D&C + Church History – Lesson 1
Building Stones – cornerstone, keystone, and capstone.
- Cornerstone – this is the foundation – without the cornerstone no structure can be successfully built. The cornerstone of the gospel (and hence of a true testimony of the gospel) is Christ. All other elements of our testimony must be based on our testimony of Christ or they cannot be guaranteed to withstand the pressures of our trials.
- Keystone – this is the element which makes the structure able to support itself without external scaffolding. The keystone of our religion (and testimony) is the Book of Mormon and our testimony of the Book of Mormon must be founded in our testimony of Christ. When we have such a testimony of the Book of Mormon we need not rely on the actions or testimony of another to retain our own conviction of the truthfullness of the gospel.
- Capstone – this marks the functional completion of the building – once the capstone is in place the building can be used for its designated purposes. The capstone of our church is the Doctrine and Covenants. With an understanding and testimony of the Doctrine and Covenants which is built upon a testimony of the Book of Mormon and our Savior our testimony is functionally complete. Any further testimony we may gain can serve to enhance and beautify the gospel for us, but it does not change the strength or function of the testimony within us. Any elements of testimony outside these three stones may vary from one person or circumstance to another without affecting the fact that the underlying testimony is functionally the same among various people and circumstances.
- 20 – 23
- That every man might speak in the name of God
- That faith might increase in the earth
- That Mine everlasting covenant might be established
- That the fullness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and simple unto the ends of the world
- 24 – 28
- that they might come to understanding
- that inasmuch as they erred it might be made known
- inasmuch as they sought wisdom they might be instructed
- inasmuch as they sinned they might be chastened that they might repent
- inasmuch as they were humble they might be made strong
Introduction to Our Heritage: