Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
All three of these topics came as a result of revelation to a prophet. I love the process that Spencer W. Kimball went through to receive revelation for the Church as well as the way he helped Church leaders be united as they received confirmation of the same revelation known as Official Declaration 2. I hope you also enjoy briefly studying how the Articles of Faith share some of the basic beliefs of the Church and are relevant and applicable to us today.
Joseph Smith: "If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves." (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-joseph-smith/chapter-2?lang=eng)
President Ezra Taft Benson: “Just as man does not really desire food until he is hungry, so he does not desire the salvation of Christ until he knows why he needs Christ. No one adequately and properly knows why he needs Christ until he understands and accepts the doctrine of the Fall and its effect upon all mankind.” (Teachings of President Benson, 28)
Elder Jeffery R Holland: Because this doctrine [of the Fall] is so basic to the plan of salvation and also because it is so susceptible to misunderstanding, we must note that these references to "natural" evil emphatically do not mean that men and women are "inherently" evil. There is a crucial difference. As spirit sons and daughters of God, all mortal men and women are divine in origin and divine in their potential destiny. . . . But it is also true that as a result of the Fall they are now in a "natural" (fallen) world where the devil "taketh away light" and where some elements of nature—including temporal human nature—need discipline, restraint, and refinement. (Christ and the New Covenant, p.207)
Stephen Robinson: "I know people in the Church who beat themselves up for having fallen natures, who take it as a sign that they are not worthy of the kingdom. For these spiritual masochists it isn’t enough to control their carnal nature or to begin diminishing its influence by developing habitual obedience to God – they don’t even want to have a carnal nature. . . . In mortality, resisting the urges of our carnal thoughts and putting them out of our minds is a reasonable goal and expectation. But not ever having a carnal thought is an unreasonable goal and expectation.” (Following Christ, p. 62)
Understanding the Fall will change us by:
“Empowering us with hope, knowing that we are not as bad or wicked as we thought we were by realizing that our carnal nature and sensual urges are part of being human (of the flesh) and not who we really are (of the spirit). If we understand the Fall we would never allow our sins, failures, weaknesses, and natural inclinations or tendencies to progress from our feelings and actions to our identity. We would never associate our identity with the type or intensity of temptation we experience.” (paraphrasing Elder Robbins, quoting Carol Dweck, Apr. 2011 Conf.)
Elder Neil L. Andersen: “The Fall [and everything that comes with it] does not define you; it helps to refine you.” (The Divine Gift of Forgiveness, p. 69)
Bob Matthews: “The correct doctrine is that mankind has inherited the effects of the fall, but not the sin. There is a grand difference between inheriting only the results or effects and not the sin itself. The element of accountability and responsibility for original sin is not required when one only has the effects. Thus, because of the atonement of Christ, babies are born innocent so far as the law of God is concerned, but babies inherit the effects of the fall” (SOME THOUGHTS ON THE ATONEMENT Faculty Lecture, 17 February 1989)
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “The Atonement of Christ is the most basic and fundamental doctrine of the gospel, and it is the least understood of all our revealed truths. Many of us have a superficial knowledge and rely upon the Lord and his goodness to see us through the trials and perils of life. But if we are to have faith like that of Enoch and Elijah, we must believe what they believed, know what they knew, and live as they lived. May I invite you to join with me in gaining a sound and sure knowledge of the Atonement” (New Witness, xv).
Elder Boyd K. Packer: “The thought is this: the Atonement leaves no tracks, no traces. What it fixes is fixed. … The Atonement leaves no traces, no tracks. It just heals, and what it heals stays healed.” (general conference training meeting, Apr. 7, 2015.)
Elder Jeffery R. Holland: "...except for Jesus, there have been no flawless performances on this earthly journey we are pursuing, so while in mortality let’s strive for steady improvement without obsessing over what behavioral scientists call “toxic perfectionism.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/10/be-ye-therefore-perfect-eventually?lang=eng)
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: "Spiritual gifts are endless in number and infinite in variety. Those listed in the revealed word are simply illustrations of the boundless outpouring of divine grace that a gracious God gives those who love and serve him" (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 371.)
Elder Marvin, J. Ashton: "Let us review some of these less conspicuous gifts: the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost.
"We must remember that to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. It is our right and responsibility to accept our gifts and to share them. God’s gifts and powers are available to all of us." (Ensign, Nov. 1987, 20)
President James E. Faust: “The seventh article of faith states that, among other spiritual gifts, we believe in the gift of healing. (A of F 1:7) I believe this gift extends to healing of both the body and the spirit.” (Liahona, July 2005)
President Harold B. Lee: “The greatest miracles I see today are not necessarily the healing of sick bodies, but the greatest miracles I see are the healing of sick souls, those who are sick in soul and spirit and are downhearted and distraught.” ( Ensign, July 1973, p.123)
President Nelson's Ideas for Gathering Israel: ·
Resources for Official declaration 2
James Manning James: “We walked until our shoes were worn out, and our feet became sore and cracked open and bled until you could see the whole print of our feet with blood on the ground. We stopped and united in prayer to the Lord; we asked God the Eternal Father to heal our feet and our prayers were answered and our feet were healed forthwith.” (https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/jane-manning-james-life-sketch?lang=eng)
“I want to say right here, that my faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is as strong today, nay, it is if possible stronger than it was the day I was first baptized.”(https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/10/the-trek-continues?lang=eng)
Official Declaration #2 Introduction (2013)
“President McKay sometimes said in private conversations that the restriction on priesthood was not a doctrine but was a policy and subject to change.”
To another General Authority: “That has never been a doctrine, but always a policy.” (Edward Kimball, BYU, p. 22)
Elder Marion D. Hanks: “[President McKay] pleaded and pleaded with the Lord but had not had the answer he sought.”
Elder Adam S. Bennion of the Quorum of Twelve: President McKay prayed for change “without result and finally concluded the time was not yet ripe.” (https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/spencer-w-kimball-and-the-revelation-on-priesthood/)
1969 First Presidency Letter to bishops: "For reasons which we believe are known to God, but which He has not made fully known to man.” In commenting on the statement, President Brown was quoted in the Salt Lake Tribune as saying that the policy “will change in the not too distant future.” (https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/spencer-w-kimball-and-the-revelation-on-priesthood/)
“On a clear April night in 1972 … Helvécio Martins contemplated his family’s search for truth. He and his wife, Rudá, had investigated many religions, but none seemed to fill their spiritual void. ‘I conversed with God that night, asking for help,’ he says” (“Elder Helvécio Martins of the Seventy,” Ensign, May 1990, 106).
A few days later missionaries came to their home in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Elder Martins recalled, “The moment those two young men stepped into our apartment, all of my gloom and spiritual discomfort immediately disappeared and was replaced by a calm and serenity which I now know came from the influence of the Holy Spirit” (with Mark Grover, The Autobiography of Elder Helvécio Martins [1994], 43).
1977 In a meeting presided at by President Kimball, President Kimball waived for Helvicio to come to him. As he walked up to him President Kimball said,
“Brother Martins, What is necessary for you is fidelity. Remain faithful and you will enjoy all the blessings of the gospel.”
On the way out he passed by where I stood. He stopped when he reached me, took my hand with a strong grip, and, holding my arm with his other hand, told me,
“Don’t forget.” Brother Martins, “Don’t forget.” (Biography of Helvecio Martins, p. 65-66)
"Years earlier, talking about revelation in general, Spencer had written in a letter to his son:
Revelations will probably never come unless they are desired. I think few people receive revelations while lounging on the couch or while playing cards or while relaxing. I believe most revelations would come when a man is on his tip toes, reaching as high as he can for something which he knows he needs, and then there bursts upon him the answer to his problems. (https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/spencer-w-kimball-and-the-revelation-on-priesthood/)
(https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/spencer-w-kimball-and-the-revelation-on-priesthood/)
Elder Packer, concerned at President Kimball’s inability to let the matter rest, said, “Why don’t you forget this?” Then Elder Packer answered his own question, “Because you can’t. The Lord won’t let you.”126
Spencer later described:
Day after day, and especially on Saturdays and Sundays when there were no organizations [sessions] in the temple, I went there when I could be alone.
I was very humble . . . I was searching for this . . . I wanted to be sure. . . .
I had a great deal to fight . . . myself, largely, because I had grown up with this thought that Negroes should not have the priesthood and I was prepared to go all the rest of my life until my death and fight for it and defend it as it was.127
(https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/spencer-w-kimball-and-the-revelation-on-priesthood/)
Several other quotes from Edward L Kimball/s article were used in the video. These quotes are not posted here but are all in the article (https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/spencer-w-kimball-and-the-revelation-on-priesthood/)
Elder Bruce R McConkie: “Forget everything that I have said, or what President Brigham Young or President George Q. Cannon or whomsoever has said in days past that is contrary to the present revelation. We spoke with a limited understanding and without the light and knowledge that now has come into the world.
