Ogden Kraut: 'The Church and the Gospel'

Ogden Kraut (1927-2002)

By Ogden Kraut, courtesy of Kevin Kraut

Latter-day Saint doctrines, principles, and ordinances have a unique and important history. Without studying and understanding them, it is impossible to know God’s will for man, for He said, “It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance.” (D&C 131:6) And the Prophet Joseph Smith explained:

...the things of God are of deep import; and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Thy mind, O man! if thou wilt lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost heavens, and search into and contemplate the darkest abyss, and the broad expanse of eternity- (TPJS, p. 137)

I advise all to go on to perfection, and search deeper and deeper into the mysteries of Godliness. A man can do nothing for himself unless God direct him in the right way; and the Priesthood is for that purpose. (TPJS, p. 364)

But this search to understand the mysteries is long and challenging. There have always been confusion, discord and contradictions among those trying to interpret the Gospel. Even Christ occasionally said things that seemed to be contradictory and mysterious-all the more reason for our extensive study of the background, history and meaning of these Gospel doctrines and principles.

The Prophet Joseph described the best method to use in learning these saving and exalting principles:

When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the Gospel-you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave. (TPJS, p. 348)

It is much more vital for us to advance from the milk to the meat of the Gospel than it is to advance from elementary school to high school and college. As the Inspired Translation of the Bible says, “Therefore, NOT leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection. . . .” (Heb. 6:1, I.T.) The meat of the Gospel adds to the milk; it is not a substitute for the basic principles. However, most Saints are not desirous or even capable of receiving greater light and knowledge, and are content to stay with the milk. Even the Book of Mormon had to be written with the lesser portion of the word in order to be understood by the average reader:

And now. there cannot be written in this book even a hundredth part of the things which Jesus did truly teach unto the people;

But behold the plates of Nephi do contain the most part of the things which he taught the people.

And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people; and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people, from the Gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken.

And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them.

And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation.

Behold, I was about to write them, all which were engraven upon the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbade it, saying: I will try the faith of my people. (3 Nephi 26:6-11)

Joseph Smith could not tell even his close associates all that God had revealed to him:

I heard him <Joseph Smith> say at one time when he was preaching (turning to those that sat behind him), “If I should reveal to these, my Brethren, who now seem to be my bosom friends, what God has revealed to me, they would be the first to seek my life.” And it was so. (Nancy Tracy Autobiography, BYU transcript, p. 25)

Only when people make the extra effort to learn the greater principles of the Gospel, do they begin to realize the tremendous value of them. Eventually they can gain a testimony of these truths which is of more value than life itself. John the Revelator wrote about Saints who considered the Gospel worth dying for:

And they overcame him <Satan> by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Rev. 12:11)

Many thousands have endured torture, pain and death at the hands of those who opposed the Gospel. The Savior also explains how valuable the Gospel should be to us:

...the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. (Matt. 13:45-46)

If men have paid such a great price for the Gospel in the past, shouldn’t we be willing to do the same? If we expect a similar reward, we should pay the same price. The Prophet Joseph comments:

Reflect for a moment, brethren, and enquire, whether you would consider yourselves worthy a seat at the marriage feast with Paul and others like him, if you had been unfaithful? (TPJS, p. 64)

The Saints generally have failed to understand the importance of the Gospel restoration-either for themselves or for the great work that will result from it. As George Q. Cannon explained in 1882-

The Lord, through the Prophet Joseph Smith, in early revelations, told to the church: You are laying the foundation of a great work; how great you know not. And the same words are just as applicable to us today, notwithstanding the growth of the work up to the present time. We with the light we now possess even, cannot conceive of its greatness. It has not entered into our hearts, neither are we capable of conceiving of it. (JD 23:277-278)

Brigham Young warned the Saints in 1859 against placing too much importance on wealth and riches, rather than on the principles of the Gospel:

It also appears to me that very many of the Latter-day Saints are as far from good wholesome ideas and principles, touching their heavenly privileges, as the east is from the west. They covet the riches of this world, craving to serve themselves-to satisfy the sordid disposition within them. Had they the sense of an angel, and were they in possession of mountains of gold, heaped up higher and deeper, broader and longer, than these mountains on the east and west of us, they would say, “That vast amount of gold is as nothing when compared with the privilege of even living in this day and age of the world, when the Gospel is preached.” (JD 7:173)

Each of us should ask ourselves-are we more concerned about gold or the Gospel? temporal wealth or eternal exaltation? Hopefully the decision has been or will be made to more fully appreciate and learn Gospel doctrines and principles -to value the privilege of living at a time when the fullness of the Gospel is on the earth and available to the Saints of God.

Since some readers may feel hesitant in “delving into the mysteries”, let’s begin with a brief study of our responsibility in this area.

KEYS OF THE MYSTERIES

Learning the Gospel is not a simple task because it is coupled with serious contemplation and study, followed with the responsibility to live what we learn. We may learn a great deal from books and some from hearing inspired teachers, but we should not overlook another important source: personal inspiration. The more we study and delve into the Gospel, the deeper we enter into what are termed the mysteries. But according to Joseph Smith, this is our calling:

We are called to hold the keys of the mysteries of those things that have been kept hid from the foundations of the world until now. Some have tasted a little of these things, many of which are to be poured down from heaven upon the heads of babes; yea, upon the weak, obscure and despised ones of the earth. (TPJS, p. 137)

It was in the early days of the Church that Joseph Smith gave such restrictions to the missionaries:

Oh, ye elders of Israel, hearken to my voice; and when you are sent into the world to preach, tell those things you are sent to tell; preach and cry aloud, “Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; repent and believe the Gospel.” Declare the first principles, and let mysteries alone, lest ye be overthrown. Never meddle with the visions of beasts and subjects you do not understand. (TPJS, p. 292)

Certainly it is not wise to declare the mysteries of the Gospel to non-members of the Church.

