What? Why? Who? Big questions... Answered! Part #1

Heavenly Father's plan of Salvation! 

This week I have been thinking a lot about Out Heavenly Fathers plan
for us. 
The plan of happiness, plan of redemption, the plan of salvation... etc...

This is what we as members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints believe about life after death, this plan is what answers so many of life's BIG questions for us; where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going? Is there more after this life? I love this plan so much and I decided to make it a series...

 

Where did we come from??

Before any questions get answered we have to know that God is indeed our loving Heavenly Father. He created this plan so that we could in the end be happy. He knew that we needed this mortal experience in order to become like him and in order to reach our full potential.

16 The Spirit itself beareth ^awitness with our ^bspirit, that we arethe ^cchildren of God: 

 17 And if children, then heirs; ^aheirs of God, and joint-heirs withChrist; if so be that we ^bsuffer with him, that we may be alsoglorified together. (Romans 8:16-17)

We all lived with our Heavenly Father in the premortal before we even came to this earth. We lived there together as spirits with personality and agency. Okay what in the world is Agency? Well, Agency is a key part to our Heavenly Father's plan. It is his gift to us to be able to choose for ourselves. He will never allow that to be taken from us. That is why this plan is so wonderful! We got to choose for ourselves!!

"Wherefore, men are ^afree according to the ^bflesh; and ^callthings are ^dgiven them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to ^echoose ^fliberty and eternal ^glife, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be ^hmiserable like unto himself." (2 Nephi 2:27)

While we lived in the premortal life we desired to become like our Heavenly Father. He created this plan for us, he sent his son Jesus Christ to create a beautiful place called earth where we could live and gain the experience needed to return home again. When this beautiful earth was created we all watched and waited, eager to experience life, but first our Heavenly Father would send two of his children to get things going, Adam and Eve were the first of our brothers and sisters to venture out to this new world with this new body. We know the story, they came and God gave them commandments. One of which was broken when they chose to eat the forbidden fruit. All is not lost, in fact it is only beginning...

 

"Adam fell that men might be, men are that they might have joy." (2Nephi 2:25) 

 

Due to the fall of Adam and Eve we were able

to come to earth and to obtain mortal bodies. We all made the choice to follow this plan that is why we are here, we chose to come and gain bodies and gain the experiences that would make it possible to return home!

So here's another age old question:

why are we here? 
What is the purpose

of life?
 (Okay that was two).

Seriously though, life is tough, there

are trials and hard times, stress and depression, pain and death...

Why would a loving God let this all happen?

Well let me see if I can shed a little light to the darkness. First let us touch on our purpose:

"For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God;

yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their

labors." (Alma 34:32)

We are here to prepare to return home to our father in heaven, not just to return as we were before but as we have become through the experiences we could only live here in mortality. We are here to learn, grow, make mistakes, etc. hold on though cause "no unclean thing can dwell in the presence of God." Okay Sister Egbert how does that work? Well, Heavenly Father knew we would make mistakes, he knew we would commit sin. So he provided a Savior for us, someone to volunteer to come and take upon himself all the sins of mortal man,

someone to pay the price for justice.

That Savior is our own brother and the only begotten of out Heavenly Father; Jesus Christ. Before we even came to this earth he volunteered as the sacrifice for sin to satisfy the hungry demands for justice. He came and he suffered what we refer to as the Atonement. The Atonement doesn't just include his death on the cross but also his suffering in the garden of Gethsemane. 

To be continued....

 

I knew it... I am a princess!!!!!

I am a child of God....

We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ,

and in the Holy Ghost. (Article of Faith 1)

All my life I dreamed of being a princess. Ever since I was very small I dressed up in the most beautiful nightgowns with the most beautiful crowns of card board with my prince Phantom at me side (silly puppy), ready to fight the evil bad guys who always wanted to capture the beautiful princess (me). These games of fun and imagination only seem like a story in the head of a child, and guess what they are, BUT they are also all true. I am a princess, I am beautiful because I am a daughter of God... 

As I have been reading through the the Bible and the Book of Mormon, I have been struck recently to share my love for just about the most basic doctrine of the entire Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In fact this is one of the very first things we as

missionaries share with people when we share our message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. That is that God is in fact our loving Heavenly Father. A beautiful simple truth that defines so much of what we are and what sets us apart from other religions.

Something that sets us as apart from other religions is that we believe that God is our loving Heavenly Father and that he wants us to be happy. We believe in what we call the Godhead. We do not believe that God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are one being but that they are three separate beings, but one in purpose.

When Jesus Christ was baptized in the river Jordan there was a separate voice from heaven that proclaimed "This is my beloved son in

whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17) The Holy Ghost descended separately as a

dove.

