Cycle of Conversion

JESUS CHRIST: THE HOLY ONE

Jesus is the only name whereby salvation comes

If thou wilt turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent of all thy transgressions, and be baptized, even in water, in the name of mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth, which is Jesus Christ, the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men, ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, asking all things in his name, and whatsoever ye shall ask, it shall be given you.

--Moses 6:52

Jesus Christ taught faith in Him and repentance for remission of sins. He is full of grace and truth and in the Only Begotten Son of God the Father in the flesh. Regardless of what the world teaches, there is no other name under heaven through which salvation can come to a person that through the name of Christ. No person can or will ever change this doctrine in spite of the thoughts, philosophies, and learning of man, for this absolute truth is constant, never-changing. When one repents and is baptized unto Christ into the true church, he/she then can receive the Holy Ghost, the testator of all truth.

JESUS CHRIST: LIFE EVERLASTING

Eternal Life through the Name of Christ

30 ¶And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

--John 20:30-31

Scriptures are written to inspire people to believe in Jesus, that He is the Christ, the Son of God. Scriptures teach and instruct us how to learn of Christ and to know Him, how we can live lives pleasing to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Righteous living now assures us of eternal life in the hereafter, living with God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, our families and friends. Eternal life is the greatest gift God can bestow upon us as His children. Faith in Jesus Christ and His gospel is the first step toward this greatest gift achievement. Jesus’ atonement makes eternal life possible; otherwise, we would perish and become as satan, no resurrection. But because of the Savior’s atonement, we have freedom and agency to choose, either damnation or eternal life--the choice is ours.

Click HERE to hear Elder Randall Bennett teach us about Choosing Eternal Life.

JESUS CHRIST: THE HEALER

Jesus Preached the Kingdom of God and Healed the Sick

40 ¶Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.

41 And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.

42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them.

43 And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.

44 And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.

--Luke 4:40-44

LOOK HERE to see Jesus healing a woman of faith.

People received a witness from the Holy Ghost that Jesus was indeed the Christ. They knew this for a surety. He taught and loved the people. The believers desired to spend more time with Jesus and followed Him to be with Him because they felt His love and care. He treated them kindly, with dignity and respect-making them feel happy, important, valued, and loved, filling critical human needs.

Jesus taught the gospel of the kingdom among different cities in various synagogues and places. Jesus laid His hands upon people and healed the sick and afflicted by His Priesthood power. He even cast out devils from those possessed with such. The devils even knew that He was the Christ and admitted it. He stopped their tongues so that the devils couldn’t speak. Jesus is the very Christ.

JESUS CHRIST: HIS RIGHTEOUS EXAMPLE

Faith in Christ-Repentance-Baptism-Holy Ghost

27 And behold, he cometh to redeem those who will be baptized unto repentance, through faith on his name.

28 Therefore, prepare ye the way of the Lord, for the time is at hand that all men shall reap a reward of their works, according to that which they have been—if they have been righteous they shall reap the salvation of their souls, according to the power and deliverance of Jesus Christ; and if they have been evil they shall reap the damnation of their souls, according to the power and captivation of the devil.

---Book of Mormon Alma 9:27-28

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. Jesus taught the path to heaven and that was to believe in Him, that He is our Savior and Redeemer. Repent of our wrongs, to change our way, our minds and our perspective on life. Then we need to be baptized by one holding the proper authority to do so. Not just anyone can baptize and it be recognized by God.

Everybody will be judged and rewarded according to their thoughts, motives, actions, deeds, and works. God will not be mocked. The righteous will receive a glorious reward. The wicked who don’t repent will reap damnation for their consequences resulting from the devil and his evil influence. Jesus is the master example for us to pattern our lives after. He said, “Come, Follow Me.” We follow Him by striving to be like Him in righteousness and perfection.

