To help class members understand and seek the blessings that come from the first principles and ordinances of the gospel: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, and confirmation.
Member Study Guide Scriptures/Questions
- What does it mean to have faith in Jesus Christ? How can we strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ? (See D&C 19:23; 88:118; Alma 32:27.)
- What is repentance? (See D&C 58:42–43.) Why do we need the Savior's Atonement to be forgiven of our sins? (See 2 Nephi 2:6–9.)
- What are the purposes of baptism? (See D&C 18:22;49:13–14.) What qualifications must a person meet to be baptized? (See D&C 20:37.)
- What is the difference between the power of the Holy Ghost and the gift of the Holy Ghost? (See Bible Dictionary, "Holy Ghost," 704.)
- 2 Nephi 25:23
- Alma 42:13–24
- D&C 18:10–13
- D&C 19:15–19
- Articles of Faith 1:3
Additional Historical Resources
- "James Covel and the 'Cares of the World'": This articles discusses the experience of an early investigator, James Covel, who had to choose between faith and familiarity.
- "More Than Food": This short story describes the gift of faith one girl gained from her mother.
- "Repentance as Medicine": In this excerpt, a bishop from Brazil shares an insight about helping people through the repentance process.
- "Rare Footage of First Baptisms in West Africa": The second video on this page includes footage showing groups of believers making their way into a river for baptism in Nigeria in 1978.
Discussion and Application
The Lord restored the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith "line upon line, precept upon precept" (D&C 128:21). Some of the first truths to be restored were the first principles and ordinances of the gospel. Read the fourth article of faith.
1. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel.
The gospel began with an act of faith on the part of Joseph Smith (Joseph Smith—History 1:11–14). The appearance of Moroni also occurred in response to an act of faith by Joseph, who recorded that he had "full confidence in obtaining a divine manifestation" as he prayed for forgiveness (Joseph Smith—History 1:29).
- What does it mean to have faith in Jesus Christ? Why is it important that we center our faith in Jesus Christ?
- How can we strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ? (See D&C 19:23; 88:118; Alma 32:27.) What experiences have helped you strengthen their faith in Christ.
- What are some circumstances in daily life that require us to exercise faith in Christ? How has faith helped you overcome discouragement, weaknesses, or other difficulties? How can faith in Christ strengthen our relationships with others?
- How can we demonstrate our faith in Christ? (See D&C 20:69; James 2:14–17.) How does faith in Christ affect our desire to do good works?
- Read D&C 8:10 with class members. What can we accomplish without faith? What can we accomplish with faith? (see D&C 35:9; 42:48–51; 63:9–11; Moroni 7:33.) How have you seen the power of faith manifested?
- One frequently repeated message in the Doctrine and Covenants is the importance of praying with faith. For example, in D&C 10:46–52 the Lord says that the Book of Mormon was preserved because the ancient prophets had "faith in their prayers" that it would be preserved. What is the role of faith in our prayers?
2. Through sincere repentance, we can partake of the blessings of the Atonement.
Repentance is a major theme in the Doctrine and Covenants. The Lord teaches the doctrine of repentance and repeatedly emphasizes the need to repent. He promises great blessings to those who repent—and punishments for those who do not.
- What is repentance? (See D&C 58:42–43)
- What is the difference between true repentance and merely breaking a bad habit or changing a behavior?President Ezra Taft Benson explained: "Repentance means more than simply a reformation of behavior. … True repentance is based on and flows from faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no other way. True repentance involves a change of heart and not just a change of behavior (see Alma 5:13)" (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 71).
Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve taught that "repentance requires both turning away from evil and turning to God" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1991, 40; or Ensign, Nov. 1991, 30).
- Read D&C 18:11–13 and D&C 19:16–19. What do these passages teach about the Savior's love for us? Why do we need the Savior's Atonement to be forgiven of our sins? (See also 2 Nephi 2:6–9.) Why is it necessary that we repent to be forgiven of our sins? (see forgiveness, Alma 7:14)
- Why is faith in Jesus Christ necessary for us to truly repent?
