Truth Magazine

By Corbin T. Volluz

The Bible teaches that it is the complete and final revelation of God to mankind.

In his attempt to present more an affirmative paper instead of a negative, as he should have done, Mr. Volluz’s demise rests in his own pen. We remind him that it is the duty of the negative to answer the affirmative’s contentions. First, I would encourage each reader to go back through my first affirmative, look at the arguments presented, the many passages used (as even Mr. Volluz confesses) and then look again at how many passages Mr. Volluz used and how he used them. We are destined, it appears, to have as Mr. Volluz’s “authority” for his convictions and his writings, so called latter-day prophets such as Orson Pratt and Mr. Volluz’s own personal revelation. But, who is Orson Pratt that I should hear his voice and what makes the personal revelation of Corbin Volluz any more credible than that of Oral Roberts or Jimmy Swaggert? No thanks, I reject them all and stand on the exalted standard “once and for all delivered” (Jude 3).

Mr. Volluz loves the term non-sequitur. He says that my arguments concerning the Bible being complete and final aren’t valid because, although the early Christians had a full gospel, which Mr. Volluz confesses, “that doesn’t mean it was the final word of God to man, because if that were true, God would be contradicting his principle of speaking through living prophets as he always has.” Mr. Volluz has made this his “sugar-stick” in his first negative. You the reader saw where he said more than once that God has spoken through living prophets from “the garden of Eden to the present.”

But now, hold everything. Stop the presses! Let’s see who is offering non-sequitur arguments! We challenge Mr. Volluz to produce from the Bible where God ever spoke to those in the garden through prophets! Furthermore, we challenge Mr. Volluz to show where God spoke to men like Abraham through prophets! It is true, God used prophets at different times through the Old Testament era and no one is denying that, but Mr. Volluz’s argument is, that God has “always used living prophets.” Wholly incorrect! Simply because he used them at different times, doesn’t mean he has always used them. Mr. Volluz’s major foundation has cracks in it! God has not always spoken through prophets and therefore it is non-sequitur to say he does today. Let the Hebrew writer tell us if God speaks through living phophets today: “God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past (emphasis mine, RWL) unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son” (Heb. 1:1-2). The Bible says “time past” and “through his Son.” Corbin Volluz says that today he speaks through living men who are prophets. It’s Volluz vs. Hebrews. But how does Jesus speak to men today? Paul says the “gospel is the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16) and Peter declares, “This is the truth . . . which by the gospel is preached unto you” (1 Pet. 1:25).

Those first two “intermediate steps” that Mr. Volluz referred to, I did establish. I did it with Scripture that he “observed the passover” on. As he did not accept them, will he accept these? The Bible is the complete and final revelation of God to man today and was written:

“That men might believe in Christ and have life” (Jn. 20:30-31); that men might know the things which Jesus did and taught (Acts 1:1); that men might be assured of the certainty of that which they were orally taught (Lk. 1:3-4); that men might know the commandments of the Lord (1 Cor. 14:37); that men might understand the mystery of Christ which was revealed to the apostles and prophets (Eph. 3:3-5); that men might know what the apostle has seen and heard and might have fellowship with God, Christ and the Apostles and that joy might be full and complete (1 Jn. 1:34); that men might not sin (1 Jn. 2:1); that men might remember the teaching of the apostles after their death (2 Pet. 1:12-21); that the revelation of the mystery (the gospel) might be manifested unto all nations unto the obedience of faith (Rom. 16:25-26).

Yet, in spite of all these truths, Mr. Volluz still thinks we need living prophets. Does he not see that though the prophets and apostles of the Bible are dead, yet “they still speak” (Heb. 11:4). In that regard they are very much alive, for “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living” (Matt. 22:32). How weak a God our Mormon friends must think God is, that he could not give a standard “one time for all time,” keep it pure and use it to lead men to salvation. That’s not the God that Bob La Coste serves!

It’s ironic indeed that one like Mr. Volluz who believes in continuing revelation should accuse me of adding words to Jude 3. All that I did was define from the original language the word “once.” I told you in my first affirmative that this Scripture would stand when this debate was over and Mr.Volluz surely proved that it does stand by not answering what I had to say about it. What did he say about the word hapax (“one time for all time”) and how it is used in other passages such as Hebrews 9:27-28? Nothing. I’m not surprised. This verse is devastating to the modern who believes in continuing revelations and they know it. However, it was somewhat amusing to read what he had to say about the verse in general. To Mr. Volluz, since Jude used the past tense word “delivered” and since the gospel was already given, then Jude 3 cannot be used to show there is no more revelation in the future. Maybe we better look again! Jude writes of the “common salvation.” Though the gospel had been orally preached in its fulness, inspired men (as Jude) were still writing it down. Jude was not writing anything that had not been preached orally. He, as Peter, was simply “stirring up their remembrance” (2 Pet. 1:13). He was certainly not writing anything different, unlike the so-called modern revelations. Jude was saying that the common salvation is here, it has been delivered, and it will not have to be delivered again . . . and again . . . and again. The word had been confirmed (Mk. 16:20) and prophecy has ceased just as Paul predicted it would when the perfect revelation was come (1Cor. 13:8-10).

Mr. Volluz totally missed my point from Matthew 24:35 and 1 Peter 1:22-25. It was not the purpose of these passages to show incorruptibility. The word of God by its very nature is incorruptible. It lives and it abides forever. The cry of the modernist is that the reason we need continuing revelation and the reason the Bible can not be trusted to be the final and complete revelation, is because some of the truth of God has been lost, or to listen to Mr. Volluz, it was not all written down. Mormons believe both. The Bible totally rejects this. Again, Jesus promised all truth to his disciples (Jn. 16:13) and Peter affirmed that he preached that same incorruptible truth (1 Pet. 1:22-25). Yes, the gospel is “all I have,” because I trust God to have given me, “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3). We would that Mr. Volluz would have such confidence toward God. Confidence in God’s word doesn’t mean one worships a book. I’m sure along those lines that many Mormons have been accused of worshiping the book Mormon, but I’m sure they would deny it. Mr. Volluz: Was the gospel Peter and the others preached sufficient enough to make them Christians in the first century and lead them to eternal life? If so, why will not the same gospel do the same today? If it will not, why won’t it?

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 23, pp. 716-717
December 6, 1990

By Robert Wayne La Coste

Proposition: The Bible teaches that it is the complete and final revelation of God to mankind.

First of all, I want to express my appreciation to brother Mike Willis for allowing this discussion to take place in the Guardian of Truth. This paper, editor, and its staff writers stand to be commended for having the policy that they will open their pages to controversy and the avenue of honorable debate. As I love truth, I love each of them for their proper attitude in regard to such matters. I love the soul of my honorable disputant and desire only that he would turn from darkness to light and that all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints would read this with an open heart and in concern for truth.

After several months of private correspondence and in hopes of a future public debate, I stand ready to defend the following proposition; Mr. Volluz will negate it.

The Bible teaches that it is the complete and final revelation of God to mankind.

It is only proper, that I define the key terms of this proposition.

By “Bible” I mean the sixty-six books that comprise the cannon of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation, called also the Old and New Testaments. By complete, I’m using the word even as Paul did, when he wrote to Timothy and spoke of the word of God furnishing a man “completely unto every good work” (2 Tim. 3:17), i.e. “lacking nothing; entire, ended or finished.” By “final,” I mean “of or coming to an end; settled and conclusive.” And by “revelation,” I mean “a revealing, a disclosure to man concerning God and his will.” Finally, by “mankind,” I mean a term that is synonymous with the term Jesus used when he commanded, “preach the gospel to every creature” (Mk. 16:15) and the apostle Paul’s word, when he wrote about the gospel being preached in his generation to “all creation,” thusly fulfilling that command of Christ (Col. 1:23).

Yes, indeed, the Bible teaches that the complete and final word of God was revealed in the first century and that it would be all sufficient and would never perish. Let’s notice these truths together.

