What Is the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to 3 Nephi 27 – 4 Nephi in a lesson titled “There Could Not Be a Happier People.” The lesson was introduced with the following information. 

The teachings of Jesus Christ are much more than a beautiful philosophy to ponder. They are meant to inspire us to become like Him. The book of 4 Nephi shows just how completely the Savior’s gospel can change people. Following Jesus’s brief ministry, centuries of contention between the Nephites and Lamanites came to an end. Two nations known for dissension and pride became “one, the children of Christ” (4 Nephi 1:17), and they began to have “all things common among them” (4 Nephi 1:3). The “love of God … did dwell in the hearts of the people,” and “there could not be a happier people among all the people who had bene created by the hand of God” (4 Nephi 1:15-16). This is how the Savior’s teachings changed the Nephites and the Lamanites. How are they changing you?

The lesson block contained several principles worthy of discussion, such as (1) The Church of Jesus Christ is called in His name (3 Nephi 27:1-12), (2) What is it that ye desire? (3 Nephi 28:1-11), (3) Record what you’re learning (3 Nephi 27:23-26), (4) The Book of Mormon is a sign that God’s latter-day work is being fulfilled (3 Nephi 29-30), and (5) Following the teachings of Jesus Christ leads to unity and happiness (4 Nephi 1:1-18).

The principle that I feel prompted to discuss is “The Church of Jesus Christ is built on His gospel (3 Nephi 27:10-22). In 3 Nephi 27:1-12, Jesus Christ taught that His Church would be called in His name and would be built upon His gospel. Then He proceeded to describe His gospel. We will first consider the scripture verses.

10 And if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it.

11 But if it be not built upon my gospel, and is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return.

12 For their works do follow them, for it is because of their works that they are hewn down; therefore remember the things that I have told you.

13 Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.

14 And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—

15 And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.

16 And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.

17 And he that endureth not unto the end, the same is he that is also hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence they can no more return, because of the justice of the Father.

18 And this is the word which he hath given unto the children of men. And for this cause he fulfilleth the words which he hath given, and he lieth not, but fulfilleth all his words.

19 And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.

20 Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.

21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;

22 Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

According to the words of Jesus Christ, His gospel is defined as faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, and the Holy Ghost (see verses 19-20) and enduring to the end (see verse 16). He also said that His gospel consisted of Him coming into the world to do the will of His Father and to be “lifted up upon the cross” (verses 13-14).

Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926-2004) taught that the gospel is simple and its simplicity is the reason that some people have difficulty accepting it.

There is in the Book of Mormon a statement in which the Lord says, “Behold this is the gospel, which I have given unto you,” and then he describes his gospel. (See 3 Nephi 27:13-18.) It is a simple story of a world to which a Savior has been sent whom men may accept or reject, but who is, nevertheless, the Messiah.

That simple story is the very thing, of course, the world cannot accept, and it is so simple that some may even be offended inwardly at times by the so-called simplicity of the gospel….

… There are those who may share some of our beliefs and values, but for whom the restoration of the gospel is a stumbling block they cannot get over the top of. But to most of mankind, what we proclaim is “foolishness” (For the Power Is in Them [1970], 47-48, as quoted in Book of Mormon Student Manual – Religion 121-122 [2009]).