Letter to the Class

image Children, When Jesus was baptized, three of the gospels recorded the event. The baptism was so important because it was and is the first important covenant that we make. Some would criticize Jesus being perfect. Perfect doesn't mean obedience. Jesus was both. He covenant to be obedient. That token was through baptism. This is something we have done to follow the Savior. When He was baptized, the Holy Ghost decended like a dove. To put this in context, the Greeks who heard this meant He was chosen by the gods. For the Jews hearing this, a dove, which was a creature for sacrifice, meant a foreshadow and begining. When we are baptized we are at a new beginning, or new chapter, of our lives. We have become children of Jesus and are willing to go the extra mile to be good to others and be an example too. When we are baptized, we bury the old us in water, we wear white to symbolize purity and when we vow to follow Jesus. We seek to have the Holy Ghost as a constant comp

image John the Baptist was the voice before the king of Israel (Jesus) and Messiah. King David had a messenger before he arrived named Nathan (hey that's Brother Bingham's name) a prophet who led and inspired the king.  John came before Jesus and he started teaching about him before He (Jesus) started His ministry. John knew the divine nature and origin of his cousin and taught it. He was baptizing and connecting the scripture so that the people of that time would understand. The prophet is attempting to do that for us today through the same Spirit of revelation that John taught with. We need to listen to the prophet so that we can know of the sources that will lead us to the Savior; so we can recognize Him when he comes. It is no idle thing that the prophet wants us to read the scriptures or pray. These things lead us daily to the Savior a little bit at a time. Like a tree, we need to nourish our souls with the good words of the prophets, with study and prayer, wit

image Luke 4:49 says much when it says... How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? Children, for three days Mary and Joseph worked to find their son when he was "lost" only to find him at the temple. We as latter-day saints are charged to go to the temple to find Jesus and recognize that as smart or as spiritual as we think we are, Jesus will teach us more and will cause us to marvel and open our eyes and ears to new and wonderous things. When we go to the temple we sacrifice our time and talents to be at the place where we can be taught about Christ, the Messiah. When we take time to study and pray, we can gain a testimony that can stand the harsh tests of time because we have put in the work to build our testimony out of spiritual stone.  Challenges  1) Read John 1 2) What can you do to build your testimony? As you read and study take time to write down the impressions you get from the Holy Ghost.

image Brothers and sisters, we are studying the new testament and learning the origin, path, and life of the Savior. We learn in Matthew and Luke that Mary and Joseph let God prevail. There was a risk, fear, and embarrassment that threatened these loving parents who wanted to fulfill prophecy through them and their first born son. They studied the scriptures and said prayers. They had prepared themselves to be righteous people unknowing that they would have the Savior this close in their lives. Because of their desire to do the Lord's will, daily they watched Jesus grow up. Our lives need Jesus to be part of it daily. Some people can only let Jesus the child in their lives as they judge themselves too much. Others want Jesus the prophet or church leader because they feel unworthy of a Savior who can save them. Children, please know that the Savior wants to be part of all aspects if our lives. Jesus is a teacher but more than that he is the Messiah, a person who will cru