spiritually sick

Recently I have not been feeling well. I have talked to lots of people and sought help for whatever seems to be wrong. I have tried all sorts of things to help relieve the pain and the discomfort I have. Although it is helpful and comforting for a time I haven't found that healing that I have been searching for. The pain sets back in and I am sent back into a reality of the truth around me.

There is a difference between comfort and healing. Some people may not be dealing with a physical sickness but they are spiritually sick. They try different  things in search for the healing they are so desperatly searching for. They only find comfort for a time. Then just like me they are sent back into their reality and start their search again.

I know that the healing they are searching for is only found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! In King Benjamin's address to his people he says "...that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent." (Mosiah 3:17) The way to Salvation is by living by the teachings of Jesus Christ and following Him. His teaching and His doctrine are found in there true and fullest state in His restored church. Healing comes through Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He has made for us. He has felt what we have felt.

If you are searching or know someone that is searching for more meaning in their life then I invite you to come unto Christ. Learn of His restored gospel and allow His healing arms to wrap around you. I know that this is His Church and that there is no other way to receive the healing you are searching for. I have not felt this healing in any other place. I have started the steps to my healing and I encourage you to find the truth for yourself.

prayers of soy milk

Recently I have decided that I was going to switch to drinking Soy milk. Bad idea without trying it first! It is not very good. This morning right before eating my breakfast I prayed to Heavenly Father to make it taste better, and what do ya know it was a lot better then my first try. Prayers no matter how silly we think they are sometimes or how small are something special to our Heavnely Father. He answers our prayers because He loves us!

The great Book of Mormon prophet Nephi shares loads of experiences from his life on receiving answers to prayers. In 1 Nephi 2:16 he say's "having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father..." I like Nephi didn't receive what I wanted just by sitting back and expecting Heavenly Father to just give it to me. We both prayed and asked for the things that we desired.

We need to not be afraid to ask our Heavenly Father for the things that we need, want, or desire. If He didnt want to help us, hear our cries, our stories and all about our lives... He wouldnt have taught us about prayer. President Henry B. Eyring stated "Every child of God can commune in prayer with Him." We are ALL children of God!

Prayer is how we ask.. and most often prayers are answered through other people. We have a special opportunity to hear from the Prophet and Apostles this weekend at General Conference. I have recently been reminded to "Think of questions [I] want answered during general conference. Write them down and pray to know the answers." (President Barry, mission president) 

I know that if we pray and seek for the answers we desire that we will receive them. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf promised blessings of receiving answers to these prays and said "Answers to your specific prayers may come directly from a particular talk or from a specific phrase. At other times answers may come in a seemingly unrelated word, phrase, or song. A heart filled with gratitude for the blessings of life and an earnest desire to hear and follow the words of counsel will prepare the way for personal revelation."

Prepare now! Ask for help direction, comfort whatever it may be. You will receive these answers as you watch conference this weekend with an open heart.

transforming our garden

First thing this morning my companion and I went on what seemed like a jungle exploration. In reality, we offered service cleaning an overgrown yard. We were loaded with tools and supplies to help us on this adventure and then sent on our own to finish what seemed like and impossible task. A beautiful garden overloaded by weeds, and trash that soon was transformed into something of better use. 

Our lives are like gardens. Sometimes taken over by weeds, shrubs, dirt and many other things that seem to distract us or tear us down. Heavenly Father is the Gardener. He uses his own tools to help de-weed, and transform us. Gloves, clippers, rakes, and trash bags, hold nothing against the Spiritual tools used in our lives everyday. Spiritual tools like humility, hope, faith, repentance, love and many others. He can take any type of raw material and make it into something new and beautiful. We must be submissive and allow our lives to be in harmony with His will. 

