Salvation from Physical Death O u r H e a v e n l y Father h a s g i v e n us this mortal life to enable u s to become more like h i m . T h e r e are t w o major obstacles to this goal. T h e first is p h y s i c a l d e a t h — t h e separation of the spirit from the p h y s i c a l b o d y . A l t h o u g h the spirit continues to live o n , the imperfect, mortal b o d y dies. T h i s p h y s i c a l death is overcome t h r o u g h the resurrection of Jesus C h r i s t . R e s u r r e c t i o n is the r e u n i t i n g of the spirit w i t h a glorified, i m m o r t a l body. Because of C h r i s t , all of u s w i l l be resurrected. Additional Study P h y s i c a l death is the separation of the spirit f r o m the mortal body: Ecclesiastes 12:7; A l m a 40:11 (p. 308)* Because of the resurrection of C h r i s t , w e a l l w i l l overcome p h y s i c a l death: 1 C o r i n t h i a n s 15:20-22; 2 T i m o t h y 1:10; A l m a 11:42 (p. 236) Resurrection is the u n i t i n g of the spirit w i t h the glorified, i m m o r t a l b o d y : A l m a 11:43-44 (p. 236); A l m a 40:21-23 (p. 309)
BECOMING HEAVENLY
LIKE OUR FATHER
Obstacles Physical death Spiritual death Atonement Resurrection Forgiveness
* References to the Book of Mormon are followed by the page number where the passage is found. All other references are to the Bible.
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Salvation from S i n T h e s e c o n d m a j o r obstacle to our becoming like o u r H e a v e n l y F a t h e r is s i n . T o enable u s to g r o w , G o d h a s m a d e u s free to choose b e t w e e n good a n d e v i l , b e t w e e n o b e y i n g or d i s o b e y i n g h i m . T o act against the w i l l of G o d is to c o m m i t s i n a n d become u n c l e a n . S i n leads to u n b a p p i n e s s i n this life a n d after this life. T h r o u g h the a t o n e m e n t of J e s u s C h r i s t , w e c a n be c l e a n s e d f r o m s i n a n d become w o r t h y to r e t u r n to o u r F a t h e r . J e s u s also taught u s w h a t w e m u s t do to m a k e h i s atonement effective for u s p e r s o n a l l y . T h e s e steps are the first principles a n d o r d i n a n c e s of fhe gospel. A d d i t i o n a l Study W e are free to choose b e t w e e n good a n d e v i l : J a m e s 4:17; 2 N e p h i 10:23 ( p . 80); H e l a m a n 14:30-31 ( p . 403) S i n separates u s f r o m G o d : I s a i a h 59:2; 1 N e p h i 10:21 ( p . 19); M o s i a h 2:36-38 ( p . 150) J e s u s p r e p a r e d the w a y for u s to be cleansed f r o m o u r s i n s : 1 J o h n 1:7; A l m a 22:14 ( p . 264); A l m a 34:8-9 ( p . 293) C h r i s t has g i v e n u s certain r e q u i r e m e n t s for m a k i n g h i s atonement effective i n our lives: R o m a n s 2:13; H e b r e w s 5:8-9; 2 N e p h i 9:23-24 ( p . 74); 3 N e p h i 27:19-20 ( p . 459)
FIRST PRINCIPLES ORDINANCES
AND
Faith
Baptism
Repentance
Gift of the Holy Ghost
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Faith in Jesus Christ The first principle of the gospel is faith i n J e s u s Christ. T o h a v e faith means that w e f i r m l y believe he is the Savior of the w o r l d . W e accept his atonement a n d do all he has a s k e d u s to do. We w a n t w i t h all our hearts to keep h i s c o m m a n d m e n t s . W e center o u r hearts o n h i m and follow his perfect e x a m p l e . Additional Study Faith i n Jesus C h r i s t is essential to s a l v a t i o n : M a r k 16:16; H e b r e w s 11:6; 3 N e p h i 11:33-34 (p. 430); M o r o n i 7:38 (p. 524) H o w can w e exercise faith i n C h r i s t ? J o h n 14 :12; A l m a 34:17 (p. 294); M o r o n i 8:25 ( p . 526) What is the relationship b e t w e e n faith a n d obedience? M a t t h e w 7:21; J o h n 7:17; J o h n 14 :15; James 2:14-26; 3 N e p h i 14:21-27 ( p . 436)
Repentance A s our faith i n C h r i s t g r o w s , w e w i l l feel the need to repent of our s i n s . T o repent, w e m u s t feel sincere sorrow that w e h a v e s i n n e d a n d a s k God to forgive u s . W e m u s t do all that w e can to correct any h a r m w e have done. W e s h o u l d also experience a "change of h e a r t . " T h i s m e a n s that we lose all desire for the s i n , t u r n a w a y f r o m it, and do it no more. T h r o u g h o u t our lives w e w i l l need to continue the process of repentance w h e n e v e r w e fall short of the perfect e x a m p l e of Jesus. Additional Study Repentance is essential to s a l v a t i o n : A c t s 17:30; 2 N e p h i 9:23 (p. 74) We must feel s o r r o w , not because w e w i l l suffer the consequences of our s i n s , but because w e 3
