Rikki Howard's Baptism

Rikki's baptism was awesome! The spirit was very strong and I am so grateful I was able to be part of the wonderful moment in Rikki's life.

 

The talk at Rikki's baptism was so good that I wanted to share it with everyone. The talk was given by Brother Buttars!

Before I start, I just wanted to thank you Rikki and your amazing family for letting me be a part of this awesome experience. Thank you so much for opening your home, feeding us, and helping my testimony grow just as much as yours. Through this journey I have become so excited watching you get excited about going to the temple and being sealed to your family forever. And what you have chosen to do today, by getting baptized, is the first step down the path to that eternal family. I read somewhere that when you rise out of that water, our Savior is at the end of that path, opening the doors to the Celestial Kingdom for you and your family. He is beckoning you down that path, and promises to help you every step of the way. In some instances even carrying us through the roughest parts.

But back to that first step. Baptism is a very sacred ordinance. It is our promise to our Heavenly Father that we will take upon us the name of Jesus Christ, follow His commandments to the best of our ability, and have faith in Him, knowing that He is our Savior. All the while, God is on the other side of the table, promising that if we would do so, He will forgive us of our sins through the mercy and Atonement of His Son.

In a short couple of moments, every sin and mistake you have ever made in your entire life will be washed away. Now, as you are baptized, and in the future as you repent, one very important thing to remember is to forget those sins. As you step out of the water leave them in it. Our Heavenly Father wants us to learn from our mistakes, but He also wants us to forgive ourselves and remember them no more. Recently I was working with the Elders and we were discussing self forgiveness. One of them had an amazing analogy that went like this;

“As we make mistakes and repent of them through the Atonement and Sacrement, it is like we are stuffing those sins into a bag and throwing them off the edge of a cliff to forget them. But, like many of us do, we tend to tie a rope around that bag and attach it to our foot. As time goes by, the weight of that bag tugging on our foot makes us pull it back up, reliving everything we put in the bag. Our Heavenly Father doesn’t want us to suffer through the same things over and over. We must learn to forgive ourselves, cut those ropes, and let our mistakes be washed away.”

God knows that after baptism we couldn’t stay perfect and that we would make mistakes. In His infinite wisdom, which is beyond my understanding, He created a way for us to continually be forgiven, and it is called the Sacrament. As we properly repent and come to take the Sacrament, we are renewing and remembering the promise we made to our Heavenly Father at our baptism. Through the mercy of His Son, He also renews His promise to us, and forgives us of those sins. Thus creating a way for us to progress, learn, and return to Him.

 Our Heavenly Father is so happy that you have come to this agreement, that He decides to throw an added gift into the deal. That gift is the Holy Ghost. It is such an amazing, beautiful, and useful gift! It is sad to know that many people throughout the world live without it and its amazing blessings. One of the many things that He is, is a comforter. When you are living a Christ like life, being charitable, and having spiritual experiences with your family, He is that warm peaceful feeling in your heart, telling you that what you are doing is right. He is also an amazing teacher. If you pray for His guidance, as you study the Gospel, scriptures, and teachings of modern prophets, He will open your understanding and help you pick up on things that you wouldn’t have before. Another great thing that He is, is a protector. If you live worthy of His presence, He will warn you when danger is headed your way, or when evil people and their designs are in your presence. 

As you are confirmed a member tomorrow morning, you will receive the Holy Ghost. If you keep your promise to your Heavenly Father and live worthy of this gift, He will be with you always.

I know that this is the true church of Jesus Christ and that what you are doing is right. I know that this church was restored by Christ through the prophet Joseph Smith. I am so happy for you and the decision you have made. I know that you can have for family forever. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

           

Jerry Hick's baptism

Here is the talk I gave at Jerry Hick's Baptism.

"And he said unto the children of men: ^aFollow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we ^bfollow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?" 2 Nephi 31:10

Jerry, you are making a very good choice by deciding to follow the example of Jesus Christ. As you are baptized you will come up and will be on that path that leads to the Celestial Kingdom. Jesus Christ is at the end of this path helping you every step of the way.

As you are baptized you are promising your Heavenly Father that you will take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ, follow His commandments to the best of your ability and to always serve Him. And I know as you keep these promises you will receive many blessings.

I remember after I was baptized, my sister told me "now you are perfect, don't mess up."

Well, God knows that after baptism we will make mistakes. That is why He created a way for us to continually be forgiven, and thats called the Sacrament. As we properly repent and come to church and partake of the sacrament, we are renewing and remembering  the promises we made to our Heavenly Father at our baptism. Through the mercy of His Son, He also renews His promise to us and forgives us of those sins. Thus creating a way for us to progress, learn, and return back to him.

