Unshakable Faith

I had a great experience yesterday with one of our Single Branch members that we were visiting. He is an awesome kid with a great desire to follow Christ and keep His commandments. I just finished the Book of Mormon a few weeks ago. But yesterday, we read the first chapter of the first Book of Nephi together and a lot of things stood out to me. As we were discussing what we read with one another we both pointed out the same verse, where it says: "And it came to pass that the Jews did mock him because of the things which he testified of them." (1Nephi 1:19) When Lehi prayed with all his heart to the Lord, he beheld a vision where he read a book concerning the destruction of Jerusalem. When he received this vision he went to his people and prophesied of the things that he saw and heard . The people mocked him and even sought to kill him. This particular verse can relate to us in these days. When we do the things that we know to be right and good, others will judge, criticize, or try to make us look bad. And sometimes we even get disowned or rejected by our loved ones. I was reading a story in the Ensign magazine about a lady with unshakable faith and a great testimony who set a great example by staying strong in what she believed to be true. Her name was Rebecca Swain Williams from Pennsylvania, the youngest of 10 children. In the fall of 1830 the first missionaries arrived in Kirtland and started teaching her. After many meetings with the missionaries she was baptized and became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One of her hopes was that her family would accept the gospel and receive the many blessings that it offers. However, her conversion infuriated her father. She did not turn back or give up. "Despite her family's hostility toward the Church, this early convert remained faithful and devoted to the work." Because of her great acts of service for those around her and her love for the gospel, her testimony and faith were unshakable. She continued to share the gospel with her family no matter what and strove to fulfill the promises that she had made with Heavenly Father. And those promises are being "willing to mourn with those that mourn, comfort those that stand in need of comfort, stand as witnesses of God at all times, all places, all things, serve him, and keep His commandments." (Mosiah 18:9-10) Bishop Richard C. Edgley, First Counselor in the presiding Bishopric stated in his last October General Conference: "Because of the conflicts and challenges we face in today's world, I wish to suggest a single choice--a choice of peace and protection and a choice that is appropriate for all. That choice is faith. So I say, choose faith. Choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear, choose faith over the unknown and the unseen, and choose faith over pessimism." It is my prayer that we will "be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works"(Mosiah 5:15) that we will grow in faith and love for the gospel.

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)

Helping Hands

I read an article in the Ensign this morning that really helped answered some of my concerns and struggles that I have been going through. I love to help people in any way I can, especially helping them to receive the gospel. And it has been a problem to me because I want to help them so much, but sometimes they just don't want the help. But as I read this article, I began to ponder about how I can relate this story to me and what I am going through. I like to help and see others change because it makes me happy. And when I don't see a change or things don't go the way I want it to be or expect it to be I get sad, discouraged, or frustrated. And sometimes I feel like I am not doing the very best I can or I have failed. But as I was pondering about this, a verse from the scriptures came to mind, "...for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength." (Mosiah 4:27) We all can choose for ourselves and that is something I need to instill in my mind. That as much as I want to help others, they have their own free will to choose. But what I can do is love them despite their weaknesses, struggles, or choices that they make. God is the father of our souls and He knows each and everyone of us personally. He also has a specific plan for everyone. And is preparing a way for each and everyone of His children to come unto Him. Just like how He has prepared me to be who I am today. It is through the Savior's Atonement where we can be healed and that is His role, not mine. I know that the Lord wants me to believe and trust in Him and to not give up on Him, His timing, or His ways.

The Great Healer

I was reading a talk this morning by Elder Patrick Kearon of the Seventy titled, "Come unto Me with Full Purpose of Heart, and I Shall Heal You." This was a talk he gave this last General Conference. I have been reading a lot about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I do not plan on it, but for some really odd reason I end up reading about Christ and His Atonement. Elder Kearon shared an experience during his childhood years where he was told by his parents to always wear shoes to protect his feet from threats that were found in the desert. One day he rebelled against this simple principle and went out with just flip-flops. He got bit by a scorpion that caused him a lot of pain and put his own life on a threat. He related this experience to our lives as we live the gospel. Sometimes we try and take short cuts because of our laziness and rebellious behavior. He says, "...we know the commandments and standards we have covenanted to uphold. When we choose another path from the one we know to be right, as taught by our parents and leaders and as confirmed to our own hearts by the Holy Ghost, it is like stepping onto the desert sand in flip-flops instead of shoes." But the Lord knows us more than we know ourselves and is anxious to help us. He has given us commandments for our own benefit. He also has given us the agency to choose because He loves and wants us to choose for ourselves. But to make right choices so we can return to Him again.

