Andy Goddard’s Blog

Last General Conference, Elder Hinckley invited us to write down what our membership means to us. Here’s my stab at it:

My membership in the Church is what allows me to be “born again,” to have a new name (the name of Christ), and to be readmitted into God’s presence. It is the symbol of my Divine Lineage because baptism is the God’s way of adopting children.

My membership in the Church is a privilege. I have grieved to see priesthood holders betray their wives and lose their membership.

My membership in the Church is an honor. For two years, I was honored to wear a nametag that bore the Church’s name and my name side by side. When I served in Sarcelles, I was spit on, had eggs thrown at me, and was called names because I wore the Church’s name. I would gladly die for the Church’s name.

My membership in the Church makes me part of a “peculiar people,” set apart from the rest of the world. It means that I don’t drink with everybody else, I don’t take the Lord’s name in vain, and I try not to do anything that would disgrace the Savior.

My membership in the Church means that I’m a card-carrying member of His kingdom. I help build His kingdom by serving His children. Everything I have (my money, my time, and my life) is a gift from Him, so I gladly consecrate it to His work. My membership allows me to enter His house and learn of and from Him. My membership allows me access to His throne of grace, with weekly cleansing and renewal.