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Truth Restored & Gospel Principles
Gordon Bitner Hinckley served as the fifteenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from March 12, 1995 until his death. "Truth Restored" was taken from his 1947 book, What of the Mormons?: Including A Short History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and was published separately in 1969. "Gospel Principles" was published in 1978 by the LDS Church as a personal study guide and as a teacher's manual.
362 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1990
About the author
Gordon B. Hinckley
67 books362 followersGordon B. Hinckley was born 23 June 1910 in Salt Lake City, a son of Bryant Stringham and Ada Bitner Hinckley. He served as president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1995–2008.
Hinckley’s first job was as a newspaper carrier for the Deseret News. After attending public schools in Salt Lake City, he earned a bachelor of arts degree at the University of Utah and then served two years as a missionary in Great Britain. He served with distinction and ultimately was appointed as an assistant to the Church apostle who presided over all the Europe
Even before his term as president, Hinckley’s extensive Church service included 14 years as a counselor in the First Presidency, the highest presiding body in the government of the Church, and 20 years before that as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Gordon B. Hinckley was known, even at the age of 95, as the tireless leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who always put in a full day at the office and traveled extensively around the world to mix with Church members, now numbering nearly 13 million in 171 nations.
His quick wit and humor, combined with an eloquent style at the pulpit, made him one of the most loved of modern Church leaders. A profoundly spiritual man, he had a great fondness for history and often peppered his sermons with stories from the Church’s pioneer past.
He was a popular interview subject with journalists, appearing on 60 Minutes with Mike Wallace and on CNN’s Larry King Live, as well as being quoted and featured in hundreds of newspapers and magazines over the years. During the Salt Lake Olympics of 2002, his request that the Church refrain from proselytizing visitors was credited by media with generating much of the goodwill that flowed to the Church from the international event.
At a general conference of Church members in April 2001, President Hinckley initiated the Perpetual Education Fund — an ambitious program to help young members of the Church (mainly returning missionaries from developing countries) receive higher education and work-related training that they would otherwise likely never receive.
Closer to his Salt Lake City home, President Hinckley announced the construction of a new Conference Center in 1996 and dedicated it four years later. Seating 21,000 people, it is believed to be the largest religious and theater auditorium in the world and has become the hub for the Church’s general conference messages to the world, broadcast in 54 languages.
Hinckley’s first job was as a newspaper carrier for the Deseret News. After attending public schools in Salt Lake City, he earned a bachelor of arts degree at the University of Utah and then served two years as a missionary in Great Britain. He served with distinction and ultimately was appointed as an assistant to the Church apostle who presided over all the Europe
Even before his term as president, Hinckley’s extensive Church service included 14 years as a counselor in the First Presidency, the highest presiding body in the government of the Church, and 20 years before that as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Gordon B. Hinckley was known, even at the age of 95, as the tireless leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who always put in a full day at the office and traveled extensively around the world to mix with Church members, now numbering nearly 13 million in 171 nations.
His quick wit and humor, combined with an eloquent style at the pulpit, made him one of the most loved of modern Church leaders. A profoundly spiritual man, he had a great fondness for history and often peppered his sermons with stories from the Church’s pioneer past.
He was a popular interview subject with journalists, appearing on 60 Minutes with Mike Wallace and on CNN’s Larry King Live, as well as being quoted and featured in hundreds of newspapers and magazines over the years. During the Salt Lake Olympics of 2002, his request that the Church refrain from proselytizing visitors was credited by media with generating much of the goodwill that flowed to the Church from the international event.
At a general conference of Church members in April 2001, President Hinckley initiated the Perpetual Education Fund — an ambitious program to help young members of the Church (mainly returning missionaries from developing countries) receive higher education and work-related training that they would otherwise likely never receive.
