Tonight I will be giving my first ever talk at one of my friend's baptism! :) Hope you enjoy!
What is baptism? Baptism is “the
first saving ordinance of the gospel and is necessary for an individual to
become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to
receive eternal salvation. All who seek eternal life must follow the example of
the Savior by being baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.” [Church
definition] (A good scripture: Alma 7:14-15). When we are baptized, we promise God that we will take upon
ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, keep His commandments, and serve Him to the
end. How do we take upon ourselves the name of Jesus
Christ? We do so by striving to be like Christ in our everyday lives.
From the bible, we learn that Christ is a Counselor, a Friend, and the
Light of the World. In our day-to-day lives, we can be like Christ. A
Counselor, a Friend to all, and a Light to the World. How do we keep his
commandments? We try to be the best people we can be. We try to stay in safe
places where Satan cannot tempt us. We can serve Him by serving others. In
Matthew 25:40 it reads: “Inasmuch as ye
have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto
me.” No one on this Earth is perfect. But as long as we try, we are
blessed. We get the opportunity to be cleansed and renew our baptismal
covenants every week with the sacrament. Every time we take the sacrament, we
have a clean slate. It’s like being baptized all over again! And we can take it
every week!
And when we are
baptized, we must press forward. In 2 Nephi 31, it explains it much better than
I do. “And now, my beloved brethren,
after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path I would ask if all is
done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were
by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the
merits of him who is mighty to save. Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness
in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all
men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ,
and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.” I know that this Gospel is true. We can live with God again. Families CAN be together forever. And I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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