I found it interesting the other day in my Book of Mormon reading to note the first 3 things the Savior taught after he introduced himself when he came to the Nephites.
1. Witness he was who he was - gain a testimony. 3 Ne 11:14
2. Baptism - instructed them to be baptized, making a commitment to follow him. 3 Ne 11:21
3. Stop having contention - he says contention is not of him but is of the devil. 3 Ne 11:28-30
Then he says he will give his doctrine and he repeats the three things with a variation. 3 Ne 11:32-33:
He came into the world to call people to
1 believe in him and repent
2 be baptised
3 recieve the Holy Ghost
He states this multiple times.
I find it interesting that he initially lists the 3rd thing we should do is to stop fighting, and replaces it with recieving the Holy Ghost. We have been taught the the Holy Ghost will leave when we are contentious. So, before we can recieve the Holy Ghost, we need to stop fighting, arguing, accusing, grumbling, etc.
There are the priorities: Gain a testimony of Christ; Commit (baptism); Recieve and keep the Holy Ghost as our companion.
Then he goes on to elaborate the higher way of living the commandments as he gives them the Sermon on the Mount.
