The Grand Fundamental Principles of Mormonism

[HiJolly]

A week ago Sunday, my neighbor gave a great talk. It was about friendship. She read a quote by Marlin K. Jensen, a General Authority and the Church Historian. He said that Joseph Smith said that the first grand fundamental principle of Mormonism was Friendship.

I had read that before in my studies, but LOVED hearing it from the pulpit. There are 3 grand fundamental principles according to Joseph. 1) Friendship 2) Relief and 3) Seeking truth where ever it can be found.

Brigham Young said "if we do not seek out truth wherever it may be found, we will not come out true Mormons".

Just a thought. :)

[HEthePrimate]

HiJolly, I think those quotes are great! And absolutely true. As my CES buddy likes to say, "The Gospel is all about relationships." Problems arise when people lose sight of that fact, and pay more attention to minutiae (the Devil's in the details, indeed! ) and abstract principles than to the people those principles are supposed to serve, and so Jesus emphasized that all the commandments hang on the two greatest commandments of loving God and loving our neighbors.

Thanks for sharing that with us. :)

[Seminarysnoozer]

A week ago Sunday, my neighbor gave a great talk. It was about friendship. She read a quote by Marlin K. Jensen, a General Authority and the Church Historian. He said that Joseph Smith said that the first grand fundamental principle of Mormonism was Friendship.

I had read that before in my studies, but LOVED hearing it from the pulpit. There are 3 grand fundamental principles according to Joseph. 1) Friendship 2) Relief and 3) Seeking truth where ever it can be found.

Brigham Young said "if we do not seek out truth wherever it may be found, we will not come out true Mormons".

Just a thought. :)

I think the reason it is a fundamental principle of Mormonism is because it is a fundamental principle of happiness and therefore of God.

People often struggle with the concept of an all-knowing, all-powerful God having any interest in humanity. Unless one understands the idea that the way happiness can be eternal and endless is when we take pleasure in the success of others. If our pleasure was only confined to our own success it would be limited. By "sharing" in the success of others our happiness is multiplied. To love our neighbor as ourselves, the idea of friendship and service and family are all concepts to teach us this fundamental concept that the only way to have eternal glory and happiness is to be tied into the success of others through the sealing of our relationships.

This is why it is sooooo backward to think that God could exist by himself. Or to think that in order to be spiritual one has to retreat to a mountain top somewhere and live a celibate life. Satan wanted to be alone, he wanted to separate himself from that connection and be independent. He still wants others to strive for that independent status with the idea that that is possible. I think members of our own church sometimes get mixed up with the idea that we all have to individually do everything God has done to be like God and miss this concept of "shared" glory. If the glory is inheritable, by definition it can be shared. But it can only be shared when the individuals involved are "one" which is why friendship, love, family are such important principles to our gospel.

[Avrham]

Its interesting to note that 10commandents involves a relationship between God and ourseles and it is really the core of the gospel that relationships with God and each other carry over into the next life :)

[Traveler]

A week ago Sunday, my neighbor gave a great talk. It was about friendship. She read a quote by Marlin K. Jensen, a General Authority and the Church Historian. He said that Joseph Smith said that the first grand fundamental principle of Mormonism was Friendship.

I had read that before in my studies, but LOVED hearing it from the pulpit. There are 3 grand fundamental principles according to Joseph. 1) Friendship 2) Relief and 3) Seeking truth where ever it can be found.

Brigham Young said "if we do not seek out truth wherever it may be found, we will not come out true Mormons".

Just a thought. :)

I would be interested in a reference - please. Not that I doubt but that I would like to include this in my personal library and notes.

Thanks

The Traveler