What I learned - Always Retain a Remission of your Sins

"In his spiritually stirring farewell sermon to the people he had served and loved, King Benjamin described the importance of knowing the glory of God and tasting of His love, of receiving a remission of sins, of always remembering the greatness of God, and of praying daily and standing steadfastly in the faith.¹ He also promised that by doing these things, “ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins.”"

 Elder Bednar has quite a way with words!  I loved this talk.  It reminds me that we need to do what is right and be obedient so that we can have the spirit of the Lord to be with us.  As we feel the comforter in our lives, we will also be blessed to know that we have a remission of our sins.  What a beautiful and wonderful blessing that is. 

In mortality we experience physical birth and the opportunity for spiritual rebirth.  We are admonished by prophets and apostles to awake unto God, to be “born again,” by receiving in our lives the blessings made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. With His help, we can stand spotless before God at the last day. 

The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He is a personage of spirit and bears witness of all truth. In the scriptures, the Holy Ghost is referred to as the Comforter, a teacher, a witness and a revelator.

Part of partaking of the blessings of the Holy Ghost involves participating in sacred ordinances.  These ordinances allow the blessings and powers of heaven to flow into our individual lives.  What a blessing I have found in participating and coming to know that heaven is real!

Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins “is the introductory ordinance of the gospel” of Jesus Christ and must be preceded by faith in the Savior and by sincere repentance. Baptism provides and initial cleansing of our soul from sin.  It really is one of the first steps on our journey. 

The baptismal covenant includes three fundamental commitments: (1) to be willing to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, (2) to always remember Him, and (3) to keep His commandments. The promised blessing for honoring this covenant is “that [we] may always have his Spirit to be with [us].”

“Baptism [by] water … must be followed by baptism of the Spirit in order to be complete.”  As the Savior taught Nicodemus, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”  I think sometimes we forget the spirit part of this.  Just being baptized does not lead us to conversion.  It is the spirit that does that.  It is the spirit that leads us home. 

The principles of repentance, baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost are all connected.  The Savior Himself proclaimed, “Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day."

As members of the Lord’s restored Church, we are blessed both by our initial cleansing from sin associated with baptism and by the potential for an ongoing cleansing from sin made possible through the companionship and power of the Holy Ghost.  It keeps happening over and over, as long as we repent, we can be forgiven.  We don't just get one chance at forgiveness, we get a multitude of opportunities to change. 

The sacrament is the third ordinance necessary.  That we might more fully keep ourselves unspotted from the world, we are commanded to go to the house of prayer and offer up our sacraments upon the Lord’s holy day. The sacramental emblems are sanctified in remembrance of Christ’s purity, of our total dependence upon His Atonement, and of our responsibility to so honor our ordinances and covenants that we can “stand spotless before [Him] at the last day.”

 

We had a special Baptism!

My sweet Sadie was baptized last week!   I was so very excited for this event.  I was able to fly all the way to Georgia to take part.  It is always such a special day for my grandchildren.  They learn a lot before they get to be baptized.  This is a day when as many members of the family as possible gather together to celebrate and share in the happiness.
I was asked to give the talk on the Holy Ghost.  My sister, Aunt Sandi, gave the talk on Baptism. 
Here talk was on the "Three Bears of Baptism".  Sadie loved it.  She has named all three of her bears and it was really fun for her.  I gave the talk on the Holy Ghost. 

You are now starting a journey and will need a guide and some things for this journey. Your guide is the Holy Ghost and he will help you in these special ways: 

Flash Light-  When you are confirmed, you receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. That gift is like a light that you can keep on all the time, like a flashlight -- a constant companion.  The Holy Ghost can light your way and help you know the light and truth of the gospel.  We can keep our "batteries" charged and keep the light of the Spirit in our life by attending church, serving in callings, obeying the commandments, and living worthily.   Just like the flashlight,  if we do not recognize the Holy Ghost, if we do not keep our batteries charged, we will lose the light within our lives.  

A Compass- The Holy Ghost is also like a compass because he will guide you in the right direction and help you make good choices. He will help you find your way home if you are lost. The Holy Ghost will help you find your way home to your Father in Heaven.  Remember the story of Nephi and the Liahona?  This compass only worked when they were righteous.  If they weren’t living the commandments, the compass quit working until they repented.  The Holy Ghost works for us the best when we are making good choices and trying to be like Jesus in our daily lives.  

A Protector – The Holy Ghost is a protector like this umbrella.  The umbrella protects us from rain and helps to keep us dry.  The Holy Ghost protects us from the things of the world that would lead us away from our Heavenly Fathers path.  He helps us to be in the world, but not of the world.  Glasses- Like these glasses, the Holy Ghost can help you to focus and see clearly when you might feel confused.

