PRINCIPLES
SELECTED TEACHINGS
President Ezra Taft Benson
“We should make daily study of the scriptures
a lifetime pursuit....
“... One of the most important things you can do
... is to immerse yourselves in the scriptures. Search
them diligently. Feast upon the words of Christ. Learn
the doctrine. Master the principles” (in Conference
Report, Oct. 1986, 61; or Ensign,Nov. 1986, 47).
President Boyd K. Packer
“That word principlein the revelation is a very
important one. A principle is an enduring truth,
a law, a rule you can adopt to guide you in making
decisions. Generally principles are not spelled out
in detail. That leaves you free to find your way with
an enduring truth, a principle, as your anchor” (in
Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 22; or Ensign,May
1996, 17).
Elder Boyd K. Packer
“From doctrine, we learn principles of conduct,
how to respond to problems of everyday living,
even to failures, for they too are provided for in the
doctrines” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1994, 26; or
Ensign,May 1994, 20).
“Some things cannot be changed. Doctrine cannot
be changed.
“‘Principles which have been revealed,’ President
Wilford Woodruff said, ‘for the salvation and
exaltation of the children of men... are principles
you cannot annihilate. They are principles that no
combination of men can destroy.They are principles
that can never die.... They are beyond the reach
of man to handle or to destroy.’ [In Journal of
Discourses,22:342; italics added.]” (in Conference
Report, Oct. 1993, 29; or Ensign,Nov. 1993, 22).
“Organization, programs, procedures, policies,and
principles—all are important. But they are not of
equal importance....
“If you do not know the principles—by principles
I mean the principles of the gospel, the doctrines,
what’s in the revelations—if you do not know what
the revelations say about justice or mercy, or what
they reveal on reproof or forgiveness, how can you
make inspired decisions in those difficult cases that
require your judgement?...
“There are principles of the gospel underlying every
phase of Church administration. These are not
explained in the handbooks. They are found in the
scriptures. They are the substance of and the purpose
for the revelations.
“Procedures, programs, the administrative policies,
even some patterns of organization are subject to
change. We are quite free, indeed, quite obliged to
alter them from time to time. But the principles,the
doctrines, neverchange....
“... What we really need is a revival of the basic
gospel principles in the lives of all the Latter-day
Saints. The true essence of priesthood administration
is not a procedure—it is in principle, in doctrine!
“The prophet Joseph Smith gave us the key. He said,
with reference to administration, ‘I teach them
correct principlesand they govern themselves.’”
(“Principles,” Ensign,Mar. 1985, 6, 8).Elder James E. Faust
“Great temporal and spiritual strength flows from
following those who have the keys of the kingdom
of God in our time. Personal strength and power
result from obedience to eternal principles taught
by the living legates of the Lord” (in Conference
Report, Oct. 1994, 97; or Ensign,Nov. 1994, 74).Elder Neal A. Maxwell
“Orthodoxy ensures balance between the gospel’s
powerful and correct principles.... But the gospel’s
principles do require synchronization. When
pulled apart from each other or isolated, men’s
interpretations and implementations of these
doctrines may be wild” (in Conference Report,
Apr. 1993, 97; or Ensign,May 1993, 78).A principle is an enduring truth,
a law, a rule you can adopt to
guide you in making decisions.
—President Boyd K. Packer274