It is not expected, brethren and sisters, that

It is not expected, brethren and sisters, that any new doctrine or revelation will be brought to the people at this time. ¶

WHERE THE WORD OF THE LORD IS FOUND ¶

The word of the Lord is to be found in reasonably full measure in the standard works of the Church — in the Bible, in the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. Any man or woman who can master these sacred books, so to speak, will be fully informed as to the purposes of the Lord. ¶

When further scripture, or revelation, is needed for the guidance of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it will be given by the Lord through the President of the Church who is the prophet of God. ¶

A GREAT MYSTERY EXPLAINED ¶

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation, to all who believe, to the Jews first and also to the Greek. The doctrines of the gospel are set forth in the scriptures in simple language, and in great plainness; but, strange to say, the natural man cannot comprehend them, for the apostle tells us in I Corinthians, 2: "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." ¶

"For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." And thus does the apostle explain a great mystery. How beautiful this explanation is, how simple, how direct — that the things of man are to be comprehended by the spirit of man, that the things of God are only discerned by the Spirit of God. ¶

NO SINGLE PRINCIPLE OF THE GOSPEL WILL INSURE SALVATION ¶

In the gospel there are many doctrines, all of which are necessary to a plan of salvation. If any one of the doctrines is separated from the others — for they are all closely connected and are to be taken as a guide — that doctrine will come short of insuring salvation, it will lose its power. Take for instance the principle of faith. It seems to be the moving principle of action in almost all things. The Apostle Paul says of it in Hebrews 11: ¶

"Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." * * * ¶

"By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. ¶

"By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. * * * ¶

"And what shall I more say?" the apostle observed, "for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens." ¶

WORKS MUST ACCOMPANY FAITH ¶

You will see by this principle of faith that it is a doctrine of mighty power, but if it is separated from the gospel principles and taken as a single guide it will be lacking as a means of salvation. James said: ¶

"Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." ¶

Faith without works is dead, being alone. ¶

WHAT ARE SOME OF THESE WORKS? ¶

So it would seem that works must accompany this mighty principle of faith. What works are there which are related to it and essential to salvation? One of them is repentance. It is said that without faith it is impossible to please God, and I think we may say also that without repentance it would be impossible to please him. He is a holy being, and if we expect to come into his presence we must become like him. ¶

John, the Baptist, cried repentance in the wilderness. Jesus preached the doctrine of repentance. It was the burden of his mission, and so it is the burden of our mission. ¶

REPENTANCE ¶

There is another very important principle that follows repentance, and involves the question of works. That principle is baptism. Peter, on the day of pentecost, warned the people regarding this important matter. They were pricked in their hearts. They wanted to know what to do. He said: "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Thus it became necessary that the repentant believer should receive this vital ordinance of baptism. But the ordinance itself is not sufficient if administered with water only. Baptism is dual in its nature. It has two very important phases. This was brought out with great clearness by the Savior who, in conversation with Nicodemus, said: ¶

"Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." ¶

And then further he said: ¶

"Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." ¶

So that baptism represents a very important work and is closely associated with faith and repentance. ¶

BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST ¶

The other mighty companion principle that was emphasized by the Savior, and is so widely neglected in the world today, is the baptism of the Holy Ghost. How beautiful, how important, how imperative it is! I fancy I hear somebody say: "Baptism of the Spirit? What does that mean? We have not been taught such a principle. It is not in our church; we have not seen it in any of the other churches. What do you mean by baptism of the Spirit?" Well, Jesus said to his apostles, as he breathed upon them: "Receive ye the Holy Ghost." That was the baptism of the Spirit, which is sometimes referred to as baptism by fire and the Holy Ghost. When the apostles laid their hands upon converts and blessed them and said unto them, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost," they did actually receive this divine Spirit, the Spirit of truth which was to be to them a special gift from heaven, to enable them to comprehend the word of God, to discern things of a spiritual nature, to bring to their minds the remembrance of things past, things present, and to show them things to come. What did John, the apostle, say in respect to this matter? He said: (I John 5:7-8.) ¶

"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. ¶

"And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one." ¶

THREE WITNESSES IN HEAVEN, THREE ON EARTH ¶

Three great and important witnesses in heaven and three upon the earth. This doctrine is put forth in a little greater clearness in the Pearl of Great Price, which shows that the ordinance of baptism is a profound doctrine of the gospel, and is essential to salvation. Let me read a few words to you, my brethren and sisters: ¶

"And the Lord spake unto Adam, saying: Inasmuch as thy children are conceived in sin, even so when they begin to grow up, sin conceiveth in their hearts, and they taste the bitter, that they may know to prize the good. ¶

"And it is given unto them to know good from evil; wherefore they are agents unto themselves, and I have given unto you another law and commandment. ¶

"Wherefore teach it unto your children, that all men, everywhere, must repent." ¶

The doctrine of repentance is here greatly emphasized: ¶

"Or they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God, for no unclean thing can dwell there, or dwell in his presence; for, in the language of Adam, Man of Holiness is his name, and the name of his Only Begotten is the Son of Man, even Jesus Christ, a righteous Judge, who shall come in the meridian of time. ¶

"Therefore I give unto you a commandment, to teach these things freely unto your children, saying: ¶

"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." ¶

Thus these three witnesses are mentioned with emphasis — the Spirit and the water and the blood. ¶

"For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified; ¶

"Therefore it is given to abide in you; the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment." ¶

FULL PLAN OF SALVATION REVEALED TO THE SAINTS ¶

Thus we have in the gospel of Jesus Christ these important doctrines which, in connection with many other doctrines, constitute a complete and full plan of salvation; and this plan has been delivered to the Latter-day Saints. We have rendered obedience to these saving principles, we have accepted them in our lives and have shown our faith by our works. ¶

The Lord bless you, my brethren and sisters of the Church, strengthen you in faith and prepare you for all things that may come to pass in the providences of the Lord, I humbly pray, in Jesus' name. Amen. ¶