The Straight and Narrow Path

The gospel is often referred to as "the straight and narrow path" Here's some references:

Matthew 7:13-14,1 Nephi 8 ,2 Nephi 31:18-21, 2 Nephi 9:41

My definition of the phrase "straight and narrow path":

Straight: constant in the same direction, undeviating, unchanging.

Narrow: some room, but not much. This path is an either or thing: you're either on it or you're not. There's not much wiggle room.

Path: something that we travel step by step, gradually progressing on towards the destination.

This straight and narrow path, the gospel of Jesus Christ, is something that we are to walk on throughout our lives. What we need to do to get on and/or stay on that path is simple. The gospel of Jesus Christ is simple, but it is the temptations we face and our mortal (i.e. fallen) natures that make it seem complicated.

Getting on the path isn't the easiest thing in the world. But staying on the path is, in my opinion, more difficult than getting on. Staying on the path can be habitual for us. It's one thing for us to form a new habit, but it is another thing to break an existing habit, whether good or bad.

It doesn't really matter in what direction we diverge into. If we're off the path, we're off the path. Satan will  try to get us off the path, and he doesn't care what direction we go, as long as we're not on the path.

To demonstrate: the family is ordained of God. The vast majority of people will have the opportunity of having children. To not have children because you wish to avoid the responsibility of child-rearing is a departure from the straight and narrow. Likewise, using reproductive abilities outside of the bounds of a legal and lawful marriage between a man and woman is a departure. They are opposite extremes, but either will accomplish Satan's objective of having us depart from the path and journey closer toward total misery. (Here's a concise statement on the family)

Misery loves company. Satan is totally miserable, and seeks the misery of each and every one of us.

Matthew 6:24
We must make the choice between serving God or serving mammon, that is to say, seeking solely after the things of this world like money. At some point, every one of us must make the choice, this is a matter where it is impossible for us to sit on the fence through life. We can not have our cake and eat it too. It's just not going to work. Or, if the image of cake isn't working for ya, think of it this way:



(The musician is simply unable to play both pieces of music at the same time. If she were to attempt to do so, all that would result would be chaos, frustration, pandemonium. Unpleasant noise instead of music)

In the scriptures, living the gospel of Jesus Christ is sometimes referred to as "being in Zion," with Zion being defined as "the pure in heart." (D&C 97:21) Living a worldly lifestyle, with the obsession on reputation, money, and power, is also referred to as Babylon. Neal A Maxwell, a modern day apostle of Jesus Christ, said something to the effect of: "we cannot establish our residence in Zion while having a summer cottage in Babylon." In order to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives, we must have our hearts dedicated to it. We cannot be on the fence, not trying to be on the path while still holding on to our favorite sinful habits.

In case I've gotten you worried, keep in mind that none of us are going to be perfect while we are alive. That's just not going to happen. Everyone is going to make a mistake once in a while, if not on an everyday, every hour, and/or every minute basis. In the final judgment, we are going to be judged on the intents of our hearts. (D&C 137:7-9) If we're having trouble with something, we can pray for help. It has been my experience that the help does come, but we still need to be doing what we know we need to do.

The Book of Mormon and The Holy Bible

When a missionary like myself begins to teach someone about the gospel of Jesus Christ and about the church, they can talk about The Holy Bible. That is because The Holy Bible is accepted in The Church of Jesus Christ as scripture. One point of belief, also known as an article of faith, states that " We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God." (Article of Faith #8)


The Holy Bible is the word of God. That is what I believe. I also believe that the collection of books, letters, songs, and poems that make up the Bible were not always handled by men inspired by God. Because of that, when translations were made, error crept into the texts. In my opinion, error lies not so much in what remains, but more in what was removed. Translation also refers to more than just the process of converting knowledge from one language to another. Translation also refers to how one understands a passage, that is how one interprets it. This is where the Book of Mormon comes in for Latter-Day Saints.


In determining how an event occurred, having multiple sources brings a clearer picture into view. In law, a case is made stronger by having multiple witnesses. In research, a position is strengthened with multiple sources. In science, multiple experiments strengthen a hypothesis.  The basic principle is this: the more you have, the better your understanding.


All Christians have the Holy Bible as scripture. But, there are many different ways to interpret and understand the Bible. And these interpretations are widely different, so how the question is, which interpretation?  The Book of Mormon helps all who read the Bible understand how passages showed be understood..

For instance, there's debate on whether or not baptism is necessary to enter heaven (defined here as the dwelling place of God)? There are verses in the Holy bible that are quite clear on this requirement. (John 3:1-5. Of course there are other verses, but this passage says it succinctly.) The Book of Mormon clarifies any doubt by likewise saying that baptism is necessary. (2 Nephi 31) The Book of Mormon acts as an independent source to verify the Holy Bible's position on doctrine and its statement about Jesus: that He is the Christ.. A general authority (a high calling in the church) spoke about this recently. Click here to read, watch, listen, and/or download the talk that he gave. The Book of Mormon itself says that it is not the only book in existence with the gospel of Jesus Christ in it. Mormon, the main prophet who compiled the record together, knew that there was going to be another book. He urges those who read to, "lay hold upon the gospel of Christ, which shall be set before you, not only in this record but also in the record which shall come unto the Gentiles from the Jews, which record shall come from the Gentiles unto you.

 For behold, this (The Book of Mormon) is written for the intent that ye may believe that (The Holy Bible); and if ye believe that ye will believe this also; and if ye believe this ye will know concerning your fathers, and also the marvelous works which were wrought by the power of God among them." (Mormon 7:8-9)

As it says in the title page, the main purpose of The Book of Mormon is to convince "Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ". (Here you go) I believe the Holy Bible to be the word of God. I believe that God wants us to be stregthened in our belief and faith. Paul taught that spiritual truths can only be understood by receiving the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:9-14) God has also given us the ability to think, ponder, and reason. As such, we can use our minds to strengthen our beliefs (I prefer the word testimonies). Consider this: there exist two seperate records, from nations that were simply unable to communicate with each other. Both of those records (which are available here) have the same statement: that a man named Jesus of Nazareth is in fact the Son of God who made it possible, through His suffering, for us to be forgiven of our sins, have peace of mind in this life, and return to the presence of God after we die. Remember that intellect alone will not give you a testimony, it can only strengthen it. One's testimony comes from the Holy Ghost, often as a result of living the gospel of Jesus Christ.