the gospel and the church - ronald e. poelman

8/12/2019 The Gospel and the Church - Ronald E. Poelman

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HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS p e e h

THE EDITING OF AG E N E R L U T H O R I T Y

When the news that Elder Ronald E. Poelmans October 1984 general conference address,"The G ospel and the Church," had been heavily edited, partially rewritten, and-horrors -re-videotaped to better conform w ith the views of his presiding B rethren, not a few Saints notedthe eerie Truthspeak p arallels to the year with George Orwells Big Brother in his terrifying1948 futuristic novel 1984. At the time,SUNSWONE reported the events and excerpted thedrastically changed paragraphs of the spoken address alongside the revised versions printedin the November 1984Ensign s e eSUNSWONE10:1).

Prompted by numerous unsolicited requests during the past year for a complete paralleledition of both talks, I recently reread the offending ad dress and com pared it to the correlatededition. The distance of six years allowed the "G ee, aint it awful " tem per of the earlier timeto recede and the exercise in contrasts-especially w ith the more subtle chang es-afforded

insights into the institutional concerns of the editors.The ep isode is still pregnant with numerou s relevant issues: individual thought and con-

science vs. organizational concerns abou t its official message; the sanitizing service of C or-relation and Cumculum; censorship, honesty, and openness; and, not the least, the speechstopic-the relationship between the gospel and the C hurch. As friends and study groups revisitthis incident, I am sure that a careful and charitable discussioncan still benefit questing Saints.

In the following para llel texts, the italicized words we re changed by the editors and the old words were added or deleted.

ELBERT EUGENE PECK

T H E G O S PE L A N D T H E C H U R C H

By Ronald E. PoelmanThe First Quorum of the Seventy

Speech Ensign

Both the gospel of Jesus Christ andthe Church of Jesus C hrist are true anddivine. However,there isa distinctionbetween themwhichis significant and it is very importantthat this distinction be understood.Of equal importance is

understanding: theessential relationshipbetween the gospel and the Church.Failure to distinguish between the twoand to comprehend their proper relation-ship may lead to confusion and m isplacedpr orities with unrealistic and thereforefailed expecta~tions. This in turn may resu ltin diminished benefits and blessings and,in extreme instances, even d isaffections.

As I attempt to describe and c ommentupon some distinguishing characteristicsof the gospel and of the Church at the

Both the gospel of Jesus Christ andthe Church of Jesus Christ are true anddivine, a n dthere isan essential relationshipbetween themthatis significant and very important.

Understanding theproperrelationshipbetween the gospel and the Church

will prevent confusion, misplacedpriorities, and failed expectations and w illlead to the realization of gospel go alsthrough happy , Mlfi]ling participation inthe Church. Such understanding will avoidpossible disaffection and w ill result ingreat personal blessings.

As I attempt to describe and com mentupon the essential relationship betweenthe gospel and the Church,

same timenoting their essential relation-ships, it is my prayer that a perspectivemay be developed which will enhance thinfluence of both the gospel an d theChurch in our individual lives.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is a d ivineand perfect plan. It is composed of eter-nal, unchanging principles and lawswhich a re universallyapplica ble to every individual regardlesstime, place, or circumstance.T h e p n n -ciples and laws of the gospelnever change.

The Church of Jesus Christ of La tter-day Saints is adivine institutionadm inistered by the priesthood ofGod. The Churc h has a uthority toteach correctly the principles anddoctrines of the gospel and toadminister its essential ordinances.

The gospel is thesubstance of thedivine plan for personal, individualsalvation and exa ltation. The Church isthe delivery system that providesthemeans and resourcesto implement thisplan in ea ch individuals life.

Procedures programs and policies a redeveloped within the Church to help usrealize gospel blessings according to ourindividual capacity and circumstances.Under divine direction, these policies,programs, and proceduresd o c h a n g efrom time to time as necessary to fulfillgospel purposes.

Underlying every aspect of Churchadministration a nd ac tivity are therevealed eternal principlesa s contained inthe scriptures. As individually a nd c ollectively we increase our knowledge, accep-tance, a nd applica tion of gospel principlwe become less dependent on Churchprograms. Our lives becomegospelcentered.

Somet imes t radit ions cu s toms sociapract ices and personal preferences ofindividual Church members mayt h rough r epea ted o r comm on usage bemisconst rued as Church procedures orpolicies. Occasionally such tradit ionscustoms and pract ices may even beregarded by som e as e ternal gospel pr inciples. Under such circumstances thosewho d o no t confo rm to these cu l tu ra ls tandards may m is takenly be regarded unorthod ox or even unworthy. Infact,the eternal principles of the gospela n dthe divinely inspired Church do accom-modate a broad spectrum of individualuniqueness and cultural diversity.