We can try to lay down our weapons of rebellion and not fight against God. When we do so, "we qualify ourselves for the Lord's healing and peace." I am grateful for the healing power of the Savior's Atonement. We are not perfect, but the Savior can help us through our weaknesses and or shortcomings. But all He asks for us to do is to "[come] unto Him with a full purpose of heart." (3 Nephi 10:6) Elder Kearon ends with a powerful message, "Our Savior is the Prince of Peace, the Great Healer, the only One who can truly cleanse us from the sting of sin and the poison of pride and change our rebellious hearts into converted, covenant hearts." The Atonement is real and only through Jesus Christ we can be healed. I know this to be true and I so testify in His holy name, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Follow Thou Me

Another beautiful daughter of our Heavenly Father made a great decision to follow her Savior, Jesus Christ and be baptized today. It has been a spiritually uplifting day for me and I am grateful I was part of her special day. She made that decision to "fulfill all righteousness," just like Jesus Christ did. A beautiful ordinance made to testify of the truthfulness of the priesthood that has been restored again here on earth.

She has made that great step in her life and will continue to fulfill those covenants that she has made with her Father in Heaven. I am proud of her and for her great example! What a great blessing to witness a great ceremony that has strengthened my testimony. God lives and He loves each and everyone of His children. I know He is overwhelmed with joy and says, "my beloved Daughter, I am well pleased."

I am grateful for the priesthood and for the many great blessings it brings. The priesthood has definitely blessed my life and has brought me where I am today. I know with all the assurity of my heart that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church of Christ here on earth.

Come Unto Me...

I was reading this morning in Luke 13 and the last two verses really stood out to me. It says:

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not.

Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord."

The Lord has been trying to gather all of His children just like a hen would. He loves each and everyone of us so much and yearns for us to return to Him again. Through His gospel and Jesus Christ we can be with Him again. His love is infinite and only through Him we can find true joy and happiness. He says come unto me and "whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14)

Learn From Your Past--And Look to Your Future

Last Sunday at church we had our branch president speak to us. He delivered a very powerful message using a talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "Remembr Lot's Wife." It was a great talk with such a profound message in it that I had to find it, print it out, and read it. And I am glad I did because I learned a lot from the talk that I would like to share. A short and simple verse in Luke 17:32 says, "Remember Lot's wife." We know of the account of Lot and his family that they were commanded by the Lord to leave the city of Sodom and Gomorrah because it was going to be destroyed. The Lord warned them to not look back, but sadly Lot's wife did and she turned into a pillar of salt. A great lesson was learned from this talk as it was delivered to the whole congregation by the branch president. Sometimes in our lives we look back with resentment longing for the things of our past, just like Lot's wife. And when we do that, "our attachment to the past outweighs our confidence in the future." Elder Holland continues to give us a great counsel, "I plead with you not to dwell on days now gone, nor to yearn vainly for yesterdays, however good those yesterdays may have been. The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead, we remember that faith is always pointed toward the future. Faith always has to do with blessings and truths and events that will yet be efficacious in our lives. So a more theological way to talk about Lot’s wife is to say that she did not have faith. She doubted the Lord’s ability to give her something better than she already had. Apparently she thought—fatally, as it turned out—that nothing that lay ahead could possibly be as good as those moments she was leaving behind." As we look towards the future having faith and putting our trust in Christ "greater things awaits us."(D&C 45:62)

Life is not about dwelling on our past, but learning from it. We all make mistakes, we all sin, we all have regrets; but "such dwelling on past lives, including past mistakes, is just not right! It is not the gospel of Jesus Christ." Christ has fulfilled a great mission for each and everyone of us by sacrificing His life so we could all live a good happy life. In closing, Elder Holland shared an experience he had with his wife that helped them to continue with their faith on the future and putting their trust in the Lord. He says;

Sister Holland and I were married about the time both of us were reading poems like that in BYU classrooms. We were as starstruck—and as fearful—as most of you are at these ages and stages of life. We had absolutely no money. Zero. For a variety of reasons, neither of our families was able to help finance our education. We had a small apartment just south of campus—the smallest we could find: two rooms and a half bath. We were both working too many hours trying to stay afloat financially, but we had no other choice.
I remember one fall day—I think it was in the first semester after our marriage in 1963—we were walking together up the hill past the Maeser Building on the sidewalk that led between the President’s Home and the Brimhall Building. Somewhere on that path we stopped and wondered what we had gotten ourselves into. Life that day seemed so overwhelming, and the undergraduate plus graduate years that we still anticipated before us seemed monumental, nearly insurmountable. Our love for each other and our commitment to the gospel were strong, but most of all the other temporal things around us seemed particularly ominous.
On a spot that I could probably still mark for you today, I turned to Pat and said something like this: “Honey, should we give up? I can get a good job and carve out a good living for us. I can do some things. I’ll be okay without a degree. Should we stop trying to tackle what right now seems so difficult to face?”
In my best reenactment of Lot’s wife, I said, in effect, “Let’s go back. Let’s go home. The future holds nothing for us.”
Then my beloved little bride did what she has done for 45 years since then. She grabbed me by the lapels and said, “We are not going back. We are not going home. The future holds everything for us.”
She stood there in the sunlight that day and gave me a real talk. I don’t recall that she quoted Paul, but there was certainly plenty in her voice that said she was committed to setting aside all that was past in order to “press toward the mark” and seize the prize of God that lay yet ahead. It was a living demonstration of faith. It was “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). So we laughed, kept walking, and finished up sharing a root beer—one glass, two straws—at the then newly constructed Wilkinson Center."