Elder D. Todd Christofferson  recently shared a story illustrating this. "President Hugh B. Brown, provided a personal experience. He told of purchasing a rundown farm in Canada many years ago. As he went about cleaning up and repairing his property, he came across a currant bush that had grown over six feet (1.8 m) high and was yielding no berries, so he pruned it back drastically, leaving only small stumps. Then he saw a drop like a tear on the top of each of these little stumps, as if the currant bush were crying, and thought he heard it say:

“How could you do this to me? I was making such wonderful growth. … And now you have cut me down. Every plant in the garden will look down on me. … How could you do this to me? I thought you were the gardener here.”

President Brown replied, “Look, little currant bush, I am the gardener here, and I know what I want you to be. I didn’t intend you to be a fruit tree or a shade tree. I want you to be a currant bush, and someday, little currant bush, when you are laden with fruit, you are going to say, ‘Thank you, Mr. Gardener, for loving me enough to cut me down.’”

Years later, President Brown was a field officer in the Canadian Army serving in England... [He] was in line to be promoted to general, and he was summoned to London. But even though he was fully qualified for the promotion, it was denied him because he was a Mormon...What President Brown had spent 10 years hoping, praying, and preparing for slipped through his fingers...Continuing his story, President Brown remembered:

“I got on the train and started back … with a broken heart, with bitterness in my soul. … When I got to my tent, … I threw my cap on the cot. I clenched my fists, and I shook them at heaven. I said, ‘How could you do this to me, God? I have done everything I could do to measure up. There is nothing that I could have done—that I should have done—that I haven’t done. How could you do this to me?’ I was as bitter as gall.

“And then I heard a voice, and I recognized the tone of this voice. It was my own voice, and the voice said, ‘I am the gardener here. I know what I want you to do.’ The bitterness went out of my soul, and I fell on my knees by the cot to ask forgiveness for my ungratefulness. …

“… And now, almost 50 years later, I look up to [God] and say, ‘Thank you, Mr. Gardener, for cutting me down, for loving me enough to hurt me.’”

Our Heavnely Father loves us and we might not like the changes we have to make to be pruned and trimmed but they make us what He needs us to be.  He knows the what, where, when, where, and why of our lifes, or shall I say our gardens. It's hard work. Nothing comes easy. But the more we submitt to His will, the easier it seems to become. "For the natural man is an enemy to God... 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)

an inspired book

Recently I had the opportunity to see an old cherished friend. Someone that I love and care for very deeply. We learned together and we grew together. But this last visit just wasn't the same as they used to be. Heart broken and teary eyes I walked away wishing I could do more.

So what happened? What changed? When once we used to be so close and feel the warmth of the Spirit running deep in our veins. The answer is simple and so profound. She stopped reading the Book of Mormon. One of the biggest life changing events in our lives. Reading from it changes our lives just as much as letting it collect dust on our shelf's does. Elder David A. Bednar said "Regular reading of and talking about the Book of Mormon invite the power to resist temptation and to produce feelings of love within our families." I would be scared to see what would happen if I set my copy aside, the blessings that come from reading it can come from no other source. That is a promise given by the Prophet Joseph Smith, quoted in the introduction of the Book of Mormon. “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”

Dearest readers I know that the Book of Mormon is true. With it I am never in the dark. I will never stop soaking up the Spirit that just seems to ooze off its pages. I will defend and stand right next to this truly inspired work forever. "I testify that one cannot come to full faith in this latter-day work—and thereby find the fullest measure of peace and comfort in these, our times—until he or she embraces the divinity of the Book of Mormon and the Lord Jesus Christ, of whom it testifies." (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland) It was written for our day and our lives. It is the word of God!

choosing a flat

Last night we were driving to some appointments and somehow, somewhere I ran over glass. The light came on making me aware that there was a problem. I pulled over jumped out and to my surprise our tire was completely flat. We got to safety and quickly called for some reinforcements. Not wanting to waste more time than needed my companion and I began to change the tire. We must have looked like we were in distress, or maybe we looked like we didn't know what we were doing. Either way a man came to offer us some help. As this man took over, he began talking to us about somethings that made my companion and I very uncomfortable. Trying to be patient and bear witness to him of my testimony of Jesus Christ, I could tell that he was not interested and came at us with more harsh words. Glancing at the road and praying ever so desperately for the strength of the Lord I started to sing a hymn. "Do what is right; let the consequence follow. Battle for freedom in spirit and might;" (Hymns 237) Do what is right rang over and over in my head.  Although this man was trying to be nice and help us out, we thanked him and told him we could handle it. Peace once again filled my heart as he walked away.

