Better than Disney World?....

There is a magical place in many lands and not so far away... Most sacred of places where the presence of a loving Heavenly Father can be felt. All covered in white and a haven from the world. A place even better than Disney World (and that friends is saying something). A place where happily ever after begins but there is never an end!

 

 

Alright so a couple days ago I posted a picture of the Temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Denver Colorado. I asked questions about what people understand of the temple. Here is my testimony and little overview of the temple and what it is? Why we have it? AND Who it's for?

 

First and foremost the Temple is the house of God. Just like in the times of the old and new testaments with Solomons temple. It is a place of teaching and learning. Just as the days of the Savior who sat and taught in the temple. We believe that with the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was also the restoration of the building of temples.

For members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints it is central part of everything we believe. It is a place where we show our love for our Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ through making Covenants, or promises with our Heavenly Father. It is a wonderful place where we can feel the love our Heavenly Father has for all his Children. This is a place where we prepare and learn to live with God again.
 

Now because we firmly believe that God loves all his children, he gives them as many chances as possible to return and live with him again. Temples help make that possible. Inside the Temple we are able to make covenants (promises) for ourselves and for those who have passed away.

We believe in what is called the Plan of Salvation or God's plan for us (planning another blog on that soon). We believe that after this life we go to the spirit world where we get to continue to learn and grow and prepare to live with God again. We do temple work for those who have passed away who maybe didn't have the chance to make those promises with God while they lived on the earth. For example baptism.

By doing work for ourselves and those who have gone before we are able to fully bind ourselves together just like it talks about in:

Matthew 16:19
 19 And I will ^agive unto thee the ^bkeys of the ^ckingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt ^dbind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

We believe that those "keys of the kingdom" were restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith and through those "keys" we are able to do the work in the temple and bind families together for all eternity!

We hold the family as sacred in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints because it is foundational to prepare to live with our Heavenly Father again. I know that God loves all his children and he gave us these wonderful places where we can learn and grow and come closer to him on this earth.

I want to add my sincere testimony that I love the Temple with every part of my heart. It is truly the most magical place on earth. I know that when you are in the Temple you stand in the presence of God. I know that Joseph Smith restored the priesthood "keys to the kingdom." I know that through the work done in the Temple we can be with our families for all eternity. I have a deep love for my Heavenly Father and for his Son Jesus Christ and the work that is being done right now so that we can all return and live with them again! 

If you have any questions about the Temple and what it is feel free to ask at any time!

Love you all and have a magical day!

Sister-Michayla Egbert



 

 

 

 

All Nations...

 Matthew 24:14 

And this ^agospel of the ^bkingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the ^cend come.

Luke 24:47 

And that ^arepentance and ^bremission of sins should be^cpreached in his name among all nations..

Haggai 2:7

 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall^acome: and I will fill this house with ^bglory, saith the Lord of hosts.

 Isaiah66:18 

For I ^aknow their ^bworks and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather ^call nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

Doctrine and Covenants 42: 58 

And I give unto you a commandment that then ye shall teach them unto all men; for they shall be ^ataught unto ^ball ^cnations, kindreds, tongues and people.

 2 Nephi 29:12 (in The Book of Mormon)

For behold, I shall speak unto the ^aJews and they shall ^bwriteit; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall ^cwriteit; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto ^dall nations of the earth and they shall write it.

Ooooh the places you'll know in the DC South! 

So today I want to talk with you about how prophecy comes true. All through the scriptures it talks about how the gospel of Jesus Christ will be preached to ALL nations. All will hear and know and hear the words of Jesus Christ.







I think it is so cool to be a missionary and to see this come to pass as we meet and speak with so many amazing people from all over the world! SO I thought it would be fun to share a list of all the places of people I have met! I love the people here so much and I am so happy to be a missionary and share my love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ is so many of our Heavenly Father's children!

I know that we are all his children of a loving God and he wants us all to come home to live with him again. He is gathering his children in and hastening his work! I will share more on this one later but I thought it would be fun to put out!

*America 

*Ghana 

*Ethiopia

*Brazil 

*El Salvador

*Bolivia

*China

*Thailand 

*Germany

*Greece

*Iraq 

*Pakistan 

*India 

*Egypt 

*Vietnam 

*Korea 

*Mexico

*Philippines 

*Guatemala 

*Puerto Rico 

*Uganda 

*Afghanistan 

*Iran

*Nepal

*Peru

*Sierra leone

*Australia 

*England

*Turkey

*Canada 

*Senejal

*Nicaragua 

*Burkina Faso 

*Bhurma 

*Russia 

*Ukraine 

*Indonesia 

*France

*Quirdishstan

*Morocco  

*Sudan

*Cambodia 

*Ruanda

Why no cross??

 

One question I get asked a lot as a missionary is "why don't the Mormon's have the cross as their symbol if they believe that Jesus Christ died for us?"....

 

I decided I wanted to write a little about this today and use this picture that I love so much that I took while visiting the Alamo.

 

Okay so why? Why don't Mormon's have the cross as their symbol?

First off we are Christian and believe in Jesus Christ and that he died for all God's children. We like to focus more on what happens next:

 

 His Resurrection!

 

We believe that Jesus Christ lives now and that he will come again. We know with all our hearts that he did Atone for our sins and he did die for us and suffered more that any of us can imagine. BUT he lives too! He is Resurrected and his resurrection sealed his sacrifice for us and broke the bands of death so that we can return to live with our Father in Heaven AGAIN!

 

So we celebrate his life rather than his death. Just never forget that we do remember his sacrifice for us, it is key and CENTERAL to the Plan of Salvation or Plan of Happiness our Heavenly Father has for us. I want to share my testimony that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is so very really. I know with all my heart that he felt every pain, every sorrow, every sin and every joy we have ever, and will ever feel. He knows everything we go through. I know through very personal experience that we can turn to him for everything and receive the comfort we desire.

 

I remember while I was in the training center for missionaries in Provo. One of my leaders told me (while I have having an extra hard time) to stay on my knees after I prayed and just "Be Still" and listen. So I did! I had an incredible moments as if I was in the Garden with the Savior. I won't share too much but I saw him suffer there and felt him look into my eyes. The eyes truly are the window to the soul. I know he say everything I was going through and I felt as though his arms were around me and I could overcome anything. I love this moment and I love my Savior!  

 

I also know with all my heart that he lives. He overcame death and he will come again!!! He is my Savior and my best friend and I am honored to serve in his name!

 

I would like to invite you all to read this proclamation from the leaders of our church some years ago that expresses our love for the Living Christ!

 

 

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.

He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.

He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).

Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:

“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4).

Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).

We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—“built upon the foundation of . . . apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).

We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.

 Love you all and have a magical day!!

The perfect day! Faith turned to Fact....

*FAITH-> 

             *DO->
                   *SEE->
                          *FEEL->

 *KNOW->

                             *TESTIFY->

 

 

The other day I was reading in 3 Nephi in the Book of Mormon! in 3rd Nephi the resurrected Savior comes to the people in the Book of Mormon in the Americas.

 

In 3 Nephi 11:15 There is a fun little formula for conversion, thus the super cute wording up top! I have been studying a lot about our purpose on earth and what we do to return to live with our Heavenly Father:

 

*FAITH->
First step to conversion is faith. We believe that the first principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to have faith in him. In 3 Nephi 11 he has just appeared to the people. These are the people that believed in him and believed what the prophets had said about his coming! Even though he wasn't there, they know he lived. Faith is an action word you can't JUST believe and have it be enough you have to put faith into action....

 

*DO->
Then you have to DO! These people were good people that walked the walk and talked the talk. When the Savior invited them to come and touch the prints in his hands and side they went, they did NOT question. That is what the Lord asks of us... Come! We too often question... So we have faith then we DO... So we use that Faith as an action.

*SEE->
Which leads to SEE! The people in the Book of Mormon had faith before he came, then they Did as he commanded them and their eyes were open to see, not just physically but spiritually!

*FEEL->
With seeing we also feel. For me personally I don't really ever have the resurrected Savior standing before me, so I get confirmation with spiritual eyes and feelings of the spirit confirming to me that something I have asked about is true. I love the spirit because it knows us all so personally and perfectly. The spirit knows just how to touch each of us, in just the right way! IF we choose to listen. Are you listening?

*KNOW->
Alright so after we have had the faith, Done did, seen and felt then we should know! We should know with a sure firm conversion! When we know we automatically want... NO NEED to share.

At the end of these couple verses the people cry:

Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did ^aworship him.

 

I love that because that is what I want to do EVERY time I get that confirmation that these things are true! I want to Cry HOSANNA and shout it from the rooftops!!! That is why I loved this little formula! Hope you will like it too!

 

*TESTIFY->

I want you ALL to know that I know that these things are true, I KNOW that the Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ and I KNOW that it is true! I KNOW that if you will take the time to read it you will feel a peace like none other and I KNOW that Christ will come again! I know because I have taken the time to read, Ponder in my heart and ask! I have received my answer and I invite you to receive yours! I love this Gospel and I love all of you!

 

 

 

3Nephi 11:11-17

 

11 And behold, I am the ^alight and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter ^bcup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in ^ctaking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the ^dwill of the Father in all things from the beginning.

12 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude ^afell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been ^bprophesied among them that Christ should ^cshow himself unto them after his ascension into heaven.

13 And it came to pass that the ^aLord spake unto them saying:

14 Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may ^athrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may ^bfeel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the ^cGod of Israel, and the God of the whole ^dearth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.

15 And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and ^adid feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.

16 And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying:

17 Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did ^aworship him.