Hey folks! Why it has been quite a week over here, I hope you yourselves have found some
time to relax!
My comp Elder Sinto and I have basically been doing everything we could to move houses
swiftly and plan a lovely baptism. There was sickness, there was fatigue, there was much
stress, and some frustration, but at the end of the day, we were able to move to a much nicer
home by the Church in a very tranquil neighborhood, and, most importantly, we were able
to conduct the baptism of our little friend Otto Espinoza (9 years old) and have all his
family there. It was awesome.
And I don't think I could emphasize enough the importance of baptism. That is really what
I am here to do, every day. Every moment we doing something towards the baptism of a
friend of ours, whether we know them yet or not. We are ultimately inviting all to come
unto Christ, but it is our duty as missionaries to find those who need help to prepare for the
presence of God, to receive a remission of sins before him, and to strengthen their relationship
with him. We have made this covenant, and have felt more bountifully the love of God in our
lives, and are able to be led by his Holy Spirit which guides us every day. And we want to help
those who want to make that change in their lives, to do so and experience the special and
constant, overflowing plenitude of blessings which awaits them.
I would just like to remind all of you of the importance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Our
Savior has done all which needs be done so that we might come back home. Imagine Him, his
smile for you, accepting you in spite of your weaknesses and struggles. Imagine how much He
wants you to come back home to be in His presence, and in the presence of our Heavenly
Father. From time to time, reflect on the things you do during the day. Reflect on how He feels
when you are doing something nice for another one of God's children. Reflect on how He might
feel, on the other hand, if we are not treating another one of God's children with love, or if we
are not forgiving them. And imagine how sad He must feel when we struggle to pardon
ourselves, how we are resisting his great, loving sacrifice upon our own selves.
He made it possible so that we could be forgiven of our sins, and be strengthened by His
forgiveness from further temptation, if we come to Him, sincerely sorry for the things which
we have done to offend Him and our Father in Heaven. But nevertheless, He suffered the
unimaginably dolorous pain so that we might be able to come unto Him and return with Him.
He wants us ultimately to be completely clean of our sins, so that we could present ourselves
before our Father in the last day just like that.
And baptism, with the subsequent receiving of the Holy Ghost, is the way in which we receive
a remission of sins. Though Jesus was perfect, he suffered John the Baptist to offer Him the
ordinance that He might show an example unto us. When we are baptized, we show our Savior
our willingness to take upon His name, for there is no other name under which can receive
salvation (Mosiah 5). We show our desire to follow Him, to always remember Him, to testify of
Him and his goodness, and to keep His commandments. And when we take the Sacrament, the
bread and water in remembrance of his body and blood which He gave for us, we renew that
covenant and receive a remission of sins again.
Let us seek to be willing to follow Him in this way, that we might be able to return to Him in
His presence, and in the presence of our loving Heavenly Father, who want us to come home.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Have a wonderful week! And don't forget to always, always, always count your blessings.
Yours truly,
Elder Dredge
Elder Braden K. Dredge
Guatemala Guatemala City East Mission
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