“We get our truth and our light line upon line and precept upon precept. We have now had added a new flood of intelligence and light on this particular subject, and it erases all the darkness and all the views and all the thoughts of the past. They don’t matter any more."
“It doesn’t make a particle of difference what anybody ever said … before the first day of June of this year, 1978. It is a new day and a new arrangement, and the Lord has now given the revelation that sheds light out into the world on this subject.
“As to any slivers of light or any particles of darkness of the past, we forget about them. We now do what meridian Israel did when the Lord said the gospel should go to the Gentiles. We forget all the statements that limited the gospel to the house of Israel, and we start going to the Gentiles. (https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/bruce-r-mcconkie/alike-unto-god/)
Teaching Thoughts:
Joseph Smith: "If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves." (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-joseph-smith/chapter-2?lang=eng)
President Ezra Taft Benson: “Just as man does not really desire food until he is hungry, so he does not desire the salvation of Christ until he knows why he needs Christ. No one adequately and properly knows why he needs Christ until he understands and accepts the doctrine of the Fall and its effect upon all mankind.” (Teachings of President Benson, 28)
Elder Jeffery R Holland: Because this doctrine [of the Fall] is so basic to the plan of salvation and also because it is so susceptible to misunderstanding, we must note that these references to "natural" evil emphatically do not mean that men and women are "inherently" evil. There is a crucial difference. As spirit sons and daughters of God, all mortal men and women are divine in origin and divine in their potential destiny. . . . But it is also true that as a result of the Fall they are now in a "natural" (fallen) world where the devil "taketh away light" and where some elements of nature—including temporal human nature—need discipline, restraint, and refinement. (Christ and the New Covenant, p.207)
Stephen Robinson: "I know people in the Church who beat themselves up for having fallen natures, who take it as a sign that they are not worthy of the kingdom. For these spiritual masochists it isn’t enough to control their carnal nature or to begin diminishing its influence by developing habitual obedience to God – they don’t even want to have a carnal nature. . . . In mortality, resisting the urges of our carnal thoughts and putting them out of our minds is a reasonable goal and expectation. But not ever having a carnal thought is an unreasonable goal and expectation.” (Following Christ, p. 62)
Understanding the Fall will change us by:
“Empowering us with hope, knowing that we are not as bad or wicked as we thought we were by realizing that our carnal nature and sensual urges are part of being human (of the flesh) and not who we really are (of the spirit). If we understand the Fall we would never allow our sins, failures, weaknesses, and natural inclinations or tendencies to progress from our feelings and actions to our identity. We would never associate our identity with the type or intensity of temptation we experience.” (paraphrasing Elder Robbins, quoting Carol Dweck, Apr. 2011 Conf.)
Elder Neil L. Andersen: “The Fall [and everything that comes with it] does not define you; it helps to refine you.” (The Divine Gift of Forgiveness, p. 69)
Bob Matthews: “The correct doctrine is that mankind has inherited the effects of the fall, but not the sin. There is a grand difference between inheriting only the results or effects and not the sin itself. The element of accountability and responsibility for original sin is not required when one only has the effects. Thus, because of the atonement of Christ, babies are born innocent so far as the law of God is concerned, but babies inherit the effects of the fall” (SOME THOUGHTS ON THE ATONEMENT Faculty Lecture, 17 February 1989)
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “The Atonement of Christ is the most basic and fundamental doctrine of the gospel, and it is the least understood of all our revealed truths. Many of us have a superficial knowledge and rely upon the Lord and his goodness to see us through the trials and perils of life. But if we are to have faith like that of Enoch and Elijah, we must believe what they believed, know what they knew, and live as they lived. May I invite you to join with me in gaining a sound and sure knowledge of the Atonement” (New Witness, xv).
Elder Boyd K. Packer: “The thought is this: the Atonement leaves no tracks, no traces. What it fixes is fixed. … The Atonement leaves no traces, no tracks. It just heals, and what it heals stays healed.” (general conference training meeting, Apr. 7, 2015.)
Elder Jeffery R. Holland: "...except for Jesus, there have been no flawless performances on this earthly journey we are pursuing, so while in mortality let’s strive for steady improvement without obsessing over what behavioral scientists call “toxic perfectionism.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/10/be-ye-therefore-perfect-eventually?lang=eng)
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: "Spiritual gifts are endless in number and infinite in variety. Those listed in the revealed word are simply illustrations of the boundless outpouring of divine grace that a gracious God gives those who love and serve him" (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 371.)
Elder Marvin, J. Ashton: "Let us review some of these less conspicuous gifts: the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost.
"We must remember that to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. It is our right and responsibility to accept our gifts and to share them. God’s gifts and powers are available to all of us." (Ensign, Nov. 1987, 20)
President James E. Faust: “The seventh article of faith states that, among other spiritual gifts, we believe in the gift of healing. (A of F 1:7) I believe this gift extends to healing of both the body and the spirit.” (Liahona, July 2005)
President Harold B. Lee: “The greatest miracles I see today are not necessarily the healing of sick bodies, but the greatest miracles I see are the healing of sick souls, those who are sick in soul and spirit and are downhearted and distraught.” ( Ensign, July 1973, p.123)
President Nelson's Ideas for Gathering Israel: ·
- “As you work together to remodel your home into a sanctuary of faith—filled with learning together from the home-centered, Church-supported curriculum—that is gathering Israel.
- “As you parents create experiences where your children can learn to feel the Spirit of the Lord—that is gathering Israel.
- “As you do family history, serve and worship in the temple, use your discretionary time to draw closer to Heavenly Father and to His Son and to help someone else do the same—that is gathering Israel.
- “As you help to strengthen the testimonies of others, as you repent and help others to repent, as you reach out in your communities and participate in worthy efforts to alleviate suffering—that is gathering Israel.” (https://www.lds.org/church/news/president-nelson-invites-record-crowd-in-arizona-to-help-gather-israel?lang=eng)
Resources for Official declaration 2
- How Saints in Africa Prepared for the Priesthood Revelation Years Before It Happened http://www.ldsliving.com/Priesthood-Anniversary-Pioneering-Saints-in-Africa/s/4809
- Steadfast African Pioneer by E. Dale LeBaron https://www.lds.org/study/ensign/1999/12/steadfast-african-pioneer?lang=eng
- Race and the Priesthood: https://www.lds.org/topics/race-and-the-priesthood?lang=eng
- Spencer W. Kimball and the Revelation on Priesthood - Author Edward L. Kimball (https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/spencer-w-kimball-and-the-revelation-on-priesthood/)
- The Autobiography of Elder Helvecio Martins Aspen Books 1994
- In The Lord’s Time: Joseph Freeman – First Black to Receive the Priesthood Following the 1978 Revelation. BookCraft 1979
James Manning James: “We walked until our shoes were worn out, and our feet became sore and cracked open and bled until you could see the whole print of our feet with blood on the ground. We stopped and united in prayer to the Lord; we asked God the Eternal Father to heal our feet and our prayers were answered and our feet were healed forthwith.” (https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/jane-manning-james-life-sketch?lang=eng)
“I want to say right here, that my faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is as strong today, nay, it is if possible stronger than it was the day I was first baptized.”(https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/10/the-trek-continues?lang=eng)
Official Declaration #2 Introduction (2013)
- The Book of Mormon teaches that “all are alike unto God,” including “black and white, bond and free, male and female” (2 Nephi 26:33).
- Throughout the history of the Church, people of every race and ethnicity in many countries have been baptized and have lived as faithful members of the Church.
- During Joseph Smith’s lifetime, a few black male members of the Church were ordained to the priesthood.
- Early in its history, Church leaders stopped conferring the priesthood on black males of African descent.
- Church records offer no clear insights into the origins of this practice.
- Church leaders believed that a revelation from God was needed to alter this practice and prayerfully sought guidance.
- The revelation came to Church President Spencer W. Kimball and was affirmed to other Church leaders in the Salt Lake Temple on June 1, 1978.
- The revelation removed all restrictions with regard to race that once applied to the priesthood.
“President McKay sometimes said in private conversations that the restriction on priesthood was not a doctrine but was a policy and subject to change.”
To another General Authority: “That has never been a doctrine, but always a policy.” (Edward Kimball, BYU, p. 22)
Elder Marion D. Hanks: “[President McKay] pleaded and pleaded with the Lord but had not had the answer he sought.”