The Spirit can act as our "warning light" when we are paying attention. If we hear the quiet promptings of the spirit we need to access our danger level and sometimes if necessary call for reinforcements. Sometimes we might be in a situation that may seem harmless or controlable. Just like this man. We were grateful for the help. However we did not know the "spiritual danger" he carried with him. We had to choose what was right. A good choice... allowing him to continue to help us. Or a better choice... asking him to leave and allowing the spirit to be with us. Dallin H Oaks said this about choices. "As we consider various choices, we should remember that it is not enough that something is good. Other choices are better, and still others are best. Even though a particular choice is more costly, its far greater value may make it the best choice of all."

I am most grateful for the Spirit that helped us to make the "better" choice. Not long after the tire was free our help arrived and we felt safe once again. As we listen to the "warning lights" we will be able to make better choices. We will be kept safe from danger and harm. I testify that the Lord loves us and He send His Spirit to help us make these choices.

Just moments ago we went to visit with someone we have been teaching. Her mood had changed, her smile was gone, and she quickly told us she was busy and didn't know when we could come back. As we drove away my heart was burning I was sad. As my companion and I sat in silence thinking to ourselves my mind tuned back into the song that was playing. "Have you ever felt like you are alone" I smiled really big looked at my companion, and started to laugh, knowing that the song was exactly what we needed at that moment. "There's one who knows you perfectly He can take the hurt away.." Loved filled the car and my mind reflected back to the Savior and the matchless love He has for us all.  The tender mercies of the Lord are all around us.

I talk about Jesus Christ all the time. I search for His guidance and I feast upon the scriptures that teach of Him because I love Him! But I never cease to learn more and more about His love and feel it stronger and stronger. I often think of the Testimony of the Living Prophets known as The Living Christ. "He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world."

I add my witness to The Living Christ that our Savior lives! He knows me more than anyone. I feel His love as I read from the Book of Mormon, and the Bible. I feel His love as I serve others. I know who to turn to when things get hard, I know who to thank when I am blessed. Not only has He felt my pains and sicknesses but He has felt yours. He has felt the heartbreak and the lonliness. You are not alone, nor will you ever be. We are so blessed to have this kind of love in our lives. Turn to Him and allow Him to heal the hurt that you feel inside. "...after he is laid in a sepulchre for the space of three days he shall rise from the dead, with healing in his wings; and all those who shall believe on his name shall be saved in the kingdom of God. Wherefore, my soul delighteth to prophesy concerning him, for I have seen his day, and my heart doth magnify his holy name." (2 Nephi 25:13)

just like a rising sun

The other morning we walked out of our apartment to this beautiful Sunrise! It reminded me of a talk by Elder David A. Bednar last April.

He said "The gradual increase of light radiating from the rising sun is like receiving a message from God “line upon line, precept upon precept” (2 Nephi 28:30). Most frequently, revelation comes in small increments over time and is granted according to our desire, worthiness, and preparation. Such communications from Heavenly Father gradually and gently “distil upon [our souls] as the dews from heaven” (D&C 121:45). This pattern of revelation tends to be more common than rare..."

"Sometimes the spirit of revelation will operate immediately and intensely, other times subtly and gradually, and often so delicately you may not even consciously recognize it. But regardless of the pattern whereby this blessing is received, the light it provides will illuminate and enlarge your soul, enlighten your understanding (see Alma 5:7; 32:28), and direct and protect you and your family."

