Of Tenets Thou Shalt Not Talk

While the scriptures do not define 'tenets' the dictionary defines tenets as a 'belief, opinion or dogma,' and in contrasting tenets with what the Lord commands us to declare, this definition is probably pretty close.

"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. Behold, this is the great and last commandment which I shall give unto you concerning this matter; for thou shall suffice for thy daily walk, even unto the end of thy life" (D&C 19:31-32).

A friend of mine who teaches seminary told me once that most of what we hear in our meetings is fluff. As Hugh Nibley once wrote: "One has only to consider the present outpouring of 'inspirational' books in the Church that bring little new in the way of knowledge: truisms and platitudes, kitsch, and cliches have become our everyday diet." We are free to dismiss either of these opinions and can be justified in doing so on the basis that they are opinions of men.

It is much more difficult, even damning however, to dismiss what the Lord has said on this subject. Isaiah describes how both ancient Israel and modern day Israel (us) deliver 'spiritual food.' He describes the books or tablets containing the word of God as our method of delivering 'spiritual food' (Isaiah 28:8). Isaiah describes these tables among Israel as being impure because they are full of partially digested truths regurgitated for the people to consume. Isaiah then asks: "Whom shall he give instruction?  Whom shall he enlighten with revelation?" (Isaiah 28:9) He likens us to babes newly weaned who are yet incapable of digesting sold food. And why?  Paul answers: "For everyone that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness" (Hebrews 5:12-14).

The Lord has made it very clear that we should teach His doctrine and His gospel, which He has defined for us, most notably in the Book of Mormon, but clearly in all scripture. Could it be that like the Jews of old we miss the mark?  "...wherefore these things (His words) are manifested unto us plainly....  But, behold, the Jews were a stiffnecked people; and they despised the words of plainness.... Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came by looking beyond the mark, they must need fall; for God hath taken away his plainness from them, and delivered unto them many things which they could not understand, because they desired it" (Jacob 4:14).

While Jacob is describing the Jews as looking beyond the mark, I believe we look short of the mark, and in both cases the mark is Jesus Christ.  We look short of the mark when we put all the emphasis on us and what we should do, making the gospel a check list, rather than putting our faith in Him to change us from our lost and fallen state to a state of (his) righteousness.