The Grand Fundamental Principles of Mormonism: Joseph Smith's Unfinished Reformation (PDF), by Don Bradley.#

This article talks about a series of sermons in the last year of Joseph Smith's life about the principles of Mormonism: truth, friendship, and relief.

Prior to declaring these "grand fundamental principles," Joseph had attempted to define Mormonism in doctrinal terms in D&C 20, the Lectures of Faith, and the Articles of Faith. But each of these inevitably failed to provide a timeless or final definition of the faith's essence. The task of capturing Mormonism in a creedal statement was Sisyphean, because Mormonism was more committed to the principle of forever acquiring truth than to any particular formulation of the truth. It was a circle no state set of doctrines could square. [p. 36]

The impact of these principles of Christian unity:

But Joseph averred that he would not use his authority to press others to follow his beliefs and revelations, nor would he condemn them for failing to do so: "If I esteem mankind to be in error shall I bear them down? No! I will lift them up & [each] in his own way if I cannot persuade him my way is better! ... I will ask no man to believe as I do." [p. 37-38]

On relief:

As R. Dennis Potter has observed, "For King Benjamin, the fundamental sin... is the failure to take care of the poor." Since for Benjamin, to serve others was to serve God, to neglect others in need was to neglect God, jeopardizing one's standing before him. In Benjamin's theology, receiving a remission of sins requires faith and repentence, but "from day to day" requires that one "impart of [one's] substance to the poor" (Mosiah 4:26). [p. 38]

I think this can be interpreted too literally. We must also consider the need to provide relief and comfort for those who are spiritually poor, i.e. lacking in Christ-like qualities. The Saints must be perfected and we are on the same team, working for the same goal.