Lesson #44--Bruce

OT #44. Ezekiel 47:1-12

 “Every Thing Shall Live Whither the River Cometh”

“Living water is the words of eternal life … the doctrines of the gospel”

(Elder Bruce R. McConkie, in Old Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, 145).

What is the Gospel?

See 3 Nephi 27:13-16

       3 Nephi 27:20-21

            Moroni 10:5

What are the qualities of the living water in the vision …

… of Ezekiel (47:9)?

… of John (Revelation 22:1-2)?

How do those qualities relate (a) to the Gospel?

            … (b) to us?

From what location or source does the water of life flow in Ezekiel’s vision? (See Ezekiel 47:1)

Why do you think that location symbolizes the source of living water?

            (See also Revelation 22:1; Ezekiel 43:7)

How deep was the river the first time Ezekiel waded across?

(See Ezekiel 47:2–3)

How deep was it the second, third, and fourth times he waded across?

(See Ezekiel 47:4–5.)

What truth does  Ezekiel 47:2–5 verses suggest about the temple?

                        … about the Gospel?

      “[I]gnorance, superstition and bigotry [are] like the torrent that floods the most pure and crystal stream with mire, and dirt, and filthiness… but time … may bring to us the fountain as clear as crystal, and as pure as snow; while the filthiness and rubbish is left and purged out”(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 363).

“The Gospel is a fountain of truth… Its first principles are to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, to repent of our sins [and to prepare ourselves] for the reception of the Holy Ghost, which will lead us into all truth.” (Discourses of Brigham Young, 9.)

“There is no fundamental principle, or truth, anywhere in the universe, that is not embraced in the gospel of Jesus Christ….  Our hope of salvation must be founded upon the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, for we cannot build upon error and ascend into … the kingdom of our God…. The truth … will make us free … from error, prejudice, selfishness …” (President Joseph F. Smith, Oct

1917 Conference Report [CR], 3; Gospel Doctrine 1, 85, 214.)

“Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap an eternal destiny” (President David O. McKay, quoted

in The Miracle of Forgiveness, 115).

“[A]ll truth is gospel truth …. [E]very principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ is reasonable, clear and easily understood with the aid of the Spirit of truth. But man cannot determine … unaided by the Spirit of God, the power and saving grace of the gospel …” (Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation 2:23; 1:300.)

“[T]he true gospel of Jesus Christ must embrace all truth and contain nothing but the truth”(Elder Harold B. Lee, Stand Ye In Holy Places, 312).

“While some truths matter more than others, all truth principles are a part of the gospel …” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, 391).

“In the broadest sense, the gospel embraces all truth ... In a more restrictive sense, the gospel means … the atonement of Jesus Christ which brings to pass immortality and eternal life           …” (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, 30).

“Behavior begins with belief”(Elder Boyd K. Packer, October 1986 CR).

“Carefully … evaluate each part of your life and make any adjustments needed … to set aside deeply held convictions or traditions that are not in harmony with the [Gospel]”(Elder Richard G. Scott, April 1998 Conference Report [CR]).

“I love [the restored Gospel] because it is the fullness of truth…. I love it because its roots run down deep into the great things of God, and it is as a tree well planted, that the winds which beat upon it shall only help by driving its roots deeper into the soil, spreading further to right and left, establishing itself as a tree of God's planting, under whose friendly branches there is room for all who will come unto it; and whose very leaves are sufficient for the healing of the nations.” 

(Elder B. H. Roberts, April 1904 Conference Report, 19.)