Reflection; What do You See?

The ability to look at one's life and evaluate what he/she sees with honesty and integrity, is critical. All too often in life we overlook the things that are of true importance.
A wise prophet of God once stated: "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.¹" With that understanding we can see the importance of being able to look at the path we are on; the life, we are living.

Easter Message: Following Jesus on Twitter

This is a great video clip that show's the life of Jesus Christ through twitter if it had been there during his life. Cool perspective and really helps remind you of what an amazing life Jesus Christ performed on our behalf! Hope you enjoy!

Enduring to the End

One might ask: "What exactly is enduring to the end?" It is simply continuing to exercise faith in Jesus Christ, repenting, making commitments, and following the Spirit. Once we have been forgiven of our sins, through baptism, we should try every day to remain free from sin so that we can keep the Holy Ghost with us. By following the principles of the gospel, we can draw closer to God, conquer temptation and sin, and enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost more abundantly.

Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a pattern of living. It is more than once in a lifetime commitment but rather continual process of learning and growing closer to God each and every day as we strive to live our lives in a righteous manner. As we do so, our lives are filled with peace and joy and during our struggles we are uplifted and strengthened by the spirit of God that dwells within us. As one learns to "press forward with a steadfastness in Christ... and endure to the end," we are promised, "Ye shall have eternal life." (2 Nephi 31:20)

Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost

Jesus taught that we must be baptized of water and also of the Spirit. Baptism by water must be followed by baptism of the Spirit (Holy Ghost) or it is incomplete. The Holy Ghost has a sanctifying, cleansing effect upon us. Those who receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and remain worthy by keeping the promises they made during baptism can enjoy His companionship throughout their lives.

The Holy Ghost testifies of Christ and helps us recognize the truth in life, providing spiritual strength and helps us do what is right. He is the Comforter, comforting us during times of trial or sorrow. He warns us of spiritual or physical danger. The gift of the Holy Ghost is one of our Heavenly Father's most precious gifts. Through the power of the Holy Ghost we can feel God's love and direction for us. This gift is a foretaste of eternal joy and a promise of eternal life.

Baptism, Our first covenant

Faith in Jesus Christ and repentance both prepare us for baptism and confirmation. Baptism is a covenant. God has always required His children to make covenants. A covenant is a binding and solemn agreement between God and man. God promises to bless us and we promise to obey Him. Keeping covenants brings blessings in this life and exaltation in the life to come.

Jesus taught that we must be baptized by immersion for the remission, or forgiveness, of our sins. It is an essential ordinance of salvation. No person can enter into the kingdom of God without being baptized. Christ set the example for us by being baptized himself by John the Baptist. Baptism is a symbol of the death, burial, and resurrection of the Savior. In a similar way it represents the end of our old life of sin and a commitment to live a new life as a disciple of Christ. When we are baptized we begin the process of being born again.

Repentance

Repentance- the second principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In other words, to change our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that are not in harmony with God's will. When we repent we feel godly sorrow, then we stop doing things that are wrong and continue doing things that are right. The apostle Paul explained this concept to the saints in Corinth in 2 Corinthians 7:9-10. We can return to live with God the Father only through Christ's mercy, and we receive Christ's mercy only on conditions of repentance.

Faith in Jesus Christ

Perhaps one of the most basic principles of any religion is the concept of faith. Faith as denoted from the scriptures, "is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." (Alma 32:21) Every single person exercises faith in some way each day.

It can be in as simple as flipping a light switch on. You cannot see the wires in the walls that are connecting that light bulb to electricity but you exercise faith when you take the action to flip the switch. After you have done it enough times it becomes an expectation that when you flip the switch, it will turn the light on.

Faith in Jesus Christ is the same way.  Having faith in Christ includes having a firm belief that He is the Only Begotten Son of God and the Savior and Redeemer of the world. As we accept and apply his atonement (His suffering, death, and resurrection unto the saving of our souls) along with his teachings- we are exercising faith. It will bring a light into our life far beyond that of a light bulb. The light that Jesus Christ offers us is the hope that we can receive Eternal Life and once again live with our Father in Heaven.

The Road to Eternal Life

In a world of so many voices and opinions it can become difficult to know which of them is right and true. My purpose today is to define and declare the true doctrine of Jesus Christ concerning our journey through life and in returning to live with God once more in heaven.

In our Articles of Faith as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we read: "We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel." (Article of Faith 1:3)