Elder Adam S. Bennion of the Quorum of Twelve: President McKay prayed for change “without result and finally concluded the time was not yet ripe.” (https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/spencer-w-kimball-and-the-revelation-on-priesthood/)
1969 First Presidency Letter to bishops: "For reasons which we believe are known to God, but which He has not made fully known to man.” In commenting on the statement, President Brown was quoted in the Salt Lake Tribune as saying that the policy “will change in the not too distant future.” (https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/spencer-w-kimball-and-the-revelation-on-priesthood/)
“On a clear April night in 1972 … Helvécio Martins contemplated his family’s search for truth. He and his wife, Rudá, had investigated many religions, but none seemed to fill their spiritual void. ‘I conversed with God that night, asking for help,’ he says” (“Elder Helvécio Martins of the Seventy,” Ensign, May 1990, 106).
A few days later missionaries came to their home in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Elder Martins recalled, “The moment those two young men stepped into our apartment, all of my gloom and spiritual discomfort immediately disappeared and was replaced by a calm and serenity which I now know came from the influence of the Holy Spirit” (with Mark Grover, The Autobiography of Elder Helvécio Martins [1994], 43).
1977 In a meeting presided at by President Kimball, President Kimball waived for Helvicio to come to him. As he walked up to him President Kimball said,
“Brother Martins, What is necessary for you is fidelity. Remain faithful and you will enjoy all the blessings of the gospel.”
On the way out he passed by where I stood. He stopped when he reached me, took my hand with a strong grip, and, holding my arm with his other hand, told me,
“Don’t forget.” Brother Martins, “Don’t forget.” (Biography of Helvecio Martins, p. 65-66)
"Years earlier, talking about revelation in general, Spencer had written in a letter to his son:
Revelations will probably never come unless they are desired. I think few people receive revelations while lounging on the couch or while playing cards or while relaxing. I believe most revelations would come when a man is on his tip toes, reaching as high as he can for something which he knows he needs, and then there bursts upon him the answer to his problems. (https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/spencer-w-kimball-and-the-revelation-on-priesthood/)
(https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/spencer-w-kimball-and-the-revelation-on-priesthood/)
Elder Packer, concerned at President Kimball’s inability to let the matter rest, said, “Why don’t you forget this?” Then Elder Packer answered his own question, “Because you can’t. The Lord won’t let you.”126
Spencer later described:
Day after day, and especially on Saturdays and Sundays when there were no organizations [sessions] in the temple, I went there when I could be alone.
I was very humble . . . I was searching for this . . . I wanted to be sure. . . .
I had a great deal to fight . . . myself, largely, because I had grown up with this thought that Negroes should not have the priesthood and I was prepared to go all the rest of my life until my death and fight for it and defend it as it was.127
(https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/spencer-w-kimball-and-the-revelation-on-priesthood/)
Several other quotes from Edward L Kimball/s article were used in the video. These quotes are not posted here but are all in the article (https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/spencer-w-kimball-and-the-revelation-on-priesthood/)
Elder Bruce R McConkie: “Forget everything that I have said, or what President Brigham Young or President George Q. Cannon or whomsoever has said in days past that is contrary to the present revelation. We spoke with a limited understanding and without the light and knowledge that now has come into the world.
“We get our truth and our light line upon line and precept upon precept. We have now had added a new flood of intelligence and light on this particular subject, and it erases all the darkness and all the views and all the thoughts of the past. They don’t matter any more."
“It doesn’t make a particle of difference what anybody ever said … before the first day of June of this year, 1978. It is a new day and a new arrangement, and the Lord has now given the revelation that sheds light out into the world on this subject.
“As to any slivers of light or any particles of darkness of the past, we forget about them. We now do what meridian Israel did when the Lord said the gospel should go to the Gentiles. We forget all the statements that limited the gospel to the house of Israel, and we start going to the Gentiles. (https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/bruce-r-mcconkie/alike-unto-god/)
Teaching Thoughts:
- Which Article of Faith is most relevant and applicable to the group that you are teaching?
- Use the Church’s “Gospel Topic Essays” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/essays?lang=eng)
- How can we better teach “all are alike unto God” (2 Ne. 26:33)?
- Invite your family to identify the revelation process that proceeded the official declarations of the Church.
- How did Presdient Spencer W. Kimball teach about unity as he sought the Lord’s direction?