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Bringing Balance to The Framework: Doctrines, Principles, and Applications

Makayla Stucki

Brigham Young University- Idaho

FAML 220: Parenting

Sister Andrews

June 13, 2020

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Bringing Balance to The Framework: Doctrines, Principles, and Applications

In Elder David A. Bednar’s first book of the series Increase in Learning, he teaches a

framework for learning the gospel: doctrines, principles, and applications. Doctrines are “[truths]

of salvation revealed by God [that] pertain to eternal progression and exaltation” (2012). They

answer important “why” questions of the gospel. Principles are guidelines based on doctrinal

truths that aid moral agency and answer “what”. Actual behaviors, actions and practices are the

applications that the gospel encourages in our lives. The framework combines these three

elements to help us become rather than just do. It promotes focus on effective question asking to

receive inspired answers. Learning this framework has helped me to look within and evaluate my

own position in living the gospel and rearing God’s children as seen in my life.

Where Do I Struggle Most?

As a human being, I am imperfect and fall to the natural man. In Elder Bednar’s

framework, doctrines, principles, and applications must be balanced for lasting results. More

often than not, saints are trapped in the single element of application. He describes it like this:

“Some members of the Church seem to compartmentalize the restored gospel into a lengthy list

of things to do—as separate and unrelated “applications” to be accomplished and checked off.

But the purification, the joy, the happiness, the continuing conversion, and the spiritual power

and protection that come from 'yielding [our] hearts unto God' (Helaman 3:35, Book of Mormon)

cannot be obtained merely by performing and checking off all of the gospel things we are

supposed to do” (2012).

As for myself, I tend to get caught up in the actions and forget the purpose behind what I

am doing and get caught up in the dos and don’ts of the church culture. I can see that I am
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application focused because I have a tendency to to go through the motions. I go to church, take

the sacrament, read my scriptures, pray, pay tithing and fast offering, etc., but I don’t always

think about why I do it. As I am following those seminary answers of what a good Latter Day

Saint should do, I get fixed on in the dos and don’ts. Keep the Sabbath day holy: serve, read

scriptures, rest, don’t go to stores, or participate in strenuous activities, keep the word of

wisdom: don’t drink coffee or tea, eat healthy, rise early, etc. The list goes on. When I put my

focus on what I should and shouldn’t be doing, though I need to keep those in mind, I lose focus

of the real reason why I do them. Instead of acting because of doctrine, I am just doing what I’ve

been taught all of my life. It’s what “a good saint” would do. Guilty is how I feel when I don’t.

These shouldn’t be my motivating factors; this is where I struggle.

What Are the Appropriate Doctrines and Principles?

Boyd K. Packer, a former president of the Church declared that “true doctrine,

understood changes attitude and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve

behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior” (1986). Understanding is a key

element to change. In order to understand how to fix the things that I, myself struggle with, the

right question must be asked. Elder Bednar created a model for asking the right question

beginning with “What doctrines and principles, if understood, would…” (2012). This reiterates

the idea of understanding true doctrine (why) and principles (what). Following this is where the

issue of concern would be placed. For my own circumstance, my issue of concern is

remembering the purpose of covenants, ordinances, and other religious practices/beliefs. My

question: What doctrines and principles, if understood, would help me to remember the purpose

of covenants, ordinances, and other religious practices/beliefs? After examination of various

doctrines of the church, I felt that the Nature and Character of God was applicable in this
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situation. Following the chosen doctrine and after study, I came up with a list of principles that

answered “what” and respective applications.

Diagram: Doctrines, Principles, and Applications

The Nature and Character of

God

Love Know God

Gain
knowledge Partake of
Obedience
divine nature

Serve Participate in
Pray
ordinances
Daily
Keep Study
scripture
Commandme
study
Bear Christ’s nts
name
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Doctrine and Principle Selection

I selected the doctrine above because, in relation to parenting, we do what our parents do.

John 5: 19 (The New King James Version) states, “The Son can do nothing of himself, but what

he aseeth the bFather do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.”

When we know the nature and character of God, we yearn to become more like him. This puts

into perspective the idea of becoming instead of just doing. When we know the nature of God,

we also understand why he has put certain laws in place and be more accepting to follow them.

We will understand the purpose. After we understand the doctrine God’s nature and why he gave

us commandments, laws, and other teachings, we look to what we should do.

Principles act as guidelines for our lives. What we should do after understanding the

doctrine previously mentioned can be answered by principles. In John 14 (The New King James

Version), God says “If ye love me keep my commandments.” This scripture represents this

perfectly. Keeping the commandments leads to the principle of love. (Keeping the

commandments and participating in ordinances/covenants can be placed in both principles and

applications.) We learn to love God when we know him. Other principles that help us to know

God include being obedience and partaking of the divine nature. There are many more principles

that could be represented in the diagram, but for this representation, the ones listed will suffice.

Through understanding of the doctrines (why) and principles (what), I can change my own

behaviors and actions.

What Is to Be Done?

My plan to solve my struggle of forgetting the purpose revolves around learning about

Heavenly Father and Christ. The more I know and understand about them, the more I will
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understand the purpose behind what I am supposed to do. Diligence, faith, and patience will be

required on my part to acquire this knowledge and to have a true and lasting change of heart and

mind. It is my own responsibility to “learn what [I] should learn, to live as [I] know [I] should

live, and to become what the master wants [me] to become” (2012). Diligent scripture study

(modern and antient scriptures) and prayer to understand God’s nature will be done. It is also

important that I continue to press forward on the covenant path. I will, however, focus on the

reason I do the things God has commanded us. This approach will be different than previously

because I will do things with a conscious mind rather than going through the motions on

automatic. Because my change will require conscious effort, it will be an internal transformation.

of becoming more like God. It is a change of attitude and behavior with a renewed motive for

righteousness. From the approach of “purpose,” I hope to gain a testimony of commandments,

ordinances, and covenants and their purposes, as well as of my Savior and Heavenly Father. The

purpose of this life is to become more like God and understanding the nature and character of

him will help in the becoming process.

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References

Bednar, D.A. (2012). Increase in Learning: Spiritual Patterns for Obtaining Your Own Answers.

Deseret Book Company.

Packer, B. K. (1986). Little Children. Retrieved June 13, 2020, from

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1986/10/little-children?

lang=eng