Giving a talk

So I just found out that I am scheduled to give a talk during Sacrament Meeting on Sunday. I am a little nervous, but I know that the Holy Ghost will guide me. I really want to give an enjoyable talk. I am sure you all have been there when that person gets up there and gives a monotone talk that puts you to sleep.
I do not want to be that guy, so I am really putting in the time and effort to make my talk one that people will get a lot out of.
I am giving my talk on Agency so there is a lot to talk about. I have already printed off 25 pages of reference material so I should be good to go.

Enduring to the End

“Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.”

Once you have entered the strait and narrow path, you must exert every effort to stay on the path (2 Nephi 31:16-21). You must continue to grow in understanding, exercise continual faith in Jesus Christ, repent, renew your baptismal covenants by partaking of the sacrament, and follow the guidance of the Holy Ghost. These first principles and ordinances of the gospel are a lifelong commitment, often called “enduring to the end.” By patiently and faithfully following the gospel path, you will find direction, peace, and happiness in your life, allowing you to draw closer to God and qualifying you for eternal life ( 2 Nephi 31:20). You will better understand your relationship with your Father in Heaven, will feel His perfect love for you more abundantly, and will feel hope and a sense of purpose even in an unhappy and troubled world.

Gift of the Holy Ghost

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” Those who receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and remain worthy can enjoy His companionship throughout their lives. The Holy Ghost provides direction and comfort and testifies of truth.

We all experience times of loneliness, fear, and sorrow—times when we need comfort. Jesus Christ promised, “I will not leave you comfortless” (John 14:18). He taught that God would send the Comforter, “which is the Holy Ghost” ( John 14:26). The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead, along with God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Though one in purpose with the Father and the Son, the Holy Ghost is a separate being. Through Joseph Smith, the Lord revealed: “The Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us” ( Doctrine and Covenants 130:22).

All good people can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost, but only those who are baptized and who receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by priesthood authority have the right to His constant companionship throughout life. While baptism washes you of your sins, the Holy Ghost cleanses, sanctifies, or purifies, you. If you remain faithful to your baptismal covenants, you can have the Holy Ghost with you always to help you recognize and understand truth, provide spiritual strength and inspiration, comfort you in difficult times, and guide you in making decisions. Your ability to enjoy this divine gift depends on your obedience to God’s commandments, as the Holy Ghost cannot remain with those who do not live according to God’s teachings.

The special mission of the Holy Ghost is to testify of the Father and the Son, to reveal the truth, to comfort you, and to sanctify you. He is a divine guide and teacher—a testifier—bearing witness of all truth. Jesus Christ said that the Holy Ghost “will guide you into all truth” ( John 16:13). By the power of the Holy Ghost, we “may know the truth of all things” ( Moroni 10:5).

The Holy Ghost is also called the Comforter, as He brings feelings of warmth, reassurance, and peace and can fill your soul with joy. The Holy Ghost often speaks with a voice you feel. It is described as a still, small voice. He can enlighten your mind, telling you in your heart what is right.

Jesus taught that baptism by water must be followed by baptism of the Spirit or it is incomplete. Only when you receive baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost can you receive a remission of your sins and become completely spiritually reborn. You then begin a new spiritual life as a disciple of Christ. The gift of the Holy Ghost is given by someone who has priesthood authority from God. It is conferred after baptism in an ordinance called confirmation—where one or more authorized priesthood holders lay their hands on your head, confirm you a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and bless you to receive the Holy Ghost.

The gift of the Holy Ghost is one of Heavenly Father’s most precious gifts. The Holy Ghost can have a sanctifying, cleansing effect upon you and will provide peace of conscience and assurance that your sins have been forgiven when you truly repent. Through the power of the Holy Ghost you can feel God’s love and direction for you.

Baptism

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Baptism is a holy ordinance through which we covenant with the Lord to accept Jesus as our Savior and to keep His commandments. In return, God promises to forgive us of our sins as we repent and to bless us with His Spirit.

Faith in Jesus Christ and repentance prepare you for baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. Jesus Christ taught by example that everyone must be baptized of water and of the Spirit (the Holy Ghost) for the remission, or forgiveness, of sins. Through baptism by one who holds priesthood authority and through receiving the Holy Ghost, you will be spiritually reborn.

