User:Anonymous/Oneness
From Feast upon the Word (http://feastupontheword.org). Copyright, Feast upon the Word.
One of the most profound teachings in the Book of Mormon is taught by Christ, beginning in 3 Nephi chapter 11 and becomes a link to all the teachings of Jesus in the remainder of 3 Nephi.
Jesus prefaces it by telling us he is teaching them His doctrine (Nephi calls it the "doctrine of Christ" in 2 Nephi 31).
What is His Doctrine? It is that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are One God; or better: One Godhead. They are one in purpose, thought, desire, etc. Their love for one another within the Godhead makes the whole greater than the sum of the parts (even though each being in the Godhead is supreme). Jesus then tells us that we mortals must also become one with each other and with the Godhead, so that we may be able to dwell with them someday. The power of being a god comes from the relationships and knowledge we enjoy and share, and there is no closer relationship one can have than with other gods of like mind. Heavenly Father and Jesus wish to share their relationship with us in its fulness.
To accomplish this, Jesus taught the Nephites what is required to become One. Known by LDS as the first principles and ordinances of the gospel (see Article of Faith #4), the Savior explained that we must 1) develop faith in Christ, 2) repent of our sins, 3) be baptized for remission of sins, 4) receive the Holy Ghost, and 5) endure in faith.
This is not a one time deal. D&C 93 teaches us that Christ grew grace to grace, receiving grace for grace. As we develop a level of faith, we recognize we have shortcomings. We wish to follow Jesus, and so repent of those sins. After baptism, there are other ordinances we can receive to renew our baptismal and other covenants (Sacrament, priesthood ordination, temple ordinances). D&C 84 tells us that the ordinances of the priesthood teach us the "mysteries of godliness." Then, as we become solidly faithful on a new level of grace, we are filled with the Holy Spirit, that sanctifies/justifies us through the blood of Christ to a new level of righteousness. At this point, our faith increases, and we are ready to move to a new level of grace, having received God's grace to the level of faithfulness we have already received.
In the end, as Moroni taught, as we grow in charity and all good gifts, we will be like Christ when we see him (Moroni 7:48).
Jesus' teachings in the ensuing chapters of 3 Nephi tie directly to the idea of becoming one with God. He frequently refers back to the doctrine of Oneness, even asking the Nephites what manner of men ought they to be: even as Jesus is.