Closer to his Salt Lake City home, President Hinckley announced the construction of a new Conference Center in 1996 and dedicated it four years later. Seating 21,000 people, it is believed to be the largest religious and theater auditorium in the world and has become the hub for the Church’s general conference messages to the world, broadcast in 54 languages.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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March 3, 2016This was really a interesting book. I learned a lot about the LDS church and the problems they encountered. Everything from the Prophet being tarred and feathered to arriving in the Great City of St. George, Utah. It talks about how the mormons were persecuted and driven out of their homes in almost every city they prospered in. They finally got to rest when Brigham Young helped lead them to Utah. Even then Utah was a desert. Nothing was around them so they had to start from scratch all over again. They had to build new homes and roads. The way to Utah wasn't easy for them. A lot of them lost family, friends and children on the way. It really made me sad, the way people treated them. All these Pioneers wanted to do was live in peace and practice there religion. It made me think of the Trail of Tears and how Congress and President Jackson allowed the Indian Removal act. They literally forced the Indians out of THEIR land. Just like the Indians were forced from their land Mormons were forced from theirs. They built up the city of Nauvoo from swamp land. When they built there second temple (everything was almost perfect) until it wasn't. Mobs of people would throw rocks into their homes, set stores on fire and much more. They were persecuted. They finally departed and moved to Missouri. Not long after that the mobs killed the Prophet Joseph Smith, and set the temple on fire. During that time Missouri made it legal to kill Mormon's. It said in the book For 137 years, it was technically legal to kill a Mormon in Missouri. The law was on the books until 1975, when Governor Bond rescinded what was known as the extermination order. The order was issued in 1838, driving many Mormons out of the state." Why did they hate them so much? That is the question I pondered so much reading this book. I soon came to realize that it's kind of like the same reason why Americans along with many other nations hate or "Dislike" Muslims or those that are apart of the Islamic faith. Us as human beings judge a whole nation because of groups like al-Qeuda and ISIS. When in reality they're groups that have broken off and are not the same as the Muslim or Islamic Faith. We all have the freedom to choose. Agency. This book does a great job at inspiring you to look upon yourself and to put your perspectives in check. It also helps you realize that we all have people who have done wrong unto us, and that we should forgive them. It is not always easy but it most certainly is possible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2026
TWO BOOKS PUBLISHED IN THE SAME EDITION
TRUTH RESTORED:
Gordon Bitner Hinckley (1910-2008) served as president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from 1995 until his death in 2008. (At the time, he was the oldest person to have served as president.)
He records, “Martin Harris was so impressed by the experience [of speaking to professor Charles Anthon] that he returned to Joseph Smith… in order so that he might assist with the translation… By June 14, 1828, Martin Harris had recorded 116 pages of manuscript from Joseph’s dictation. During this period, Mrs. Harris had asked her husband to bring the manuscript home so that she might see it… but Joseph denied him… Martin continued pleading until… he was permitted to take the manuscript, provided he show it to none other than members of his immediate family. Martin agreed, but when he returned to his home he yielded to pressure from others who were curious, and evidently the work was stolen from him. Joseph Smith realized too late that he had made a serious mistake in permitting the translation to get out of his hands. He knew that he had done wrong, and he suffered great mental anguish. This was a lesson he never forgot; nor did Martin Harris every forget it, for he was never again permitted to assist with the translation. The lost portion was not redone, since it was evident to Joseph that his enemies could alter the original and publicly belittle him.” (Pg. 17)
“All of the three witnesses left the church founded through Joseph Smith. Two of them took a strong position in opposition to him. But not one of them ever denied his testimony concerning the Book of Mormon. In fact, each, on more than one occasion up to the time of his death, reaffirmed his testimony. Martin Harris and Oliver Cowdery returned to the Church after years of disaffection, but even when they were outside the organization, they boldly declared the validity of the statement published over their names in the Book of Mormon. David Whitmer never came back into the organization, but repeatedly took the same stand as his associates had taken, and shortly before his death he published a pamphlet denying statements made in … the Encyclopedia Brittanica to the effect that the witnesses had repudiated their testimony. Of the eight witnesses, three left the Church, but none of them ever denied his testimony.” (Pg. 28)
“The broad development of the mind was a rightful concern of the Church, and for this purpose a ‘School of the Prophets’ was established. Not only were classes in theology taught, but a renowned linguist was retained to teach Hebrew. This was a remarkable innovation in adult education on the Ohio frontier, and it was the forerunner of the extensive Mormon education system.” (Pg. 46)
“Several unsuccessful attempts were made to secure compensation and redress for the losses they had suffered in Missouri. The most notable of these was a petition to the Congress of the United States and an interview between Joseph Smith the President... Martin Van Buren. The petition availed nothing, and Mr. Van Buren replied with a statement that has become famous in Mormon history: ‘Your cause is just, but I can do nothing for you… If I take up with you I shall lose the vote of Missouri.’” (Pg. 70)