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it is my prayer that a p erspectivemay be developed which will enhance theinfluence of both the gospel a nd theChurch in our individual lives.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is a divineand perfec t plan. It is composed of eter-nal, unchang ing pnnciples, laws,a n dordinanceswhich a re universallyapplica ble to every individual regardless oftime, place, or circumstance.G o s p e ] p r i n -ciples never change.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day S aints is thek i n g d o m o f G o d o nearth, administered by the priesthood ofGod. The C hurch has the authority toteach correctly the principles anddoctrines of the gospel and to

adm inister its essential ordinances.The gospel is thedivine plan for personal, individualsalvation and ex altation. The Church isdivinely commissioned to providethemeans and resourcesthat implementthis plan in each individuals life.

Procedures, programs, and policies aredeveloped within the Churc h to help usrealize gospel blessings acc ording to ourindividual capa city and circumstances.U nder divine direction, these policies,programs, and proc eduresmay be changedfrom timeto time as necessa ry to fulfill

gospel purposes.Underlying every aspect of Churchadministration and ac tivity are therevealed eternal principles contained inthe scriptures. As individually and collec-tively we increase our knowledge, ac cep-tance, and a pplication of gospel pnnciples,w ecan more effectivelyutiliz the Churchto make our lives increasinglygospelcentered.

The eternal principles of the gospelimplemented through the divinely inspiredChurch app ly to a wide vanety ofindividuals in diverse cultures.

Ronald E. Poelman, whose talk was revised fromdistinguishing"between the gospel and the Church"to noting the "essentialharmony between the gospel and the Church."

Speech Ensign

The conformity we requireshould be acc ording toG ods standards. The orthodoxy uponwhich we insist must-be founded infundamental principles and eternal law,i n c l u d i n g fr e e a g e n c y a n dthe divine uni-q u e n e s sof the individual. It is importanttherefore to know the difference betweenetemal gospel principles which areu n c h a n g i n g u n i v e r s a l l y a p p l i c a b l e a n dcultural norms which may vary witht im e a n d c ir c u m s t a n c e .

The source of this perspective is foundin the scriptures a n d m a y a p p e a rto bepresented in a rather unorganized anduntidy format. The Lord could havepresented the gospel to us in a manualsys t ema t i ca l ly o rgan ized bysubject,p e r h a p s u s i n g e x a m p l e s a n d i ll u s t r a -

Therefore, as we live the gospeland pa rticipate in the Church,the conformity we require ofo u r s e l v e sand of others should be ac cording toGods stand ards. The orthodoxy uponwhich w e insist must be founded infundamental principles, eternal law,a n ddirection given by those autho r ized inthe Church.

A necessary perspective is gained bystudying and ponaering the sc~ptures.

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Speech

tions However the eternal principles anddivine laws of God are revealed to usthrough accounts of individual lives in av a r i e t y o f c ir c u m s t a n c e s a n d c o n d i t io n s .

R eading the scriptures, we learn the

gospel as it is taught by variousmessengers at differenttimes and places.

W e see the consequences asitis accepted or rejected,as its principles are applied or not tovarying degrees and by many differentpeople. In the scriptures we discover thatvarying institutional forms, procedures,regulations and ceremoniesare utilized,all divinely designed to implement eternalprinciples. The practices and proceduresclhange; the principles do not.

Through scripture study we ma y learneternal principles and how to dis t inguisht h e m f r o m a n drelate them to institutionalresources. As we liken the scriptures untoourselves we can better utilize thei n s t it u t i o n a l r e s o u r c e s o f t h e m o d e r nrestored Church to learn, live and sha rethe gospel of Jesus Christ.

A favorite scriptural source for me isthe O ld Testament Book of Leviticus. It isbasically a handbook for Hebrew priestsand contains many rules, regulations,ntuals and c eremonies which seemstrange a nd inapplicable to us. It a lsoconta ins eternal principles of the gospelwhich are familiar and very muchapplicable to everyone.

It is interesting a nd enlightening toread the 19 tlh chapter of L eviticus,noting both the principles an d the rulesand prac tices.

In the first two verses we read, Andthe Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speakunto all the congregation of the childrenof Israel... (Leviticus 19:1- 2.) Here isthe principle of revelation. God speak s tol~is children through prophets. He does sotoday.

Continuing, the Lordsays to Moses, ... say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for Itlhe Lord your God am holy. (Leviticus19 :2.) Jesus, in the Sermon on the M ount,said, Be ye therefore perfect, even as yourFather which is in heaven is perfect.(Ma tthew 5 :48.) Here is an eternal gospelprinciple.

There follow other eternal principles,some from the Ten Comma ndments. Alsoincluded are rules and program s intendedto implement these principles am ong the

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Ensign

Reading the scriptures, we learn the

gospel as it is taught by va riousprophets in a variety of circumstances,times, and places.

W e see the consequences as thegospelis acc epted or rejectedby individuals andas its principles are applied or not.

In the scriptures we discover thatvarying institutional forms, procedures,regulations, and ceremoniesw e r eutilized-all divinely designed to implement eternalprinciples. The practices and procedurescha nge; the principles do not.

Through scripture study we may learneternal principles and how torelate them to institutionalresources. As we liken the sc riptures untoourselves, we ca n better utilize the

restored Church to learn, live, and sharethe gospel of Jesus Christ.

A favorite scriptural source for me isthe Old Testament Book of Leviticus. It isbasically a handbook for Hebrew priestsand contains ma ny rules, regulations,rituals, and ceremonies which seemstrange and inapplica ble to us. It alsocontains eternal principles of the gospelwhich are familiar and very muchapplica ble to everyone.

It is interesting a nd enlightening toread the nineteenth chapter of Leviticus,noting both the principles and the rulesand practices.

In the first two verses we read, Andthe Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Spea kunto all the congregation of the c hildrenof Israel. (Lev. 19 :1-2.) Here isthe principle of revelation. God spea ks tohis children through prophets. He does sotoday.

Continuing, the Lordsaidto Moses, Sa y unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I

the Lord your God am holy. (Lev.19 :2.) Jesus, in the Sermon on the M ount,said, Be ye therefore perfect, even as yourFather which is in heaven is perfect.(Ma tt. 5:48.) Here is an eternal gospelprinciple.

There follow other eternal principles,some from the Ten Commandments. Alsoincluded are rules and p rograms intendedto implement these principles a mong the

Speech

anc ient Hebrews in their particularcircumstances.

For exa mple, the divinely directedresponsibility to care for the poor istaught. A program is presented,viz.

providing food for the poor by leavinthe gleanings of the crops and notreaping the c omers of the fields. (Levit19 :9-10 .) Current programs to care fothe poor are muc h different. The divinlaw is the sam e. Yet a nother principleunderlies both programs, anc ient andm o d e mi.e. those being assisted are gopportunity to pa rticipate in helpingthemselves to the extent of their capa c

In verse 13 the princ iple of honestytaught ac compa nied by a rule requirinemployers to pay employees for theirwork at the end of eac h day. G enerall

today that rule is not necessary. Theeternal principle of honesty isimplemented by other rules and pra cti

Verse 27 c ontains a rule about per-sonal grooming, it is clearly not applito us. However, we also have standarddress and grooming. N either is an eterprinciple; both are intended to help uimplement and share gospel principle

The princ iple of forgiveness isset forth in the same chapter of Levitiverse 18, concluding with the secondgreat com mand ment, .. . thou shaltlove thy neighbor as thyself: with theadded divine imprimatur, ... I amthe Lord.

Every Church member hasn o t o n l ythe opportunity, right and privilege toreceive a personal witness regardinggospel principles and Church practicebut ha s the need and obl igat ion toobta in such assuran ce by exerc is ingf ree agency thereby ful fi ll ing one ppose of h is morta l probat ion.W ithout suchassurance,one may feelconfused and perha ps even burdened what ma y appea r to be simply institutional requirements of the Church.

Indeed, it is not enough thatw obeythe commandments and counsel ofChurch leaders.In response tostudy, prayerand by theinfluence of the Holy S pirit we mayseek and obtain a n individual, personwitness that the principle or counsel icorrect and d ivinely inspired. Then wgive enlightened, enthusiastic obedienutilizing the C hurch

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Ensign

ancient Hebrews in their particularcircumstances.

For example, the divinely directedresponsibility to care for the poor istaught. A program is presented, namely,providing food for the poor by leavingthe gleanings of the crops and notreaping the comers of the fields. (See Lev.19 :9-10 .) Current programs to ca re forthe poor are much different. The divinelaw is the same. Y et another princip]leunderlies both programs, anc ient andmodem: those being assisted are givenopportunity to pa rticipate in helpingthemselves to the extent of their capa city.

In verse 13 the princ iple of honesty istaught, acc ompanied by a rule requiringemployers to pay employees for theirwork at the end of each da y. Generally,

today tha t rule is not necessary. Theeternal principle of honesty isimplemented by other rules and practices.

Verse 27 contains a rule about per-sonal grooming. It is clearly not a pplicableto us. However, we also have standards ofdress and grooming. Neither is an et,emalprinciple; both are intended to help usimplement and share gospel principles.

