Igiterane Rusange
Ukuri Guhoraho
Igiterane rusange Ukwakira 2023


10:40

Ukuri Guhoraho

Gukenera kumenya ukuri kwacu ntabwo byigeze birushaho kuba ingirakamaro!

Bavandimwe, murakoze ku bwo kwiyegurira Imana Data n’Umwana Wayo, Yesu Kristo, kwanyu kandi murakoze ku bw’urukundo mukundana n’umurimo mukorerana hagati yanyu. Murahebuje by’ukuri!

Iriburiro

Nyuma y’uko umugore wanjye, Anne, nanjye duhawe umuhamagaro wo gufasha nk’abayobozi b’ivugabutumwa by’igihe cyuzuye, umuryango wacu wiyemeje kumenya buri zina ry’umuvugabutumwa mbere yo gutangira ubutumwa. Twabonye amafoto, duhanga udukarita twibutsa, maze dutangira kwiga amasura no gufata mu mutwe amazina.

Tumaze kuhagera, twakoresheje ibiterane hamwe n’abavugabutumwa byo kwibwirana. Uko twagendaga tunyuranamo, numvirije umuhungu wacu ufite imyaka icyenda:

“Nishimiye kukumenya, Sam!”

“Rachel, uturuka mu kihe gihugu?”

“Egoko David, uri muremure!”

Binteye ikibazo, negereye umuhungu wacu mpangayitse maze ndamwongorera nti: “Yewe, ibuka kwita abavugabutumwa Umukuru cyangwa Mushiki wacu.”

Yandebanye indoro yuzuye urujijo maze aravuga ati: “Data, nari nzi ko tugomba gufata mu mutwe amazina yabo.” Umuhungu wacu yakoze ibyo yaterezaga ko ari ibikwiye ashingiye ku myumvire ye.

Bityo rero, imyumvire yacu y’ukuri ni iyihe mu isi ya none? Duhora dusukwaho ibitekerezo byihagararaho, raporo zibogama n’amakuru atuzuye. Mu gihe kimwe, ingano n’amasoko y’amakuru bigenda birushaho kwiyongera. Gukenera kumenya ukuri kwacu ntabwo byigeze birushaho kuba ingirakamaro!

Ukuri ni ingenzi kuri twebwe kugira ngo dushyireho kandi dukomeze umubano wacu n’Imana, tubone amahoro n’umunezero, kandi tugere ku bushobozi bwacu bw’ubumana. Uyu munsi, mureke tuzirikane ibibazo bikurikira:

  • Ukuri ni iki, kandi ni ukubera iki ari ingirakamaro?

  • Ni gute tubona ukuri?

  • Iyo tubonye ukuri, ni gute twagusangiza?

Ukuri Guhoraho

Nyagasani yatwigishije mu cyanditswe gitagatifu ko ukuri ari ubumenyi bw’ibintu uko biri, uko byahoze, kandi n’uko bizabaho mu gihe kizaza (Inyigisho n’Ibihango 93:24). Ntabwo kwigeze kuremwa cyangwa ngo gukorwe (Inyigisho n’Ibihango 93:29) kandi nta herezo kugira (Inyigisho n’Ibihango 88:66).1 Ukuri ni ntakuka, ntiguhinduka, kandi ntikugorekwa. Mu yandi magambo, ukuri guhoraho.2

Ukuri kudufasha kwirinda uburiganya,3 gutandukanya icyiza n’ikibi,4 kwakira uburinzi,5 no kubona ihumure n’ugukira.6 Ukuri gushobora kandi kuyobora ibikorwa byacu,7 kutubohora,8 kudutagatifuza,9 no kutugeza ku bugingo buhoraho.10

Imana Ihishura Ukuri Guhoraho

Imana iduhishurira ukuri guhoraho binyuze mu rusobe rw’imibano yo guhishura irimo Yo Ubwayo, Yesu Kristo, Roho Mutagatifu, abahanuzi natwe. Nimureke tuganire ku mimaro itandukanye nyamara inafitanye isano buri muntu afite muri uru rugendo.

Uwa mbere, Imana ni isoko y’ukuri guhoraho.11 Yo n’Umwana Wayo, Yesu Kristo,12 bafite imyumvire itunganye y’ukuri kandi ihora ikorera mu bwumvikane bw’amahame nyakuri n’amategeko.13 Ubu bubasha bubemerera guhanga no gutegeka isi14 hamwe no gukunda, kuyobora no kurera buri umwe muri twe mu buryo butunganye.15 Bashaka ko twebwe dusobanukirwa kandi dukoresha ukuri kugira ngo twebwe dushobore kunezererwa imigisha banezererwa.16 Ashobora gusangiza ukuri ubwe cyangwa, ibisanzwe kurushaho, binyuze mu ntumwa nka Roho Mutagatifu, abamarayika, cyangwa abahanuzi bariho.

Uwa kabiri, Roho Mutagatifu ahamya iby’ukuri kose.17 Aduhishurira ukuri nta handi anyuze kandi akaduhamiriza ukuri kwigishijwe n’abandi. Mu busanzwe ibyiyumviro biturutse kuri Roho biza nk’ibitekerezo mu bwenge bwacu n’amarangamutima mu mitima yacu.18

Uwa gatatu, abahanuzi bakira ukuri kuvuye ku Mana kandi bakadusangiza uko kuri.19 Twiga ukuri guturutse mu bahanuzi ba kera mu byanditswe bitagatifu20 no mu bahanuzi bariho mu giterane rusange kandi binyuze no mu bundi buryo bwemewe bw’itumanaho.

Uwa nyuma, wowe nanjye tugira umumaro w’ingenzi muri uru rugendo. Imana idutezeho ko dushaka, tukamenya, maze ubundi tugakoresha ukuri. Ubushobozi bwacu bwo kwakira no gukoresha ukuri buterwa n’imbaraga z’umubano wacu hamwe na Data n’Umwana, uburyo dusubizamo ibyiyumviro bya Roho Mutagatifu, ndetse n’imibanire yacu n’abahanuzi b’iminsi ya nyuma.

Dukeneye kwibuka ko Satani akora iyo bwabaga kugira ngo aduhishe ukuri. Azi ko nta kuri guhari, tudashobora kuronka ubugingo buhoraho. Agenda asobekanya uduce tw’ukuri hamwe n’icengerabumenyi ry’isi kugira ngo atujijishe kandi aturangaze ku byo Imana itumenyesha.21

Gushaka, Kumenya no Gukoresha Ukuri Guhoraho

Uko dushaka ukuri guhoraho,22 ibibazo bibiri bikurikira bishobora kudufasha kumenya niba igitekerezo gituruka ku Mana cyangwa iyindi soko:

  • Ese iki gitekerezo cyigishwa mu byanditswe bitagatifu n’abahanuzi bariho mu buryo buhozaho?

  • Ese iki gitekerezo cyemejwe n’ubuhamya bwa Roho Mutagatifu?

Imana ihishura ukuri kw’inyigisho binyuze mu bahanuzi, kandi Roho Mutagatifu atwemeza uko kuri maze akadufasha kugukoresha.23 Tugomba gushaka no kwitegura kwakira ibi byiyumviro bya roho igihe bije.24 Twakira ubuhamya bwa Roho cyane iyo twiyoroheje,25 dusenze tubikuye ku mutima kandi twize amagambo y’Imana,26 kandi tukubahiriza amategeko Ye.27

Roho Mutagatifu akimara kutwemeza ukuri kwihariye, imyumvire yacu iraguka uko dushyize iryo hame mu bikorwa. Nyuma y’igihe, uko duhojejeho mu kubahiriza iryo hame, twunguka ubumenyi bwizewe bw’uko kuri.28

Urugero, nakoze amakosa kandi kandi naricujije ku bw’amahitamo mabi. Ariko binyuze mu isengesho, inyigo n’ukwizera muri Yesu Kristo, nakiriye ubuhamya bw’ihame ry’ukwihana.29 Uko nakomeje kwihana, imyumvire yanjye y’ukwihana yakomeje kwaguka. Niyumvise hafi y’Imana n’Umwana Wayo. Ubu nzi ko icyaha gishobora kubabarirwa binyuze muri Yesu Kristo, kubera ko niyumvamo imigisha y’ukwihana buri munsi.30

Kwizera Imana Iyo Ukuri Kutarahishurwa

Bityo, ni iki dukwiye gukora iyo dushatse ukuri kutarahishurwa tubikuye ku mutima? Ngirira ikigongwe cyinshi abo muri twe barwaye ibisubizo bisa nk’aho bitaboneka.

