Idara eke Erifak Nnyin

Otode Kristin M.Yee

Udiana Ͻnɔitem ke General Presidency eke Relief Society

Ima ye odudu Jesus Christ ekeme ndinyaŋa nnyin kiet kiet nsio ke ndudue, mmem-idem, ye mme idiɔk ŋkpɔ ye ke ndinwam nnyin ndidi se ikponde ikan.

Ŋkpɔ nte isua duop emi ekebede ami mankop ntuk ndidebi ndise Andinyaŋa. Ɔkpɔsuk nte ami ndide edebi ndise, emi eketie nte ɔsɔsɔŋ. Didie ke ami nkedebi ndise Jesus Christ emi omumde spirit Esie? Ebiet ewe ke nditɔŋɔ? Nko ebiet ewe ke ndikut ini?

Kpɔsuk ye mme mbume mi, manyime ndika iso nyuŋ nim nte ke Jehovah eyewam mi. Edi ana Ami nkaiso nyuŋ nyak mme ukeme nnɔ Enye. Mma mbɔŋ akam, nkere, nduŋɔre, nyuŋ nse, ndien mbɔ edidiɔŋ ke ndikut unwam ye ŋkpɔ utom. Ndien se ekedide afia ikpa ukot ɔtɔŋɔ ndikabare ŋkpɔ efen.

Ndaha oro ikimemke. Ndusuk ini ikitiehe nte menyene idorenyin. Ndusuk ini ama odu mme ini eke ntuk spirit ye mme ifiɔk. Nko ediwak ini, nkodomo ndifiak nam inikiet, ini kiet, ini kiet.

Ke ini nkekerede ke edidebe eke aran ama okure onyuŋ asat, ma ntɔŋɔ ndimen nwaŋa nwaŋa ŋkpɔ ndori man akpeme enye oto mbio ye ntɔŋ Nte ami nkenamde, ami mma nkut idet ke ndise nte ɔtɔŋɔre ndikpuhɔre, atara, onyuŋ ayeme. Ami nsɔp mfiɔk ke mesɔp ndisin aran oro, nko ke ndusuk ebiet ke ndise ɔkɔsuk edi ndedeŋ.

Ke ami mesɔhi ndusuk ebiet edidebi mi ye aran. Oh, esit mi ama ɔduɔ. Ami nkekere ke mabiat se Abasi akaŋwamde mi ndinam. Mma atua nyuŋ ndɔŋɔ ke esit idem. Ke nyek idem, mmanam ŋkpɔ emi owo ekededi ekemede ndinam ke utɔ ndaha oro: nkot eka mi. Enye ke ata ifiɔk ye nsuhɔre idem ɔdɔhɔ, “afo udufiake unyene se ekenyenede edi nam ukeme fo ye se enyenede.”

And I Partook, otode Kristin M. Yee

Ndien Ami mma mbɔŋ akam nyom unwam ndebi ke ofuri okoneyo ke ndidiɔŋ ŋkpɔ. Ndien Ami mmeti nte nsede edidebi ke usen ubɔk—enye ama ɔfɔn akan nte ekedide akpa. Didie ke oro ekedi mmem mmem? Ŋkpɔ emi nkekerede ke edi ndudue emi owo mikemeke ndidiɔŋ ekedi ufaŋ ɔnɔ ubɔk mbɔm Esie ndiwɔrɔ nsu. Enye ikikureke ye ndidebi, ndien Enye ikikureke ye ami. Nsutɔ idara ye edifik ye nsukesit ɔkɔyɔhɔ esit mi. Ami mma nkɔm Abasi kabaŋa mbɔm Esie, kabaŋa utibe ŋkpɔ emi akanyaŋade idihe edidebi kpɔt edi ekpep mi abaŋa ima Esie ye odudu ndinyaŋa nnyin kiet kiet nsio ke ndudue, mmem-idem, ye mme idiɔk ŋkpɔ ye ke ndinwam nnyin ndidi se ikponde ikan

