Happy Feet

Today was the baptism of Edward Franklin and what a wondrous occasion it was. It was incredible to feel of the spirit of Brother Franklin as he was baptized. His story is quite an amazing one too. He wrote down his testimony and a little bit of his story and so here it is:

I lived a good life, but there was still something incomplete about my state of being. I discovered my life wasn’t whole, nor was I living up to my full potential. Something told me to wait for a sign, because I felt that I was still here on earth for a good reason. The problem was that I didn’t have a clue as to what that reason was. Just under 2 months ago, Elder Millett and Miller appeared at my front door and ask me if I had a moment to spare. I said yes and we have met every week since then. They explained their mission and gave me guidance with understanding the gospel. Thanks to their persistence and honesty, I have chosen to follow in the same path, to live according to the scripture and to obey our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, our savior. My life is now full of joy, hope and happiness. My intention is to share this with all of my Brothers and Sisters. And February 26th shall be a joyous day, because that is the day of my Baptism and beginning of my new life. A Beautiful Day it shall be.     

It was truly a Beautiful Day. He was so excited that he said he had 'Happy Feet'. Brother Franklin loves the Gospel and is so excited to be a new member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also says this about the change that he has undergone:

 I am a living witness to the fact that you stated that my life would change and the people have spoken. The people that I worked with years ago stated that I looked as though I had stopped aging. When you are living righteously and have complete faith in God’s plan, this is the end product. I feel good.

Keep feeling good Brother Franklin because the Lord is definitely well pleased with you and has a lot of wonderful blessings in store for you.

The Best Decision Ever

We had a wonderful experience on February 12th 2011 that was the culmination of many spiritual lessons and amazing visits with Nina and her son Christian. They were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They are absolutely amazing and I am so grateful to have been a part of their baptism.

I know this post came a little bit later then it normally would have after a baptism but I felt like I needed to let Nina relate her experience of how this wonderful miracle came about. So here it is:

 This is my story how I converted as a Mormon. Everything started on January 1, 2011. When my door bell rang one evening and it was the Missionaries (Elder Miller and Millett). The Missionaries were sent by my brother Gustavo who became a member in 2004. My brother and his wife Brigita were visiting that night. We were watching Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "You Are My Hands." The Missionaries were coming by to teach me and share the gospel from the Mormon book. As Elder Millett read some scriptures to me, "I felt hypnotized," the spirit was so, so strong that I couldn't blink for a moment. This was the first time I had felt the Holy Ghost in my life. From that point on, the Missionaries continued to come to my house to teach the gospel to me and my son, Christian. We had never felt so good Spiritually in our lives until then. And what made it even more special was when my son told me, "Mom, I really enjoy when the Missionaries come to our house to pray with us." I knew then, that we were both ready for baptism and to be part of a loving family "The Mormon Family".
On February 12, 2011, my son and I were baptized. This was the best decision I have made not just for myself but for my son.

    I also know that this is the best decision they will make up to this point. There are so many blessings in store for this amazing family. As we visited them just the other day both Elder Miller and I were talking about how much we love this family. They are two of the most incredible people that I have ever met. I know we will be best friends forever!

A way of life

    "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"(Article of Faith:4).
     The Gospel is the 'good news' of our savior Jesus Christ who came, suffered and died for us so that we wouldnt have to suffer if we but have faith in Him. I feel that faith is 'believing' and 'doing' coupled together. If we just believe in Christ and dont 'do' what he wants us to do then is that faith? In the same token, if you do everything you can to follow Christ by living a good life but are just going through the motions and don't actually believe in Christ that's not really faith either. Both believing and doing have to be a part of the equation. "Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone"(James 2:17). Likewise works without believeing is not faith.
   Those works include Repenting of our sins. Accepting that what we did is wrong, Being sorry for it, Confessing to God, Doing it no more.
   In 2 Nephi 31:11-12 it states, "And 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".
   God has commanded us to be baptized, why else would his Son who is holy be baptized by water? Christ did it to show us the path that we need to take. He did it to lead by example and to let us know what we must do. "Follow thou me". After we have entered into the waters of Baptism we then become completely and totally cleansed from sin.  However, in John 3:5 it says that we need to be baptized by water AND of the Spirit.
   That baptism of Spirit comes when we receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. I know that the Holy Ghost can help guide and direct us in all things. After we follow these steps we are not done. We need to continue to live the gospel of faith and repentance. It is the way that our Savior has placed before us. It is a way of life.