Abwira Joseph Smith, Nyagasani yagiriye inama Joseph yo kwicecekera kugeza ubwo azabona bikwiye guhishura ibintu byerekeranye n’ibyo (Inyigisho n’Ibihango 10:37).

Maze ategeka Emma Smith ko adakwiye kwinuba, kubera ibintu atarabona, byamuhishwe kandi bigahishwa n’abisi, ari byo bushishozi muri We ku bw’igihe kizaza (Inyigisho n’Ibihango 25:4).

Nanjye nashatse ibisubizo ku bibazo bivuye ku mutima bitarabonerwa ibisubizo. Ibisubizo byinshi byarabonetse; bimwe ntabwo byabonetse.31 Uko turindira—tugirira icyizere ubushishozi n’urukundo by’Imana, twubahiriza amategeko Yayo, kandi twishingikiriza ku byo tuzi koko—Idufasha kubona amahoro kugeza ihishuye ukuri kw’ibintu byose.32

Gusobanukirwa Inyigisho n’Ingamba

Iyo turimo dushakisha ukuri, bifasha gusobanukirwa itandukaniro riri hagati y’inyigisho n’ingamba. Inyigisho ikomoza ku kuri guhoraho, nka kamere y’Ubumana, umugambi w’agakiza n’igitambo cy’impongano cya Yesu Kristo. Ingamba ni ishyirwa mu bikorwa ry’inyigisho rishingiye ku mimerere iriho. Ingamba idufasha kuyobora Itorero mu buryo bufite umurongo.

Mu gihe inyigisho itazigera ihinduka, ingamba zirahinduka rimwe na rimwe. Nyagasani akorera mu bahanuzi Be kugira ngo ahagarare ku nyigisho Ye kandi kugira ngo ahindure ingamba z’Itorero agendeye ku byo abana Be bakeneye.

Ikibabaje ni uko, rimwe na rimwe twitiranya ingamba n’inyigisho. Niba tudasobanukiwe itandukaniro, twishyira mu kaga ko gutenguhwa iyo ingamba zihindutse ndetse bishobora kudutera kwibaza ku bushishozi bw’Imana cyangwa uruhare rwo guhishura rw’abahanuzi.33

Kwigisha Ukuri Guhoraho

Iyo tubonye ukuri kuvuye ku Mana, idushishikariza gusangiza abandi ubwo bumenyi.34 Dukora ibi iyo twigishije isomo, twerekereye umwana, cyangwa tuganira ukuri kw’inkuru nziza hamwe n’inshuti.

Intego yacu ni ukwigisha ukuri mu buryo butumira ububasha bwa Roho Mutagatifu buhindura.35 Mureke mbasangize ubutumire bumwe bworoshye buvuye kuri Nyagasani n’abahanuzi Be bushobora gufasha.36

  1. Mwibande kuri Data wo mu Ijuru, Yesu Kristo n’inyigisho y’ishingiro Yabo.37

  2. Mushikame mu byanditswe bitagatifu no mu nyigisho z’abahanuzi b’iminsi ya nyuma.38

  3. Mwishingikirize inyigisho yashyizweho binyuze mu bahamya benshi babifitiye ubushobozi.39

  4. Mwirinde ibihuha, ibitekerezo by’umuntu ku giti cye, cyangwa ibitekerezo by’abisi.40

  5. Mwigishe ingingo y’inyigisho iri mu ishusho y’ukuri kw’inkuru nziza byerekeranye.41

  6. Mukoreshe imigenzereze yo kwigisha itumira uruhare rwa Roho.42

  7. Muvuge mwerura kugira ngo murwanye ukutumvikana neza.43

Kuvugisha Ukuri mu Rukundo

Uko mwigisha ukuri bifite icyo bivuze koko. Pawulo yadushishikarije kuvugisha “ukuri turi mu rukundo” (reba Abefeso 4:14–15). Ukuri gufite amahirwe meza kurusha andi yo guha umugisha undi iyo kubwizanywe urukundo rwa Kristo.44

Ukuri kwigishijwe nta rukundo gushobora gutera ibyiyumviro by’urubanza, urucantege n’irungu. Akenshi gutera inzigo n’amacakubiri—ndetse n’amakimbirane. Ku rundi ruhande, urukundo rudafite ukuri ruba nta gaciro rufite kandi rutagira isezerano ry’ubukure.

Ukuri n’urukundo byombi ni ingenzi ku bw’iterambere ryacu mu bya roho.45 Ukuri gutanga inyigisho, amahame n’amategeko bikenewe kugira ngo twunguke ubugingo buhoraho, mu gihe urukundo rubyara imvano ikenewe kugira ngo twakire kandi tugire icyo dukora ku kuri.

Nzahora nshimira abandi banyigishije ukuri guhoraho bihanganye bafite urukundo.

Umwanzuro

Nk’umwanzuro, mureke mbasangize ukuri guhoraho kwahindutse igitsikamutima. Naje kumenya uku kuri nkurikiza amahame yaganiriweho uyu munsi.

Nzi ko Imana ari Data wo mu Ijuru.46 Izi byose,47 irakomeye cyane,48 kandi ikunda mu buryo butunganye.49 Yahanze umugambi udushoboza kuronka ubugingo buhoraho no guhinduka nka Yo.50

Nk’igice cy’uwo mugambi, yohereje Umwana Wayo, Yesu Kristo, kugira ngo adufashe.51 Yesu yatwigishije gukora ugushaka kwa Data52 no gukundana.53 Yaduhongereye ibyaha byacu54 kandi atanga ubuzima Bwe ku musaraba.55 Yazutse mu bapfuye nyuma y’iminsi itatu.56 Binyuze muri Kristo n’inema Ye, tuzazurwa,57 dushobora kubabarirwa,58 kandi dushobora kubona imbaraga mu magorwa.59

Mu murimo We wo ku isi, Yesu yashyizeho Itorero Rye.60 Nyuma y’igihe, iryo Torero ryarahinduwe, maze ukuri kuratakara.61 Yesu Kristo yagaruye Itorero Rye n’ukuri kw’inkuru nziza binyuze mu Muhanuzi Joseph Smith.62 Kandi uyu munsi, Kristo akomeza kuyobora Itorero Rye binyuze mu bahanuzi bariho n’intumwa ziriho.63

Nzi ko uko dusanga Kristo, amaherezo dushobora gutunganyirizwa muri We (Moroni 10:32), kubona umunezero wuzuye (Inyigisho n’Ibihango 93:33), no kwakira ibintu byose Data afite (Inyigisho n’Ibihango 84:38). Kuri uku kuri guhoraho ndabihamya mu izina rya Yesu Kristo, amena.

Aho byavuye

  1. See also Psalm 117:2; Doctrine and Covenants 1:39.

  2. “Contrary to the doubts of some, there really is such a thing as right and wrong. There really is absolute truth—eternal truth. One of the plagues of our day is that too few people know where to turn for truth” (Russell M. Nelson, “Pure Truth, Pure Doctrine, and Pure Revelation,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 6).

  3. See Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:37.

  4. See Moroni 7:19.

  5. See 2 Nephi 1:9; Doctrine and Covenants 17:8.

  6. See Jacob 2:8.

  7. See Psalm 119:105; 2 Nephi 32:3.

  8. See John 8:32; Doctrine and Covenants 98:8.

  9. See John 17:17.

  10. See 2 Nephi 31:20.

  11. See Doctrine and Covenants 88:11–13; 93:36.

  12. See John 5:19–20; 7:16; 8:26; 18:37; Moses 1:6.

  13. See Alma 42:12–26; Doctrine and Covenants 88:41.

  14. See Moses 1:30–39.

  15. See 2 Nephi 26:24.

  16. See Doctrine and Covenants 82:8–9.

  17. See John 16:13; Jacob 4:13; Moroni 10:5; Doctrine and Covenants 50:14; 75:10; 76:12; 91:4; 124:97.

  18. See Doctrine and Covenants 6:22–23; 8:2–3.

  19. See Jeremiah 1:5, 7; Amos 3:7; Matthew 28:16–20; Moroni 7:31; Doctrine and Covenants 1:38; 21:1–6; 43:1–7. A prophet is “a person who has been called by and speaks for God. As a messenger of God, a prophet receives commandments, prophecies, and revelations from God. His responsibility is to make known God’s will and true character to mankind and to show the meaning of His dealings with them. A prophet denounces sin and foretells its consequences. He is a preacher of righteousness. On occasion, prophets may be inspired to foretell the future for the benefit of mankind. His primary responsibility, however, is to bear witness of Christ. The President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God’s prophet on earth today. Members of the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles are sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Prophet,” Gospel Library). Examples of these principles are found in the lives of Adam (see Moses 6:51–62), Enoch (see Moses 6:26–36), Noah (see Moses 8:19, 23–24), Abraham (see Genesis 12:1–3; Abraham 2:8–9), Moses (see Exodus 3:1–15; Moses 1:1–6, 25–26), Peter (see Matthew 16:13–19), and Joseph Smith (see Doctrine and Covenants 5:6–10; 20:2; 21:4–6).

