You See It Everywhere

      As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we have a very deep understanding of the gospel, or doctrine of Jesus Christ (or at least we should). When we say the "gospel" do we really know what that means? The Gospel of Jesus Christ has 5 components: faith, repentance, baptism, holy ghost and enduring to the end. 
    First, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Everything starts with faith. When we say we have faith in Christ, we are saying we follow His teachings and trust in Him and His Atonement. Because we have faith, we come to church. Because we have faith we read our scriptures and pray. If a farmer didn't have faith that the seeds that he planted would grow into crops, would he plant seeds in the first place? No. Faith "is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1). Faith brings that hope that keeps us going. It all starts with faith. Faith leads us to change to be more like Christ.
   Second, repentance. Repentance is changing our lives in a way that will bring us closer to God. We all sin. We are all imperfect.  Repentance brings a peace and joy and freedom from the bondage of our sins. In 3 Nephi 7:24, it says, "Now I would have you to remember also, that there were none who were brought unto repentance who were not baptized with water." So in order to fully repent, one must be baptized for the remission of sins.
   Third, baptism. Baptism is a commandment of God. But the important thing is to do it by the proper authority. In the book of Matthew, we read that Jesus sought out John the Baptist to baptize him. Jesus knew that John had the proper authority to baptize. He couldn't just walk up to any man and ask him to baptize him. We also know that one must be baptized by immersion. In Matthew 3:16, it says that when Jesus was baptized, he "went up staightway out of the water.." (see Matt. 3:16).
   Fourth, the gift of the Holy Ghost. In John, Jesus says that a man must be born of water "and of the spirit" to inherit the kingdom of God. To be born of the Spirit means to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. This gift completes the baptism. The baptism of water and the spirit go hand in hand, one cannot be without the other. The Holy Ghost is given to be a companion, a guide and an influence in our lives. The Holy Ghost testifies of truth, it teaches us through our feelings and thoughts.
  Fifth, enduring to the end. In 2 Nephi 31:14-15, it says:

  

 "But, behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying: After ye have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments, by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and can speak with a new tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels, and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me.

  And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved." 

In order to be saved in the kingdom of God, we must endure to the end. Which means coming to church and participating in the sacrament, reading our scriptures, praying sincerely, and repenting constantly. If we do the first 4 steps and don't endure, our journey is meaningless.

   You see these 5 steps prominently in the scriptures. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a pattern of living. It's not a one time thing. Be aware of these 5 components of the gospel as you read the scriptures and learn and grow in the church. You see it everywhere.