Every Tuesday morning at 5:11 AM, two of my roommates go with a group of friends to the Provo Temple to do baptisms for the dead. I have gone several times, usually every other week. This morning, I went with Kristen, Sarah, and Amanda. Sarah's brother, Matt, and three of his friends came as well. We also invited three of our guy friends, Austin, Jared, and Drew. Jared and Drew recently received their endowments, so they were able to actually perform both the confirmations and baptisms, which is SUPER exciting! :D Boy, are they STUDS!!!!
Yes, it's ridiculously early to go to the temple, but it's such a wonderful start to the day! While waiting for confirmations, I was reading in Alma 26. In the 12th verse, it states:
" Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever."
This verse was particularly profound to me this morning and all through the rest of my morning as it has been on my mind. This is a strength to my testimony as I can have the assurance that I "can do all things" in His strength. I'm Jasmine Hoffman, 18 years old, studying at BYU, trying to build my testimony and while there are many moments where I feel so insignificant, it is so comforting for me to know that my Savior loves me and cares about me. Being such a small girl in a great big world can be overwhelming at times, but I know I have the Lord on my side. He wants to help me, to bless me, to comfort me...if I only humble myself and ask for His divine help. The end of the verse "praise his name forever" made me realize that I need to be grateful for His hand in my life and also that I should never be ashamed of being a part of this great gospel. This also reminds me of the poem my Relief Society president shared with us one of the very first Sundays I was here called "The Fellowship of the Unashamed."
"I am a part of the fellowship of the Unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit's power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.
My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I've preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until He returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes.
And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear for "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..." (Romans 1:16).
-- Dr. Bob Moorehead
Have a fantastic Tuesday! Sending Love!
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