Thursday, December 15, 2011

Merry Christmas!

During Christmas, it can be a little stressful! Gotta get the gifts, gotta wrap the gifts, and most importantly, you gotta hide the gifts!!! Things can seem like it's really important at that very moment and knowing that even more important events are still in the works! While reading the scriptures, I found a scripture that really helps us learn to slow down and really understand what is the MOST important thing to remember in the Holiday season.

       For Behold, I say unto you there be many things to come; and behold, there is one thing which is of more importance than they all  for behold, the time is not for distant that the Redeemer liveth and cometh among his people." -Alma 7:7

       The most important thing that we can focus on and give attention about the birth of the little Savior Jesus Christ. Because he came down and "...lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world." - 1 Nephi 11:33

        It's not about the gifts, or the dinner. It's not about us or Santa coming to us. It's about Jesus Christ...and his sacrifice for us. I love Him and am eternally indebted to him for what he has done for me. Have a Merry Christmas everyone! God Bless and your families too!

Friday, December 2, 2011

My Rant About the Book of Mormon

So during a personal study, I was writing in my study journal. Suddenly as I was writing, something just hit me and I wrote what I call my rant. I really like it and I know it's true! Here it is:

       "You can't tell me that the Book of Mormon's not true. I won't and can't believe you. Over and over as I've read the Book of Mormon for 15 times and working on my 16th. The Holy Ghost has bore a powerful witness that it is true for each and every time AS I read it. Of course I prayed to know it was true, but I got my witness AS I read it and applied it's teachings into my life. I read it faithfully, diligently, and specifically. I read it with a question that needed to be answered That one of the ways that I knew it was true. I read it with a purpose. I tested it's purpose. If you read it with no question, not really testing the purpose, you might as well read another book and hope for the same thing. I promise that if you read the Book of Mormon with a purpose, a question, you will recieve and answer."

Saturday, November 19, 2011

What Happened in Palmyra?

President Hinckley shares his special witness of Jesus Christ and God the Father, appearing to Joseph Smith in 1820. I want to add my witness of how I know it is true. I have been to that Sacred Grove, I've visited the Hill Cumorah, I have read the Book of Mormon, ultimately, I asked my Father in Heaven if it was true. That's how I know it's true, independant from anyone else. Please watch a prophet of the Lord.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

An Apostolic Witness of Jesus Christ

Here is Elder Holland, bearing an apostolic witness of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The Holy Ghost will bear testimony to you what Elder Holland says is true! I know it will! please watch this 2 minute clip.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Finding Faith in Christ

So one thing that I would like to add before you watch this video, is the faith does not have to be blind. Thats why our Father in Heaven wants us to pray to him, so that he can answer our prayers...He will be able to answer you and comfirm your faith so that it's not "blind" faith, whatever that means, there is nothing wrong with believing something that you had an answer to. Please watch this video!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

The Restoration

Sorry it's been awhile, never really updated this for a long time!

The message that we want to share with the world! I have seen it change peoples lives and then in turn have told me that they know it's true. I know it's true as well. I testify that by the power of the Holy Ghost, I found out for myself that the Book of Mormon is true. I know it is. I also know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and the Thomas S. Monson is the current and living prophet of the earth. Ultimately, I know who my Savior is. He's real. I have felt Him comfort me when I least deserved it, and when I needed it the most. Here's a cool video describing the prior events that led to the Restoration. Which led me to this happiness that I feel, as well as the people that I have taught! Enjoy!

Friday, October 7, 2011

Stand in Holy Places

President Thomas Monson gave a talk about how God's commandments "is definitive; it is not negotiable." Christ commandments are still in effect for today! Please listen to a prophet of God, and you will see your faith in Christ boosted!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

The Atonement of Christ

Recently I've been studying the Atonement. The Atonement is the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Because of this he can forgive us of our sins. The suffering was when He took upon Himself all of our mistakes and mishaps. He knew the price. He knew the pain that it would cause, in fact, the pain was so great the he sweat great drops of blood from every pore. I think about it, and I realize that every mistake that I made, made Him suffer. EVERY wrong choice I make He suffered for! I feel so sorry for it...it's amazing that He loves me enough to suffer for me when He knew how many times I would mess up. This knowlegde has changed me! I came up with a quote:

"How many drops of precious blood did He shed for me? One far, far to many....."

This should be our mindset whenever we are presented a wrong choice. Christ suffered for EVERYTHING that we did. Big or small. He felt it. Let's start making those choices that won't cause Him to suffer. Lets all do what He has asked us to do. Lets all obey His Commandments and His gospel, The Gospel of Jesus Christ! Lets thank Him by doing what He has asked us to do...I love Him. I believe in Him. I want to make those right choices for Him.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Steve: The Bullet Bike Mormon!

I really enjoyed this video because A) I really like motorcycles B) It show's how the Gospel can change us to be better than what we may have been raised in or lived with. That's why I love this Gospel. It can change our lives. We have been recently teaching a man named Zack. He came from a pretty rough and rich background. As he is not only learning about the Gospel, he is applying it. Thats the key to changing our lives, it's the application. That's the genius of it! We find oursleves when we lose ourselves. So, heres Steve!

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Highland Rugby Coach

I'm not sure if any of you have watched "Forever Strong", but it's a movie of a troubled rugby player who gets sent to Salt Lake City for corrections. While there, he plays for the nationally known Highland Rugby team. In the movie, is also Coach Larry Gelwix. In the movie it doesn't say anything about his religion, but he is a mormon! Here's his story of of why he is a mormon!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Kevin the Skateboarder

So in this clip, I really liked when he says the some people think God is boring. He's not! He's in everything we do! Skydiving, Horseriding, skateboarding, etc...Please look at this clip! It's my favorite one yet!

Thursday, August 4, 2011

The Family

One of God's greatest blessings in our lives. It is meant to give the start that our loving Heavenly Father meant for us to have! Listen to Elder Ballard on the subject!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Love At Home, Blessed Family Life

Please read the words of Thomas S. Monson. He's a man speaking for God on this important topic. If people realized how the gospel could bless their own lives AND their family's life, the world would be a different place. President Monson.

Love at Home

Blessed Family Life

“When we have sampled much and have wandered far and have seen how fleeting and sometimes superficial a lot of the world is, our gratitude grows for the privilege of being part of something we can count on—home and family and the loyalty of loved ones. We come to know what it means to be bound together by duty, by respect, by belonging. We learn that nothing can fully take the place of the blessed relationship of family life.”1

Sharing Our Love

“Give your child a compliment and a hug; say, ‘I love you’ more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of ‘what if’ and ‘if only.’ …
“Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey and share our love with friends and family. One day, each of us will run out of tomorrows. Let us not put off what is most important.”2

Showing Our Love

“Brethren, let’s treat our wives with dignity and with respect. They’re our eternal companions. Sisters, honor your husbands. They need to hear a good word. They need a friendly smile. They need a warm expression of true love. …
“To you who are parents, I say, show love to your children. You know you love them, but make certain they know it as well. They are so precious. Let them know. Call upon our Heavenly Father for help as you care for their needs each day and as you deal with the challenges which inevitably come with parenthood. You need more than your own wisdom in rearing them.”3

Expressing Our Love

“To you parents, express your love to your children. Pray for them that they may be able to withstand the evils of the world. Pray that they may grow in faith and testimony. Pray that they may pursue lives of goodness and of service to others.
“Children, let your parents know you love them. Let them know how much you appreciate all they have done and continue to do for you.”4

What Is Most Important

“What is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. Wrote William Shakespeare, ‘They do not love that do not show their love.’ We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us.”5

Bringing Heaven Closer

“May our families and homes be filled with love: love of each other, love of the gospel, love of our fellowman, and love of our Savior. As a result, heaven will be a little closer here on earth.
“May we make of our homes sanctuaries to which our family members will ever want to return.”6

A Prayer for Families

“Inasmuch as the family unit is under attack in the world today, and many things long held sacred are ridiculed, we ask Thee, our Father, to make us equal to the challenges we face, that we may stand strong for truth and righteousness. May our homes be havens of peace, of love and of spirituality.”7

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Until We Meet Again

Come listen to a prophet speaking about life after death. I love this talk! It talks about the future our Father in Heaven has for us!

Friday, July 22, 2011

Choices: A Bigger Impact Than We Thought

This message is for people that have a problem with pornography. However, it can be applied to any choice that we may make in this life. Please watch and listen.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Come What May, and Love It

I love Elder Wirthlin. He was one of the men that I looked up to and looked forward to listening too! I love this topic, it is something that all can learn and apply into their lives!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Christ Requires Our Whole Selves

Brother, I’m Committed

Two young brothers stood atop a small cliff that overlooked the pristine waters of a blue lake. This was a popular diving spot, and the brothers had often talked about making the jump—something they had seen others do.

Although they both wanted to make the jump, neither one wanted to be first. The height of the cliff wasn’t that great, but to the two young boys, it seemed the distance increased whenever they started to lean forward—and their courage was fading fast.

Finally, one brother put one foot at the edge of the cliff and moved decisively forward. At that moment his brother whispered, “Maybe we should wait until next summer.”
The first brother’s momentum, however, was already pulling him forward. “Brother,” he responded, “I’m committed!”
He splashed into the water and surfaced quickly with a victorious shout. The second brother followed instantly. Afterward, they both laughed about the first boy’s final words before plunging into the water: “Brother, I’m committed.”

Commitment is a little like diving into the water. Either you are committed or you are not. Either you are moving forward or you are standing still. There’s no halfway. We all face moments of decision that change the rest of our lives. As members of the Church, we must ask ourselves, “Will I dive in or just stand at the edge? Will I step forward or merely test the temperature of the water with my toes?”

Some sins are committed because we do wrong; other sins are committed because we do nothing. Being only sort of committed to the gospel can lead to frustration, unhappiness, and guilt. This should not apply to us because we are a covenant people. We make covenants with the Lord when we are baptized and when we enter the house of the Lord. Men make covenants with the Lord when they are ordained to the priesthood. Nothing can be more important than keeping a commitment we have made with the Lord. Let us remember the reply of Rachel and Leah to Jacob in the Old Testament. It was simple and straightforward and showed their commitment: “Whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do” (Genesis 31:16).
Those who are only sort of committed may expect to only sort of receive the blessings of testimony, joy, and peace. The windows of heaven might only be sort of open to them. Wouldn’t it be foolish to think, “I’ll commit myself 50 percent now, but when Christ appears at the Second Coming, I’ll commit myself 100 percent”?

Commitment to our covenants with the Lord is a fruit of our conversion. Commitment to our Savior and His Church builds our character and strengthens our spirit so that when we meet Christ, He will embrace us and say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).

There is a difference between intention and action. Those who only intend to commit may find excuses at every turn. Those who truly commit face their challenges squarely and say to themselves, “Yes, that would be a very good reason to delay, but I made covenants, and so I will do what I have committed to do.” They search the scriptures and earnestly seek the guidance of their Father in Heaven. They accept and magnify their Church callings. They attend their meetings. They do their home or visiting teaching.
A German proverb says, “Promises are like the full moon. If they are not kept at once, they diminish day by day.” As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have committed to walk in the path of discipleship. We have committed to follow the example of our Savior. Imagine how the world will be blessed and transformed for good when all members of the Lord’s Church live up to their true potential—converted in the depth of their souls and committed to building the kingdom of God.
In some way, each of us stands at a decision point overlooking the water. It is my prayer that we will have faith, move forward, face our fears and doubts with courage, and say to ourselves, “I’m committed!”

Friday, July 8, 2011

The Bible: A Miracle



“It is not by chance or coincidence that we have the Bible today,” says Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He explains that the Bible exists because of the obedience of righteous individuals who followed promptings to record sacred experiences and teachings, as well as the faith and courage of others who later sacrificed much to “protect and preserve” the Bible. Credit is also due, he says, to men such as John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, and Johannes Gutenberg, who translated and published the Bible in languages that ordinary people could understand and read. “I believe even the scholars of King James had spiritual promptings in their translation work,” he says.

May 2, 2011, marks the 400th anniversary of the first publication of the King James Version of the Bible. Throughout the world, people of many religious and nonreligious backgrounds are already commemorating the publication of the Bible with symposia, celebrations, concerts, speaking competitions, and more. Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles suggest another way to mark the occasion: by developing a love for the Bible as we study the life and ministry of the Savior and the words of the ancient prophets and apostles.

“How grateful we should be for the Holy Bible,” Elder Ballard says. “I love the Bible, its teachings, its lessons, and its spirit. . . . I love the perspective and peace that come from reading the Bible.”
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles agrees. “We love and revere the Bible,” he says. “It is always identified first in our canon, our ‘standard works.’” He reminds us that the Restoration came about because Joseph Smith studied the Bible and exerted faith in the promise made in James 1:5 that God will answer our prayers.

Recalling the events of history that paved the way for the Restoration, Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks with gratitude for all who made possible the translation and publishing of the Bible. Because of their work, the King James Version of the Bible was available for anyone to read—and because it was available to young Joseph Smith, the true Church was restored to the earth. “Is it any wonder that the King James Version is the approved English Bible of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today?” Elder Hales asks.

“We must ever remember the countless martyrs who knew of [the Bible’s] power and who gave their lives that we may be able to find within its words the eternal happiness and the peace of our Heavenly Father’s kingdom,” Elder Ballard says.

President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, shares a story about viewing a centuries-old family Bible and finding a quote on the title page that said, “The fairest Impression of the Bible is to have it well printed on the Reader’s heart.” He follows with this scripture (2 Cor. 3:2-3): “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in the tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart.”

The best way for us to honor and remember those whose sacrifices not only allow us to read the Bible in our language, but also to enjoy the blessings of the Restoration of the gospel, is for us to know the Bible and its accompanying scriptural texts. By knowing and loving its teachings, we show our appreciation.
“Consider the magnitude of our blessing to have the Holy Bible and some 900 additional pages of scripture,” says Elder D. Todd Christofferson. “May we feast continuously on the words of Christ that will tell us all things we should do.”

The Bible and the Book of Mormon

As separate testaments of Jesus Christ, the Bible and the Book of Mormon support rather than supplant each other. Elder Russell M. Nelson explains, “Scriptural witnesses authenticate each other. This concept was explained long ago when a prophet wrote that the Book of Mormon was ‘written for the intent that ye may believe [the Bible]; and if ye believe [the Bible] ye will believe [the Book of Mormon] also.’ Each book refers to the other. Each book stands as evidence that God lives and speaks to His children by revelation to His prophets.”

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

The Gospel Blesses Everyone

I loved this clip, it shows how the Gospel of Jesus Christ can bless our lives regardless of what happened or will happen. Please watch this.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Our True Identity

President Uchtdorf talks about who we really are. This was intended for the youth, but I think that it is applicable to everyone. If everyone understood this, the world would be a much different place from what we know about it now. I hope you enjoy his message.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

The Book of Mormon, Testimonies of Prophets and Apostles

A testimony from the modern day prophets and apostles. Please listen to them and feel the spirit testify of what they say is true.



Jesus Christ lives. His Atonement blesses all people. Those are the central themes of the Book of Mormon, according to prophets and apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who bear witness of the book’s divinity. They promise that those who read this scripture “with a sincere heart, with real intent,” will receive a witness that the Savior lives and that His Atonement applies to them (see Moroni 10:3-5).
“The central purpose of the Book of Mormon is its testament of Jesus Christ,” President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles says. “Of more than 6,000 verses in the Book of Mormon, far more than half refer directly to Him.” Describing his first time reading the entire Book of Mormon, he says, “That was a life-changing event. After that, I never set the book aside.”

Plain and Precious Truths

The Book of Mormon “tells us of the plain and precious truths of the gospel,” says Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. In its pages we learn of “the reality and divinity of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice for all mankind.”
Behind all of the writings in the Book of Mormon lie a primary purpose upon which we should focus our studies, Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles teaches. “Study of the Book of Mormon is most rewarding when one focuses on its primary purpose—to testify of Jesus Christ.” He reminds us that the Book of Mormon is the “only book that the Lord Himself has testified to be true,” and that we can receive our own testimonies of its divinity when we prayerfully study it. “It will bring you closer to the Lord and His loving power,” he says. “[The Lord] has promised that those who live by the precepts of this book ‘shall receive a crown of eternal life.’”

Expand Vision, Enlarge Understanding

“[The] teachings of the Book of Mormon expand our vision and enlarge our understanding of the all-encompassing love of God and the universal effect of His Atonement for all men everywhere,” Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles declares. “The Book of Mormon has come forth to remind us of the covenants of the Lord, to the convincing of all ‘that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations.’”
Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles says that a testimony of the Book of Mormon leads to a testimony of the Savior and His work. “There has to be an explanation of that book you can hold in your hand. I know that you can receive a spiritual confirmation that it is true. You will then know that Jesus Christ lives, that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s Church. You will confirm that the Savior guides His Church through a living prophet.” This knowledge, he says, will be the foundation for a productive life.

Calling All to Come unto Christ

The Book of Mormon offers a safe harbor from despair, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles teaches, through the “power of Christ to counter all troubles in all times. ... That is the message with which the Book of Mormon begins, and that is the message with which it ends, calling all to ‘come unto Christ, and be perfected in him.’” For us to receive the “fullest measure of peace and comfort,” he says, we must embrace “the divinity of the Book of Mormon and the Lord Jesus Christ, of whom it testifies.”
“The Book of Mormon is the most correct of any book on earth because it centers upon the Truth, even Jesus Christ,” says Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “The Book of Mormon speaks to the spirit and to the heart of the reader like no other volume of scripture.”
“If you have not read the Book of Mormon, read it,” President Thomas S. Monson urges. “If you do so prayerfully and with a sincere desire to know the truth, the Holy Ghost will manifest its truth to you.”

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

We Need Builders

This is what President Uchtdorf told the LA World Affairs Council. I read it and it is good! It is truley meant for the entire world and to help each other build each other up. This can help communities, states, countries, and nations build more unity. Not only among themselves, but with others around the world.



The World Needs Builders, President Uchtdorf Tells Los Angeles World Affairs Council

The world needs builders, not destroyers, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, told 800 community, business, and religious leaders attending the Los Angeles World Affairs Council on May 26, 2011.

“It takes courage … and humility to put away old hatred, divisions and traditions that constrict and confine people into a blind succession of destructive behavior toward others,” President Uchtdorf said. “It is within our reach to breach barriers of hate and build bridges of brotherhood and understanding between opposing cultures, beliefs, religion, and world views.”

The Los Angeles World Affairs Council is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to furthering global understanding. The group invites people from many backgrounds and religions to speak; former Church President Gordon B. Hinckley addressed the Los Angeles World Affairs Council while President of the Church.

President Uchtdorf talked about the growth of the Church from six members in 1830 to today, when there are more than 14 million Latter-day Saints around the world.
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a global church. The principles and doctrines it teaches have the power to benefit and uplift the people of every nation, race, and culture,” he said.
President Uchtdorf shared Church membership and building statistics that reflect the growth of the Church, but said such numbers are not the point.

“It is important to recognize that the growth of the Church is not merely about numbers of members, languages and buildings; our mission is to bring souls unto Christ—that is the important part—and thereby improve the lives of our fellow men. We teach, support and encourage all men, women, and children to draw near to God and live charitable and honorable lives,” he said.

President Uchtdorf also talked about the Church’s efforts in education, welfare and humanitarian aid.
“Being continuously engaged in improving the lives of our fellow men is not just theological theory, which it easily may become, but rather an application of the gospel’s core doctrines. The more our hearts are inclined to God, the more we desire to relieve suffering and help others become self-reliant,” he said.

President Uchtdorf said that in this time of uncertainty and fear there is still hope for virtue, moderation and divine moral principles. He called on the audience to join with the Church in “strengthening families, building righteous societies, and helping our brothers and sisters improve their lives the world over, regardless of culture, language, or religious beliefs. I believe these are worthy and righteous goals.”

Contributed By newsroom.LDS.org

Friday, June 10, 2011

A Different Approach

So, if you noticed, I'm starting to take messages from lds.org. I want to take the words of the prophets and apostles and give them to you. I want you to find out if they build your faith in Christ, encourage you to live better lives, and also help your family's life increase! You will see that they are men of God. They are who they say they are! Please take time to also see mormon.org! You can see millions of testimonies of how people's lives have been blessed.

Saints in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka Are “Near Our Hearts”.

Elder Holland in a meeting with the saints in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Please read this! It is good to take into our lives, regardless if we are members or not.



I have come to say to all of you that you are known, you are loved, you are appreciated. You may be a long way from us physically and geographically, but you are not more than a prayer and a heartbeat away from our affection and our admiration,” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles told participants in a priesthood leadership conference held in New Delhi, India. The conference was telecast to several other locations in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. “Thank you for serving,” he said. “Thank your wives and children—thank everybody. We know your sacrifices.”

Accompanied by several members of the Seventy and the two mission presidents for India, Elder Holland presided over a four-hour meeting that included instruction from the visiting authorities and a question-and-answer session.

A Parable about a Pearl

During the instruction period, Elder Holland shared a modern-day parable about a pearl and a box, in which a man finds a beautiful pearl and wants to share his discovery with the world. He commissions a stunningly beautiful box to hold the pearl, then puts the pearl on display only to realize that viewers are more appreciative of the display box than the pearl itself. Similarly, Elder Holland said, we can fall into the trap of making Church programs and activities a greater focus than the gospel itself.

Strengthen Faith in Christ

He offered two suggestions to strengthen faith in Jesus Christ. First, he said, we need to improve our sacrament meetings. “If we’re going to worry about a meeting, let’s worry a little more about that one.” He emphasized the need to center sacrament meeting around the sacrament and the Savior’s Atonement, reminding leaders that there are people coming to church needing the sacrament to help them get through the week. “Teach Aaronic Priesthood holders what they’re doing when they pass, prepare, and bless the sacrament of the Lord Jesus Christ,” he directed.

Improve Sacrament Meetings

Along with heightened emphasis on the sacrament, we should try to raise the quality of the talks given in sacrament meeting. “A pretty sobering question, brethren, is this: if all the gospel we knew were the gospel we heard in sacrament meeting, how much gospel would we know?” Pondering this question can help us improve sacrament meeting, he said. “I just want to believe that something built around the Atonement might add to the protection and safety and salvation of somebody on any given Sunday.”

Improve Teaching

His second suggestion was that we improve our teaching. “What we have for motivation in the Church is spiritually informed and empowered words. And that, one way or another, means teaching.” Making the point that our primary method of conveying the Spirit is to testify, he urged priesthood leaders to see themselves as teachers first and foremost. “I would ask that you see [your call to serve] as a call to teach much more than a call to manage or to administer,” he said. “We want you to be reasonably good administrators. But we really, really want you to be good teachers.” He described good teaching as “strong, faithful, inspired teaching that has the Spirit of the Lord with it, teaching that concludes with a testimony and moves people to live a better life and to reach a little higher. . . . That’s the way, in effect, lives are changed.”
During the question-and-answer session, Elder Holland and the other visiting Church leaders took turns answering questions posed by priesthood leaders from India and Pakistan. Among the topics Elder Holland addressed were the law of consecration, the responsibility of the family to set expectations for young people to serve missions, and the issue of prospective elders.

Consecration Is a Covenant

“One of the covenants we make in the temple is to consecrate,” Elder Holland told the priesthood leaders, most of whom have received their endowments. “Part of the implication and invitation of the law of consecration is to build up the kingdom of God on earth and to establish Zion. . . . Where do we [do this]? In the Latter-day Saint home. Zion starts with an LDS family—parents who love each other and sacrifice for each other and tell children that they love each other and sacrifice for each other.” He mentioned that he had never heard of wards or stakes in heaven, saying, “The only [organization] that I know that exists in heaven is families. We are going to be practicing here what it’s going to be like there. . . . The invitation spiritually is to start that right now in our homes.”

What Will the Family Do?

When asked how to encourage more young people to serve missions, he responded, “Isn’t it interesting that the first impulse from all of us is ‘What’s the Church going to do?’ There’s a more fundamental question than that, and that is ‘What is the family going to do?’ What is the father going to expect? What is the brother going to expect of his sister? What is the sister going to expect of her brother?”

Help Prospective Elders

The topic of prospective elders was particularly tender to Elder Holland. Explaining that he had been the son of an “inactive, cigarette-smoking, coffee-drinking, prospective-elder father,” he told the brethren, “If you’ll get specific about the men involved—their names, their faces, and their families—you will work miracles. . . . I get to be here today, in one generation, because somebody stopped talking about the big problem of prospective elders and they talked about Frank Holland.” He added that we need to be preventive as well as redemptive in this matter. “The best thing you can do about prospective elders is prevent them getting there.”

What Next?

At the end of the session, Elder Holland offered a question of his own. “What happens when this meeting is over?” he asked. Answering the question, he said, “When we walk out of here and you go home, you still have the gospel. You have the scriptures. You have revelation. You have prayer, mighty prayer. . . . You have the Holy Spirit. You have a member of the Godhead commissioned and committed to being your companion and going where you go, doing what you do, and helping you succeed.” Reminding the leaders that they are “chosen, ordained, set apart, commissioned agents of the Lord,” he quoted a saying of President Monson: “‘When you’re on the Lord’s errand, you are entitled to ask for the Lord’s help.’”
Elder Holland offered an apostolic blessing on the members in India and Pakistan, blessing them with strength, health, and safety; with food to eat and clothing to wear; shelter for themselves and their loved ones; and strength to face challenges hopefully and cheerfully. He instructed the brethren to “tell the Saints that we prayed for them and we blessed them.”

A Sure Witness

In conclusion, he bore his testimony. “I’ve borne witness since I was a little boy in Primary, but now I am a witness, and I testify that this is God’s truth. I know that more certainly than I know any other thing in this world. I know, actually more certain than that you are actually sitting there and I am actually standing here. I would question that sooner than I could question that God is our Eternal Father and Jesus is the Christ and They appeared to a fourteen-year-old boy, and as a result we’re in New Delhi today. . . . I’m more certain of that than anything I know. And it’s not only that of which I bear witness; it is that of which I am a witness. I love you and will never forget you, and I’ll pray for you long after I’ve gotten on that plane and gone somewhere else in the world.”

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Forgiveness: A miracle in of it self


 Please watch this video before continuing on.



 As we learn to forgive, we allow the healing power of the Atonement into our lives, and also the lives of those who wronged us, if they so choose to do so. I know that people are a lot happier when they learn to let go of that which binds them down in the past. Not allowing them to move forward with their life. I can tell you right now, that if everyone would forgive everyone that may have offended them, the world would be a completely different place. The miracle of forgiveness is available to us all. We can also look to the Lord and see how he forgave those that nailed Him to the cross. He had and still has the right to hold a grudge, but he doesn't because He knows what good will it do for Him and for those. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Quick Re-Amp

So you may notice something different about the blog site. We as missionaries have been instructed to spend more time on the computer for internet proselyting, so I decided to shake things up a bit. I'll also be trying to organize it so that the discussions will be in one page and others on different one. So, I hope you enjoy the changes, any comments, suggestions, questions will be appreciated.

-Elder Bryson

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Ministering and Administering

So, I've been thinking about how the Gospel of Jesus Christ actually helps us. I've nailed it down to two points. Ministering and administering. So, with ministering, others are helping us! We are being guided, taught, and comforted by those who do this. This is how we learn of and how the gospel blesses us! We need to learn how to do it before we do it. We find many accounts in the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon of people being ministered to. Nephi, Jacob, Mormon, Moroni, etc. It is essential to have those who can minister to us. There is also the other side of the scale, which is equally important. We need to administer. When we administer to those who need help, or anything to that nature. It is how we apply what we learned when we were being ministered to! It A) shows God that we understand His doctrine, B) it helps us have the gospel be applied into our lives! and C) we learn how much we still have to learn, or be ministered. I like to use Christ as perfect example of one who was ministered and administered. He let people serve him. He let them do a variety of things for him! But, we all know that He did everything to serve others! He, again, was a perfect example of these two things. Again, when we administer to others, we are only administering to our Father! When we are in the service of our fellow beings, we are only in the service of our God. We will find ourselves being blessed by administering, not being ministered. We show God that we choose to follow Him and that we understand what we need to do when we do this. It is how His church was supposed to be run! By those who want to serve others. His church could not stand if only one person was the administer and everyone else was being ministered. The bishop serves the ward, while ward members are called to positions in the church to serve the bishop in their areas. It's one big circle of service. I testify that we are blessed more than anyone could imagine when we put ourselves last and put God first by serving others. I say these things in His name Jesus Christ, Amen.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

The Restoration: Summarry

This is the last post about the Restoration. This one is kind of my own, it's a summary of the key points of the past posts. So...let's get to it!

God is our loving Heavenly Father:
Remember that all the principles talked about all tie into that God loves us! This is a wonderful thing to know! If we keep this knowledge with us when trials happen in our lives, we are able to overcome them realizing that He was with us and is still with us.

The Gospel Blesses Individuals and Families:
So everything in the Gospel of Jesus Christ is meant to bless us personally and as a family. The Family is key to our Heavenly Fathers plan. He wants it to succeed so we can succeed. So He gave us His Gospel to guide us and our families.

God Reveals His Plan to His Servants, the Prophets:
To reveal His Gospel and His will, God has called prophets to do his will. Moses, Noah, Enoch, Etc. They all recieved revelation to guide His church and his people. I forgot to post something that I like to say. The world is like a dark room. Can't see anything. To shine some light on the subject of what to do and why we are there, He gave us revelations. They are like a small light at first, only lighting a little bit at a time. The more revelation we recieve, the more light we get. Until eventually, one day, it will be as bright as the noon day sun! Thats why we need prophets, to help us out even more in this crazy and dying world.

Christ Established His Church on the Earth:
When Christ came on the earth to perform the Atonement, he also set up his church! He called apostles and gave them priesthood power to run his church. He was still in charge of his church when he ascended into heaven. He gave the apostles revelation to do what he wanted to be done!

The Great Apostasy:
Like times of old, people began to reject the prophets and/or apostles. They eventually killed them and when that was done, no one had the power to recieve revelation for the world. The church was then split into different groups of people who had different ideas on what the Gospel of Jesus Christ was! Hundreds of churches were born during this period. We believe that these churches taught truth and the people tried to live the best they could! But, they did not have the whole truth.

Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Restoration:
Joseph Smith, was confused on what church was the one to join. There is one Lord and one faith and one baptism. He went into a grove of trees and kneeled down to ask God what he should do. The Father and the Son appeared to him, called him to be a prophet to restore the church that Christ established on the earth. This also involved the restoration of the priesthood! Giving Joseph Smith the power to recieve revelation for the church and the world.

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ:
The Book of Mormon is evidence that God loves us! It is also eveidence that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God! We are asked to read it and to ask God if it is true! You will find you faith in Christ strengthened when you read it. You will know by the power of the Holy Ghost that it is true! The Holy Ghost will testify to you that it is true!

That pretty much wraps up the summary. If you have any question, you can comment on the bottom of this page. I would like to close with my testimony. I know that this church is true. It is what Christ taught when he was here on this earth. He loves us, He calls prophets to help guide us toward him! He did that with Joseph Smith. He was called to restore the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth. The Book of Mormon is evidence of that. Read it. It will bless you more than you can possibly imagine. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Friday, May 20, 2011

The Restoration: The Book of Mormon

So, I know that I already made a post about the Book of Mormon, but I need to tie this to the order of the principles that I posted previously. So, I already told you why the Book of Mormon is so important to us, but it was the only way to restore the fullness of the gospel back on the earth. God knew that there would be skepticism from the claim of Joseph Smith. So, He provided evidence to support Joseph. I would like to stray a little bit and talk about "evidence". Evidence is not solid proof. It's more of a lead, which is why investigators who work on crimes collect enough evidence to prove their point, or to solidify their conclusion. So when some one says to prove to me that the Book of Mormon is real, I frankly can't. Nor will God prove the Book of Mormon or the Bible. He will provide us "evidence", but won't out rightly prove to us what is true or not. He wants us to have that faith, that faith to believe in what he gives us. Christ when he was on the earth, performed many miracles on the earth that proved himself as the Messiah prophesied to come. But, the pharisees and the sadducees still would not believe. They had all the evidence in the world, but would not believe because they had NO faith to believe. Likewise, it goes the sameway for the Book of Mormon. We need to want to believe it. We need to have that faith that Christ talked about, faith like unto a mustard seed. He is also not going to lead you by blind faith, He will confirm it to you by the Holy Ghost! There is a scripture I would like to read, it's in Ether 4:11 it says:

"But he that believeth these things which I have spoken, him will I visit with the manifestations of my Spirit, and he shall know and bear record. For because of my Spirit he shall know that these things are true; for it persuadeth men to do good."

The Spirit will tell us this it true. It will manifest that it is true! Whats cool is that you will KNOW that it is true, because it is good. Please read the Book of Mormon, see what it can do for you. See if it persuades you to do good, or even makes you happy, joyful, peaceful, content. If you want to know it's true, you have to do it for yourself. You can only do it for yourself, God won't do it for you. I know it's true because of the spirit I feel when I read it and when I prayed about it. I want you to also kneel down in prayer, and ask God if it is His word. He will answer you. I promise you that. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The Restoration: The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

I think this principle is one of the biggest evidences of God's love for us. Second, only to the Atonement of Christ. Through out the years of spiritual darkness, not having the revelations needed, there were a lot of churches and opinions that formed. We can see this by just googling a list of churches, walking down the street, even different translations of the Bible! Well, a boy named Joseph Smith, was confused by what church to join. He read in 4:5 "One Lord, one faith, one baptism" His own family wasn't even united in religion. His father was not really part of any church, but still was a strong christian, his mother and a few of his siblings were part of the Presbyterian religion, and he himself was leaning to the Methodist sect. One day, reading the Bible, he read in James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."  In his own words Joseph says:

"Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible.

At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to “ask of God,” concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture.

So, in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty. It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally.

After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.

But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.

It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!"

Joseph, saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Joseph desired to know which of all the sects were right, and which one he should join! He was told to join none of them, because they did not teach the fullness of the gospel.  That is when Joseph was called to be a prophet to restore Christ's church on the earth. A few years later, while translating the Book of Mormon, he had a question about baptism, and how it would be done. He and Oliver Cowdry knelt down on the banks of the Susquehanna River. In answer, John the Baptist appeared to them, giving them the Aaronic Priesthood, the authority to baptize. Shortly there after, Peter, James, and John, as ressurected beings, appeared to them and gave them the Melchizedek Priesthood, which gave them the authority to give the gift of the Holy Ghost, and other essential ordinances.

Knowing the world would be skeptical of the calling of Joseph, Christ revealed the Book of Mormon to Joseph. This will be next time I get on the blog, but in the mean time, I want you to pray to God, asking Him if Joseph Smith was a prophet, and if this really happened. Pay attention to your feelings, see how you feel after. Did it make you feel good? Peaceful? Joyus? I can testify to you that God cares about you, and He loves you! I know that He loves us enough to called Joseph Smith to be a prophet to restore the Church of Jesus Christ back on the earth. I know this is true, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

The Restoration: The Great Apostasy

So, when Christ ascended into heaven, he left his church with the apostles. As we talked about before, he was still in charge of it and directed it by "giving commandments through the Holy Ghost" to the apostles. So like with the prophets of old, people started to reject the apostles and their teachings. People started persecuting them and killing them. When this happened, no one was on the earth to receive the revelation from God, to guide the Church of Jesus Christ in the direction that Christ wanted it to go! People began to settle religious questions by vote and philosophy, not by revelation. People started to see the Bible differently and break off from each other to for their own churches. We believe that people like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and other Reformers were good, honest people who wanted to come close to God. However, they did not claim to have the priesthood authority, or the calling of a prophet to establish God's church on the earth. They needed a Restoration, not a reformation. Because of these men, it led to the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and His Church. He did this by calling Joseph Smith to be a prophet.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

The Restoration: The Church of Christ

So, this principle is what Christ did here while he was on the earth. Obviously, He did so much that I'm not going to have the time to write about all he that he did while he was here. First off, the main purpose of why he came here was to take our sins upon himself and suffer for them. He was foreordained, before the world was created, to come down here, suffer for all of our sins, die on the cross, and have the Father raise him three days later. This is what we call the Atonement. Because he atoned for us. He was able to conquer physical death with the Resurrection, and also spiritual death with his suffering in the Garden Gethsemane.
This is the MOST important thing that He could of done. Everything else he did is based on the Atonement.

Christ also performed many, MANY miracles.  I can't even begin to list all of them that he did. It suffices me to say that he caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear, and the maimed to be whole. He did much more than what I just spoken of as well. When we look at these miracles, we can see a spiritual side to them as well. Almost all of them, he said that they were healed by their own faith! And to go and sin no more! Those that were spiritually maimed, deaf, blind, or lame, we're healed according to their faith in him as their Lord and Savior.

Another thing that he did that is kind of unnoticed is that he was perfectly obedient to all things! He was baptized by one holding the proper priesthood authority. This is Christ! The one that all lean on! The man that saved the world from it's own calamity. He obeyed regardless of who he was, what he did, or what he was about to do. In fact, I think that because he was obedient to the Father, he realized who he was.

The thing I was getting at was that Christ set up his church while hear on the earth. He called apostles and others into his church and gave them the priesthood, the power and authority to act in his name! Because it was his church, he was in charge of it. When He ascended into heaven, he left his church to the apostles. But he was still in charge of it. In Acts 1:2 it says "Until the say in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:"  He after he left gave commandments through the Holy Ghost. He was still in charge of His church. He still led it. His apostles were the means of how he led it. We teach that Christ's church is supposed to still be led by prophets and apostles who receive revelation for the church and the whole world.

Again, the next post will show you what happened to Christ's church which he established, this I say in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Friday, May 6, 2011

The Restoration: God Calls Prophets

So, now to the meat of things. The unique thing about our church and message, is that God has called and still calls prophets to lead His church. Prophets play an important role in God's plan for us. In fact, because of prophets, we have God's plan for us! "surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." -Amos 3:7. The role of the prophet is to learn God's will by revelation, write it down, and then tell the people what God's will is! God will always go to his prophet to tell us his will. It's been the case with Moses, Noah, Adam, Enoch, Abraham, the list goes on and on! The Lord told Noah to tell the world to repent or he would destroy the earth! Noah did such and was rejected by the people. God then told Noah to build an Ark, Noah did and the earth was flooded and Noah and his family were the only ones spared, because of their obedience. Moses, received the ten commandments from God and then gave it to the Isrialites. What Moses wrote, which happens to be the first five books in the Bible is called scripture. Scripture is revelation written down. Simple! It is what God has commanded, it was recorded, and now we have it for our learning and our lives!

One thing that set apart the prophets from other people, is that they had the Priesthood. The Priesthood is the authority to act and do in God's name. It is the power of God given to men. They receive it by the laying on of hands, just as Moses did with Aaron. It gave them the ability to receive revelation for the world. It is also the power to do other essential ordinances, like Baptism and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Only people who have the Priesthood can perform Baptisms that will be recognized by Jesus Christ Himself! In Matthew 10:1, Christ gave his apostles "power" to do the same miracles that He was doing. He gave them the power of God. In the Book of Mormon, Christ called 12 others among the Nephites and gave them the "power and authority" to baptize in his name! It is essential to know how important the Priesthood is in the Plan of Happiness.

Unfortunately, people are not always happy with the prophets and what they teach. In fact, they cast out, stone, and kill them when the people are very wicked. When this occurs, it is called an apostasy. Apostasy comes when the people reject the prophets God sends to them. So in turn, God withdraws his prophets for a time. With this, their is no priesthood authority on the earth. No one to receive revelation and no authority to baptize. But, through out time and time again, and through His infinite love and mercy, our Heavenly Father calls another prophet. He calls him, gives him the priesthood authority, and gives him commandment to tell people to come unto him. He restores his church on the earth.

This will be a key factor through out the rest of the principles of the Restoration. It is so key to realize that God still gives us guidance. A parent knows that no matter how old their children are, they still need guidance and instruction. It's his way of giving us the flashlight in the darkness, to find the path home. It's kinda like batteries. Eventually we will need new ones, or even a recharge. He is willing to help us when we need it, and even when we don't think we need it. I know this is a way that I know that God still loves me. Enough to give me the light needed to come home. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

The Restoration: The Gospel Blesses Families and Individuals

So, another important aspect of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is that it is to bless our lives in all aspects! As individuals, when we draw ourselves closer to Christ, we see the blessings that come from it! I can testify that when we choose to follow Christ by living His gospel, it changes our lives! Before I was preparing to serve a mission, I was still in the church, but just going through the motions. I did my responsibilities, I went to church, as well as seminary and institute (religious classes that the youth and college aged people take)  I did everything that was expected of a mormon kid to do! Don't get me wrong, I still loved the church and the programs. I am forever grateful for the services that they did for me! But I wasn't all the way commited, I didn't have a strong testimony. When I was preparing to serve a mission, I don't really know what happend, I decided to take my religion seriously. I made it a goal to read the Book of Mormon three times before I left on me mission. That gave me about 3 months from when I got my mission call. I started applying PMG (Preach My Gospel) into my studies and my life. From just doing that, my life improved! I was happier! I was enjoying life the way my Heavenly Father really wanted me to enjoy. I had the self-satisfaction that I was truly longing for.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ not only blesses us individually, but as a family as well. I could tell you all I wanted about how the gospel blessed me and my family, but I thought it would be better to see what my family had to say about how it blesses them. They are as follows: Aimee, my 2nd youngest sister. Aubrey, my 1st youngest sister. And then my mom and my dad. Here they are!

Aimee: The gospel gives us an understanding of where were from, why were here, and what will happen when we die.  It makes me feel safe to know that I always have someone to turn to, and He (Heavenly Father) is always looking out for me.

Aubrey: The gospel helps us as family, because it reminds us to do the basic things, which helps us to be happy.

Mom: To me the gospel gives us direction, it helps us know what we need to do to keep our families together.  In this world, this is not an easy thing to do anymore.  There are so many forces which fight against the family. The committments we make to each other have eternal consequences, and the gospel helps us not to give up, even when things are not easy.  When we are saying our prayers, and  reading our scriptures, and spending time together, worshipping, playing, working, and helping others, it makes us closer to each other.  My family brings me my greatest joys, and my greatest sorrows.  But with the gospel, I know that the sorrows are temporary, and I have peace that I am not alone, and that if I keep moving forward, I will make it through.  I know that Heavenly Father knows the master plan, and I can trust him.  I know that Heavenly Father, and Christ want us to succeed in keeping our families together.  The gospel makes me feel safe, happy, and at peace, it gives direction to me as a mother. 

Dad: The gospel is a very important part of our lives.  We are taught that the family is central  to our happiness here on earth.  As we develop relationships through service, fun activities, working, and just spending time together, we learn what true happiness is.    We are taught that we can be together with our families in the next life.  This knowledge makes our relationships even more meaningful, and worth the effort to make our families happy.  There is no success in this life that can compensate for failure in the home.

I know that the reason my family has the unity it has, is because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm glad that I have it in its fullness and all the blessings that come with it by living by it's princeples. It was restored by Joseph Smith, who was called to do such a thing. The fulness of the Gospel is in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. They compliment each other, without one the other cannot stand. I ask you to please, PLEASE read the Bible and the Book of Mormon and live it's teachings. It is how the gospel is applied. Not by merely doing it idly, but living it, making it your life! I testify of these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Master, Amen.

Friday, April 29, 2011

The Restoration: God is Our Loving Heavenly Father

So, one thing that I love about the Restoration, is that it truly restores the true Nature of God. It surprised me when I came out here how many people don't view God as A) their Father, and B) that He loves them! The best evidence we have of this is the most common scripture that people know about! John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." He loved us so much that he gave...He sent his Son to die for us. He knew that we couldn't return back to His presence, so he asked his Only Begotten to come down here to pay the price that no one else could, even if we had the eternity to do it. I'm sure he was not only saddened to see his Son on the cross, I'm sure he wept as he watched his Son and couldn't do a thing to help him, because it was the only way.  I love my Heavenly Father for that gift that is so freely given to us.

He has also given us commandments! It sounds weird that commandments are evidence of His love for us! He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows what makes us happy! He gives us commandments that when we are obedient to them, we find true happiness! We find satisfaction! If we want to really find out if God loves us, put his will to the test. Try it! Just like anything else in life, we have to apply what we want to do. God is the same way. If we want to know God, we need to trust him (have faith), and follow him in doing what he asks. When we do this, not only will you be happy and satisfied with life, you will see blessings that will amaze you

(continued with: Gospel Blesses Families and Individuals!)

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

The Restoration: The "What" of our message

So, I've been trying to think of things that I could post and what I should talk about. It then hit me that I should do the message that we share! So, I'll talk about the principles of the first lesson! So, just a little bit about the Restoration. It's very important to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, because it is what we are. In fact, you may call it the "What" of our religion! The Restoration has been under attack since it's coming because if it falls, so does everything else, EVERYTHING! But it hasn't, nor will it ever, because it's true. I hope and pray that I can talk about the Restoration in a way that you can feel and know that it is true. If you have any questions about this message, please, go to MORMON.ORG and check out the site! It's other mormons who have profiles about the Restoration, Plan of Salvation, The Gospel of Jesus Christ, or even Jesus Christ! If you want to see what the missionaries have to say you can also request to have them come by and share a quick message about the Restoration! I know because of it that my life has drawn closer to Christ. More than I could've imagined. I know its true and so can you, trust in God that he can help you know what we teach and believe is true! In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

P.S. I'll be posting the principles in the very VERY near future, so it'll be a progressing post!

Friday, April 22, 2011

"He is risen..."

I love Easter. I have many reasons why I love it! I get to hang out with family! (not out here in the field though) I get to enjoy warm(er) weather! (again, not out here!) Ultimately, I get to think about the significant gift that Christ gave to me. He gave me the Atonement. The Atonement is the suffering Christ did in the Garden of Gethsemane, him dying on the Cross, and ultimately Him rising again three days later. It's amazing to me that Christ would do that for me. He did that so that I can enjoy eternity with my family! I will always be with them and will never leave them! All this and SO much more, because of Him, who is mighty to save. I always wonder how he could do such a thing for me. It's amazing, almost unbelievable, that he would do such a thing, in fact some choose not to believe it. The Atonement is given to ALL of us! The Resurrection is given to us whether we be good, or evil. This because he conquered the impossible. He went the farthest to get us and brought us back. I can only imagine the comfort of the phrase that the angel gave to Mary at the tomb. "He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." -Matt. 28:6. Wow. How comforting to know that the Lord lives! And because he lives, we to can live! He has prepared the way! He did it for us! For you, and for me. The Plan of Salvation could not work with out Him. Nothing could. He is the fuel for happiness, and when we follow closely to him, we get more out of it! I testify to you, as a servant of the Lord, that our Lord Jesus Christ lives! He is our Savior and Redeemer. The Holy One of Israel, the Messiah. Whom the prophets of old, and present, have testified of who should redeem his people. It makes me so happy to KNOW this! I again testify of these things, in our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Keep my Commandments

One thing that I notice in both the Book of Mormon and the Bible, is how many times the Lord has asked us to keep his commandments. A lot of people can argue that keeping the commandments doesn't bring salvation. Their right. Christ is the only one that can save us! He was the only one that knew what I've gone through, and knows what I will go through. Because of the miracle of the Atonement, (His suffering in the garden, death on the cross, and the Resurrection) we can return to our Heavenly Father! We cannot do anything for ourselves! However, it does not eliminate our personal responsibility! We are still responsible for our actions. I love this scripture in the Bible, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." -John 14:15. If we truley love Christ then we do what he asked us to do. Here's another scripture that I'd like to read, "Therefore come unto me and be saved; for verily I say unto you, that except ye shall keep my commandments, which I have commanded you at theis time, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." 3 Nephi 12:20. The beggining says to "come unto him and be saved". The only way we come unto him is if we obey his commandments! He's not going to look at our words, but our actions. Again, our works don't save us, they just show him that we are going to follow him. We do that by Enduring to the End. We keep on following him, we do what he asked and will ask us to do. This is how we follow Christ. Not by our words, or works, but works of faith. We will shortly find that as we follow Him, our faith in him will increase! whether it be Tithing, Word of Wisdom, Church, scripture reading, or even praying, it will increase our faith in Him who is mighty to save, to all those that come to him by obeying his commandments.