When you are baptized by one with the priesthood authority given by God, having repented you receive a remission of your sins ( Acts 2:38). You make a covenant, or promise, with God to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, to follow Him, and to keep His commandments. In return, He promises to forgive your sins and let you return to live with Him, provided you keep your covenants. You are briefly immersed in water, as Jesus Christ was baptized. Baptism by immersion is a sacred symbol of the death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and it represents the end of your old life and the beginning of a new life as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

We must be baptized to become members of the restored Church—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—and to eventually enter the kingdom of heaven. This ordinance is a law of God and must be performed by His authority. A bishop or mission president must give a priesthood holder permission to perform a baptism or conferral of the Holy Ghost.

Little children do not need to be baptized until they reach the age of accountability, which is eight years of age, as they are redeemed through the mercy of Jesus Christ ( Moroni 8:4–24; Doctrine and Covenants 68:27) .

Repentance

Repentance is the second principle of the gospel. Our faith in Jesus 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 and teachings. When we sincerely repent of our sins the Lord forgives us and remembers them no more.

Faith in Jesus Christ leads you to desire to change your life for the better. As you study the gospel, you will recognize that you have sinned, or acted against the will and teachings of God. Through repentance, the second principle of the gospel, you change thoughts, desires, habits, and actions that are not in harmony with God’s teachings. He promises that when you repent, He will forgive your sins.

To repent, you:

•Recognize that you have sinned and feel sincere sorrow for what you have done.
•Stop sinning and strive never to commit sin again.
•Confess your sins to the Lord and ask for forgiveness. If you have sinned against another person, you must ask that person for forgiveness.
•Make restitution. You should do everything in your power to correct any problems your actions may have caused.

•Keep the commandments. Obeying God’s commandments brings the power of the gospel into your life and gives you strength to abandon your sins. Keeping the commandments includes giving service, forgiving others, and attending Church meetings.
•Acknowledge the Savior. The most important part of repentance is the realization that forgiveness comes because of Jesus Christ. The Savior suffered for your sins so they can be put behind you, even the serious ones.

Cultivating a spirit of forgiveness in your home will help you find peace, comfort, and joy. When a spouse or other family member hurts your feelings, try not to hold a grudge. Remembering the wrong every time you become frustrated or upset with them can be very damaging to your marriage and family. Everyone makes mistakes and all of us need forgiveness. Jesus Christ taught that if we want to be forgiven of our wrongs, we must forgive others ( Matthew 18:21–35).

Even after you have accepted Christ and repented of your sins, you may fall short and sin again. You should continually try to correct these transgressions. In addition, you should continually strive to develop Christlike qualities, to grow in knowledge, and to serve more effectively. As you learn more about what the Savior expects of you, you will want to show your love by obeying Him. Thus, as you repent daily, you will find that your life will change and improve.

Repentance requires changes. It requires an increased commitment to live according to God’s will. As you change, you will recognize that you are a child of God and that you need not continue making the same mistakes. If you sincerely repent, your desire to follow God will grow stronger and deeper. You will feel God’s forgiveness and His peace in your life, and guilt and sorrow will be swept away, allowing you to feel the influence of the Spirit in greater abundance. When you pass from this life and are fully repentant, you will be more prepared to live with your Heavenly Father and His Son. Heavenly Father wants you to be happy and knows that sin makes you unhappy and brings unhappiness to those you love, for “wickedness never was happiness” ( Alma 41:10).

Faith in Jesus Christ

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel. It is a principle of action that causes us to sincerely repent of our sins and strive to keep God’s commandments. It is also a source of strength to help us overcome temptations and meet life’s challenges.

The first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Having faith in Christ includes having a firm belief that He is the Only Begotten Son of God and the Savior and Redeemer of the world. It means believing that He is the Son of God and that He suffered for your sins, afflictions, and infirmities. When you have faith in Christ, you accept and apply His Atonement and His teachings. Heavenly Father blesses those who have faith to obey His Son.

It is important to note that faith in God is more than a theoretical belief in Him; it is a principle of action and power. To have faith in God is to be willing to act on your belief in Him. Heavenly Father requires that you act with hope and trust in Him before you see a final outcome (Alma 32:21).

