My Motivation

12/14/2009

I have a testimony of prayer. I know that Heavenly Father answers prayers. I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon. It is the word of God and I find the guidance that I need to fulfill my purpose. I have a testimony of the first principles of the gospel of Christ. Those principles are the means through which we can apply the healing power of the atonement. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and I know that because of the Book of Mormon. The Christ's priesthood power was restored by Joseph Smith and that power can turn promises into eternal binding covenants. Absolute truth does exist and even though we live in a relative and subjective reality clouded by social lenses, we have access to absolute truth through the Holy Ghost. Jesus Christ is real and His power is real. Jesus Christ is the evidence of our Heavenly Father’s love.

This is why I'm on a mission. This knowledge has given me greater blessings than the blessings I invariably would have received had I not accepted the gospel. These greater blessings (being bound with family for eternity, entrance into the celestial kingdom to live with God forever, complete remission of my sins, the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost, being made perfect through Jesus Christ) are available to all of God's children, but we are the only ones who know about it so we have to tell everybody. Every single person on this planet has been and will continue to be blessed by the atonement of Christ without condition, but there are some blessings that are too precious to force upon us. We have to receive them and we do that by showing God that we're willing to change and align our priorities with His and make whatever sacrifice is necessary to deserve it...and then is the gift given to us? No. Our best effort isn't good enough for eternal justice because we're little children, but it's good enough for Christ. So we have to petition for a greater portion of His grace (greater than the grace we already receive unconditionally). Christ teaches that we can't have these greater blessings without being healed/cleansed by Him (through baptism) and He wont force it upon us without our permission which we give by our faith, repentance, and endurance:
"And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end."

Knowing this, is it any wonder that Christ would command us to be baptized and live faithful to the covenant we make with him?

"Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day." 3 Nephi 27:19-20

Why immersion in water? Why by the priesthood authority found in the restored church? Why must we do it this way? I could come up with all sorts of answers, but in all honesty I have no idea. But I know that the Book of Mormon is true because I have received a witness of it by the Holy Ghost. I know that the Prophets today receive direct revelation from God because I have received a witness of this from the Holy Ghost. Therefore I'll do whatever is necessary because I want to be with my family for eternity, I want to live with God again, I want all these greater blessings. And I'm on a mission because I want everyone else to have these blessings as well.

I love you all,
Sister Johnson

For those with questions go to mormon.org