"Behold, This is My Doctrine": Part 11 (Conclusion)

Our Constitution is Christ

I have really enjoyed writing this Series, and am a little sad to see it end.

This is My Doctrine

When we boil the gospel down to its core, and after all of the religious fluff evaporates away as steam into nothingness, we find at its heart something pure.

   1.  Supremacy of Christ

   There are a lot of wonderful ideas, precepts, teachings, rules, policies, and principles all around us.  BUT ALL OF THEM yield the floor to the Constitution of Christ's Word that lives in us: the inviolate conscience true followers of Jesus Christ have.

   2.  Universality of Christ

   We all possess the Light of Christ.  Every. Last. One. of Us (see, Moroni 7:16).

   What does it mean that Christ "is above all things, and in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things; and all things are by him, and of him, even God, forever and ever" (D&C 88:41).

   How is Jesus, who is the life and the light of the world, the Spark that quickens our intelligences?

   (You see, when we create rank, status and hierarchy here on earth, we denigrate the inherent divine light of those who aren't in leadership roles by not allowing God to speak through them.)

   3.  Power of Christ

   With the gift of the Holy Ghost we can speak with the tongue of angels (!) the very words of Christ (!!!), which are given by the power of the Holy Ghost.  This is how we minister to one another.  This is how we bring comfort to those who need comfort.  This is how we administer the gospel and the key of knowledge.

   4.  Words of Christ

   We are all seeking our burning bush.

   Once we are "in the gate," then we are to follow whatever the Lord tells us Personally.  "The words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do" (2 Nephi 32:3).

   Yes, it's great to listen to teachers, prophets, and apostles ― but it is even better to listen to God.  The test is not who is speaking; the test is whose words are being spoken?

   Maya Angelou said, "Listen to yourself and in that quietude you might hear the voice of God."

   "Trusting in the Lord" means we follow that divine voice within us over the competing calls of authority around us.

   5.  Truth of Christ

   God can tell us the truth of all things (Moroni 10:5).  The standard of truth lies within us (not outside of us) and is an unfailing anchor when others try to tug us toward something other than Christ.

   While the path to God is the same for everyone (through Christ), we find that Christ Himself tailors each of our journeys along that path, thereby rendering each path utterly unique.

   We need to trust in that Spirit, or voice, that witnesses of Christ and brings us to all things good.

   We must never let others ― no matter who they are or what they say ― ​lessen the light in us by allowing their bushels to smother the Word of Christ burning brightly in our hearts.

The Gospel of Tim

In 3 Nephi 27, we have a wonderful explanation of the gospel.  Given by the Lord himself.

​​   This is the gospel
   which I have given
   unto you — that I came
   into the world
   to do the will
   of my Father.

(2 Nephi 27:13)

See how simple?  When we're talking about the Capital "G" Gospel of Jesus Christ, there are specific things the Father asked Him to do. 

   - Be lifted up on the cross
   - Atone for our sins
   - Draw all men unto Him
   - Judge all men according to their works

Lower Case "g" gospel

But I want us to look at it in a new way.  Let's repeat these same words, but apply them to us:

   I came
   into the world
   to do the will
   of my Father.

That's it.  That's the plan.  That's the gospel for each of us. 

It's the same for us as it was for Christ.  The things that change are the things that God wants each of us to do here on earth.  (That's different for each of us.)  

Thus we see the futility of telling others, who have entered into the gate, how to live the "gospel" ― because they should be doing the things that Christ has told them to do!

Conclusion

Climb Sinai. 

Seek the Lord. 

Find your burning bush. 

Engrave His words upon the tablets of your heart.

As Moroni wrote in his Final Farewell:

   Did I not declare my words unto you,
   which were written by this man,
   like as one crying from the dead?

   And again I would exhort you
   that ye would come unto Christ.

   Yea, come unto Christ,
   and be perfected
   in him.

(Moroni 10:27, 30, 32)