"As we make mistakes and repent of them through the Atonement and Sacrament, it is like stuffing those sins into a bad and throwing them off the edge of a cliff to forget them. But, like many of us do, we tend to tie a rope around the bag and our foot. As time goes by the weight of that bag tugging on our foot makes us pull it back up, reliving everything we put in the bag. Our Heavenly Father doesn't want us to suffer through the same things over and over. We must learn to forgive ourselves, cut the rope and let our mistakes be washed away."

Jerry, as you come out of the water, leave all your sins in the water. Forgive yourself and start going down the path. Remember baptism is that gate to that path that leads to eternal life. Your next goal, your next step on the oath should be working towards entering the temple.

Jerry, your Heavenly Father is proud of the choice you are making and He loves you very much!

Jay D Massey's Baptism

"And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!" -2 Nephi 31:5

 "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?" -2 Nephi 31:10

I was able to see a young boy, Jay D, that made the decision to follow the example of Jesus Christ. At his baptism the spirit was strong, and it was such a humbling experience for me. To see a 9 year old kid pray about the decision to be baptized and follow the prompting he received from the spirit gave me a whole new perspective on the scriptures that tell us to become as little children.

"And said, Verily I say unto you, 

Except ye be converted, and 

become as little children, ye shall 

not enter into the kingdom of heaven." 

-Matthew 18:3

 

I know as we follow the example of Jesus Christ, are baptized and humble ourselves and become like little children we can return back to live with our Heavenly Father.

What can you do to follow the example of Jesus Christ?

Missionaries

Missionaries: They leave their families for 18 months to 24 months to help other families spend eternity together. This is a quote often used to describe missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I've heard this quote, I've repeated this quote, but what does it really mean? Well here is what it means to me.

I left to serve a mission for a period of 18 months and during that period I agreed to only communicate with my family through letters, once of week through email, and a phone call twice a year on Mother's day and Christmas. I know it sounds a bit restrictive, but the reason behind it is to keep us as missionaries focused on the Lord's work. We devote all of our time to the Lord and with less communication from family we are able to be more focused. Is it easy for me to not talk to them more often? No, at times its hard but as I put my focus on the work I find myself not worrying about how much I get to talk to my family or not because the more I am not focused on my family I am more focus on others and that brings me so much joy being able to help others. Hence the quote that I left my family to help them have eternity with theirs.

Now the question is how is it that I am helping them receive eternity with their family? By sharing another testament of Jesus Christ! Yes, The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. 

“And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, ... and they teach all men that they should do good.” 2 Nephi 33:10

As I read The Book of Mormon as well as the Bible my faith in Jesus Christ is strengthened. Because I have read it and prayed and asked if its true, God has answered me through the Holy Ghost that it is true and because I know its true I also know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and that He translated it through the power of God. And because I know these things I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Christ's Church restored! And as you come to know that these things are true you can receive the sacred ordinances done by the proper priesthood authority.  My point is I teach people about Jesus Christ and His church. I teach people about sacred ordinances such as baptism and being sealed as a family for eternity. I want everyone to know about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ because it has brought me so much peace, hope, and joy in my life.

Christmas

This Christmas season is the first of many.

My first  and only Christmas as a full-time missionary for the Lord.
My first Christmas in Nashville, Tennessee.
My first Christmas without any of my family.
My first Christmas not buying presents for others.
My first Christmas sending a Christmas card to many people.
My first Christmas that my brother Frank will not be here to celebrate with my family.

As I think about all these different things, some are hard, some are awesome but all of them will be something I will remember forever!

My first  and only Christmas as a full-time missionary for the Lord:
I am so excited that I am a missionary and have the opportunity to testify of Jesus Christ during this wonderful Christmas season! I am so grateful that I get this opportunity to focus on the true meaning of Christmas more than I ever have before.

My first Christmas in Nashville, Tennessee:
Well a year ago I never ever expected to be living in Nashville, Tennessee but here I am and loving it! Its such a different experience than anything I have ever done before. I am so grateful for it because I have met so many wonderful people that I have grown to love so much. So many of these people have taught me so much and have help strengthened my faith in Jesus Christ!

My first Christmas without any of my family:
Well this is one of those harder things. I miss my family so much. Its hard to not be with my family during Christmas time but I am so grateful for my missionary companion, many families and wonderful people that have shown me so much love and have basically welcomed me into their homes and made me feel like family! I know that by making the sacrifice and serving the Lord many blessings will come to my family and those around me.

