God's Power and Authority

This week my message centers around the power and authority that has been restored to man through the Prophet Joseph Smith.

A couple of days ago I had the opportunity to teach a young man about the church and of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At first glances i was hesitant to speak with him because of his crude speech and many tattoos but as we sat down and I began to inquire of his understanding or knowledge of the church and the Gospel, I felt impressed to teach of the simple truths which the Lord has restored unto man in these last days. I read to him in the 27th chapter of 3 Nephi verses 19-20. I often read this scripture to many when introducing the true gospel of Jesus Christ-

"19 And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.
20 Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day."

As I expounded the Gospel unto him. I felt inspired to ask him of the importance of baptism. he replied with a basic answer and then asked "But why are there so many different baptisms today? which is the correct?"

I felt inspired to asked him "What makes baptism, a baptism? and not just a quick dunk in the water?" He felt confused at the question and I explained to him- Baptism is made baptism through the power and authority which the person who performs the baptism holds. if the performer of the baptism has not power and authority given of God, the ordinance is null and without efficiency. When a baptism is performed by the authorized power and authority of God passed by the laying on of hands, that baptism is accepted not just on Earth but in heaven.

Christ taught to His apostles- Matthew 16:19
"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

I testify that this power and authority has been restored in the Church of Jesus Christ today. It has been conferred directly from the hands of Jesus Christ and the Prophet of His church holds these keys today.

Strength Through Christ's Power

     This last week I was pondering the applicational Power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As I pondered and searched the scriptures I found that the scriptures are filled with many and various examples and teachings of the Atonement. I found that the Atonement is not just only a cleansing and purifying force that takes effect when we repent and are baptized, but it is an actual applicable power that we can draw upon for strength and sustenance as we face daily trials and challenges.

Take Alma 7:11-12
"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."

     This scripture teaches us that Christ's sacrifice has the power to give us succor in times of distress and difficulty. Our Savior felt everything pain and weakness that we ever go through and we can draw real strength from the fact that Christ has already suffered for these things and that we don't have also. We can be healed and strengthened as we draw upon the real power of the Atonement. The Book of Mormon prophet Moroni taught us in Ether 12:26-27 that as we humble ourselves and have faith in Jesus Christ we shall find strength to overcome our weaknesses-

"And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying: Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness; And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

   
Sometimes we feel distraught and foolish because of our weaknesses but I testify that as we humble ourselves through meaningful and constant prayer that we can draw from the real power of the Atonement. Christ taught us this key principle even as he suffered in the walls of Gethsemane-

Matthew 26:41-
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

So be not afraid for tomorrow. Watch and pray always and the Lord shall strengthen you.

An Anchor to Our Souls

     Lately it seems that my mind has been focused on building a stronger foundation. Building a foundation on Christ. A couple of months ago we were talking with a less active woman and we asked her what her favorite scripture was, she showed us this scripture and ever since then it has stuck with me.

     "Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God." Ether 12:4

     I love the part about if we have hope and faith in Christ for a better world, it says that this makes an anchor for our souls. I love the idea of an anchor. This example works just as well as the example of building our house upon "the rock". Just building upon a rock creates a firm foundation, the anchor acts as a steadfast and immovable point in our lives that holds our spiritual ship in place. Against the storms and winds of life that will constantly beat upon us, the anchor keeps us steadfastly in one place. I love how the scriptures never talks about taking us away from the storms and tribulations of life. Binstead we can find strength and center even when the storms beat upon us. It was and never is our Heavenly Father's purpose to take away our trials and challenges, for it is through these trials that we are perfected. He only provides a way that we can overcome these trials and challenges and become greater.
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     Many people here, especially men, when trials and difficulties come try to hide and cover their pain and sorrow through alcohol and drugs. They build their houses upon the sand and when the storms come they are swept off into the great abyss. The real solution to these trials is to build and anchor your life in the faith and hope that we can find and have a better world. We know that our Heavenly Father loves us, He has given us a perfect plan of happiness. Confide in this. Don't lift your anchor in the hope that the storm will take you to calmer waters and then be bashed upon the rocks. let your anchor stay and find strength and comfort in the storm, with the knowledge that it will pass and the sunrise will be all the more beautiful and that you have glorified God.

Foreordained of God

This week I was reading in the Book of Mormon in Alma chapter 13. I came across a scripture that I had never before paid attention to-

"And this is the manner after which they were ordained—being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such."

We have been called from the foundation of the world to serve God in all righteousness and faith. I know that we are not where we are because of coincidence. God is not a God of coincidence and He has planned our lives since the foundation of the world. I pray that all might remember their purpose here on the Earth and remember their calling. I know that for such who remember to keep the faith will receive the redemption prepared for them.