Although we may not be familiar with the concept that the fullness of the Gospel is only these three principles, we are more familiar with these principles than any other principles we have been taught.
In fact, no matter what else may be taught in sacrament meetings throughout the world, the fullness of the gospel is taught. We just didn’t know we were being taught the fullness of the gospel. This weekly lesson is the most important part of the sacrament meeting. It is the sacrament itself. While among the Nephites, Christ instituted the sacrament and taught the meaning behind the sacrament.
“And this shall ye do in remembrance of my body, which I have shown unto you. And it shall be a testimony unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.
And this shall ye always do to those who repent and are baptized in my name; and ye shall do it in remembrance of my blood, which I have shed for you, that ye may witness unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.
And I give unto you a commandment that ye shall do these things. And if ye shall always do these things blessed are ye, for ye are built upon my rock.
But whoso among you shall do more or less than these are not built upon my rock, but are built upon a sandy foundation; and when the rain descends, and the floods come, and the winds blow, and beat upon them, they shall fall, and the gates of hell are ready open to receive them. 3Ne.18:7, 11-13
Elder Dallin H. Oaks helped to clarify the connection between Sacrament, Repentance, baptism and the Holy Ghost. In October 1998 General conference he said,
“What does it mean that the Aaronic Priesthood holds “the key of the ministering of angels” and of the “gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins”? The meaning is found in the ordinance of baptism and in the sacrament. Baptism is for the remission of sins, and the sacrament is a renewal of the covenants and blessings of baptism. Both should be preceded by repentance. When we keep the covenants made in these ordinances, we are promised that we will always have His Spirit to be with us. The ministering of angels is one of the manifestations of that Spirit.” - Dallin H. Oaks, “The Aaronic Priesthood and the Sacrament,” Ensign, Nov 1998, 37
Take note regarding his comment about the ministering of angles being manifestations of that spirit. We may discuss that interesting point in another book, but for now realize that the sacrament as instituted by Christ to the Nephites is yet another fulfillment of Moroni’s words to Joseph Smith relating to the Savior teaching the Gospel to the Nephites. And, there it is, (hidden in the mystery of the Sacrament), and we experience it almost every Sunday.
The three principles of the Fulness of the Gospel are present in every sacrament meeting through the sacrament itself. But, we still have not yet discovered how these three principles contain the “Fullness” of the Gospel. The answer is found in the principles themselves.
Although much has been and could be written on the intricacies and details of each of the individual principles, we will avoid those discussions in an attempt to stay focused and keep your interest. Let’s jump to the end and consider how the principles relate to each other and how this relationship opens up to us the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The following are simple explanations of each of the principles:
- Repentance – Having a Change of Heart (Hel . 15:7, Alma 5:14, 19:33)
- Baptism/Sacrament – Commitment to Obey the Commandments of Christ (2Ne. 31:14, D&C 20:37 & 77)
- Receive the Holy Ghost – A commandment! Our Guide, Personal Revelator. (2Ne. 32:5, John 14:26, Moro. 10:5, D&C 18:18, 39:6)
- Faith – Although it is not mentioned in every instance, Faith is an underlining factor in each doctrine of the Gospel, and is widely accepted as one of the first principles of the Gospel. Recognizing this, we are listing Faith here, but will not be addressing Faith directly in this chapter.
The natural flow and purpose of Repentance and Baptism is to clean our minds and souls in preparation for us to receive the Holy Ghost. The concluding point of the Gospel is to receive the Holy Ghost. This is clearly expressed throughout the scriptures. One such scripture is D&C 84:74 which says,
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, they who believe not on your words, and are not baptized in water in my name, for the remission of their sins, that they may receive the Holy Ghost, shall be damned, and shall not come into my Father’s kingdom where my Father and I am.”
The pinnacle and climax of receiving the Gospel of Jesus Christ is “Receiving the Holy Ghost”. This is the key and the great mystery. Once we have received the Holy Ghost, we have received the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the fullness because the Holy Ghost not only knows all things, but he will teach us all things and show us all things that we should do;
"Now the Spirit knoweth all things;" - Alma 7:13
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." - John 14:26
“How” and “Why” is receiving the Holy Ghost the same as receiving the fulness of the gospel?
The reason is because through repentance and baptism we become prepared and worthy to receive the Holy Ghost, and the Holy Ghost will tell you ALL THINGS and SHOW YOU ALL THINGS WHAT YE SHOULD DO.
"Again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.
Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh. And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do." - 2Ne. 32:5-6
This is the fulness of the gospel. “ALL THINGS” includes all the details which are not included in the Book of Mormon, the Bible or in other scriptures. It includes every ordinance we currently have and those we do not yet have. It is the Fulness and the only Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The gift of the Holy Ghost is the blessing of God to those who repent and commit to take upon them the name of Christ. It is the spirit by which we can know all things. Christ gave the following promise to those who are called on missions but it applies to anyone, anywhere:
"And this is the ensample unto them, that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost.
And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation." D&C 68:3-4
This is the power of the Holy Ghost, and his role in our lives. This has been the message of the prophets in every dispensation. Even Noah warned the people before the flood,
“Believe and repent of your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, even as our fathers, and ye shall receive the Holy Ghost, that ye may have all things made manifest; and if ye do not this, the floods will come in upon you; nevertheless they hearkened not." - Moses 8:24
Realize that all those who received the Holy Ghost were caught up with the city of Enoch and saved from the flood.
We can begin to see an interesting insight into how prophets have become prophets. As they have learned from first-hand experience, they teach others by pointing them to Christ, (Repentance and Baptism), so they may receive his spirit to be with them, (the Holy Ghost). They do this by teaching his Gospel.
Prophets will always teach others how to travel the same path that they have taken. Eventually, when we all have accepted the fullness of the Gospel, we will all be prophets. This is how we “Follow the Prophets”. We follow them by walking in their footsteps which will, in the end, lead us down the same path that made them prophets. Here are three examples:
“And I, Nephi, said unto them: Behold they were manifest unto the prophet by the voice of the Spirit; for by the Spirit are all things made known unto the prophets, which shall come upon the children of men according to the flesh." - 1Ne. 22:2 (See also Mosiah 5:3)
“Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel." - Amos 7:14-15
“But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they prophesied in the camp.
And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake?
(I) would God that all the LORD’s people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!" - Num. 11:26-29
This has been the call of all prophets from the beginning, and this will be their call through the end of time. Of all the teachings of the prophets in our day, none seem to be more clear and direct than Joseph Smith’s answer to the question, “What Constitutes a Prophet?” (Italics added)
“If any person should ask me if I were a prophet, I should not deny it, as that would give me the lie; for, according to John, the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy; therefore, if I profess to be a witness or teacher, and have not the spirit of prophecy, which is the testimony of Jesus, (from the Spirit), I must be a false witness; but if I be a true teacher and witness, I must possess the spirit of prophecy, and that constitutes a prophet; and any man who says he is a teacher or a preacher of righteousness, and denies the spirit of prophecy, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; and by this key false teachers and impostors may be detected.” (Dec. 30, 1842.) DHC 5:215-216. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith pg. 269)
We now understand why these three principles constitute “The Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ”, but why is this “The Rock” or sure foundation?