Baptism - The Entry Ordinance Into a Very Important Kingdom

Today, we all witnessed two very special and sacred ordinances, as we watched Kenya enter into the waters of baptism, receive conformation into the True Church of Christ and have hands laid upon her and receive the Holy Ghost.

To me, this was no ordinary event. Kenya comes from a line of ancestors who have never received this ordinance, nor even heard of the Gospel. I felt they have been eagerly awaiting, in the Spirit World, for the day when one of their descendants would be exposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, accept it, and be baptized, opening the door of opportunity for them to have a blood relative who will bring them the Gospel through the temple ordinances.

How important is baptism? Joseph Smith lists it as one of the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel.

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. (4th Article of Faith)

Baptism is a holy ordinance ordained of God for the salvation of men. It consists of two parts. The first is immersion in water as a visible, public, and outward sign that a penitent person has come unto Christ, accepted his gospel, and taken our Lord's yoke upon him. The second is immersion in the Spirit through the receipt of the Holy Ghost, which is the invisible, private, and inward witness that lets the penitent person know he has been accepted by the Lord as an heir of salvation. Baptism is thus dual in nature; it is in water and of the Spirit. It is a manifestation before the world and the receipt of an inner and personal peace.

No one can enter into the Celestial Kingdom without the performance of this ordinance by a worthy priesthood holder. Baptism is only the outward step to gain entrance into God's highest kingdom. The recipient 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 ye 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)

In the beginning, by his own voice, God revealed the plan of salvation to Adam in these perfectly phrased words: "If thou wilt turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent of all thy transgressions, and be baptized, even in water, in the name of mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth, which is Jesus Christ, the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men, ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, asking all things in his name, and whatsoever ye shall ask, it shall be given you." (Moses 6:52.)

Why was Jesus baptized? John was baptizing repentant persons in the murky waters of a now hallowed Jordan River, baptizing them for the remission of sins and promising that one who came after who was mightier than he, would baptize them with the Holy Ghost and with fire. In the midst of this great religious crusade, the Sinless One came and asked for baptism at John's hand. John knew that Jesus, who knew no sin, had no sins to be washed away in Jordan; John knew that the Son, to whom God had given the Spirit during every moment of his mortal life, had no need to receive the Holy Ghost, which was already his constant companion. To our Lord the Baptist said: "I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?" Jesus said simply: "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." Thereupon the Baptist immersed the Son of God in the water, the Spirit of God descended in sweet serenity upon the Mortal Messiah, and the Father said: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:7-17.)

The Son of God baptized by mortal man! Why? In what way did he fulfill all righteousness by submitting to the baptism of John? He, being holy, had no need for the remission of sins, no need to come forth in a newness of life, no need to become clean so as to be sanctified by the power of the Spirit.

"But notwithstanding he being holy," Nephi says, "he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments." Jesus was baptized as a token of humility, and in his baptism he made a covenant with his Father to love and serve him everlastingly.

But there were other reasons also. His baptism "showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them." Though Jesus was God; though he reigned in the heavenly kingdom; though he was alive spiritually and fit in all respects to return to the presence of the Father—yet he was baptized. He was baptized in order to gain salvation in the celestial kingdom of God, thereby setting the perfect example for all men.

"And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?" asks Nephi. "The Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son. 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." (2 Nephi 31:5-12.)

So, today was a special day for thousands and thousands of Kenya's ancestors. I felt their presence today. The room was overflowing. Matter of fact, to me it seemed, that there were no walls or ceiling in the room today, as the crowds extended outward and upwards as far as the eye could see.

Today, a new door was opened. In the future days, months and years ahead, there will be hundreds of new members added to our family as their temple work is performed.

Thanks Kenya, for being the first pioneer for your great ancestors!

Love, Dad

"Worlds Without Number..."

Last night Jared invited me to attend the opening of the movie "Pacific Rim," a movie about aliens trying to take over the earth. The sound was amazing, as it vibrated against our chests at certain points of the movie. At times I would look over at Jared and he would have this big smile on his face, as he loves a good alien movie with loud sounds. Well, he got both last night.

Upon returning home, it got me thinking about others in our universe. Where are they? At what point of development are they? Are they just starting out? Or are they far more advanced than we are at this point in time?

