Plain as the Nose on your face (An EASY Makeup lesson)

Plainness  Synonyms: plain, modest, simple, unostentatious, unpretentious

1. Free from obstructions; open; clear

2. Obvious to the mind; evident: make one's intention plain.
3. Not elaborate or complicated; simple: plain food.
4. Straightforward; frank or candid: plain talk.
5. Not mixed with other substances; pure: plain water.
6. Common in rank or station; average; ordinary: a plain man.
7. Not pretentious; unaffected.
8. Marked by little or no ornamentation or decoration.

In 2 Nephi 31, Nephi wrote of his great prophesy concerning the Doctrine of Christ, which he spoke of plainly.  He said, "For my soul delighteth in plainness: for after this manner doth the lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding." (vs.3)

Elder Marvin J. Ashton said:
“Through this great prophet Nephi, along with other leaders and wise teachers, we come to realize that we learn more readily if principles are taught and explained in plainness. Plainness is best comprehended by the humble, the teachable, the intelligent, the wise, and the obedient. Often plain truths are perverted by the pretentious, the crude, the low, the critical, the contentious, the haughty, and the unrighteous. More so than in any other time in our history, there is an urgency in today’s society for men and women to step forward and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of plainness. God delights when His truths are taught clearly and understandably with no conspicuous ornamentation. Plainness in life, word, and conduct are eternal virtues. When the plainness of Christian teaching and living is lost, apostasy and suffering result. People will walk in darkness when the light of plainness if taken from their lives.”

The fact that God speaks plainly to prophets and that message is given to us with plainness is  a recurring theme in the Book of Mormon.  FOR TEN POINTS: Research "plainness" in the index and read 5 references in 2 Nephi, then answer the question; How can knowing that God speaks to us plainly affect how I understand and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ?

READ 2 NEPHI 31:4-13 then watch the following Bible video:

Reread verse 13 and mark the phrases that you think Nephi wanted you to understand plainly. For 5 points each:

1. How might these phrases apply to such activities as daily scripture study and Church attendance?
2. What is the difference between “saying a prayer” and praying “with full purpose of heart”?
3. What is the difference between eating the sacrament bread and partaking of the sacrament bread “with real intent”?
4. What is the difference between saying that you are sorry about something you have done and repenting “with full purpose of heart”?

Baptism is the gate by which ye shall enter....and then are ye in this straight and narrow path which leads to eternal life.

       After the baptism by water comes the baptism by fire. 

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said this about baptism by fire:

“The gate of baptism leads to the strait and narrow path. …

“We are commanded and instructed to so live that our fallen nature is changed through the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost. President Marion G. Romney taught that the baptism of fire by the Holy Ghost ‘converts [us] from carnality to spirituality. It cleanses, heals, and purifies the soul. … Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, and water baptism are all preliminary and prerequisite to it, but [the baptism of fire] is the consummation. To receive [this baptism of fire] is to have one’s garments washed in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ’ (Learning for the Eternities, comp. George J. Romney [1977], 133; see also 3 Nephi 27:19–20).

“Hence, as we are born again and strive to always have His Spirit to be with us, the Holy Ghost sanctifies and refines our souls as if by fire (see 2 Nephi 31:13–14, 17). Ultimately, we are to stand spotless before God” (“Clean Hands and a Pure Heart,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 81).

FINAL 10 POINTS: 

What is the Doctrine of Christ? 

(Hint: see 2 Nephi 31, and the 4th Article of Faith)