The Gift Of The Holy Ghost

 Jesus taught that in order to enter into the kingdom of God we must be baptized by water and of the Spirit. Baptism by the spirit means that our baptism must be followed by receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. If we fail to do this, the baptism is incomplete. It is only when we receive baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost that can we receive a remission of our sins and become completely spiritually reborn.

 "In this busy, tumultuous, and noisy world, it is not like a wind, it is not like a fire, it is not like an earthquake; but it is a still, small, but a very discernible voice, and it causes a throbbing heart.."- Richard C. Edgley

Baptism

"By Small And Simple Things" By the California San Jose Mission

 Having faith in Jesus Christ and repenting of our sins leads us to our first ordinance of the gospel which is baptism. An ordinance is a sacred ceremony or rite that shows that we are entering into a covenant with God. A covenant is a two way promise between you and God in which the terms are set by God. God has always required His children to make covenants.

  God is a just God and will keep His promise to bless us as we live up to the covenants we make with Him. Keeping covenants brings blessings in this life and exaltation in the life to come. Covenants place us under a strong obligation to honor our commitments to God. Our covenants should be reminders to us that we need to repent every day of our lives.

 When we are baptized we make our first covenant with God. We covenant to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, always remember Him, and keep His commandments. As we keep our part of the covenant, God promises us in return the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, a remission of our sins, and to be spiritually born again.

Repentance

  The second principle of the gospel is repentance. Repentance is much more than just acknowledging our wrongdoings. To repent is to change our thoughts, beliefs, and actions that are not in harmony with Christ's will. It is a change of mind and heart that includes turning away from sin and turning to God for forgiveness. Repentance should be motivated by our love for our Heavenly Father and the sincere desire to obey His commandments.  

  The scriptures make it very clear that “no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven” (Alma 11:37). Our sins make us unclean, and therefore make us unworthy to return and dwell in the presence of our Heavenly Father. They also bring unhappiness and anguish to our lives.

"Lost No More" by Greg Olsen

Faith

  The first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. What is faith? In Hebrews 11:1 we read, "faith is the substance (or assurance) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. In the Book of Mormon, The prophet Alma similarly teaches us that "If ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true” (Alma 32:21). Faith is more than just merely believing in something. Faith an action word. If we truly have faith in something, then we will act upon it. For example, we have faith that God lives so we act upon that faith and pray to Him daily because we have hope that He hears and answers our prayers. Alma goes on to explain that faith is compared to a seed. When we plant a seed we must nourish it, water it, give it sunlight, and provide circumstances for it to grow. So it is with faith.. We grow our faith by reading the scriptures, saying our daily prayers, obeying God's commandments, and living Christ like lives. As we do these things, our faith in Jesus Christ and our testimonies will grow.

Through Christ We Can Become Cleansed From Sin

Because of Christ’s Atonement and Resurrection, all people will be brought back into the presence of the Lord to be judged according to their works and their desires. We will be judged according to the laws of justice and mercy.

 Justice is the unchanging law that brings consequences for our actions. We receive blessings for obedience to God’s commandments and penalties for disobedience. We are all human, commit sin, and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Sin makes us unclean, and no unclean thing can live in God’s presence (3 Nephi 27:19).

 You Can Be Freed Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. All Can be Transformed, Cleansed, and Freed From Addiction and Sin.

 That truth can be quite overwhelming and actually scary. That is why I am grateful for the Savior, Jesus Christ, who satisfied the demands of justice for all those who rely on His atoning sacrifice and sincerely repent of their sins. Jesus literally took upon himself the sins of all mankind. I do not think any mortal mind can wrap their minds around Christ's atonement for us. However, we can feel of the love and the power from the atonement. Because of this selfless act, Christ can plead with the Father in our behalf. Heavenly Father can have mercy on us, withold punishment, and eventually welcome us into his glorious presence. 

The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

  The word gospel means good news. The good news is that Jesus Christ has made a perfect atonement for mankind that will redeem all mankind from the grave and from sin. The gospel is also known as the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is our Heavenly Father's plan of happiness, with Christ's atonement being at the center of it. The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “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” (Articles of Faith 1:4).
  In its fulness, the gospel includes all the doctrines, principles, laws, ordinances, and covenants necessary for us to receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom. The Savior has promised that if we endure to the end, faithfully living the gospel, He will hold us guiltless before the Father at the Final Judgment (see 3 Nephi 27:16).

   The fulness of the gospel has been preached in all ages when God's children have been prepared to receive it. Jesus Christ's church and true gospel were on the earth when He was here. Over time, that gospel was distorted and lost. Because Heavenly father is so loving, He has restored the fulness of the gospel in the latter days, or the dispensation of the fulness of times, through the Prophet Joseph Smith. 

  My next few posts will be focused on each principle of the gospel and expounding on them.

