As I continue to study chapter 1 in PMG, as well as lesson 3, and Faith from chapter 6, I learn more and more. For this week, I thought I would share some of my thoughts on these sections, as represented by my personal notes at the outside of each page. So, here we go:
The Atonement is the only way!
Quote from bottom of page 32: “Our Father’s plan for us to be successful in this life and to return to live with Him is called the gospel of Jesus Christ”. My comment: Good, simple definition of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our Prophet: Has Priesthood authority. Presides over God’s earthly kingdom.
His main role is to get God’s children back to God. This has happened over and over in each dispensation.
Our Savior: Gave His Apostles priesthood authority. Established His Church. Taught the gospel. Performed miracles. Set an example of love, service, and humility. Atonement – beat physical and spiritual death.
Fulfilled prophecy. Taught us obedience and forgiveness through his example.
Joseph Smith used the scriptures and prayer to find enlightenment, rather than listening to somebody else’s opinion. Most wise! I believe the Spirit led Joseph to James 1:5. Then, he exercised his faith by doing something; he prayed!
The heavens were truly opened – the fulness of the gospel restored. Revelation. Priesthood authority. Sacred saving ordinances. God’s kingdom on earth established. This is exciting news!
If the Spirit is ever going to testify to the truthfulness of what you say, it will be when you tell the story of the First Vision. I testify this is true!
The Spirit will testify to any honest seeker of truth that the Book of Mormon is true. Believe it!
Quote from page 39: “Knowing that the Book of Mormon is true leads to a knowledge that Joseph Smith was called as a prophet and that the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored through him.” My comment: These three things are inextricably tied together. Either they are all a lie, or they are all true.
Prayer is not just talking to God, it is talking with God.
The Atonement is the only way!
Quote from bottom of page 32: “Our Father’s plan for us to be successful in this life and to return to live with Him is called the gospel of Jesus Christ”. My comment: Good, simple definition of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our Prophet: Has Priesthood authority. Presides over God’s earthly kingdom.
His main role is to get God’s children back to God. This has happened over and over in each dispensation.
Our Savior: Gave His Apostles priesthood authority. Established His Church. Taught the gospel. Performed miracles. Set an example of love, service, and humility. Atonement – beat physical and spiritual death.
Fulfilled prophecy. Taught us obedience and forgiveness through his example.
Joseph Smith used the scriptures and prayer to find enlightenment, rather than listening to somebody else’s opinion. Most wise! I believe the Spirit led Joseph to James 1:5. Then, he exercised his faith by doing something; he prayed!
The heavens were truly opened – the fulness of the gospel restored. Revelation. Priesthood authority. Sacred saving ordinances. God’s kingdom on earth established. This is exciting news!
If the Spirit is ever going to testify to the truthfulness of what you say, it will be when you tell the story of the First Vision. I testify this is true!
The Spirit will testify to any honest seeker of truth that the Book of Mormon is true. Believe it!
Quote from page 39: “Knowing that the Book of Mormon is true leads to a knowledge that Joseph Smith was called as a prophet and that the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored through him.” My comment: These three things are inextricably tied together. Either they are all a lie, or they are all true.
Prayer is not just talking to God, it is talking with God.
What a blessing that Elder Fua and I received this past week! We were able to have the baptism for Deneka. I could tell that the adversary was trying really hard to not allow this marvelous event to occur, because right as the program was starting it began to pour as hard as it ever has here in
Sav! But we waited it out and was able to continue on with Deneka's baptism in the ocean. What a spiritual experience it was.
We have been receiving so many blessings from the lord this week, and we are so grateful for it. The week was rough, but something that I have come to learn and love on my mission, is when there is trial, challenge, tribulation, persecution, ect... Something good always lies on the horizon.
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-Elder Gibbons-
Keep Trying. Keep Pushing. Keep Believing. Keep Growing. Heaven is Cheering You on Today, Tomorrow, and Forever.
