such as the old Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith and President Kimball's Miracle of Forgiveness.

I think this is good, especially in the case of the current manual on the teachings of Joseph Smith, which incorporates very recent scholarship growing out of the Joseph Smith Papers Project.

[David T]

Below, also, for context, is the entire chapter:

Chapter 47: Exaltation

When we lived with our Heavenly Father, he explained a plan for our progression. We could become like him, an exalted being. The plan required that we be separated from him and come to earth. This separation was necessary to prove whether we would obey our Fatherâ??s commandments even though we were no longer in his presence. The plan provided that when earth life ended, we would be judged and rewarded according to the degree of our faith and obedience. We would then be assigned to the place for which we had prepared.

Jesus taught, â??In my Fatherâ??s house are many mansionsâ? (John 14:2). From the scriptures we learn that there are three kingdoms of glory in heaven. The Apostle Paul mentioned that he knew a man who was â??caught up to the third heavenâ? (2 Corinthians 12:2). Paul named two of the kingdoms in heaven: the celestial and the terrestrial (see 1 Corinthians 15:40â??42). The celestial is the highest, and the terrestrial is second. Through latter-day revelation we learn that the third kingdom is the telestial kingdom (see D&C 76:81). We also learn that there are three heavens or degrees within the celestial kingdom (see D&C 131:1).

Exaltation is eternal life, the kind of life God lives. He lives in great glory. He is perfect. He possesses all knowledge and all wisdom. He is the Father of spirit children. He is a creator. We can become like our Heavenly Father. This is exaltation.

If we prove faithful to the Lord, we will live in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom of heaven. We will become exalted, just like our Heavenly Father to live with our Heavenly Father in eternal families . Exaltation is the greatest gift that Heavenly Father can give his children (see D&C 14:7).

Our Heavenly Father is perfect . However, he is not jealous of his wisdom and perfection. and He glories in the fact that it is possible for his children to become like Him. He has said, â??This is my His work and my his gloryâ?? is â?? to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of manâ? (Moses 1:39).

Those who receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ will receive special blessings. The Lord has promised, â??All things are theirsâ? (D&C 76:59). These are some of the blessings given to exalted people:

1. They will live eternally in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ (see D&C 76).

2. They will become gods.

3. They will have their righteous family members with them be united eternally with their righteous family and will be able to have spirit children also . These spirit children will have the same relationship to them as we do to our Heavenly Father. They will be an eternal family.eternal increase

4. They will receive a fulness of joy.

5.They will have everything that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ haveâ??all power, glory, dominion, and knowledge. President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote: â??The Father has promised through the Son that all that he has shall be given to those who are obedient to his commandments. They shall increase in knowledge, wisdom, and power, going from grace to grace, until the fulness of the perfect day shall burst upon themâ? (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:36).

The time to fulfill the requirements for exaltation is now (see Alma 34:32â??34). President Joseph Fielding Smith said, â??In order to obtain the exaltation we must accept the gospel and all its covenants; and take upon us the obligations which the Lord has offered; and walk in the light and understanding of the truth; and â??live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of Godâ?? â? (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:43).

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 certain ordinances:

1. We must be baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ.

2. We must receive the laying on of hands for the 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

3. 4. We must receive the temple endowment.

4.5. We must be married for time and eternity, either in this life or in the next.

In addition to receiving the required ordinances, the Lord commands all of us toâ??

1.Love and worship God 2. Love and our neighbors.

2. Keep the commandments

3. Repent of our wrongdoings.

4. Live the law of chastity.

5. Pay honest tithes and offerings.

6.Be honest in our dealings with others and with the Lord.

7. Speak the truth always.

8. Obey the Word of Wisdom.

9. 4. Search out our kindred dead and receive the saving ordinances of the gospel for them.

10. Keep the Sabbath day holy.

11. 5. Attend our Church meetings as regularly as possible so we can renew our baptismal covenants by partaking of the sacrament.

12. 6. Love our family members and strengthen them in the ways of the Lord.

13. 7. Have family and individual prayers every day.

14. Honor our parents.

15. 8. Teach the gospel to others by word and example.

16. 9. Study the scriptures.

17. 10. Listen to and obey the inspired words of the prophets of the Lord.

Finally, each of us needs to receive the Holy Ghost and learn to follow his direction in our individual lives.

What happens when we have endured to the end in faithful discipleship to Christ? The Lord has said, â??If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of Godâ? (D&C 14:7). President Joseph Fielding Smith said, â??If we will continue in God; that is, keep his commandments, worship him and live his truth; then the time will come when we shall bebathed in the fulness of truth, which shall grow brighter and brighter until the perfect dayâ? (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:36).

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: â??When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the Gospelâ??you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil [died] before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the graveâ? (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 348) (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 268) .

This is the way our Heavenly Father became God. Joseph Smith taught: â??It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the character of God. . . . He was once a man like us; . . .God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ himself didâ? (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], pp. 345â??46).

Our Heavenly Father knows our trials, our weaknesses, and our sins. He has compassion and mercy on us. He wants us to succeed even as He did.

Imagine what joy each of us will have when we return to our Heavenly Father if we can say: â??Father, I did what you wanted me to do lived according to Thy will . I have been faithful and have kept your thy commandments. I am happy to be home again.â? Then we will hear Him say, â??Well done; . . . thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lordâ? (Matthew 25:23).

[David T]

I think it interesting that some of the source citations have been altered to reference books in the "Teachings of the Presidents of the Church" series. This tells me that these manuals for Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society classes have an official status, as it were, that is not necessarily accorded other Church books, such as the old Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith and President Kimball's Miracle of Forgiveness.

I think this is good, especially in the case of the current manual on the teachings of Joseph Smith, which incorporates very recent scholarship growing out of the Joseph Smith Papers Project.

That, and the fact that the Church makes available the Teachings of Presidents books for free, both in hardcopy, and online, in multiple languages, due to the fact that they are Church Curriculum. Most of the previously referenced books have either not been translated in their entirety, or have only been translated in a very limited number of languages. That, also, was one of the key reasons for the TPC series: to make available to all what was once only available to a few.