A Thoughtful Gospel Principles. Chapter 1: Our Father in Heaven

Gospel Principles Chapter 1: Our Father in Heaven

http://www.lds.org/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-1-our-father-in-heaven?lang=eng

Start with:

GP, p.5: Alma, a Book of Mormon prophet, wrote, “All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator” (Alma 30:44). We can look up at the sky at night and have an idea of what Alma meant. There are millions of stars and planets, all in perfect order. They did not get there by chance. We can see the work of God in the heavens and on the earth. The many beautiful plants, the many kinds of animals, the mountains, the rivers, the clouds that bring us rain and snow—all these testify to us that there is a God. 

The prophets have taught us that God is the Almighty Ruler of the universe. God dwells in heaven (see D&C 20:17). Through His Son, Jesus Christ, He created the heavens and the earth and all things that are in them (see 3 Nephi 9:15; Moses 2:1). He made the moon, the stars, and the sun. He organized this world and gave it form, motion, and life. He filled the air and the water with living things. He covered the hills and plains with all kinds of animal life. He gave us day and night, summer and winter, seedtime and harvest. He made man in His own image to be a ruler over His other creations (see Genesis 1:26–27).

Q: What things help you believe there is a God?

Q: How has God been portrayed and described? What do you think God is like?

In the early 1800s, when Joseph was a young man, God was viewed by many people around him as: “unknowable, without body, parts, or passions and dwelling outside space and time.”

In an article on the nature of God, Jeffrey R. Holland quoted a fourth-century monk who cried out, “Woe is me! They have taken my God away from me, … and I know not whom to adore or to address.”

The idea of a God with emotions and the physical ability to show them was not just new to the people of the 19^th Century. The ancient patriarch Enoch was also surprised to discover God’s ability to feel and demonstrate feelings like distress or concern:

Moses 7:28 And it came to pass that the God of heaven looked upon the residue of the people, and he wept; and Enoch bore record of it, saying: How is it that the heavens weep, and shed forth their tears as the rain upon the mountains? 29 And Enoch said unto the Lord: How is it that thou canst weep, seeing thou art holy, and from all eternity to all eternity?

Through this and other inspired statements, Joseph Smith introduced us to a more personal and compassionate God.

GP, p.5-6: God is the Supreme and Absolute Being in whom we believe and whom we worship. He is “the Great Parent of the universe,” and He “looks upon the whole of the human family with a fatherly care and paternal regard” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 39).

Elder Orson F. Whitney described his view of God in a General Conference in April 1924:

"Our Heavenly Father is far more merciful, infinitely more charitable than even the best of his servants. And the Everlasting Gospel is mightier in power to save than our narrow finite minds can comprehend."

He was echoing a view of God taught by Joseph Smith, who said:

“Our heavenly Father is more liberal in His views, and boundless in His mercies and blessings, than we are ready to believe or receive..."

(Also quoted by Jeffrey R. Holland in General Conference Oct 2003)

Getting a clearer picture of what God may be like supports us in growing to become more like him. Our path to godliness is helped by seeing where the path is leading to.

GP, p. 6: Because we are made in His image (see Moses 2:26; 6:9), we know that our bodies are like His body. His eternal spirit is housed in a tangible body of flesh and bones (see D&C 130:22). God’s body, however, is perfected and glorified, with a glory beyond all description.

God is perfect. He is a God of righteousness, with attributes such as love, mercy, charity, truth, power, faith, knowledge, and judgment. He has all power. He knows all things. He is full of goodness.

All good things come from God. Everything that He does is to help His children become like Him. He has said, “Behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”

Q: How does this description of God make you feel? Does it influence the way you approach God?

How this might influence our relationship with God:

John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

God gave us agency. God does not control or orchestrate human behaviour, choices, and events, to conform perfectly to his will. He participates in the human success, human tragedy, and human grief.

John Taylor, the fourth president of the church said:

"I cannot, will not be a slave. I would not be a slave to God! I'd be His servant, friend, His son. I'd go at His behest; but I would not be his slave. His friend I feel I am, and He is mine. . . . I'm God's free man."

President Howard W. Hunter taught, in October 2010 General Conference, that God loves all of his children and reaches out to each of them in ways they can understand and respond to:

"We believe there is a spiritual influence that emanates from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space. (See D&C 88:12.) All men share an inheritance of divine light. God operates among his children in all nations, and those who seek God are entitled to further light and knowledge, regardless of their race, nationality, or cultural traditions."

With this opportunity and invitation, it should encourage us to explore and use our talents to discover God’s truths and will. Elder Uchtdorf said, in January 2013:

“I believe that our Father in Heaven is pleased with His children when they use their talents and mental faculties to earnestly discover truth. Over the centuries many wise men and women—through logic, reason, scientific inquiry, and, yes, through inspiration—have discovered truth. These discoveries have enriched mankind, improved our lives, and inspired joy, wonder, and awe."

How can we come to know God?

GP, p. 6: Knowing God is so important that the Savior said, “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3).

Q: Open up for discussion about ways the class have come to know God

Perhaps the best way to come to know God is to come to know Christ:

(Acknowledgment: I give appreciative acknowledgement to Terryl and Fiona Givens whose views have shaped my own. Here’s one brief source: http://terrylgivens.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Prophecy-of-Enoch.pdf. Their book, The God Who Weeps, is worth reading in full).