The Restored Gospel and World Religions (Religion 390R): Course Outline

Course Objective: This course will help students gain a global perspective of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and of the building of common beliefs with other religious organizations.

Lesson 1: The Ancient Church

Suggested Lesson Material

• Gordon B. Hinckley, “Four Cornerstones of Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, Feb. 2004, 3–7.

• Rodney Turner, “Christ’s Church in Ancient America,” Ensign, Mar. 2000, 48–52.

• Tad R. Callister, The Inevitable Apostasy and the Promised Restoration (2006), 5–11.

Key Principles, Doctrines and Concepts: Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “Absolutely basic to our faith is our testimony of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, who under a divine plan was born in Bethlehem of Judea” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Four Cornerstones of Faith,” 4).

Lesson 2: The Great Apostasy

Suggested Lesson Material

• Mark E. Petersen, “Salvation Comes through the Church,” Ensign, July 1973, 108–11.

• Russell M. Nelson, “The Gathering of Scattered Israel,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 79–81.

• Tad R. Callister, The Inevitable Apostasy and the Promised Restoration, 305–11.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “This Great Apostasy followed the pattern that had ended each previous dispensation” (Russell M. Nelson, “The Gathering of Scattered Israel,” 79).

Lesson 3: Reformation Period

Suggested Lesson Material

• Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service (2004), 45–46.

• Arnold K. Garr, “Preparing for the Restoration,” Ensign, June 1999, 34–40.

• Tad R. Callister, The Inevitable Apostasy and the Promised Restoration, 323–27.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “Those forerunners to Joseph Smith, the long-prophesied seer of the last days … , did not have access to the fulness of the gospel, but their efforts were vitally important in laying the foundation for him” (Garr, “Preparing for the Restoration,” 34).

Lesson 4: Restoration

Suggested Lesson Material

• Joseph Smith—History 1.

• Dallin H. Oaks, “Apostasy and Restoration,” Ensign, May 1995, 84–87.

• L. Tom Perry, “The Message of the Restoration,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 85–88.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has many beliefs in common with other Christian churches” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Apostasy and Restoration,” 84).

Lesson 5: Religious Freedom

Suggested Lesson Material

• Quentin L. Cook, “Restoring Morality and Religious Freedom,” Ensign, Sept. 2012, 32–40.

• Robert D. Hales, “Preserving Agency, Protecting Religious Freedom,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 111–13.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “The faithful use of our agency depends upon our having religious freedom” (Robert D. Hales, “Preserving Agency, Protecting Religious Freedom,” 112).

Lesson 6: Religious Tolerance

Suggested Lesson Material

• Russell M. Nelson, “Teach Us Tolerance and Love,” Ensign, May 1994, 69–71.

• Dallin H. Oaks, “Balancing Truth and Tolerance,” Ensign or Liahona, Feb. 2013, 24–31.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “Our commitment to the Savior causes us to scorn sin yet heed His commandment to love our neighbors” (Russell M. Nelson, “Teach Us Tolerance and Love,” 71).

Lesson 7: Buddhism

Suggested Lesson Material

• Spencer J. Palmer, “Buddhism,” Ensign, June 1972, 66–74.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “The restored gospel of Jesus Christ teaches that God and man are self-conscious, self-determining beings who know how to make plans and execute them” (Palmer, “Buddhism,” 73).

Lesson 8: Confucianism

Suggested Lesson Material

• Spencer J. Palmer, “Confucianism,” Ensign, July 1971, 44–52.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “The ultimate purpose of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the regeneration and perfection of human souls, which is largely brought to pass by obedience to moral law” (Palmer, “Confucianism,” 52).

Lesson 9: Hinduism

Suggested Lesson Material

• A. Burt Horsley, “Hinduism,” Ensign, Feb. 1971, 66–75.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “That which we can accept in principle as virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy might well be implemented into our lives in a practical and real way” (Horsley, “Hinduism,” 75).

Lesson 10: Judaism

Suggested Lesson Material

• Ellis T. Rasmussen, “Judaism,” Ensign, Mar. 1971, 40–49.

• E. LV Richardson, “What Is a Jew?” Ensign, May 1972, 12–17.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “The mission of Abraham’s descendants through Israel was … to bear the witness of the true and living God unto the nations of all the world, and to bring the blessings of his acquaintance and his covenants to all” (Rasmussen, “Judaism,” 49).

Lesson 11: Roman Catholicism

Suggested Lesson Material

• A. Burt Horsley, “Roman Catholicism,” Ensign, Apr. 1971, 44–52.