Having faith causes you to try as hard as you can to learn about and become more like your Savior, doing all you can to bring about what you hope and pray for. Although you may still sin, you show your love for Him by striving to keep His commandments and avoiding sin.

You can pray in faith for strength to conquer temptation or to develop faith in a particular principle, such as the Word of Wisdom or tithing, by first believing in Jesus Christ strongly enough to obey His commandments. You can help your faith grow by hearing the word of God ( Romans 10:17) and by reading the word of God ( Helaman 15:7–8).

As you obey God, He blesses you. He gives you power to meet life’s challenges and helps you change the desires of your heart. Through your faith in Jesus Christ, He can heal you, both physically and spiritually.

The Gosphel of Jesus Christ

The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us God’s plan for the salvation of His children and includes all the commandments, principles, and ordinances required to live in God’s presence.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is Heavenly Father’s plan for the happiness and salvation of His children and is centered on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to show us how to live meaningful and happy lives and experience eternal joy after this life. Through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, you can become clean from sin and enjoy peace of conscience.

To become worthy to live in Heavenly Father’s presence after this life and to receive this peace and strength, you must learn and follow the principles and ordinances of the gospel.

The first principles of the gospel are faith in Jesus Christ and repentance. The first ordinances of the gospel are baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. After you learn and follow the first principles and ordinances of the gospel, you must seek to follow Christ’s example throughout the remainder of your life. This continued faithfulness is called “enduring to the end.”

God sent His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, into the world so that all of His children would have the possibility of returning to live in His presence after they die. Only through the Savior’s grace and mercy can you become clean from sin so that you can live in your Heavenly Father’s presence ( 1 Nephi 10:20–21; 3 Nephi 27:19; Moses 6:57).

Because of Christ’s Atonement and Resurrection, all people will be brought back into the presence of the Lord to be judged according to their works and their desires and according to the laws of justice and mercy. The Savior satisfied the demands of justice for those who repent of their sins and endeavor to keep all of His commandments when He stood in our place and suffered the penalty for all sins.

Because of the selfless act of the Atonement, Christ can plead with the Father on your behalf. Heavenly Father can apply mercy, withhold eternal consequences from you and welcome you into His presence.

However, Jesus did not eliminate your personal responsibility. You must show that you accept Christ and that you have faith in Him by keeping His commandments and obeying the first principles and ordinances of the gospel.

Jesus Christ

God sent His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, into the world so that each of God's children would have the possibility of returning to live in His presence after they die. Only through the Savior’s Resurrection and Atonement can we obtain immortality and eternal life in our Heavenly Father’s presence.

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Under the direction of your Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ created the earth (John 1:10; Hebrews 1:1–2). Through His Resurrection, Jesus Christ overcame death for you. Everyone, the righteous and wicked alike, will receive the gift of resurrection. When life on this earth is over, Jesus Christ will serve as the final Judge ( Acts 17:31; John 5:21–22; Acts 10:42).

Heavenly Father loves you and wants you to return to live with Him when you die. This is only possible through the Savior Jesus Christ ( John 14:6).

Through the Atonement—performed by Jesus Christ with His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and by His suffering and the voluntary surrender of His life on the cross–He saves you from your sins as you sincerely repent and follow Him. ( 1 Peter 2:21) .

Jesus Christ lived a perfect life while on the earth, approximately 2,000 years ago. Leading by example, He taught how to pray and how to humbly serve others, and He demonstrated the manner in which all should be baptized.

If you follow His example as closely as possible, you will not only find joy in your life, but you will someday return to live with Him and your Father in Heaven. Specifically, you are to:

•Have faith in Him ( Mark 11:22–24).
•Repent of your sins ( Acts 2:38).
•Receive baptism ( John 3:3–6), the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the other ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
•Keep His commandments ( John 14:15).
Today, as in the days of Jesus Christ, there are certain principles of the gospel that people are to learn to obey.

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 Christ, Our Savior

Our loving Heavenly Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to show us how to live meaningful and happy lives and experience eternal joy after this life.

