Dear Friends and Family,
BAPTISM! This is one of the happiest weeks of my life. This weekend I got to see three people whom I dare about more than anything take the first step that can lead to eternal happiness. Hu HuiNa her son Zhou ChenYan, and Wu PeiFen (Izzie). And to ad to the miracles that were there, over 60 people attended to see it. That is pretty much the entire branch and then some. The service was absolutely beautiful.
What is Baptism? The service started out with Izzie's friend, Chen WenRu, answering this question. She talked about how baptism is a blessing - it is truly a way to show our commitment to God and to receive his blessings. I particularly like a scripture in the Book of Mormon Explaining the meaning of baptism. In Mosiah 18:8-11, a prophet named Alma is explaining to a group of faithful people what it means to be baptized and what commitments we make. It reads:
8. And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
9. Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—
10. Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?
11. And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts.
I know that as we commit to help and support each other, to stand as a witness of God at all times and in all places, and to keep the commandments, we truly take upon ourselves the name of Christ and are worthy to have the spirit of God as a constant guide. As I have spent my life trying to do this, I have felt not only the support of those around me, but the support of a higher power - a power that is greater than I would have ever imagined. As I have put in all my effort to learn Chinese so I can spread this happy message to my brothers and sisters in Taiwan, I have understood words that I have never learned, used words i have never heard, and felt love that I have never felt before. The lord is truly guiding this work, and there is nothing on earth than can stop it.
As Hu HuiNa's son was being baptized, she stood at the edge of the font and watched. She started to cry and said, "I have never been so touched." The spirit of the lord truly testifies of truth and righteousness, and baptism is the Lord's true way to the path of righteousness. This truly is the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
13 Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.
14 And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the bcross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—
15 And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.
16 And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.
All who repent and humble themselves before the Father and are baptized will be able to stand one day at the feet of the Savior and say, "I know I am not perfect, but I have done my best." As Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."
Baptism is truly the way of eternal life. "Be not afraid, Only believe." (Mark 5:36)
I know that this Gospel is true! I know because I can feel it in all of my heart and soul. I feel it as I talk to people at stoplights in a language that I have only been learning for 9 months. I feel it as I open the scriptures and receive revelation for not only myself, but for those who I an trying to help come to know our savior Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus is the Christ. He is our savior. Through him we can overcome anything...Anything. No obstacle is too great, no path too long for the lord to help us overcome. To all of my friends who have not yet come to this knowledge, I encourage you to pray as I have prayed. Come to know for yourself. Pray to feel the healing waters of the Savior. Pray for courage and strength and knowledge. This gospel is true. It is time to find out for yourself.
I love you all and I hope as you each face challenges in life, you too can remember that through the grace of our redeemer Jesus Christ, we all can overcome the biggest obstacle of all - sin - and return to live in eternal happiness in the presence of God. I tell you these things, which I know are true, in the name of Him who saves us, even Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love,
Sister Amy Collyer
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