Ed Week Recap - Joseph F. McConkie

The next hour I went to Joseph F. McConkie for his class titled Compromising Gospel Principles Never Brings Peace. The basic premise was that we should not attempt to change the gospel. We need to accept the gospel the way the Lord has given it to us.

Joseph McConkie talked a lot about the Light of Christ, which is for all to enjoy. Everyone is entitles to the Light of Christ - even an atheist can have the Light of Christ. It is everywhere and (unlike the gospel) was not lost in the apostasy. The Light of Christ is independent of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It goes to everyone at birth, as opposed to the Holy Ghost that goes only to those who are born again (baptized).

Do not confuse the Light of Christ with the restored gospel! The Holy Ghost is the 1st Comforter. The world does not receive this. The spirit giveth light to every man, and following that light leads to greater light and covenants. We have been instructed not to treat lightly the things which we have received. The Holy Ghost sets us apart from the world. We must know the doctrines of exaltation by the witness of the Holy Ghost.

According to Joseph F. McConkie, the single greatest myth or heresy of missionary work is that of "common ground". He says we should not teach, "We're just like you!" and focus on where we have the same or similar beliefs. We're different! If you stand for something, you have to stand against something.

McConkie says the Bible is not (as many missionaries try to make it) a common ground, it's a battle ground! He points out that the history of Europe is filled with martyrs warring over the meaning of the Bible, and he said, "Frankly, you're not going to be the one to solve that." :-) He recommends using the Book of Mormon to prove the Bible true, NOT the other way around.

You cannot change or tailor the gospel of Jesus Christ and still have it BE the gospel of Jesus Christ. Don't try to change the gospel in any way. The Doctrine and Covenants tell us that we are to preach His gospel even as we have received it.

As a side note: I attended my dad's gospel doctrine class today, and he shared something he heard several years ago in a lecture by Wayne Brickey. The word "commandment" and the word "pattern" are derived from the same root word. Many times we may look upon commandments as demandments, but they are not. They are there as a pattern for us to be like God. So instead of thinking of them as demands, we ought to view them as God's way of saying, "To be like me, follow this pattern."