Jesus Christ: Access the Power of Christ's Atonement

How to Access the Power of the Atonement: 

1. Put God first: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me”
2. Exercise faith in Christ
3. Repent
4. Be worthily baptized by proper authority
5. Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
6. Make and keep sacred covenants in the temple
7. Obey all God’s commandments
8. Be meek and humble
9. Pray 100% perfectly honest prayers
10. Praise the Lord with all our hearts
11. Be perfectly honest and upright at all times
12. Serve others with love
13. Acknowledge God’s hand in all things
14. Always be temple worthy

Jesus is the author and finisher of our salvation through His perfect atonement

Jesus Christ: Supreme Lovingkindness

Isaiah 63:7-9

7 I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.

8 For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.

9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

Jesus, our Redeemer, constantly demonstrated lovingkindness. His  supreme love and kindness came to a summit on two occasions in two places:

(1) While suffering and bleeding from every pore when in Gethsemane

(2) While bleeding and dying when on the cruel Cross

Jesus suffered, bled and died, sacrificing His life for all humankind and all living things. He shed His blood in the perfect atonement so that we might be forgiven of our sins and gain eternal life.

How do we gain access to the Power of the Atonement?

1. Put God first: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me”
2. Exercise faith in Christ
3. Repent
4. Be worthily baptized by proper authority
5. Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
6. Make and keep sacred covenants in the temple
7. Obey all God’s commandments
8. Be meek and humble
9. Pray 100% perfectly honest prayers
10. Praise the Lord with all our hearts
11. Be perfectly honest and upright at all times
12. Serve others with love
13. Acknowledge God’s hand in all things
14. Always be temple worthy

Jesus is the author and finisher of our salvation through His perfect atonement

Jesus Christ: The Stone of Israel

Genesis 49:24

But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel.

Jesus is the Mighty God of Jacob, even the Stone of Israel. He is the foundation upon which Israel is built, a stone or rock upon which if they build and continue faithful to the stone, they cannot fall. (See Helaman 5:12). Faith is perseverance, enduring and persisting faithfully. Christ makes us strong and helps us to resist the temptations of satan, the adversary.  Christ lifts us up; whereas, satan tears us down. Satan attacks our thinking with the anticipation of making us choose the wrong and destroy our souls. He sets snares and traps, attempting to catch us constantly. We must be on our best guard at all times, and building our lives upon the foundation of Christ, our Rock, our Stone, is a sure safeguard against the fiery darts of that old serpent, the devil.

Trust in Christ and trust Christ; for He will not lead you astray. He will lead you to salvation and eternal life in the highest heaven of the Celestial world. Seek Him daily, hourly, and moment by moment. Always remember Him, and His Spirit will be with you.

First Principles: Faith in Jesus Christ and Repentance

Moses 5:15

And as many as believed in the Son, and repented of their sins, should be saved; and as many as believed not and repented not, should be damned; and the words went forth out of the mouth of God in a firm decree; wherefore they must be fulfilled.

The first principles of the gospel are (1) Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, (2) Repentance. On these two principles hang all other laws, ordinances, doctrine, principles, and beliefs of true Christendom. Christendom is the worldwide body or society of Christians, those who confess a faith and belief and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Faith in Christ leads to repentance, and repentance leads to obedience to the commandments, and obedience until the end of mortality leads to salvation in the eternities, even eternal life living with Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, family, friends, and others. Eternal life is the life that God now lives, and He desires that we become as He is and enjoy exaltation that He now enjoys.

Those who do exercise faith in Christ and repent will be saved, and those who do not, will be damned, will not progress eternally and become gods or goddesses, which is damnation.

Believing in Jesus Christ, repenting, and obeying all God’s laws and commandments is the only way to live and enjoy peace and happiness. Satan, the devil, even Lucifer, desires just the opposite. He wants us to doubt Christ, never repent, and always be disobedient because this life style makes one miserable like he is miserable. God is the author of light-satan darkness.

Seek the path of life that God’s desires you to trod, and you will be buoyant and happy, successful and triumphant. You will fulfill the missions and foreordinations for mortality and will be prepared to return to live with Him again.

Looking For That Blessed Hope

Titus 2:13

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ...

The Second Coming of our great god and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be a great AND dreadful day. It will be great for those people who are righteous and are prepared to meet Him; but, it will be dreadful for those who are and have been evil, for they will burn as stubble. For the righteous, His appearing will be glorious and welcome for we shall see Him as He is. This will be the day when our faith and hope are fulfilled. Sometimes during our mortal lives our faith and hope can be shaken somewhat. We just need to endure and hang in there. Like Abraham Lincoln said, just “keep pegging away.” Try to never lose hope and faith, for you will be rewarded according to the faith and hope you have and continue to demonstrate. Your faith and hope in Christ is paramount.