My first Christmas not buying presents for others:
Since Christmas has gotten so commercialized, I admit I have gotten caught up in making sure I buy some the best presents for people. Even now I will see a toy that I know my nephews or nieces would love and I have to use all my will power to not buy it. I am grateful for this opportunity because I have realized Christmas is about much more than the presents. I have been able to focus more on important gifts that all of us have been given. Jesus Christ suffered and died for us so that we may repent and be cleansed through the power of His Atonement. Jesus Christ was resurrected and so will all of us. We have been given the gift of immortality. And we have been given a way to receive eternal life. I am so grateful for this gifts and for all that my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ has done for me. I am am excited about only focusing on giving gifts back to my Heavenly Father and my Savior this year!

My first Christmas sending a Christmas card to many people:
This was so much fun! Me and my missionary companion took Christmas pictures together! And I was able to write cards to my family and friends that I care so much about and express my love for them. To let them know that I am thinking of them and love them. It was such a simple thing but yet it was so much fun to do!

Christmas Spirit

As I drive around I am so grateful for the Christmas spirit that I see with all the Christmas lights, I think they are so beautiful!

My question for everyone is what does Christmas mean to you?

Christmas to me means celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Its about remembering all that He did for us. Its about getting together as a family and making memories! I am so grateful for Jesus Christ and all that He has done for me.

Alma 7:11-13

11: And he shall go forth, suffering pains and ^aafflictions and ^btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ^ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12: And he will take upon him ^adeath, that he may ^bloose 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 ^csuccor his people according to their infirmities.

13: Now the Spirit ^aknoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the ^bflesh that he might ^ctake upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

Darius and Kelsey's baptism!

Last weekend there was a baptism! Kelsey and Darius chose to follow the example of Jesus Christ and they were baptized! It was so amazing! The spirit was very strong and I am so grateful to have been able to be there for it!


Kelsey and Darius




Sister McCall, Kelsey, Darius, and Sister Jasper

Sister McCall and Elder Payne sang I know my Redeemer lives and it was so amazing and it brought the spirit so strong that I wanted to share it with everyone else!

Darius and Kelsey wedding

I got to be there for their wedding. It was such a sweet moment and I am so glad I was able to be there!

There next step is getting sealed for eternity! I am so excited for them and the choices they are making! They are awsome!!

Prepare to meet God!

I don't know if you have ever losed someone your close to but about 7 weeks ago my brother passed away. I feel like I am riding an emotional rollercoster. Somedays are better than others but somedays are hard. Someday I forget to focus on the eternal prespective of life and I focus on the missed opportunities here on earth. I forget that I know where he is and that he is in a better place and that I will get to see him again.

The other day I also find out that an amazing lady I knew growing up was at work just like any other day when someone come in mad and shot her. This makes me think about how I know that I am here on earth for a reason but I don't know when my time to go is. It makes me think of this scripture.

Alma 24:32-33
32 For behold, this ^alife is the time for men to ^bprepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of ^cthis life is the day for men to perform their ^dlabors.
33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many ^awitnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not ^bprocrastinate the day of your ^crepentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the ^dnight of ^edarkness wherein there can be no labor performed.

Part of God's plan is death. Even though its part of the plan it doesn't always take away the sting of it when someone dies. I do know that this life is the time for us to prepare to meet God, for us to prepare for eternity. We can't wait until the last moment before we die to prepare to meet God, its something we need to be constantly and continually preparing to do.

I know that God has a plan for us and that we can return back to live with our Heavenly Father if we live righteously and prepare now. I know that families are for eternity and I know that I will see my brother again. I know that even though I miss him and it hurts sometimes knowing he is gone that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can be healed. I know that we can find happiness during times of challenges.

Jumping for happiness!

So I love to take jumping pictures, because well they are awesome! It just shows how excited you can be about life. We can even be happy during times that are hard. All we have to do is just choose to be. Yeah sometimes it is hard and I am not perfect at it, but as I try and put the effort into focusing on the blessings I have and the positive things that happen it is a lot easier to be happier. So I plan to write down blessings I see each day to help me be happier, because as we are happy we can make a difference in all the people's lives around us!

The great outdoors!

Jesus Christ created the earth under the direction of our Heavenly Father. Which I am very grateful for because I love the outdoors! I love the summer, winter, fall and spring. I love enjoying the outdoors with my family and friends. Being outdoors for me is a place where I can feel the love of my Heavenly Father and enjoy the company of my family and friends. Don't take your family or friends for granted! Take some time and do something fun and build an everlasting relationship with them. Go enjoy the outdoors that were created for all of to enjoy!

