Foundational Principles

Section 20 of the Doctrine and Covenants, one of the founding revelations that was recorded around the time of the organization of the, can be divided into two fairly distinct parts. It is generally better known for the second section which outlines specifics about Church government, such as the manner of baptism, the duties of various offices in the priesthood, and how to bless the sacrament, all of which is contained from verses 37-84. As the Come, Follow Me manual states, though, “before outlining Church policies, priesthood offices, and procedures for performing ordinances, this revelation begins by teaching fundamental doctrine.” I love the language and witness of verses 1-36, the first section, in which we see some of the most important principles of the gospel declared in a powerful way.

                The manual suggests that we might “make a list of the gospel truths you find” in these first 36 verses of section 20. Here are four principles that I see which are foundational to our faith: 

·         The Book of Mormon “was given by inspiration” and “the holy scriptures are true.” In other words, the scriptures are the word of God. The Book of Mormon was translated by Joseph Smith with “power from on high” and it serves as proof to the world that the Bible is true (v8-11). This revelation puts the written word in the Book of Mormon and the Bible at the forefront of our faith and uses them as evidence of the other doctrinal truths it proclaims.  

·         “God does inspire men and call them to his holy work in this age and generation, as well as in generations of old.” The coming forth of the Book of Mormon and the calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith shows that God does work in our day like He did in the past and that He speaks to His prophets now like He spoke to prophets in days gone by. This is a powerful witness that God is unchanging and that “he is the same God yesterday, today, and forever” (v11-12).

·         Jesus Christ “suffered temptations but gave no heed unto them. He was crucified, died, and rose again the third day; And ascended into heaven, to sit down on the right hand of the Father, to reign with almighty power according to the will of the Father” (v22-24). The atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ are at the center of all principles of the gospel, and it is through Him that salvation is made possible.    

·         Through faith in Jesus Christ, with repentance and enduring to the end in righteousness, we obtain salvation. We read of the Book of Mormon in particular, “And those who receive it in faith, and work righteousness, shall receive a crown of eternal life” (v14). If we will receive the words of the scriptures with faith and work righteousness, we will have eternal life. The revelation also clarifies what it means to work righteousness: “That as many as would believe and be baptized in his holy name, and endure in faith to the end, should be saved” (v25). We must have faith and be baptized and endure to the end to be saved. A third verse puts it this way, “And we know that all men must repent and believe on the name of Jesus Christ, and worship the Father in his name, and endure in faith on his name to the end, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God” (v29). Again the same key points are emphasized: we must have faith and be righteous (repent) and endure with faith in the name of Jesus Christ. That is the path to salvation.

These first 36 verses of section 20 are a powerful reminder of the foundational principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: that the Book of Mormon and Bible are true, that God calls prophets in our day, that Jesus Christ died and was resurrected, and that through Him we can obtain salvation.