When Stephen was killed in Acts 7 he felt the Holy Ghost as he saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ standing on his right right hand...

"55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand

of God,

56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God."(Acts 7:55-56)

In 1820 a young fourteen year old Joseph Smith knelt and prayed to

know what church to join he was visited by two separate personages.

God the father and his son Jesus Christ. He said:

"I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me..... When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness

and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other--This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" 

(Joseph Smith--History:16-17)

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, Two different people, two different

bodies, two different personalities but one in purpose. That purpose "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:29) Through that purpose they restored the church of Jesus Christ on the earth with the same priesthood power that the prophets and apostles of old had, the same power that Jesus Christ himself  was baptized and the same he used to preform miracles and his Atonement for us.

I know with all my heart that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and the

Holy Ghost are three separate beings with one eternal purpose. I know that when Jesus Christ offered up prayers of joy, sorrow, intersession, thanks, etc. it was to his loving Heavenly Father and not just to himself. I love this thought and the testimony in me that

I can have a relationship with three eternal beings they are truly my best friends.

As I have gone through life and had different experiences I have come closer to these divine friends. They have kept me going through all of the hardships and trials of life. It is through this knowledge that I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for us and there is so much more. Jesus Christ is central to this plan His infinite Atonement makes it possible for us to return home. There are many bad guys that will continue to try and tell us that we are nothing that we aren't princesses or princes, that you are not divine. As I grew up people tried to crush my childlike imagination but just like with my childhood games the bad guy never wins and the good king always wins in the end. 

We are all children of God and divine heirs to his kingdom, we are princes and princesses in a literal sense, we are all beautiful and loved by a dear father. I know that these things are true and that your Heavenly Father loves you. We are our fathers greatest creation, his greatest glory. I know that we are created for greatness so let us all do everything in our power to live in this royal name as a "child of God"... Let us live to be all our Heavenly Father expects of us. This is so special to me and I treasure this royal knowledge, God is my loving Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ is in fact his son and my big brother and the spirit the Holy Ghost is my companion to testify in my heart and mind that these things are true. 

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the

children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with

Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also

glorified together.  (Romans 8:16-17)

Love y'all and have a magical day! 

My own testimony of another testament...

The Book of Mormon an amazing book that testifies that Jesus Christ

lived and lives again and that he will come again. It is not meant to

replace the bible but meant to be another witness with bible. "Out of the mouth of two or three witnesses my word shall be established."

The Book of Mormon is a record of a people that lived in the ancient

Americas God's dealings with them. It is written by different prophets and it contains the fullness of the

gospel of Jesus Christ.

I want each and everyone of you to know that I love the Book of Mormon with all of my heart and then some. So much of what I learned In that book has lead me here to be a missionary today I am so grateful that I live in a time of freedom where I can have this blessed work of

scripture and share it with those I love so dear. I want you to know that I have read and prayed to know that book is true and have received answers to so many of my questions.

It breaks my heart more than anything when others choose not to try.

Here is a little book that teams with the bible to tell us that God does love us, tells us he does have a plan for us and tells us that there is so much more to learn. It offers answers to so many of life's

questions and it offers peace in times of trial. It is a box of answers and blessings just waiting to be opened. So why not open it up and try?

My greatest prayer is that all those I love so dear will give it a fair chance and come and see.

I remember when I was young and I read the Book of Mormon through for

the first time. I had grown up reading it but it wasn't until my

freshman year of high school when I read it through alone and with my family. It was the end of 2005 that I received a testimony of my own that it was true and it was during 2006 that the testimony gained was then tested and I had to ask again of its truth and power. I had to beg, plead and turn completely

to my Heavenly Father. With angels around me and the Holy Ghost he answered my prayer that the book is true and he continues to answer every time I come seeking.

SO I love Shakespeare a lot and his classic line "all the world's a

stage." So if we are on stage then this is all one magnificent production. What comes along with a production? Well there is the lights, the make up, the costumes and of course most important of all, the script. Without a script the actors have no idea what part comes next, what their line

is or even what play they are cast in. So what is the script to life? Well the bible and the Book of Mormon of course... Together they make the full play and with them together we know the play we are in, we know how it begins, and ends and we know our part. We know from the bible and the Book of Mormon who wins in the end and who doesn't. 

So my fellow actresses and actors I invite you all to come and read the Book of Mormon and understand more in depth the script God has placed to tell us what happens and what our part is.

I know the Book of Mormon is true with all my heart. It has helped me and it has answered my questions and it has brought be peace in times of need. I know that is testifies of Jesus Christ and shows that God loves and talks to all his children.

