The Doctrine of Christ

What is a creed? What are examples of them throughout history and do they exist among us today? What does the Lord say about them? What did Joseph Smith teach about them? Join the discussion with us and seek the Spirit to know how we might recognize and address them in our day.

What is a creed? What are examples of them throughout history and do they exist among us today? What does the Lord say about them? What did Joseph Smith teach about them? Join the discussion with us and seek the Spirit to know how we might recognize and address them in our day.

Searching the scriptures requires knowing how to study them. In this presentation, Dustin Grady walks through some of the biggest ways to get more from the scriptures that most people tend to miss.

D&C 76 gives us an outline of the ascension process that we must go through to enter into God's Kingdom. The Lord tells us that he will give us “all things.” Later on, he tells us that we must overcome “all things.” What does this often used scriptural phrase really mean? Join us tonight as we take a deeper look at the phrase “all things.”

The book of Joel contains valuable insights to our world, our time and the latter-day gentile people. Joel describes in detail the works of God in the latter-days, and even shares echoed themes from Isaiah and Nephi's writings.

Many in the world claim to be called by or sent from God. As the old adage goes, "Actions speak louder than words." In connection with part one of this subject, "By Their Words", we'll explore the scriptures for the pattern of actions of those who are truly God's Servants. Please join us in this study that we might all better discern and not be deceived!

To a lost & fallen people, no message is more important to hear, discuss, understand and hearken: Repent & Return. "How oft have I gathered you," Christ asked the Nephites, referring to the past, and follows up with "how oft will I gather you?" Remember the past mercies offered by God, and pay attention to the same opportunity you have today to return to Christ and put 100% of your faith in Him.

God expects us to listen to his servants, and he also expects us to "live by every word that proceeds from [his] mouth." What can we learn from the scriptures regarding how to truly identify a true messenger, a true servant or a true prophet of the Lord Jesus Christ?

How do writings from thousands of years ago have meaning for us today? How can we effectively apply them to ourselves and still keep their original meaning? What can we do to gain a deeper perspective on "likening scriptures unto ourselves?"

The parable of the redemption of Zion found in D&C 101:43-66 holds some important keys to understanding the end times. The parable speaks of the mission of the servants who work to redeem fallen Zion and recover the Lord's vineyard from the enemy.

In the opening chapters of the book of Isaiah, the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine & Covenants, a bold principle is illustrated. The members of the then current church were called out to repent and come to Christ. Lehi was a faithful man to the Jewish faith of his time, yet he was sent prophets to wake him up, persuade him to faithfully seek Christ as his one and only leader, and to abandon the false traditions of his people.

How can someone get to know Jesus Christ? What are the ways that Jesus Christ can connect with people and give them knowledge, understanding, answers, wisdom and remission of sins. One of the most repeated promises from Jesus Christ in scripture is that of "ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you."

"The Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you." How do we awaken to our awful situation? What is our awful situation spoken of in the Book of Mormon as a warning for the latter day saints?

When Jesus Christ visited the Nephites, he said "ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah. For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; therefore it must needs be that he must speak also to the Gentiles" (3 Nephi 23:1). Why are the words of Isaiah great? Why should we search them?

Moroni explains that the latter-day gentiles may receive of the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon. To do so, they must exercise faith like unto the Brother of Jared and remember to serve the God of the land (Jesus Christ). If they do not repent and return to the Lord, they will not receive the greater portion. They will be swept off the land of promise.

What is the testimony of Jesus? Is it our declared belief in Him, or something much greater? We'll explore the phrase itself and a description of those individuals who have gone on to "receive the testimony of Jesus in the flesh" and what that may mean for the rest of us.

The scriptures describe three degrees of glory for human beings, depending upon their level of faithfulness. How do we describe the levels of glory and what kingdom and law is given for each one? What must a person become (or not become) in order to abide in these kingdoms? What becomes of those who attain a kingdom of glory but reject it and rebel against its laws?

Christ taught the Nephites about the end-time deliverance and the destruction that would come in the last days. However, He also taught about the triumph of Zion and the building of the New Jerusalem. The latter-day gentiles may receive the sealed portion containing the end from the beginning in "the day that they shall repent of their iniquity, and become clean before the Lord."

What are the comforters, and what is that which is called in scripture "another comforter?" Jesus says "if ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever." Let's explore the idea of another comforter as found in the scriptures.

Nephi, Isaiah, Christ and other prophets foretold that in the last days, Israel would be gathered again. The gentiles may also be numbered with the house of Israel if they repent and come unto Christ. Jesus Christ says "a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah. For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel."

With the endless talk about the doctrine of Christ, how can one find and teach it in it's simplest form? How did the prophets in the scriptures summarize it concisely and accurately? Can you we do the same? We'll explore the many simple and precise "power verses" in the scriptures, and show you a pattern to spot that helps the doctrine of Christ leap out of the pages and give you new eyes for Christ's doctrine in the scriptures.

What is the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost that is spoken of in scripture? What does it mean and how does someone obtain it? What blessings are associated with it? Is it an event or a process? Most importantly, how can one prepare to receive this central ordinance in the journey to follow Christ and become His sons & daughters?

Are we saved by grace or works? The interplay between these concepts is important to understand, and potentially devastating to get wrong. Nephi's phrase "saved by grace after all we can do" has confused latter-day gentiles for centuries. What does "after all we can do" even mean? What can someone do to "qualify" for grace? Who's the recipient of the grace of Jesus Christ?

Jesus Christ taught that "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." What is the Sabbath? Is the Sabbath the same as the Lord's Day? What day of the week does the Lord proscribe that we meet together to take the sacrament? How are we to administer and take the sacrament with each other?

One of Nephi's strongest desires was to make sure the latter-day people fully understood their dire situation. Seeing the world infested with the growing chains of bondage from the great and abominable church, Nephi's last message was a warning to awake, arise and enter in at the gate. Now.

What does "the tithing of my people" mean? What sacrifice does the Lord require? Who survives the "burning" and makes it to Zion, the New Jerusalem? Who is the "blood of Ephraim?" Who are the liars and hypocrites that are "not apostles and prophets?" Who is the voice crying in the wilderness in the latter days? How is the Gospel the Everlasting Covenant and how do we receive it?

The scriptures through many generations have spoken about a preparatory gospel and a fullness of the gospel. What is the preparatory gospel? What does it entail? What is this gospel preparing us for? These questions and more will be explored as we dive into the scriptures.

What did Jesus Christ teach about about eternal life? What is eternal life? How do we obtain it? What does eternal life mean? God says "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 God" (D&C 14:6-7).

Christ's doctrine is what He declares it is. His doctrine is so important to comprehend that Jesus warns people to keep it accurate. "Whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil." He declares that those who are on His rock profess no more or less than His doctrine. Living the doctrine of Christ is the only way to "come unto Him" and obtain the gift of salvation. What is the doctrine of Christ exactly?

The fullness of the gospel hangs upon our understanding & willingness to enter into the covenants that God has offered since the very beginning. What is this everlasting covenant? What makes it everlasting? Who is it for? What blessings are attached to it? How has it been changed and misunderstood over time?

Abraham found himself needing to leave the wicked society around him, who sought his life when he would not yield to the idolatrous ways of Babylon. He realized that “finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers.” What were these promises? How did Abraham find them? Abraham ultimately concluded “thy servant has sought thee earnestly; now I have found thee.”

What is "the gate by which ye should enter" spoken of in scriptures? The doctrine of Christ is clear that His sheep hear his voice and are numbered among His flock. Those who enter in at the gate are legit, and those who enter in by any other way than the gate are called robbers. It's critical to understand what this gate is, how one is to enter in, and what one should do after they enter into the gate.

The "work of the Father" is set to commence in a time "when this gospel shall be preached among the remnant of this people." Nephi and Isaiah wrote extensively about this work, with Jesus Christ himself explaining it to the Nephites during his visit, stating that Israel will be gathered and Zion redeemed with power as the Father prepares "the way whereby they may come unto me, that they may call on the Father in my name."

Would God ever allow a shepherd or prophet in Israel to lead his people astray? Has he ever in the past? Has God ever "removed them from their place" when they've attempted to? Where does this notion come from? Let's explore scriptural teachings, revelations and examples from ancient and recent times to better understand the answers.

As warned of in many scriptures, LDS restoration churches fell into condemnation and curse. How did this happen? When did it happen? What does this mean to us, living 190+ years later? And most importantly, under what conditions have the scriptures stated that this condemnation would be lifted and when?

Disciples of Christ carry heavy burden, but that weight can be made light in Christ. Through faith in Christ and reliance on His merits, we can become truly “willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death.” Losing your life for Christ's sake is the goal of all disciples.

