JoltBlog

The Book of Mormon clearly declares that there is "no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord" (Mosiah 3:17). The Savior's example and teachings are "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6) for those seeking eternal life.

This doctrine of Christ, which was understood by the ancient prophets, has now been restored to the world in these latter days through the Book of Mormon. Thus, the Book of Mormon is not just "Another Testament" that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer of all mankind, but it also declares that to come unto Christ, we must also come to know "the very points of his doctrine," in order to "know how to . . . be saved" (1 Nephi 15:14).

The Book of Mormon sets forth and defines the doctrine of Jesus Christ in three distinct passages which were all given by the Savior Himself (see 2 Nephi 31:2-32:6; 3 Nephi 11:31-41; 3 Nephi 27:13-21). Each of these sermons begins and ends with the Savior's affirmation that "this is my gospel" or "this is my doctrine." Although this doctrine is discussed or described in various other places throughout the Book of Mormon, these three sermons provide us with the clearest description of the "very points" of Christ's saving doctrine.

The Savior explains in these Book of Mormon passages that the doctrine of Christ is of God, meaning that it originated with the Father (see 3 Nephi 11:32) and is "the only and true doctrine of the Father" (2 Nephi 31:21). Acceptance of this doctrine will lead to greater faith in both the Father and the Son (see 3 Nephi 11:35; 2 John 1:9). The Savior further testified that the Holy Ghost will confirm this doctrine to every person who desires to know of its truthfulness (see 3 Nephi 11:35-36; 2 Nephi 31:16, 18). He indicated that all the promises contained in this doctrine will be fulfilled by the Father (see 3 Nephi 27:13, 18), meaning that if we accept and live by the doctrine of Christ, we will receive eternal life and eventually inherit all the Father has.

The Book of Mormon explains that we are responsible not only to believe this doctrine but also to act upon it. The Book of Mormon declares the doctrine of Christ to be that all people, everywhere, are commanded to repent and believe in Jesus Christ (see 3 Nephi 11:32, 37; Doctrine and Covenants 10:67), be baptized in His name by His authority in the same manner He was baptized, receive a remission of sins by the Holy Ghost (see 2 Nephi 31:17-18), and endure to the end in faithfulness (see 2 Nephi 31:20). Even the Savior Himself obeyed this doctrine, was baptized, received the Holy Ghost, and endured faithfully in order to fulfill all righteousness (see 2 Nephi 31:4—10).

We are commanded to follow His example, accept the principles (faith in Jesus Christ and repentance), and receive the ordinances (baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost) as He did.

All Must Know and Accept the Doctrine of Christ

No other book of scripture teaches the "very points of his doctrine" (1 Nephi 15:14) with such clarity and power as does the Book of Mormon. According to the Savior, the things written in the Book of Mormon "throw greater views upon my gospel" (Doctrine and Covenants 10:45). Three times in revelation, the Prophet Joseph Smith was informed that the Book of Mormon contains "the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ" (Doctrine and Covenants 20:9; see also 27:5; 42:12).

There is no salvation in false doctrine, no redeeming power in misunderstandings about Jesus Christ, His divinity, nor His mission. As He declared, our ability to inherit eternal life is directly related to our understanding of Christ and His doctrine (see 3 Nephi 27:15—17; John 17:3, 16-17).

A Correct Knowledge of Jesus Christ Existed from the Beginning

Since it is critical to know and have a correct understanding of the doctrine of Christ in order to achieve eternal life, all true prophets have known and taught this doctrine. The Prophet Joseph Smith observed that, "If we start right, it is easy to go right all the time; but if we start wrong, we may go wrong, and it be a hard matter to get right." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith, p. 343.)

This is especially true regarding saving doctrine. There are many opposing opinions about how salvation is obtained, but the Savior is the source of all true doctrine and His doctrine is either revealed from heaven or remains forever unknown (see Jacob 4:8; Isaiah 55:8—9). It cannot be known in any other way.

One of the key reasons the Book of Mormon has been brought forth by the Lord in these latter days is to restore a correct understanding of the plain and precious truths that the ancients had and to end the disputations over His doctrine (see 1 Nephi 13:39-40; 2 Nephi 3:11-12). Joseph of Egypt foresaw that a major accomplishment of the Book of Mormon would be to confound false doctrines and bring people to a knowledge of the Lord's covenants by teaching what the doctrine of Christ is and why it is important to believe in and act upon it (see 2 Nephi 3:12).

