Home » Discuss Elliaison Books and Articles » The Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ » Greater Than Gold (Discuss points related to this chapter.)
| Re: Greater Than Gold [message #559 is a reply to message #8] |
Tue, 26 June 2012 20:20   |
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JulesGP
Messages: 357
Registered: May 2012
Location: Davis County, UT
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Senior Member |
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When I read this chapter, I was so excited! I've been searching for the answer for SO LONG to my question: "What IS the Fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?" Maybe it seems like a simple answer to those who frequent this forum (and then maybe it's simple to most everyone else, and I'm the one who just didn't GET it....  )
It seems like so many people throw out generic terminology that melds the Gospel with the Church, and makes them one entity, and muddies the definition of the Gospel. Even though we believe that Joseph Smith worked to restore the Fullness of the Gospel to our people, IT isn't really defined - again, "the fullness" is used as a blanket idea. So it was confusing to me. But I thought that if it was SO important that it took something as important as the work that Joseph Smith did to bring it to us, and if the BOM contains "the fullness" we speak of, then I need to know what it IS.
I asked several people over the last couple of years that I considered to be knowledgeable or who I feel have a much greater understanding of the Gospel than I do, but nobody could give me a solid answer, and nobody could back their answer up. I received answers across the board as to the definition of "the fullness" that included: having a temple marriage/sealing, receiving your own endowment, living plural marriage, following the prophet and being an active Mormon, the whole BOM as a book is the fullness, just making it to the Celestial Kingdom (with no further explanation), etc. Nobody ever said to me that the Fullness of the Gospel was "...as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants....".
I've been led to the Sermon at Bountiful, (and realized the similarities with the Sermon on the Mount) over and over during this quest the last few years, and somehow I felt that the answer was there, but I still couldn't quite "GET" it. This chapter layed it out... A, B, C! It's right there, so clear and so simple! Frankly I'm baffled as to why my the answer to my question wasn't this simple from the beginning.
So as the book says (the one by Elliaison  ), anything that is not contained in the teachings of the Savior (3 Nephi 11 - 3 Nephi 28:12) is supplemental to the Gospel, but not essential parts of the Gospel itself, and he is very specific about what IS and IS NOT the Fullness of the Gospel!
Regarding the questions at the end of the chapter:
"With all the doctrines and teachings in the scriptures and church, how can these three principles constitute the Fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?"
Just to summarize my understanding here, first we repent, which will cleanse and prepare us for the next step. Then we are baptized, where we covenant with God to do His will. Then we receive the Holy Ghost who (if we are living up to our covenant in step 2), leads us and helps us attend to all the other details on the way to meeting our Savior. I do feel that OTHER things are given way too much emphasis - over and above these basic important steps. And it seems that GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS of of these three steps, is carried in one fell-swoop when we join the church (which somehow got lumped in to THE GOSPEL), and they are not really understood.
"I have known many people who have repented, been baptized and received the Holy Ghost and then eventually have fallen away. How can this book be the rock or sure foundation?"
This seems like an extension of what I was saying in response to the first question. These things are kind of thrown at us when we join the church, but the understanding is not offered that this is the Fullness of the Gospel. The fact that we are supposed to use these things to receive our C&E is not made clear. It seems as if other things are emphasized more, like serving a mission, temple marriage, being "really good" so you can be bishop or RS pres someday..... THOSE are not THE goals, but they are given that level of importance, as if they ARE the goals.
I think that there is MUCH more to "receiving the HG" than a vague recollection of my Grandpa saying something to that effect in the blessing when I was confirmed a member of the church as a child. I was never taught that FOR ME, receiving the HG was much greater than just a "warm feeling" when the church leaders spoke. I was never taught that this meant to develop an ongoing personal relationship with a member of the Godhead who would literally confirm to me that I could return to the presence of the Savior, and my Father. I think that it's easy to fall away when we don't do that, let alone understand it!
Assuming that the term "this book" in the second question is referring to the BOM, I think that the book can be "the rock" because it:
1) Gives us the Fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in his own words.
2) Testifies over and over of these truths by those who have received their C&E.
3) Tells us over and over (by words and by example) how to apply these truth - again, by those who HAVE received their C&E.
Assuming that the book being referred to was the Elliaison book, it can be "the rock" because it (in summary) does the same things that I listed above. Essentially, it echoes the message of the BOM in a condensed form - by others who have also received their C&E.
I'm sorry all - for the long winded post. You will find that I have a difficult time saying things in twenty-five words or less.... Now working on my post for the next chapter..... 
~Jules
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