Either way, we know through the scriptures and the prophets, they are out there and they are God's children. They are living the Plan of Salvation as we are.

How many are there, and how long has this process been going on under our personal Heavenly Father?

We learn in Moses 7:30 - Were it possible that man could number the particles of the earth, yea, millions of earths like this, it would not be a beginning to the number of thy creations. To me, that is really hard to comprehend. But, none the less, it is true.

This plan and process has been going on for a really long time. How long? In a talk given by Elder Bruce R. McConkie in 1980, he stated,  God had presided in the universe for 2,555,000,000 years. This truth was also stated by W.W. Phelps in 1844, quoting the Prophet Joseph Smith, "That eternity [the one during which Christ's doings have been known], agreeable to the records found in the catacombs of Egypt, has been going on in this system . . . almost two thousand five hundred and fifty-five millions of years." (2,555,000,000 years)

The reference to the "catacombs of Egypt" is in reference to the egyptian scrolls translated by Joseph Smith, which is our Book of Abraham.

These worlds, other earths, are all part of a precise plan, and are controlled and governed by law. It is not, however, some abstract law, some independent power, some force of Mother Nature that governs but rather the power of God Almighty. Joseph Smith the Prophet made known to the Latter-day Saints that law and light are manifestations of that divine influence we know as the light of Christ or the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

The Lord has made known through Joseph Smith that the light or glory that emanates from God and fills the immensity of space is the light of Christ, again a manifestation of God's divine nature. It is the law by which all things are governed, the light by which all things move and act and have their being. It is the means by which our Heavenly Father, who is a physical being, is omnipresent and can be in and through and round about all things (seeD&C 63:59; 88:41). Thus the revelations attest: "The elements are the tabernacle of God; yea, man is the tabernacle of God, even temples"” (D&C 93:35). It is the power of God, called in scripture the light of Christ or the Spirit of Jesus Christ. In the words of Parley P. Pratt: "This is the true light that in some measure illuminates all men. It is, in its less refined existence, the physical light that reflects from the sun, moon, and stars [see D&C 88:6-13], and other substances, and, by reflection on the eye, makes visible the truths of the outward world." (Key to the Science of Theology, p. 25.)
To me it is just overwhelmingly amazing the greatness of God's works and His power. And yet, to Him, we are of great worth. We are God's in embryo, to someday be like Him. To receive a fullness, as He has. "...all that my Father hath shall be given unto him." (D&C 84:38)

He wants to give all that he has, worlds without end.

So when times are tough and stressful, and we wonder why our Heavenly Father is allowing us to go through these tough times, we need to realize this is the process that will prepare us to cope and handle the governing of "worlds without end."

During hard times, instead of asking "why is this happening to me?" ask "what do I need to learn from this?"

For the time will come when you will have "worlds without end" in your portfolio.

Love, Dad

He Lives!

This past week has been one full of a lot of emotion and testimony building. As you are aware, Mom and I have been very busy for the past 6 months in meetings and preparation for our part with our Youth Conference.

With our responsibility over 15 Book of Mormon re-enactments, our goal was to make them as authentic and real as possible, so that our youth would remember them as they read the Book of Mormon, as well as strengthening their testimonies.

We doubted whether our youth would be moved and motivated by the re-enactments, and if their testimonies would grow. That doubt was completely erased Tuesday night when the voice of the Father announced "Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have gloried my name, hear ye him." And as the Savior crested the hill, and came down amongst the youth, they knew that he lived, as evidenced by their tears and longing to touch him and be with him. The spirit and the love of Christ was immense at that moment. (I know that it changed Chad having the once in a life time opportunity to depict someone as holy and sacred as the Savior.)

In our busy lives that are filled with responsibilities, challenges and trials, it is important to know that our Savior lives. He knows us. He loves us. And he wants us to be happy and filled with joy as we live his commandments and follow him.

He can ease our burdens, no matter how heavy and unbearable they are. He has already paid the price for those burdens. All we have to do is lay them at his feet. Be willing to "allow" him to carry those burdens, and not try to carry them ourselves.

He said in Matthew, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." -- Matt 11:28

This past week, my testimony of the Savior was renewed, enlarged and my conviction strengthened. He is involved in the minuet details of our lives. He can lift us and carry us. All we have to do is approach him.

He lives!

Love, Dad