We can all relate to Elder Holland's talk about Lot's wife. A great analogy was given right after the branch president's talk. The stake president talked about the windshield and the rear view mirror and how we can relate it to our lives. As we are driving, we look through our windshield but never spend more than a second looking at our rear view or side mirrors. If we were to our chances of arriving at our destination would be greatly decreased if not entirely eliminated. The same thing applies to our spiritual journey to return to our Heavenly Father.

Helping Others

A few days ago I was reading from the Book of Mormon and read a scripture in the Book of Moroni, it says: "And now my beloved son, not withstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God." (Moroni 9:6) Mormon wrote this last epistle to his son Moroni, to never cease from spreading the word of God to help his brethren come unto Christ. We can relate this to ourselves as we are here in this life. Our purpose is to love one another,“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 22:36–39) Just like the epistle written to Moroni, if we labor diligently by dedicating our time, heart, mind, might, and strength to serve the ones around us we can be filled with that pure love of Christ-charity. And if we stop we will not have an opportunity to feel of this great blessing that Heavenly Father yearns for each and everyone of us to have. We all have work to do at this time: either helping a less active to come to church, sharing the gospel with others, inviting friends to church, praying for a friend, sitting by someone at church, and many other ways to spiritually help one another. We have this great opportunity to bring others to come unto the rest of God in His kingdom where we can find true happiness for eternity.

I know as we reach out to the ones around us and help them with whatever they need to feel of God's love we too can find true happiness and joy. President Monson said, "Along your pathway of life you will observe that you are not the only traveler. There are others who need your help. There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save." (How Firm A Foundation, Souls to Save) There are always friends, families, co-workers, neighbors, and many other people out there that are in this journey to find true happiness. As we love them as our brothers and sisters and reach out to help them, Heavenly Father will pour out His spirit upon us. We will know exactly what to do and say to help them at that very moment we are with them. I know this to be true! I have seen it, experienced it, and applied this simple principle of serving, loving, and helping others with all my might, mind, heart, and strength. And as I have done this simple commandment, I have received the many blessings that God has for me. This reminds me of a hymn, "Have I Done Any Good?", I think this is a great question to ask ourselves as we go through our days.

~What have you done today to help serve the Lord?~

Let Go and Let GOD

This morning during personal study I felt like Heavenly Father was talking to me personally. It has been a crazy and hectic week for me; but on the other hand, it has been so much fun. The week started out with an all mission conference with one of the elders quorum of the seventy, Elder Patrick Kearon, who came and spoke to us. The meeting was very powerful and the messages delivered from the leaders brought me so much peace and comfort. They talked a lot about the many miracles that we receive, love, and being of good cheer. After the meeting I left spiritually drained and excited for the new changes that were made because of transfers. I have a new companion, training, and I am driving. I don't know how that happened, but I know that this is what the Lord wants me to do. To be honest, I have been a little nervous, worried, and have been praying a lot to Heavenly Father just to help me to know what I can do to better serve and train my companion. I am definitely learning a lot from her, and I hope she is learning a lot from me as well. Because I feel inadequate at times and that I am not doing a good job.
But this morning as I was reading the Ensign for personal study, Heavenly Father spoke to me multiple times in the different articles that I read. Here are a couple of things I learned this morning that I want to share because I know it can relate to everyone.
I first read an article about a young lady that was just confused if she was doing the right thing in marrying her fiance. She felt at one point that she was hopeless and wasn't suited for marriage. She says: "The world teaches us to think we are unattractive, unacceptable, and unworthy of love if we don’t meet the arbitrary standards it sets for us. Sometimes it’s hard to turn away from such loud and convincing lies, but our Father in Heaven will always be there to remind us of our worth and of the value He sees in us. His standard, not the world’s, is the true measure of our worth. The more we believe and accept the Lord’s love, the more we will love Him and trust in Him." I know as we put our trust in the Lord, "the God of hope [will] fill you with joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope."(Roman 15:13) The Lord is the one who can help you through all things, and as we trust Him, He reminds us that we have everything to hope for.

Another talk that I read was by Joseph Fielding McConkie, Finding Answers. A section in the article that talks about a young man that had some difficulty so he went to his bishop for a counsel. As he explained his issue to the bishop, the bishop listened carefully and asked some questions. The bishop confessed that he didn't know what to counsel him, but he is visiting with the stake president that night so he will ask him. On that night, the bishop brought the matter up to the stake president. Again, as the stake president was listening carefully and thoughtfully, asked some questions. But he too confessed that he didn't know what to say to him, but he was meeting with a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostle so he will ask him. The next day when the stake president met with the Apostle, he brought up the matter to him. He explained it carefully and the apostle asked a few questions. For the third time, the apostle told him that he will be meeting with President David O. McKay so he will bring this matter up to him. "That afternoon he met with President David O. McKay (1873–1970) and carefully explained the problem. President McKay listened attentively and asked a few questions to ensure that he understood all that was involved. He said, “Well, that’s his problem, isn’t it?” Sometimes our problems are ours to solve. Heavenly Father gave us the agency, or the freedom to choose so we can use it. Just like the account of the brother of Jared in the Book of Mormon. The brother of Jared brought his questions to the Lord, the Lord helped him out. But when he came back to inquire of the Lord asking, "O Lord, behold I have done even as thou hast commanded me; and I have prepared the vessels for my people, and behold there is no light int hem. Behold, O Lord, wilt thou suffer that we shall cross this great water in darkness?" And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels?" (Ether 2:22-23) The brother of Jared went up to the mountain and with his own abilities and talents molten rocks. He then counseled with Heavenly Father again to help give light to the molten rocks that he has made. Heavenly Father wants us to use our agency, abilities, and talents and sometimes we often forget about that. There's a phrase that I often try to remind myself of, "Rely on the Lord at all times." That is true, but sometimes we just need to use our talents, but still counsel with the Lord for help. "In Doctrine and Covenants 9:8 we find the process of revelation: “But behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.” This process is designed to balance our experience and agency with the wisdom of heaven."

In finding answers to our concerns, questions, or challenges we are going through we must seek to balance agency and inspiration. President Brigham Young explained this doctrine: “If I do not know the will of my Father, and what he requires of me in a certain transaction, if I ask him to give me wisdom concerning any requirement in life or in regard to my own course, or that of my friends, my family, my children, or those that I preside over, and get no answer from him, and then do the very best that my judgment will teach me, he is bound to own and honor that transaction, and he will do so to all intents and purposes.”

I know that Heavenly Father loves each and everyone of us and will help us in any way He can. By putting our trust in Him, to love Him, and have faith that only through Him everything is possible. As we come closer to our Father in heaven, we will feel more of His love and influence in our life. We will know of our divine potential as His sons and daughters and we can find peace, comfort, and true happiness. The Lord trusts us to give us callings, assignments, trials, challenges, and all things so we can experience in order for us to grow and learn. He wants us to use our own talents and abilities, but we can bring the matter up to Him if we need help. He will always be there to lead and guide us in every way. But sometimes we just have to solve our problems with Him on our side. I am grateful for the many gifts and talents Heavenly Father has blessed me with, especially with the gift of agency. I know that as I try my best and strive to fulfill the things that I am commissioned to do, Heavenly Father will help me succeed. He will never judge me, but will always meet me half way to lift me up and strengthen me.

Faith, Hope, and Charity

I was reading this morning in Ether 12 and a lot of great things stood out to me. I have read this chapter so many times before. But today I learned more than I ever had before. In Ether 12 the Lord says;

28 “...I will show unto [you, your] weakness, and I will show unto [you] that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me---the fountain of all righteousness.”

I learned this morning that faith, hope and charity are important to have if we want to be with our Heavenly Father after this life. These are the three qualities that we should all strive to have here on earth as we are progressing, learning, and experiencing this mortal life.
The first thing I want to talk about is Faith. According to the dictionary.com, faith is a belief that is not based on proof. Moroni talked about the faith of the brother of Jared and how with his faith he was able to move the mount Zerin. As well as the faith of the three disciples, the Lord showed himself unto them with great power. I know that as we continue to have faith, we will be able to recognize the many miracles that Heavenly Father has for us.
The second was Hope. “...Man must hope, or he cannot receive and inheritance in the place which thou hast prepared.” Heavenly has prepared His kingdom for his many children and He wants us to all return to him and dwell at His presence. If that's a desire we have, expecting to fulfill it, then it is possible. Hope is an abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to you. We gain hope as we study the scriptures and follow the teaching of the Lord and his servants.
The last and one of my favorite topic is Charity. As Moroni taught, charity is the pure love of Christ. Therefore, if we don't have charity we can not inherit the kingdom of God. In the same chapter in Ether on verse 35 it says, “...if [you] have not charity, because of your weakness, that [the Lord] wilt prove [you], and take away [your] talent.” I believe this to be true. If we don't have charity—our talents will be taken away from us. As a missionary I have come to recognize that. We had a great lesson with an investigator last night. We met him for the first time and so we just talked to get to know each other more better, explained to him what we do as missionaries, and just an overview of the things we will be teaching. I listened to him, asked him questions, got to know him, but most of all I did it all with all the love that I had within me. I felt the spirit so strong and powerful. We had a great meeting and I am so looking forward for more lessons like this one.
I know that faith, hope, and charity are the three qualities that we should all have to be with Heavenly Father's presence after this life. We also need these qualities to live a happier life. President Uchtdorf in his “The Infinite Power of Hope” talk says, “The things we hope for lead us to faith, while the things we hope in lead us to charity. The three qualities faith, hope, and charity working together, grounded on the truth and light of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, lead us to abound in good works.” I am grateful for the scriptures and for the opportunity I have each day to read, study, and ponder on the things I learned. I was able to learn something really good that doesn't just apply to me, but also others. I am grateful for these qualities that I know I can gain as I work daily to try and become what I want to be!

The Lord, My Companion, and Me


The Lord, my companion and me,
Are a great combination, we three:
For where He would lead us, we go willingly,
The Lord, my companion and me,


The Lord, my companion and me,
Have a work that is endless, you see.
For the good, honest souls must be gathered, we're told
By the Lord, my companion and Me.


The Lord, my companion and me,
Must pull as a team, constantly,
If we would have power, we will remember each hour
It's the Lord first, then my companion, then me.


-Lula Anderson

I believe this to be true! I am grateful to have the companionship of the Lord and my companion. With both of them we are one! They will always be there for me to count on, to lean on, and to abide with. Reminds me of a sentence in the Missionary Handbook where it says, " Your loyalty is first to the Lord, then your mission president, then your companion." I am grateful that I have that trust and love for the Lord and my companion; that I can share everything with them without being judged, made fun of, or mocked. How blessed I am to be here with the Lord and my companion!I love them and I am glad that we work together as a team to share the gospel with our many brothers and sisters:) As we are in this journey to find true happiness!

Our Spiritual Journey

This talk reminds me of this poem that I came across once while I was reading. I don't remember when, where, and how; but it is one of those things that I read that really touched me in some ways. But as I was watching this video, for some reason it reminded me of this poem. It reads:

When you are sad
I will dry your tears
When you are scared
I will comfort your fears
When you are worried
I will give you hope
When you are confused
I will help you cope
and when you are lost
and can't see the light
I shall be your beacon
shining ever so bright
This is my oath
I pledge till the end
Why you may ask
because you're a friend.

We are all in this journey together to find true happiness, but sometimes we just don't know where to find it. True happiness only comes when we have God in our lives, and rely on the Lord Jesus Christ. As we follow the counsel of the prophet Isaiah: "I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song he also is become my salvation," we will find that happiness that we long for. Jesus Christ is our Savior, but he is our friend too. If we rely on Him as a friend He will help us through this journey we are on. Because through Him we can find true happiness.

Elder Neil L. Andersen says "Our spiritual journey is the process of a lifetime. We do not know everything in the beginning or even along the way. Our conversion comes step-by-step, line upon line. We first build a foundation of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We treasure the principles and ordinances of repentance, baptism, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. We include a continuing commitment to prayer, a willingness to be obedient, and an ongoing witness of the Book of Mormon. (The Book of Mormon is powerful spiritual nourishment.)" We will have challenges, concerns, doubts, and trials in our journey--but we are not alone.
Jesus Christ said, "Be not afraid, only believe." (Mark 5"36) If we put our trust in Him and have faith He will help us in this spiritual journey that we are on. He will be a comfort to us when we are in need of comfort, He will wipe our tears when we are sad, and He will LOVE us no matter what.

I believe this to be true, that even though we may not know enough--we are not alone. Jesus Christ, our Savior will always be there to lead and guide us as we have faith in Him, repent of our sins, follow His great example and be baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Once we have entered this righteous path, we continue to endure to the end: by keeping His commandments, serving Him, and do the things that He would want us to do. I am grateful for this journey that we (God's children) are on. That we are never alone and we know enough to find true happiness as we live the gospel daily.

Qualify for the Spirit

Today I was asked to give a discussion in our District Meeting about this topic: How do we qualify for the Spirit? I read the talk by President Eyring on this last conference titled, "Serve with the Spirit." It is an amazing talk and if you haven't read it, I recommend that you do. He said, "Let us do whatever is required to qualify for the holy ghost as our companion , and then let us go fearlessly so that we will be given the powers to do whatever the Lord calls us to do."
These were some of the things the district gave as an answer to 'how do we qualify for the spirit?':
-Being obedient to the commandments
-Following the mission rules
-Helping others (serving)
-Being worthy
-Virtuous
There are many things we could do to qualify to have the spirit with us. But I will only name three ways that can assist us in qualifying us to have the spirit with us, which are found in President Eyring's talk. They are:
1. We need to put our lives in order first.
Ezra Taft Benson said, "To be a successful [person] one must have the spirit of the Lord. We are also taught that the spirit will not dwell in unclean tabernacles. Therefore, one of the things [we] must do to gain spirituality is to make sure [our] own life [are] in order."
And it starts by having Christ in our life, keeping His commandments, make those covenants with Him. And we do so by following His example and being baptized so we can have His spirit to be with us.
2. Humble ourselves before God and ask for it.
In 1 Nephi 11:1 it says: "For it came to pass after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart I was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceedingly high mountain, which I never had before seen, and upon which I never had before set my foot." As we pray to Heavenly Father in humility, faith, and confidence in Him (not ourselves), He will manifest the truth of it unto us through the spirit.
3. Pondering
When we ponder, really think...not just read or study our scriptures. But contemplate on the things you read and study, you will invite the spirit and the spirit will reveal unto you what your Heavenly Father wants you to do. In the same talk, President Eyring used this scripture in Doctrine and Covenants (138:11), it says: "As I pondered over these things which are written, the eyes of my understanding were opened, and the Spirit of the Lord rested upon me." As we ponder on the things we read from our scriptures, our minds will be enlightened and the spirit will be there to lead and guide us.
I am grateful for the spirit of the Lord that will always be there to lead and guide us as long as we do all that we can to qualify for it. I know as we put our life in order by obeying His simple commandments, relying on Him and putting our trust in Him; His spirit will always be with us. We also need to be humble, have faith, and always ponder on the things that are brought to us, that we can have the companionship of the spirit.

iLove TeMpLeS

Today we went to the Oakland Temple!!! I love temples. Temples are houses of the Lord. It's a place to go learn, do sacred ordinances, to feel of God's love, for comfort, peace, and on and on. But it is the house of the Lord and you do feel light, safe, and calm when you're in the temple. All the worries, burdens, and the worldly thoughts vanishes as you enter the temple. I am so very grateful for temples and it is a great blessing Heavenly Father has given us.

In Isaiah Chapter two it says;
2And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
3And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.



The words of Isaiah has been fulfilled in these last days. We have been blessed to have temples throughout the world to go learn and follow the paths we need to return to our Heavenly Father again someday. I love temples and for the blessings that we receive as we go and serve Him. "Mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion." (D&C 132:8) As we go to the temple we can receive the many revelations to know what Heavenly Father wants us to do. Our physical and temporal well-being can be sanctified as we continually go to the temple to serve our Heavenly Father.
I know that temples are the house of the Lord that we can feel of Heavenly Father's love as we go and serve Him. I know that the Spirit of God dwells in His temple...it is a home that's filled with love, comfort, peace, and refuge. I am grateful for temples and for the opportunity that I had to go and feel of my Heavenly Father's love and to draw more closer to Him. It is a place of peace and revelation. It is a place where spiritual guidance can be received for crucial decisions or concerns. The Lord has blessed me whenever I attend the temple to do sacred ordinance. And the blessings He has given me will not be limited to the time spent in the temple. When I do temple work I have been blessed in all aspects of my life. My labors in the temple will strengthen me and refine me spiritually. I know this to be true in Jesus name. Amen.

Why is LOVE for the Lord and others so important?

This week for our District Meeting Counsel, I was asked to do a discussion about this particular question..."Why is LOVE for the Lord and for those you teach important?" As I studied it out, instead of just focusing on the people I teach, it was EVERYONE. (Why is LOVE for the Lord and others so important?)

Well, it starts off by reading the scripture. In Matthew 22:37-39 it says,

37"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all they soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

We LOVE the Lord and everyone else because it is a commandment. We show our LOVE to our Heavenly Father by obeying His commandments, serving Him, and standing as His witness at all times and in all places. We listen to Him, we follow Him, and we respect Him as our father. But how about loving others? How do we show our love to others? We can show our love to others in many ways: being kind, listening to them, mourn with them, serve them, pray for them, be a friend, and or share the gospel. It may be hard to do these things at times. But in the Book of Mormon, a prophet has showed us how we can develop Love, or Charity--the pure love of Christ. Moroni taught, "pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with his love..." (Moroni 7:48) Praying and asking Heavenly Father for this precious gift, He will bless us with it. Our love for those around us also increases when we remember that we are all children of God--that we are brothers and sisters.

I am grateful for a great gift that we can all be blessed with as we ask for it in prayer. God is a loving Heavenly Father that knows and loves us individually. We all have that love of Christ within us that we can share it with others as we serve one another. Heber J. Grant once said, "I know of nothing which gives us a greater love of all that is good, than teaching this Gospel of Jesus Christ." I too testify that as we serve others, by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ...our love will grow and Heavenly Father will continually bless us with the gift of Charity.

Cycle to Eternal Life

As I was reading my scriptures this morning, I came to Mormon 9 and after reading a few verses I ended up with this drawing. How cool is that?! In Mormon 9:12-13 it explains it really well how we are all here with a purpose. That through this plan, we can be with our Heavenly Father again. It says,

"Behold, he created Adam, and by Adam came the fall of man. And because of the fall of man came Jesus Christ; even the Father and the Son; and because of Jesus Christ came the redemption of man.

And because of the redemption of man, which came by Jesus Christ, they are brought back into the presence of the Lord; yea, this is wherein all men are redeemed, because the death of Christ bringeth to pass the resurrection, which bringeth to pass a redemption from an endless sleep, from which sleep all men shall be awakened by the power of God when the trump shall sound; small and great, and all shall stand before his bar, being redeemed and loosed from this eternal band of death, which death is a temporal death."

We can all be with our Heavenly Father again after this life. And that God will never cease, for "He is the same yesterday, today, and forever..." (Mormon 9:9) I know that Heavenly Father loves all of His children and yearns for us to come unto Him. I know as we "...doubt not, but be believing, and begin in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all [our] hearts, and work out [our] own salvation with fear trembling before him," (Mormon 9:27) we can be brought back to Him. He wants us to partake of this great plan that He has prepared for us, even His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. That through Him, and this great plan of happiness we will be full of joy!

Restoration--Priesthood

Priesthood is the power and authority given to man to act in God’s name for the salvation of His children. Through the priesthood we receive the ordinances of salvation, as well as blessings of healing, comfort, and counsel. (Preach My Gospel, pp. 83)



The Church of Jesus Christ is led by a prophet and apostles with the priesthood authority. They are worthy and righteous men, that receives revelations from Heavenly Father and reveals them to us. In the Bible it says, "I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; an he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him." (Deuteronomy 18:18)

Heavenly Father reveals His words unto His prophets. (Amos 3:7) Through His chosen servants we can receive the things Heavenly Father wants us to know. Heavenly Father has always been speaking to His children through prophets. There were prophets such as Adam, Noah, Moses, and Abraham that taught about God and prophesied of Christ. Jesus Christ was our Savior and Redeemer, but He was our prophet too. He taught us His gospel and commanded us to do the things God would want us to do. But again, people rejected His gospel crucified our Savior and persecuted His apostles. After Christ's death, the priesthood was taken away and the gospel was not in its fullness.
Heavenly Father again reached out to His children and restored His gospel to the prophet Joseph Smith. Through Joseph Smith, Jesus Christ called twelve apostles. The priesthood was restored and the gospel was in its fullness. I know that Heavenly Father still speaks to His children today through His chosen servants. The heavens will always be open and Heavenly Father will always speak to us through prophets. I know that Heavenly Father loves us that He will always be there to help us so we can live a better life. I know that we have a modern day prophet today, President Thomas S. Monson, that leads and guides us. I know that the priesthood to act in God's name was restored again to the prophet Joseph Smith for our happiness in these latter-days. I am so grateful for the priesthood and for the many blessings that we can receive from it.

Who is your Hero?

I read this article in an Ensign magazine this morning that really made me think of the question; "Who is my Hero?"

So here is the story:
I grew up in Illinois in a small farming community on the main road to Nauvoo. Although I was raised in the Church, I was a somewhat rebellious teenager, struggling with my identity and my relationship with my father. He wasn’t a bad person; in fact, everyone seemed to like him. It’s just that I felt a little embarrassed by him because he was a farmer who had not finished eighth grade. Besides that, my dad was always serving other people. For me, that was the problem: he was always helping others, and I hated it because he took me along.
We were the only members of the branch for many miles. Since my dad was a mechanic, the branch president often called to ask him to assist stranded Church members whose cars had broken down. Many times my dad would get me out of bed late at night, grab his tools, extra gas, blankets, and even food to go help the weary travelers.
I resented these late night trips because I just wanted to sleep. I’d even sleep in the car on the way there. When we arrived, I reluctantly gave up my warm seat so the tired but grateful family could get warm. My dad always managed to fix these cars, some of which I thought shouldn’t even be allowed on the road. Sometimes Dad had to work for hours before the cars would run, but he never complained. Even though I grumbled a lot, he just listened and nodded his head and smiled.
I remember one cold, windy January night quite clearly. It was so cold that before we went to bed we had plugged an electric heater on the car engine so that it would start in the morning. I was snug in my warm bed when the phone rang. It was the branch president asking my dad to help another family from out of town whose car had broken down. I just lay in bed, hoping it was a bad dream. Just once I wanted my dad to say, “Sorry, President, but my kids are sleeping and I am in my warm house. Could you find someone else?” Instead, he said, “Of course we will help, President.”
Well, my dad got me out of bed, we gathered our things, unplugged the heater, and set out. Dad drove while I slept most of the way. Inside the car it was warm; outside the temperature was below zero and the roads were covered with snow. When we found the stranded car, a woman got out and walked towards us. She told us how she and her three children were traveling to see her parents in Nauvoo. I remember thinking that she was crazy to be out on the road with small children in such bad weather.
My dad immediately went to work on the car while I stood there complaining about having to be outside in the cold when all I wanted to do was sleep. The family sat in our warm car while we froze. After about four hours the woman’s car finally sputtered to life and began to run well enough that it could finish the trip. The sun was rising when we woke the mother and her children. She expressed her gratitude to my father, and then she and her children went on their way. We went home, and I didn’t think much about it for a long time.
Two years later I started turning my life around and became more active in the Church. I attended a youth conference at the University of Illinois, where the keynote speaker talked about the heroes in our lives. She explained that our society would have us believe that movie stars, athletes, and musicians are the heroes of our day because of their fame and greatness. But the truth, she argued, is that making a lot of money and being famous do not make them heroes. The true heroes in our lives are the people around us who truly serve one another.
Next she told the story of how once she was traveling with her family when her car broke down. She didn’t have the ability to get the car fixed. She was scared. After offering a prayer, she called the local branch president, who sent out help.
She then talked about her hero. He was a person who had left his family and his warm bed on a cold night to serve someone he didn’t even know. Her hero had saved her family that night. Then she gave his name. It was my father.
I was stunned as tears ran down my face, and I realized she was right; my dad was a hero. He was a man who constantly helped others, even at great personal sacrifice. The service he offered made a big difference in other people’s lives. Suddenly I was really proud of my dad. That night my dad became my hero too.
Years have passed. I have gained some of the things that were important to me in my youth: an education and the respect of my peers. But I have also gained something I didn’t expect when I was young: a desire to serve my fellowmen. That came from my hero, my dad. (Greg Hudnall Ensign, September 2008)

I really like the example this father showed to his son. The service he offers to everyone that needs help no matter when, where, or what time of the day it is...he is there to help. Just like Jesus Christ he served everyone...in Jerusalem and in the Americas. "And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching." (Mark 6:5-6) A great service and example our Savior gave us, was that he taught us how to be like Him. By putting our trust in the Lord, being diligent unto His words, keeping His commandments, and following His example...we too can be an example and a hero to others.

What to Become...?

I was reading from the church children magazine called the "Friend" and came to the General Conference spotlight. It had quotes from the prophets, apostles, and general authorities that was taught during the General Conference. And one particular quote that really stood out to me and one that I would want to talk about is a quote by Elder Richard G. Scott. He says, "We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day." We all want to be happy, to live a better life, to stay on the right path, to accomplish our goals, and many other things we want to do in life. And sometimes life becomes too hard for us to deal with and feel like we want to give up. One thing we need to remember is, God can strengthen us and will always be there to pick us up if we put our faith and trust in Him. "It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect." (Psalm 18:32) This verse gives me comfort whenever I read it. That through all the things I go through in life, God will make it possible for me...only if I put my trust in Him and have faith that He will provide a way.

At times we forget that our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ, our Savior can help us through all the things we go through...whether it be big or small. We just have to constantly remind ourselves that there's no other way we can go through life without the help of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, our Savior. It is hard to swallow up our prides and rely on the Lord sometimes, but "the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." (Mosiah 3:19) If we become like little children, with pure hearts and the willingness to submit to the Lord's will, we can physically and spiritually be strengthened to overcome whatever we go through. Even when it is not what you expect to receive, but just express gratitude to Heavenly Father and have the confidence in the Lord to accept His will, because He knows whats best for us.

I know that the Lord will help us be what we want to become, if we consistently work for it each day. And if we put off the natural man that's within us and rely on Him more, having faith that He will provide...everything is POSSIBLE! I too am working hard on trying to constantly remind myself that the Lord is there to help me be what I want to become. And as long as I become a child relying on Him as my Father, He will strengthen me and I can be what I want to become.

The Greatest Gift

What a great gift this young man in this video received. Christ was the perfect gift our Father in heaven has given us. "Mary shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21) For Him to show a great example for each and everyone of us, so we can follow Him. "That if we keep His commandments and endure to the end we shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God." (D&C 14:7) This Christmas I have come to understand the true meaning of this holiday. To have it centered more on my Savior because He was the greatest gift Heavenly Father gave me. That through Him I am able to overcome all the challenges that I face. "Because he came forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind...he took upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people." (Alma 7:11) It is a comforting feeling to know that my Savior knows all the things I go through...that only through Him I can overcome all of them. And to have that assurance that my Heavenly Father loves me, is patient with me, and has given me so many blessings. I will be forever thankful for the many great gifts my father in heaven has bestowed upon me and still is pouring them out on me, as long as I am faithful and obedient. I know that as we do the things that our Father has commanded us to do...and appreciate the many gifts He has given us by being obedient to them, we will be lifted up at the last day.