Spiritually Begotten

Mosiah 5:7-8 Spiritually Begotten

7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.

8 And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.

Spiritually begotten means to have been spiritually re-born, to have a change of heart and mind from carnal, sensual, devilish and disobedient to becoming saintly, humble, submissive, and  obedient to God’s commandments. Faith in Christ begets us, makes us new creatures through Him. Christ is the head, and only through Him are we made free. His is the only name whereby we can obtain salvation and eternal life in the forever hereafter.

Three Steps for Eternal Life Assurance:

1. Covenant with God to obey all His commandments
2. Take upon yourself the name of Christ
3. Obey all God’s  commandments until the end of our lives.

The PROMISE:

“If ye keep my commandments and endure to the end, ye shall have eternal life which gift  is the greatest of all the gifts of God” (D&C 14:7).

Eternal Life is attainable AFTER we have been Spiritually Begotten through faith in Christ.

Be Reconciled to GOD

Jacob 4:11

Wherefore, beloved brethren, be reconciled unto him through the atonement of Christ, his Only Begotten Son, and ye may obtain a resurrection, according to the power of the resurrection which is in Christ, and be presented as the first-fruits of Christ unto God, having faith, and obtained a good hope of glory in him before he manifesteth himself in the flesh.

We can be reconciled to God the Father through the application of Christ’s atoning blood in our lives. To reconcile is to restore peace, and in this scenario, having our hearts restored to feeling God’s peace. We lose this peace when we sin and violate covenants and choose the wrong, but we have His peace restored to us as we repent and look to Christ’s atonement. When we are in the process of repenting and improving, then we are in the process of becoming like God, which is the meaning of atonement; becoming one with God, even At-One-ment.

By the power of Christ’s resurrection, we can be resurrected and thus overcome physical death. “For as in Adam, all die. Even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”(see 1 Cor. 15:20-22). Thus, since all must experience physical death due to the Fall, then all will be resurrected to fulfill the merciful plan of Heavenly Father.

Having Faith in God gives us hope, hope for a better life and a better world, hope for forgiveness of our sins and hope to be reconciled to God, even the Father through His Son Jesus Christ so that we can enjoy peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come.

Be Valiant

Elder Bruce R. McConkie

October 1974 General Conference

Abound in Good Works

In Alma 7:22-24, Alma2 taught the people in Gideon to:

1. Remember your Duty to God
2. Walk blameless before God
3. Be humble
4. Be submissive and gentle
5. Be easy to be entreated (taught)
6. Be patient and long-suffering
7. Be temperate in all things
8. Be diligent in keeping the commandments of God
9. Pray for spiritual and temporal things
10. Exercise faith-hope-charity
11. Returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things you do receive

As we sincerely strive to live by these principles, may we pray mightily for strength and desire to succeed at it. As we pray, return thanks to Heavenly Father for the things that He actually does bless us with. Remember that Thanksgiving Day is everyday and act accordingly.

Faith Fulfills

2 Nephi 1:10

"...having power given them to do all things by faith.."

Faith fulfills. Faith is power. Faith is mental exertion. Faith is assurance. Faith means having no doubt whatsoever, faith that Christ can do it. Faith means faith in Christ that he can and will do whatsoever is expedient for the Father's will to be done and to bring glory to Him.

Faith and patience go hand-in-hand. Persistence demonstrates faith. If you continue or persist, then you are demonstrating faith, faith in Christ and His power to do.

Faith and Self-Talk
"Faith cometh by hearing" (Romans 10:17). Self-talk establishes faith because you hear yourself talking to yourself. Continued Self-Talk increases faith, if the Self-Talk is positive and righteous. Self-Talk can be destructive if the words are negative and detrimental to your wellbeing. Righteous Self-Talk is inspired of God and is the light of Christ; whereas, negative or destructive Self-Talk is prompted by Satan and his evil spirit, and it is darkness.

Self-Talk is a powerful tool to plant the seed of faith, and continued Self-Talk nourishes that seed until your faith is strong, doubting nothing. This is when you can move mountains (issues, challenges, circumstances, sickness). Self-Talk creates vision and imagination. Self-Talk connects you to the sub-conscience mind or ultimate intelligence, the power of God unto light and life.