Elder Howard W. Hunter, Prophet and Leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the early 1990’s (deceased) wrote:
“. . . It doesn’t seem reasonable to assume the necessity of modernizing. . . these teachings of the Master. His message concerned principles that are eternal. Following these principles, millions of persons have found rich religious experiences in their lives. People in today’s world are seeking a meaningful purpose in life, and thousands are seeking a religious experience that is meaningful. Can such an experience be found in meditation only? Can a meaningful experience be found in trips with drugs or seance? Such an attempt is to go through the back, the side door, of over the wall, not through the way pointed out by the Lord.
When the Lord spoke to the Pharisees at the Feast of the Tabernacles, he used these words: “Verily, verily I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. . . . I am the door of the sheep.” (John 10:1,7)
A meaningful religious experience can come in no other way than by that door, through the Lord Jesus Christ.
There have always been those who wanted a sign before they would believe. During His ministry the Master was asked on many occasions for a sign. (see Matthew 16:1-4) Perhaps it was with them, as with many today, that truth is not recognized unless it is accompanied with the sensational. What would have been accomplished had the Lord called down thunder and lightening, or plucked a star from the sky, or divided the water to satisfy the curiosity of men? They would probably have said that it is the work of the devil, or that their eyes deceived them.
Signs are evident to the faithful. Sick persons are healed; prayers are answered; changes are wrought in the lives of those who believe, accept and live the commandments. We prove Christ by living the principles of the gospel. He made great promises to those who live the commandments: “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” (Doctrine & Covenants 82:10)
Many of the commandments are restrictive, but reason dictates they are for man’s good. In addition to restrictive commandments are positive admonitions. The two great imperatives are to love God and love one’s fellowmen.(Matthew 22:37-40)
What greater laws could be given to bring peace, prosperity, and progress to people if they will faithfully live the commandments to love?
In this time of rapid change, we can maintain an equilibrium if we preserve a belief in God and love for him, but we cannot love God unless we love His children also. These are our neighbors and true love of them knows no class or culture, race, color, or creed.
The members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints open their arms to neighbors everywhere. The restored Church of Christ assumes its charge and responsibility to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ in love to its neighbors over the world and endeavors to help those who receive the gospel to live the teachings of the Master.
In this world of confusion and rushing, temporal progress, we need to return to the simplicity of Christ. We need to love, honor, and worship him. To acquire spirituality and have its influence in our lives we cannot become confused and misdirected by the twisted teachings of the modernist. We need to study the simple fundamentals of the truths taught by the Master and eliminate the controversial. Our faith in God needs to be real and not speculative. The restored Gospel of Jesus Christ can be a dynamic, moving influence, and true acceptance gives us a meaningful, religious experience. One of the great strengths of our [i] religion is this translation of belief into daily thinking and conduct. This replaces turmoil and confusion with peace and tranquility.
The Church stands firmly against relaxation or change in moral issues. Spiritual values cannot be set aside, not withstanding modernists who would tear them down. We can be modern without giving way to the influence of the modernist. If it is old fashioned to believe in the Bible, we should thank God for the privilege of being old-fashioned. ~ Howard W. Hunter (‘That We Might Have Joy’ chapter heading ‘Where, Then is Hope? (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, 1994, p.23-26)
[i] word altered from ‘Mormon’ to ‘our’