Heavenly Father loves you and wants you to live in His presence after this life. His plan, called the gospel of Jesus Christ, will lead you back to Him if you choose to follow it.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is simple. It begins with faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus Christ is believing in Him, trusting Him, and depending on Him. Faith in Jesus Christ leads you to want to change your life for the better. Through repentance, you change those thoughts, desires, habits, and actions that are not in harmony with God’s teachings. Heavenly Father promises that when you repent, He will forgive your sins.

Faith in Jesus Christ and repentance prepare you for baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Jesus Christ taught that everyone must be baptized of water and of the Spirit for the forgiveness of sins. Through baptism by one who holds God’s priesthood authority and through receiving the Holy Ghost, you will be spiritually reborn. After baptism, God promises to give you the gift of the Holy Ghost, who will guide, comfort, and help you know and recognize truth.

The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored through revelation from God to the Prophet Joseph Smith and other prophets. You can know for yourself that these things are true by asking Heavenly Father in prayer.

The Book of Mormon

A record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas, brought forth by the grace and power of God in our day as a second witness that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and redeemer of all mankind.

As part of the Restoration of the gospel, God brought forth the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. By the power of God, Joseph Smith translated this book from an ancient record written on gold plates. The Book of Mormon is “a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains, as does the Bible, the fulness of the everlasting gospel” (Introduction to the Book of Mormon).

The Book of Mormon is a powerful witness of Jesus Christ. It helps us understand His teachings, including those in the Bible. Examples of Book of Mormon witnesses of Christ include:

•Nephi, who saw the birth and death of Christ in a vision ( 1 Nephi 11:13–15).
•The brother of Jared, who saw the Lord because of his great faith ( Ether 3:7–16).
•The prophet Samuel the Lamanite, who prophesied of Christ’s coming and gave the signs of His birth and death ( Helaman 13–14).

•Christ Himself, who, after His Resurrection, appeared to the people of ancient America and invited them to come forward one by one to see and touch Him until “they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves” ( 3 Nephi 11:13–17).

In the Bible, Jesus told His Apostles, “Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd” ( John 10:16). Soon after He was resurrected, the Lord visited these “other sheep”—the inhabitants of ancient America. During this visit to the American continent (recorded in the Book of Mormon), Jesus Christ:

•Invited people to feel the wound marks in His hands and feet and side.
•Taught His gospel.
•Called twelve disciples to teach His gospel.
•Healed the sick.
•Prayed for the people.
•Performed miracles.

In September 1823, Joseph Smith was visited by a heavenly messenger named Moroni, in the same way that angels often appeared to Church leaders in the New Testament. Moroni informed Joseph that God had a work for him to do and told him that a record of the ancient inhabitants of the American continent was buried in a nearby hill. He stated that the record contained the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ ( Joseph Smith—History 1:27–34).

In September 1827, Joseph received the record, which was written on thin plates of gold. Joseph translated the book into English by the inspiration of God and called the book the Book of Mormon.

It is named after Mormon, an ancient prophet who compiled the sacred record. The book verifies, as another testament of Christ, the reality and divinity of Jesus Christ. It is, then, a second witness that affirms the truth of the Bible.

Since its publishing in 1830, the Book of Mormon has blessed the lives of millions of people through its powerful message about Jesus Christ and His gospel.

Patriarchal Blessings

I am really excited because this Sunday my wife and I met with our Bishop and received our Patriarchal Blessing recommend. I am really looking forward to receiving this blessing as is my wife. I now need to do my best to prepare myself to hear and understand my blessing.
My wife and I are doing everything we can to get to the Temple and be sealed and receive our Temple Ordinances. We are going to be starting our Temple preparatory classes soon so we can prepare ourselves. I am so excited, it will be wonderful to finally go to the Temple and be sealed as a family forever and to receive the blessings of the Temple.

Membership in Christ's Church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is organized to perfect and bless the lives of God’s children.

Jesus Christ is the head of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The central purpose of the Church is to help all people come unto Christ (see Moroni 10:32). To fulfill this mission, the Church is organized according to the pattern revealed by the Lord “for the perfecting of the saints, . . . till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God” ( Ephesians 4:12–13); see also verse 11.

The family is the fundamental unit in the Church. No other organization can take the place of the family. As The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to grow, its purpose will always be to support and strengthen families and individuals in their efforts to live the gospel.

Membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides many opportunities to help others come unto Jesus Christ. Church members:

Donate their time and resources to help the needy and the afflicted.
Serve as missionaries across the world to teach God’s children the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
Perform saving ordinances (such as baptism) for themselves and for those who died without knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Church of Jesus Christ has been restored by God through the Prophet Joseph Smith. You can know for yourself that these things are true by asking Heavenly Father in prayer.

The restoration of the Priesthood

The priesthood is the authority to act in God’s name. It is necessary to direct Christ's Church. It was restored to Joseph Smith by Peter, James, and John—three of the Savior’s original Apostles.

Throughout time, God has given His servants, the prophets, the authority to act in His name. This authority is called the priesthood. Jesus Christ gave the priesthood to His original Twelve Apostles, and they directed the work of His Church after Jesus ascended to heaven. After the Apostles were killed, the priesthood gradually disappeared from the earth.

In 1829, Joseph Smith received the restored priesthood authority to organize Christ’s Church. John the Baptist appeared and conferred upon Joseph Smith and his associate Oliver Cowdery the Aaronic Priesthood, which includes the authority to perform the ordinance of baptism. Later, Peter, James, and John (three of Christ’s original Apostles) appeared and conferred the Melchizedek Priesthood upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, restoring the same authority given to Christ’s Apostles anciently. In 1830, with this priesthood authority, the same Church of Jesus Christ that existed centuries ago was organized and restored to the earth by Joseph Smith.

A living prophet—the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—is the authorized successor to Joseph Smith. He and the present Apostles trace their authority to Jesus Christ in an unbroken chain of ordinations through Joseph Smith.

All male members of the Church who are worthy and prepared may receive the priesthood to help lead the Church and serve Heavenly Father’s children. A man with the priesthood might serve by leading congregations of the Church, performing the ordinances of the Church (such as baptism), and blessing those who are sick. God expects those who hold this sacred priesthood authority to follow the example of Jesus Christ and serve with love, gentleness, and kindness.

Jesus Christ established his Church

Prior to His death and Resurrection, the Savior established His Church again on the earth, built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, with Himself as the chief cornerstone.

Holy Bible, Ephesians 2:20

A few hundred years before the birth of Jesus Christ, people had fallen into apostasy. When the Savior began His mortal ministry, He restored His gospel and established His Church again on the earth. He built His Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, He himself being the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).

Jesus Christ called twelve men to be His Apostles—including Peter, James, and John—and laid His hands on their heads to give them priesthood authority ( Matthew 10:1; John 15:16; Matthew 28:19-20). Before the Savior’s death and Resurrection, He gave His Apostles priesthood authority to teach His gospel, perform the ordinances of salvation, and continue to establish His Church in the world.

The Savior's coming fulfilled prophecy. He set a godly example and showed men what Heavenly Father was like. Yet He was rejected of men and crucified. He made the Atonement by suffering for the sins of all men. After His Resurrection, Jesus Christ guided His Apostles through revelation, making the Church of Jesus Christ a church led by God and not by men ( Acts 10; Revelation 1:1).

In addition to the Twelve Apostles, Christ appointed other leaders to assist the Apostles in the work of His Church. These included:

Seventies (missionaries)
Evangelists (patriarchs)
Pastors (presiding leaders)
Elders
Bishops
Priests
Teachers
Deacons

These officers were given the authority (or priesthood) necessary to do the work of Christ’s Church. They did missionary work, performed ordinances such as baptism, presided over congregations, and instructed and inspired Church members. As long as those who had the priesthood were alive, the Church grew and prospered.

When His followers asked Jesus Christ what kind of people He wanted them to be, His answer was simple: “Even as I am” ( 3 Nephi 27:27).

Jesus showed you by His example and His teachings how you should live to be able to return to your Father in Heaven. Although you make mistakes, as you sincerely repent of your mistakes and try to follow the example of Jesus Christ, your life will be filled with peace and inner joy, regardless of the circumstances around you.

From the beginning, God has called special witnesses, known as prophets, and commanded them to keep records of His dealings with His children. Both the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon are such records. The Holy Bible contains a record of Jesus Christ’s dealings with and ministry to the people in the Holy Land. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is a record of Christ’s dealings with and His appearance to the people of ancient America. Both books teach about our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and of Their love for us.