The Mystery of Godliness

Another Meditation on D&C 19

It is incredible to me that I can study an entire section of the Doctrine and Covenants during an entire week without pausing to adequately reflect on one simple but unfathomably profound sentence: “For, behold, the mystery of godliness, how great is it!” (D&C 19:10)

How many times have I read this sentence without pausing to ponder what it really means?

What is the mystery of godliness?

I probably won’t be able to unfold the mystery of godliness to my audience in a single post, but at least I can raise the question and consider the contributions of previous apostles and prophets on the same topic:

The Apostle Paul:

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Timothy 3:16)

Jacob, Brother of Nephi:

Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is impossible that man should find out all his ways. And no man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God. (Jacob 4:8)

The Prophet Joseph Smith:

But great and marvelous are the works of the Lord, and the mysteries of his kingdom which he showed unto us, which surpass all understanding in glory, and in might, and in dominion; (Doctrine and Covenants 76:114)

The LDS definition of “mysteries” differs from that of any other faith. I am no expert in Catholic or Protestant theology, or in any other theology for that matter, but when I hear people of other faiths speak about mysteries, I get the sense that, for them, mysteries are so mysterious and so far exceed mortal comprehension that they will remain mysteries from here to eternity. The LDS definition of mysteries, on the other hand, suggests to the mind and heart something that God wants us to discover by revelation.

Remember the Lord’s message to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery earlier in the Doctrine and Covenants?

And if thou wilt inquire, thou shalt know mysteries which are great and marvelous; therefore thou shalt exercise thy gift, that thou mayest find out mysteries, that thou mayest bring many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, convince them of the error of their ways. (D&C 6:11)

God wants to reveal His mysteries to us. He wants to reveal the mystery of godliness to us. He is not pleased when mortal minds remain muddled and confused about who He is and about who we are as His children. One thing that I love about the Lord’s message to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in D&C 6:11 is that He reveals the purpose for inquiring and discovering great and marvelous mysteries, namely, to lead souls unto salvation.

Remember Ammon’s exultation and glorying in the strength of the Lord?

Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance. (Alma 26:22)

The purpose of inquiring and obtaining knowledge of the mysteries of God is not merely to satisfy curiosity, to become a great theologian, or to give the best answers in Sunday school. God reveals His mysteries, including things which never have been revealed, in order to bring souls unto repentance. The gifts of knowledge of mysteries and revelations from God are to serve His great overarching purpose:

For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. (Moses 1:39)

What, then, are mysteries (see also here and here)?

Mysteries of God are spiritual truths known only by revelation. God reveals His mysteries to those who are obedient to the gospel. Some of God’s mysteries are yet to be revealed.

This is an expanded definition of mysteries:

Denotes in the New Testament a spiritual truth that was once hidden but now is revealed and that without special revelation would have remained unknown. It is generally used along with words denoting revelation or publication (Rom. 16:25–26; Eph. 1:9; 3:3–10; Col. 1:26; 4:3; 1 Tim. 3:16). The modern meaning of something incomprehensible forms no part of the significance of the word as it occurs in the New Testament. See also Alma 12:9–11; 40:3; D&C 19:10; 42:61–65; 76:5–10. On the other hand, there is no spiritual gain in idle speculation about things the Lord has not revealed. See Deut. 29:29; Alma 37:11.

The Lord reveals His mysteries, including the mystery of godliness, to us in proportion to our diligence in hearkening unto His voice and our obedience to His commandments:

Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.

And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.

There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—

And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. (D&C 130:18-21)

One of my favorite books on this topic is Neal A. Maxwell’s Not My Will, But Thine. It is replete with luminous Gospel gems. What struck me the last time I read it, however, is its great plainness and simplicity.

In my Goodreads review of this book I wrote:

You don't review books like this... they review you. But here's some encouragement to read it. Read it again whenever possible.

If I recall correctly, one of the final chapters in Maxwell’s book addresses the topic of mysteries. I was impressed by the way in which Maxwell articulates basic Gospel truths so as to create excitement in the reader and inspire greater desire to repent and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ:

Think of the most beautiful scenery you have ever witnessed, and yet realize that 'eye hath not seen...' Remember the most beautiful music you have heard, sounds which sent feelings soaring, and yet understand that 'ear hath not heard.' Recall the finest moments of friendship, featuring nearly pure love. Reflect on joys, sorrows, and certitude shared. Yet the Creator of worlds, our best friend, has said, 'I will call you friends, for you are my friends' (D&C 53:45). Our best moments of friendship are ahead of us. Ponder those moments of keen, sudden insight, the flow of pure intelligence, such as Lamoni experienced when 'light infused such joy into his soul' (Alma 19:6). Yet, 'the day cometh [when] ... all things shall be revealed ... which ever have been ... and which ever will be' (2 Nephi 27:11). The mysteries shall be ours, but shall be mysteries no more. Reflect upon the occasions on which your conscience and integrity triumphed when, having done what was right and letting the consequences follow, you had a sure witness flood warmly into your soul and knew, like Enoch (Hebrews 11:5), that you had pleased Father. Recollect the deepest moments of marital and familial joy, whether in rejoicings, reunions, or reconciliations, when 'because of the great goodness of God' there was a 'gushing out of many tears' (3 Nephi 4:33); when your 'heart [was] brim with joy' (Alma 26:11). Yet this was but a foretaste of the ultimate homecoming, when our cups will not only be brim but will run over without ceasing. (p. 143)

“For, behold, the mystery of godliness, how great is it!” (D&C 19:10)

In His Eternal wisdom, our Heavenly Father reveals His mysteries, including the mystery of godliness, to us in proportion to our exercise of faith unto repentance:

And I command you that you preach naught but repentance, and show not these things unto the world until it is wisdom in me.

For they cannot bear meat now, but milk they must receive; wherefore, they must not know these things, lest they perish. (D&C 19:21-22)

In his eagerness for “a commandment” the Lord, in no uncertain terms, commanded Martin Harris to repent. Like Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris probably desired to experience the same kind of revelations that the Prophet Joseph Smith experienced. Martin Harris’ eagerness for “a commandment” and his inquiry has blessed us with one of the greatest revelations regarding Jesus Christ and the mystery of godliness that can be found anywhere in holy writ…

…and I’ve only commented on the first half of this revelation thus far! Let’s continue with the second half of this revelation tomorrow morning.