Love, Marr-Rhyzle.

Good morning Brothers and Sisters J I’m so grateful for this opportunity to be up here giving a talk. This is my first time every giving a talk…and ironically enough, my last Sunday J But, again, I’m very grateful for this opportunity and for the experiences and feelings I felt while preparing for this talk. I was asked to give a talk about baptism and the renewing of our baptismal covenants through the sacrament. I was really excited to get this topic because it gave me the opportunity to recollect on the day of my baptism.

I remember the day of my baptism quite clearly. I had woken up early despite my lack of sleep, and I remember lying in bed for the longest time just thinking of all the events to come. It was busy in my house as usual and I remember how I kept asking my mom to come to my baptismal service. It secretly broke my heart when she dropped me off at the church and told me that her attendance to the baptism meant that she was willing to totally accept my decision, even though she wasn’t. Despite the lack of support needed from my family, I was blessed with many friends and church members to keep my spirits up. I remember floating around the church very jubilantly, excited for the big step I was about to make. It wasn’t until I was standing in the little hallway that led from the restroom to the font that my emotions took a hold of me. Urged on by Elder Liskey, I slowly stepped into the font, and tears started to stream down my face. They weren’t tears of fear or tears of sadness, but rather tears of happiness; a happiness I had never before felt. They were tears that helped me realize that what I was about to do would not only change my life, but all those around me; and more importantly bring me closer to my Heavenly Father.

As I stood in the font and positioned myself before Elder Liskey, I remember him explaining to me how I was to stand and hold his wrist and the importance of immersing myself fully in the water. With much to think about, my mind was racing, and as the font doors opened, I remember how I avoided looking out at everyone watching. Elder Liskey then began to say the baptismal prayer and everything went into slow motion. I clearly remember hearing every word he said, and as he came to his close, he brought my hand to my nose; I took a breath, and said good-bye to my past. I was immersed in the water and as I felt myself coming back to the surface, I truly felt a lightness as I let go of my former self and was reborn through the water. The font doors closed and I rushed back to the bathroom in hopes of not keep everyone waiting. When I returned, I was graciously welcomed into the River Gardens Ward and the following day I received the gift of the

Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands through authorized priesthood holders and confirmed as the newest member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Tomorrow marks my seven months as being a member of the church. These past seven months has placed me on an endless roller coaster ride of emotions that has only strengthened my faith and testimony in this Glorious Gospel. I’ve experienced more happiness, tears, joy, persecution, blessings, disappointment, friendship, hardship, strength, and love than most people can imagine. My baptism has also put me on a borderline of approval or disapproval from family members, both immediate and distant; but one thing I know in my heart is that there is one, one who has lovingly wrapped his arms around me. I know in my heart that my Heavenly Father is pleased; pleased with my decision I made seven months ago to get baptized. Through revelation, Joseph Smith stated, “Remember, the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. [D&C 18:10]”

As members, we are taught the importance of baptism and what it means in the eternal perspective. First and foremost, we show obedience to our Heavenly Father with our desire to be baptized in Jesus Christ’s name. We are also taught that to enter in the Kingdom of God you must not only be baptized of water, but of the spirit as well [John 3:5]. Without baptism, we are unable to return to our Heavenly Father.

Thus, everyone is urged to be baptized, and for members who have grown up in the church, this occurs at the age of eight. This marks the point where children are able to be held accountable for their actions. Baptism for children younger than eight or children

mentally incapable is unnecessary because they are not adept to sin. [Moroni 8:20] reads, “And he that saith that little children need baptism denieth the mercies of Christ, and setteth at naught the atonement of him and the power of redemption.” For those, who have not grown up in the church, baptism occurs after faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and repentance has been established.

In the year of 1830, Joseph Smith received revelation of the one true and correct mode of baptism. Jesus Christ revealed baptism had to be done by someone of the proper priesthood authority, “The person who is called of God and has authority from Jesus Christ to baptize, shall go down into the water with the person who has presented himself or herself for baptism, and shall say, calling him or her by name: Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then he shall immerse him or her in the water, and come forth again out of the water. [D&C 20:73-74]” The immersion of the one being baptized symbolizes the burial of old sins and the past life, and coming out of the water symbolizes the rebirth of a new life.

Baptism is the gateway to our path that, with obedience to our Heavenly Father, can lead us to the Celestial Kingdom. At baptism, we make a covenant with our Heavenly Father to:

1) Take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ

2) Always remember Him and keep His commandments

3) Stand as witnesses of God at all times

4) Assist those in need

In return, by making and keeping these covenants we are promised the blessings of:

1) The constant companionship of the Holy Ghost

2) A remission of our past sins

3) A new life and opportunity to rest with Him in his Glorious Kingdom

With this new life, we are given the opportunity to renew our covenants made at baptism through the sacrament.

Shortly before the crucifixion of our Savior, Jesus Christ gathered his apostles in an upstairs room and administered the first sacrament. He did this so that they would remember him and remain strong and faithful in their convictions. [Matthew 26:26-28] reads, “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Each Sunday, we partake of the sacrament, a holy priesthood ordinance that reminds us of the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us. The bread and water, which symbolizes the body and blood of Christ, are blessed by a priest or elder with the proper authority, and are then passed to the members of the congregation. When we take part in this sacred ordinance, we reflect and remember the atoning sacrifices our Eldest Brother made for us, and renew our covenants made at baptism with our Heavenly Father. We are told to keep ourselves worthy to partake of the sacrament each week by living His commandments and living the way He would want us to live. [1 Corinthians 11:27-29] reads, “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” It’s important that we maintain a reverence and respect while partaking of the sacrament and remember of our Lord’s eternal atoning sacrifices.

Brothers and Sisters, I stand before you today and testify to you, that I know baptism is essential to our eternal salvation. I know that our Heavenly Father truly loves us, and loves us greatly, that he would provide for us a way to return to him through Jesus Christ. I know that our Savior, also loves us, and because of His atonement; if we have faith in Him, we can be baptized, repent, receive the Holy Ghost, Endure to the End, and someday return to the Celestial Kingdom. I know that this is the one and true church, and that it is led by a true prophet of God. And I know these things because I have been guided by the words of Moroni, “…asking with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ…[Moroni 9:4],” and sincerely had the truth manifested unto me by the Holy Ghost. And I would like to leave you with a passage written from a letter of Joseph Smith. It reads,

“I will proceed to tell you what the Lord requires of all people, high and low, rich and poor, male and female, ministers and people, professors of religion and non-professors, in order that they may enjoy the Holy Spirit of God to a fulness and escape the judgements of God, which are almost ready to burst upon the water for remission of them, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and receive the ordinance of the laying on of hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power, that ye may receive the Holy Spirit of God; and this is according to the Holy Scriptures, and the Book of Mormon; and the only way that man can enter into the Celestial Kingdom. These are the requirements of the new covenant, or first principles of the Gospel of Christ.”

And I leave these things with you, in the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN.