GIFTS: "If they didn't know the right words, they wouldn't know the plan" (Ezra Taft Benson).

Our title this time is from President Ezra Taft Benson. Speaking in general conference he said, "King Benjamin caused that his three sons 'should be taught in all the language of his fathers' (Mosiah 1:2). They needed to understand and use the language of holy writ. If they didn't know the right words, they wouldn't know the plan."

Family and friends, if we don't know, and use, the right words, we won't know the plan, and we'll end up believing, and trusting, and teaching another plan of our own invention. That is what is at stake.

The Prophet Joseph said to the Saints in Nauvoo, two weeks before he was martyred, "All the confusion [about doctrine] is for want of drinking and deep draught."

I must say I have to smile when people write me e-mails correcting me for "leading people astray" in these blog-post articles, and then they add, "I am not a scriptorian . . . I do not know the scriptures . . . but I know what's in them, and you are wrong!" I smile at first . . . and then I weep, and mourn for the same reason Nephi did as expressed in 2 Nephi 32:7.

[I have received e-mails from two or three people correcting me in this way; whereas dozens of you have expressed thanks, and support and unity with what we teach here. I thank you, in return.]

The issue is one of using the right words. It is a simple matter.

Let me illustrate:

One of our readers, a dear and lovely young lady I've known for many years, wrote this week asking for a little insight for a sacrament talk she was assigned to give this Sunday on "Personal Commitment" to stuff (her words). She is a bright young lady and said, "The more I think about it the more I want to focus on our commitment to the Savior." (See, I told you she was bright.)

I wrote back and spoke about our need to use the right words, scripture words, words found in the Restoration of the gospel through Joseph Smith. The word "commitment," I said, doesn't fit. It's a word the christian world uses in "making a commitment to Jesus."

Our true context is far beyond a commitment to Him. Ours is a "covenant" relation to Him. That one word change makes all the difference. It alters the conversation and puts the sacrament talk on a true gospel basis, anchoring it to the events focused on the small table with the white cloths just to the side of the pulpit from which she will be speaking to us about Him.

Do you see it?

She sees it. For she wrote back and said, "Thank you so much! I was getting frustrated and a little flustered when I couldn't find the word 'commitment' in the scriptures. How was I supposed to give a meaningful, uplifting, Spirit-inviting, Christ-centered talk on something I couldn't back with simple gospel truths?" (Did I mention she was bright?!)

Now there is indeed a topic in the topical guide entitled "Commitment" where we can find around seventy scripture references that highlight the meaning behind "commitment" with good gospel words like follow, all thy heart, fixed, steadfast, sacrifice, doers, covenant, and many more, but the word commitment is not there at all.

But our point is clear: the power is in those scriptural words. The strong doctrine in them is diluted if we stay with mere "commitment," and the power is lost. "If they did not know the right words, they wouldn't know the plan."

So you can see it is not just etymology ("the study of the history and usage of words"), it is being true to the source, which in turn means being true to the Source, the Lord Himself, for He said, "These words are not of men nor of man, but of me; wherefore, you shall testify they are of me and not of man;

"For it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read them one to another; and save it were by my power you could not have them;

"Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words."

My word! Do you hear what He is saying?! As you read the scriptures to one another you are hearing His voice! We abandon the revelations in the scriptures and adopt lesser ideas and words at our peril.

Do you see it? . . . Do you hear what I hear?

In conclusion, consider these additional, reinforcing statements (all put together in one place by Dean many years ago --- thanks, Dean):

"It is important that in our teaching we make use of the language of holy writ [the scriptures]. Alma said, 'I . . . do command you in the language of him who hath commanded me' (Alma 5:61). The words and the way they are used in the Book of Mormon by the Lord should become our source of understanding and should be used by us in teaching gospel principles" ---Ezra Taft Benson. (So much for "unconditional" anything as a "gospel principle." It doesn't fit.)

"The Lord promised his children that they would be taught the gospel in their own language. This Church is making that happen. My concern is that families need to teach the gospel to each other in the language of God, our Heavenly Father. In the home, when direction is needed, when a problem or misunderstanding arises, I pray that we may open the scriptures with our youth beside us and find the law irrevocably decreed upon which blessings are predicated. Reading the will of God in the language of God builds reverence and witness, and we will all live more purely" ---Elaine A. Cannon.

"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

"Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth" --- Paul the Apostle.

Truly, "If they did not know the right words, they wouldn't know the plan."

This is given to us now in such plainness that none --- well, perhaps two or three --- may misunderstand. With some, the problem may be that they do not understand; with some, the problem is that they do not believe.

Let's all get on the same page, the same page with our Lord and our God and the Spirit which He gives us to make this possible: one in hope and doctrine, one in Christ.

God bless us all to this end.

Steve

P.S. As always, feel free to share. References and sources available on request, if needed.