The Light of Christ

Alma 5:14-15 "And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts? Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body?"

Have you received his image in your countenance?

The only sacrifice we can give is a broken heart and a contrite spirit to the Lord and the sacrifice of service to our fellow men.

True Repentance

"Repentance is the turning away from that which is low and the striving for that which is higher."
"Does Christ really believe that you won't do it again?"
"Would you judge of the lawfulness or unlawfulness of pleasure? Take this rule: now note - whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, takes off your relish of spiritual things, whatever increases the authority of the body over the mind, that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may seem in itself."

Giving Thanks

Do you ever find yourself lacking in gratitude?
Confess the Lord's hand in all things.

If you ever complain, you're taking the Lord and your blessings for granted.

The happiest people in the world embark on Thanksgiving daily.
1) Open your eyes
2) Open your heart
3) Open your arms

The one thing no one can take away from you is your thoughts and attitudes.
Give thanks in all circumstances, and in all things.
Everyday is an empty canvas we can paint with good works and thanksgiving.

Growing a Testimony

The Book of Mormon is full of examples of missionary work, for example, the partaking of the fruit of the tree of life.

Our goal is to have the desire to share with those we love.

There are three phases of testimonies:
1) Hope
2) Belief
3) Knowledge

Alma 32:41 "But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, lookin forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life."

We can be in any of these phases to be able to share our testimony.

Alma 32:35 "O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good; and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect?" (No)

*Never lay aside your faith
*Bear your testimony to help it grow
*Tend to it day by day by day.

"Be not ashamed of the testimony of our God"
Satan gives us fear [to share].