In John 16:12-13, just prior to the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, Jesus promised his confused apostles, “I have many things to say unto you, but ye can not bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth.”

Dear reader, either the first century apostles were given all the truth or Jesus lied about it! This is the same truth mentioned above that was preached unto “all nations” (Matt. 28:19) and to all the “world” or “every creature” (Mk. 16:15-16).

This word was spoken and written in the first century as it came from the Holy Spirit, even as Jesus had promised it would be. Paul wrote, “God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God . . . now we have received, not the spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God . . . which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth” (1 Cor. 2:10-13). Paul later wrote to the Galatians, “But I certify you brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man, for I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Gal. 1:11-12). Paul also wrote, “When ye read ye will understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ, which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed (emphasis mine – RWL) unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit” (Eph. 3:3-5). The apostle John declared, “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you . . . and these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full” (1 Jn. 1:34).

Friend, how much plainer could Scripture be? Jesus promised all the truth and Paul, John and others said they received it and preached it and wrote it so that others could hear, as well as read, the will of God for mankind.

As if these truths were not enough, in his short epistle Jude delivers a crushing blow to any who would believe in modern day revelation having come or going to come from God. Jude wrote, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). The faith mentioned here is the gospel (Gal. 1:11-23; Col. 1:24). The word “once” is from the Greek work hapax and is defined simply as “one time for all time.”

Please notice how it is used in other places in the word of God. The Hebrew writer writes concerning Jesus’ death, “Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice . . . for this he did once, when he offered up himself” (Heb. 7:27). We are very interested in what Mr. Volluz will say about this. Does Jesus have to keep offering up himself in thse latter times? To even think such is wholly absurd, yet Mr. Volluz, our Mormon friends and others believe that the word of God was not “one time and for all time” delivered and that we are still receiving revelation today. What about the following passage? “It has been appointed unto man once to die, but after this, the judgment. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many” (Heb. 9:27-28). How many times does a man die physically, Mr. Volluz, and how many times will he be judged? The death or offering of Christ, was even as man’s own death and occurs only once. Jesus told John on Patmos, “I am he who was dead, but behold, I am alive forevermore” (Rev. 1:18).

In the same way with the same word, Jude says the truth of God was once delivered. That Scripture will stand when this debate is over.

The word of God manifested in the first century makes one “free from sin and the servant of righteousness” (Rom. 6:17). It also “presents every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Col. 1:28). Anything else is superfluous!

In Matthew 24:35, the Lord Jesus claims incorruptibility for his words (more enduring than heaven and earth!) and Peter agrees when he writes that the word of God is an incorruptible seed which lives and abides forever (1 Pet. 1:22-25). We do not need so-called latter-day revelations, even if they were truth!

How appropriate therefore it was for James to call the gospel he preached in the first century, the “perfect law of liberty” (Jas. 1:25). The gospel is perfect in that it is flawless, full or complete and is lacking nothing; therefore I stand with firm conviction on this all-sufficient gospel preached in the first century, knowing full well that, “if any man preach any other gospel, he is accursed” (Gal. 1:8-9).

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 23, pp. 712-713
December 6, 1990

By Michael Garrison

That miracles were worked in Bible times is undeniable. Our hearts rejoice at the various miracles our Lord Jesus and his apostles did as recorded in the New Testament. Some examples are: Jesus feeding a multitude with a few loaves and fishes (Jn. 6:5-14); Jesus healing an issue of blood (Lk. 8:43-48); Jesus, and briefly Peter, walking on water (Matt. 14:25-32); a lame man was healed by Peter (Acts 3:1-11); etc. The result of Jesus’ miracle working is shown in Matthew 15:31: “. . . the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.” From the written record we have, we can glorify God because of the miracles we have revealed to us. See John 20:26-31.

What Were Miracles?

The word “miracles” means “power, inherent ability,” and “is used of works of a supernatural origin and character, such as could not be produced by natural agents and means” (W.E. Vine, Expository Dictionary). So, the birth of a baby or the unfolding of a flower, both natural events, are not miracles. The birth of Jesus, on the other hand, was a miracle. It is not natural for a woman who has not known a man (that is, had sexual contact with one) to have a child. That brings us to the

Purpose of Miracles

The purpose of miracles was to instill faith in unbelievers and to confirm the word the apostles taught. In John 20:31, we read, “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” The context of the above passage is where Thomas sees the risen Savior and is told, “Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (Jn. 20:27-29). We will not see the miracle of the resurrection of Christ, but we do have it recorded by reliable witnesses and can have faith in it. We will not see other miracles, but John tells us the ones recorded are for our faith.

God intended us today to obtain faith by that which was written in the first century. It was not God’s will to continue miracles or inspired revelation – that is, if we believe the New Testament. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). Do you have faith?

Another reason for miracles in the first century was for confirming the words of the apostles. The writer of Hebrews (2:3-4) wrote, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?” “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen” (Mk. 16:20). The word “confirm” comes from a Greek word which means “to make firm, establish, make secure” (Vine’s). So, the word of God was proclaimed by the apostles, and God allowed miracles, etc. to be performed to confirm or establish the truthfulness of the spoken words. The words ave now been written by the Holy Spirit’s inspiration. Once something has been confirmed, it is always confirmed. Christians are not to expect miracles today.

What? No Miracles Today?

Yet, many people claim miracles are possible today. The ones claiming this are seemingly sincere, very religious, people. So, how can we account for these so-called “miracles” of today? In an article by Charles Bell, “Psychic healing: Defies logic, but business booms” (Birmingham [Alabama] News, Nov. 25, 1979) I think we have an answer.

The medical profession remains highly skeptical about all healing not done by orthodox doctors, but some physicians and psychiatrists have taken a new, hard look at the ancient powers of faith to cure – and have determined that faith does indeed work, at tirues, for some people.

Later in the article, we are told about “. . . emotional or psychosomatic roots (which doctors say account for as much as 80 percent of all the complaints they hear).” So, if one has an emotional or psychosomatic illness, one’s faith In a “faith healer” could be enough to cause the person to get well.”

In his book, Healing: A Doctor in Search of a Miracle, William A. Nolen, M.D., did a good deal of research on modern day “miracles.” After checking with many “miraculously healed” people, Dr. Nolen writes:

I listened carefully to everything they told me and followed up every lead which might, even remotely, have led to a confirmation of a miracle. When I had done all this I was led to an inescapable conclusion: none of the patients who had returned to Mirmeapolis to reaffirm the cures they had claimed at the miracle service had, in fact, been miraculously cured of anything . . . (p. 81).

. . . When I started my search I hoped to find some evidence that someone, somewhere, had supernatural powers that he or she could employ to cure those patients we doctors, with all our knowledge and training, must still label “incurable.” As I have said before, I have been unable to find any such miracle worker (p. 272)

Such was not the impression of those working miracles in New Testament times. There were many eyewitnesses who saw the miracles and they could not deny miracles were performed. When Jesus did a wonderful miracle in Matthew 12:22-24, the religious authorities did not show a miracle was not done; they attributed it to the power of Beelzebub rather than God – but they acknowledged the miracle! You see, miracles were undeniable! See also Acts 4:16, 21-22.

Duration of Miracles

Since miracles accomplished what God intended in the first century, that is, to confirm his word, we must not expect miracles to continue. Paul informs us, “. . . whether there be prophecies, they shall fail, whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away . . . But when that which is perfect (or complete) is come, then that which is in part shall be done away” (1 Cor. 13:8,10).

Let us put our faith and confidence in God’s complete and confirmed word!

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 23, pp. 705, 727
December 6, 1990

By Ron Halbrook

Effective leaders evaluate every phrase of their work from time to time to see if changes and improvements need to be made. Traditionalism – we do this or that because we have always done it – leads to stagnation. When changes are made just for the sake of change, there is no real leadership involved. Such cosmetic action is superficial and immature. The process of review and evaluation will reveal the need to keep some things as they are, to make minor adjustments in some areas, and to discard programs that have proven ineffective.

In the process of evaluation, elders are wise in seeking various forms of responses and various kinds of suggestions from many sources which are at their disposal – deacons, evangelists, class teachers, and other members. As a part of its program of evangelism and edification, the church here began purchasing the Guardian of Truth for each household in the church in 1985. A little over a year later, the elders decided to examine the use being made of this teaching tool in order to judge whether it was making a significant contribution to our overall work or not. The potential for good was there, but was it being realized?

As a part of this process, the decision was made to seek direct response and evaluation on the part of all those who were receiving the magazine. The elders asked that a letter be prepared clearly presenting the goals and values of this program so that people would understand what they were being asked and why. Were these goals being met? Were these values being obtained by the readers?

The response was positive beyond our hopes! Two aged people said they were no longer able to read anything at all. One man said that he doubted he got much out of it because he was so busy with other things. Everyone else said yes they read some of the articles, benefitted from it, and desired for this material to continue coming into their home. This program was helping us far more than we realized.

Some interesting comments were added in the space provided for that purpose. Several stated that they read every article in each issue. “It has helped us tremendously to grow as Christians. Thank you.” One lady said she read the paper while riding her stationary bicycle. “Some articles have stimulated conversations and discussions besides just benefitting me.” Another person inquired as to how she could send the paper to her relatives in liberal churches in other towns ‘ Several said they stop whatever they are doing when the paper comes in the mail and sit down immediately to read it. The input of the readers was invaluable in the elders’ decision to continue using the Guardian of Truth in the church here.

Other programs and phases of the work have been evaluated. The adult class program was revamped so as to provide three subjects on Sunday and three on Wednesday, and new classes are offered each quarter. The children’s classes at one time had been left to individual teachers and lacked any overall progression or continuity. Now they study the “Truth In Life” series on Wednesdays and “Walking With God” on Sundays. So that our teachers will stay fresh, no one is saddled with a class for eternity but changes are made on a regular basis. The elders have communicated with the preachers we support in other places from time to time to evaluate our work in this area. In order to encourage personal contact between our members and the men we support, we periodically pass out a list of these men’s names and addresses. We are developing teachers in our midst, and preachers as well. At times, we have a young man work with us for the summer. Andy Alexander, one of our own prepared himself and began full-time evangelistic labors in his mid-30s.

This is not a perfect church and we are not satisfied. We want to press on and grow in every phase of our work and service unto God! The point of these articles is simply this. Open lines of communication are vital if elders are to lead the church in an effective way. We have tried to reinforce that lesson with illustrations taken from the local work being done here. Our elders are Charley Alexander, James Moore, and Jimmy Dale Harris (added as of July 1987). Our deacons are Ferg Frederick, Hollis Harris, Earl Hathorn, Raymond Maxwell, Joe Sutherland, and Charles Kelley. Men and women of all ages are using their talents and abilities in many ways. The church here had helped and encouraged me to grow in my work as an evangelist. My whole family has grown spiritually. We are thankful to be a part of a church with such good leadership.

The letter used by the elders in evaluating the church’s use of the Guardian of Truth is reproduced below.

Evaluating the Church’s Use of a Gospel Journal

A word is in order on behalf of the elder’s effort to evaluate our use of the Guardian of Truth. A good eldership not only initiates plans for evangelism, edification, and benevolence, but also evaluates those plans. They periodically evaluate the men being supported in evangelism and every other phase of the church’s work. The church here has been purchasing the Guardian of Truth for our members for over a year now and having it mailed into our homes. The elders ask each of us to consider our use of this gospel paper and to help them in evaluating this program of work.

There is no financial problem with our use of the Guardian of Truth. For the amount we pay, especially with the group discount, we could not put out a good bulletin, as I know from having edited a bulletin for five years. Neither could we provide in a bulletin as much good material by mature writers from around the country as we get in the Guardian of Truth. So the cost for what we are getting is minimal at $1.00 per month per household. That is a bargain for the sound, spiritual teaching which goes into each home. But nothing is a bargain if it is not used. If it costs only $1.00 a year for the whole church to get it, and we were not using it or benefitting from it, we don’t want to waste even a dollar. The elders need to know whether or not we use it and benefit from it.

They are not asking if you read every article and line of every issue. I don’t always get to do that. At home, we take several newspapers and secular magazines – we don’t read every line of every issue of any of them. We use them as we can. If we never read or benefit from one, eventually we stop taking it. The elders are not trying to make you feel guilty if you do not get to read every line of every issue. We are all simply being asked to evaluate the usefulness of the journal in our own home. We are being asked to circle Yes or No in answer to this question: Do you read some articles in the Guardian of Truth as you have time, benefit from it, and desire that it continue to come into your home?

The point is this. If you never read or benefit from it, if you prefer not to receive it, do not hesitate to circle No. Your candid judgment is needed. If you scan and read articles of interest to you, if it helps and encourages and benefits you spiritually, if you would miss it and want it to keep coming, circle Yes. Feel free to write down any additional comment you wish to make.

This is an effort to have good communication and accurate information, so that this phase of our work can be properly evaluated. No idea of voting or majority rule is involved. The elders may decide to continue this program or to drop it. Also, the paper can be easily stopped where it is not wanted. It is not forced on anyone. After their evaluation, the elders will let us know their decision.

Purpose and Value of the Present Program

Sometimes we initiate plans and programs but fail to explain their purpose or value. Why do churches sometimes use gospel papers? Why have we been using the Guardian of Truth? It is an expediency to provide admonition, edification, and gospel teaching in general just like class literature, tracts, newspaper articles, correspondence courses, and other printed materials. All such expediences are authorized by every passage which authorizes the church to preach and teach the word of the truth of the gospel (1 Tim. 3:15; Col 1:5). Whether a specific aid is expedient or not at a given time is a matter of judgment (1 Cor. 6:12).

The simplest way I can express the value of gospel journals after reading them for 25 years is this: It is like having several gospel preachers coming into my home from time to time to stimulate my study, to increase my zeal, to provoke my thought, to widen my horizon about trends and efforts (good and bad) in other places, and to deepen my love for the Lord and all things spiritual. When men like Bill Cavender, Irven Lee, Harold Fite, Larry Hafley, Hoyt Houchen, Steve Wolfgang, and Mike Willis come into your home to sow the seed of the kingdom, it will do you good if you have an honest heart. If you cannot get all the seed they have to sow every time they come, whatever amount you do get will do you good! That is why brother Alexander recently reminded us to take note of the articles in this magazine, adding that they are some of the finest he had ever read.

A journal can be used in connection with personal study, to generate discussion with a family member or friend about a particular subject, to aid family devotions, to improve Bible class preparation, to pass Bible lessons on to other people (saints and sinners), to save for reference material for future use, or to prepare talks, invitations, remarks at the Lord’s supper, and sermons.

Let me make a personal observation on such expediencies properly used, drawn from 25 years of gospel preaching. I can go to heaven without Bible classes, class literature, or gospel journals. I can even use such aids on an individual basis whether the church includes them in its program or not. But, such aids are used by fewer people when left to the individual alone to provide his own. We may get busy or lack initiative and overlook the opportunity on our own. But when the challenge to reach a little higher is laid before us by those who watch for our souls, we often rise to that challenge and make the effort which brings a blessing to our lives.

I have learned that a church which includes classes in its program gains an added layer of strength and depth. I have preached where class literature was rarely provided by the church and where it was regularly provided. When a church includes literature often in its classes, another layer of growth can be seen after a time. I have preached where the church sent a religious journal into each home and where it did not. When a church included a gospel paper in its program, I have seen in time without fail an additional layer of strength, depth and growth. Some of you confirm in your development what I am saying, because you have grown as a direct influence of the Guardian of Truth since the church has been using this aid in its teaching program. Several have expressed this from time to time.

The more we are surrounded with spiritual tools, activities, and influences, the more we grow and bear fruit in the Lord!

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 22, pp. 678-679
November 15, 1990