Preparing Investigators for Baptism and Confirmation

11/25/08

Covenants and ordinances necessary for exaltation are received in the house of the Lord.

• D&C 131 - This just shows that no matter what we do in life, no matter how good we are, there are a some things that we NEED to do in order to get to the celestial kingdom. We need to follow not just some rules, but every single on, including celestial marriage.
  
• D&C 132:15,18,19 - Im just thankful that we are able to marry in the temple. That we are able to marry and stay with our spouse for time and all eternity. I am so thankful that we have these ordinances. I love that i know that i can see my family again, and i can be sealed to my wife and family for ever. It's important, and its awesome to see it happen. Divorce is such a big thing around the states, but i think the eternal perspective gives everyone in the church a bit more to live for.
  

Preparing investigators for baptism and confirmation

11/20/08

As Investigators come unto Christ and prepare to become Church members, they must understand the covenants associated with saving ordinances and be willing to make and keep these sacred obligations.

• D&C 45:9 - We are Christs work and workers, we are his covenant going out into the world to teach and share his gospel with the people. We are to go out and be the light of the world, and show the full standard of his people. We are the best he has, his warriors in the field, coming to do his work.
  
• D&C 42:78 - I think for a lot of non members who are being converted have the problem with the word of wisdom. I think and have heard, that the hardest thing to do is to keep them clean long enough to get baptized, then keep them clean after that as well. This goes for many other commandments im sure. But if we are a member of this great church, we need to keep the commandments and sacred ordinances.

Missionaries help those who are converted prepare for baptism, conformation, and membership in the Lords Church.

• Exodus 20:8-11 - I think among members and investigators as well something we all struggle with is keeping the sabbath day holy. It's hard on a day when a lot of us have nothing to do to keep the day devoted to the lord/family. I think one way we can look at it is this. WE can work hard and be devoted to life for 6 days a week that is many many hours of work. But then on the 7th day, the lords day, we devote 12 hours to him. Spend that much needed time with your family, read your scriptures, enjoy gods creations, nature etc. We should teach the aspect of keeping the sabbath day holy as something positive. Something we long for.
  
• D&C 59:9-10 - In helping people to prepare to become members of the church, we also need to make sure they are doing well after baptism and things. We need to keep up with them, make sure if they need support, we can give it to them. We want to try and keep them spotless before god. Meeting with them on sundays i think is a good thing to do. That way you are busy, and they are doing something holy on the sabbath day, as opposed to doing something to break the sabbath.
  

Using time wisely to bring people to Christ

11/18/08

Effective planning, goal setting, and time management help focus missionary efforts and increase success.

• Doctrine and Covenants 109:8 - We can't just go knocking on random doors all throughout our missions and expect to convert everyone. We need to effectively plan, and use our time wisely in order to do things right. We need to pray, and fast, and think in depth what is needed and where we should be that day. Preparation is key.
  

Using Time wisely to bring people to Christ

11/13/08

Finding people to teach is a responsibility for missionaries and Church members

• Doctrine and Covenants 123:12-13 - We need to spend our lives and expecially our missions really searching out the people who need us. I think a big part of this is prayer, and listening to the promptings of the spirit. The Spirit will help us a great deal in thinking of where to go and what to say etc. Just like the scripture said there are people all over the earth in different countries, sects, parties, etc. Some of them simply dont know the truth, and others want to know, but dont know how to find it. Some just don't know where to find it. We as missionaries need to be that person, that tool to share with them the things that they long to hear. We can bring that truth to them, and share with them the continuous love of Christ.
  

Physical and Emotional Preparation

10/11/08

Prospective missionaries should prepare for the physical and emotional demands of a full-time mission.

• D&C 4:2 - If we are going to serve god with "all" our heart might mind and strength, we need to be in great physical and emotional condition. If we are super over weight, or we have injuries or something like that. Then we cant serve to our full extent. We need to do our best to be in the best shape possible. We are going to do heaps of walking and things all over the place, and we need to be able to do what is asked of us. Physical and emotional preparation before a mission is critical prior to serving.
  