have disobeyed our Father a n d h u r t others: 2 C o r i n t h i a n s 7:9-10; A l m a 42:29 (p. 313); M o r m o n 2:13-14 (p. 471) W h e n w e repent, w e experience a " c h a n g e of h e a r t , " a n d our behavior changes: A c t s 26:20; 2 C o r i n t h i a n s 5:17; E p h e s i a n s 4:22-24; M o s i a h 5:2 (p. 157)
Baptism by Water and by the Spirit F a i t h a n d repentance lead us to b a p t i s m . Jesus taught that w e m u s t be baptized by i m m e r s i o n i n water for the r e m i s s i o n (or forgiveness) of s i n s . T h r o u g h baptism w e enter a covenant w i t h G o d . W e promise w e w i l l accept C h r i s t a n d keep h i s c o m m a n d m e n t s . H e promises to forgive our sins if w e keep this covenant. A f t e r baptism w e receive the H o l y G h o s t by the l a y i n g on of h a n d s . T h e H o l y G h o s t has a sanctifying, cleansing effect o n u s . W e can enjoy the constant c o m p a n i o n s h i p of the H o l y G h o s t as w e r e m a i n w o r t h y . T h e H o l y G h o s t h e l p s us recognize the t r u t h , gives strength i n d o i n g w h a t is right, a n d comforts us i n s o r r o w s or trials. Additional Study B a p t i s m is essential to salvation: M a r k 16:16; J o h n 3:3-5; 2 N e p h i 9:23 (p. 74); 3 N e p h i 11:33-34 (p. 430) W h a t does baptism by i m m e r s i o n s y m b o l i z e ? R o m a n s 6:3-4; 3 N e p h i 11:23-26 ( p . 429) W e make promises w i t h G o d w h e n w e are baptized: 2 N e p h i 31:5-10 (p. 113); M o s i a h 18:8-10 (p. 181) W h a t blessings come t h r o u g h the H o l y G h o s t ? 2 N e p h i 32:5 (p. 115); M o s i a h 5:2 (p. 157); 3 N e p h i 27:20 (p. 459); M o r o n i 8:26 (p. 526); M o r o n i 10:3-5 (p. 529) 4
Obedience to the Commandments of G o d T o k e e p o u r b a p t i s m a l c o v e n a n t a n d enjoy the c o m p a n i o n s h i p of the H o l y G h o s t , w e m u s t strive to obey all the c o m m a n d m e n t s of G o d . T h e c o m m a n d m e n t s are not restrictions, but are actually directions. T h e y point out the path w e m u s t f o l l o w to gain peace a n d true h a p p i n e s s . G o d h a s r e a f f i r m e d i n o u r d a y that he expects us to obey h i s c o m m a n d m e n t s . T o disobey G o d leads to u n b a p p i n e s s . T o embrace his c o m m a n d m e n t s brings h a p p i n e s s i n this life a n d eternal life w i f h h i m . Additional Study G o d gives u s c o m m a n d m e n t s to point out the w a y w e c a n r e t u r n to h i m : P r o v e r b s 6:23; P s a l m s 119:105-6; A l m a 37:44 ( p . 304) O n l y b y o b e y i n g the c o m m a n d m e n t s of G o d can w e f i n d lasting peace a n d h a p p i n e s s : I s a i a h 57:21; 1 N e p h i 17:3 ( p . 36); M o s i a h 2:32-33, 41 ( p . 150); H e l a m a n 13:38 ( p . 400) T h e disobedient a n d u n r e p e n t a n t w i l l not be s a v e d i n their s i n s : 1 N e p h i 15:32-33 ( p . 32); A l m a 11:37, 41 ( p . 236)
What C a n Y o u D o to Prepare for Baptism? 1. C o n t i n u e r e a d i n g i n the Book of M o r m o n . Suggested readings:
D i s c u s s w h a t y o u h a v e r e a d w i t h a member of T h e C h u r c h of Jesus C h r i s t of L a t t e r - d a y Saints. 2. P r a y for the desire a n d the strength to obey the c o m m a n d m e n t s of G o d . 3. P r a y earnestly to k n o w w h e t h e r y o u s h o u l d be b a p t i z e d a n d become a member of T h e C h u r c h of J e s u s C h r i s t of Latter-day Saints. 6
4. A t t e n d w o r s h i p services of the C h u r c h w i t h a Church member. Address:Time:5. T a k e part i n the t h i r d d i s c u s s i o n w i t h the missionaries. Next Appointments: Discussion 3 Discussion 4 Discussion 5 Discussion 6 B a p t i s m a l Date:_
Š 1986 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. A l l rights reserved Printed in the United States of America
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