When I was on my mission, I learned some great truths about the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
1. It is simple - there are no extraneous, unnecessary, or complicated things with relation to the Gospel. It is clear and easy to understand.
2. Because it is simple, it is easy to teach and to understand. Many of the complicated catechisms and dogmas of the various other sects and religions are wiped away, much like the convoluted explanations and mathematical formulas were wiped away once Copernicus noted that the earth revolved around the sun. Who knew?!?
3. It is also infinitely rich and powerful. Just because something is simple and easy to understand does not mean that there isn't a wealth of knowledge and experience to be gained from searching diligently the precepts and possibilities that are contained in the Gospel.
Here it is:
Man, in the beginning, lived with God as spirit children of a loving Heavenly Father. A plan was presented in which people were given the opportunity to come to earth and gain physical bodies, such as our Father had. We rejoiced. But there were some who rebelled, and these became the devil and his legions. Thus, sin and temptation entered the picture - for the devil seeks to destroy our souls.
The first one among us to get a physical body was Adam, followed closely by his wife Eve. They began life in a paradisaical state (the Garden of Eden). They eventually gave in to the temptation of the devil and partook of the forbidden fruit (the fall of man), thereby transgressing the word and will of God. From that point onward, sin and death became possible to us as physical beings. Keep in mind - sin is spiritual death (hell), or spiritual separation of one from the will and presence of God, while physical death (what we normally think of as death) means the separation of the eternal portion of our being (our spirits) from the physical portion. It is clear from spiritual, doctrinal, and anecdotal evidences that spiritual and physical death pass on us all as a result of the fall - that is, we all die, and we all sin and separate ourselves from God.
We needed a way to overcome the effects of these transgressions. On the one hand, none of us could overcome physical death - we cannot command our own bodies to receive our spirits anew. On the other hand, we each succumb to temptation and fall short of what we know we should be. Our elder brother, Jesus Christ, said He would come and take our sins on Him - He being perfect and therefore the only one worthy to perform such an act, becoming the Lamb of God without blemish. He also, by right of His divine Parentage, had the ability to take up His body again. Thus, through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved - from physical death by resurrection, which is a free gift to all to overcome the physical death which comes on all without regard to righteousness; and from spiritual death through our own efforts and through His grace. Thus we are saved from the grave and redeemed from hell.
The resurrection of our physical bodies is a free gift. The only prerequisite for that gift is birth and inevitable death. But the redemption is not free - it is contingent on our righteous desires and actions. Thus, the first principles and saving ordinances of the Gospel:
1. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Without faith it is impossible to even begin the journey. If you do not believe that Christ can atone for our sins and overcome the effects of them through His blood - why even bother? It is ineffective and inoperable.
2. Repentance. On learning about Christ and His life, having faith in the atonement and mission of the Lord, we view ourselves as unworthy creatures and have desires to better our lives. This is repentance. This mighty change of heart is possible only to those who are humble and submissive and meek, and represents a complete life change.
3. Baptism. Many have come to misunderstand this vital and saving ordinance. They have construed that this ordinance, which is an outward expression of the first two principles which have come to mean so much to the converted soul's experience, is not necessary. Why, then, was Christ Himself baptized? He was baptized to show us an example, but also to be obedient to the commandments of God. It is an outward expression, but it is also a requirement. It must also be performed by proper authority (more on that later).
4. The unspeakable Gift of the Holy Ghost. Having made these commitments to God, God in turn promises us much - the gift of having a member of the Godhead to be with us always. The Holy Spirit is our constant companion, if we are worthy and desire it. The Spirit is easily offended, however, and we must constantly strive to live our lives in such a way that we are able to retain the companionship of this God. The Holy Ghost purifies, cleanses, and (most importantly) testifies of truth and of Jesus Christ. It is through the Holy Ghost that we truly become the kind of people we MUST become. It is through the ministrations of the Holy Ghost that we become converted, clean, and able to function as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.
5. Endure to the end. Having come to this experience, we are then required to continue on the path - that strait and narrow way of which much has been spoken. This is where the companionship of the Holy Ghost is so vital - with out this Gift we are left to ourselves and can find ourselves adrift with out an anchor, without a helm, and without a moral compass. The Holy Ghost inspires, directs, and keeps us strong and close to what we know is true. The cleansing and purifying effects of the Holy Ghost is not a one-time event. These feelings can come as often as necessary to testify of truth and to make anew the effectiveness of the atonement of Jesus Christ.
Central to all of this, of course, is the atonement of Christ. We will all come to be resurrected. And we will all come to stand before God our Eternal Father at some point to be judged. The resurrection, as stated above, is a gift. But the conditions on which we are brought back to the presence of God to be judged are our own making. The way is steep and the path is narrow. But it is possible.
And that's it. There's no more. This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And it is true - marvelous and rich, simple and elegant. It speaks to the soul and rings of truth. This is the rock upon which if men build they cannot fall...
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