Thus, the Book of Mormon clearly teaches that the doctrine of Christ was known from the beginning and that the blessings of the Atonement benefited those who lived before the time of Christ. The people repented and were cleansed and sanctified by the Atonement even before it was performed. It was as if the Messiah had already come among them: "And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men, to declare . . . that . . . whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even as though he had already come among them" (Mosiah 3:13; see also Mosiah 16:6).

What Is the Doctrine of Christ?

Now that we have established that belief in the doctrine of Christ is essential to salvation for all people in all ages, how does the Book of Mormon define this important doctrine? . . . The Book of Mormon declares the doctrine of Christ to be faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer, repentance of sin, baptism by immersion under the hands of those holding the proper priesthood authority, reception of the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and then living in faithful endurance to the end of our lives (see 2 Nephi 31:2-32:6; 3 Nephi 11:31-41; 3 Nephi 27:13-21).

In describing the doctrine of Christ, the Savior testified that it is centered in His redemptive mission. A central feature to this doctrine is that Christ came to this earth by divine appointment of the Father to perform the Atonement, to be lifted up on the cross, and to be resurrected, and thus to save and redeem all mankind (see 3 Nephi 27:13). Christ willingly chose to comply with the will of His Father (see 2 Nephi 31:7) and through His death and Resurrection He provided a way for all humankind to be delivered from physical and spiritual death (see 2 Nephi 31:4). Christ alone obtained the power to draw us unto Him and bring us back into God's presence to be judged of our works (see 3 Nephi 27:14-15).

The doctrine of Christ promises great blessings to those who obey its precepts. Those who repent and are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ will be filled or visited with the Holy Ghost (see 3 Nephi 27:16; 11:35). They will experience a remission of sins by "fire" (2 Nephi 31:17). The Holy Ghost will then "tell" and "show" them all things they should do (2 Nephi 32:3, 5). Those who know "the true points of doctrine" can have daily revelations and experience peace (Helaman 11:22-23). They are "numbered among my people," the Savior declared (3 Nephi 21:6) and are "buil(t) upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them" (3 Nephi 11:39). They will be saved and will inherit the kingdom of God and have eternal life (see 3 Nephi 11:33; 2 Nephi 31:20). If they faithfully endure to the end, they will be held guiltless before the Father when Christ stands to judge the world (see 3 Nephi 27:16).

The doctrine of Christ is also accompanied with several serious warnings. Those who fail to accept this doctrine and who choose not to act upon it can never enter the kingdom of God (see 3 Nephi 11:37-38).

One of the tests of mortality is our degree of willingness to receive truth. We do not have the luxury of choosing how we will be saved. There is only one plan for the salvation of all mankind. There are no other alternatives.

We simply cannot afford to be mistaken in regard to this doctrine. The Book of Mormon, therefore, is an essential key to our salvation because it plainly teaches this doctrine. Its title page states that it came forth so that we might "know the covenants of the Lord . . . and (be convinced) that Jesus is the Christ."

The Keeper of the Gate

The prophets in the Book of Mormon solemnly testified that Christ is the keeper of the gate leading to the celestial kingdom, "and he employeth no servant there" (2 Nephi 9:41). Why is He there? The Book of Mormon answers: He stands with open arms to greet us (see Mormon 6:17). "He denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; . . . all are alike unto God" (2 Nephi 26:33). "Come unto me," He promises, "and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life" (Alma 5:34); "Come unto (me) and partake of (my) goodness" (2 Nephi 26:33).

Whether or not we will have the privilege of greeting Him at the gate of the celestial kingdom will be determined by what we choose to do with His doctrine. In a revelation to Joseph Smith, the Lord indicated that those who rebel and fight against the testimony of Jesus will come forth in the Resurrection after extensive personal suffering, without any glory, and will suffer the second death—a permanent separation from the presence of God (see Doctrine and Covenants 76:35-38; Helaman 14:17-18; Alma 12:16).

Thus, what we decide to do with the testimony (or doctrine) of Jesus will ultimately determine what He does with us. The Savior has declared and the Father has promised that if we will accept the doctrine Christ taught and "press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men, . . . feasting upon the word of Christ and endure to the end," we shall have eternal life (2 Nephi 31:20).

This article was excerpted from W. Jeffrey Marsh's address given at the 2003 Sidney B. Sperry Symposium at BYU. Brother Marsh is an associate professor of ancient scripture at BYU.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEnJ%2BuqpOdu6bD0meaqKVfZ31xgI5qZmxnYmh%2FdIWPcWhonJ%2BYwbO1zZ5kqJ5dmLWztdKtZKudo6m8s7HDZquoZaSdsm7DzqujnQ%3D%3D