"In this day of increased knowledge, higher thought, and a modernization of the old, the simple has been overlooked and the profound sought after," said Elder Howard W. Hunter of the Quorum of the Twelve at the October 1973 general conference. "The basic, simple, fundamental truths of the gospel are being ignored.

"Paul taught the true gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Galatia and, after he left them, spurious teachers came and turned them from his teachings. This gave rise to the letter written by Paul in strong language of criticism, denouncing those who would pervert his teachings. He said to them:

" 'I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.' "(Gal. 1:6-8.)

Elder Hunter said that from the earliest days of the Christian church, "spurious gospels have been taught — not really gospels, as Paul pointed out, for there is only one gospel of Christ. Today is no different," Elder Hunter noted. "We are surrounded by frustrations and advances in thought and learning which raise questions and doubts. These seem to drag men down and destroy faith and morality. Where, then, is hope in this world of frustration and moral decay? It lies in the knowledge and understanding of the truths taught by the Master, which must be taught by the Church of Christ without deviation and believed in and lived by its membership. These are eternal truths and will be so in perpetuity regardless of changing circumstances in society, development of new scientific achievements, or increase of man's knowledge."

Elder Hunter said that people can be modern, enjoy the fruits of a modern world and its high standard of living and can have the benefits of modern scholarship and scientific advances without turning to the theories of the modernist. The principles of the gospel announced by the Savior in His personal ministry were true when they were given and are true today, Elder Hunter declared. "Truth is eternal and never changing, and the gospel of Jesus Christ is ever contemporary in a changing world.

"The knowledge explosion of which the world is so proud is not of man's creation. It is his discovery of portions of the unlimited knowledge and information which is part of God's knowledge. How we use it is determined by whether we are of the eternal kingdom of God or a part of the temporary understanding of the world. The question is simply this: are we seeking to find our place in the world in the realm of worldly thought or are we seeking to find our place in the unchanging kingdom of God?"