Enduring to the End...

"19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? "- (2 Nephi 31:19)

One of my favorite scriptures with a question within that makes us think. The Book of Mormon prophet Nephi posses the question that was asked countless times before, after, and will continue to be asked by so many people.

In my blogs about the Doctrine of Christ, I have written about baptism by immersion for the remission of sins by one with priesthood authority and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. I would now like to conclude these three blogs with a final installment of the importance of "Enduring to the End".

Endure, a word that brings into one's mind the struggles and afflictions of life. So why endure? The scriptures teach us that we "...must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if [we] shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." -(2 Nephi 31:20) We must "endure to the end" if we truly seek eternal life.

Though we don't have to think of it as such a hard thing, like the term endure usually implies. There is a basic two step process of Gospel principles that we can use to successfully "endure to the end". It starts  where everything in the Gospel starts, FAITH. Now I won't spend to much time teaching about faith, if you want to know more about it then what I say here, you can reference back to one of my past blogs that is entirely dedicated to that Gospel principle. Simply put, if I can, faith is a principle of action and power. One scripture defines faith as such: " 21 And now as I said concerning faith—faith 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). So to put those two definitions together. Our faith is the belief we have in our Savior and our Father in Heaven that drives us to act in a Christian manner. We help others because of faith, we share our testimonies because of faith, and we live a life of higher standards then the common world because of our faith.

The second principle that we need to understand in our lives to "endure to the end" is repentance. This is another Gospel principle that I have previously written a blog about. So in light of that fact, I will again try to summarize a more simpler definition and  process of application. Repentance is the process by which one accesses the atonement of Jesus Christ;  His suffering in the garden, death on the cross, and resurrection three days later, so that they may be cleansed through His blood, of their sins. The basic steps of repentance are as follows: 

1. Recognize that you have sinned.
2. Feel true "Godly sorrow" for knowing that you have disappointed and offended God.
3. Seek forgiveness  from your Father in Heaven through earnest prayer.
4. Seek restitution by striving to make up for, in any way you can, the sins you have committed.
5. Finally, forsake the sin you are penitent for by not committing it again.

"Enduring to the End" is something that is asked of all by the Lord. It is also something that everyone is capable of. By doing the simple things of our faith we can endure to the end of this life, and prepare ourselves for the life to come. As we read our scriptures, say our prayers, attend our Church meetings, enter into covenants (two way promises) with our God, and renew those first covenants which put us on the "strait and narrow path" by partaking of the Lord's Sacrament on a weekly basis to receive a remission of our sins, we can "endure to the end."

I know that the principle of enduring to the end is what will keep us on the path back to our Heavenly Father. As the Savior Himself taught in the book of Matthew in the New Testament 24th chapter, " 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. "

The Gift of the Holy Ghost

Welcome to the second of 3 related blogs about principles and ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In this blog I would like to address the ordinance of receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, or Baptism by Fire. This is an ordinance practiced in the Old Testament and New Testament times of the Bible, both in the areas surrounding Jerusalem and in the American Continents.

Though not referred to as often, or explained thoroughly in the Old Testament of the Bible, the gift of the Holy Ghost is found and explained in the New Testament. We first read of it in the Gospel of Matthew 3rd chapter 11th verse; 

" 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: ". 

The prophet John the Baptist clearly states that with the Savior would come the authority to give the gift of the Holy Ghost in that dispensation.

We read more in the New Testament of the gift of the Holy Ghost in the Acts of the Apostles. In Acts chapter 8 verses 14-17 we read of the Apostle's Peter and John giving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the "laying on of hands".

" 14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost."

We also read of the gift of the Holy Ghost in the Book of Mormon. A Book of Mormon Prophet named Nephi teaches his people what is referred to as the "Doctrine of Christ" in the scriptures in the Book of 2 Nephi 31st chapter. In his teachings Nephi quotes from a revelation the words of the Savior and of His Father, our beloved Father in Heaven. Through His prophet the Savior of the world taught the importance of the gift of the Holy Ghost by saying the following: 

" 12 And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.

13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost... "

Today in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we practice this same ordinance of Salvation in the same manner in which it was performed in the scriptures. The 4th Article of Faith states that;

" 4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. "

Why might this "gift" be so important? The role of the Holy Ghost encompasses many things, but there are two specifically that I would like to mention before concluding. First, the Holy Ghost is the "Comforter". Jesus Christ taught this important role of the the Holy Ghost to His Apostles, while also teaching the second role I wish to mention. In the words of the Savior Himself, we learn that the Holy Ghost is also meant to teach us "all things". 

" 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. " -(John 14: 26-27)

What greater blessing could we ask for, then to receive as a gift, the companionship of the 3rd member of the Godhead, the Holy Ghost.

Baptism- Is it Really Necessary?

As a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I have had the privilege of teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to as many people as will listen. In teaching the Gospel of the Savior, we teach basic principles and ordinances of Salvation, namely: faith, repentance, BAPTISM, Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. In this first of 3 related blogs, Baptism is the ordinance which I would like to speak about, and how it greatly affects our Eternal Life.