The Spirit of God is real! I have felt it in my own life and it has strengthened my testimony of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. Most of the time the Spirit speaks to me and guides me just like Elder Bednar explains above. Although it may seem simple and little at the time I know that the results are beautiful and lasting! When I feel the Spirit teach me I can not go contrary to what I have learned!

– PRESIDENT JAMES E. FAUST

If you are seeking an answer to a prayer don't give up! There is hope in the future! When you receive the answer you are seeking nothing will separate you from that. Heavenly Father loves you and will send you His Spirit and it will most likely come just like a rising sun.

The Holy Ghost bears witness of the truth and impresses upon the soul the reality of God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ so deeply that no earthly power or authority can separate him from that knowledge.”

the power of a word

As we sat in our apartment studying a few mornings ago a man outside was yelling at his little dog to come back. The yelling gradually became louder and louder as he followed his scampering puppy down the sidewalk and right past our window. Harsh words cut deep into my heart as he cursed and screamed. Almost instantly the Spirit I felt as I was reading vanished. All horrible emotions flooded my mind. With fear, anxiety, tenseness and nervousness, we walked out to see if we could help. The feelings still didn't leave. As I sat down to continue my studies I still felt horrid on the inside. I said a quick prayer and just as fast as they came those horrid feelings fled leaving room for the spirit to fill my heart. Those horrible feelings were replaced with "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.." (Galations 5:22)

President Joseph Fielding Smith states: “Profanity is filthiness. A person is known as much by his language as he is by the company he keeps. … Filthiness in any form is degrading and soul-destroying and should be avoided.” ('Profanity and Swearing' by Ted E. Brewerton)

We don't realize the power our words have. If we want the spirit to be with us we need to talk and act like we want it to be around. I never want to be around someone that is yelling like that man was.  Yelling, contention, screaming swearing all drive away the spirit of the Lord. Lets all watch a little more carefully how we speak!

direct answer

 

I know that this is the Church of Jesus Christ on the earth! I know that the Priesthood has been restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith and that through that Priesthood we are each blessed! There is no other way that the experience that I am about to share could have happened, only through the proper authority given from our loving Father in Heaven!

I know that our Father in Heaven answers our prayers and that He hears our deep cries for help! The last few days I have learned a lot of lessons. It seems I have been battling with my own mind. At last I felt like I couldn't handle it and so I asked for a Priesthood Blessing. During my studies that morning I asked Heavenly Father specifically what it was that I thought I needed. Specifically what I thought He could help me with. I pleaded wit Him for His help, I talked with Him as if He was sitting right in front of me. When we arrived for my blessing like they always do the Priesthood holders asked me what I needed a blessing for. Choking back the tears I told them a little of my concerns, leaving out some details and left the rest up to the Spirit. As their hands rested upon my head I felt the Spirit from God all around. I felt His warm love overwhelm me and cover me with a blanket of comfort. Not only were the words that were spoken inspired from God, but the feelings that were in the room, and the almost silent words that pierced my heart. In my blessing I was given a direct answer to my prayer! I had prayed for something very specific. During the blessing I was blessed with that exact thing that I asked for earlier in the day.

There is no other way that the Elder that gave me the blessing could have known. He used the same wording and the same phrase that I had prayed about. As I reflected on this over and over through the rest of the night I changed. I gained a sure knowledge that Heavenly Father works through the Priesthood. That He loves each of us so personally and will answer our prayers. There is no way that this Church could be false. This is the Church of Jesus Christ and I invite everyone to feel what I have felt! I am so thankful for those Elders. I am so thankful that they were willing and worthy to use the Priesthood and that they followed the Spirit while doing so.