Ukem nte ndaha ekɔm ami nɔde Andinyaŋa okponde ke nte Enye akanwamde mi ndidiɔŋ edidebi emi “owo mikikemeke ndidiɔŋ,” ntre ke ima eke idem mi ye ekɔm mi ke Andinyaŋa ama okpon nte ami nyomde ndinam utom ye Enye ke mmem idem mi ye ke ndifen nnɔ ke mme ndudue mi. Ami nyesuk nkɔm Andinyaŋa mi ke nsi nsi ke ami mekeme ndikpuhɔhɔre nnyuŋ nsana. Enye enyene esit mi, ndien ami medotenyinke ndinam ŋkpɔŋ ekededi emi Enye ediyomde ete ami nnam nyuŋ nkabare-idi.

Ndikabare esit ayak nnyin ikop ima Abasi ye ke ndifiɔk nnyuŋ mma Enye ke mme usuŋ emi nnyin mikemeke ndifiɔk. Kabaŋa ŋwan emi ekeyetde Andinyaŋa ukot, Enye ɔdɔhɔ ete, “idiɔk ŋkpɔ esie, emi awakde, emefen; koro enye amade okpon: edi ke enye emi efende esesit, ukem oro ama esesit.” Enye ama enehede ama Jesus, koro Enye ama efen ɔnɔ enye okpon.

Odu akamba nsukesit ye idorenyin ke ndifiɔk nte ke nnyin imikeme ndifiak nam—nte Elder David A. Bednar ekekpepde, nnyin imikeme ndibɔ nkaiso edifen ke mme idiɔk ŋkpɔ nnyin nto ke odudu edinam asana eke Edisana Spirit nte nnyin ikabare esit ke akpan ikɔ.

Odudu erifak eke Jesus Christ edi kiet ke otu akamba edidiɔŋ eke ediomi nnyin. Ekere nte mbufo ebuanade ke mme edisana edinam. Esiode enye efep, nnyin idikemeke ndifiak nyɔŋ ufɔk ke iso Ete eke Heaven ye mbon oro imade.

Ami mɔfiɔk nte ke Ɔbɔŋ ye Andinyaŋa nnyin, Jesus Christ, okpon ekem ndinyaŋa. Nte Eyen Abasi, emi ɔkɔduɔkde iyip ɔnɔ idiɔk ŋkpɔ ofuri ererimbot onyuŋ ayak uwem Esie ɔnɔ onyuŋ afiak emen enye, Enye akama odudu erifak ye eriset ke mkpa. Enye ama anam uwem unana mkpa ɔwɔrɔ osu ɔnɔ kpukpru owo ye nsi nsi uwem ɔnɔ mbon oro emekde Enye. Ami mɔfiɔk ke otode ke uwa usio isop Esie, nnyin imikeme ndikabare esit ndien ke akpan eyet enyuŋ efak. Edi utibe ŋkpɔ ke Enye ama mbufo ye ami ke usuŋ emi.

Enye ɔkɔdɔhɔ ete, “Nte mbufo idifiak-ke edem idahaemi itiene mi, ndien etua-mkpɔfiɔk ke mme idiɔk ŋkpɔ mbufo, enyuŋ ekabare-esit, man ami mkpɔkɔk mbufo?” Enye ekeme ndikɔk “mme itie mbio” eke ukpɔŋ mbufo—mme itie enamde asat, ɔdiɔk, inyuŋ idihe se eduŋde otode ke idiɔk ŋkpɔ ye mfuhɔ—onyuŋ “anam edisat isɔŋ [mbufo] etie nte Eden.”

Ukem nte nnyin mikemeke ndifiɔk ukut ye adaŋa ndutuhɔre Christ ke Gathsemane ye ke cross, ntre ke nnyin “mikemeke ndidomo ndaha mme ubom eke ndaha edisana erifen nnɔ [Esie],” mbɔm, ye ima.

