The Doctrine of Christ

"...I must speak concerning the doctrine of Christ; wherefore, I shall speak unto you plainly, according to the plainness of my prophesying.

"For my soul delighteth in plainness;" (2 Nephi 31: 2-3

Nephi tells us that he is going to explain the Doctrine of Christ plainly, and he does a great job of it. I think it's interesting that he has to distinguish what he is doing from potentially the way other people might teach. I think sometimes when people teach in cryptic messages, or different languages or whatever, it makes it more difficult to understand, not easier. I don't believe that God wants to make it difficult to understand His gospel.

So what is the Doctrine of Christ? What do we have to do?

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel." (2 Nephi 31: 13)

I think what Nephi is trying to say here is that just going through the motions of getting baptized and all that stuff isn't going to cut it. He says, "...follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception...". To me, there is no room here to misinterpret what Nephi is saying. He means to really do it for a real reason, not just to to through the motions or to satisfy another person's whim. It is for you to do completely.

Nephi goes on to talk about how baptism is the gate that leads to eternal life, but he asks a very good question:

"And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save." (2 Nephi 31:19)

So what do we need to continue doing, since all is not done?

"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

"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" (2 Nephi 31:20-21)

None other way nor name...

There is no possible way to be saved in the kingdom of God, other than to follow God's plan. It is really the only way, and we need to do it with full purpose of heart, and with real intent. This is the only way. This is why it is Christ's Doctrine--the word must get out. We live it and we teach it and share it with others.