Simplicity of the Gospel

[Connie]

I have been re-reading some of the talks from last conference, and i was really struck by this talk by Elder Gérald Caussé Of the Seventy: LDS.org - Ensign Article - Even a Child Can Understand

Here are some of the things he said:

"People who try to find God sometimes think that they have to look for Him in intellectually complicated concepts.

However, our Heavenly Father is always available to us. He adapts to our level of understanding."

"God would indeed be unjust if the gospel were only accessible to an intellectual elite. In His goodness, He has ensured that the truths regarding God are understandable to all His children, whatever their level of education or intellectual faculty."

"In reality, the fact that a principle can be understood even by a child is proof of its power. President John Taylor said, “It is true intelligence for a man to take a subject that is mysterious and great in itself and to unfold and simplify it so that a child can understand it” (“Discourse,” Deseret News, Sept. 30, 1857, 238). Far from diminishing its impact, purity and simplicity of expression allow the Holy Spirit to witness with greater certainty to the hearts of men."

"During His earthly ministry, Jesus constantly compared the simplicity and authenticity of His teachings to the tortuous logic of the Pharisees and other doctors of the law. They tried time and again to test Him with sophisticated questions, but His replies were always crystal clear and childlike in their simplicity."

"Rejection of the principle of simplicity and clarity has been the origin of many apostasies, both collective and individual."

"Little children have a marvelous disposition to learn. They have total trust in their teacher, a pure spirit, and great humility—in other words, the same qualities which open the door to the Holy Spirit. He is the channel through whom we gain knowledge of the things of the Spirit. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:11).

And he added, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14)."

"In the same way, our knowledge of God does not depend on the amount of information we accumulate. After all, all the knowledge of the gospel which is meaningful for our salvation can be summarized in a few points of doctrine, principles, and essential commandments, which are already there in the missionary lessons we receive before baptism. Knowing God is a matter of opening our hearts to gain a spiritual understanding and a fervent testimony of the truth of these few fundamental points of doctrine. Knowing God is having a testimony of His existence and feeling in one’s heart that He loves us. It is accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior and having a fervent desire to follow His example. In serving God and our neighbor, we witness of Christ and allow those around us to get to know Him better.

These principles find concrete application in the teaching which is given in our wards and branches. For you teachers of the Church, the principal goal of your lessons is the conversion of hearts. The quality of a lesson is not measured by the number of new pieces of information that you give your students. It comes from your capacity to invite the presence of the Spirit and to motivate your students to make commitments. It is by exercising their faith by putting into practice the lessons taught that they will increase their spiritual knowledge."

I would just like to encourage everyone to read this talk. And would also like to add my testimony to his. May we delight and glory in plainness and truth as Nephi did (see 2 Nephi 25:4 and 33:6). May we delight and glory in the simplicity of the gospel.

[HiJolly]

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is simple to those who have the Spirit of God with them. If they have another spirit, it is confusing and hard to understand.

HiJolly

[TheAngelPalmoni]

Yes, awesome, but once you've gotten the basics (milk) don't just be contempt with the basics, The gospel is infinitely deep and we are required by commandment to keep searching for the (Meat).

“I could explain a hundred fold more than I ever have of the glories of the kingdoms manifested to me in the vision, were I permitted, and were the people prepared to receive them. “

Joseph Smith, Jr.

“I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the Saints prepared to receive the things of God; but we frequently see some of them, after suffering all they have for the work of God, will fly to pieces like glass as soon as anything comes that is contrary to their traditions: they cannot stand the fire at all. How many will be able to abide a celestial law, and go through and receive their exaltation, I am unable to say, as many are called, but few are chosen.”

Joseph Smith, Jr.

“Had I inspiration, revelation, and lungs to communicate what my soul has contemplated in times past, there is not a soul in this congregation but would go to their homes and shut their mouths in everlasting silence on religion till they had learned something.”

Joseph Smith, Jr.

These are just some of the quotes. Grow some Spiritual Teeth!

[applepansy]

You're awesome Connie.

thank you for the reminder and for posting this.

applepansy

[Ezequiel]

that was a wonderful talk.

Its completely true though. I wish more people would see the simplicity and beauty of the gospel. In my mission, I found plenty of people that expressed the need to find God in some really strange, confusing and logical ways. I think this talk suited them. If only I had the talent to speak and teach as the general authorities....

It saddened me to see people tell me that men cannot understand God and know His motives. While this is true to a certain extent - I hate to think of God as a great blob of nonthingness shrouded in mistery, who doesn't have a voice, and purposely makes reaching Him a "mission impossible" thing. Its offensive to even think of that!

Edited April 1, 2009 by Ezequiel

[Jim108]

I will try to keep it simple. Here it goes. Believe. God bless Jim

[Madriglace]

My father and I were talking about this just the other. People try to make the gospel so deep and difficult when really it is very simple and user friendly. It is easy enough for everyone to understand and embrace. Our Savior takes no chances with our salvation (we do that) ... He loves us.

[Traveler]

I find the gospel easy and simple – so simple even a child can understand. I also find studying the gospel like an infinite onion. That is below each layer of understanding is another layer adding stunning brilliance. I call this the “Ah HA” or “Eureka” principle. It is interesting because I think I have learned something new, complex and wonderful only to think about it for a while and conclude that I have really always believe it and in reality it is quite simple. As simple as it is one can spend their whole lifetime exploring and learning about the gospel of Jesus Christ with numerous experiences of dajaview. Or as Isaiah said, "line upon line upon line, precept upon precept upon precept."

The Traveler

[Justice]

I see truths in the very same words I read in the scriptures that I did not see for years.

The simplicity is that every layer teaches about Jesus Christ, but with more depth and richness. It strengthens your testimony with each layer you peel off as the Spirit bears more powerful witness of the need for the Messiah in Father's plan of salvation.

[Madriglace]

I find the gospel easy and simple – so simple even a child can understand. I also find studying the gospel like an infinite onion. That is below each layer of understanding is another layer adding stunning brilliance. I call this the “Ah HA” or “Eureka” principle. It is interesting because I think I have learned something new, complex and wonderful only to think about it for a while and conclude that I have really always believe it and in reality it is quite simple. As simple as it is one can spend their whole lifetime exploring and learning about the gospel of Jesus Christ with numerous experiences of dajaview. Or as Isaiah said, "line upon line upon line, precept upon precept upon precept."

The Traveler

I love that Ah Ha principle ... happens to me alot. When I started teaching the kids in Sunday School and started studying the BofM instead of just reading I had one of those moments every week. But then thinking back to when I first went to the temple, my mother who was my escort told me that I would have questions and that she would answer them before we left the temple ... I had no questions, for me it was like .... "I know this." This gospel is so wonderful and just makes sense.