Dustin Morris
Danny Brownell
FDREL 211 ~ 29 (ONLINE)
December 19, 2013
Final Assessment Essay: The Things I Learned
Over the course of this semester I have
learned a great deal about our Lord and Savior, his life, teachings, and even about
his disciples. I found it most interesting that during his mortal life on
earth, he preached love, repentance, mercy, and forgiveness. Then, after his resurrection
he preached the importance of missionary work to his disciples. “Jesus
saith to Simon Peter, Simon,
son of Jonas,
lovest thou me more than these?” To which Peter replies, “Yea, Lord; thou
knowest that I love thee.” Then Christ gives him instructions to teach the
gospel saying, “Feed my lambs.” Christ ask Peter two more times if he loves him
and each time Peter says yes of course I do, to which Christ replies, “Feed my
sheep.” Christ could not have made the importance of missionary work any
clearer than this. If you love me, then feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17)
During his life Christ prayed often and in one instances an account was written
in the book of Luke which says, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith
fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:32) Christ’s
prayer was for us to have faith, to be converted, and when we have gained a
testimony, we are to use it to strengthen others. Each of us as disciples of
the Lord have tasted of the fruit that Lehi saw in his dream – and it is good.
If we chose to live Lehi’s dream to the max, then we have to share our
testimonies of the truth. Not because we have too, but because we want too.
Remember if we love Christ, then we should be willing to follow his instructions
to feed his sheep.
I know that many of us have testimonies of the principles of the gospel, but
we often fall short of living up to them. That doesn’t make us bad people that makes
us human, we are imperfect. Our desire to share the gospel is not dimensioned
by hesitation to share it. Christ has told us that if we open our mouths, they
will be filled, and we will become like Nephi of old. (Doctrine & Covenants
33:8-10)
In addition to missionary work, Christ often taught us about forgiveness and
love. He showed us the importance of both in the parable of the prodigal son.
As the story goes, there was a man who had two sons. Each of which stood to
inherit all that their father had. One day one of the sons approached his
father and asked if he could have his inheritance now instead of when his
father passes away. With some hesitation his father obliged him and fulfilled
his request.
The young man desired to break away from the restrictive traditions of his
father. He sought to be free of what he felt were unfair rules and looked
forward to exploring the world in his own right. Living lavishly and carelessly
he soon found himself in quite the predicament. He was broke and indebt, living
in squalor and literally eating with pigs from troths. It was then, and only
after he had hit rock bottom that he realized his error. Covered in filth eating
with pigs his heart was softened and he desired the true happiness he once had
with his father at home. He remembered his father’s servants and felt that if
only his father would take him back, he would live as a servant. For his father
treated his servants well. He just knew if his father would have him, he could
work off the debt of the squandered fortune and somehow return to his father’s
good graces.
The young man mustered up the courage to make the long journey home, and in
the distance his father saw him as he approached. With great joy and excitement
his father greeted him with open arms and tremendous love. I can only imagine the
reunion of a father and wayward son. I am sure the young man wept in his father’s
embrace as he asked for forgiveness. What happens next is my favorite part. His
father doesn’t seemed to be concerned about the errors the young man has made,
he rather celebrate his return than focus on his sins. He tells his servants to
prepare the fatted calf and to rejoice with him, as should we when any of our
wayward friends return to the fold of the flock. If we ask for forgiveness,
then it should be given, and we should remember the sins no more. (Luke 15:
11-32)
Finally we must have faith, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. If we believe in
the Him, without a doubt, then all things are truly possible. If you recall the
story in Matthew about the stormy sea and the apostles, then you might remember
what happened when Peter called out to the Lord. As Christ approached the ship,
the disciples became afraid, thinking that Christ was a spirit or ghost. Peter
calls out to him saying, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the
water.” “And he said, Come.” Peter leaped out the boat and walked for a moment
on the water toward Jesus. It was only when he took his eyes off the Lord and
focused on the tempos tossed seas did he begin to sink. Peter had faith to walk
on water like Christ did; he also had faith to call upon him for help when he
fell short saying, “Lord, save me.” And true to his character he immediately
did so, stretching out his hand bringing safely back to the ship. (Matthew
12:22-33)
Through our faith all things are possible. Wayward steward can regain their blessing,
hearts can be softened and people converted. As we testify of the truthfulness
of the gospel sharing Christ love for the world we can hasten the work. I know
this to be true I have seen it done in my own life. I was like the prodigal son;
the more I sought freedom by rebelling against what I knew to be right, the further
I fell into despair. It was only when a friend shared her testimony with me and
invited me to come with her to church did I know there was a better way. And
like the prodigal son, I was welcomed with open arms.
My faith has helped me remain true to the things I know to be right, and the
scriptures have helped me draw nearer to my Father in Heaven. I know the Church
is true. I know that there is a Christ. I know his order has been restored to
the earth, and that he has called his prophet to lead and guide us in these
latter days. Amen.
As I studied these verses I was reminded of a
question that was raised in the gospel principles class of my ward. The
question raised by a visiting investor was, “If I have already been baptized,
why would I need to be baptized again?” The investigator seemed to be hurt and
very upset by the notion that his previous baptism was somehow not valid. The
instructor quickly changed the lesson plan to cover the question more in depth
asking the class to turn to chapter 20 of their manuals instead of chapter 4
which was listed on the black board. I remember us going over in detail the principle
of baptism and the need for this ordinance to be conducted by someone having
the proper authority. However, I do not recall being given a clearer example
than the one that Paul shared. 
When the Apostle Paul was in Ephesus he came
across some disciples and asked if they had received the Holy Ghost. The
disciples replied they didn’t know what he was talking about. Then Paul asked
how they were baptized seeing that they did not have the Holy Ghost. They
replied that they were baptized according to John’s Baptism. Upon hearing this
Paul set out to correct the work that had been done by administering the ordinance
in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, by the priesthood authority
of Christ. In doing this, Paul shows us the importance not only of the ordinance,
but also of the authority needed to perform the ordinance. Paul goes on to
bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost to the disciples he has just baptized by the
laying on of hands. 
