Question
Gramps,
I know that doctrine and principles are different. I was wondering the following:
1) What is our key doctrine?
2) What are gospel principles?
3) What is the difference between doctrine and principles?
Jarom
Answer
Jarom,
When we talk about the gospel of Jesus Christ, we often hear the words “doctrine” and “principles” used together. They are related, but they are not exactly the same thing. Understanding the difference can make it easier to understand what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches and why some teachings are foundational while others help us know how to live.
A simple way to put it is this: doctrine teaches us what is true, while principles help us know how to live according to that truth.
The Church’s Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual gives a very clear definition:
“A doctrine is a fundamental, unchanging truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
It then defines a gospel principle as:
“a doctrinally based guideline that individuals can adopt to help them in making decisions.”
That gives us a good starting point.
If by “key doctrine” we mean the central doctrine explaining how we come unto Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ, the Church commonly refers to it as the doctrine of Christ.
The doctrine of Christ is found throughout the scriptures, but one of the clearest explanations is in 2 Nephi 31. Nephi teaches about having faith in Jesus Christ, repenting, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.
Nephi explains:
“Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do.” (2 Nephi 31:17)
Elder Dale G. Renlund explained that the elements of the doctrine of Christ include faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. He also emphasized that these aren’t simply things we do once and then move on from. They are meant to become a continuing pattern throughout our lives.
The Church’s teachings also connect the doctrine of Christ with the gospel itself. In fact, Elder Renlund’s conference address includes a footnote explaining that “the doctrine of Christ” means the same as “the gospel of Jesus Christ.” He references 2 Nephi 31, 3 Nephi 9, 11, and 27.
This is important because saying that the doctrine of Christ is the key or central doctrine doesn’t mean that other LDS doctrines aren’t important. The Church teaches many doctrines, including the premortal existence, the Creation, the Fall, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the Resurrection, the priesthood, covenants, temple ordinances, the plan of salvation, and eternal families.
Rather, the doctrine of Christ is foundational to our relationship with Jesus Christ and our progression along the covenant path.
Elder Renlund said:
“I testify that the doctrine of Christ is central to Heavenly Father’s plan; it is, after all, His doctrine.”
A principle is a little different from doctrine.
The Church teaches that gospel principles are doctrinally based guidelines that help us exercise our moral agency and make decisions.
Elder David A. Bednar explained:
“A gospel principle is a doctrinally based guideline for the righteous exercise of moral agency.”
That is a really useful definition. A principle takes a gospel truth and gives us direction for how to live.
For example:
Doctrine: Jesus Christ is our Savior.
Principle: Because Jesus Christ is our Savior, we should have faith in Him and follow Him.
Another example:
Doctrine: We are children of God.
Principle: Because we are children of God, we should treat ourselves and other people with love, dignity, and respect.
Another:
Doctrine: Jesus Christ’s Atonement makes repentance possible.
Principle: When we make mistakes, we should repent and turn back toward Christ.
In each example, the doctrine establishes the truth. The principle helps us apply that truth to our lives.
This is one reason principles are so important. The Church can’t possibly give us a specific rule for every decision we will ever face. Instead, gospel principles help us learn how to make righteous decisions ourselves.
Elder Bednar used an interesting comparison. He referred to a statement by Joseph Smith:
“I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves.”
Elder Bednar explained that principles give us direction and standards as we move forward on the covenant path.
The doctrine doesn’t change simply because our circumstances change. But the way we apply a principle can vary depending on the situation.
For example, honesty is a gospel principle. There can be many different situations in which we have to decide what honesty looks like. The principle remains the same, but applying it requires judgment, wisdom, prayer, and sometimes personal revelation.
That is where agency comes into the picture.
Elder Bednar explained that principles “derive from broader gospel truths and provide direction and standards as we press forward on the covenant path.”
In other words, principles aren’t merely a collection of Church rules. They help us learn to think and act according to eternal truths.
Doctrine and principles really aren’t competing ideas. They work together. Think of doctrine as the foundation of a house. Principles are some of the ways we build our lives on that foundation. If we understand the doctrine but never apply it, our knowledge doesn’t accomplish very much.
For example, knowing that Jesus Christ is our Savior is an important doctrine. But that knowledge should lead us to have faith in Him, repent, keep our covenants, forgive others, serve, pray, study the scriptures, and seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
That’s where principles turn belief into action. This is also why the doctrine of Christ is more than simply something we learn intellectually.
Elder Renlund taught that the elements of the doctrine of Christ are meant to be experienced “repeatedly, iteratively, and intentionally.” Faith, repentance, baptism and covenants, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end form an ongoing pattern of discipleship.
So, in very simple terms, doctrine is the “what,” while principles are the “how.”
Our key doctrine—the doctrine of Christ—centers on coming unto Jesus Christ through faith in Him and His Atonement, repentance, baptism and covenants, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring faithfully.
Gospel principles then help us answer the everyday question:
“Because I believe this truth, how should I live?”
That distinction can actually be very helpful. It allows us to recognize that not every gospel teaching serves exactly the same purpose. Some teachings establish eternal truths, while principles help us apply those truths in the very real and sometimes messy circumstances of everyday life.
Ultimately, doctrine and principles have the same goal: to help us know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, follow the Savior, and become more like Him.
Gramps
