The word “gospel” means “good news.” What is this good news? That “God himself” (Mosiah 15:1, Alma 42:15) came to earth, lived a mortal life (Alma 7:11), suffered and died for us (Mosiah 3:7, 9), and rose from the dead three days later (2 Nephi 25:13, Mosiah 3:10). Everything else we believe rests on this foundational reality.
Jesus emphasized to the twelve disciples He chose on the American continent the importance of staying connected with the central message of His gospel:
Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.
And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—
And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.
3 Nephi 27:13-15
Paul consistently taught this message and emphasized to church members the importance of these fundamental truths. For example, he opens his epistle to the Galatians with a reminder that Jesus Christ “gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father” (Galatians 1:4).
But then he expressed a concern. Church members in Galatia were drifting away from these truths and listening to people who taught something different:
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel….
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Galatians 1:7-9
Truthfully, there wasn’t much chance that Paul would teach them anything else. His testimony of the resurrected Savior was rock solid. But he was trying to make a point: When you become converted to Jesus Christ, that commitment becomes personal and individual. It doesn’t depend on another person’s faith. If someone you respect falters in their faith, you need not falter with them. Your testimony of the gospel can keep you grounded regardless of the decisions of other people.
In 1836, a Methodist minister in Toronto named John Taylor decided to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after being taught by a missionary named Parley P. Pratt. The following year, John traveled to Kirtland, Ohio, where Parley lived. He was shocked to find that this dynamic missionary had become disillusioned with the Church and was no longer so certain of the truths he had previously taught. John reminded Parley of something he had said at the end of his mission:
Before you left Canada you bore a strong testimony to Joseph Smith being a Prophet of God, and to the truth of the work he has inaugurated; and you said you knew these things by revelation, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. You gave to me a strict charge to the effect that though you or an angel from heaven was to declare anything else I was not to believe it. Now Brother Parley, it is not man that I am following, but the Lord. The principles you taught me led me to Him, and I now have the same testimony that you then rejoiced in. If the work was true six months ago, it is true today; if Joseph Smith was then a prophet, he is now a prophet.
Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor, “Chapter 9: Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Restoration“
President Russell M. Nelson has encouraged each of us to learn for ourselves that the gospel is true:
I plead with you to take charge of your testimony. Work for it. Own it. Care for it. Nurture it so that it will grow. Feed it truth. Don’t pollute it with the false philosophies of unbelieving men and women and then wonder why your testimony is waning….
Do not be led astray by those whose doubts may be fueled by things you cannot see in their lives. Most of all, let your skeptical friends see how much you love the Lord and His gospel. Surprise their doubting hearts with your believing heart!
“Choices for Eternity,” Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults, 15 May 2022
Today, I will strengthen my personal testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As I listen to the words of church leaders, I will open my heart so that the Holy Ghost can deepen my conviction of the fundamental truths of the gospel.
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