• Francis E. George, “Catholics and Latter-day Saints: Partners in the …” (Brigham Young University forum, Feb. 23, 2010), speeches.byu.edu.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “The sacrament of holy matrimony is regarded as a very sacred covenant instituted by the Savior for those who marry” (Horsley, “Roman Catholicism,” 52).

Lesson 12: Islam

Suggested Lesson Material

• Hugh Nibley, “Islam and Mormonism—a Comparison,” Ensign, Mar. 1972, 55–64.

• James A. Toronto, “A Latter-day Saint Perspective on Muhammad,” Ensign, Aug. 2000, 50–58.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “A well-known teaching in Islam is that ‘we come out from God and to him we shall return’” (Nibley, “Islam and Mormonism—a Comparison,” 64).

Lesson 13: Eastern Orthodoxy

Suggested Lesson Material

• Milton V. Backman Jr., “Eastern Orthodoxy,” Ensign, May 1971, 48–53.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “Through baptism, Eastern Christians maintain, recipients are cleansed of their personal sins and the original sin and become members of the earthly kingdom of God” (Backman, “Eastern Orthodoxy,” 51).

Lesson 14: Lutheranism

Suggested Lesson Material

• A. Burt Horsley, “Lutheranism,” Ensign, Oct. 1971, 30–39.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “In addition to justification by faith as a first principle, both Lutheranism and Mormonism teach salvation by grace through the atonement of Jesus Christ, whom they recognize as the sole head of the church” (Horsley, “Lutheranism,” 39).

Lesson 15: Reformed Protestantism

Suggested Lesson Material

• Richard O. Cowan, “Reformed Protestantism,” Ensign, Feb. 1972, 29–35.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “Latter-day Saints agree with Calvin’s emphasis on forgiveness through the atoning sacrifice of Christ and that baptism is ineffective without an inward change, but they would insist that baptism is a definite requirement for admission into the kingdom of heaven” (Cowan, “Reformed Protestantism,” 31).

Lesson 16: Anglican/Episcopalian and Methodist

Suggested Lesson Material

• Joe J. Christensen, “The Church of England,” Ensign, Sept. 1971, 56–62.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “At least two significant religious movements have grown out of the Church of England. They are the Methodist and Protestant Episcopal churches of America” (Christensen, “The Church of England,” 59).

Lesson 17: The Great Philosophers

Suggested Lesson Material

• James E. Faust, “The Odyssey to Happiness” (Brigham Young University fireside, Jan. 6, 1974), speeches.byu.edu.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “Early philosophers like Aristotle, Locke, Aquinas, and Mill declared that the most fundamental of all human searches was for happiness” (James E. Faust, “The Odyssey to Happiness,” 1–2).

Lesson 18: Other Eastern Religions

Suggested Lesson Material

• R. Lanier Britsch, “Latter-day Saints and Eastern Religions: A Few Thoughts on Bridge Building,” New Era, Oct. 1975, 6–9.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “If we expect to achieve missionary success in Asian lands, we must have a more complete understanding of the peoples’ ways of thinking and believing” (Britsch, “Latter-day Saints and Eastern Religions,” 6–7).

Lesson 19: Evangelical Christians, or Born-Again Christians

Suggested Lesson Material

• Jeffrey R. Holland, “Standing Together for the Cause of Christ,” Ensign, Aug. 2012, 44–50.

• Robert R. Millet, “What We Believe” (Brigham Young University devotional, Feb. 3, 1998), speeches.byu.edu.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “Surely there is a way for people of goodwill who love God and have taken upon themselves the name of Christ to stand together for the cause of Christ and against the forces of sin” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Standing Together for the Cause of Christ,” 44).

Lesson 20: Factions from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Suggested Lesson Material

• Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Joseph Smith III Document and the Keys of the Kingdom,” Ensign, May 1981, 20–22.

• Russell R. Rich, “Nineteenth-Century Break-offs,” Ensign, Sept. 1979, 68–71.

• Milton V. Backman Jr., “A Warning from Kirtland,” Ensign, Apr. 1989, 26–30.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “The groundwork for the Restoration took many years to lay, yet hardly had the Church been organized when men began to break off and form other organizations. There are many reasons for such active dissent, and most of the reasons still apply among people who leave the Church today to found other groups: an obsession with one teaching rather than finding a balanced view, disagreement with a Church position or principle—especially when a change is made—and disobedience to priesthood leaders and their authority” (Rich, “Nineteenth-Century Break-offs,” 68).

Lesson 21: The Church in the Middle East

Suggested Lesson Material

• Herbert F. Murray, “Arab-Israeli Conflict,” Ensign, Jan. 1971, 21–25.

