The things we carry on...

And you think your confused?

 My personal rule is never leave home without my camera. You just never know when opportunities arise which will give you great 'Kodak' moments. So the following are just some pictures over the last few weeks that I thought might be fun to share. Enjoy.....

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Teresa branch building, Marcia, motorbike coming down sidewalk

Transporting new furniture home

Leaving church on a trike

On the road home from church-These little piggies went to the market!

Traffic, trike near our condo in Mandulyong City

We believe....Article 4- The Holy Ghost

Jesus with His apostles

 This particular post focuses on the last part of Article 4. Specifically- "...Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost."

In a wonderful teaching moment Jesus has an opportunity to teach Nichodemus, a Pharisee, about baptism by water and by the Spirit: "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5)

What is the gift of the spirit that we refer to as the Holy Ghost? In the New Testament the Savior  speaks of "the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26)

Again in John the Savior speaks of the Holy Ghost: "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me..."(John 15:26) 

These few verses show some of the role or responsibilities of the Holy Ghost. It's a teacher, a reminder, a comforter, and a testifier.

Following the Savior's resurrection He spent time with His apostles, continuing to teach them regarding the affairs of His church on earth. He reiterates the promise of the Holy Ghost that is to come: "And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." (Acts 1:4-5)

Chapter 2 of Acts shows the tremendous power that comes with the gift of the Holy Ghost. Personally I like the change that shows in Peter, the senior apostle. Here is a man who denies knowing the Savior three times to common workers- three different individuals- prior to Jesus's trial and crucifixion. After receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost he is at the temple testifying of the Savior in front of hundreds, if not thousands, of people.

How is this gift administered? It is done by the laying on of hands by one having authority.

Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost

"Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost." (Acts 8:14-17)...

Next- The things we carry on....


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We believe...Article 4

"We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost."

The first two aspects of this Article, in my opinion, are self-explanatory. The third and fourth parts may need some further explanation.

John the Baptist and Jesus are portrayed in the picture to the right. Why would the Son of God, He being the example for all mankind, have the need to be baptized  The other question that comes to my mind is why did He go to His cousin, John?

It is interesting that at this point of Jesus's life, the beginning of His ministry, He does go to John. Many things occur during this occasion making it very, very eventful. I will try to point out the things that I feel should be explained further.

When Jesus shows up at the Jordan river it would appear that He may have somewhat surprised John.  Matthew gives some details regarding this exchange:

"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him." (Matthew 3:13-15)

Why would He go to John? Was it because of the family relationship? Or was it because John had the authority to baptize?  Zacharias, who was John's father, held the priesthood of Aaron. A review of the Old Testament will show that this priesthood was an inherited priesthood- one that was passed down from father to son. The first chapter of Luke details some of the duties that Zacharias performed specifically because he was of the tribe of Levi. Thus John was ordained to this priesthood which then permitted him to fulfill the tasks that he was to perform. If John had not had the priesthood the Savior would necessarily had to have gone to someone who did. John being His cousin was an aside.

Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world, led a perfect life. Perfect doesn't necessarily mean easy. He was tempted but never succumbed to temptation; He loved and cared for those around Him. Why would a man such as He need to be baptized?

An ancient prophet by the name of Nephi teaches his people regarding this specific topic of why would the Savior need to be baptized.

     "And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to    fulfil all rightousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!...Know ye knot that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father that he would be obedient unto  him in keeping his commandments. Wherefore, after he was baptized with water the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove. And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them." (2 Nephi 31:5,  7-9)

He was and is our examplar. He is the trailblazer and it is His path we need to follow...

Next....Article 4- Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost....


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We believe...Article 3

"We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel."

What is this thing called "Atonement"? Growing up in another faith I didn't know anything about this word. The concept that I was taught was that Christ died for our sins on the cross. Sure He spent time in a garden called Gethsemane before His betrayal, His trial, and His crucifixion. That's all I knew. It wasn't until I started being proactive did I learn more about this thing called the "Atonement."

I didn't know or understand that the Old Testament was showing us that the Lord was preparing the children of Israel for the coming Messiah. For example the various forms of sacrifices that were instituted pointed Israel to the Messiah. There were also examples found in the lives of ancient prophets.

Abraham and his son Isaac is the classic example. Here you have a father who has been commanded of the Lord to sacrifice his only son- the very child in which Abraham had been promised his posterity would flow and number "...as the stars of heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore..." (Genesis 22:17). Abraham's commitment to the Lord was firm; he wouldn't even hold back his own son.

Sound familiar. Here in a very small way we are able to glimpse what Heavenly Father must have been going through as His only begotten Son was spat upon, whipped, slapped and then hung on a cross to suffer even more. As He hung on the cross He was mocked by those who hung Him their; one of the "malefactors which were hanged railed on him saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us." (Luke 23:39). As a parent could you sit back and see this happen to your only son? There is more discussion here then just these few paragraphs allow. Suffice to say Jesus not only took upon Himself the sins of the world but He also did much, much more. An ancient Book of Mormon prophet by the name of Alma speaks in depth to what extent this Atonement is:

     "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that

     the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his

     people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his

    people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy,

    according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people accord-

    ing to their infirmities." (Alma 7:11-12)

Few other thoughts regarding this particular article. Did you notice the word may? It doesn't state will be but states may. There is also a contingent- it is based on obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. To some it may be an interesting thought- to me it rings true...   

Next...Article 4...

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