I invite you to read and try it out for yourself and please let my know if you have any question. If you have already read it well read it again! 

Love you all and hope you all have a magical day!


CHECK OUT THIS LINK TO READ ONLINE:

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng

Branded to the heart!

Cows and Conversion

So lately I have been studying a lot about conversion and the ways that we can become converted. Before we can truly follow the Savior we have to LET ourselves be converted to him. 

First off what is conversion?

Bible Dictionary:

"Denotes changing one’s views, in a conscious acceptance of the will of God (Acts 3:19). If followed by continued faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism in water for the remission of sins, and the reception of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, conversion will become complete and will change a natural man into a sanctified, born again, purified person—a new creature in Christ Jesus (see 2 Cor. 5:17). Complete conversion comes after many trials and much testing (see Luke 22:32; D&C 112:12–13). To labor for the conversion of one’s self and others is a noble task, as in Ps. 51:13; Dan. 12:3; James 5:19–20; Alma 26; D&C 18:15–16."

From what I have learned it's a change, and process of turning ourselves fully to something. For total conversion you can't just sort of change you have to allow your nature to change. It doesn't always feel to good but in the end it is a beautiful transformation of becoming!

When I think of conversion I think of branding! If anyone knows me at all they know I love Cattle!! Like LOVE CATTLE! I grew up raising and showing cattle for 4-h and I made the money for my mission and part of college from selling these amazing critters. I may not have been raised on a full blown cattle ranch but I know and have seen the love and care that go into these critters. A rancher cares for each animal, he will take ALL precautions so that nothing hurts his animals. He will build fences and ditches, he will train the cattle to come to certain noises, he will check on them or send someone else in whom he trusts to care for them.

He also will take the precautions to not lose them even if they do wander and break through the fences (which they will). He will tag them, maybe tattoo them and he will usually brand them. When branding cattle you have to do it right. The brand has to be hot enough and the iron has to go on the right spot for the right amount of time. When done properly the brand will stay for the rest of the animal's life. That way anytime the animal runs away or gets caught in another heard it will be easy to return the animal home.

Just like with cattle we have allow ourselves to brand Christ on our hearts and into our lives. We have to allow ourselves to become his completely. We have to receive his image into his countenance. I love Alma chapter 5 in the Book of Mormon which talks about having that "mighty change of heart." Alma (the prophet speaking in the Book Of Mormon) talks so much about this branding to the heart this "receiving His image in your countenance."

It isn't always pleasant and fun but the result is safely, security and true eternal joy! You have to go through some pain and some tough times but in return you gain the experience and the tools to prepare to live with God again. That is our purpose in this life, to prepare ourselves to live with our Heavenly Father again! So what are you doing to prepare? Is Christ branded in your heart? Do all who see you know who you belong to? I have some other questions to throw out

from Alma chapter 5

 

(Here is a link to read the whole chapter: https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/5?lang=eng)

Some great questions of the soul to make us all think on our own branding!

Some of Alma's questions of Conversion:

HAVE YOU RECEIVED HIS IMAGE IN YOUR COUNTENANCE?

HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED A MIGHTY CHANGE OF HEART?

HAVE YOU BEEN SPIRITUALLY BORN?

DO YOU EXERCISE FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST?

DO YOU LOOK FORWARD WITH AN EYE OF FAITH?

Thanks for reading have a magical day!

See the Becoming... A poem

 

 

 

Sweet sings the morning so bright and so clear,

After a night that was so full of fear.

 

Ribbons of color gleam through the sky,

As the birds come from winter all ready to fly.

 

The Lord has his hand in each creature and thing

You can tell in the dawning what each new day can bring.

 

I look for his touch as I sit in his stead,

And finally feel the peace I have longed in my head.

 

Peace of a new day and another tomorrow,

Peace he pleads only for me to come borrow.

 

He pleads and he begs that I come unto him,

But sometimes I allow my light to go dim.

 

Yet he stands there in wait knowing my mind

And giving the feeling I am not left behind.

 

I am never alone with my Lord at my stead,

No matter how dark the things in my head.

 

His atonement is real I will give till all hear,

How the Savior came and took upon him every fear.

 

This is what what I learn as I sit here alone,

And think of the blessing that one man atoned.

 

He took on all pains for you and for me,

He looked in my eyes and saw I was key.

 

There are tears in my eyes, a prayer in my soul

  That all will receive and come to to his fold.

 

There is a place full of rest where all may see

A place full of faith, hope and charity.

 

So come one and all receive of this dawning

Come one and all to see the becoming...

 

Poem by Sister Michayla Egbert