With the Savior's Help

February 24, 2011

Last Sunday at our ward conference, the bishop and the stake president talked on the atonement of Jesus Christ. We were taught that the atonement is much more than Jesus Christ dying, being buried, and raising from the dead.

During the 3^rd hour Sunday, I was asked to share my feelings about the atonement. Every time I have been called to a position in the church, I have felt inadequate, but I knew when I accepted each calling I would receive the help I needed from the Spirit. This is one example of what the atonement of Christ can do for us. It helps us with our feelings of inadequacy.

When I was called to be a bishop by the stake president, it was such a surprise to me, I didn’t think, I would ever be called to such an honorable calling with such great responsibilities. When the stake president said, “Heavenly Father would like you to be the next Bishop,” I could not speak, all I could do was cry until I gained my composure. Then I said, “I would be honored to accept the calling.”

I served for six and one half years as bishop; it was a wonderful growing experience for me and I enjoyed the opportunity to serve the people in the ward (congregation). During that time I conducted several funerals and not once did I have to miss teaching a class at the community college where I worked. This was not a coincidence. I had many spiritual experiences happen while serving as the bishop (Pastor).

When Moses was called by the Lord to be a prophet to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt, he said, “Who am I…I am not eloquent, I am slow of speech, and slow of tongue.” The Lord said to Moses, “…I will be with thy mouth and teach thee what thou shalt say…and teach you what ye shall do.” The rest is history.

Baptism by Authority

We know that baptism is an earthly ordinance and it is necessary for entrance into the celestial kingdom. This ordinance needs to be performed by someone who has the authority to do so.

The scriptures teach us that John the baptist, who baptized Jesus Christ, had the priesthood authority to do the ordinance. As Jesus Christ, fulfilled his mission on this earth he ordained 12 apostles and gave them the challenge to teach repentance and he gave them the authority to baptize those who believed on Him. In Mark 3:14 it says Jesus "...ordained twelve, and gave them...power (authority)...". And in John 15:16 it states, "I (Jesus Christ) have chosen you, and ordained you."

As the apostles were later killed, the authority for the ordinance of baptism was taken from the earth through apostasy.

Through baptism by proper authority, all mankind is eligible for entrance into Heavenly Father's kingdom.

Baptism by Immersion

I was baptized by immersion. Baptism by immersion has many symbols. One symbol of baptism is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. (Romans 6:4) "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

A second symbol of baptism is a spiritual rebirth(Moses 6:59-60) "...Inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made,...even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin...by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified; and by the blood ye are sanctified";

"...a third potential symbol of baptism (Church News November 13, 2010 "Living the Scriptures" James H Frutos) ...the water in baptism is symbolic of Christ, the Living Water,
Immersion in water is symbolic of our need and desire to be immersed in Christ".

"Baptism by immersion demonstrates many things to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
First baptism by immersion demonstrates that we do not want to have just a casual relationship with Christ, but that we want to be immersed and engulfed in Christ.

"Second, baptism by immersion demonstrates that we do not want Christ to affect just part of us, but all of us.

Third, baptism by immersion demonstrates that we do not want Christ to play a relaxed role in our lives, but that we want Him to completely surround and consume us.

"Last, baptism by immersion demonstrates that we want to give ourselves completely to Christ and not hold back even one small part of us. We want to be 100 percent committed to Him, not 95 or 98 percent, but 100 percent".

WHY WAS JESUS CHRIST BAPTIZED?

The baptism of Jesus Christ

"...the Lamb of God, ...baptized by water, to fulfill all righteousness...he humbleth himself before the father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments. (2 Nephi 31:5-7) "...Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God". (John 3:5)

I was baptized on my 8th birthday by my Bishop in a baptismal font in the Church house of the town where I grew up. I really didn't comprehend at the time what an important choice I had made.

Since then, I have attended and conducted many baptisms and they have been very spiritual experiences with a short program before the person is baptized.

Now I know how important the first ordinance of the gospel is to me.

At the time I was baptized I made a covenant with God, that I would always remember Jesus Christ, and keep his commandments so I could have his spirit, the gift of the Holy Ghost, as a constant companion.

The Holy Ghost has been there to help me many times. He has witnessed to me that Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried, and resurrected

I know that Jesus Christ paid for my sins making it possible for me to be resurrected and to overcome physical and spiritual death.

Calmness, Faith, and Humility

Calmness and Humility


I would like to share with you a good example of someone who chose to walk in the light, even when it was not easy. My son goes to Paris with a group of students in a study-abroad program, as a chaperon/instructor. every other year. He gets paid for doing this, and he usually has help. But this year, because of budget cuts, he had to take a reduction in pay and had to do it without additional help.

He went to Paris with a good attitude. When there were delays, like someone being late, etc., he remained calm. When they had bad weather, he did not worry about it. He felt humbled, when they viewed that beautiful cathedral window in Chartres, France.

We all face choices each day as to our attitude. This includes remaining calm in stressful situations and humble when we are in the presence of great beauty and peace. I am thankful my son has such a wonderful attitude. As we learn to walk in the light we can all enjoy peace of mind as we choose each day how we will deal with the challenges of our lives.

The Book of Mormon

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that, "a man would get nearer to God abiding by the percepts of the Book of Mormon, than by any other book". (History of the Church, 4:461).

In 2003 Book Magazine named the Book of Mormon one of the "20 books that changed America".

President Gordon B. Hinckley promised members who read the Book of Mormon that"there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God". (" A Testimony Vibrant and True", Liahona, Aug. 2005, p.2)

During the past 22 years I have read the Book of Mormon at least once a year. I found that each time I read it I learned something new. The spirit has borne witness to me that the Book of Mormon is another Testament of Jesus Christ.

When I read the Book of Mormon I know that I am walking in the light of Christ.

Moroni

Joseph Smith continued to receive light. A few years after his First Vision, a light entered his bedroom and the light got brighter and brighter until it was brighter than at noon day. A personage appeared to Joseph Smith, and called him by name and introduced himself as Moroni who was the last living prophet upon the American continent around 420 A.D.

Angel Moroni, told Joseph Smith"... there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent..." (Joseph Smith History 1:34)

The Angel Moroni visited Joseph Smith every year for four years teaching and instructing him.

Finally, four years later Joseph Smith received the plates, and by the power of God he translated them into what we have today as The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ.