Well I guess you could say that this week has been amazing! Yesterday we had 2 baptisms. Brother Hilary, and Brother Emma! both of these guys are so awesome and they were definitely ready! Before their interview they were so nervous and they were asking us so many questions. I felt prompted to open the D&C 20:37. The were nervous and scared and saying that they weren't ready and asking so many questions, but after we sat down and read this verse about baptism and what qualifies a person for baptism, they were quiet, still, and ready! That verse says that all those who humble themselves before the lord and desire to be baptized, and who come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and have witnessed before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church... I simple asked them,"Are you ready and willing to Take upon yourselves his Name. Do you want to wear his name in his church and be a part of his true church? If you do, than you are ready and you have nothing else to worry about." They were humbled and so ready to take the Name of Christ upon themselves and it was such a spiritual and powerful baptismal service!
Last night my companion and I went of splits with members of the church. I went with a man named Andrew and we went to find a family to teach... The first place we went to we were welcomed in! As we sat down we were completely surrounded by people! Turns out we had just walked into the home of 13 children and 2 parents! and all but 3 are above 8 years old. We taught them the Doctrine of Christ and focused on Christ's baptism. I helped them to understand that as said in John 3:5, except a man be born of the water and of the spirit, he can not enter into the kingdom of god. Now we understood that being born of the water is baptism. I then turned to Eph 4:5, There is one lord, one faith, and one baptism. I asked them all what baptism are we talking about. We know that is says there is only one. and we know that unless we do that ONE baptism, we cannot enter into the kingdom of god. One of the teen boys raised his hand and said, It is the baptism that Jesus did. He was exactly right! We then talked about the baptism of Jesus christ and how he was dipped, or immersed in water, and how he had the Holy spirit upon him and it came in the form of a dove. I told them something they already knew. I said," If we are here to follow Jesus, and we say he is our savior and redeemer and our teacher, then what must we do?" The father said, "We must follow him". At this point I asked them if they were baptized, and some were baptized my sprinkling water, some were dipped, and some had a cross drawn with water on their forehead. The ones who weren't dipped were begging me to tell them what they should do. they were afraid that if they were baptized again it would be a sin. the ones who were dipped I asked them if they received the holy spirit. they said yes. I asked how and they said it was in the water. At this point I knew exactly what scripture to turn to to answer everyone's questions and the help the one's that were dipped to see how we receive the spirit. I opened up to Acts 19:2-6, which talks about people who were dipped, but didn't receive the holy spirit, so they were baptized again and received the holy spirit by the laying on of hands. They then understood that you can be baptized as many times as you have until it was done the right way, like we read. Also the one's who were dipped now understood that we need to receive the holy spirit by the laying on of hands. Then I was prompted to ask the question," Who feels like they need to be baptized the same way jesus christ was baptized? The One way that we read in the bible?" after I asked this, all 15 people in that small brick home raised their hands... I was brought to tears as I set all of them baptismal dates... This was such an amazing experience! The spirit was so stong and that family was prepared for our message even before we came. I thank God for this family and the spirit that was there and the spirit that prompted me and lead me in what to say and ready. All of them are preparing to be baptized the first
sunday in August!
I am so grateful for my mission! There is no place I would rather be then here in Uganda. I am so happy that I have 20 months left to be serving the Lord and my brothers and sisters. No one will be able to shake my testimony of this gospel and about the restoration of this church. This is the ONE and ONLY church of Jesus Christ and it WAS restored by the prophet Joseph smith. How blessed are we to have this Knowledge? I am here to share this message to those who are in the dark, so that they may rise up from their troubles and darkness and turn to Christ. I know that Lord lives and loves us so much. He personally knows each of us and is so so anxious to help us and be by our side, and all we have to do is pray and let him into our lives.
Elder Halladay
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