Christ taught thousands of people the beautiful beatitudes, but when He taught them some of the mysteries of the kingdom, they sought to take His life. Joseph Smith reflected that Jesus “had to restrain His feelings many times for the safety of Himself and His followers, and had to conceal the righteous purposes of His heart in relation to many things pertaining to His Father’s Kingdom.” (TPJS, p. 392) It was the discussion of these hidden secrets or mysteries (not the first principles of the Gospel) that caused the wrath of the Jewish empire.

To His closest disciples, Christ taught the greater mysteries of the Gospel, but regarding the rest of the world, He said:

Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine... (Matt. 7:6)

Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand. (Mark 4:11-12)

These same instructions were repeated in 1831 during the Gospel restoration when the Lord said, ” . . . for unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom, but unto the world it is not given to know them.” (D&C 42:65)

The Apostle Paul told his brethren:

I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. (I Cor. 3:2)

And again he said:

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For everyone that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:12-14)

Missionaries who were teaching the Gospel and converting members to the Church were instructed to teach first principles; however, after people became members of the Church, they should continue to learn, study and seek for further light and knowledge. The Lord has made very clear how important it is to “know the mysteries”:

If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things-that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal. (D&C 42:61)

And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; and shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; ... (D&C 89:18-19)

And from time to time, as shall be manifested by the Comforter, receive revelations to unfold the mysteries of the kingdom; ... (D&C 90:14)

But in spite of such instructions, the Saints still were slow to increase in their knowledge of the Gospel. Joseph Smith was very discouraged about this and said:

But there has been a great difficulty in getting anything into the heads of this generation. It has been like splitting hemlock knots with a corn-dodger for a wedge, and a pumpkin for a beetle. Even the Saints are slow to understand. I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the Saints prepared to receive the things of God; but we frequently see some of them after suffering all they have for the work of God, will fly to pieces like glass as soon as anything comes that is contrary to their traditions; they cannot stand the fire at all. (TPJS, p. 331)

There are a great many wise men and women, too, in our midst who are too wise to be taught; therefore they must die in their ignorance, and in the resurrection they will find their mistake. (TPJS, p. 309)

These “mysteries” are nothing more or less than the revelations and higher principles of the Gospel. When we do not understand something, it is a mystery, but once we understand, there is no mystery about it. The Lord instructed that we should continue in learning and studying:

And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.

Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;

Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms-

That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission with which I have commissioned you. (D&C 88:77-80)

And again He said:

For thus saith the Lord-I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end. Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory. And to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom. Yea, even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations. (D&C 76:5-8)

Some people like to use the excuse to “stay away from the mysteries” because they do not want to continue to study and think and learn. They prefer to follow the old adage, “Ignorance is bliss;” but in reality it is growing in knowledge, understanding, and intelligence that brings joy to the soul. There is great danger in a stagnant intellect.

A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge, for if he does not get knowledge, he will be brought into captivity by some evil power in the other world, as evil spirits will have more knowledge, and consequently more power than many men who are on the earth. (TPJS, p. 217)

Alma clearly described the danger for one who hardens his heart:

And now Alma began to expound these things unto him saying: It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.

And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full. And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell. (Alma 12:9-11)

As mentioned, the Prophet Joseph had great difficulty teaching the fullness of the Gospel to the Saints because of their worldly traditions and many false teachings from other religions. The Prophet once said:

Had I inspiration, revelation, and lungs to communicate what my soul has contemplated in times past, there is not a soul in this congregation but would go to their homes and shut their mouths in everlasting silence on religion till they had learned something. (TPJS, p. 320)

John Taylor explained Joseph Smith’s situation:

No wonder that Joseph Smith should say that he felt himself shut up in a nutshell-there was no power of expansion; it was difficult for him to reveal and communicate the things of God, because there was no place to receive them. What he had to communicate was so much more comprehensive, enlightened and dignified than that which the people generally knew and comprehended, it was difficult for him to speak; he felt fettered and bound, so to speak, in every move he made. (JD 10:148)

And from Brigham Young:

I recollect, in Far West, Joseph, talking upon these matters, said-“The people cannot bear the revelations that the Lord has for them. There were a great many revelations if the people could bear them.” (JD 18:242)

And Joseph himself said:

If the Church knew all the commandments, one-half they would condemn through prejudice and ignorance. (TPJS, p. 112)

What commandments and revelations were so difficult for the Saints to accept? Has the Church yet revealed all those commandments and revelations? Are these “mysteries of the Kingdom” easier to believe now than they were in the days of Joseph Smith? These are interesting questions to consider.

There is little danger or controversy in teaching the first principles of the Gospel, but there is in teaching the second principles-and all the others that follow! The Prophet Joseph exclaimed:

Many men will say, “I will never forsake you, but will stand by you at all times.” But the moment you teach them some of the mysteries of the kingdom of God that are retained in the heavens and are to be revealed to the children of men when they are prepared for them, they will be the first to stone you and put you to death. It was this same principle that crucified the Lord Jesus Christ, and will cause the people to kill the prophets in this generation. (TPJS, p. 309)

But we cannot keep all the commandments without first knowing them, and we cannot expect to know all, or more than we now know unless we comply with or keep those we have already received. (TPJS, p. 256)

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