The Gospel Summarized

This morning as I was finishing 2 Nephi in the Book of Mormon, I read  2 Nephi 33 verse 9:

“I also have charity for the Gentiles. But behold, for none of these can I hope except they be reconciled unto Christ, and enter into the narrow gate, and walk in the strait path which leads to life, and continue in the path until the end of the day of probation.”

After explaining the “gospel of Christ” in chapters 31-32, this verse provides a great summary of it, and I don’t think I had ever noticed it much. So the Gospel of Christ, summarized is:

1. Be reconciled unto Christ

We show faith in Christ by repenting. We can continually do this as we sin and err because of the atonement, represented and re-administered through the sacrament.

2. Enter into the narrow gate

In other words, witness unto God you have come unto Christ and are willing to follow Him by walking through the gate through obedience. Be baptized, as this is the Gate to the path. BY doing so, we witness we are willing to take His name upon us and be one of His disciples. It is our proof/declaration of commitment. And the sacrament each week helps us place a small gate, per se before us and re-affirm our commitment to Him.

3. Walk in the strait path which leads to life

We stay on the path by following the words of Christ. This will be through his servants (Prophets, scriptures) through angels, and through the Holy Ghost. as we listen and follow those words, we remain and progress on the path. We call it obedience, but it is much more than that, since it is really just guidance along our path. In the sacrament prayers we are promised that if we keep the commandments, we will always have his Spirit to be with us (prayer on the bread). But if we leave the path, we start over at step one.

4. Continue in the path until the end of the day of Probation

Enduring to the end has little to do with just hanging on. It is the idea of continual progression down the path - always moving forward through a constant repetition of the three steps before this, consistently working to get on the path, stay on the path, and move down the path. And Christ becomes the “finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12 - first few verses) through the mercy and grace of his atonement. 

How simply beautiful, right?! I love this.

Have a great day.