• D&C 88:124 - This is something i really have a problem with, and its good to learn about it so i can work at it. We need to "cease to sleep longer than is needful" As missionaries it's early to bed early to rise. And i personally need to start doing that now, so it's not such a burden to me when i get into the field. And i think it really is a good practice. Your mind is clear, your alert and ready to go. It makes it easier to be happy and feel the spirit when your not groggy and sleepy.
  

There are honorable alternatives to full-time missionary service for those individual excused by priesthood leaders because of their physical or emotional circumstance.

• Some people just cant go out and serve a full 2 year mission. Some people have certain physical or emotional circumstances that wont permit a 2 year mission. And i feel like its ok. It's sad, but it's ok, the Lord understands. And the church will excuse you from a 2 year mission. Besides that, there is heaps of different ways you can gain those blessings and help other people. Youc an go to the church family history center, work with welfare projects, hospitals homeless shelters, anywhere that needs help. Service is service, and the lord will bless you no matter what kind of service you are doing. We will be blessed and judged on the desires of our hearts. So if we do our part in missionary service, wherever and whenever it may be, we will be blessed
  

Faith and Conversion

11/6/08

Faith leads to conversion

• 2 Nephi 31:19-20 - Someone once taught in a lesson that faith cannot be stagnent. Your faith is never just sitting still. Your faith in Christ and his gospel is either gradually growing, or gradually decresing, but never sitting still. This scripture relates to that in a big way. Just because we are on the straight and narrow path, and have been. It doenst mean that we cant stray from it. We need to stay steadfast and close to Christ to continue on that straight and narrow. Then when we follow his guidance and commandments, we will stay on that path until the end, reaching the end and gaining eternal salvation.
• Alma 32:41 - Once again going back to staying close to christ not just for a small amount of time, but always. We can always plant that original seed in our heart, but in order to get the real fruit, we need to nourish that seed every day, at any time we can. We need to nurture the seed, let it grow, then partake of the everlasting fruit of life.

Conversion includes repentance, baptism, and the reception of the gift of the Holy Ghost.

• John 3:5 - Baptism is a huge part of conversion. When you are baptised is when you are actually made a legitimate member of the church. So technically you are converted to the word of christ, you believe in his teachings and have felt the spirit. Then you need to take it a step further, be baptized and make thos covenants with the lord. Recieve the holy ghost to be with you so you can recieve his guidance. This is such an important step in life, and critical to becoming converted to the church and gospel.
• 2 Nephi 31:13,17 - We need to follow after the savior in every way possible. One of the big things he did was be baptized. He had no need at all in the world to be baptized, for he had no sins to cleans. But he was doing it to be an example to us, an example to his children. Christ gave the ultimate sacrifice and is the ultimate example. In order to be close to him, we need to lead by that example.
  

Faith and Conversion

11/4/08

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is essential to spiritual growth.

• 1 Nephi 7:12 - Going on a mission to me is a big test of faith. We need to have faith that the lord will look after us in the mission fields and our families back home. It takes great faith and love for the lord to put aside everything were doing in life and go serve him for 2 years. We are asked to do it, and we must go and serve for him. But i still believe we must have great faith. And have great faith in the mission field as well, faith that his spirit will be with us to help teach and convert many.
• Alma 37:33 - This is just everything in a nut shell to me. It talks about the things we should teach. As a missionary there are so many different things we need to cover in the discussions and while teaching our investigators. But this is the basic means of what we need to be teaching.
  

Faith can Increase

• Helaman 3:35 - This just shows to prove that prayer and fast can strengthen us in so many ways. These two things are necesary for the growth of our faith. With prayer and fast we can wax strong in the gospel and grow in many different ways.
• Jacob 4:6 This can be made short and simple. When we have faith we can do great things. Great power comes from the lord and following his gospel. If we do his will, we can move mountains.