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THE VOICE OF JOHN THE BAPTIST AGAIN HEARD
Repent Ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand
THE personal ministry of Jesus Christ in the flesh was directly heralded by the preaching of John the Baptist, whose voice was that of one crying in the wilderness: "Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." The proclamation of the appointed harbinger was vindicated by the appearance of the Lord Himself, who came and opened the way of the Kingdom of God to all who would enter therein.
In these modern days that same John, now a resurrected personage, has again officiated on earth. In him was vested of old the authority of the Priesthood of Aaron. On the 15th of May, 1829, a heavenly messenger, who declared himself to be John known as the Baptist, appeared in light and glory, and, laying his hands upon the heads of the modern prophet Joseph Smith and a companion in the ministry, conferred upon them the Aaronic Priesthood, saying:
"Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins." (D&C, Sec. 13).
Thus was fulfilled in part the vision prophecy of the ancient Revelator, that in the last days an angel would come, "having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth." (See Rev. 14:6, 7).
Repentance, which stands eternally established as an indispensable condition of salvation, is today proclaimed anew under the authority of the restored Priesthood, and the call is to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. The second advent of the Christ is near, and but little time remains to prepare for His coming, which shall be in power and great glory, to the accompaniment of the resurrection of the righteous dead, the glorification of the worthy who are still in the flesh, and the destruction of the wilfully and hopelessly wicked.
Repentance, as the ordained requirement whereby remission of sins may be attained, consists essentially in a genuine sorrow for sin and comprises: (1) a personal conviction of guilt; (2) an earnest desire to secure foregiveness; and (3) a resolute determination to forsake sin and follow the path of righteous living. The first step in the course of effective repentance consists in the acknowledgment or confession of sin before God; the second in the sinner forgiving those who have sinned against him; and the third in his acceptance of Christ's atoning sacrifice as shown by a willingness to obey the further requirements embodied in the Gospel of salvation.