In the 3rd chapter of the gospel of John we read of an account of a Pharisee (Jewish religious leader) who went to the Savior "by night" to ask him what it was he needed to do to get to "Heaven". The before mentioned passage reads as follows:  

" 1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named ^aNicodemus, a ^brulerof the Jews:

 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these ^amiracles that thou doest, except ^bGod be with him.

 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be ^aborn ^bagain, he cannot ^csee the kingdom of God.

 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be^aborn of ^bwater and of the ^cSpirit, he cannot ^denter into the kingdom of God. " -(John 3:1-5)

So what do these verses mean? Let's dissect that by using other scriptures, common sense, and most importantly THE SPIRIT! Jesus Christ answered Nicodemus's question about his eternal salvation with the first ordinance required to obtain salvation, that is baptism. The Savior taught the pharisee that the only way someone can enter into the Kingdom of God is to be born of water and the spirit, or in other words, to be baptized in water, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Why do I come to that conclusion you may ask? Well lets read some more scripture shall we. " 16 He that ^abelieveth and is ^bbaptized shall be saved... "-(Mark 16:16). In this verse we read that in order to be "saved" we must believe AND be baptized, not believe and "maybe if you feel like it" be baptized. Again we can read of the importance of baptism: " 48 And he commanded them to be ^abaptized in the name of the Lord... " -(Acts 10:48). Peter, speaking in this verse, commands the people as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, that they must be baptized. The scriptures testify of this necessary ordinance multiple times. We may even read in the Book of Mormon: " 23 And he commandeth all men that they must ^arepent, and be ^bbaptized in his name, having perfect ^cfaith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God. " -( 2 Nephi 9:23). The Lord himself makes it very clear in both the New Testament of the Bible, and in the Book of Mormon that the ordinance of baptism is required for salvation and exaltation in the Kingdom of God.

Now if you are still not sure whether or not what I am writing "holds any water", then let's use the last and best resource in finding out whether or not this is true. I would ask you to kneel before your Father in Heaven, and in sincere prayer ask him if these things are true. I promise that as you do so you will feel the Spirit witness to your heart and your mind in telling you that the ordinance of Baptism is truly necessary.

I would like to close with an invitation from a Book of Mormon Prophet named Alma.

 " 8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold,... as ye are^adesirous to come into the ^bfold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

 9 Yea, and are ^awilling to mourn with those that ^bmourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as^cwitnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the ^dfirst resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

 10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being ^abaptized in the ^bname of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a ^ccovenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you? "

Standing Firm in Holy Places

This past weekend the World had the privilege to listen to the words of the Lord as given through his Holy Prophets and Apostles. One of these great messages was that of President Thomas S. Monson, Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His talk, entitled: " Stand in Holy Places ", was a trumpet of moral values and firm faith in the laws of God.

In the scriptures we read about the 10 commandments, the Sermon on the Mount, and the many laws and commandments of God given to men on the Earth. The Lord Jesus Christ taught the importance of obeying the commandments if we desire to live in the " Kingdom of God ." We read in the book of Matthew, " Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven " - ( Matt. 7:21 ). Christ emphasis this point again when he stated, " If ye love me, keep my commandments " - ( John 14:15 ).

Unfortunately with today's society, the commandments of God are now on the " back burner " of the world's eyes. Moral decay is rampant among all in the world. In an article from the Wall Street Journal, Jonathan Sacks, British Chief Rabbi, is quoted as saying that the single overriding command of today's society is, " Thou shalt not be found out! " How sad? How depressing? Life, families, cultures, and countries used to hold morals in high values. That it seems is now a thing of the past.

There is something that we can do. We can change this world for the better on an individual basis. We can do as the Lord has asked us. In the Doctrine and Covenants, modern revelations from the Lord, we read, " But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved... " ( D&C 45:32 ). This is something that can be accomplished by every good christian, and non-christian alike. Those of us who value our moral standards and still believe that intimacy should be reserved for marriage between an man and a woman, chastity is something worth teaching your children about, dating should not be serious until an age appropriate for marriage, and that things in this world such as pornography are destroying families and relationships around the world, can stand up for our values and beliefs through our actions and our words.

WE MUST TAKE A STAND!!! We can no longer sit by and watch the world sink itself into destruction through the lack of respect for the bodies that our Heavenly Father has so graciously blessed us with. I believe that when one realizes our true relationship with God, we can more easily make decisions that are appropriate with his desires for us. We are all loved sons and daughters of a Supreme Heavenly Being. Our Father in Heaven loves us deeply. As he stated himself in the scriptures, " For behold, this is my work and my glory- to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. " - ( Moses 1:39 ). We are his greatest and most loved creations. His purpose is our salvation. The least we could do is honor his request and treat our bodies and the bodies of others with moral reverence and respect. Just as the Apostle Paul once taught, " 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. " - ( 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 )

I am grateful for the teachings of the Lord. I'm grateful for the standards of life that are taught in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am also grateful for the standards of all those who hold themselves as someone worth being chaste and morally clean. I would like to end with a video segment of President Thomas S. Monson teaching the importance, and the how to, of " standing in holy places. "