Latter Day Prophets Speak

The prophet Brigham Young taught the restored gospel of Jesus Christ in a basic, practical way that gave inspiration and hope to the Saints struggling to build a home in the wilderness. Though more than a century has now passed, his words are still fresh and appropriate for us today as we continue the work of building the kingdom of God. President Young declared that as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we possess the “doctrine of life and salvation for all the honest-in-heart” (DBY, 7). He promised that those who receive the gospel in their hearts will have awakened “within them a desire to know and understand the things of God more than they ever did before in their lives” and will begin to “inquire, read and search and when they go to their Father in the name of Jesus he will not leave them without a witness” (DBY, 450). This book reflects the desire of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to deepen the doctrinal understanding of Church members and to awaken within them a greater desire to know the things of God. It will inspire and motivate individuals, priesthood quorums, and Relief Society classes to inquire, read, search, and then go to their Father in Heaven for a witness of the truth of these teachings. Each chapter contains two sections—“Teachings of Brigham Young” and “Suggestions for Study.” The first section consists of extracts from Brigham Young’s sermons to the early Saints. Each statement has been referenced, and the original spelling and punctuation have been preserved; however, the sources cited will not be readily available to most members. These original sources are not necessary to have in order to effectively study or teach from this book. Members need not purchase additional references and commentaries to study or teach these chapters. The text provided in this book, accompanied by the scriptures, is sufficient for instruction. Members should prayerfully read and study President Young’s teachings in order to gain new insights into gospel principles and discover how those principles apply to their everyday lives. By faithfully and prayerfully studying these selections, Latter-day Saints will have a greater understanding of gospel principles and will more fully appreciate the profound and inspired teachings of this great prophet. The second section of each chapter offers a series of questions that will encourage thoughtful contemplation, personal application, and discussion of President Young’s teachings. Members should refer to and carefully reread his words on the principle being discussed. Deep and prayerful study of these teachings will inspire members to greater personal commitment and will help them resolve to follow the teachings of the Savior, Jesus Christ. If individuals and families prayerfully follow the principles in this book, they will be blessed and inspired to greater dedication and spirituality, as were the early Saints who heard these words directly from the lips of the “Lion of the Lord” (HC, 7:434)—the prophet, seer, and revelator, President Brigham Young.

A Study Guide and a Teacher’s Manual Gospel Principles was written both as a personal study guide and as a teacher’s manual. As you study it, seeking the Spirit of the Lord, you can grow in your understanding and testimony of God the Father, Jesus Christand His Atonement, and the Restoration of the gospel. You can find answers to life’s questions, gain an assurance of your purpose and self-worth, and face personal and family challenges with faith.

PROPHETS Ancient and Modern SPEAK is a reference document which provides a topical arrangement of the vast majority of outstanding scriptural quotes of principles, truths, key figures, and familiar stories from the following: 1. The Old and New Testaments, with particular comprehensive focus on the four Gospels, to also include minimal introductory context for clarification. 2. The Book of Mormon, itself a document translated from engraved writings of prophets in Ancient America on metallic plates, and in modern times delivered to and translated by the young prophet Joseph Smith, Jun. through divine means. 3. The Doctrine and Covenants, a compilation of one hundred and thirty–eight revelations given primarily to the prophet Joseph Smith, Jun. 4. The Pearl of Great Price, visions and acquired papyrus, having been revealed and translated by divine means through the prophet Joseph Smith, Jun. 5. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, a book compiled by the later prophet Joseph Fielding Smith, including background and source information for each entry. (See End Notes) 6. Proclamations to the world, by Joseph Smith, Jr. and other contemporary prophets regarding preeminent doctrines. The organization of several thousand entries in PROPHETS Ancient and Modern SPEAK, all considered pure scripture, is a modest attempt to gather comprehensively and representatively from the above-stated books and documents, the plain and precious truths revealed anciently and in relatively current times. The entries are arranged alphabetically under nearly sixteen hundred topic or subject headings, with cross-referencing throughout, and with many being placed under multiple related headings, to facilitate ease of access. Meticulous documentation is provided throughout the entire document. In the years since its first publication in 1830, the Book of Mormon has been taken in translated versions to most countries throughout the world, not only matching its Biblical companion in a vast world distribution, but more importantly, in presenting the gospel and teachings of Jesus Christ in its fullness and purity. Indeed, The Book of Mormon provides throughout, another witness of Jesus Christ, as well as clear validation of the Bible—revealing much which has been taken out of the Bible over the centuries. The Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price have also been revealed, translated and distributed in a vast and similar extent throughout the world. Countless volumes have been written about the above-listed books ranging from a child’s animated versions to highly sophisticated, technical, archaeological and scientific studies of their early backgrounds and authenticity. Further, millions of followers testify of the truth and validity of Joseph Smith, Jr. as being the prophet through whom the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price have come into modern hands, declaring the Book of Mormon particularly as a book which will bring a person closer to God than any other book! PROPHETS Ancient and Modern SPEAK has been compiled and topically organized to help a reader readily find the ennobling truths taught by ancient and modern prophets alike. The topic entries, arranged alphabetically, draw from the above-mentioned sources, and are presented in relatively full context. PROPHETS Ancient and Modern SPEAK in no way proposes to replace the value of a person’s reading and enjoying the full text of the Old and New Testaments, The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants or Pearl of Great Price themselves. Therein are innumerable stories and text which present live and gripping images that touch people’s hearts, and are foundational in building a powerful conviction in millions regarding the truth of the teachings therein. What makes PROPHETS Ancient and Modern SPEAK so valuable in a person’s study of the scriptures is the immediate facility it offers in readily finding pertinent and sacred truths and references on a vast array of meaningful subjects found in the sources drawn from, whether for personal or presentational use. The well-known and late author W. Cleon Skousen well promoted the idea that “…the greater mind is not the one that remembers the most, but the one that can find it when he wants it.”