Saturday, October 22, 2011

I Have An Answer For You...


So, how did it go? Were you able to accomplish the challenge? I haven't met anyone that is able to do it in one go or without any help. So don't feel bad if you weren't able to figure it out. Someone had to show me how to do it. If you did get it, you're sooooo good!


The first nail represents the
ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST

In order for us to place all our trials and burdens on Jesus Christ, we have to know how to do it. The most important thing that Jesus Christ completed was the Atonement. He made the atoning sacrifice (He died on the cross) so we can be cleansed from sin and from every wrongdoing that we've ever done in our lives if we are willing to repent and keep His commandments.





The second nail represents FAITH
The first step for us to fully appreciate the Atonement of Jesus Christ is to have Faith. Have faith in the Atonement and have faith in Jesus Christ. What is faith? Alma (a Book of Mormon prophet) says "if ye have faith ye bhope for things which are cnot seen, which are true." I feel that faith is the first step to everything, you gotta believe in what you're doing (even if you don't know the end result) in order for you to see it go through. Having faith in Jesus Christ is so important because you have to understand what He went through for us. He loves us and died for us so that we can return to be with Heavenly Father again, with our families. When you understand it, you appreciate it more.


The third nail represents REPENTANCE
When we understand the importance of having faith in Jesus Christ and what He did, it leads us to want to change our ways. To become the person that He would have us be, to become like Him. We will want to repent of our mistakes and wrongdoings. "Repentance is... much more than just acknowledging wrongdoings. It is a change of mind and heart that gives us a fresh view about God, about ourselves, and about the world. It includes turning away from sin and turning to God for forgiveness. It is motivated by love for God and the sincere desire to obey His commandments." All in all, Repentance is Change - changing our will so it aligns with the will of God for us.


The third nail represents BAPTISM
Jesus Christ has lead the way for us since the beginning of time and He is the perfect example of one who puts the will of the Father before His own. When He was on the Earth, He taught these principles - faith and repentance and He also was baptized to show us the way. Jesus Himself has said "...Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be aborn of bwater and of the cSpirit, he cannot denter into the kingdom of God."  Baptism has to be performed by someone who holds the priesthood authority (power and authority given by God to worthy men to act in His name).


The fifth nail represents the GIFT OF
THE HOLY GHOST
Baptism is incomplete without receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead (along with Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father). He is a personage of Spirit without a body of flesh and bones. He will be our constant companion once we are baptized. He will reveal to us truths. He will testify to us of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father and it is only through Him that we can receive a testimony of Them. The Holy Ghost can guide us in our decisions and protect us from physical and spiritual danger.



The sixth and final nail represents
ENDURING TO THE END
Once we have done these things - have faith in Jesus Christ, repent, be baptized, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, we need to constantly work on it. It is not something that you need to do once, but is something that should be done consistently for the rest of your life. You continue to follow Christ's example. This continued faithfulness is called "enduring to the end".







The gospel of Jesus Christ will bless us if we know what we have to do and how to do it. It is Heavenly Father's plan for His children so they can be happy. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is central to this plan. Heavenly Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to show us how to live meaningful and happy lives and experience eternal joy after this life.

Through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, you can become clean from sin and enjoy peace of conscience. You can place your trials and burdens on Him if you let Him.