“[God] changes not, neither is there variableness with him; but that he is the same from everlasting to everlasting, being the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever; and that his course is one eternal round, without variation. … It is … necessary that men should have the idea that he is a God who changes not, in order to have faith in him … for without the idea of unchangeableness in the character of the Deity, doubt would take the place of faith. But with the idea that he changes not, faith lays hold upon the excellences in his character with unshaken confidence” (Lectures on Faith, [41–42]).
The Doctrine of an Unchangeable God (Mormon 9:9)
The Bible hints that one of the characteristics of God is that he does not vary or lack consistency (see James 1:7; Malachi 3:6). However, the presentation of this important concept is so scattered and fragmented, that it has been largely ignored by the Christian world—otherwise they would not have ceased to believe in miracles or in modern prophets and revelation. On the other hand, the knowledge that God is the same unchangeable God generation after generation, dispensation to dispensation, “yesterday, today, and forever,” is a powerful doctrine mostly unique to modern revelation, particularly the Book of Mormon. Note the clarity and sustained presentation of this doctrine in modern-day revelation:
1. 1 Nephi 10:18: “For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
2. 2 Nephi 2:4: “For the Spirit is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.”
3. 2 Nephi 27:23: “I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
4. 2 Nephi 29:9: “I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
5. Alma 31:17 “Thou art the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
6. Mormon 9:9–10 “For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?”
7. Moroni 10:7–8 “I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men, the same today, and tomorrow, and forever.”
8. Moroni 10:19 “I would exhort you … that ye remember that he is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
In April 1830, as the time for the formal organization of the Church approached, the Lord highlighted for Joseph Smith and the early Saints the key doctrines and principles in the Book of Mormon (D&C 20:8–35). One of those governing principles is “God does inspire men and call them to his holy work in this age and generation, as well as in generations of old; thereby showing that he is the same God yesterday, today, and forever, amen” (D&C 20:11–12).