The Gospel

A while back the question was raised, "what do Mormons believe?"  Joseph Smith responded to this question with 12 statements or formally known as the articles of faith.  The forth article of faith states: "We believe the first ordinance and principles of the Gospel are first, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, second repentance, third baptism for the remission of sins, and forth the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands."

It was fascinating to me to study the book of James along with the story of the restoration of the Gospel through the prophet Joseph Smith.  James counseled the Israel that "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."

It was here that Joseph gained an idea of how to find truth: pray and ask.  It brought faith that there was a God and He answered prayers.  It was from this faith that sprung the First Vision and he's faith was made sure.

He then upon knowing of God sought to know if his course in life was in line with God.  Moroni appeared to the boy and latter revealed the Book of Mormon, a book dedicated to the Atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance.

Through the Book of Mormon Joseph was taught about baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost, upon separately learning of these two and each question being sought with prayer.  Joseph was given the ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost.

What is the significance of these events?  In each case Joseph came to the Lord in prayer with a question.  The pattern of James was followed all throughout the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The patter was lack of knowledge then prayer then answer. These came significantly in the order of Faith -> Repentance -> Baptism -> Gift of the Holy Ghost.  All in all this is the same pattern that we must follow.  When we lack knowledge pray, ask God, and then follow what is revealed.  Our idea will lead us to experiment with will increase our faith, the answer will increase our faith to act and change and in turn we will draw closer to God.

The Gospel is beautiful and consistent.