- What are the consequences of not repenting of our sins? (see D&C 1:33, 19:17–18, and D&C 29:17.)
- What does the Lord promise as we truly repent of our sins? (see D&C 1:32, 58:42, and D&C 109:53.) How has repentance blessed your life?
- Why do we sometimes find it difficult to forgive ourselves or others even though the Lord has promised to forgive us when we repent?
- How can we become more repentant? Why do we sometimes procrastinate our repentance? How can we overcome any pride, discouragement, complacency, or anything else that may keep us from repenting?
Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught: "Repentance is a rescuing, not a dour doctrine. It is available to the gross sinner as well as to the already good individual striving for incremental improvement" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1991, 40; or Ensign, Nov. 1991, 30).
3. Baptism is an essential ordinance.
Faith and repentance lead to baptism, the first ordinance of the gospel. In the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord revealed the purposes, qualifications, and instructions for baptism. Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, John the Baptist restored the priesthood authority that is necessary to perform this ordinance.
- What are the purposes of baptism? (See D&C 18:22;49:13–14, 2 Nephi 9:23; 2 Nephi 31:10–13, 17; Mosiah 18:17.) What are your feelings about their baptism?
- Read D&C 20:37. What qualifications must a person meet to be baptized? What covenants do we make with God when we are baptized? (See also Mosiah 18:8–10.) How can we improve our commitment to keep the promises we made to the Lord when we were baptized?
- What does baptism symbolize? (See D&C 76:51;John 3:3–5; Romans 6:3–4, resurrection)
- Why is it necessary to be baptized by one who has the proper authority? (See D&C 22.) Why is it necessary that baptism be performed by immersion? (See D&C 20:72–74.) Why is it not appropriate to baptize a person before he or she reaches age eight? (See D&C 20:71; 29:46–47; 68:25; Moroni 8:9–12.)
4. Through the ordinance of confirmation, we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead and a "personage of Spirit" (D&C 130:22). After baptism by water, Church members receive the gift of the Holy Ghost through the ordinance of confirmation (D&C 33:15; 35:5–6). This ordinance is also called the "baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost" (D&C 20:41). The Prophet Joseph Smith said, "Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without … the baptism of the Holy Ghost" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 314).
- What is the difference between a manifestation of the Holy Ghost and the gift of the Holy Ghost?Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve taught: "Manifestations of the Holy Ghost are given to lead sincere seekers to gospel truths that will persuade them to repentance and baptism. The gift of the Holy Ghost is more comprehensive. … [It] includes the right to constant companionship, that we may 'always have his Spirit to be with [us]' (D&C 20:77)" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1996, 80; or Ensign, Nov. 1996, 60).
Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve compared the manifestations of the Holy Ghost that a person can receive before baptism to flashes of lightning that "[blaze] forth in a dark and stormy night." He compared the gift of the Holy Ghost that a person receives after baptism to "the continuing blaze of the sun at noonday, shedding its rays on the path of life and on all that surrounds it" (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 262). - Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost does not automatically ensure that the Holy Ghost will always be with us. What must we do for the Holy Ghost to be with us continually?
President Joseph Fielding Smith said, "The Holy Ghost will not dwell with that person who is unwilling to obey and keep the commandments of God or who violates those commandments willfully" (Church News, 4 Nov. 1961, 14). - What are some functions of the Holy Ghost?
- How has the Holy Ghost blessed you in these or other ways?
- How can we enjoy these blessings more fully in our lives?
5. We must endure to the end in faith to receive eternal life.
When we are baptized, we enter the path that leads to exaltation. However, this single experience does not ensure that we will be exalted. As the Lord frequently admonishes in the Doctrine and Covenants, we must also keep the covenants we made at baptism to endure faithfully to the end of our lives.
- Read 2 Nephi 31:19–20 and D&C 14:7. What does it mean to endure to the end? What blessings has the Lord promised us if we endure to the end?
- What experiences have taught you the value of remaining true to your beliefs and covenants?
- Read D&C 24:8. Explain that enduring to the end includes remaining faithful during the trials of life. How can we remain faithful during difficult times?
- What has helped you endure difficult experiences?
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