Presidency lesson: first principles & ordinances

After a brief time of sharing testimonies, Jonathan led our discussion in elders quorum this afternoon on the first principles and ordinances of the gospel. While this topic is familiar to us all, we did a bit deeper of a dive on each of the four principles/ordinances outlined in the 4th article of faith. Below is a compilation of the thoughts Jonathan expressed and drew out from the group.
FAITH IN CHRIST: We must know Him, trust Him, believe Him, love Him. It's about our desires, which is something we can control. Will we focus our desires on Him and what He wants for us, or will we focus our desires on what WE want for ourselves?
REPENTANCE: A turning to Christ after we've experienced the sweetness of the fruits of faith. It's a process, not something that happens right away. It purifies our soul and increases our confidence - in ourselves, in Christ, and in the presence of God.
BAPTISM: This is where we make the covenant with God. We promise to continue to exercise faith unto repentance. We codify this covenant by complete immersion in water, which represents a death and re-birth as a child of Christ. We re-commit to keeping this covenant each week as we partake of the sacrament.
GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST: This is the blessing we receive from God for making and keeping our promises. The influence of the Holy Ghost comforts, purifies, and enables us to have power to do things we could not do within the realm of our mortal capacities.

Jonathan emphasized the importance of understanding that while this is a somewhat linear process, it is not a process that occurs just once in our lives. It should be re-occurring over and over and over again - each week or even each day. It is our path to perfection because it enables us to access the grace and power of Christ (see Moro. 10: 32-33).