"The priesthood is here. It has been conferred upon us. We act in that authority. We speak as sons of God in the name of Jesus Christ and as holders of this divinely given endowment. We know, for we have seen, the power of this priesthood... Paul wrote concerning the priesthood: 'No man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.' (Heb. 5:4.) We have not acquired it through purchase or bargain. The Lord has given it to men who are considered worthy to receive it, regardless of station in life, the color of their skin, or the nation in which they live. It is the power and the authority to govern in the affairs of the kingdom of God. It is given only by ordination by the laying on of hands by those in authority to do so. The qualification for eligibility is obedience to the commandments of God. There is no power on the earth like it. Its authority extends beyond life, through the veil of death, to the eternities ahead. It is everlasting in its consequences." President Gordon B. Hinckley

a special Christmas

As the Christmas season approaches I cant help but think of the excitement and the joy of this wonderful Holiday season. The Prophet Thomas S. Monson said "This is a glorious time of the year, simple in origin, deep in meaning, beautiful in tradition and custom, rich in memories, and charitable in spirit. It has an attraction to which our hearts are readily drawn. This joyful season brings to each of us a measure of happiness that corresponds to the degree in which we have turned our mind, feelings, and actions to the spirit of Christmas."

Since I am away from my family and have been for over a year I have been thinking of something special that I could give them. "We all enjoy giving and receiving presents. But there is a difference between presents and gifts. The true gifts may be part of ourselves--giving of the riches of the heart and mind--and therefore more enduring and of far greater worth than presents bought at the store." (James E. Faust) As I have been thinking of this I have really caught on to the true spirit of Christmas. To me it doesn't matter what is under my tree, or in the mail. It matters that it came from someone that I love. The birth of Christ was not wrapped in sparkling paper with a HUGE glittering bow. It was not expensive and didnt take up a ton or room. It was a humble and quiet birth. So too my gifts should be. His birth and life was a testimony that Heavenly Father lives and that He loves us. The Atonement also was a gift of love. This Christmas I am going back to the basics. I am creating lasting gifts that will bring in the Spirit and touch the hearts of those that I love. What a better time to offer your testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and to share how He blesses your life.

Step back for just a second. Remember the true meaning of Christmas and make this year a year to never forget. Make this season centered on Jesus Christ. After all He is the real reason to celebrate.

best friend

Have you ever been asked "If your house was on fire and you could only run back in for one thing what would you go get?" I have thought of this question time and time again. Lately only one thing comes back to my mind... My Scriptures! That is the only thing that I would run back in for. Yes I enjoy pictures and I love family keep sakes, but no worldly item mean more to me then my precious and loved Scriptures.

I love my Scriptures so much. I treat them with great respect and they have become a great friend to me. I love  Doctrine in Covenants 130:18 "Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection." I want to attain ALL the intelligence that I can. I want to know my scriptures front and back and back again. In them I find the true meanings of life. I find the bold and loving truths and I find a stronger relationship with my Savior Jesus Christ. "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." (John 5:39) I search them. I mark them and I desire to become what they teach us to become. 

I know that the scriptures are true. Not only the Bible but the Book of Mormon. I have taken the promise of Moroni, (Moroni 10:3-5) I have asked in faith and I have received an answer that it is true. If my 9 year old Nephew can read the Book of Mormon, pray and ask if it is true and receive a witness from the Holy Ghost that it is, anyone that wants to know will receive a witness!! Love your scriptures. Make them one of your best friends and you will never be let down. We will run in together to grab our most prized possession.  

one language

Last night we were teaching a man, we shall call him Steven. Steven is from Mexico and speaks very little English. I am from Indiana and speak even less Spanish. My companion luckily is from Colombia and speaks English and Spanish. What a blessing it is that she is able to translate. Usually when we meet with Steven I sit there praying for my companion to be instructed on what to say and I sit there smiling like I know what is going on. Last night as we taught him something was different and something changed. A miracle that I will not soon forget. A lesson I am so thankful I learned.

