The Power of Miracles

God has extraordinary power because he can work through man on Earth to accomplish miracles. Christ is the greatest example of God working through man. In the New Testament, Mathew chapters 8 through 9 and Mark 2 hold some great examples of miracles and faith.  Christ healed leperacy, palsy, blindness, fevers, and blood diseases. He also cast out devils and calmed the seas. These are only a few of the miracles he bestowed on his brothers and sisters. These scriptures are amaazing because the people had great faith. Everybody that Christ helped had unshakable faith and followed had faith in Christ the moment they heard what he can do. Many people followed without question. In Matt 8:5-13, A man had faith that Christ could heal someone even if he was not in the same room as him. This man had a servant with palsy but he diid not want Christ to enter his home. Since the man had amazing faith, Christ just said the word that he would be healed and this was done.

Almost all of the people in these chapters had unwavering faith. With this faith, Christ made anything possible. I know that this is true because the spirit testifies this to me as I read. I know that if I pray continually and have faith in Jesus Christ, I know he will help me accomplish my dreams. I am going to practice having unwavering faith. Sometimes it is hard but even if just pray to have more faith, the Lord will help me. I will try everyday to have faith because I know that Christ can make my life whole.

Importance of Baptism

      In Mosiah 5:7, it explains that people are called the children of Christ if they make the covenant to take on Christ's name. When I made the covenant of baptism, I was making a promise with the Lord that I would have faith in him. Once this promise is made, I can have a change of heart and be more Christ-like. In John chapter 3 verses one through eight, Christ explains the process of being born again. He is referring to baptism and being cleansed from sin. Baptism is the only way that I am able to enter into the Kingdom of God. Entering the Kingdom of God is the ability to live with God in heaven in a perfect state. Being accepted into the Kingdom is one step closer to becoming like my Father in Heaven. Christ has made it possible for man to be baptized with fire or the Holy Spirit. This is critical for entering into His Kingdom.

In Moses 6:59, it explains that man is born of blood and I need to be cleansed of that blood, "even the blood of my only begotten". It is through the blood of Christ that we can be born again of water and spirit. This is what will sanctify me of all of my sins and could possibly achieve immortal glory. According to Romans 6:4, Baptism is similar to death because like Christ died and was raised up, I too can be cleansed and rise again with a new life. Heavenly Father compares the natural element of water to the spirit. This is because the body and spirit are what create the soul. Our bodies need both water and blood to survive and referring back to blood as just the body, it would make sense that it is water that is our spirit. Both our needed for people and souls to exist.

God loves us so much that he gave up his only begotten son to sacrifice his life for me and the rest of the world. I cannot imagine giving up my child for the sake of others. That is precisely the reason. People on Earth arent just 'others'. We are all children of God and he loves each and every one of us. I know that with all of my heart. God gives me so many chances and he created the miracle of forgiveness. Sometimes it is hard to repent but it is all worth it. He made is so all I have to do is believe in Jesus the Christ. Since I believe and have faith in him, I know that I must follow the  commandments. I gladly follow these commandments because I know the Lord will provide all of my necessities. Just knowing that someone loves me so much is a necessity. I know that Christ died for me and feels all the pain that I go through. He is the one who hears my heartfelt prayers and he is the one who feels so much empathy for me. This is what I know and I know that this church is true and through baptism, I can be saved and live with Christ and Heavenly Father again.

The Birth of John the Baptist

In Luke 1: 14, Zacharias was told by an angel, "And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth". This was an extremely exciting for Zacharias and his wife because his wife Elisabeth was unable to have children. John was truly a miracle. Zacharias was a priest and he was a righteous man along with his wife. One day, Zacharias had went to the temple and the angel Gabriel had appeared to him. He was fearful but the angel comforted him and said that he would have a son that would be great in the sight of the Lord. He will be filled with the holy Ghost from birth. He will help prepare the people for the Lord. Zacharias's faith was shaky and the angel made it so he couldnt speak until his son was born. When he was born, Zacharias's tongue was loosed and he was able to praise the Lord. People were excited because he would "turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just". Johns Lineage was perfect priestly descent which was essential for him to prepare the way for the Messiah. John would be the one to baptize Jesus Christ and he knew it was the Son of God because there would be a dove at his baptism and John also heard the voice of the Lord. "Jesus praised John as a prophet, saying there is none who was greater" (Matt 11: 7-11). His mission was entrusted to only him and he did it perfectly. He babptized the savior and continually bore testimony that he was the Christ.