A Teddy Bear- Holy Ghost will remind you to "bear" one another's burdens and "bear" your testimony. 

A whistle – Sometimes the Holy Ghost will warn you of danger, almost like a whistle in your mind.  His still, small voice will prompt you so you will be protected spiritually and physically.”

A bell- If you listen closely the bell will ring with a soft beautiful sound.  You also have to listen closely to hear the Holy Ghost because he doesn't speak to us in a loud
voice. He speaks mainly to our mind and heart and spirit and if you aren't paying attention, the noise of the world will drown Him out.  

A Blanket/comforter- Another name for the Holy Ghost is the comforter. This comforter is warm and soft and when you wrap it around yourself you feel safe and secure. This is the same feeling that the Holy Ghost can give you. You can have a warm, peaceful feeling inside and feel safe when you listen to the Holy Ghost.

The Savior – One of the most important functions of the Holy Ghost is to testify of the Father and the Son. The Holy Ghost will testify and witness to us that Jesus Christ is our Savior and our redeemer.  
 I would like to testify to you that the Holy Ghost will help you make the most important journey you will have during this earth life, to return to our Heavenly Father.

That was my talk, I think she really enjoyed her day.  I know that we did.  I love the fact that this sweet young lady is already making covenants to obey the commandments.  She is amazing. 

Like A Blanket

I had a baptism to go to for a friend of ours.  It is one of the young women that has been attending with Miracle.  To celebrate her special day, I made her a white blanket and wrote a poem.  I seem to enjoy writing poetry quite a bit lately.  I just want her to know that the Holy Ghost is such a special blessing in each of our lives.  He comforts us and guides us and helps us to find the way.  

I love the scripture in 1 Kings 19: 11-12

11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.  

The Holy Ghost is always there.  His is the still small voice deep in our hearts that will whisper the things we need to know, if we will only learn to listen.

Like A Blanket

By Patricia A Pitterle

When I am cold and sorry

And shivering in the night

I have a special blanket

That helps me feel just right

It keeps me warm and cozy

and brings me comfort too

I wrap myself within the folds

So soft and white and new.

This blanket has a meaning

I think of it each day

It reminds me I was blessed

In a very sacred way.

It reminds me I am not alone,

There is a quiet voice

The Holy Ghost speaks softly

And helps me make a choice.

He whispers with his spirit

right into my heart

I know that I am guided

As I seek to do my part. 

And as I learn to listen

And hear His gentle voice

He reminds me I am loved so much

The angels all rejoice.

And all my sins are clean now

and white as new found snow

Just like my special blanket

That reminds me it is so. 

Baptism, Now You Are Eight

Baptism is so very important to us. It is a time that we get to make and keep covenants with our Heavenly Father. A time when our children take their first steps into responsibility and accountability.
The scriptures talk about baptism. One of my favorites is found in the Book of Mormon.
Then Alma said to them:

“As ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, … what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, That ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?” (Mosiah 18:8–10.)

Then one by one Alma took them into the waters and baptized them.
Baptism is the beginning of a new life for each one of us, a life of faith, a life of hope, a life of love, a life of purpose. The Lord is very clear as to what it means to keep his commandments, come into his fold, and be called his people. His people are

“willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;“Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.” (Mosiah 18:8–9.) 

Next week, it will be my oldest grand daughter's eighth birthday.  It is a time of joy in our family.  A time to remember.  A time to serve.  A time to rejoice.  A time when we teach her what it means to really take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ.  What a wonderful blessing this is for each of us.
Each of us who has been baptized has covenanted with the Lord to serve him and keep his commandments. Each one of us must stand as a witness of God. Each of us must comfort those in need. Each of us must bear one another’s burdens. And each of us must repent and continue in His way.
I pray that we will have unity and love as we strive together to keep the covenant we have made at baptism, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
This is a poem that I wrote for my first daughter over 25 years ago for her own special day. 

Kirbi Dawn

(For your Eighth Birthday)

By Patricia A Pitterle (Mom)

Life isn’t always easy

As you have more or less found out

It takes courage, faith and charity

To work through the pain and doubt.

But I know you can do it, my daughter,

For you are a Child of God.

You can live the teachings of Jesus.

You can grasp the iron rod.

You have a beautiful spirit;

Full of kindness, love and care,

You are ever in my thoughts and dreams

And always in my prayers.

You have a testimony,

I feel privileged to see it grow.

Pray often and be believing

And, with faith, you will come to know.

A loving Heavenly Father

And the tender mercies of His son

And as you walk your journey

Know you’re not the only one.

His spirit is there to guide to you

And show you what is true

The comforter holds you in His grasp

He walks right there with you.