I have often read 2 Nephi 31:3. It says "For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding." I would always think to myself  "Hey self there is one God (Ephesians 4:5) and He knows how to speak all languages." But as we sat in that lesson last night with Steven a new meaning to this scripture came to me. Here we were, the 3 of us, sitting around talking about the Book of Mormon and we understood each other. We literally understood one another and it took little translation. We felt the Spirit! And the Spirit of God taught us and instructed not only Steven but my Companion and myself. Thomas S. Monson taught: “There is one language . . . that is common to each missionary—the language of the Spirit. It is not learned from textbooks written by men of letters, nor is it acquired through reading and memorization.... Proficiency in this language permits one to breach barriers, overcome obstacles, and touch the human heart” (Preach My Gospel pg 133)

I am not perfect nor am I close. But I know that what President Monson said is true. Last night we breached barriers and each of our hearts were touched. The Spirit of God is real! If we can feel the Spirit and all learn in a lesson where we dont understand each other perfectly, think of how much the Spirit can touch hearts when we all speak the same language. It is real! I know that the Spirit comes when we are speaking truth. Through my experience last night my testimony has grown stronger and is rooted deeper into my heart. This is the Lord's Church once again established on the earth.(Intro to the Book of Mormon) I am so thankful for the Spirit and all that it teaches me! I know the Spirit can touch your heart like it did with our's last night. 

learning to ask

When I was younger I had a hard time asking for help sometimes. There would be times I would be struggling with my homework, or something hard that I needed to do. I would start crying or freaking out, and I didn't understand why no one would come help me! I would get even more frustrated. One of my brothers would come along and say... "All you have to do is ask and I will help you." I hated when he told me this. When I would finally ask he would just jump right in like he had been helping me the whole time. He knew that I was struggling why couldn't he just offer the help? Now I understand why.  He needed me to ask. He wanted me to figure it out on my own. He could not force me to use his help.

This is much like Heavenly Father. I hear so many people say "Why doesn't God just give me what I want?" or "Why does God let me struggle and not help me out?" and many other things. Well my dear friend, its because He is waiting for us to ask Him! "...your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him." 3 Nephi 13:8. I have learned this from my experiences as a child. Our Father is not just going to give us what we want. He is not going to force His help on us. He expects us to ask for them. Prayer is so powerful and is a beautiful commandment. 

When we pray we must be specific. Back when I was in Elementary School I lived just down the road from the school, and every morning I would walk. One morning I remember a great lesson I learned again from one of my brothers. I was walking through our yard when he asked me if I wanted him to "run" me to school. I was so excited thinking he was going to drive me! I quickly said yes and to my surprise he ran over to me picked me up like a big bag of potatoes and through me over his shoulder and began to "run" through the yard towards my school. Of coarse I was not happy. I started yelling at him that is not what I meant and he just laughed. Another lesson well taught.

Our Father in Heaven will not laugh at us when we go to Him in prayer. But He does want us to be specific. When we are specific with our questions or desires He can be specific with his answers and blessings. Asking Him to "show my the truth" can mean numberless things! The sky is blue, you are sitting in front of a computer right now, there is a big sun in the sky..... and so on. Now what do you think His answer would be if you asked Him "Is the Book of Mormon true?" or "Was Joseph Smith a Prophet?" or "Does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hold the proper Authority to baptize?" I know what His answer would be. I have had each of these questions, answered with a very specific and memorable experience. If you have not asked these questions I encourage you to do so now. Get on your knees and gain a spiritual witness that these things are true! You will not regret it!

From now on lets all pray specifically when we talk with our Father in Heaven. It will make our conversations with Him more meaningful.

blinded from the truth



Moments after our wreck.



A few months ago I was serving in an area where my companion and I had to ride bikes everyday. It was fun... At first I was so excited. Screaming my screams of joy and riding as fast as I could. I thought that nothing could drag me down. But soon after I got set into a routine. I took no thought for extra dangers around me and I would just go where I needed to go.On one particular night I learned an important lesson. I was so focused on where we were going and what I wanted to accomplish that it was almost like I had blinders on... I turned into my companions bike, almost got away but was drug back in by our tangled handle bars. She bailed off and I was left with both bikes. I soon flew over my handle bars and landed under the bikes.  I was lucky to have

come away with only a baby bruise.