Kingdoms of Glory

  During our life on earth we make choices regarding good and evil. God rewards us according to our works and desires. Because God rewards everyone according to our works in the flesh, there are different kingdoms of glory to which we may be assigned after the Judgment. Those who choose the right in this life will "be called great in the kingdom of heaven" while those who do not choose the right will "be called the least in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:19). We will be rightfully judged and will all be placed in one particular "kingdom of glory."

  Those who have accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ, repented of their sins, were baptized by proper authority, received the Holy Ghost, and kept the associated covenants will be cleansed by the Atonement of Christ. They will receive exaltation in the highest kingdom, also known as the celestial kingdom. Those who inherit the celestial kingdom will live in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ’s presence, become like them, and receive a fulness of joy. They will live together for eternity with those of their family who qualify. In the scriptures this kingdom is compared to the glory or brightness of the sun.

   People who do not accept the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ but still lived good lives will receive a place in the terrestrial kingdom. This kingdom is compared to the glory of the moon.

   Those who continued in their sins and did not repent in this life will receive their reward in the lowest kingdom, which is called the telestial kingdom. This kingdom is compared to the glory of the stars.

  It is important to remember that everybody will have an equal opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, whether it is in this life or in the next.

Resurrection, Judgement, and Immortality

 Because of Jesus Christ's atonement and rising from death, we will all be one day resurrected as well. This is a free gift that will be given to everybody - regardless of if they are good or evil. To be resurrected means that our bodies and spirits will again come together and will never be separated. We will never again have pain or sicknesses, and our bodies will be in their "perfect state" (Alma 11:43-44). In other words, through the resurrection, all people will become immortal—they will live forever. Although immortality is a free gift, eternal life is not. Eternal life is a gift that is given only to those who obey Christ's gospel. It is the highest state that we can achieve. It comes to those who are freed from sin and suffering through the Atonement of Christ. It is exaltation, which means living with God forever in eternal families. It is to know God and Jesus Christ and to experience the life they enjoy.

  After we are resurrected, we will be brought into God’s presence to be judged. God is a fair and a just God. Justice is the unchanging law that brings consequences for our actions. However, our Savior Jesus Christ satisfied the demands of justice when he died for us. He made it possible for all of us to be clean from sin so that we can stand spotless before God. When we are judged, we will remember perfectly our righteousness and our guilt. If we have repented, we will receive mercy. We will be rewarded according to our works and our desires.

Baptisms For The Dead

  The Savior taught that baptism is essential to earn salvation. Many people, however, have died without being baptized. Others have been baptized without proper authority. Because God is merciful, He has prepared a way for all people to receive the blessings of baptism.

  
   The New Testament indicates that baptisms for the dead were done during the time of the Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 15:29). This ordinance was restored with the establishment of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. By performing proxy baptisms in behalf of those who have died, Church members offer these blessings to deceased ancestors. Some people have misunderstood that when baptisms for the dead are performed, deceased persons are baptized into the Church against their will. This is not the case. Each individual has agency, or the right to choose. The validity of a baptism for the dead depends on the deceased person accepting it and choosing to accept and follow the Savior while residing in the spirit world.
  Baptisms for the dead and other saving ordinances for the deceased are performed in the Holy Temples.

Where Do I Go When I Die?

  "Where do I go when I die?" This is perhaps one of the most sought after questions in this life. That unavoidable time will come when we will all die. Though death is never an easy thing, we can gain peace knowing that death is indeed part of Heavenly Father's plan for us.

  When we die, our bodies and spirits are temporarily separated. Our bodies go down into the grave and our spirits go to a place called the spirit world. There are two parts to this spirit world - spirit prison and spirit paradise. Those who accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ and chose to obey God in this life will go to spirit paradise. They will live in a state of happiness, peace, and rest from troubles and care. Death does not change our personalities or characteristics (Alma 34:34).

  Those who chose not to obey in this life and did not repent will go to spirit prison and will live in a state of unhappiness. Also, there are so many people that never had the opportunity to hear of Jesus Christ's gospel while on this earth. It would be very unfair for God to just leave them, and many others, in a state of endless misery. Since our Heavenly Father is so loving, he has provided a way for those spirits in prison to achieve happiness in paradise. In spirit paradise, the gospel will be preached to those in spirit prison - those who did not obey the gospel or have the opportunity to hear it while on earth.
  Jesus Christ died on the cross and was resurrected on the third day. So.. What was Jesus doing on those three days before He was risen again? He was teaching those spirits in prison (See: 1 Peter 3:19, (1 Peter 4:6).
  We will remain in the spirit world until we are resurrected.


Other "spirit world" scripture references: D&C 138

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

 John 3:16 reads, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." I am so grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves me enough to send His son to die for me. Before the world was organized, God chose Jesus Christ to be our Savior and Redeemer (John 17:5). This atoning sacrifice made it possible for all of us in mortality to overcome the effects of the fall, namely sin and death. All of the prophets since the world began have testified of Jesus Christ as our Redeemer.

Through the Savior's atonement, we are able to feel peace, strength, overcome burdens,

 and feel a greater abundance of the love of God.