The Doctrine of Christ found in 2 Nephi 31 is plain and simple: have faith, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end. It’s pretty easy to remember too. But, in it’s simplicity lies its challenges. And for this, this is what made an impact on me.
I have faith. I have a testimony. Are those things challenged? Yes, but that’s all part of enduring to the end. And the same goes for receiving the Holy Ghost. Endurance to the end.
Elder David A. Bednar said:
“Following our baptism, each of us had hands placed upon our head by those with priesthood authority and was confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Holy Ghost was conferred upon us (see D&C 49:14). The statement “receive the Holy Ghost” in our confirmation was a directive to strive for the baptism of the Spirit.” – 2006 General Conference, That We May Always Have His Spirit to Be with Us
This tells me that we still have a work to do in order to be baptized by the Holy Ghost; or more commonly referred to as baptism by fire. That fire is purifying. It has the ability to burn away any impurities. This is a fact proven by nature and in the science lab when scientists will sometimes use a flame to clean an instrument.
It is not enough for us to just be baptized by water only to have the gift of the Holy Ghost. There is a major difference in having the gift of the Holy Ghost versus receiving the Holy Ghost. One is a constant companion that we may have with us, while the other is a purifying gift from our Father in Heaven that if we are enduring to the end we may have eternal life.
For us to ‘receive the Holy Ghost’ is for us to endure to the end. We make mistakes each day that passes. We are not perfect, however, we can be perfected through these doctrines of Christ.