When my old roommate from my first semester at school called me to tell me that she was getting baptized I was completely overjoyed! I couldn’t even stand it! My heart was so full. And to me, it was out of the blue. I had worked with her and loved her so much during my first semester. I sat in on discussions with her; I had had many talks with her over lunch. I had let the Holy Spirit guide my thoughts and words (and that was later confirmed to me because it seemed like everything I told her was reiterated in blessings or discussions the missionaries would give). There was a point towards the end of the semester where I felt I had done my work with her. The rest was left up to her. I think I might have mentioned that to her. I believed she would be baptized one day, I just didn’t know when. I told her to take her time, because then it would be even more of a beautiful experience than if she didn’t wait until she was ready. I told her it would be a beautiful experience, and she would want it to be the best she could make it.
I knew I would like to attend the baptism, but I wasn't sure if I could. There wasn't anyone I knew of, that was going to make a trip to my college campus, and the car I drive is very old and the gas prices would amount to more than a plane ticket. So I opted to buy the ticket. It was s huge sacrifice oh my part. Not that it would be much of a sacrifice to someone else, but for a poor college student, it was a huge step. But the day I called my old roommate was the day I knew it was a good decision. I spoke with her and told her I was coming, and she expressed such gratitude and appreciation. Then I asked her about her decision and she testified very strongly about the gospel. I think I got an inkling of what it meant in D&C 18 where is says how great our joy will be if we bring one soul to Christ. It wasn't so much because of what I had done (for I merely listened to what God wanted me to say), but it was the joy of seeing her take that step. She was entering the waters of baptism! I felt like the people in Mosiah 18:11 and wanted to clap my hands with the excitement I was feeling. I was overjoyed.
Her baptism was perhaps the most beautiful I had ever witnessed. She was so beautiful! I know from when I was living with her that she just shined with the light of Christ, even before becoming a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Now that she has the Gift of the Holy Ghost and the conviction of the Spirit, I see her with a light unlike I had ever seen with her before. Truly, there has been a "change [of] heart (Alma 5:14)” and she has become “a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17)”. She even told us of how before she joined the church she would feel the spirit around certain people as long as they were with her, but when they were not, the spirit would leave (except in those special instances the spirit would touch her to testify of truth). She says it was not with her, but fleeting. How amazing she was to recognize that.
Her baptism was not only a blessing to herself, but also a blessing to many others. Here was a grown woman who was discovering truths I had known as a child, and forgotten or taken for granted. I do remember as a child, before my baptism I had so desperately wanted the spirit with me continually as well. And I did feel the change. But she has realized so many other things. She is discovering sanctification. She is discovering truth and the restoration. She is getting so much more out of it; more than I could have imagined at age 8. At that age, I was aware of what I was doing, it felt right, and I did have my little testimony in my own way, but it was a simple understanding. My roommate has searched it out and gained a better understanding. She is really wise!
Her baptism also gave us opportunity to testify. I was asked to speak on baptism. I did get choked up, though I was told it just looked like I got really nervous all of a sudden and it looked like I was freaking out instead of being touched. Oh well. I knew what I felt and I think my roommate knew me well enough to know that I was caught up in the moment. Also, two bishops (her ward and our old bishop) welcomed her into the ward. Both talks were great, and the spirit was strong. Afterwards I went up to the Bishop I had and thanked him for his message that day. He thanked me also, and then pulled me into a big hug. I don’t think that my bishop before that moment had ever hugged me. I was stunned. But then he told me it was good people like me that made this happen. I said yes, many good people. Because during that trip, I began to see how I had impacted my roommates’ lives. They didn’t see it or recognize it (I think that is the beauty of it, because my example had just become a part of them). I was just a piece to a big puzzle in God’s hands, interwoven into a beautiful tapestry of grace, beauty and love. God does love his children and answers to their needs. I have been part and recipient of that in my life. We are all a part in uplifting and edifying each other, for we are Never Alone. And I will always thank my God for that.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Long May Our Land Be Bright
Happy Independence Day! I can't help but think back to the church history tour I took the summer before my junior year. This trip included a visit to Independence Hall where two divinely inspired documents were adopted: The Constitution and The Declaration of Independence.
