Seems to talk less about what I think of as the Gospel and more about how we ought to live. It comes off as legalistic, referring to "grace" as something that has to be earned and deserved. Only the ending talks much about metaphysics, but even here it's more in the sense of what we'll earn for ourselves if we live the right way. The principles were generally sound--speaking on generosity, the importance of family, work, etc. I didn't care much for the motives being suggested, though. Finished this book today in our church meetings after two years of studying from it. I read most of it and gave several lessons from it. Love this book! I thought the last few paragraphs summed it up perfectly. Enjoy!:Requirements for ExaltationThe time to fulfill the requirements for exaltation is now (see Alma 34:32–34). President Joseph Fielding Smith said, “In order to obtain the exaltation we must accept the gospel and all its covenants; and take upon us the obligations which the Lord has offered; and walk in the light and the understanding of the truth; and ‘live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God’” (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:43).To be exalted, we first must place our faith in Jesus Christ and then endure in that faith to the end of our lives. Our faith in Him must be such that we repent of our sins and obey His commandments.He commands us all to receive certain ordinances:1. We must be baptized.2. We must receive the laying on of hands to be confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.3. Brethren must receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and magnify their callings in the priesthood.4. We must receive the temple endowment.5. We must be married for eternity, either in this life or in the next.In addition to receiving the required ordinances, the Lord commands all of us to:1. Love God and our neighbors.2. Keep the commandments.3. Repent of our wrongdoings.4. Search out our kindred dead and receive the saving ordinances of the gospel for them.5. Attend our Church meetings as regularly as possible so we can renew our baptismal covenants by partaking of the sacrament.6. Love our family members and strengthen them in the ways of the Lord.7. Have family and individual prayers every day.8. Teach the gospel to others by word and example.9. Study the scriptures.10. Listen to and obey the inspired words of the prophets of the Lord.Finally, each of us needs to receive the Holy Ghost and learn to follow His direction in our individual lives.The Lord has said, “If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God” (D&C 14:7). President Joseph Fielding Smith said, “If we will continue in God; that is, keep his commandments, worship him and live his truth; then the time will come when we shall be bathed in the fulness of truth, which shall grow brighter and brighter until the perfect day” (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:36).The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil [died] before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 268).Joseph Smith taught: “It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God. … He was once a man like us; … God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ himself did” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 345–46).Our Heavenly Father knows our trials, our weaknesses, and our sins. He has compassion and mercy on us. He wants us to succeed even as He did.Imagine what joy each of us will have when we return to our Heavenly Father if we can say: “Father, I lived according to Thy will. I have been faithful and have kept Thy commandments. I am happy to be home again.” Then we will hear Him say, “Well done … ; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:23).
What do You think about Gospel Principles (2000)?
Love the new artwork and the fact it's totally updated. Back to Basics is always good.
—Donn
good book to read on a day to day basis with all the main principles
—dcollette
A great place to find out what "Mormon's", or the LDS, believe.
—Louis
I'm actually reading the 2009 version. Amazing, life changing!
—Anja
