A note about Doctrine vs Gospel
In my studies about the Doctrine of Christ it was apparent
that at least in the way Jesus uses the terms, Doctrine and Gospel, they are not one and the same.
Here is the major difference I see.
D&C 10:62 (emphasis added)
62 Yea, and I will also bring to light my gospel which was
ministered unto them, and, behold, they shall not deny that which you have
received, but they shall build it up,
and shall bring to light the true points of my doctrine, yea, and the only
doctrine which is in me.
Mainly the gospel can and should be added to or built up to expand
our understanding of the doctrine. Yet, the doctrine should not be added to or
modified.
3 Nephi 11:39-41
39 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine,
and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of
hell shall not prevail against them.
40 And whoso shall declare more
or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil,
and is not built upon my rock; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation,
and the gates of hell stand open to receive such when the floods come and the
winds beat upon them.
41 Therefore, go forth unto this
people, and declare the words which I have spoken, unto the ends of the earth.
One way to look at it, the gospel is all the good news that points
us towards the essentials of the doctrine or teachings that are required to bring us eternal life.
Reading online there is lots of debate about these two terms in the christian world but the various conclusions are significantly different from what is stated here. If I find anything else that sticks out about these two terms I'll put them here. I don;t really find any discussion of this difference from within the LDS church.
