First Principles!

"Preach the first principles of the Gospel, preach them over again: you will find that day after day new ideas and additional light concerning them will be revealed to you. You can enlarge upon them so as to comprehend them clearly. You will then be able to make them more plainly understood by those (you) teach." -Hyrum Smith

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.

I would first like to talk about faith in Christ. I recently struggled with my faith in Christ. I feared, so much that everything I did was wrong, I feared sin, for the reasons that I feared not being able to make it to the celestial kingdom. My Mother gave me some great advice. That was to study the scriptures. As I study my scriptures, my fear is replaced by faith, bringing me such great peace. Now I know, even if I had committed sins, that repentance is not a scary thing once you fully understand the gospel of Jesus Christ. Having faith in Christ is the first step to developing peace.

Second, repentance. Once having faith in Christ, repentance becomes so much easier, as we are able to fully rely on Christ to take away all of our guilt. This gospel is a gospel of change! Changing constantly to become more like Christ. I am always repenting. Whether it is repenting of a lack of patience with my siblings, or a bigger mistake, through Christ I am able to be made perfect. It is a glorious thing.


Third, baptism by immersion. Some may ask... Why is it necessary to baptized?? Here is a great answer by Harold B. Lee "When we went into the waters of baptism we entered into a covenant with the Lord that we would do all within our power to keep God’s commandments, with the understanding that the Lord’s promises would be given to us and His glory would be added forever and ever, and that we would let our lives be so ordered that we would serve as witnesses of God in all places even until death. [See Mosiah 18:8–10.] It was that covenant we made when we were baptized members of this Church. 9"


When I was Baptized, I took on the name of Jesus Christ. This means that I will always strive to fully live his commandments. Even Christ was baptized to "fulfill all righteousness". (Mathew 3:15). If we want the full benefits of Christs atonement we MUST be baptized.


Fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. Every baptized member has hands laid upon his head or her head and the elders, after confirming him or her a member of the Church, said, “Receive the Holy Ghost.” Then they may have repeated the words that the Master spoke to His disciples when He told them about the Comforter or the Holy Ghost, which was to come: It will bring all things to your remembrance. It will teach you all things. It will show you things to come. [SeeJohn 14:26; 16:13.] And so if I were confirming you a member of the Church, I would confer upon you the gift of the Holy Ghost, which shall be a lamp to your feet and a guide to your path, which shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance and show you things to come. 12

The Holy Ghost is the 3rd member of the Godhead, and the best gift that Heavenly Father could give me here on this earth. He helps me discern right from wrong. He is who speaks all truth to me. Through the Holy Ghost I have the guidance that brings peace to me each and every day of my life! I will forever love my Heavenly Father for this gift that I have every hour of every day as I am striving to live the commandments.

The Holy Ghost also comforts me. He dries my tears and wraps me in a hug.

He will always be my constant companion, as long as I am keeping the commandments and living righteously.


This is my testimony, and some research that I have done on the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel. For more information, Harold B. Lee does an excellent job in telling of these first principles.


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