More about Power

Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth.

So, I think that the analogy I am considering is like an electrical pathway. If you want to turn on a light, you go to a light switch and flip it. That closes the circuit, which has been established, designated, and likely explained.

If you want salvation, there is an established and dedicated way: the gospel. It's like God has put His power into that pathway, and only through flipping that switch can we obtain salvation. Could God grant salvation in another way? maybe. But He doesn't. He has made it very black and white. or perhaps there are other older laws in place that say, no, He cannot grant salvation in any other way, and He is sending His prophets to make sure it is explained to us.

So when I read in Doctrine and Covenants 84:20 about the power being manifest in the ordinances, its like saying you will see the results of flipping that light switch when you look right there at the light bulb, and in no other way. There are other outlets for God's power that require other switches, but the salvation one requires flipping the switch of the gospel.

Alma 26:1-3

It would seem that there is a positive association between belief and understanding. This will probably seem basic to you, but this is the first time that I've read v3 and understood that before someone can understand a truth, he or she needs to believe in it. So if we want our kids to understand the doctrine, they have to believe that it is true, then they will understand it. I suppose that goes right along with John 7:17. Do His will first (act in faith/belief) and then know the doctrine and its source.

So... there you go.