“The Foundation of My Church”

In June 1829, Joseph Smith received a revelation directed to Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer. Speaking specifically to Oliver, who had served as Joseph’s scribe during the translation of the Book of Mormon, the Lord emphasized that His church must be built on the doctrines taught in that book:

Behold, I have manifested unto you, by my Spirit in many instances, that the things which you have written are true; wherefore you know that they are true.

And if you know that they are true, behold, I give unto you a commandment, that you rely upon the things which are written;

For in them are all things written concerning the foundation of my church, my gospel, and my rock.

Doctrine and Covenants 18:2-4

This passage echoes the words of the Savior to his twelve disciples:

I say unto you, that ye are built upon my gospel. …

And if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it.

3 Nephi 27:9-10

The Savior then goes on to list for His disciples the essential components of His gospel. As President Henry B. Eyring has pointed out, the Lord also outlines “the foundation of His doctrine” in the revelation to Oliver Cowdery (“Simple Is the Doctrine of Jesus Christ,” General Conference, October 2024). Notice how many of these components appear in both lists:

3 Nephi 27	Doctrine and Covenants 18
“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” (v. 14)	“The Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. “And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.” (v. 11-12)
“Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name…” (v. 20)	“You must repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ.” (v. 41)
“…that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.” (v. 20)	“Ask the Father in my name in faith, believing that you shall receive, and you shall have the Holy Ghost, which manifesteth all things which are expedient unto the children of men.” (v. 18)
“Ye must take upon you the name of Christ, which is my name” (v. 5)	“Take upon you the name of Christ, and speak the truth in soberness.” (v. 21)
“Whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.” (v. 16)	“And as many as repent and are baptized in my name, which is Jesus Christ, and endure to the end, the same shall be saved.” (v. 22)

President Eyring further summarized these passages in a single sentence: “[The Savior’s] doctrine is that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end blesses all of God’s children.” He said that we can follow the Savior’s example by sharing these principles concisely, without unnecessary elaboration:

One of the surest ways to avoid even getting near false doctrine is to choose to be simple in our teaching. Safety is gained by that simplicity, and little is lost.

“Simple Is the Doctrine of Jesus Christ,” General Conference, October 2024

Today, I will share the doctrine of Christ in simplicity. I will strive to build my foundation on the gospel of Jesus Christ, as taught in the scriptures.