• Ellis T. Rasmussen, “Religion in Israel Today,” Ensign, May 1972, 58–64.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “Elijah can still plant in the hearts of the children the covenants made with the fathers, so that the hearts of the children may turn to the fathers and fulfill their destiny before the land is smitten with a curse.

  “Political imposition or legal requirements and compulsions will not likely save the faith, promote the knowledge of God, or increase trust in the hope for the Messiah, but there are other hopes. The law shall yet go forth from Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Rasmussen, “Religion in Israel Today,” 64).

Lesson 22: The Church in Africa

Suggested Lesson Material

• Alexander B. Morrison, “The Dawning of a New Day in Africa,” Ensign, Nov. 1987, 25–26.

• James O. Mason, “The Kingdom Progresses in Africa,” Ensign, Nov. 1994, 30–31.

• E. Dale LeBaron, “Pioneers in East Africa,” Ensign, Oct. 1994, 20–24.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “Growth of the Church in Africa moves forward deliberately and steadily according to inspired design” (James O. Mason, “The Kingdom Progresses in Africa,” 30).

Lesson 23: The Church in Europe

Suggested Lesson Material

• Richard K. Gardiner, “Britain and Europe in the Modern World,” Ensign, Sept. 1971, 38–42.

• “The Church in Europe,” Ensign, Aug. 1973, 16–35.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “Church membership in Europe is again surging ahead, and many stakes and missions are fully organized and support all of the Church programs with great enthusiasm” (“The Church in Europe,” 17).

Lesson 24: The Church in the Pacific

Suggested Lesson Material

• Glen L. Rudd, “Matthew Cowley’s Mission to New Zealand,” Ensign, July 2015, 58–63.

• Eric B. Shumway, “Tongan Saints: A Legacy of Faith,” Liahona, Aug. 1991, 36–45.

• Alton L. Wade, “Laie—a Destiny Prophesied,” Ensign, July 1994, 68–70.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “The continuing internationalization of the Church depends on members who understand and respect each other’s cultures and heritages. Within the gospel culture, we must be like a delicious fruit salad, made up of distinctive parts yet unified in our purpose” (Wade, “Laie—a Destiny Prophesied,” 70).

Lesson 25: The Church in Central America

Suggested Lesson Material

• Ted E. Brewerton, “A Conversation about the Church in Central America,” Liahona, June 1993, 21–23.

• Terrence L. Hansen, “The Church in Central America,” Ensign, Sept. 1972, 40–42.

• “Central America: Saints in Six Nations Grow in the Gospel,” Ensign, Feb. 1977, 24–26.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “Other people who are respected in their communities serve as Church leaders in Central America, and their example helps interest many people in the Church” (“Central America: Saints in Six Nations Grow in the Gospel,” 26).

Lesson 26: The Church in South America

Suggested Lesson Material

• M. Russell Ballard, “The Kingdom Rolls Forth in South America,” Ensign, May 1986, 12–15.

• Néstor Curbelo, “Conversion and Change in Chile,” Ensign, Oct. 2014, 49–55.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “Dedicated men and women are leading the Church in their own countries in a magnificent way. It is a joy to see second- and third-generation members living worthy to be leaders in South America” (M. Russell Ballard, “The Kingdom Rolls Forth in South America,” 14).

Lesson 27: The Church in Asia

Suggested Lesson Material

• Dallin H. Oaks, “Broadcast to 170 Locations in the Philippines Area” (Nov. 1, 2014 broadcast), lds.org.ph.

• In Sang Han, “Encounter: The Korean Mind and the Gospel,” Ensign, Aug. 1975, 47–50.

• R. Lanier Britsch, “From Bhutan to Wangts’ang: Taking the Gospel to Asia,” Ensign, June 1980, 7–10.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “The challenge is clear: ‘Teach all nations’ (Matt. 28:19). That charge, given anciently and reiterated by a living prophet in our day, requires that the gospel be taken to the world—to people not even familiar with Christianity” (Britsch, “From Bhutan to Wangts’ang,” 7).

Lesson 28: The Global Church

Suggested Lesson Material

• Daniel 2:34–35, 44–45; Doctrine and Covenants 65:2.

• Howard W. Hunter, “The Gospel—a Global Faith,” Ensign, Nov. 1991, 18–19.

• Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Global Church Blessed by the Voice of the Prophets,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2002, 10–12.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “Mormonism, so-called, is a world religion, not simply because its members are now found throughout the world, but chiefly because it has a comprehensive and inclusive message based upon the acceptance of all truth, restored to meet the needs of all mankind” (Howard W. Hunter, “The Gospel—a Global Faith,” Ensign, Nov. 1991, 18–19).