“Brigham Young presided over this pilgrim band. They accepted him as … the inspired successor to their beloved prophet Joseph. He, they believed, would direct them to a place of refuge ‘in the midst of the Rocky Mountains where Joseph had predicted they would become a ‘mighty people.’” (Pg. 88)
“The history of the Mormon Church is so inextricably interwoven with the doctrine of polygamy that no history of the Church can be complete without some discussion of the practice." (Pg. 136)
“In 1907 the last of the Church’s debt was paid. Since then, the Church has been free of financial stress.” (Pg. 148)
“President [Joseph Fielding] Smith died in … 1972, and was succeeded by Harold B. Lee… In 1936, when the nation and most of the world were paralyzed by a tragic economic depression, officers of the Church … inaugurated what was termed the Church Security Program, later called the Church Welfare Program… the Church taught the principle that in times of stress, responsibility for remedying the problem lay first with the individual, then with his family, and then with the Church, rather than with the government… The program, which continues to expand as the Church grows, has been commended by social welfare experts from many parts of the world.” (Pg. 156)
GOSPEL PRINCIPLES:
The Introduction states, “Throughout the world, many persons are accepting the gospel. This manual has been prepared for new members of the Church. Through studying it, you can learn the basic principles of the gospel and become better prepared to live them.” (Pg. 1)
“We are here on earth and have mortal bodies of flesh and bone. Because we are here on earth and have mortal bodies, we know that we chose to follow Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. Satan and his followers are also on the earth, but as spirits.” (Pg. 17)
“Today many nonmembers of the Church learn, by the power of the Holy Ghost, that the Book of Mormon is true… But that flash of testimony leaves them if they do not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. They do not receive the continuing assurance that comes to those who have the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Pg. 132)
“Christ gave his disciples wine when he introduced the sacrament. However, in a modern revelation he has said that it doesn’t matter what we eat and drink during the sacrament as long as we remember him… Today, the Latter-day Saints drink water instead of wine.” (Pg. 147)
“Temple work cannot be done for nameless people. We must identify our ancestors. We should write down their names, places of birth, date of birth, and the names of their parents. This is called genealogical research. The Genealogical Research Department of the Church will help us learn how to do this work.” (Pg. 249)
“Near the time of the coming of Jesus, the faithful Saints will build a righteous city, a city of God, called the New Jerusalem. Jesus Christ himself will rule there (see 3 Nephi 21:23-25). Although this city is not yet built, the Lord has said that it would be built in the state of Missouri (see D&C 8:3-4).
This combined volume is part of the Missionary Reference Library.
TRUTH RESTORED:
Gordon Bitner Hinckley (1910-2008) served as president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from 1995 until his death in 2008. (At the time, he was the oldest person to have served as president.)
He records, “Martin Harris was so impressed by the experience [of speaking to professor Charles Anthon] that he returned to Joseph Smith… in order so that he might assist with the translation… By June 14, 1828, Martin Harris had recorded 116 pages of manuscript from Joseph’s dictation. During this period, Mrs. Harris had asked her husband to bring the manuscript home so that she might see it… but Joseph denied him… Martin continued pleading until… he was permitted to take the manuscript, provided he show it to none other than members of his immediate family. Martin agreed, but when he returned to his home he yielded to pressure from others who were curious, and evidently the work was stolen from him. Joseph Smith realized too late that he had made a serious mistake in permitting the translation to get out of his hands. He knew that he had done wrong, and he suffered great mental anguish. This was a lesson he never forgot; nor did Martin Harris every forget it, for he was never again permitted to assist with the translation. The lost portion was not redone, since it was evident to Joseph that his enemies could alter the original and publicly belittle him.” (Pg. 17)
“All of the three witnesses left the church founded through Joseph Smith. Two of them took a strong position in opposition to him. But not one of them ever denied his testimony concerning the Book of Mormon. In fact, each, on more than one occasion up to the time of his death, reaffirmed his testimony. Martin Harris and Oliver Cowdery returned to the Church after years of disaffection, but even when they were outside the organization, they boldly declared the validity of the statement published over their names in the Book of Mormon. David Whitmer never came back into the organization, but repeatedly took the same stand as his associates had taken, and shortly before his death he published a pamphlet denying statements made in … the Encyclopedia Brittanica to the effect that the witnesses had repudiated their testimony. Of the eight witnesses, three left the Church, but none of them ever denied his testimony.” (Pg. 28)
“The broad development of the mind was a rightful concern of the Church, and for this purpose a ‘School of the Prophets’ was established. Not only were classes in theology taught, but a renowned linguist was retained to teach Hebrew. This was a remarkable innovation in adult education on the Ohio frontier, and it was the forerunner of the extensive Mormon education system.” (Pg. 46)
