Is it that time again already?...FDREL121 - The Baptism of Christ

Review Matthew 3:13-17 and the institute student manual commentary for Matthew 3:16, “What Is the Significance of the Holy Ghost Descending ‘like a Dove’?” (pg. 28-29). Then write answers to the following questions:

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     Why was John hesitant to baptize Jesus? John was hesitant because he knows the Savior and of His divinity. He doesn’t feel worthy to do this act for such a perfect person. As you ponder the significance of baptism, the way John acted makes more sense. Just like he says in Matthew 3:14, “I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?” Why would such a perfect person need to be baptized? For the first time I put myself in John’s place. I think it’s really a testament to John’s humility rather than his hesitation to just follow what Christ asked of him.

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     What is taught here about the Holy Ghost? Although these verses don’t really say much about the Holy Ghost, the biggest thing I took away personally was how the dove represents peace. I looked up online to see if the dove symbolized anything else. I found that the dove also symbolizes tenderness and affection. Considering what we already know about the role of the Holy Ghost and that he is a comforter, I thought it fit wonderfully. Along with that, this scripture teaches us that the Holy Ghost is a separate member of the Godhead and also that he does not have a body of flesh and bones.

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      Jesus Christ said He must be baptized to “fulfill all righteousness.” List three reasons why Jesus Christ was baptized (see 2 Nephi 31:6-11)

1.      He was baptized to show that he had humbled himself before God.
2.      He showed that he was obedient in keeping God’s commandments.
3.      Christ set an example for the rest of mankind and showed “the straitness of the path, and narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter.”

·         What evidence is found in Matthew 3:16-17 that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate personages in the Godhead? In these few verses we see the presence or manifestation of all three members. First, we see Jesus Christ in the water being baptized. Second, comes the Spirit down from heaven as a dove. Third, and probably the most important, is the voice of Heavenly Father who says, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” This is simple yet powerful evidence to me that they are separate personages creating the Godhead. Not only does it show me that, but that we also have a loving Heavenly Father and Heavenly Family.

Homework Assignment? (Names of Christ)

So I know I only have one other post on this blog and this is technically considered my mission blog but I'm taking an online New Testament class to save my spot at school before I leave and one of the assignment options was to write a blog post. I figured hey I might as well use my mission blog to post about the gospel, right? It's my blog anyways so I'll do what I want :P The assignment I chose was to research some of the names of Christ. I actually found it very interesting and it was super cool to me that his names truly point to his calling here on earth. I never really thought about what they meant, they were just the way they were. Here are my findings and I hope you find them interesting like I did. (Most definitions come from the Bible Dictionary)

1. Christ is the Greek version of the Hebrew name Messiah, which also means “the anointed.”

2. Messiah is an Aramaic word for “anointed,” which is also used as the title of an office. I think that’s really cool because to me it points to the mantle of responsibility Christ carried. 

3. Jehovah is considered to be the “proper” or “covenant” name for the God of Israel.

4. Immanuel (or Emmanuel) in the Bible Dictionary says to mean “God with us.” I think that is extremely appropriate for the time that Christ spent here on earth because he was literally God with us in the flesh.

5. The Word. God is called the word because he has the gospel with him. The words he spoke and continues to speak to us now are the tools we need to obtain eternal life. (JST John 1:1)

A Mission for a Mission: Making My Decision

It's hard to say exactly when I knew I would be serving a mission. I wasn't one of those girls that had her prayers answered by the announcement of the age change. I didn't receive a revelation to go because I would soon be turning 19. It was an extremely slow process of just turning the idea over and over in my mind. All growing up my plan was to get married or even just be engaged before I reached the age of 21. I would be attending "BYU-I DO" so clearly it was possible! I was down in Provo with my roommate during that conference weekend and wasn't actually watching when the announcement was made (I know, shame on me. I still kick myself over it.) which was probably a big part of my own delayed response. I realized I was in my first semester of college, never had a boyfriend, and wasn't really interested in anyone so what was my excuse now for not going. Over the next few months I watched how things were going, looking for any changes that would affect my decision. The longer I waited the more I knew Heavenly Father wanted me on a mission. I told myself that over winter break I would really take time to pray about it and figure out an answer.

Winter break passed and I started my second semester of school. By this point I knew if I prayed about it the answer would be yes so I continued to avoid it. Heavenly Father knew me too well and sent me a roommate who was a fresh return missionary. She hadn't even been home a whole 3 weeks before coming up to school! As soon as I found out, I knew she had been put strategically in my life. Over the semester I was given little pushes and shoves towards a mission. I was given the advice to make a decision and live with it for a week or two and see how it felt. Peace always followed when I chose a mission.

Winter semester ended, I came home, and continued with life. A month or two passed. I began to feel extremely lost. Like I was just wandering aimlessly in life not fulfilling some purpose. I couldn't figure out what it was. I was a student working toward an education, faithful member in my ysa ward which I love, what was I doing wrong? It would be so frustrating to me when people would ask me what I was doing in life, of course bringing up the question if I was thinking about going on a mission or not, and I always wanted to yell that it was none of their business. By mid-June I was beaten down and humbled enough to be receptive to the answer I had been getting all along. A mission was where I was supposed to be. I began my papers within the week and a month or so later they were in to Salt Lake! There were certainly days when I felt like I was being dragged behind a race car or running faster than I was able but somehow it always felt right.