Article of Faith 4
We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are:
- first, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ;
- second, repentance;
- third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins;
- fourth, the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
At First Glance
This statement sounds very biblical. Faith. Repentance. Baptism. Receiving the Holy Spirit. These are all found in Scripture.
So what’s the issue? The issue is not the words— it’s how those words are defined, and how they function in the path to salvation.
Why This Matters
This article outlines what Mormonism teaches a person must do in order to be saved. It is not just a list of spiritual practices. It is a process—a sequence of steps tied directly to worthiness and salvation. And that raises an important question:
Are these responses to salvation… or requirements for salvation?
What This Means in LDS Teaching
In Mormonism, these “first principles and ordinances” are not simply expressions of faith. They are necessary steps in the path toward salvation and exaltation.
Faith in Jesus Christ
Faith must be placed in the LDS understanding of Jesus—
a being who is not eternally God, but a spirit child who progressed.
Faith, in this context, is not simply trusting in a finished work. It is the beginning of a lifelong process of obedience.
Repentance
Repentance in Mormonism is often described as a multi-step process involving:
- Recognizing sin
- Feeling godly sorrow
- Confessing
- Making restitution
- Forsaking the sin completely
Forgiveness is tied to fully turning from sin—and remaining free from it. If a person returns to the same sin, previous sins may be counted against them again. Repentance, therefore, becomes something to be continually maintained, not something fully secured.
Baptism by Proper Authority
Baptism is not simply an outward expression of faith. It is considered a required ordinance for salvation—and it must be performed by someone holding LDS priesthood authority. If a person was baptized in another Christian church, it is not recognized as valid. They must be baptized again within the LDS Church.
The Gift of the Holy Ghost
In LDS teaching, the Holy Ghost is not understood to permanently indwell every believer. Instead, He is a companion whose presence is conditional upon personal worthiness. He may come and go.
While non-members may experience a temporary witness of truth, only faithful LDS members are believed to enjoy His ongoing companionship. The companionship of the Holy Ghost is conferred upon the person after baptism and is tied to his or her membership in the Church.
The Critical Difference
At this point, the pattern should be becoming clear.
Mormonism teaches:
- These steps are required to obtain salvation
- Authority is necessary for ordinances to “count”
- The Holy Ghost remains conditionally
- Repentance must be maintained to remain forgiven
The Bible teaches:
- These are responses to salvation—not prerequisites for earning it
- Salvation is not dependent on institutional authority
- The Holy Spirit indwells believers permanently
- Forgiveness is secured through Christ—not maintained by human perfection
This is not simply a different emphasis. It is a different foundation.
What Scripture Reveals
Faith Is Trust in a Finished Work
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”
(Acts 16:31)
Faith is not the first step in a long process of earning salvation. It is the means by which we receive what Christ has already accomplished.
Repentance Is Turning to God — Not Maintaining Perfection
Repentance is real and necessary. But it is not a system of achieving sinless consistency in order to stay forgiven.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive…”
(1 John 1:9)
Forgiveness is grounded in God’s faithfulness—not our flawless performance.
Baptism Is an Expression — Not a Qualification
Baptism is commanded in Scripture. But it is not presented as something that requires a specific institutional authority in order to be valid.
“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…”
(1 Corinthians 12:13)
The emphasis is on what God does—not who performs the ritual.
The Holy Spirit Dwells Within Believers
“Having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.”
(Ephesians 1:13)
The Holy Spirit is not a temporary visitor. He is a permanent seal. Not based on worthiness—but based on faith in Christ.
Why This Changes Everything
This article reveals the mechanics of the system. And it brings us back to the same dividing line:
A System of Conditional Access: “I must do these things correctly… and continue doing them… to remain right with God.”
vs.
A Relationship Secured by Grace: “I have been made right with God through Christ… and now I walk with Him.”
One produces uncertainty.
The other produces assurance.
One keeps you checking your standing.
The other anchors you in what Christ has done.
A Gentle but Important Question
Are these steps something you are relying on to make you right with God?
Or are they expressions of a relationship that has already been secured through Jesus?
Final Thought
There is a subtle but life-changing difference between:
Trying to stay worthy… and knowing you have been made worthy through Christ. One keeps you striving. The other allows you to rest—and grow from that place.