I really think it is important for anyone learning more about the Doctrine of Christ, especially through The Doctrine of Christ Study Guide, is to realize it is tied to the events all the way back to the beginning in the Garden of Eden.

We know we are supposed to put ourselves in the position of those highlighted in the scriptures. The LDS temple endowment takes it a step further and boldly declares that we assume we are each Adam or Eve, which is true. These events in the Garden set the stage for everything going forward all the way to the time of your personal existence on this earth.

So what then is the connection between the Doctrine of Christ and the events that transpired between Adam, Eve and the Lord God? Pull out your scriptures and ask for the Lord to teach you about this critical connection through an extract from The Doctrine of Christ Study Guide:

The Gospel Covenant is Not New

The Gospel Covenant Originated with Adam

Adam & Eve, transgress the law and willfully choose the growth experience of mortality by leaving the garden. “The Covenant” was originally given to Adam. Adam was given the promise that if he repented, he could become cleansed, justified, sanctified and return to the presence of God. This is the gospel or “good news.”

“Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God” (Moses 5:10).

At this point, I’d like you to open your scriptures if you haven’t already. Read Moses 5:1-15 and remember, these events in the Garden set the stage for everything going forward all the way to the time of your personal existence on this earth. Now, ponder the following questions:

• Were Adam & Eve expected to be shut out of the presence of God forever?
• They were commanded to repent and call upon God for how long? (v8)
• If the transgression removed them from the presence of God, then being redeemed would do what? (v9-10)
• So what is a “complete redemption?” (v9-10)
• Who is this covenant promise for? (v9)
• Why would Adam be so thrilled?
• How much of this good news did they share with their children? Why? (v12)
• What did Satan tell the children of Adam & Eve not to believe? (v13)

[Identify the Lord’s teachings to you] They may not necessarily be new “learnings”, but what insights do you have so far or what thoughts stand out in your mind? Write them down–this is the voice of the Lord speaking to you personally.

A Covenant Path to Complete Redemption (Gospel) is Given to Adam (Us)

This Covenant or promise we have through Adam & Eve is the Gospel (‘Good News’) of Jesus Christ. It is “the way” spoken of in the scriptures (2 Nephi 31-33). We are familiar with the first step on “the way,” but we often overlook the necessity of two additional steps in our progression on “the way” that take place after the baptism of water.

• (Moses 6:59-62) “That by reason of transgression cometh the fall, which fall bringeth death, and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory; For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified… And now, behold, I say unto you: This is the plan of salvation unto all men, through the blood of mine Only Begotten, who shall come in the meridian of time.”

Each of the three steps in “the way” contain gifts.

	Step in “The Way”	Significance	Gift Received
1	Baptism of Water	Keep the Commandments	The gift entering the Lord’s church on the earth
2	Baptism of Fire	Justification (“Just & True”)	The “gift of the Holy Ghost”, the first comforter
3	Baptism of Blood	Sanctification	The gift of entering the presence of Jesus Christ and receiving Him as our Second Comforter

[Identify the Lord’s teachings to you] They may not necessarily be new “learnings”, but what insights do you have so far or what thoughts stand out in your mind? Write them down–this is the voice of the Lord speaking to you personally.

NOTE: Each of these baptismal steps in “the way” is introduced, discussed and pondered in more detail throughout The Doctrine of Christ Study Guide.

The Good News is Good For You

Don’t forget that we are to assume we are either Adam or Eve. That means that this “good news” that was given to Adam & Eve is really a personal message to you–that you can receive a complete redemption whereby you are sanctified, enabling you to return to the presence of the Lord while in mortality. And like Adam and Eve, you can now shout praises, “Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God” (Moses 5:10).

 

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JourneyDoctrineOfChrist.org is based on complimentary, online Study Guides to help you learn, believe, live and teach the Doctrine of Christ. The Study Guides invite any and all to see and know this truth for themselves that the Savior, Jesus Christ, has, in fact, introduced His doctrine and He personally invites all to literally receive Him while in the flesh (mortality).

These study guides are intended to point you to both the Lord’s written word and His voice (personal revelation). These study guides will help you uncover what the Doctrine of Christ is and other essential topics that will help you in your journey to come into His presence while in mortality. All study guides are available at http://www.JourneyDoctrineOfChrist.org