GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST=CHANGE

I haven't blogged for a while now and a lot has happened since. I don't even know where to start. I am now here at Santa Rosa and I am with Sister Gorder, AGAIN!!! Yes, I have served with her before at Napa. How weird is that? It has been great the last couple weeks. We have been complementing each other a lot on how we've changed and grown. My last blog post was about "A Change for the Better". We all want to become better, but sometimes we don't even know where to start. There is a way and none other way where we can change to be the person God wants us to be. And it is through the Gospel of Jesus Christ where that change is possible! When we choose Christ we choose to change.

We all know that Christ was the one and only perfect Son of God. He came to earth to teach God's children, perform many miracles, and set an example for us. And our Heavenly Father wants us to follow Him and to keep His commandments. But how can we reach that goal and continue to live it throughout the rest of our lives? You can by accepting the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. First by having faith in Him and His Atonement, repenting of our transgressions, and accepting the ordinances performed by someone holding that priesthood authority of God that has been restored here on earth: baptism by immersion and receiving the gift of the holy ghost.

It has been hard for me these couple of weeks, but it has been great having my companion complement me about the change I have made. It was even better to hear it from a loving mother this past Sunday. I am glad she recognized the change that I have made and the person that I have become. I know I still have things I need to work on. But I know as I continue to have faith and to live the gospel of Jesus Christ the best I can, I can become the person my Heavenly Father wants me to be. I still struggle, I still have challenges, I am still imperfect, but I know it's through the gospel of Jesus Christ where I can become better. President Faust said, "The power to change is very real, and it is a great spiritual gift from God." He continues on to say, "Each one of us has been given the power to change his or her life. As part of the Lord’s great plan of happiness, we have individual agency to make decisions. We can decide to do better and to be better. In some ways all of us need to change; that is, some of us need to be more kind at home, less selfish, better listeners, and more considerate in the way we treat others. Some of us have habits that need to be changed, habits that harm us and others around us. Sometimes we may need a jolt to propel us into changing." If we continue to change and live the simple principles of the gospel, we can find true joy and happiness in this life. I know that God loves each and everyone of us. And He will help us in anyway he can so we can be what He wants us to become. Jesus Christ lives and through His Atonement everything is made possible. I love the gospel and I am grateful of how it has changed my life!!!

You Will Be Freed...There is Hope

I was reading a General Conference talk titled "O That Cunning Plan of the Evil One" by Elder Ballard and it is something that we can all relate to. He talks a lot about addiction, but it really could be everything and anything that we go through in life. As I was pondering about this message, I gained more hope that only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can be healed. The analogy that he uses with the fly fishing is very true. He says, "Lucifer knows our hunger, or weaknesses, and tempts us with counterfeit lures which, if taken, can cause us to be yanked from the stream of life into his unmerciful influence. And unlike a fly fisherman who catches and releases the fish unharmed back into the water, Lucifer will not voluntarily let go. His goal is to make his victims as miserable as he is." On the other hand, Heavenly Father has provided us with His gospel, His son Jesus Christ, and many opportunities where we can find true joy and happiness. True happiness comes from the small and simple things that we do to prevent us from being caught by Lucifer's lies and cunning intelligence. Some of those small and simple things are reading the scriptures, praying, going to church, serving the Lord, and keeping His commandments. I know that as we follow the counsel of Alma to his son Helaman "that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass,"(Alma 37:6) we will never be led astray by Lucifer and his lies. God knew we will sin and make mistakes, but He has provided a way for us to be spiritually clean and reunited to Him through our Savior, Jesus Christ. The Savior taught, "For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;but if they would not repent they must suffer even as I." (D&C 19:16-17) Elder Ballard states, "there is a way to spiritual freedom--a way to escape from bondage--a way that is proven. It begins with prayer--sincere, fervent, and constant communication with the Creator of our spirits and bodies, Our Heavenly Father. It is the same principle in breaking a bad habit or repenting from sin of any kind." Jesus Christ, who willingly atoned for our sins said: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) If we put our trust in the Atonement of our Savior, there is hope because God loves us. I know that there is power in prayer and God answers prayers. I have seen many miracles and blessings as I have put my trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement. I am not perfect, but through Him I can be made whole. It is my prayer that we will continue to do the small and simple things by relying on our Savior. And when "the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, his shafts in the whirlwind, all his hail and mighty storm shall beat upon [us], it shall have no power over [us] to drag [us] down to the gulf of misery." (Helaman 5:12)