John 3:30, He Shall Increase!

John 3:30 suggests that Christ was John's master. Christ would come onto the scene and save the world from our sins if we would accept Him. He would atone for us, and He was perfect, and had the power of the Lord on His side. John the baptist also had the Lord with him, but he wasn't perfect, and he was the forerunner for Christ. He knew his place, and he knew it was below the station of the Savior. John showed the utmost respect and reverence for the work of Christ all the way until he died, and he served his purpose with loyalty and faith. He had a lot of followers, and he was transfering them to their rightful leader, Jesus Christ. John knew his time had passed, and he knew who the Savior was. He righteously led Christ's believers to Christ's side, as was prophesied. John the baptist was a great and righteous man.We can too, follow in John's footsteps by sharing the gospel today in every way we can. Missionary work is what brings the light of the truth to people that are feeling lost. Why would we want to have it any other way? We can shout the message of Christ to everyone, just like John did, and respect that it is Christ who deserves our devotion, not ourselves.

Healings and Faith

Reference	Miracles of the Lord	Who Demonstrated Faith
Matthew 8:1-4	A man was healed of leprosy.	He had faith that the Lord would heal him, and asked for help, knowing that the Lord had the power to do what he asked for.
Matthew 8:5-13	Christ healed the servant of the centurion.	The centurion didn’t want Jesus to enter his home, for he thought of himself as unworthy. He has such strong faith that he knew that if Christ even just said it was so, his servant would be healed. He had extremely strong faith.
Matthew 8:14-15	Peter’s mother in law was healed of a fever.	Peter’s mother in law was healed by Christ, and immediately got up out of bed and administered to them. How great must her faith have been, she was probably tired, and yet she went to serve Jesus as soon as she was able to stand.
Matthew 8:16	Jesus cast out devils.	Christ had a lot of people follow him, and some had devils. They came to Him to cast them out, believing He could, and the devils were cast out, and they were healed.
Matthew 8:23-27	Christ calmed the waves.	The disciples asked Jesus to save them, they were scared of the waves, and didn’t have enough faith to stay calm. Then when the sea was quieted, their faith was increased by a lot.
Matthew 8:28-34	Two devils were cast into a herd of swine and they drowned.	The two that were healed of the devils ran to the city to tell others about their miracle, and spread the word abroad that they had been cleansed of their evil spirits and made whole.
Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34	A woman touched Jesus’ robes and was healed	She believed that merely touching Christ’s robes would heal her, and because of her great faith and belief in the Savior, she was completely healed, and Christ blessed her.
Matthew 9:27-31	Two blind men are healed.	Christ asked the men if they believed in His power, and healed them only according to their faith. It was strong faith in the Lord’s power that cured them.
Mark 2:1-12	A paralyzed man is healed.	In a very crowded room, Christ healed a man lowered from the roof. He forgave his sins, and when He was rebuked, He healed him. He showed that only by faith can sins be forgiven, and healed the man to prove to him His power on earth.

I know that through faith, even if we are here on earth today and can't see Christ in the flesh, we can still know of His existence. These verses have proven the immense faith of people in His time, and I believe that I can build my faith every day to be that strong. Learning so compactly about all these instances really helped grow my testimony that I can have as great and even greater blessings than being physically healed by the Savior. I get that and the knowledge that I am a member of His church on earth today and that I will be able to be with Him again someday if I only follow the commandments and do a little better every day than I did the day before.

Matthew 7:8

Thoughts on Matt. 7:8

If I ask for my righteous needs and have faith, I will get the answer that is best for me.

I love this scripture because sometimes I get discouraged, just like anyone, and I love having the knowledge that Heavenly Father will help me. If I seek for an answer to a very important question I will find it. If I need my Savior's atonement for something and I can't do it alone, I know I have it, and i can use it to repent. I love this because it reminds me of a teacher with an "open door" policy. I am very focused on getting good grades for a scholarship, and I love when teachers have an open door policy because I can go and ask them anything if I am having trouble, and I can safely express my need and explain circumstances, and I can feel confident that I will get an answer. I know that I will be able to get what is good for me, and what i truly need if I put my faith in my Savior, and knock.

The Baptism of Christ

• Why was John hesitant to baptize Jesus?

John was the man to testify to all that Christ was coming. He said himself: I am not worthy to unloose his shoe. He knew the power of the Savior, the perfection of the Savior, and who He was because of his calling. He was hesitant to somehow act superior to his Lord, and wanted the Savior to baptize him instead. But as soon as Christ explained that "thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness" John knew it was right, and he obeyed the Savior, and baptized Him.

• What is taught here about the Holy Ghost?

The Holy Ghost descended like a dove, but according to what our leaders have said, it was a sign. The Holy Ghost is a person, and has the form of a person, and the dove was a sign that this was in God's plan. The devil can not take the form of a dove, and this simple, yet profound sign was Heavenly Father's and the Holy Ghost's way of saying "amen" to the ordinance.

