TEACHINGS OF PRESIDENTS OF THE CHURCH HAROLD B. L EE TEACHINGS OF PRESIDENTS OF THE CHURCH HAROLD B. LEE Published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Salt Lake City, Utah Your comments and suggestions about this book would be appreciated. Please submit them to Curriculum Planning, 50 East North Temple Street, Floor 24, Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3200 USA. E-mail: [email protected] Please list your name, address, ward, and stake. Be sure to give the title of the book. Then offer your comments and suggestions about the book’s strengths and areas of potential improvement. © 2000 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America English approval: 5/00 Contents Title Page Introduction . v Historical Summary . viii The Ministry of Harold B. Lee . xi 1 The Way to Eternal Life . 1 2 Who Am I? . 9 3 The Lamb Slain from the Foundation of the World . 18 4 The First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel . 27 5 Walking in the Light of Testimony . 37 6 To Hear the Voice of the Lord . 47 7 The Scriptures, “Great Reservoirs of Spiritual Water” . 59 8 Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Living God . 69 9 Heeding the True Messenger of Jesus Christ . 79 10 Loving, Faithful Priesthood Service . 89 11 Priceless Riches of the Holy Temple . 99 12 The Divine Purpose of Marriage . .109 13 Teaching the Gospel in the Home . .119 14 Love at Home . .129 15 The Righteous Influence of Mothers . .138 16 Uniting to Save Souls . .146 17 Sharing the Gospel . .153 18 Providing in the Lord’s Way . .165 19 Take Time to Be Holy . .175 20 Living the Law of Chastity . .185 21 Striving for Perfection . .195 22 Peace Be unto Thy Soul . .206 23 The Resurrection, an Anchor to the Soul . .216 24 Safely Home at Last . .224 List of Paintings . .233 Index . .234 iii Introduction Harold B. Lee, eleventh President of the Church and an Apostle for over three decades, bore humble witness from a full heart “that God lives, that Jesus is the Redeemer of the world.”1 With conviction born of years of service he said, “My humble prayer is that all men everywhere may understand more fully the signifi- cance of the atonement of the Savior of all mankind, who has given us the plan of salvation which will lead us into eternal life, where God and Christ dwell.”2 The journey home to our Father in Heaven was a central focus of President Lee’s teachings to the members of the Church. He ex- horted each of Heavenly Father’s children to “gain for himself that unshakable testimony which will place his feet firmly on the path- way which leads surely toward the glorious goal of immortality and eternal life.”3 “The most important message that I can give to you and to all the world is to keep the commandments of God,” said President Lee, “for thereby you can qualify yourselves to receive divine guid- ance while you live here on the earth, and in the world that lies ahead be prepared to meet your Redeemer, and to gain your exal- tation in the presence of the Father and the Son.”4 The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have established the series Teachings of Presidents of the Church to help Church members deepen their understanding of gospel doc- trines and draw closer to Jesus Christ through the teachings of the prophets in this dispensation. This book features the teachings of President Harold B. Lee, who said: “The laws of God given to mankind are embodied in the gospel plan, and the Church of Jesus Christ is made responsible for teach- ing these laws to the world.”5 “Let there be burned into your souls those lessons that shall keep you always with your eye fixed upon the eternal goal, so that you won’t fail in life’s mission, so that, whether your life be short or long, you shall be prepared when the day comes to go into the v INTRODUCTION presence of Him whose name you bear as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ in these latter days.”6 Each chapter in this book includes four sections: (1) a question that briefly introduces the focus of the chapter; (2) the “Intro- duction,” which illustrates the messages of the chapter with a story or counsel from President Lee; (3) “Teachings of Harold B. Lee,” which presents important doctrines from his many messages and sermons; and (4) “Suggestions for Study and Discussion,” which encourages personal review and inquiry, further discussion, and application to our lives today through questions. How to Use This Book For personal or family study. This book is intended to enhance each member’s understanding of gospel principles taught power- fully by President Harold B. Lee. By prayerful reading and thought- ful study, each member may receive a personal witness of these truths. This volume will also add to each member’s gospel library and will serve as an important resource for family instruction and for study in the home. For discussion in Sunday meetings. This book is the text for Melchizedek Priesthood quorum and Relief Society Sunday meet- ings. Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught that the books in the series Teachings of Presidents of the Church “contain doctrine and prin- ciples. They are rich and relevant to the needs of our day, and they are superb for teaching and discussion.” Teachers should focus on the content of the text and related scriptures. As Elder Oaks ex- plained, “A gospel teacher is not called to choose the subject of the lesson but to teach and discuss what has been specified.”7 Teachers should draw from the questions at the end of the chap- ter to encourage class discussion. Reviewing the questions before studying President Lee’s words may give additional insight into his teachings. The Sunday meetings should concentrate on gospel principles, personal examples that teach these principles, and testimonies of the truth. When teachers humbly seek the Spirit in preparing and directing the lesson, all who participate will be strengthened in their knowledge of the truth. Leaders and teachers should encour- age class members to read the chapters before they are discussed vi INTRODUCTION in Sunday meetings. They should remind class members to bring their books to their meetings and should honor class members’ preparation by teaching from President Harold B. Lee’s words. When class members have read the chapter in advance, they will be prepared to teach and edify each other. It is not necessary or recommended that members purchase ad- ditional commentaries or reference texts to support the material in the text. Members are encouraged to turn to the scriptures that have been suggested for further study of the doctrine. Since this text is designed for personal study and gospel refer- ence, many chapters contain more material than can be fully ad- dressed in Sunday meetings. Therefore, study at home becomes essential to receiving the fulness of President Lee’s teachings. This prophet of God knew the way back home to our Father in Heaven, and he gave direction to all who would listen: “If you will listen and put into practice what you have heard, you will be led to that glorious place called not just happiness but joy. Joy means when you have lived such a life that you are ready to enter into the presence of the Lord.”8 Notes 1. Address at dedication of Westwood 5. The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, ed. Ward meetinghouse, Los Angeles, Clyde J. Williams (1996), 19. California, 12 Apr. 1953, Historical 6. The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, 627. Department Archives, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 7. In Conference Report, Oct. 1999, 102; or Ensign, Nov. 1999, 80. 2. “To Ease the Aching Heart,” Ensign, Apr. 1973, 5. 8. Address at youth conference in Billings, Montana, 10 June 1973, Historical 3. Stand Ye in Holy Places (1974), 319. Department Archives, The Church of 4. In Conference Report, Mexico and Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 17. Central America Area Conference 1972, 120. vii Historical Summary This book is not a history, but rather a compilation of gospel principles as taught by President Harold B. Lee. However, in order to put the teachings in a historical framework, the fol- lowing list is provided to summarize some of the milestones in his life that have most immediate relationship to his teachings. 1899, March 28: Harold Bingham Lee born to Samuel Marion and Louisa Emeline Bingham Lee, Clifton, Oneida County, Idaho. 1907, June 9: Baptized by Lester Bybee, Clifton, Idaho (8; numbers in parentheses show Harold B. Lee’s age). 1912, fall: Enters the Oneida Stake Academy, Preston, Idaho, with schoolmate Ezra Taft Benson (13). 1916, summer: Enters Albion State Normal School, Albion, Idaho (17). 1916–17, winter: Teaches at the Silver Star School, near Weston, Idaho (17). 1918–20: Principal of the district school at Oxford, Idaho (18–21). 1920–22: Missionary, Western States Mission, Denver, Colorado (21–23). 1923, summer: Attends the University of Utah. He later finishes his degree by correspondence courses and extension classes (24). 1923, November 14: Marries Fern Lucinda Tanner in the Salt Lake Temple (24). 1923–28: Principal of the Whittier and Woodrow Wilson Schools, Salt Lake City (24–29). viii HISTORICAL SUMMARY 1930, October 26: Set apart as president of the Pioneer Stake, 1930–37 (31). 1933, November 7: Elected to the Salt Lake City Commis- sion; serves from 1933–37 (34).