Here is a little history most people don't know about the declaration of Independence. "President Ronald Reagan told the story about the signers of the Declaration of Independence and how they were struggling about the signing of the document, when an old man stood up and told them that this was their hour, the greatest hour in the history of this nation and to step forward and sign the document and men would praise them forever.
"With the spirit they felt, they immediately went to the table and began to sign and when they turned to have the stranger come, he was not there. The door was locked, and he was gone. The unknown visitor was probably Moroni." You can only imagine their terror, they were committing treason to the most powerful nation of that time. And there were some colonists who were still loyal to the crown. They had to have known their place in history, the importance of that document, and the seriousness of what they were doing. No wonder they might have needed a little divine inspiration.
The establishment of this country does not fall short of a miracle. The independence we gained was a miracle in itself. Here these tiny colonies that formed a union went up against the country with the most powerful navy. And won. Can we doubt there was intervention?
The Constitution was also a miracle in its own way. Delegates from states almost as diversified as separate countries came together and constructed the Constitution through compromise. In fact, it would be impossible to create a document that would satisfy every state. Of the 55 men who participated in the convention, only 39 signed the completed document. But these men were dedicated to the task at hand. James Madison said, "There never was an assembly of men, charged with a great and arduous trust, who were more pure in their motives, or more exclusively or anxiously devoted to the object committed to them." No wonder the Lord raised up men to that very purpose (D&C101:80).
So out of the worlds without number, why would God pay special attention to our little world in the corner of our Galaxy? And further, why would he take a special interest in the establishment of a free land? For as he told the Brother of Jared, "Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven..."(Ether 2:12). Well, a country that supported the freedom of religion was ready to usher in the restoration of the Gospel, Without the religious revival, the young boy, Joseph Smith, would not have had the desire to ask which of all the sects he should join, Also, after receiving the plates and translating them he was able to establish the church on April 6, 1830, the anniversary of day the constitution was signed, by the way. Also, we believe "that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American Continent (Articles of Faith vs 10). How then can we doubt that this country does have a very special place in history and for a divine purpose?
But among these miracles, we must notice that history repeats itself. Like the Nephites of old, we are following the outline of the pride cycle. Abraham Lincoln said," We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth, and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious had which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, as we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superiosr wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too slef-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us." Our country has been so blessed that men's hearts have turned proud. I think we have watched prosperity followed by greed, pride, and then a collapse of morality. What will come next? Calamity. As we have seen time and time again (http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1032-11,00.html). As we have listened to General Conference, I have been amazed to realize that our prophets, seers, and revelators are preparing us for hard times ahead. For they must come.
But what can we as saints do? Abraham Lincoln continued, "It behooves, us then, to humble ourselves before the Offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness."
Yes, on Independence Day many people feel very proud of our country and their hearts swell for the respect they have for our flag. But what is real patriotism? "A patriotism that puts country ahead of self; a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime"(Adlai Stevenson). I suggest we show our patriotism by fighting in a war that continues through the ages. I speak of the attack against religion and morality. In today's world it is spat upon, considered unintelligent, and foolish. Even within our nation's capital. Wo unto them (2 Nephi 15:20). They have forgotten that "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other" (John Adams). We, as saints and citizens under such an inspired constitution, have a civc duty to be moral in our conduct, for "righteousness exalteth a nation"(Proverbs 14:34). I can't help but see the similarities of the world we live in to that of Sodom and Gomorra. We must be the 50 that will keep the city alive. We have that power. We can take faith in the promises that we have been given. We know a Savior is coming. We know that we will be able to establish a Zion. We know that God will not forsake his people. Let us keep pressing forward in righteousness. This is a blessed land, for it has risen considerably from a very fragile state. Let us give thanks to the God of our Fathers who is the one to "protect us by [his] might, Great God our King.
Here is a little history most people don't know about the declaration of Independence. "President Ronald Reagan told the story about the signers of the Declaration of Independence and how they were struggling about the signing of the document, when an old man stood up and told them that this was their hour, the greatest hour in the history of this nation and to step forward and sign the document and men would praise them forever.
"With the spirit they felt, they immediately went to the table and began to sign and when they turned to have the stranger come, he was not there. The door was locked, and he was gone. The unknown visitor was probably Moroni." You can only imagine their terror, they were committing treason to the most powerful nation of that time. And there were some colonists who were still loyal to the crown. They had to have known their place in history, the importance of that document, and the seriousness of what they were doing. No wonder they might have needed a little divine inspiration.
The establishment of this country does not fall short of a miracle. The independence we gained was a miracle in itself. Here these tiny colonies that formed a union went up against the country with the most powerful navy. And won. Can we doubt there was intervention?
The Constitution was also a miracle in its own way. Delegates from states almost as diversified as separate countries came together and constructed the Constitution through compromise. In fact, it would be impossible to create a document that would satisfy every state. Of the 55 men who participated in the convention, only 39 signed the completed document. But these men were dedicated to the task at hand. James Madison said, "There never was an assembly of men, charged with a great and arduous trust, who were more pure in their motives, or more exclusively or anxiously devoted to the object committed to them." No wonder the Lord raised up men to that very purpose (D&C101:80).
So out of the worlds without number, why would God pay special attention to our little world in the corner of our Galaxy? And further, why would he take a special interest in the establishment of a free land? For as he told the Brother of Jared, "Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven..."(Ether 2:12). Well, a country that supported the freedom of religion was ready to usher in the restoration of the Gospel, Without the religious revival, the young boy, Joseph Smith, would not have had the desire to ask which of all the sects he should join, Also, after receiving the plates and translating them he was able to establish the church on April 6, 1830, the anniversary of day the constitution was signed, by the way. Also, we believe "that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American Continent (Articles of Faith vs 10). How then can we doubt that this country does have a very special place in history and for a divine purpose?
But among these miracles, we must notice that history repeats itself. Like the Nephites of old, we are following the outline of the pride cycle. Abraham Lincoln said," We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth, and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious had which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, as we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superiosr wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too slef-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us." Our country has been so blessed that men's hearts have turned proud. I think we have watched prosperity followed by greed, pride, and then a collapse of morality. What will come next? Calamity. As we have seen time and time again (http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1032-11,00.html). As we have listened to General Conference, I have been amazed to realize that our prophets, seers, and revelators are preparing us for hard times ahead. For they must come.
But what can we as saints do? Abraham Lincoln continued, "It behooves, us then, to humble ourselves before the Offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness."
Yes, on Independence Day many people feel very proud of our country and their hearts swell for the respect they have for our flag. But what is real patriotism? "A patriotism that puts country ahead of self; a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime"(Adlai Stevenson). I suggest we show our patriotism by fighting in a war that continues through the ages. I speak of the attack against religion and morality. In today's world it is spat upon, considered unintelligent, and foolish. Even within our nation's capital. Wo unto them (2 Nephi 15:20). They have forgotten that "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other" (John Adams). We, as saints and citizens under such an inspired constitution, have a civc duty to be moral in our conduct, for "righteousness exalteth a nation"(Proverbs 14:34). I can't help but see the similarities of the world we live in to that of Sodom and Gomorra. We must be the 50 that will keep the city alive. We have that power. We can take faith in the promises that we have been given. We know a Savior is coming. We know that we will be able to establish a Zion. We know that God will not forsake his people. Let us keep pressing forward in righteousness. This is a blessed land, for it has risen considerably from a very fragile state. Let us give thanks to the God of our Fathers who is the one to "protect us by [his] might, Great God our King.
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