Article of Faith 3

3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
We do believe that it is by grace that we are saved, after all that we can do. But we do believe that it is essential for our eternal progression that we repent. A loving parent would want their child to learn from their experiences and not repeat mistakes. Similarly, our loving Heavenly Father wants us to live righteously, and repent of sins that we commit. Because of the atoning sacrifice of our savior Jesus Christ, we can be saved from the effects of sin. Elder Boyd K. Packer said, "“For some reason, we think the Atonement of Christ applies only at the end of mortal life to redemption from the Fall, from spiritual death. It is much more than that. It is an ever-present power to call upon in everyday life. When we are racked or harrowed up or tormented by guilt or burdened with grief, He can heal us. While we do not fully understand how the Atonement of Christ was made, we can experience ‘the peace of God, which passeth all understanding’ (Philip. 4:7).” —President Boyd K. Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Touch of the Master’s Hand,” Ensign, May 2001, 23.

One of the important ordinances spoken of in this article of faith is baptism. The New Testament records Jesus' teachings about baptism: "5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:5

In the Book of Mormon, we learn more about the importance of baptism: "5 And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!" 2 Nephi, 31:5

Obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel helps us to more fully accept the atonement made by our Savior.