I was so excited this morning because I got to teach seminary again. There is something about teaching the youth the gospel at 6:30am in the morning that really energizes me. The gospel itself can energize me, then you add the energy of the youth, the amazing discussions and discoveries, and the occasional off the wall comments and you have the perfect mix to be spiritually fed! So my prayer was focused on helping the youth feel the Spirit and to help them love the scriptures. Two very important skills they will need to succeed in life!
In my scripture study I am finishing up Article of Faith 4 with Baptism and the Laying on of Hands.
As I was studying, one of the reference scriptures really stood out to me.
"Can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands?" Alma 5:19
Because my goal is to have eternal life in the presence of my Father in Heaven and the Savior, baptism and the laying on of hands to confer the Holy Ghost have significant meaning to me. I cannot reach my goal without these two things. And both are required for the process of the remission of sins to be complete.
The problem: I sin "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak"( Matt 26:41) and"no unclean thing can dwell with God" (1 Ne 10:21)
The solution: I must be made pure, clean, and sanctified, which requires:
Faith and Repentance
"Repent that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost" 3 Ne 27:20
Remission of Sins:
Baptism and the Laying on of Hands
"... 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, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory;"
"For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified." Moses 6:59-60
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:5
What a great gift we are given with these ordinances. Baptism by immersion is symbolic of the death of our sinful life and the rebirth into a spiritual life (i.e. born again). Then with the laying on of hands we have the opportunity to receive the Holy Ghost as our constant companion to help us keep our promises to God: take His name upon us, keep His commandments, and serve Him to the end.
I think the covenants I made at my baptism help me to look up to God now. They are a constant reminder of what is expected of me if I am to be in God's presence again. I want to be able to look up to God at the judgment day with a pure heart and clean hands. I want Him to be smiling at me and I want to hear him say that in me he is well pleased. I am grateful that I have the blessings of baptism and the Holy Ghost in my life so that I can know that I am on the right path to achieve my goal!
"Sanctification cometh to those who yield their hearts unto God" Hel 3:33-35
"Sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God" D&C 88:68
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