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The Doctrine of Jesus Christ

​"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; ​but speaking the truth in love, ​may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”
Ephesians 4:14-15

We humbly invite all to follow the Doctrine of Jesus Christ by repenting, believing in Christ, becoming as a little child, being baptized or re-baptized, and seeking to receive the Holy Ghost.

After His resurrection, our Lord Jesus Christ, “speaking the truth in love,” used 340 words to teach others about His doctrine.
​These are Christ's words to them, and to us.

Read them
Hear them

The plain and precious doctrine of Jesus Christ includes the following...

Repentance
Repentance is sometimes called “turning to face God”. When we repent we must recognize our unacceptable behavior and forsake it, and do our best never to return to it. Repentance means changing our unacceptable and offensive behavior to behavior that accords with God’s will and pleases Him.

True repentance always brings forgiveness. True repentance will turn our minds to Christ and give us a desire to be as He is, and to do as He does. Our hearts will turn to others with love and compassion. We will want to follow Jesus Christ's example in all things.

What is repentance and what do we need to repent of?

Believing in Jesus Christ
Although the Savior did not use the word “faith” in describing His doctrine, His use of the word “believe” is generally understood to be synonymous with “faith”. When we believe in Christ we are willing to believe all that He tells us is the truth. We are willing to believe in the promises He makes and the blessings He offers. When we believe in Christ, He becomes the sole recipient of our trust and our desire. We are willing to believe in the example set by Christ in all things. We will accept His commandments and walk in obedience to them.

What is faith and
​why is it so critical to salvation?

Becoming as a Little Child
​Christ used this phrase, “become as a little child”, twice in His teaching of His doctrine. Although it seems as though He simply repeated himself, there is a subtle difference in the placement of the phrase, which becomes very important in the sequence of development.
First, we are to “…repent, become as a little child, and be baptized…”
Second, we are to “…repent, be baptized, and become as a little child…”
Thus, we should become as a little child before and after baptism.

​Becoming as a little child means that certain qualities of character will become more pronounced in our behavior (Mosiah 3:19). We will be:
  • Meek
  • Humble
  • Quick and complete when forgiving others
  • Curious and willing to learn good things
  • Willing to submit to correction and still love
  • Contently reliant on our parent (God)
  • Happy and grateful when good things are given
  • Constantly growing in experience and intelligence

​Becoming as a little child does not mean becoming “childish”.
Being Baptized
Baptism is the act we perform to show God the Father that we are sincere in our desire to follow His Son, Jesus Christ. By being baptized we also take Christ’s name upon ourselves and become potential heirs of the Kingdom of God. Baptism will ultimately lead one to receive a personal witness of Jesus Christ from the Father through the power of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is given to be our constant companion.
Learn more
about Baptism
& Rebaptism
HOW ARE
BAPTISMS
​​PERFORMED?
x
Baptisms are performed by immersion in "living waters" outside of a church building using these words:
"Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
This baptism does not make you, or require you to become, a member of any organized church or religion, but is only a sign between you and God that you sincerely believe in Jesus Christ, wish to follow only Him, and keep His commandments.

Even if you are a member of another church and intend to continue to serve in a denomination of your choice, we respect your choice of where, how, and with whom you choose to worship. However, we believe that baptism must be performed by someone having authority from Jesus Christ.
​Rebaptism
Among Early
​Latter-day
​saints
REQUEST
BAPTISM ​OR
​​RE-BAPTISM
x

Request Baptism or Rebaptism

If you have not been baptized, or would like to be baptized again, please let us know using the form below. There are those who have authority given to them from Jesus Christ to administer the ordinance who will travel to you, anywhere in the world, to perform the ordinance. The ordinance is free, and the service is provided without any charge or expectation of any gift or donation. Your request and personal information are kept strictly confidential.
Submit
OFFICIAL
RECORDING OF
​​BAPTISMS
x
​After a person has been baptized, they may submit minimal information to the Central Recorder in order for their baptism to be officially recorded. A single volume containing the names of those baptized is being compiled annually and will be deposited in a future temple. This information is also held strictly confidential.
Baptism by immersion, by proper authority, using the very words to speak when baptizing, were taught by our Lord himself (3 Nephi 11:23-28):
“Verily I say unto you, that whoso repenteth of his sins through your words, and desireth to be baptized in my name, on this wise shall ye baptize them—Behold, ye shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize them.

And now behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying:
Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

​
And then shall ye immerse them in the water, and come forth again out of the water.
And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name; for behold, verily I say unto you, that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one.
​
And according as I have commanded you thus shall ye baptize. And there shall be no disputations among you, as there have hitherto been; neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine, as there have hitherto been.”
Receiving the Holy Ghost
A thorough treatment of the topic of the Holy Ghost will not be given here.

Suffice it for us to say that Christ promised those who would adhere to His Doctrine, and faithfully receive baptism, that they would receive, at some time, a purifying witness of Jesus Christ from the Father through the power of the Holy Ghost. In scripture we also learn, “And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5). Indeed, the effect of the Holy Ghost on any person is to impart intelligence, a sure knowledge of the truth.

​It is possible and intended for the power or influence of the Holy Ghost to be constant with an individual. This condition is sometimes called “the gift of the Holy Ghost”.

What is the Baptism of Fire & the Holy Ghost? 

This experience is described by Christ as a visitation of fire, which fire does not consume and destroy, but instead purifies and refines the soul of the recipient, and leads to a more perfect understanding of the truth surrounding God.
More or Less Than This
Christ’s teaching of His doctrine concludes with the interesting statement that “whoso buildeth upon” this doctrine, is building upon His “rock”, or in other words, His unshakeable foundation. The Doctrine of Christ describes a necessary beginning for one who desires to have the Holy Ghost and an inheritance within the Kingdom of God. Adherence to the simple requirements of this doctrine places an individual on the path, and receipt of the promised blessing, that is the Holy Ghost, enables unlimited understanding of saving truth. Then, that which is built upon the “rock” will stand as soundly as the rock itself. We will spend our whole life building upon that rock. 

Nothing can be added to this doctrine, and nothing can be taken away. Yet, mankind seems to be constantly attempting to do so. Any attempt to do so will only weaken the foundation, and whatever is built upon a weak foundation will surely fall.

We should believe Christ and His own words as they pertain to defining His Doctrine.

Other scriptures contain teachings on the Doctrine of Christ as found here and here.
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