The Doctrine of Christ, part 3

Where does this path, outlined by Nephi, ultimately lead? To the tree of life.  It will lead us to the Savior.  

Joseph Smith taught:

After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for the remission of his sins, and receives the Holy Ghost, (by the laying on of hands), which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou shalt be exalted.

When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man [or woman] is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man [or woman] will find his [her] calling and election made sure, then it will be his [her] privilege to receive the other Comforter, which the Lord hath promised the Saints....Now what is this other Comforter?  It is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; and this is the sum and substance of the whole matter; that when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him, or appear unto him from time to time, and even He will manifest the Father unto him, and they will take up their abode with him, and the Lord will teach him face to face.  (TPJS 150-151) 

In D&C 19, the Savior recounts his sufferings in accomplishing the atonement.  He then states that he has "finished [his] preparations unto the children of men." (D&C 19:19).  It is interesting that he categorizes his atonement as his "preparations".

The Savior's work with and for us is not finished.  He has a continuing ministry.  That ministry involves preparing us and introducing us to the Father.

If we heed the light of Christ it will eventually lead us to where we are prepared to receive the Holy Ghost.

If we receive the Holy Ghost, he will eventually lead us to where we are prepared to receive the Savior.

If we receive the Savior, he will prepare us to be introduced back to the Father.


The Doctrine of Christ is all about our return to Him.


And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God.  And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen. (2 Nephi 31:21)