September 3, 2018 - Big Cottonwood Stake

This last week was full of being guided by the Spirit. We were exactly where we needed to be every step of the way as we listened to the Spirit. What a neat experience it is to look back on.

Some thoughts: Teaching the doctrine of Jesus Christ in its simplest form has started to really change my life. Starting with Faith, or believing in something though it is not seen, and coming to see the unmistakable hand of God in our lives has brought great joy and a desire to follow God and strengthen those I love. This leads me to desire to follow God's commandments exactly, and to repent when I make a mistake. As I keep myself right in the eyes of God, I desire to commit myself to follow Him. Through being baptized at age 8, and now taking the sacrament every week, I renew the promises I made to follow God, and in return I receive His Spirit to be with me always. This Spirit was also initially received after I was baptized, but is ever with me as I repent and follow God. This is not a onetime deal, but rather a lifelong commitment.

After spending this last year focused on these principles of the Gospel, I have come to realize that this is not just a nice thing or some menial task we have to do in this life. The Book of Mormon says, "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors."(Alma 34:32). Another verse reads, "And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent."(Mosiah 3:17). Only one church has God's authority and priesthood power. No other church claims it, not even the Pope. Only one church has a prophet who actually speaks to Christ. No other church has apostles and seventy. No other church has baptism for the dead (something practiced in the Old Testament). If God's prophets themselves said there was only one way, then it must be through Christ Jesus. And only one Church is His very church, even the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. So pretty much, any baptism into any other church is false. [Without proper authority] it does nothing, and as Joseph Smith said, you might as well baptize a bag of sand. I have a firm witness that this is the way to live with God again, and there is no other way. Only through Christ and His atoning sacrifice can we become pure from our sins.

So we need to find people to teach and baptize. We need to invite everyone to church and invite everyone to meet with missionaries and receive the correct ordinance of baptism. Do not be shy or ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray for strength, confidence, and opportunity. We are running out of time. There is nothing as important as everyone repenting of their sins and being baptized, and then STAYING ON the covenant path. This simple Gospel has changed my life. 

I'd invite who ever to read or listen to Elder Jeffrey R Holland's talk "The First Great Commandment". It is so good. 

I love you all! Elder Adams