 

Happy Halloween!

Well since Halloween is coming up I thought I would share a few pictures from my last halloween. All holidays are a great opportunity to spend time with your family!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

The Atonement of Jesus Christ is not just for sinners

“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” (Alma 7:11–12).

In these scriptures is tells us that Jesus Christ took upon Himself  our pains, afflictions, temptations and sicknesses.

The Atonement of Jesus Christ isn't just there for my sins but there to heal me spiritually. As I go through afflictions, as I face temptations, and I am sick I know that I am not alone. I know that Jesus Christ knows how I feel and that through Him I can learn and grow from all the experiences I go through. I know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ my burdens may be light.

And I will also ease the ^aburdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as ^bwitnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their ^cafflictions. (Mosiah 24:14)

I know that as we turn to Jesus Christ and apply His Atonement into our lives we can be spiritually healed. I know that our life here on earth is when we are suppose to prepare to me God and go through expereiences and learn. I know that it is only through Christ that we can return back to our Heavenly Father.

I know that as we trust in the Lord and follow His commandments we can handle anything. I am so grateful for The Atonement in my life. I am so grateful for the love my Heavenly Father has for me and you, that He sent His son to suffer and die for me and you!

Finding comfort in losing a loved one

On September 9, 2011 I received a phone call from my mom and dad. A phone call from your parents shouldn't be an unusual thing, but as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Church it is. We only talk to our parents twice a year and email once a week and communicate through letters, reason being so we can stay focused on the Lord's work! So receiving a phone call was very unusual. At first they just asked how I was feeling, since they knew I had been pretty sick from having a bad gall bladder. Then they got to the point of why they called. They told me that my brother, Frank had passed away.

At first I wanted to respond with anger and yell and say that its not possible, but I couldn't because the Spirit of God comforted me to know that things will be ok.

The scripture  John 14:18

"I will not leave you ^acomfortless: I will ^bcome to you." 

has become very real to me since that moment I found out about my brother had passed away.

Don't get me wrong though, every day has been a struggle and I sometimes catch myself thinking about the things my brother will miss out on. In those moments I have to refocus on the faith that I have in my Savior, Jesus Christ and know that through Jesus Christ I can find comfort in losing a loved one.

Some of the ways I find comfort:

*Reading the Book of Mormon and Bible

*Serving others

*Teaching about Jesus Christ

*Obeying God's commandments

Mosiah 15:7-9, 20-23 reads:

7 Yea, even so he shall be led, ^acrucified, and slain, the ^bflesh becoming subject even unto death, the ^cwill of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father.

8 And thus God breaketh the ^abands of death, having gained the ^bvictory over death; giving the Son power to make ^cintercession for the children of men—

9 Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon ^ahimself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and ^bsatisfied the demands of justice.

 20 But behold, the bands of death shall be broken, and the Son reigneth, and hath power over the dead; therefore, he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead.

21 And there cometh a resurrection, even a ^afirst resurrection; yea, even a resurrection of those that have been, and who are, and who shall be, even until the resurrection of Christ—for so shall he be called.

22 And now, the resurrection of all the prophets, and all those that have believed in their words, or all those that have kept the commandments of God, shall come forth in the first resurrection; therefore, they are the first resurrection.

23 They are raised to ^adwell with God who has redeemed them; thus they have eternal life through Christ, who has ^bbroken the bands of death.

I know because of The Atonement of Christ that all of us will live again!! I know that I will see my brother again and that I will be able to live with him and my family for eternity. I know that if I listen to the Prophet's words and follow the commandments of God that I will live with my Heavenly Father and my family. I know that my brother will live again and that I will see him again. I am human and so I know that I will at times feel sad and miss my brother, but because I know God's plan, I have hope. I know good things are to come here on earth and when I return back to my Heavenly Father.

I know that The Book of Mormon as well as the Bible are the word of God. I know that Joesph Smith translated The Book of Mormon through the power of God. I know that Joesph Smith is a prophet called of God and that since him there has always been a prophet called of God here on earth! I know that Jesus Christ's Church that he set up on earth has been restored today. I know that The priesthood authority that Jesus Christ has, the Prophet Thomas S. Monson has it. I know The Church of Jesus Christ Of latter-Day Saints is Christ's church and has the authority to act in God's name.  And I know that you can know that by reading The Book of Mormon and praying to God and asking him if its true.