Nephi gives an inspired formulation of the doctrine of Christ—embracing the first four principles and ordinances of the gospel: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion, and the reception of the Holy Ghost through the laying on of hands (see 1 Nephi 10:17; 2 Nephi 31:12; 3 Nephi 19:20). Thereafter, one must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having hope and the love of God and of all men. We are to feast upon the word of God and endure to the end to receive eternal life (see 2 Nephi 31:20)
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland points out that the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ has to do with these first principles and ordinances:
In a marvelous final testimony to his people, as well as to the unborn and unseen of the last dispensation yet to come, Nephi made “an end” of his prophesying (including prophesying about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon) and concluded his writing—and his lifetime of teaching—with “a few words … concerning the doctrine of Christ.” [2 Nephi 31:1–2.]
Although a phrase like “the doctrine of Christ” could appropriately be used to describe any or all of the Master’s teachings, nevertheless those magnificently broad and beautiful expressions spread throughout the Book of Mormon, New Testament, and latter-day scriptures might more properly be called “the doctrines of Christ.” Note that the phrase Nephi used is distinctly singular. In Nephi’s concluding testimony, and later in the Savior’s own declaration to the Nephites at his appearance to them, the emphasis is on a precise, focused, singular sense of Christ’s doctrine, specifically that which the Prophet Joseph Smith declared to be “the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel.” [Articles of Faith 1:4.]
The “doctrine of Christ” as taught by Nephi in his grand, summational discourse focuses on faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. It does not, in this declaration, attempt to cover the entire plan of salvation, all the virtues of a Christian life, or the rewards that await us in differing degrees of heavenly glory. It does not, in this declaration, deal with the offices of the priesthood, the ordinances of the temple, or many other true doctrines. All these are important, but as used in the Book of Mormon, “the doctrine of Christ” is simple and direct. It focuses on the first principles of the gospel exclusively, including an expression of encouragement to endure, to persist, to press on. Indeed, it is in the clarity and simplicity of “the doctrine of Christ” that its impact is found. Nephi knew it would be so. He wrote, “I shall speak unto you plainly, according to the plainness of my prophesying.” [2 Nephi 31:2.] (Christ and the New Covenant: The Messianic Message of the Book of Mormon [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1997], 49–50)