Walls, Doors, and Windows

Life is like a big building. We travel from room to room until we make our exit. Behind each door of decision lies a consequence, for the good or the bad. The walls of the world hide these consequences. However, the Lord has given us the gift of the Holy Ghost which acts as a window. Through the Holy Ghost, the window of opportunity, we can better see the results of our actions and choices. So how do we get this gift?

In the Book of Acts we read that it must be conferred upon us, after baptism, by the laying on of hands by someone who holds the priesthood. Neither the priesthood nor the gift of the Holy Ghost can be bought with money as Peter teaches in the 8th chapter of Acts. Rather, it must be given from God (See Hebrews 5:4).

Once we have received the gift of the Holy Ghost we are promised that if we live worthily we will have that companionship always. When this is the case we can look through the windows of the building of life into the next room and thus make better decisions. Let us each strive to gain and retain this gift.

The Doctrine of Christ

The following is a talk that I wrote for the Kalispell 3rd Ward's Sacrament Meeting about a month ago. I didn't get to share it all so I figured I would just put it on here. Sorry, but it'll just be in bullet point format. Here goes:

"Strengthening their understanding of the doctrine of Christ will do more to . . . build their excitement to do missionary work than anything else you can do." -Preach My Gospel pg. 161
What is the Doctrine of Christ?
2 Nephi 31:17-21 Note: Unshaken faith, repentance, baptism, Holy Ghost, Endure to the End.

Faith
Bible Dictionary: "Faith is to hope for things which are not seen, but which are true, and must be centered in Jesus Christ in order to produce salvation."
Pray with faith to be able to assist the Lord in this great work.
See Alma 31:26, 35. Note the difference from the beginning of Alma's prayer to the end? What was the turning point? Vs. 31 - "comfort my soul in Christ."

Repentance
"Our faith in Christ and our love for Him lead us to repent, or to change our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that are not in harmony with His will." Preach My Gospel pg. 62

Baptism
When we are baptized we covenant to:
-Mourn with those that mourn
-Comfort those that stand in need of comfort
-Stand as a witness of God at all times, in all things, and in all places
In L. Tom Perry's talk, Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear, he says, "There are a number of things that we can do - that you can do - to advance an understanding of the Church." Some of those things include:
1. Be bold in our declaration of Jesus Christ
2. Be righteous examples to others
3. Speak up about the Church

Holy Ghost
The Holy Ghost will help us do missionary work. "If we listen with love, we won't need to wonder what to say. It will be given to us - by the Spirit and by our friends." -Elder Holland
John 14:26-27 Speaks about the Holy Ghost bringing things to our remembrance an and also bringing us peace.

Endure to the End
After doing all of this it is important that we don't stop. We must keep pressing forward looking toward Christ (2 Nephi 31:20). If we will continue on this path then we will have eternal life.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

Through Christ We Can Be Cleansed from Sin

Faith in Jesus Christ

Repentance

Baptism, Our First Covenant

The Gift of the Holy Ghost

Endure to the End

Pray to Know the Truth through the Holy Ghost

       Prayer is an essential part in coming to know our Father in Heaven. It's how we communicate with Him. Through the Holy Ghost we can receive promptings and thoughts that help us to know what our Heavenly Father wants us to do. As missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we invite people to read the Book of Mormon and to ask God if it is true. We cannot convince anyone of this by ourselves. The Spirit is what truly converts each of us.

       An example of this would be... me. My parents taught me about Jesus Christ and about the Book of Mormon. As a child I may have taken their word for it. But as I grew older I realized that I needed to know for myself. I read and studied the Book of Mormon and then prayed to God asking Him if it was true. I can testify that it is. I didn't have an angel appear to me and proclaim its truthfulness, I didn't see a vision, but I did feel something deep in my heart confirming to me that what I had been taught was true. Everybody can receive an answer for themselves. You just have to ask.