  20. See 2 Timothy 3:16.

  21. See John 8:44; 2 Nephi 2:18; Doctrine and Covenants 93:39; Moses 4:4.

  22. See 1 Nephi 10:19. President Dallin H. Oaks instructed: “We need to be cautious as we seek [God’s] truth and choose sources for that search. We should not consider secular prominence or authority as qualified sources. … When we seek the truth about religion, we should use spiritual methods appropriate for that search: prayer, the witness of the Holy Ghost, and study of the scriptures and the words of modern prophets” (“Truth and the Plan,” Liahona, Nov. 2018, 25).

  23. Elder D. Todd Christofferson taught: “Apostles and prophets … declare God’s word, but in addition, we believe men and women generally and even children can learn from and be guided by divine inspiration in response to prayer and study of the scriptures. … Members of the Church of Jesus Christ are given the gift of the Holy Ghost, which facilitates an ongoing communication with their Heavenly Father. … This is not to say that every member speaks for the Church or can define its doctrines but that each can receive divine guidance in dealing with the challenges and opportunities of his or her life” (“The Doctrine of Christ,” Liahona, May 2012, 89–90, note 2).

  24. See 2 Nephi 33:1–2.

  25. See Doctrine and Covenants 1:28.

  26. See Moroni 10:3–5; Doctrine and Covenants 9:7–9; 84:85.

  27. See Doctrine and Covenants 5:35; 63:23; 93:27–28. Despite our earnest efforts, some of us may still struggle to feel the Spirit due to mental health challenges. Depression, anxiety, and other neurological conditions can add complexity to recognizing the Holy Ghost. In such cases, the Lord invites us to continue living the gospel, and He will bless us (see Mosiah 2:41). We can look for additional activities—such as listening to sacred music, engaging in service, or spending time in nature—that help us feel the fruits of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22–23) and strengthen our connection to God.

    Elder Jeffrey R. Holland expressed: “So how do you best respond when mental or emotional challenges confront you or those you love? Above all, never lose faith in your Father in Heaven, who loves you more than you can comprehend. … Faithfully pursue the time-tested devotional practices that bring the Spirit of the Lord into your life. Seek the counsel of those who hold keys for your spiritual well-being. Ask for and cherish priesthood blessings. Take the sacrament every week, and hold fast to the perfecting promises of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Believe in miracles. I have seen so many of them come when every other indication would say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost” (“Like a Broken Vessel,” Liahona, Nov. 2013, 40–41).

  28. See John 7:17; Alma 32:26–34. Ultimately, God desires for us to gain truth “line upon line, precept upon precept,” until we comprehend all things (see Proverbs 28:5; 2 Nephi 28:30; Doctrine and Covenants 88:67; 93:28).

  29. See 1 John 1:9–10; 2:1–2.

  30. President Russell M. Nelson explained: “Nothing is more liberating, more ennobling, or more crucial to our individual progression than is a regular, daily focus on repentance. Repentance is not an event; it is a process. It is the key to happiness and peace of mind. When coupled with faith, repentance opens our access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ” (“We Can Do Better and Be Better,” Liahona, May 2019, 67).

  31. I do not know all the reasons that God withholds some eternal truths from us, but Elder Orson F. Whitney provided an interesting insight: “It is blessed to believe without seeing, since by the exercise of faith comes spiritual development, one of the great objects of man’s earthly existence; while knowledge, by swallowing up faith, prevents its exercise, thus hindering that development. ‘Knowledge is power;’ and all things are to be known in due season. But premature knowledge—knowing at the wrong time—is fatal both to progress and to happiness” (“The Divinity of Jesus Christ,” Improvement Era, Jan. 1926, 222; see also Liahona, Dec. 2003, 14–15).

  32. See Doctrine and Covenants 76:5–10. The Lord also counseled Hyrum Smith to “seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word. … Hold your peace [and] study my word” (Doctrine and Covenants 11:21–22). The prophet Alma provides an example for handling unanswered questions: “These mysteries are not yet fully made known unto me; therefore I shall forbear” (Alma 37:11). He also explained to his son Corianton that “there are many mysteries which are kept, that no one knoweth them save God himself” (Alma 40:3). I have also found strength from the response of Nephi when he was presented with a question he could not answer: “I know that [God] loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things” (1 Nephi 11:17).

  33. Similarly, cultural traditions are not doctrine or policy. They can be useful if they help us follow doctrine and policy, but they can also impede our spiritual growth if they are not based on true principles. We should avoid traditions that do not build our faith in Jesus Christ or help us progress toward eternal life.

  34. See Doctrine and Covenants 15:5; 88:77–78.

  35. See Doctrine and Covenants 50:21–23.

  36. Adapted from the document “Principles for Ensuring Doctrinal Purity,” approved by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in February 2023.

  37. See 1 Nephi 15:14. The Lord directed His servants to avoid focusing on tenets, or concepts, that are not central to His gospel: “And of tenets thou shalt not talk, but thou shalt declare repentance and faith on the Savior, and remission of sins by baptism, and by fire, yea, even the Holy Ghost” (Doctrine and Covenants 19:31).

    Elder Neil L. Andersen explained: “Let us focus on the Savior Jesus Christ and the gift of His atoning sacrifice. This does not mean we cannot tell an experience from our own life or share thoughts from others. While our subject might be about families or service or temples or a recent mission, everything … should point to the Lord Jesus Christ“ (“We Talk of Christ,” Liahona, Nov. 2020, 89–90).

  38. See Doctrine and Covenants 28:2–3, 8. The prophet Alma admonished those appointed to preach the gospel to “teach nothing save it were the things which he had taught, and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets” (Mosiah 18:19).

    President Henry B. Eyring declared, “We must teach the fundamental doctrines of the Church as contained in the standard works and the teachings of the prophets, whose responsibility it is to declare doctrine” (“The Lord Will Multiply the Harvest” [evening with a General Authority, Feb. 6, 1998], in Teaching Seminary: Preservice Readings [2004], 96).

    Elder D. Todd Christofferson testified that “in the Church today, just as anciently, establishing the doctrine of Christ or correcting doctrinal deviations is a matter of divine revelation to those the Lord endows with apostolic authority” (“The Doctrine of Christ,” 86).

  39. See 2 Corinthians 13:1; 2 Nephi 11:3; Ether 5:4; Doctrine and Covenants 6:28. Elder Neil L. Andersen observed: “A few question their faith when they find a statement made by a Church leader decades ago that seems incongruent with our doctrine. There is an important principle that governs the doctrine of the Church. The doctrine is taught by all 15 members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. It is not hidden in an obscure paragraph of one talk. True principles are taught frequently and by many. Our doctrine is not difficult to find” (“Trial of Your Faith,” Liahona, Nov. 2012, 41).

    Elder D. Todd Christofferson similarly taught: “It should be remembered that not every statement made by a Church leader, past or present, necessarily constitutes doctrine. It is commonly understood in the Church that a statement made by one leader on a single occasion often represents a personal, though well-considered, opinion, not meant to be official or binding for the whole Church” (“The Doctrine of Christ,” 88).

  40. See 3 Nephi 11:32, 40. President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “I have spoken before about the importance of keeping the doctrine of the Church pure. … I worry about this. Small aberrations in doctrinal teaching can lead to large and evil falsehoods” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 620).

    President Dallin H. Oaks warned that there are some “who select a few sentences from the teachings of a prophet and use these to support their political agenda or other personal purposes. … To wrest the words of a prophet to support a private agenda, political or financial or otherwise, is to try to manipulate the prophet, not to follow him” (“Our Strengths Can Become Our Downfall” [Brigham Young University fireside, June 7, 1992], 7, speeches.byu.edu).

    President Henry B. Eyring cautioned: “Doctrine gains its power as the Holy Ghost confirms that it is true. … Because we need the Holy Ghost, we must be cautious and careful not to go beyond teaching true doctrine. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Truth. His confirmation is invited by our avoiding speculation or personal interpretation. That can be hard to do. … It is tempting to try something new or sensational. But we invite the Holy Ghost as our companion when we are careful to teach only true doctrine. One of the surest ways to avoid even getting near false doctrine is to choose to be simple in our teaching. Safety is gained by that simplicity, and little is lost” (“The Power of Teaching Doctrine,” Liahona, July 1999, 86).

