The Sacrament

Whew!! So, this week we put on an "Open House" for our church. It was chaotic and crazy but it was a lot of fun to put together. We had all of the different programs and auxiliaries that our church is involved in come and talk about some of the things that we offer. It was a really fun night where anyone could come in and learn a little bit more about our church and at the end we had our Mission President, President Jack R. Christianson, give a devotional. He talked about the incredible programs and auxiliaries that the church offers, but that the main focus and reason for our Sunday attendance is the Sacrament.

When we enter into the waters of baptism we make a covenant, or a two-way promise, with God. We promise God that we will:
-Always remember His Son, Jesus Christ
-That we will take the Savior's name upon us
-That we will keep His commandments

He in return promises that we can:
-Have the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit
-Get a remission for our sins
-Be born again

We don't have to be re-baptized to renew these covenants. That is what the sacrament is for. Every week, at church, we get to partake of the water and the bread, that is blessed and passed to the congregation by those holding the power and authority of God. When we partake of these emblems it is as if we are being re-baptized. Our covenants are renewed. Those mistakes that we made, and repented of, that week are washed away just like the day you were baptized. You've got another clean slate! What a miracle!!

I love the sacrament. I'm so grateful for it. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us, He wants us home again with Him. I know that is by making, keeping, and renewing these precious covenants that we're going to make it there.

The Holy Ghost

  This afternoon I was thinking of an experience that I had when I was really little. We use to have two bunnies when I lived in Kanab, UT. There names were Whiskers and Scooter and sometimes we would take them out of their cage and let them run in our backyard. One day, I was sitting outside watching them run around. when something else caught my attention. I remember turning my back to the rabbits and getting engaged in another task. I was fully focused on the new project that I had immersed myself in when I felt this distinct, and very prompt, impression to turn around. Although I was little, I remember it felt like someone had hastily tapped me on the shoulder. As I turned around I caught a glance of a cat, moving quickly to go pounce on Scooter, who was oblivious to the whole thing. I ran toward the cat and got there right in time to scare it away from my little bunny :).

  So... yes, this is a strange story, and most of you probably don't see a bunny's life as high priority, but I learned a lot of lessons from that experience. I learned a lot about the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead. He is with the Father and the Son, and they have the same purpose but they are three separate beings. There are many different roles that the Holy Ghost can play in our lives. He testifies of truth, helps lead us in the right direction, provides power to teach and to learn, he can warn us in times of danger (like if your rabbit is in danger :)), and one of my favorite roles of the Holy Ghost is that he is a comforter. I love the scripture in in John 14:18 that says, " I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you." Our Heavenly Father speaks and comforts us through the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is a precious gift that our Father in Heaven offers to all of those who have been baptized, by the right authority. The Holy Ghost can be our CONSTANT companion, if we are worthy of it.

  I'm so grateful for this gift! I'm also grateful for a Father in Heaven who loved his daughter enough to help her protect her little bunny. Because Scooter was important to me he was also important to Heavenly Father.  He loves us. He wants us to succeed and be happy and that is why He has given us the gift of the Holy Ghost.