Baptism

Why do members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints put such an emphasis on being baptized?  What's the big deal!?

Well, Christ told us in John 3:5

"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." 

So we HAVE to be baptized to enter in the kingdom of God!  Everyone should want that.  To be able to live with God again, what a blessing!  But Christ himself said that we have to be baptized by someone holding the priesthood authority of God to be able to live with God again.  We desire EVERYONE to receive this blessing.  THAT is why we want EVERYONE to be baptized so that they can live with God again. 

And once we are baptized we are cleansed from all sin.  We will be held

"guiltless before my 

Father at the day 

when I shall stand 

to judge the world." 3 Nephi 27:16  

Because  

"no unclean thing can 

enter into his kingdom." 3 Nephi 27:19 

we need that cleansing power that comes from being baptized and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost to be found 'clean' to enter into God's kingdom!

Two people desired to show God that they were willing to obey His commandments and to follow the example of Jesus Christ and were baptized this weekend.  They both said how clean they felt and how happy they are!  There is only one way in this life to feel this way, and it is through baptism!  

Stephanie Dobbins                Justin Marquardt

Waiting

I just wanted to leave these scriptures that I have found this week.  

Isaiah 40:31

"But they that 

wait upon the Lord  

shall renew their strength; 

they shall mount up with wings as eagles; 

they shall run, and not be weary; 

and they shall walk, and not faint."

D&C 98:1-3

"Verily I say unto you my friends, 

fear not, 

let your hearts be comforted; 

rejoice evermore, 

and in everything give thanks;  

Waiting patiently on the Lord, 

for your prayers have entered 

into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, 

and are recorded with this seal and testament

-the Lord hath sworn and decreed 

that they shall be granted. 

 Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, 

with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; 

and all things wherewith you have been afflicted 

shall work together for your good, 

and to my name's glory, 

saith the Lord."

"Be still and know that I am God."  D&C 101:16

The Potential!

I want you to think of this question.  "How many times do we pass by someone, something, or ourselves because we don't see value in it?"

Look at this picture.  It is just 2 rolls of duct tape.  Now, most people would see those and not think that much more than tape.  But I see those and think, "There are so many possibilities!"

Now just with a simple roll of duct tape, I was able to increase it's potential.  I didn't look at the tape and see where it was, I looked at it and saw where it could go!  To take it from being a normal piece of tape and used it to create something more, something better.  It took some time and some effort to make it something more, but in the end it was worth it.  Because now I have things that I can use. 

Slippers 







Bag       

 Scripture cases








 Wallet






Now everyday we pass by people.  We look in the mirrors and see ourselves.  Do we look at ourselves and think "EW!  What is that?"  or do we look and see how good we are?  How much progress we have made?  Do we see how great we are to God? 

"Remember the 
worth of souls 
is great in the 
sight of God."  D&C 18:10

Everyday we have the potential to become better, to improve.  We can become who God wants us to be.  We cannot afford to look at someone, something or ourselves and not see the value!  Because as we see value in others we will begin to see the value we have in ourselves. 

Our VALUE is GREAT in the sight of God!  Pray to recognize it!  It will bless your life to see yourself, and other's, through God's eyes. 

FORTUNE COOKIES!

So I got this fortune cookie today at lunch.  I had been debating right before if I should get some ice cream to celebrate my 8 month mark of being out on my mission.  I opened the cookie and read this:

Now I don't know how this one was so accurate, but I learned something.  God knows what I am thinking.  He can answer our prayers and our THOUGHTS in the simplest way.  God knows each and every one of us.  He wants to help us.  But we have to decide if we want to follow His advice?  He is an all knowing God, so I decided I better listen to Him, for He knows what is best for me.  Do you listen to God's advice?

Getting an answer

Recieving answers to questions we have on what direction our life should take is a hard thing to understand sometimes.  The answers to prayers can come from friends or aquaintances.  Sometimes it is through a warm feeling or a thought that comes to mind.  But sometimes it can feel like God is not answering our prayers.  That we can't get a "yes" or a "no" on a question.
God is hearing and listening to your prayers.  He hears everyone of them.  But in the course of our lives, he gives us oppurtunity to use our agency.  He wants us to develop our faith and to decide on an answer and then move forward with faith.  He would never allow us to do anything that would harm us or not allow us to return to him from a mistake we made without first warning us. 
"For behold, it is not meet
that I should command
in ALL things..."  D&C 58:2
When we are not getting an answer, God sometimes wants us to take a step of faith.  Decide what we want to do and see which is the best solution.  Then we step forward.  If we are getting a feeling of peace and joy with the decision, than it was right.  But if we get the feeling that something is wrong or discomfort with the choice, than we need to re-evaluate. 
Here is a clip of how some people feel they have gotten answers to their prayers.  Get out a piece of paper and listen to their answers.  Write down ideas that stand out to you and look for those feelings when you are seeking direction.




Move forward with faith.