Lecture 1 Catechism

Intro | Preface | Lecture 1.1 | Lecture 1.2 | Lecture 1.3 | Lecture 1.4 | Lecture 1.5

Most of these lectures had a list of questions, or a "catechism," at the end of the lecture. A catechism is a teaching tool or format where the instructor lists questions relating to the lesson, and then gives the answer directly beneath the questions. To test the student, the teacher would provide the questions, and the student would either recite or write the answers from memory (and if the Lectures' catechisms are any indication, old schools used to require a lot more memorization than they do now).

Because it's a catechism, they're designed to be very, very basic and simple; I'm just going to post them as-is, with a few notes here and there to help with older grammar and wording.

Question 1: What is theology?
It is that revealed science which treats of the being and attributes of God, his relations to us, the dispensations of his providence, his will with respect to our actions and his purposes with respect to our end. (Buck's Theological Dictionary, page 582)

("Dispensations" here has a more broad definition, referring to whenever God's providence is dispensed to His children. While that can apply to the modern LDS definition--a period of time where new truths are dispensed through a prophet of God--it can also apply to God dispensing truth and blessings to you personally, whenever and wherever that happens.)

Question 2: What is the first principle in this revealed science?
Faith. (1:1)

Question 3: Why is faith the first principle in this revealed science?
Because it is the foundation of all righteousness. Hebrews 11:6: Without faith it is impossible to please God. 1 John 3:7: Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness, is righteous, even as he [God] is righteous. (1:1)

Question 4: What arrangement should be followed in presenting the subject of faith?
First, Should be shown what faith is: (1:3)
Secondly, The object upon which it rests; and (1:4)
Thirdly, The effects which flow from it. (1:5)

Question 5: What is faith?
It is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen: Hebrews 11:1. That is, it is the assurance we have of the existence of unseen things. And being the assurance which we have of the existence of unseen things, must be the principle of action in all intelligent beings. Hebrews 11:3: Through faith we understand the worlds were framed by the word of God. (1:8-9)

Question 6: How do you prove that faith is the principle of action in all intelligent beings?
First, By duly considering the operations of my own mind; and secondly, by the direct declaration of scripture. Hebrews 11:7: By faith Noah, being warned of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Hebrews 11:8: By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out not knowing whither he went. Hebrews 11:9: By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. Hebrews 11:27: By faith Moses forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. (1:10-11)

(In the past, I've read this as if the reader--the student--is asking the teacher these questions. Just now, though, I'm realizing this could be going the other way: this could be the teacher asking a question of the student, and providing what the student ought to learn. That way, I the student realize that I can prove "faith is the principle of action" through "duly considering the operations of my own mind" and studying "the direct declaration of scripture." It's a slight shift, but it seems powerful to me.)

Question 7: Is not faith the principle of action in spiritual things as well as in temporal?
It is.

Question 8: How do you prove it?
Hebrews 11:6: Without faith it is impossible to please God. Mark 16:16: He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved. Rom. 4:16: Therefore, it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed: not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. (1:12-13)

(Joseph added to the verse in Romans later on in his life: "Therefore ye are justified of faith and works, through grace, to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to them only who are of the law, but to them also who are of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all. (JST)" So how important are works, if that line had to be re-inserted into the Bible through revelation? And who are they who are "of the faith of Abraham," as opposed to those who are "of the law" of Moses?)

Question 9: Is faith any thing else beside the principle of action?
It is.

Question 10: What is it?
It is the principle of power, also (1:13)

Question 11: How do you prove it?
First, It is the principle of power in the Deity, as well as in man. Hebrews 11:3: Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (1:14-16)
Secondly, It is the principle of power in man also. Book of Mormon, Alma 14:23-29: Alma and Amulek are delivered from prison. Helaman 5:37-50: Nephi and Lehi, with the Lamanites, are immersed with the Spirit. Ether 12:30: The mountain Zerin, by the faith of the brother of Jared, is removed. Joshua 10:12: Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon, and thou Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. Joshua 10:13: And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves of their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. Matthew 17:19: Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? Matthew 17:20: And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Hebrews 11:32 and the following verses: And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah, of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again, and other were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection. (1:16-22)

Question 12: How would you define faith in its most unlimited sense?
It is the first great governing principle, which has power, dominion, and authority over all things. (1:24)


Question 13: How do you convey to the understanding more clearly, that faith is the first great governing principle, which has power, dominion and authority over all things?
By it they exist, by it they are upheld, by it they are changed, or by it they remain, agreeably to the will of God; and without it there is no power; and without power there could be no creation, nor existence! (1:24)