“Several unsuccessful attempts were made to secure compensation and redress for the losses they had suffered in Missouri. The most notable of these was a petition to the Congress of the United States and an interview between Joseph Smith the President... Martin Van Buren. The petition availed nothing, and Mr. Van Buren replied with a statement that has become famous in Mormon history: ‘Your cause is just, but I can do nothing for you… If I take up with you I shall lose the vote of Missouri.’” (Pg. 70)
“Brigham Young presided over this pilgrim band. They accepted him as … the inspired successor to their beloved prophet Joseph. He, they believed, would direct them to a place of refuge ‘in the midst of the Rocky Mountains where Joseph had predicted they would become a ‘mighty people.’” (Pg. 88)
“The history of the Mormon Church is so inextricably interwoven with the doctrine of polygamy that no history of the Church can be complete without some discussion of the practice." (Pg. 136)
“In 1907 the last of the Church’s debt was paid. Since then, the Church has been free of financial stress.” (Pg. 148)
“President [Joseph Fielding] Smith died in … 1972, and was succeeded by Harold B. Lee… In 1936, when the nation and most of the world were paralyzed by a tragic economic depression, officers of the Church … inaugurated what was termed the Church Security Program, later called the Church Welfare Program… the Church taught the principle that in times of stress, responsibility for remedying the problem lay first with the individual, then with his family, and then with the Church, rather than with the government… The program, which continues to expand as the Church grows, has been commended by social welfare experts from many parts of the world.” (Pg. 156)
GOSPEL PRINCIPLES:
The Introduction states, “Throughout the world, many persons are accepting the gospel. This manual has been prepared for new members of the Church. Through studying it, you can learn the basic principles of the gospel and become better prepared to live them.” (Pg. 1)
“We are here on earth and have mortal bodies of flesh and bone. Because we are here on earth and have mortal bodies, we know that we chose to follow Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. Satan and his followers are also on the earth, but as spirits.” (Pg. 17)
“Today many nonmembers of the Church learn, by the power of the Holy Ghost, that the Book of Mormon is true… But that flash of testimony leaves them if they do not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. They do not receive the continuing assurance that comes to those who have the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Pg. 132)
“Christ gave his disciples wine when he introduced the sacrament. However, in a modern revelation he has said that it doesn’t matter what we eat and drink during the sacrament as long as we remember him… Today, the Latter-day Saints drink water instead of wine.” (Pg. 147)
“Temple work cannot be done for nameless people. We must identify our ancestors. We should write down their names, places of birth, date of birth, and the names of their parents. This is called genealogical research. The Genealogical Research Department of the Church will help us learn how to do this work.” (Pg. 249)
“Near the time of the coming of Jesus, the faithful Saints will build a righteous city, a city of God, called the New Jerusalem. Jesus Christ himself will rule there (see 3 Nephi 21:23-25). Although this city is not yet built, the Lord has said that it would be built in the state of Missouri (see D&C 8:3-4).
This combined volume is part of the Missionary Reference Library.
January 14, 2009
This was given to me when I was 14 or so, by my Sunday School teacher. It came with Our Heritage the same year we were studying the Doctrine and Covenants. I started reading Our Heritage and almost instantly disliked it. It gives the fluffy cute version of church history, and at the time I had no patience for that.
Truth Restored, however, (which, as an aside: the book I was given does not even list the author. I didn't know it was written by Gordon B. Hinckley until years later) gave a fair description of the history. Not faith-shattering, but not just faith-promoting, either. I read the whole thing and loved it.
I whole-heartedly recommend it to every member of the church (and I'm sad that they use Our Heritage with the D&C lesson book instead of Truth Restored).
Truth Restored, however, (which, as an aside: the book I was given does not even list the author. I didn't know it was written by Gordon B. Hinckley until years later) gave a fair description of the history. Not faith-shattering, but not just faith-promoting, either. I read the whole thing and loved it.
I whole-heartedly recommend it to every member of the church (and I'm sad that they use Our Heritage with the D&C lesson book instead of Truth Restored).
January 18, 2017
I liked this book. It told of the restoration of the gospel on earth, and the trials the pioneers and their families had to endure. Orson Hyde, one of my direct line's patriarchs, has a line or two in the book. Also, Joseph Smith, another very distant relative, is the focus of much of this book. The second half of this book mostly focuses on important gospel principles. There is an index of songs and notes in the back of the book. If you are a member of my church, this will interest you very much. It still might interest you if you want an abbreviated history of the Latter-Day Saints and what their gospel doctrine is. Note: This is not the way I would learn of the church. You really need to read other scripture also.
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January 11, 2008I know I liked this book, but it wasn't the most memorable read. Even a week or two after I read it I was having trouble remembering the specific historical information it presented.
March 22, 2011
rather simplistic. Perhaps he needed to keep it short. No real explanation of certain doctrines.
Other details were new to me. There are probably better texts out there.
Other details were new to me. There are probably better texts out there.
October 27, 2019
Exactly as the titles indicate. (From the Missionary Reference Library)
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews