We are now on to Article of Faith #4.

"4 We believe that the

first principles and ordinances

of the Gospel are:

first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ;

second, Repentance;

third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins;

fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost."

This article of faith starts out with 2 different words. Principle and Ordinance

A Principle is something that we believe in.  Something on which we can build on.

Faith and Repentance

An Ordinance is the act in which we make a promise.  When we excercise the principles, we desire to make those promises with God and we do that through the ordinances.

Baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost



2 Nephi 31:10-12

" And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me...

And the Father said:

Repent ye, repent ye,

and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son. 

And also, the voice of the Son came unto me saying:

 He that is baptized in my name,

to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost,

Like unto me;

wherefore, follow me,

and do the things which ye have seen me do."

These are the things that we do to find peace and joy in our lives.  God has told us that this is the way that will help us find Joy in this life and in the next life as well.  We develop the principles of Faith and Repentance. We work on those and then that brings the desires to be baptized, forgiven of ALL sins, and recieve the gift of the Holy Ghost as our constant guide. 

Baptism

Why do members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints put such an emphasis on being baptized?  What's the big deal!?

Well, Christ told us in John 3:5

"Jesus answered,

 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 

Except a man be born 

of water and of the Spirit, 

he cannot enter into the 

kingdom of God." 

So we HAVE to be baptized to enter in the kingdom of God!  Everyone should want that.  To be able to live with God again, what a blessing!  But Christ himself said that we have to be baptized by someone holding the priesthood authority of God to be able to live with God again.  We desire EVERYONE to receive this blessing.  THAT is why we want EVERYONE to be baptized so that they can live with God again. 

And once we are baptized we are cleansed from all sin.  We will be held

"guiltless before my 

Father at the day 

when I shall stand 

to judge the world." 3 Nephi 27:16  

Because  

"no unclean thing can 

enter into his kingdom." 3 Nephi 27:19 

we need that cleansing power that comes from being baptized and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost to be found 'clean' to enter into God's kingdom!

Two people desired to show God that they were willing to obey His commandments and to follow the example of Jesus Christ and were baptized this weekend.  They both said how clean they felt and how happy they are!  There is only one way in this life to feel this way, and it is through baptism!  

Stephanie Dobbins                Justin Marquardt