Baptism, Our First Covenant

Hi Everyone,

This week was super awesome. I am so excited to tell you about it, but first I wanted to talk about baptism. I believe that this is one of every missionary's favorite things to talk about. I also believe that it is a missionary's favorite for different reasons. Baptism is my favorite because when we take the step of baptism we take our first step back to God. This does not mean that it is the first time that God starts helping us. God helps all of His children baptized or unbaptized. We are all equal in the sight of of God.

We believe that it all starts with faith. When we have faith in Jesus Christ we believe that Jesus Christ can change us. We can use Jesus Christ's Atonement to repent of our sins. Repentance really means to change. So after we have changed we are ready for baptism. Once we enter into the waters of baptism and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost we are cleansed from our sins. However, after baptism we need to continue to change and stay faithful to that covenant or promise that we made with God.

I invite you to all read Mosiah 18 which talks about the importance of baptism.

I know that as we follow Jesus Christ's example we can become more like Him. I know that by preparing and doing important ordinances we come closer and closer to Him. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Laura before her baptism holding Elder Savoie, Elder Woodruff, Brother Southwick, and I.

Something super awesome is that I always say hi to the Martinos. I got to talk with Sister Martino for a little bit and it turns out that she was doing a tour. A tour in the Cafeteria? Anyway it was with Elder Kyle S. McKay of the Seventy and his wife. President and Sister Martino introduced me to him and I was able to shake his and his wife's hands. We then talked about The Referral Center and the work that we are doing online and he said he was so grateful for the work that The Referral Center was doing. I am so grateful that I was able to have that experience.

Laura from Texas got baptized today and I had the opportunity to video in along with Elder Savoie, Elder Woodruff, Brother Meldrum, Brother Southwick, and Brother Schwendiman. It was a very special experience to talk with her and see her take this step. She is doing so well. We called her yesterday to talk before she got baptized and she told us all the things that she was doing. It was amazing to hear how she is all in. She told us about a week ago told us that if she was going to go to be baptized she wanted to be converted and she is!

Sister Saunders and Sister Jensen. I am so grateful for all that these two sisters have done for Laura.

Elder Neil L. Andersen from The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles came and spoke on Tuesday. He told us that he was speaking on something he felt prompted about and that he has never talked to missionaries about before. Elder Andersen talked all about the temple. He said some things that I really liked. He talked about the symbolism in the temple and how those who go into the temple all wear white because it represents purity. You also see everyone dressed the same because everyone is equal in the sight of God.

We are often asked to learn in the temple. Elder Andersen told us that we learn in the temple by being patient there. I thought that was cool because it shows that not everybody learns at the same pace. We are taught when we are ready to learn, knowledge isn't forced upon us. I am so glad that God works the way that He does.

I hope that you all have a wonderful rest of your week and a wonderful upcoming one.

Love,

Elder Stevenson