Why does Nephi quote 12 chapters of Isaiah right before he gives his grand prophecy to the modern reader of the Book of Mormon? Is this prophesy clear and easy to understand or have the changes made to the BOM over time caused sacred truths to be lost? Let's Decode the second book of Nephi and restore the truths that Nephi, Mormon and Joseph intended to give us.

Nephi "with unwearyingness declared the word" without fear of men and with diligence in keeping God's commandments. Having been tested to the core, the Lord saw fit to give Nephi the sealing power to bind on earth and heaven, knowing that he would not do things that are contrary to God's will. What is this power Nephi received and how does one receive it? What is the holy order of God?

The Lord and His servants have a large work to undertake, preserving the fruit of the olive trees. They're commissioned to help prune the vineyard for the last time, according to the prophecies of Zenock, and reemphasized by Jacob. The Lord promises, “I will bless all those who labor in my vineyard with a mighty blessing.” What are the opportunities and blessings for those who labor in the Lord's vineyard?

The truth is that all mankind was fallen, sensual, and devilish by nature in their carnal state. Natural men & women are enemies to God and belong to the Devil. Satan has claim on them through the law of justice. The “good news” of the gospel is only a relief for those who humble themselves and understand the “bad news” of fallen mankind. Jesus Christ is willing and able to rescue and save us from our own carnal state.

The world will not and cannot offer peace. Peace is a gift from God, given to “the peacemakers” and the “peaceable followers of Christ” who exercise faith in Him, repent and come unto Him. True followers who are born again in Christ are they who are “filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ.”

When it comes to obtaining a remission of your sins, which attitudes and conditions of the heart are necessary? How does one prepare for the remission of sins? The natural man will assume righteousness and goodness before God, seeking blessings at His hand based on a confident assumption that he or she is worthy. A firm knowledge of our own unworthiness and need for a Savior is a catalyst for mighty faith to be cleansed from sin.

The foundation of the LDS restoration that Joseph Smith laid has become too difficult to see under the thick dust layer of history. From rewritten histories to forged revelations to faith-promoting rumors, Joseph's restored foundational teachings have been somewhat side-stepped by modern curriculum committees. These foundational teachings should be sought after, discovered and rediscovered in our search for the true revelations of modern times.

In 1834, dozens of leaders (including Joseph Smith) unanimously voted to remove Jesus Christ's name from the church. Later, Joseph begged the Lord to restore His name upon the church, but to no avail. Why? We analyze all of the major historical documents behind the LDS church name changes and analyze and compare them. Who changed the name of the church? Why it was changed, and what does it mean today?

In Summer of 1839, Joseph Smith taught the doctrine of Christ with power, clarity and by the Spirit. This masterpiece sermon was arguably the most comprehensive overview of any discourse on the subject in the last 200 years. One should be familiar with Joseph's Smith's revelatory teachings as they seek to understand the promises made in the scriptures.

What have Jesus Christ and His true prophets taught about accusations, forgiveness, advocacy and the horrific demands of justice? When we act as "Devil's advocate" by holding grudges, witholding forgiveness and "reviling against revilers," we assist in the adversary's work as the accuser. When we forgive others and extend the hand of mercy, we become like Christ in a far more profound way than we may realize.

Followers of Christ must follow the path He established. The path to the tree of life includes the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost and second comforter experiences. The host shares some personal experiences about preparing for, seeking after and receiving these things in this life. Those who seek to “come unto Christ” may know for themselves of “our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance" (1 Thes 1:5).

The Lord gives to people gifts of the spirit for the benefit of all that believe. He gives them "that ye may not be deceived... always remembering for what they are given." And why are they given? "They are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do." The Lord commands us to "seek ye earnestly the best gifts" that we might be of service to His believers.

The LDS Word of Wisdom discussion continued, with a modern day application. Using the same principles of “avoid toxins that harm” and “eat things that strengthen” we must be wise in our times. Many hidden dangers and benefits in common foods and household products are explored. Informed decision-making and wisdom from the Spirit should be applied to improving our temporal and spiritual health.

The Book of Commandments begins with the charge: “Hearken, O ye people of my church… Hearken ye people from afar; and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together. For verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape.” We must hearken (not merely listen) to the voice of the Lord, living by every word that proceeds forth from the mouth of God in order to become his people.

The Lord warned and forewarned the saints of evil & conspiring men in the last days who would seek to poison mankind and attack the general health of the population. The Word of Wisdom is designed to be adapted to the times in which we live. In modern times, we must all learn to identify and avoid harmful toxins and strive to consume a wise diet that allows for our bodies to heal and house the Holy Spirit.