Ndusuk ini mbufo emekeme ndikere ke idihe mmem mmem ndibɔ erifak, nko ke akpan ke esio mbufo efep ke ima Abasi ye odudu usio isop Andinyaŋa ke ntak ŋkpɔ emi mbufo enwanade kiet mme ke ntak se mbufo ekenamde. Edi ami nnɔ ikɔ ntiense nte ke mbufo isuhɔke ikan se Ɔbɔŋ esimde Andinyaŋa ama “osuhɔhɔre akan kpukpru ŋkpɔ” nko odu ke edisana ndaha ndidibede mbufo nyuŋ nda mbufo nnɔ idem nsio ke ndaha ekim nyuŋ nda mbufo nsin ke “utibe unwana esie.” Otode ke ndutuhɔre Esie, Enye ama anam usuŋ anim ɔnɔ nnyin kiet kiet ndikan mmem idem ye mme idiɔk ŋkpɔ. “Enye enyene kpukpru odudu ke ndinyaŋa kpukpru owo emi enimde enyiŋ esie enyuŋ esiode mfri nkabare esit.”

Ukem nte eke oyomde utom ye mkpe ubɔk kabaŋa unwam heaven ke ndifiak nam ɔfɔn edidebi, akpa utom, eti esit, ye nsuhɔre idem ke “ndimen mfri nkabare esit ndi” Mme mfri esine ndinam mbuɔtidem nnyin nyuŋ nyene idorenyin ke Jesus Christ ye uwa usio isop Esie, ndinɔ Abasi mbuŋɔ esit ye edinuaha spirit, nditiŋ ye ndikpɔŋ idiɔk ŋkpɔ, ndifiak mendi ŋkpɔ emi ama akabiara ke ata ukeme nnyin, nyuŋ ndomo ndinam edinen ido.

Ke ndikabare esit ke akpanikɔ, ana nte nnyin akpa “ikut mme idiɔk ŋkpɔ nnyin.” Owo ikutke ufɔn ke ndida ibɔk ibɔhɔke enye ɔfiɔk ke imɔ imidɔŋɔ. Ini ekeme ndidu emi nnyin miyimeke ndise ke esit idem nnyin nyuŋ nkut nkpɔ otimde oyom edikɔk ye edinam ɔfɔn.

Ke uwet ŋkpɔ C. S., Aslan ɔnɔ owo emi ekeyirede idem esie ke ŋkpɔ utom esie mme ikɔ emi: “Oh [ubon owo], esɔp didie ndida nnɔ idem mbufo [eto] ke kpukpru ŋkpɔ emi ekemede ndinam eti nnɔ mbufo!”

Ebiet ewe ke afo ye ami ikeme ndifaŋa nnɔ idem nnyin nsio ke mme ŋkpɔ emi ekemede ndinam nnyin eti?

Yak nnyin ikufaŋa idem nnyin isio ke eti emi Abasi aduakde ndinwam nnyin. Tɔŋɔde ke ima ye mbɔm Enye aduakde ɔnɔ nnyin. Tɔŋɔde ke unwana ye ifiɔk emi Enye aduakde ndinɔ nnyin. Tɔŋɔde ke edikɔk emi Enye ɔfiɔkde nnyin iminehede iyom. Tɔŋɔde ke ntotuŋɔ ebuana ediomi Enye aduakde ɔnɔ kpukpru nditɔ iren ye iban Esie.

Ami mmebɔŋ akam nte nnyin inim “ŋkpɔ ekɔŋ” ekededi emi nnyin ikpifiɔkde mme emi mifiɔke emi ikamade ke ndinyaŋa idem nnyin nsio ke mme edidiɔŋ eke ima Abasi. Mme ŋkpɔ ekɔŋ nkohore-idem, uma-idem, ndik, usua, iyaresit, mbuk, idiɔk ubiom ikpe, ufip—ŋkpɔ ekededi emi ekemede ndinam nnyin ikuma Abasi ye ofuri esit nnyin ye ke ndinim kpukpru ediomi nnyin ye Enye.

Nte nnyin ikponode mme ediomi nnyin, Abasi ekeme ndinɔ nnyin unwam ye odudu iyomde mbiba ke ndifiɔk nyuŋ nkan mme mmem idem nnyin, esinede ndɔŋ spirit eke nkohore idem. Prophet nnyin ama etiŋ ete:

“Ndikabare-esit edi usung adade-aka edisana-ido, edisana-ido ada odudu edi.”

“Ndien oh, nte nnyin idiyomde odudu Esie ke mme usen iso.”

Nte edidebi mi, Abasi ikureke ye nnyin ke ini nnyin inamde ndudue, mme Enye ndufehe ke ini iduɔde. Unana nnyin kabaŋa edikɔk ye unwam idihe mbiomo inɔ Enye, edi ata ntak emi Enye ekedide. Andinyaŋa ke Idemesie ɔdɔhɔ ete:

“Sese, Ami nkedi ke ererimbot man nda ufak nsɔk ererimbot, man nyaŋa ererimbot nsio ke idiɔkŋkpɔ.”

“Ubɔk mbɔm mi anyan edisim mbufo, ndien owo eke edi dide, enye ke Ami ndibɔ; ndien ɔfɔfɔn ɔnɔ mbon oro edide etiene mi.”

Ntre edi—edi mbufo mbon oro ekpade mba, etahare, enyuŋ efuhɔre; edi enyuŋ ekpɔŋ mbiomo mbufo enyuŋ ebɔ nduɔk odudu ye Enye emi amade mbufo akan. Emen ɔkpɔnɔ Esie enɔ idem mbufo, koro Enye ememde onyuŋ enyenede usuhɔre-idem ke esit.

Ete eke Heaven nnyin ye Andinyaŋa nnyin ekut mbufo. Mmɔ efiɔk esit Mbufo. Mmɔ ekere ebaŋa ŋkpɔ emi mbufo ekerede ebaŋa, esinede mbon emi mbufo emade.

Andinyaŋa ekeme ndifak se okosopde, esinede mme mbomo ye mbuŋɔre ebuana. Enye anim usuŋ ɔnɔ kpukpru emi ekpɔŋde usuŋ ndibɔ erifak—ke ndinwek ibifik uwem nnɔ enye emi ekerede ke imikpaŋa mme inyeneke idorenyin.

Edieke mbufo enwanade ye ndaha emi mbufo ekerede ke akpe-kena mbufo ekan idaha emi, ekukpa mba. Enyene ime enɔ idem mbufo, enim mme ediomi mbufo, ekabare esit ke ini ke ini, eyom unwam eto mme ada usuŋ mbufo edieke edide akpan, ndien eka ke ufɔk Jehovah nte ekemede. Ekpaŋ utɔŋ enɔ enyuŋ ekop ntuk spirit emi Enye ɔnɔde ɔsɔk mbufo. Enye idikpɔŋke ebuana ediomi emi Enye enyede ye mbufo.

Odu ɔkpɔsɔŋ ye anana adaŋa ebuana ke uwem mi emi ami nwanade ye emi ke ata eti esit nyomde ndinam ɔfɔn. Ndusuk ini nsikere ke mesikpu nkan nte mikereke. Akpami-idem, “nte ami nkinamke ɔfɔn ke akpatre ini? Nte ami ke akpanikɔ nkikanke mmem idem mi?” Ami mekpep ediwak ini ke ami nyeneke mfina; edi, ediwak kpɔ odu ndinam ye ediwak edikɔk emi eyomde.

Elder D. Tod Christofferson ekekpep: “Ke akpanikɔ Abasi enem esit ye owo emi enyenede udɔŋ ndidi ikpe ke edinen ido, emi enehede anam utom ke usen ke usen ke ndikpuhɔre mmem-idem ye ukeme.ŋ Ata nkabare esit, ata edikpɔhɔre ekeme ndiyom ndifiak nnam, edi odu ŋkpɔ ɔfɔnde onyuŋ asanade ke utɔ nsi-ifik oro. Ereifen nnɔ eke Abasi ye edikɔk ɔfiɔrɔ ikpɔŋ ɔnɔ oruk ukpɔŋ oro.”

Usen kiet kiet edi obufa usen ɔyɔhɔde ye idorenyin ye ukeme ke ntak Jesus Christ. Usen kiet kiet afo ye ami imikeme ndifiɔk, nte Eka Eve eketiŋde, “idara eke erifak nnyin,” idara edinam ineghede ifɔn, idara edikop unana edikpu ima Abasi enyenede ɔnɔ mbufo.

Ami mefiɔk nte ke Abasi Ete ke Heaven ye Andinyaŋa ama mbufo. Jesus Christ edi Andinyaŋa ye Andifak kpukpruubon owo. Enye odu uwem. Otode ke uwa usio-isop Esie, ema ebuŋ mme ɔkpɔnɔ idiɔkŋkpɔ ye mkpa ke nsinsi man nnyin ikeme ndiwɔrɔ ufin ke ndimek edikɔk, erifak, ye nsinsi uwem ye mbon emi nnyin imade. Ndien ami nnɔ ikɔ ntiense kabaŋa mme ŋkpɔ emi ke enyiŋ Esie, Jesus Christ, amen.

Mkpri ŋwed

1. See Matthew 19:26.

2. “Once we make a covenant with God, we leave neutral ground forever. Abasi idikpongke ebuana Esie ye mbon emi ekebopde oruk ebuana oro ye Enye Ke akpaniko, kpukpru mbon emi ekenamde ediomi ye Abasi enyene usung ndikibo asanga-asanga oruk ima ye mbom. In the Hebrew language, that covenantal love is called hesed (חֶסֶד)” (Russell M. Nelson, “The Everlasting Covenant,” Liahona, Oct. 2022, 5).

3. “When you and I also enter that path, we have a new way of life. Nnyin do itongo ebuana ye Abasi emi anamde Enye odiong onyung okpuho nnyin. Usung ediomi oro ada nnyin osok Enye. Edieke nnyin iyakde Abasi akan ke uwem nnyin, usung ediomi oro eyeda nnyin ekpere onyung ekpere Enye. Kpukpru ediomi ana enyene se eyiride. They create a relationship with everlasting ties” (Russell M. Nelson, “The Everlasting Covenant,” 5).

4. See Alma 26:35–36.

5. See Alma 22:18: “I will give away all my sins to know thee.”

6. Luke 7:47; see also verses 37–50.

7. Speaking of the sacrament, Elder David A. Bednar said:

   “As we prepare conscientiously and participate in this holy ordinance with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then the promise is that we may always have the Spirit of the Lord to be with us. And by the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, we can always retain a remission of our sins” (“Always Retain a Remission of Your Sins,” Liahona, May 2016, 61–62).

   “In the process of coming unto the Savior and spiritual rebirth, receiving the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost in our lives creates the possibility of an ongoing cleansing of our soul from sin. This joyous blessing is vital because ‘no unclean thing can dwell with God’ [1 Nephi 10:21]” (“Always Retain a Remission of Your Sins,” 61).

   Elder Bednar taught at the 2023 mission leadership seminar: “And by the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, we can always retain a remission of our sins. Thus, the gospel of Jesus Christ provides second, and third, and fourth, and endless opportunities to retain a remission of our sins” (in Rachel Sterzer Gibson, “Teach to Build Faith in Jesus Christ, Elder Bednar Instructs,” Church News, June 23, 2023, thechurchnews.com).

8. “The Prophet Joseph Smith summarized succinctly the essential role of priesthood ordinances in the gospel of Jesus Christ: ‘Being born again, comes by the Spirit of God through ordinances’ [Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 95]. This penetrating statement emphasizes the roles of both the Holy Ghost and sacred ordinances in the process of spiritual rebirth. …

   “Holy ordinances are central in the Savior’s gospel and in the process of coming unto Him and seeking spiritual rebirth. …

   “The ordinances of salvation and exaltation administered in the Lord’s restored Church are far more than rituals or symbolic performances. Rather, they constitute authorized channels through which the blessings and powers of heaven can flow into our individual lives. …

   “Ordinances received and honored with integrity are essential to obtaining the power of godliness and all of the blessings made available through the Savior’s Atonement” (David A. Bednar, “Always Retain a Remission of Your Sins,” 59–60).

9. See John 10:17–18; 3 Nephi 9:22.

10. See Joseph Smith Translation, John 1:16; Jacob 6:9; Moses 1:39.

11. See Alma 12:33–34.

12. See John 3:16.

13. 3 Nephi 9:13.

14. “I plead with you to come unto Him so that He can … heal you from sin as you repent. He will heal you from sadness and fear. He will heal you from the wounds of this world” (Russell M. Nelson, “The Answer Is Always Jesus Christ,” Liahona, May 2023, 127).

15. Isaiah 51:3; see also Isaiah 58:10–12; Ezekiel 36:33–36.

16. James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ (1916), 265.

17. See Russell M. Nelson, “The Everlasting Covenant,” 5–7; see also endnotes 2 and 3 in this message.

18. Doctrine and Covenants 88:6; see also Doctrine and Covenants 122:7–9.

19. 1 Peter 2:9; see also Alma 26:16–17.

20. Alma 12:15; emphasis added.

21. See Alma 34:17.

22. See 2 Corinthians 7:10; 3 Nephi 9:15–22.

23. See Doctrine and Covenants 58:43; 64:7.

24. See Mosiah 27:32–37; Alma 26:30.

25. See Doctrine and Covenants 1:32.

26. See Alma 24:8–10.

27. See Robert L. Millet, Becoming New: A Doctrinal Commentary on the Writings of Paul (2022), 26.

28. C. S. Lewis, The Magician’s Nephew (1955), 185.

29. See Mosiah 4:6–9.

30. See Alma 12:9–10; 26:22; 3 Nephi 26:9.

31. “The covenant path is all about our relationship with God” (Russell M. Nelson, “The Everlasting Covenant,” 11; see also endnotes 2 and 3 in this message).

32. See Alma 24:17–19.

33. See Doctrine and Covenants 67:10.

34. See Jacob 4:13. “Those who do not see their weaknesses do not progress. Your awareness of your weakness is a blessing as it helps you remain humble and keeps you turning to the Savior. The Spirit not only comforts you, but He is also the agent by which the Atonement works a change in your very nature. Then weak things become strong” (Henry B. Eyring, “My Peace I Leave with You,” Liahona, May 2017, 16).

35. Russell M. Nelson, “We Can Do Better and Be Better,” Liahona, May 2019, 68.

36. “Everything taught in the temple, through instruction and through the Spirit, increases our understanding of Jesus Christ. Mme akpan edinam Esie edian nnyin ye Enye oto ke mme ediomi itie oku. Nte nnyin inimde ediomi nnyin, Enye ɔdiɔŋ nnyin ye ɔsɔŋɔ erikɔk, odudu Esie . And oh, how we will need His power in the days ahead” (Russell M. Nelson, “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 93–94).

37. 3 Nephi 9:21.

38. 3 Nephi 9:14.

39. See Erik Dewar, “Come Find His Rest” (song, 2024); see also Matthew 11:28–30.

40. See Deuteronomy 30:20; John 11:25; Ether 3:14; Doctrine and Covenants 88:6, 13.

41. “My dear brothers and sisters, here is my promise. Nothing will help you more to hold fast to the iron rod than worshipping in the temple as regularly as your circumstances permit. Ŋkpɔ ndomo kiet idkpemeke mbufo ikan nte mbufo esobode mme ekim ke ererimbot. Ŋkpɔ ndomo kiet idimenekere ikɔ ntiense mbufo kabaŋa Jesus Christ ye Usio-isop Esie mme ndiŋwam mbufo efiɔk ediye uduak Abasi ikan. Ŋkpɔ ndomo kiet idinɔhɔ spirit mbufo emem ikan oro ke mme ini ubiak. Nothing will open the heavens more. Nothing!” (Russell M. Nelson, “Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys,” Liahona, May 2024, 122).

42. See Russell M. Nelson, “The Everlasting Covenant,” 5.

43. See Russell M. Nelson, “The Answer Is Always Jesus Christ,” 127; see also endnote 14 in this message.

44. D. Todd Christofferson, “The Divine Gift of Repentance,” Liahona, Nov. 2011, 39.

45. Moses 5:11.

46. See 2 Nephi 2:26–28.