• Jesus Christ said He must be baptized to “fulfill all righteousness.” List three reasons why Jesus Christ was baptized.

Christ was baptized to prove humility and his will to obey the Father. He definitely did not need to wash away any sins, for He had none, but wanted to show obedience to his Father by being baptized.

He was also baptized to show his followers then and now the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate. He gave us all an example to live by. We follow everything He did and try to become like Him, and being baptized this way showed us what we need to do. It's another shining example for us to follow in the Latter Days.

Christ was baptized to have the Holy Ghost with Him in such a way that only comes with baptism by water.

• What evidence is found that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate personages in the Godhead?

Christ was being baptized in the water, and the Holy Ghost descended and lighted upon Him, and then the Father spoke. Three separate beings, with three separate minds, but united with the same purpose were all present that day.

Discussion Board Entries Lesson 1

John 4:13-14 Food and water fill us up for a little while, a couple of hours, maybe, but we are always going to need more. Knowledge of Christ and His teachings fills our souls permanently.

When we know our Savior, really believe in him, no one can take that knowledge away without our consent. When we drink water, we are filled, but then it eventually goes away and we have to start over. Learning of the savior builds and builds, until in the end, we get to be with Him again. I know that I have this knowledge of my Savior, and I also know that my testimony is still growing every day. I know that I can add to it, instead of having to start over every time. I love the story of the woman at the well. She learned of living water, and ran, she actually left her water jug and RAN to tell others of the Savior. We, I, should have the same enthusiasm to share the gospel with others, and how much the living water of Christ has helped me in my life.

I am so grateful for the power of the priesthood in my life. I had the great opportunity to get a priesthood blessing before school from my younger brother, who I love so much. He fasted and prayed and I know that the spirit was with him. I felt the spirit so strongly, and I know that he holds the power of God in his hands. Being a girl, I am not able to hold it myself, but I have needed it so many times in my life, and I don't know where I would be without it. I know that when it is needed, worthy men that hold this power are able to put their hands on my head and forget themselves. They are a direct link from me to God, and everything that comes out of their mouths are words from my Heavenly Father. I know this to be true, and I love that deep connection I feel to Him whenever I have the honor of receiving a Priesthood blessing.

Discussion Board entries Intro Lesson

John 17:3: Eternal life stems from truly knowing and developing a relationship to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

When I was younger, I used to believe in a lot of things: Santa, The Tooth Fairy, Monsters. I was easily influences, and I readily went along with all that my parents taught me about church, Joseph Smith, and Christ. I thought I had a testimony, but I was young, and I was still leeching off of my parents testimonies. Then I got a little older and went to girls camp and EFY as a teenager, and I felt the spirit very strongly, and I knew that I should obey the commandments because they would make me happy. I knew that the church was true, and I knew it for myself, not just because I was told. I Still didn't have the most personal relationship with my Heavenly Father, even though I knew I was a member of the true church. As I got older, and especially preparing to go to BYU-I, I decided to strengthen my bond with my Heavenly Father, and really come to know Christ. I still work on it every day, and I know now that knowing Christ, and developing a strong relationship with Him will lead me to eternal life if I remain diligent. I know that He loves me, and that makes it so easy for me to talk to Him. I truly love the principle taught in this scripture, and that's the reason I chose it. It is close to me.

I don't think we will ever be "done" working on our relationships with the Savior. If we could see Him on earth today I truly think we would follow everything He said, and try to learn more from Him every day. I know that it feels like we should check that off the list, but I believe that is just our human nature. It is okay to keep learning, and growing closer every day to Him until we are with Him again.

Prayer is the strongest tool in my life. I love to pray all the time. If I lose something, I pray to find it. If I am making a crucial decision, I ask for guidance. If I am sad, I ask for comfort. If I get a blessing, I pray with thanks. If I am feeling especially happy or peaceful, I pray, because I can feel the Savior is close to me. I love throwing out just a quick prayer whenever the mood or need strikes, and that is one of the best ways I have connected with my Heavenly Father. Prayer truly works, and I am really grateful for it.

I think everyone has a little of that "Prove it!" kind of attitude. I know that I have been kind of cynical in certain times in my life, until I remember that Satan doesn't want me to be happy, and he will use my every weakness to keep me miserable. I know that when I keep that in mind, I have a much easier time of combating the dark forces that would have me doubt what I know to be true.

When others stray, I feel sad. Why don't they just do what I do? Isn't it easier? And I believe that once you have a strong testimony, and work every day without fail to increase it, you are going to grow closer and closer to Christ. I also know that when you don't do that, it is so easy to be swept up in other things, and not even want to be happy. It's like when small kids are glad to be sick, just so they don't have to go to school, but what they don't even realize, is that school is such a great opportunity for them to learn and grow. It is our job to show those lost people how happy they can be with the gospel playing a large part of that. We need to stay diligent and do our part, and let the Lord and the Holy Ghost do the rest.

When someone close to me that I looked up to wavered in their testimony, it shook mine to the core. I had to really decide what I believed, because if that person had doubts, then how could it be true? After a short period of not being sure, and not really caring, I decided that I needed to know, right now, for myself. I had thought I already knew, but I was weak and relying on others STILL. I prayed, I read, I asked, and I started really really trying to know my Savior. I built up my little faith seed, and now it is a beautiful plant. I know that my Savior lives, and I know that for myself. I don't think I will ever be shaken like I was again, because I now rely on my very own testimony, and it isn't just words anymore.

It's so comforting in this world of uncertainty, with people flaking on promises and forgetting things, and making mistakes right and left, that we DO have something strong, secure, and unmovable to rely on. What would I do without that surety? I don't know and I don't intend to ever find out.

I know that in my life I have had those "why" moments a lot. Why did that happen? Why are things sad? Why didn't that happen? Why Why Why? I know that during all of those times, I have found at the end that even though my why wasn't fully answered, I felt good about it in hindsight. I know we don't get all the answers. How could our frail human minds comprehend all the things that God knows? They can't, and I for one don't mind letting someone else take the reigns. If I didn't know how to drive a car, and I had the option of driving or letting a pro take the wheel, I think the choice would be obvious. Let Him lead us, and we will be happy in the end, even if it's hard right now.

I love thinking of the Gospel as a light. It seems that the times in my life where i have been sad or not as close to my Heavenly Father, I have "shadowed" memories. I wasn't happy, and I didn't want any light. When we are on the side of Christ, the Light is so bright, that we can't help but feel happy and uplifted. Christ makes us feel that way, and I am really grateful for it.

I think that we have to add works to our faith. Faith is proven through what we do, and then it grows accordingly. If we say we believe and do nothing, we don't really. Our faith is dead. If we do what we are asked (like Adam sacrificing, yet not knowing the meaning of it, even when asked by an angel) we will gain a strong testimony of that thing. Our actions speak volumes to what we believe. I know that when I pay tithing I am blessed with the money that I need, and though it may not be the same exact experience for everyone, I know that I am blessed, because I tried it, and every time, without fail, I am blessed for it. I think even if doubts from Satan plague us, we can overcome them by simply doing whatever it is. Try, and prove for yourself by doing, and you will see what I mean.

I believe that faith is so personal. We can't hope to compare our faith to others, because ours is so individualized. I know that even when I waver, that I can make it to my Heavenly Father through Christ's atoning sacrifice for me personally. We can always come back, even when it seems too hard for us to handle. Even if we are a short step away from where we are supposed to be, the atonement doesn't have a minimum. If we are so far gone that we think there is no hope, there is. If we work as hard as we can, we can get to where we need to be. We can't do it alone. If we try to get to the right place by ourselves, we will fail, because the devil is stronger than us by ourselves. We can accept the Savior's help, and I promise, with that help we CAN be stronger than Satan. We can make it back to our Heavenly Father again.

This is a chart about what I have learned while studying the Savior's birth. It involves all the people mentioned in the scriptures who knew of Jesus Christ's birth. It also includes me, because I have learned about the Savior's birth in my own way.

Thanks for reading!

-Amber

Who	How they learned about the Savior	What they knew about the Savior	What they did with their knowledge
Elisabeth (Luke 1:39-45)	John leapt in her womb	Mary was to be the mother of Jesus	Rejoiced and comforted Mary, and hosted her for 3 months
Shepherds (Luke 2:8-18)	An angel came to them, with hosts of heaven and sang	He will be born in a stable and wrapped in swaddling clothes	Hurried down to see and worship the Savior
Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)	Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus to him in the temple	He wouldn’t die until he saw the Savior	Blessed them and rejoiced
Anna (Luke 2:36-38)	Saw the baby in the temple	Knew that the Savior would bring redemption to His people	Gave thanks to the Lord.
Wise Men (Matthew 2:1-12)	A new star in the heavens	He would be King of the Jews	Searched Him out and brought gifts to Him
Herod (Matthew 2:1-18)	From the three wise men	He would be a “King” (thought he would try to take over, he misunderstood)	Tried to find and kill the Savior, and killed all babies under 2 yrs. Old
Chief Priests (Matthew 2:1-6)	Through the writings of prophets	He would be born in Bethlehem	Told the King where to find and kill Him
Nephites (3 Nephi 1:12-22)	Through prophecy and the sign of the new star	He would be the Savior of the world	Rejoiced, and stayed faithful through trials
Me	Through prayer, scripture study, and from my Parents	He died for my sins and loves me so much, he wants me to live with him again and have eternal life	I am trying every day to make it to the Celestial kingdom!

I have started a new blog for the purpose of sharing my testimony and what I will learn in my New Testament class this coming Semester. I am excited to start this, and I hope you enjoy!