The Restored Gospel and World Religions (Religion 390R)

Course Objective: The objective of this course is to help students increase their understanding and conviction of the unique characteristics and divinely appointed mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while also expanding their awareness of and respect for other religious traditions and organizations.

Note: The textbook Religions of the World (Spencer J. Palmer and others [1997]) is listed as suggested lesson material for lessons 9–14. This resource is available for purchase at store.lds.org. An older edition can also be accessed for free in ePub and PDF formats at https://archive.org/details/religionsofworld00palm#maincontent.

Lesson 1: The Ancient Church

Suggested Lesson Material

• Moses 5:12–15, 58–59; 6:23.

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

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

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

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

• Neal A. Maxwell, “From the Beginning,” Ensign, Nov. 1993, 18–20.

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 (2018), 35, 45–46.

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

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.

• 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 theology of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is comprehensive, universal, merciful, and true” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Apostasy and Restoration,” 87).

Lesson 5: The Fulness of the Gospel

Suggested Lesson Material

• Doctrine and Covenants 1:30; 39:11.

• Boyd K. Packer, “The Only True and Living Church,” Ensign, Dec. 1971, 40–42.

• Robert D. Hales, “Receiving a Testimony of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2003, 28–31.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “Like Joseph [Smith], many of us find ourselves seeking the light of truth. Just as the world was prepared for the Restoration, each of us is prepared to receive the light of the gospel in our own lives” (Robert D. Hales, “Receiving a Testimony of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2003, 28–29).

Lesson 6: The Role of Religion in Society

Suggested Lesson Material

• Jeffrey R. Holland, “Religion: Bound by Loving Ties” (Brigham Young University devotional, Aug. 16, 2016), 1–8, speeches.byu.edu.

• “The Relevance of Religion,” mormonnewsroom.org.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “People of faith have cause to believe not only in the good of their own religion but also in the good of religion in general” (“The Relevance of Religion,” mormonnewsroom.org).

Lesson 7: Religious Freedom

Suggested Lesson Material

• Quentin L. Cook, “Restoring Morality and Religious Freedom,” Ensign, Sept. 2012, 31–39.

• 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 8: 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, 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 9: Buddhism

Suggested Lesson Material

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

• Spencer J. Palmer and others, Religions of the World [1997], 49–72.

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 10: Confucianism

Suggested Lesson Material

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

• Spencer J. Palmer and others, Religions of the World [1997], Brigham Young University, 100–10.

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 11: Hinduism

Suggested Lesson Material

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

• Spencer J. Palmer and others, Religions of the World [1997], Brigham Young University, 15–16.

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 12: 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.

• Spencer J. Palmer and others, Religions of the World [1997], Brigham Young University, 85–86, 111–22, 149–62.

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 13: 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.

• Spencer J. Palmer and others, Religions of the World [1997], Brigham Young University, 213–42.

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 14: 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.

• Spencer J. Palmer and others, Religions of the World [1997], Brigham Young University, 136–86.

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 15: Roman Catholicism

Suggested Lesson Material

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

• Francis E. George, “Catholics and Latter-day Saints: Partners in the Defense of Religious Freedom” (Brigham Young University forum, Feb. 23, 2010), 1–9, 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 16: 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 17: Lutheranism

Suggested Lesson Material

• 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 18: Reformed Protestantism

Suggested Lesson Material

• Richard O. Cowan, “Reformed Protestantism,” Ensign, Feb. 1972, 28–35.

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 19: 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 20: Evangelical Christians, or Born-Again Christians

Suggested Lesson Material

• Jeffrey R. Holland, “Standing Together for the Cause of Christ,” Ensign, Aug. 2012, 44–49.

• Robert R. Millet, “What We Believe” (Brigham Young University devotional, Feb. 3, 1998), 1–10, 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 21: Factions from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Suggested Lesson Material

• 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 22: Living Prophets and Apostles

Suggested Lesson Material

• Jeffrey R. Holland, “Prophets, Seers, and Revelators,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2004, 6–9.

• Neil L. Andersen, “The Prophet of God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 24–27.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “Are the heavens open? Does God reveal His will to prophets and apostles as in days of old? That they are and that He does is the unflinching declaration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to all the world” (“Prophets, Seers, and Revelators,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2004, 8).

Lesson 23: The Canon of Scripture

Suggested Lesson Material

• Russell M. Nelson, “Scriptural Witnesses,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 43–46.

• Jeffrey R. Holland, “My Words … Never Cease,” Ensign or Liahona, May, 2008, 91–94.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “Scriptures of the Restoration do not compete with the Bible; they complement the Bible” (Russell M. Nelson, “Scriptural Witnesses,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 43).

Lesson 24: Priesthood

Suggested Lesson Material

• Gary E. Stevenson, “Where Are the Keys and Authority of the Priesthood?” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 29–32.

• Dallin H. Oaks, “Priesthood Authority in the Family and the Church,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2005, 24–27.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “The priesthood is the power of God used to bless all of His children, male and female. … The authority of the priesthood functions in the family and in the Church, according to the principles the Lord has established” (“Dallin H. Oaks, “Priesthood Authority in the Family and the Church,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2005, 25–26).

Lesson 25: Grace and Works

Suggested Lesson Material

• Dallin H. Oaks, “Have You Been Saved?” Ensign, May 1998, 55–57.

• M. Russell Ballard, “Building Bridges of Understanding,” Ensign, June 1998, 62–68.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “We believe that only as we rely on the Savior’s grace and demonstrate our changed nature through obedience to His laws and ordinances may we receive eternal life” (M. Russell Ballard, “Building Bridges of Understanding,” Ensign, June 1998, 65).

Lesson 26: Becoming Like God

Suggested Lesson Material

• “Becoming Like God,” Gospel Topics, topics.lds.org.

• Russell M. Nelson, “Salvation and Exaltation,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 7–10.

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “To be exalted—or to gain exaltation—refers to the highest state of happiness and glory in the celestial realm. These blessings can come to us after we leave this frail and mortal existence” (Russell M. Nelson, “Salvation and Exaltation,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 8).

Lesson 27: A Light to the World

Suggested Lesson Material

• M. Russell Ballard, “Faith, Family, Facts, and Fruits,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 25–27.

• Von G. Keetch, “An Example of the Believers” (Brigham Young University–Idaho devotional, June 14, 2016, byui.edu).

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

• “The growing prominence of the Church and the increasing inquiries from others present us with great opportunities to build bridges, make friends, and pass on accurate information” (M. Russell Ballard, “Faith, Family, Facts, and Fruits,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007).

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).