Article of Faith:4

#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, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

"Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; there fore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." - Alma 32:21

The older I get the more I have realized how vitally important faith is to us. No wonder it is the first principle of the gospel. Without a faith that God exists, or faith in Jesus Christ and his saving atonement, what would be the purpose of anything and everything else we do in the church? Without faith there would be no need for repentance or baptism.

Repentance, the second principle of the gospel, is explained in the Bible Dictionary as "a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined. Without this there can be no progress in the things of the soul's salvation, for all accountable persons are stained by sin, and must be cleansed in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. Repentance is not optional for salvation; it is a commandment of God."

I love how repentance is explained in those words. And I like that it mentions that all accountable persons require repentance. Which brings me to the first ordinance of the gospel: baptism.

The ordinance of Baptism is found in many religions throughout the world, but in different forms and practices. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes in baptism by immersion, meaning that the body is completed submerged in the water and then brought back up again. This is after the pattern in which Jesus Christ himself was baptized as found in the New Testament. It is also in similitude of Christ's death and resurrection.

"Baptism also includes a sacred covenant, a promise, between Heavenly Father and the individual who is baptized. We covenant to keep His commandments, serve Him and His children, and take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ. He promises to forgive our sins, "pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon [us]" and offer us eternal life."-Feb. 2013 Ensign

We also believe that people should not be baptized until they reach the age of accountability. The Church has declared that the age of accountability begins when children reach the age of eight. Infants and children who die before they reach the age of eight automatically receive salvation.

"[. . .] wherefore, little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; [. . .] teach repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin' yea, teach parents that they mus repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be save with their little children. And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism." - Moroni 8: 8, 10

We believe that a person must be baptized by the proper authority, or by one who hold the priesthood of God, or the power to act in the name of God. We believe that ours is the only church on the earth today which has the restored priesthood, or the same priesthood which existed when Christ established his gospel on the earth.

Baptism would not be complete without the confirmation ordinance which follows, in which the gift of the Holy Ghost is bestowed upon the individual recently baptized. This ordinance must also be performed by a worthy priesthood holder.

The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead who is there to be a comforter, to bring peace, to give warnings, and to testify of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

People who are not yet baptized or members or the church can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost in their lives. But until they are baptized and confirmed members of the church, they cannot receive a constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. Even then, the Holy Ghost, often referred to as the Spirit, can only dwell with individuals whose lives are in line with God's will and who are keeping His commandments.