The important role of principles in the restored gospel.
A gospel principle is a doctrinally based guideline for the exercise of agency.
In 1998 President Oaks talked about the principle of non-distraction saying that an Aaronic priesthood holder would not want anything in their appearance or behavior to distract anyone from the Savior. He refrained from giving a list of rules.
With the understanding that my conduct and attitude on the sabbath constituted a sign about my commitment to God I no longer needed a list of rules for sabbath behavior. I simply asked myself what my conduct or attitude signified about my commitment to God. – Russell M. Nelson
The principle of being willing to let God prevail in our lives brings clarity to s wife variety of life questions we may face.
Gospel principles in our lives are like a helm on a ship that allow us to be safe in the latter day storms.
Stated succinctly, a gospel principle is a doctrinally based guideline for the righteous exercise of moral agency. Principles derive from broader gospel truths and provide direction and standards as we press forward on the covenant path.
Learning, understanding, and living gospel principles strengthen our faith in the Savior, deepen our devotion to Him, and invite a multitude of blessings and spiritual gifts into our lives. Principles of righteousness also help us to look beyond our personal preferences and self-centered desires by providing the precious perspective of eternal truth as we navigate the different circumstances, challenges, decisions, and experiences of mortality.
So long as we can only see our own perspective we will be limited in our ability to interact with others.
I will not suggest detailed rules, since the circumstances in various wards and branches in our worldwide Church are so different that a specific rule that seems required in one setting may be inappropriate in another. Rather, I will suggest a principle based on the doctrines. If all understand this principle and act in harmony with it, there should be little need for rules. If rules or counseling are needed in individual cases, local leaders can provide them, consistent with the doctrines and their related principles.
Dallin H. Oaks
Principles are much more flexible than rules. When we encounter local rules or guidelines we need not contend that they should not be—rather we should evaluate whether those rules contradict the principles. So long as they do not contradict we should willingly follow.
How do we hallow the Sabbath day? In my much younger years, I studied the work of others who had compiled lists of things to do and things not to do on the Sabbath. It wasn’t until later that I learned from the scriptures that my conduct and my attitude on the Sabbath constituted a sign between me and my Heavenly Father. With that understanding, I no longer needed lists of dos and don’ts. When I had to make a decision whether or not an activity was appropriate for the Sabbath, I simply asked myself, ‘What sign do I want to give to God?’ That question made my choices about the Sabbath day crystal clear.
Russell M. Nelson
His message about being willing to let God prevail is a remarkable example of teaching correct principles so that we can govern ourselves. And just as he did in his message about making the Sabbath a delight, President Nelson posed principle-based questions that serve as guides and standards for each of us. …
“When your greatest desire is to let God prevail, to be part of Israel, so many decisions become easier. So many issues become nonissues! You know how best to groom yourself. You know what to watch and read, where to spend your time, and with whom to associate. You know what you want to accomplish. You know the kind of person you really want to become.”
When faced with a challenge we should ask what letting God prevail would look like in the situation and let the answer guide us.
Gospel principles are for me and you what a helm is to a ship. Correct principles enable us to find our way and to stand firm, steadfast, and immovable so we do not lose our balance and fall in the raging latter-day storms of darkness and confusion.
With all the energy of my soul, I invite all of us to learn, live, and love principles of righteousness. Only gospel truths can enable us to “cheerfully do all things that lie in our power” to press forward on the covenant path and to “see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.”
I note that the scripture invites us to “stand still” after we have done all things in our power in order to see the salvation of God. This suggests that we should accept the limits of what we can do and trust in the Lord’s timing and judgement in revealing His arm to bring about salvation.
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