    Elder Dale G. Renlund taught: “Seeking greater understanding is an important part of our spiritual development, but please be cautious. Reason cannot replace revelation. Speculation will not lead to greater spiritual knowledge, but it can lead us to deception or divert our focus from what has been revealed” (“Your Divine Nature and Eternal Destiny,” Liahona, May 2022, 70).

  41. See Matthew 23:23. President Joseph F. Smith warned: “It is very unwise to take a fragment of truth and treat it as if it were the whole thing. … All the revealed principles of the gospel of Christ are necessary and essential in the plan of salvation.” He further explained: “It is neither good policy nor sound doctrine to take any one of these, single it out from the whole plan of gospel truth, make it a special hobby, and depend upon it for our salvation and progress. … They are all necessary” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 122).

    Elder Neal A. Maxwell explained: “The gospel’s principles … require synchronization. When pulled apart from each other or isolated, men’s interpretations and implementations of these doctrines may be wild. Love, if not checked by the seventh commandment, could become carnal. The fifth commandment’s laudable emphasis upon honoring parents, unless checked by the first commandment, could result in unconditional loyalty to errant parents rather than to God. … Even patience is balanced by ‘reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost’ [Doctrine and Covenants 121:43]” (“Behold, the Enemy Is Combined,” Ensign, May 1993, 78–79).

    President Marion G. Romney instructed, “Searching [the scriptures] for the purpose of discovering what they teach as enjoined by Jesus is a far cry from hunting through them for the purpose of finding passages which can be pressed into service to support a predetermined conclusion” (“Records of Great Worth,” Ensign, Sept. 1980, 3).

  42. See 1 Corinthians 2:4; Moroni 6:9. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland emphasized the need to communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ in a way that leads to spiritual edification through the power of the Holy Ghost: “The Lord has never given more emphatic counsel to the Church than that we are to teach the gospel ‘by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth.’ Do we teach the gospel ‘by the Spirit of truth?’ He has inquired. Or do we teach it ‘some other way? And if it be by some other way,’ He warns, ‘it is not of God’ [Doctrine and Covenants 50:14, 17–18]. … No eternal learning can take place without that quickening of the Spirit from heaven. … That is what our members really want. … They want their faith fortified and their hope renewed. They want, in short, to be nourished by the good word of God, to be strengthened by the powers of heaven” (“A Teacher Come from God,” Ensign, May 1998, 26).

  43. See Alma 13:23. Speaking of our Heavenly Father, President Russell M. Nelson testified, “He communicates simply, quietly, and with such stunning plainness that we cannot misunderstand Him” (“Hear Him,” Liahona, May 2020, 89).

  44. See Psalm 26:3; Romans 13:10; 1 Corinthians 13:1–8; 1 John 3:18.

  45. See Psalm 40:11.

  46. See Romans 8:16.

  47. See 1 Samuel 2:3; Matthew 6:8; 2 Nephi 2:24; 9:20.

  48. See Genesis 17:1; Jeremiah 32:17; 1 Nephi 7:12; Alma 26:35.

  49. See Jeremiah 31:3; 1 John 4:7–10; Alma 26:37.

  50. See 2 Nephi 9; Doctrine and Covenants 20:17–31; Moses 6:52–62.

  51. See John 3:16; 1 John 4:9–10.

  52. See John 8:29; 3 Nephi 27:13.

  53. See John 15:12; 1 John 3:11.

  54. See Luke 22:39–46.

  55. See John 19:16–30.

  56. See John 20:1–18.

  57. See 1 Corinthians 15:20–22; Mosiah 15:20–24; 16:7–9; Doctrine and Covenants 76:16–17.

  58. See Acts 11:17–18; 1 Timothy 1:14–16; Alma 34:8–10; Moroni 6:2–3, 8; Doctrine and Covenants 19:13–19.

  59. See Matthew 11:28–30; 2 Corinthians 12:7–10; Philippians 4:13; Alma 26:11–13.

  60. See Matthew 16:18–19; Ephesians 2:20.

  61. See Matthew 24:24; Acts 20:28–30.

  62. See Doctrine and Covenants 20:1–4; 21:1–7; 27:12; 110; 135:3; Joseph Smith—History 1:1–20.

  63. See Doctrine and Covenants 1:14, 38; 43:1–7; 107:91–92.