Repentance and Baptism, Our First Covenant

These two wonderful Young Men accepted the invitation to lead our class discussion today.  McKay Willie is on the Right, and Will Comin on the Left.  We were very proud of them.  They showed up early despite jobs that kept them up very late the night before.  Thats dedication and we really appreciate it!

Will shared how the second principle of the gospel is repentance.  He teaches primary and noticed that he has to do a better job explaining things to them than to us because it is new information to them.  He likened that to missionary work.  Thats an awesome connection!  Here he is comparing repentance to the life jacket. As we go down the river of life without repenting (a life jacket) we will drown and feel helpless. Only by using the power of the Atonement through repentance can we be saved.

. 

McKay shared this from Preach My Gospel that meant alot to him.  "Our faith in Christ and our love for Him lead us to repent, or to change our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that are not in harmony with His will.  Repentance includes forming a fresh view of God, ourselves, and the world.  When we repent, we feel godly sorrow, then we stop doing things that are wrong and continue doing things that are right".  He mentioned that his brother is currently serving a mission in Mexico and when he reads his brothers letters and sees how he is helping people learn to repent, it makes him excited to serve a mission himself!   Thank you both for being willing and ready to lead our class.  Great Job!!

We also got to hear the testimonies of two Returned Missionaries- they got home this week.

This is Andrew Wadsworth.  He returned from the Moscow Russia Mission.  However he finished his mission in the Baltic States.  He served in 5 different countries throughout his mission. Our daughter was in the same MTC district with Andrew struggling to learn the russian language so it was wonderful to see him again. Andrew bore a powerful testimony of the process of repentance.  He witnessed this in the lives of many people.  He said that without our Savior we are lost.  God knows us perfectly. He knows us each by name and sent His son because there is nothing the Atonement cannot fix.  He also shared that member work is vital. Spend more time studying the scriptures.  They will be your most valuable possession. As you study, and are completely obedient, you will have the things you learned come into your mind as you teach.  It will happen.  Trust the spirit.  One more touching thing Andrew shared  and also Will commented on was that you will meet people on your mission that you knew before this life.  That is a priceless gift.  Also- he shared how repentance is a scary word to investigators.  We asked why?  They said because people don't want to change.  They taught that repentance is a gift and opportunity.Thank you Andrew so much for coming and letting us learn from your experience, wisdom, and most of all the Spirit you brought home with you.

And this darling sister is Melissa Duncan.  She served in Birmingham Alabama- With the wonderful southern saints there. Our hearts have a tender spot for the south since we lived in North Carolina for 9 years.

She told us that many people go to church there.  Lots of them are church shopping.  She loved helping them learn that Jesus Christ has one true church.  His church.  Her favorite thing to teach about was the atonement.  It was the last lesson she taught before she came home.  She was asked, why did Christ have to go through all that he did? Then she read with them Alma 7 to help them understand that Christ suffered so that he would know how to comfort us.  She also found that the Book Of Mormon helped people understand the Bible better! She ran into people having lots of mis-information about our church.  She loved teaching them that God's church on the earth today is the same as it was when Christ was on the earth with Prophets and Apostles to teach and lead us.  She explained that she found that people knew the word repentance and heard that their whole life, but never have known how to repent. (Isn't it awesome that you get to teach them how!)  This sweet sister shared how scared she was at first, but that fear leaves when you have faith in our Savior and do what he asks.  Great counsel.  Thank you for your powerful testimony and conviction of the importance of this great work.

 Thank you so much class for coming and engaging in asking great questions and sharing your personal experiences and things that you learned.  Please keep it up!!!

This fine young man is Derek Martin.  He has been patiently waiting to enter the MTC.  He will be serving in the Manilla Phillipines Mission.  He reports July 3rd!  The wait is over : ) We are so excited for him and know that his Love of the Lord and his testimony will be just the light many people are looking for.  Good Luck Derek.  You will be in our prayers.

Next weeks assignment:

Preach My Gospel: Page 65-66. Please read all the scriptures that go with these sections as well! There is so much power in the scriptures.

Ensign Talk:  Pg 6. "These Things I Know", Boyd K Packer.  You will love this!