The Gospel of Jesus Christ

2 Nephi 31:10-21  3 Nephi 11:31-41  3 Nephi 27:13-22

Just reading the title of this section in my study this morning had a very strong effect on me.  My heart was full, and tears came to my eyes, just like right now as I'm typing this.  I love the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I love my Savior.  I love my relationship with Him as I have come unto Him, as I have learned of Him, as I have followed Him, as I have tried more and more to be like Him.  I have been blessed beyond measure as He has taken so much pain from my life -- and I have had so much pain in my life.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is very simple.  Come unto Christ.  Have faith in Him and His atonement.  Let that faith move you to want to be better, to be rid of the burdens you carry.  Repent.  Show your repentance by following Him into the waters of baptism.  Then He will purify you by the Holy Ghost, and the Holy Ghost will be your companion, to show you how to continue the path to Christ, always following Him.

"These are not steps that [you] experience once in [your life]; rather, when repeated throughout life these principles become an increasingly rewarding pattern of living.

"Obedience to Jesus Christ is a lifelong commitment.  Through exercising faith, repenting, being baptized and committing to serve Christ, and then receiving the Holy Ghost, we can experience healing, forgiveness of sins, and complete conversion to the Savior and His gospel."  (Preach My Gospel, p. 6)

My experience is that this is true.  He always stands with open arms, ready to receive you.  It is a warm and wonderful place to be.

Blessings for the Faithful

Doctrine and Covenants 109
The dedicatory prayer for the Kirtland temple.

What blessings did Joseph Smith request for the faithful?
* God's assistance
* That they might feel His power
* That they may be taught from the best books
* That they may grow up in Him
* That they may receive a fullness of the Holy Ghost
* That they may be organized
* That they may be prepared to obtain every needful thing
* That they might speedily repent
* And be restored to the blessings ordained to be poured out upon them
* That they might be armed with power
* That they may be the bearers of exceedingly great and glorious tidings
* That no weapon formed against them shall prosper
* That no combination of wickedness shall prevail over them
* That there may be an end to lying reports
* Deliverance from under the yoke of persecution
* Forgiveness of transgressions
* The gift of tongues and interpretation of tongues
* Testimony
* Deliverance from the calamity of the wicked
* That they may be prepared for the last day
* That their garments may be pure
* That they may be clothed with robes of righteousness
* That He may hear and answer their prayers
* That they may be lifted up at the last day
* That they may ever be with the Lord