Congratulations to Bukki

Congratulations to our new sister, Bukki,
who was baptized Sunday afternoon!

She has had so many big changes in her life and we hope this step will give her comfort and peace and happiness.

The Relief Society Presidency

Shout Out for Family Names for Temple Baptisms

From Jenn Low:

This is a shoutout for family names of females needing baptismal work done.

The YSA ward in the city is made up of predominantly un-endowed individuals. They are strongly discouraged from attending the temple to do baptisms since they like to reserve those slots for youth groups. So... they are kind of STUCK!

They want to attend the temple, and attend monthly, along with the rest of the ward. They are allowed two times a year of scheduled visits. But they can go more often IF they come with family file names.

As a result we, as a ward, are really pushing for our ward members to get their family history work done and to get names ready to be submitted to the temple. We've even begun a Sunday School class to this end.

To help supplement these efforts we are asking if there are any sisters in the Valley Forge wards that have family names that need baptisms performed. Our sisters would greatly appreciate the opportunity to attend the temple and perform those ordinances!

Those who have names of individuals needing the ordinances of baptism and confirmation can contact Jenn Low via e-mail (sunihank[at]hotmail[dot]com) or via phone (484-994-9502).

Thanks!
Jenn Low
Philly 3rd Ward Temple Co-Chair

Lesson: The Gift of the Holy Ghost

The Gift of the Holy Ghost, Lesson 21
By Devon Linn

The gift of the Holy Ghost is the privilege—given to people who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, been baptized, and been confirmed as members of the Church—to receive continual guidance and inspiration from the Holy Ghost.

Receive the Holy Ghost!

Elder Bednar recently told us...

These four words—“Receive the Holy Ghost”—are not a passive pronouncement; rather, they constitute a priesthood injunction—an authoritative admonition to act and not simply to be acted upon.

The Holy Ghost does not become operative in our lives merely because hands are placed upon our heads and those four important words are spoken.

As we receive this ordinance, each of us accepts a sacred and ongoing responsibility to desire, to seek, to work, and to so live that we indeed “receive the Holy Ghost” and its attendant spiritual gifts.

“For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift” (D&C 88:33).

We need to (1) sincerely desire to receive the Holy Ghost, (2) appropriately invite the Holy Ghost into our lives, and (3) faithfully obey God’s commandments.

One of God's greatest gifts

The gift of the Holy Ghost is one of God’s greatest gifts to us. Through the Holy Ghost we may know that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, and that His Church has been restored to the earth.

We may have the promptings of the Holy Ghost to show us all the things we should do (see 2 Nephi 32:5).

The Holy Ghost sanctifies us to prepare us for God’s presence.

We may enjoy the gifts of the Spirit.

This great gift from our Heavenly Father can also bring peace to our hearts and an understanding of the things of God

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photo credit

Lesson: Baptism

Jesus set the example of baptism for us

 Today's lesson, taught by Margie Clark, Gospel Principles, Lesson 20, Baptism

Why must we be baptism?

1. We must be baptized for the remission of our sins.
2. We must be baptized to become members of the church of Jesus Christ.
3. We must be baptized before we can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
4. We must be baptized to show obedience
5. We must be baptized to enter the celestial kingdom

Elder Hales:

...when we are baptized by immersion by one with the proper priesthood authority and choose to follow our Savior, we then are in His kingdom and of His kingdom.

Being of the kingdom of God requires that we heed the Savior’s admonition “Follow thou me”. Nephi taught that we follow Jesus by keeping Heavenly Father’s commandments: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?” 

At baptism we make a covenant with our Heavenly Father that we are willing to come into His kingdom and keep His commandments from that time forward, even though we still live in the world.

How must we be baptized?

Paul said:

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection (Romans 6:3–5).

Who and when?
Every person who has reached eight years of age and is accountable (responsible) for his or her actions should be baptized.

Baptism by immersion by a person having the proper authority is the only acceptable way of being baptized.

The Lord's Pattern: Make covenants, receive blessings

Alma taught that when we are baptized we make covenants with the Lord to:

1. Come into the fold of God.
2. Bear one another’s burdens.
3. Stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all places.
4. Serve God and keep His commandments.

When we are baptized and keep the covenants of baptism, the Lord promises to:

1. Forgive our sins.
2. Pour out His Spirit more abundantly upon us.
3. Give us daily guidance and the help of the Holy Ghost.
4. Let us come forth in the First Resurrection.
5. Give us eternal life.

Baptism in his kingdom changes us forever.
Elder Hales:

Many members of the Church do not fully understand what happened when they went into the waters of baptism.

It is very important for us to understand the marvelous gift of the remission of sins, but there is much more.

Do you understand and do your children understand that when they are baptized they are changed forever?

Adult converts to the Church often have a better understanding of this transformation because they feel the contrast as they come out of the world into the kingdom of God.

...By choosing to be in His kingdom, we separate—not isolate—ourselves from the world.

Our dress will be modest, our thoughts pure, our language clean. The movies and television we watch, the music we listen to, the books, magazines, and newspapers we read will be uplifting. We will choose friends who encourage our eternal goals, and we will treat others with kindness. We will shun the vices of immorality, gambling, tobacco, liquor, and illicit drugs. Our Sunday activities will reflect the commandment of God to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. We will follow the example of Jesus Christ in the way we treat others. We will live to be worthy to enter the house of the Lord.

We will be examples “of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12).

Think of your baptism. Has it changed you forever?!

References:
- To Be in the Kingdom and of the Kingdom, Elder Hales, 2001
- Study by topic: Baptism

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Congratulations to Jill Fulop!

Jill Fulop was baptized this evening and we want to say Congratulations!

Jill, we're so happy you have chosen to be baptized. We've enjoyed getting to know you in Relief Society and at activities and showers. And now you're "official"!

So we look forward to many years of working, laughing, and learning together in the Relief Society and in our ward family.

From Nancy, Ellen, Jill, and Devon