Week 58

 This week we had a zone conference and it was truly amazing. I realized that people want and need this Gospel. If they can understand what it means to be baptized, there won´t be a single person who wouldn´t want to be baptized. It just depends if they can truly understand the doctrine. Understand that when we are baptized, the door to return back to Godś presence opens. The only way to start to access Godś power is through baptism. If the people can understand that the first step to living with their families for the eternities is by being baptized, they wouldn't have to fear it. 

This week we got to put this into practice. We taught our friend Absalon about the importance of baptism and how his eternal progression relies on being baptized by someone that has the authority of God. He was a little concerned at first because he said, If I were to be baptized again, that means that it would invalidate the baptism that I already have had and all that I have experienced up until now. That would mean that the beautiful experience I had with the spirit when I was baptized in another church is invalid. We explained to him that what he had done was an act of faith and everything he had done up until this point has helped him be who he is now, and helped him be here getting to know the true church right now. We explain that he doesn't need to feel bad for what he has done in the past, it just helped him come to know the True and only Church of Jesus Christ. We explained how God the Father and His son Jesus Christ answered Joseph Smith’s prayer and appeared to him telling him that through him, Joseph Smith, Jesus and Heavenly Father would restore and put back on the earth all the truth and clarity that we had when Jesus was living here. And the same 3 apostles, Peter, James, and John, appeared to Joseph Smith to restore the permission and authority of God to perform sacred ordinances, like Baptism. And when we explain all of that and how literally baptism with someone that has this same authority means that our sins are washed away completely and we have the hope to be able to live in the presence of God. We connected all of that to answer the question of why we perform baptisms for the people that have already passed away. And it made so much sense to him because everyone, literally everyone has to have the chance to accept a baptism that is approved by God. And when we taught him all of that and invited him to be baptized, he accepted without hesitating. He understood the importance of being baptized with the approbation of God, meaning his power and authority. Later in the week we taught him about the doctrine of the Word of Wisdom, and again without hesitation he accepted. He said, "If it comes from God, obviously I need to follow it.” 

It has been amazing to see someone who understands the doctrine of the gospel and the doctrine of the commandments. If one really understands the doctrine, it is so hard to question or doubt everything. I am so grateful that I understand the Doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Chrsit. I am so grateful that I understand the “why” of everything. There are answers for every question. We can find the answers through prayer, scripture study and going to church. If you have a doubt or question, I can testify that there is an answer always. God is the source of truth. If you are searching for an answer, or for clarity, or for love, the best source is through Jesus Christ. He is love and truth. He loves you infinitely. 

I hope this week you can feel more of his love and search for him in every aspect of this week.