In the summer of 1829, the Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation that commanded, “Thou shalt declare repentance and faith on the Savior, and remission of sins by baptism, and by fire, yea, even the Holy Ghost.” These fundamental principles and ordinances appear throughout the scriptures and are an essential part of “the doctrine of Christ” (2 Nephi 31:2).
By Study
The fourth Article of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints affirms this doctrine: “We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (The Pearl of Great Price, The Articles of Faith 1:4.)
Assignment
Study the following materials carefully:
Brian K. Ashton, “The Doctrine of Christ”
D. Todd Christofferson, “The Doctrine of Christ”
Douglas D. Holmes, “The Doctrine of Christ: Our Daily Walk”
Jason Swensen, “Focus on the Doctrine of Christ, Elder Andersen Tells Missionaries Worldwide”
“The Gospel of Jesus Christ,” chapter 3 in Preach My Gospel
By Faith
“What are the laws and the way by which we receive [the blessing of celestial glory]?” asked Elder Harold B. Lee of the Quorum of the Twelve, who later became the eleventh President of the Church. “Well, we have the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel—faith, repentance, baptism, and the Holy Ghost; and in the kingdom of God there are laws which teach us the way to perfection. Any member of the Church who is learning to live perfectly each of the laws that are in the kingdom is learning the way to become perfect.”[1]
Assignment
Read 2 Nephi 31 in the Book of Mormon and ponder what you need to do to live more fully the doctrine of Christ. Consider what you might do to increase your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repent of your sins, receive the ordinances of salvation and exaltation, and endure in faith to the end, helping others do the same. Then set an improvement goal based on your ponderings. Seek the Lord’s help in prayer to fulfill your goal.
Credit for the image at top of the page: Stock photo from depositphotos.com.
