Elder David A. Bednar presided at our stake conference months prior to being called as an apostle. In the leadership session he taught that the Church operates under three layers. The layers are
Doctrine,
Principle, and
Practices.
It is important to note that the word doctrine is generally defined as "teachings" which could be applied to anything that is taught. For the purpose of this discussion let us define it, as Elder Bednar did, to be limited to those overarching elements that span these exigencies.
For example,
the "Practice" of ordaining 12 year old men to the office of a deacon is a function of
the "Principle" of Priesthood which is a function of
the "Doctrine" of the Divine Investiture of Authority.
Similarly,
the "Practice" of calling a sister to be the RS President is a function of
The "Principle" of Presidency which is a function of
the "Doctrine" of the Divine Investiture of Authority.
Occasionally we run into "Practices" that are not connected to any Principle or Doctrine. Some have been around for so long that they have achieved "Doctrine" status.
Can you cite the doctrine associated with these beliefs; "Practices"?
Moroni facing East on the Temples.
Taking the Sacrament with the Right hand.
"A call in the hall is no call at all"
He then said, almost as an aside, that there are far fewer "Doctrines" than we think. It is to this remark that I would comment.I have spent significant time and energy studying, pondering and inquiring about
the number of real "Doctrines", as defined above, that exist.
I have found ten.
All of the "Principles" and "Practices" of the Church, as long as they are not falderal, fall under ten "Doctrines".
They are (not in any particular order):
The Nature of God
The Nature of Man
Obedience
Reverence
Divine Investiture of Authority
Chastity
Faith
Hope
Charity
Agency
Can you name another?
Can you cite a "Principle" or "Practice" that does not fall under any of these "Doctrines?"
