Thursday we had a baptism! It was a great day, and a great time to feel of the spirit. Baptism is an essential step that we all must take to return to the presence of God. In the time leading up to the baptism, I have been thinking a lot about the changes that this young man has made to bring his life in line with the will of God. I have thought about who he has become, and who he can eventually become. I encourage you to think about who you want to become and what you should do to become the person the Lord would have you be.
A Book of Mormon prophet, King Benjamin, taught, "For the natual man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be forever and ever,
unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth of the natrual man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord..." (
Mosiah 3:19). Another righteous group of people spoken of in the Book of Mormon, "did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ,
unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea,
even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts,
which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God. (
Helaman 3:35).
Through Jesus Christ, we can change and become more like him. We must put aside our own passions and appetites and be subject to the will of God. We must choose to be humble and teachable. It may be hard, but the Savior will help us. If we are willing to obey, we
will "become saints through the atonement of Christ."
