Principles of Perfection
By Hyrum L. Andrus
Synopsis: This book is the second volume in Andrus’ iconic series Foundations of the Millennial Kingdom of Christ, and covers the salvation and the process which man must undergo to obtain it. The work is based on the teachings of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and can be considered an exposition of Joseph Smith’s thought on the subjects covered. It is a very advanced study of spiritual matters, however, and it is appropriate to consider this book and its series as spiritual or scriptural calculus.
Strong Points: Like the first volume, this book is a meticulously thought-out, exhaustively researched, well-documented study of the subject matter. When one opens one of these books in the Foundations of the Millennial Kingdom of Christ series, they are immediately profoundly impressed with the depth, quality, insightfulness, and thoroughness of the material found on the pages. Principles of Perfection is in every respect a worthy follow-up to God, Man, and the Universe. A work of genius, written by a man who was a genius and an expert with reference to the scriptures and the teachings of Joseph Smith, this well-structured work is informative and carefully cited with footnotes throughout. Covered within its pages are profound evaluations of the doctrine of faith, the Preparatory Gospel, justification and sanctification, the Law of the Gospel, the Patriarchal Order, and the Second Comforter all in the light of Joseph Smith’s teachings. In its pages is the clearest and most thorough exposition of the doctrine of “calling and election made sure”/“sure word of prophecy” that I have ever read. The reader will come away from the book with a revolutionized understanding of how central the sure word of prophecy is to God’s plan for our salvation. Also, since the previous work, the author revised his opinion from Volume I that Shem and Melchizedek were different people (p. 422). This book is one of the great doctrinal dissertations to be found in the Church, and is a tour de force, a complete work of genius.
Weak Points: You get a fantastic tour of the ordinances of the Gospel within this book, however when inspiration for the temple endowment is discussed, the connection with Freemasonry was not addressed.
Interesting: 5/5
Must Read: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
Pages: 529
Selected Quote: “The programs of justification and sanctification are prominent features in the plan of the gospel. Justification is concerned, primarily, with the legal acquittal of man from the demands of broken law, and sanctification has to do with the purification of man from the effects of sin and the fallen mortal state. There are several aspects of the doctrine of justification: justification by law, justification by grace, justification by faith, justification by man’s righteous works, and justification by the Holy Spirit. By abiding continually in Christ, man can retain a remission of his sins from day to day – live day by day in a state of justification.” (p. 213).
“The Prophet made it clear that for man to develop in the divine truth, power, gifts, and blessings of the Holy Spirit after entering the path which leads to life and salvation, he must obey the law of the gospel. The classic statement of this law is in Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. The Nephite record, in particular, places this great statement in its proper gospel context.” (p. 275).
“Joseph Smith explained that within the program of the gospel there are two Comforters: the Holy Ghost and the divine promise, or guarantee, sealed in the hearts of the faithful by the Holy Spirit that they will receive eternal life in the world to come. The latter Comforter carries with it the right (subject to the will of God) to commune with Christ and the Father, an innumerable company of angels, the spirits of just men made perfect, the church of the Firstborn, and the general assembly of the church of the Firstborn. One who receives the second Comforter has the right to come to Mount Zion and the heavenly Jerusalem – the abode of glorified beings in eternity.
“Man may obtain the guarantee of eternal life either by receiving the more sure word of prophecy in this life of by enduring faithful in the gospel to the end of his mortal probation. The first way entitles him to enjoy the blessings of the second Comforter in mortality. But in either case the faithful receive those blessings in the spirit world after mortality, for the spirits of the just dwell in the midst of celestial glory.” (p. 399-400).