An Overview of the Doctrine of Christ

[pam]

The doctrine of Christ as explained by Nephi in 2 Nephi includes the following elements:

1. Approaching the task “with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent” (31:13).

2. Seeking understanding, to be “brought into the light,” through prayer and effort (32:4, 8, 9).

3. “Repenting of your sins” (31:13).

4. Being “willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water” (31:13).

5. Receiving “the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost” (31:13).

6. Pressing “forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men [and] feasting upon the word of Christ” (31:20; 32:3).

7. Enduring “to the end” (31:20).

8. Receiving the promise of eternal life (31:20).

Larry E. Dahl, “The Doctrine of Christ,” The Book of Mormon: Second Nephi, The Doctrinal Structure, Vol 3, p. 356

[rameumptom]

I see the Doctrine of Christ, as explained in 2 Ne 31 and 3 Ne 11 as being this: the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are one God and we must be one with them (and each other). We do this by having Faith in Christ, Repenting of sins, Baptism and other ordinances, Receiving the Gift Holy Ghost.

This is a grace issue, where as Christ moved from grace to grace, receiving grace for grace, we are to do the same thing (D&C 93). We develop faith to a certain level. We realize we don't quite live up to that level of faith. We repent of our weaknesses. We then partake of or renew ordinances (baptism, sacrament, priesthood, temple). When we are worthy, we receive the Holy Spirit (of Promise) at a higher level of righteousness, and he seals us to a new level of grace.