The iprinciple of forgiveness is alsoset forth in the same cha pter of Leviticus,verse 18, conc luding with the secondgreat comma ndment, Thou shaltlove thy neighbor as thyself, with the

added divine imprimatur, I amthe Lord.Every Church member has

the opportunity, right, and privilege toreceive a personal witness regarding

gospel principles and Church prac tices.

W ithout such awitness,one may feelconfused and perhaps even burdened bywhat ma y appea r to be simply institu-tional requirements of the Church.

We shouldobeythe commandments and counsel ofChurch leaders;but also throughstudy, through prayer,and by theinfluence of the Holy Spirit, wes h o u l dseek and obtain an individual, personalwitness that the principle or counsel iscorrect and divinely inspired. Then we ca ngive enlightened, enthusiastic obedienc e,utilizing the Church as am e a n s

Speech

through which to give a llegianc e, time,.talent and other resources withoutreluctance or resentment.

Happy, fulfilling participation in theChurch results when we relateinstitutionalgoals, programs and policies to gospelprinciples and to personal eternal goa ls.W h en w eunderstand the differencebetween the gospel and the Churchand the ap propr ia te funct ion of eachin our daily lives, we are much morelikely to do the right things fo r the rightreasons.Institutional discipline is replacedby self discipline. Supervisionis replaced by righteous initiativeand a sense of divine ac countability. TheChurc h aids us in our effort to use ourfree agency crea tively, not to invent our ownvaluesa n d principles,

but to discover and adoptthe eternal truths of the gospel. Gospelliving is a process of continuousindividual renewal and improvement untilthe person is prepared and qualified toenter comfortably and with confidenceinto the presence of God.

My brothers a nd sisters, by inclination,training and experience, most of my life Ihave sought understanding by theac cumulation of fac ts and the applicationof reason. I continue to do so. How ever,that which I know m ost surely and whichhas m ost significantly a nd positively

affected my life I do not know by fac tsand rea son alone, but rather by thecomforting, confirming witness of theHoly S pirit.

By that sa me S pirit I testify that God isour Father, the Jesus of Nazareth is theO nly Begotten of the Father in the fleshand that he is the Sa vior and Redeemer ofall mank ind and eac h of us. Through hisatoning sac rifice, redemption andexa ltation are offered as a free gift to allwho will acc ept by faith, repentanc e andsac red covenants.

Ma y eac h of us continue to learn and

apply the eternal principles of the gospel,utilizing fully and appropriately theresources of the divine restored Church.

In the words of the N ephite leaderPa horan, ... ma y (we) rejoice in thegreat privilege of our church a nd in thecause of our Redeemer and our God.(Alma 61:14.) In the name of Jesus Christ.Amen.

Ensign

through which to give allegiance, time,talent, and other resources withoutreluctance or resentment.

Happy, fulfilling participation in theChurch results when we relateC h u r c h

goals, programs, and policies to gospelprinciples a nd to personal eternal goals.W hen wesee the harmonybetween the gospel and the Church

in our daily lives, we are much morelikely to do the right things for the rightreasons.We willexercise serf disciplineand righteous initiative guidedby Church leadersand a sense of divine acc ountability. TheChurch aids us in our effort to use ourfree agenc y crea tively, not to invent our owvalues, principles, and in t e rp re t a t i ons

but to learn and livethe eternal truths of the gospel. Gospelliving is a process of continuousindividual renewal and improvement untilthe person is prepared and qua lified toenter comfortably and with confidenceinto the presence of G od.

My brothers and sisters, by inclinationtraining and experience most of my life Ihave sought understanding by theac cumulation of facts and the applicatioof reason. I continue to do so. How ever,that which I know most surely and whichhas most significantly and positivelyaffected my life I do not know by fac tsand reason a lone, but rather by thecomforting, confirming witness of theHoly S pirit.

By that sa me S pirit I testify that G od our Father, that Jesus of N aza reth is theO nly Begotten of the Father in the flesh,and that he is the Savior and Redeemer ofall mankind and each of us. Through hisatoning sac rifice, redemption andexa ltation a re offered as a free gift to allwho will ac cept by faith, repentance, andsacred covenants.

Ma y each of us continue to learn andapply the eternal principles of the gospel,utilizing fully and appropriately theresources of the divine, restored Church.

In the words of the Nephite leaderPa horan Ma y [we] rejoice in thegreat privilege of our church, and in theca use of our Redeemer and our G od.(Alma 61:14.) In the name of Jesus Christ,amen. ~

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the gospel and the church - ronald e. poelman

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