What does this have to do with the Gospel of Jesus Christ? A lot actually. Sometimes it seems like we are just walking around in our own little worlds with blinders on. In some cases it can be a good thing. It may save us from the evils of the world and the destruction that can drag us down. But only some are lucky to come away with little bruises. I would like to talk about the blinders that shield us from knowing the truth. These blinders can also drag us down. Tangled in lies and deceit can only harm us. If we just take those blinders off and open our hearts then we can learn the truth of all things.  "And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." Moroni 10:5

President Gordon B. Hinckley shared an experience of a family who took off their blinders:

"Thirty years ago David Castañeda; his wife, Tomasa; and their children lived on a dry, little, run-down ranch near Torreón. They owned 30 chickens, two pigs, and one thin horse. They walked in poverty. Then the missionaries called on them. Sister Castañeda said, 'The elders took the blinders from our eyes and brought light into our lives. We knew nothing of Jesus Christ. We knew nothing of God until they came.'"

Not only those who do not know of Jesus Christ have blinders on. Those of us that have a strong faith in Christ can also have blinders on that can harm us. This is also referred to as a "soft heart" if we have a soft heart then we are open to the promptings of the spirit. If we focus more on Jesus Christ and living with Him again, than our next appointment, or our next fishing trip, then we won't fall. We can not fail! If he is part of our lives every step of every day. As we remove those things that distract us from what matters most, as we become humble then we will be more open to listening and obeying the promptings of the Spirit. As we listen to the still small voice of the Spirit we will find all truth, and be lead to a greater understanding of Jesus Christ our Heavely Father and their plan for each of us.

Riding around blind is not fun. There will come a time when you will crash and fall. You might not fly over a set of handle bars, but it may be just as scary. Allow the Spirit to come into your heart. Allow the Spirit to teach you and to help you know more about the True Church of Jesus Christ. I know that when I have been the most humble is when I have learned the most. That is when the Spirit is able to come in and teach me. I am not on my own agenda but on the Lord's.

As the Spirit Teaches

It was one of those mornings as I was studying that I was excited about everything. When that happens I just start giggling and squealing and jumping all over the place. Sometimes I'm afraid my companion will throw something at me. But when I felt the Spirit testify to me over and over, I cant hold it in. I just want to scream it from the roof tops! "The Book of Mormon is true! Its really true!" The Spirit teaches us and touches our hearts in different ways and we all act upon it in different ways. This excitement is one way that the Spirit touches my heart.

So why was I so excited? Because I learned so much and I gained a stronger deeper love for the Book of Mormon and the stories/ Prophets filled on its pages! I feel so blessed to have it a part of my life every time I open it and read from it. Today I was reading in 2 Nephi 25. I love Nephi! He is such a great example of faith and courage! In this chapter he is so thrilling. My heart was just racing and hungering for more and more. He says at least 4 times that he is writting these things with plainess so that we can not misunderstand them. He talks over and over about Jesus Christ. "behold I say unto you, that as these things are true, and as the Lord God liveth, there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved." (verse 20) There is no other way! Why would a Book that testifies so deeply and profoundly of Jesus Christ be false!? It wouldn't! That is why the Book is true! That is why Nephi testifies in his own way over and over about Jesus Christ. That is why my heart yearned to learn more. Because I felt the Spirit testify to me that what Nephi was talking about was true! I felt the Spirit teach me more about Jesus Christ. When something "...inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God" Moroni 7:13.   

Read 2 Nephi 25, ponder it and love it! I know that if you do so you will feel the love of Jesus Christ. You may even feel that urge to get up and scream from the roof tops just like I did!

Another Testament of Jesus Christ

Today I would just like to express my great love that I have for the Book of Mormon. Every time I read from it my day is strengthened and I feel the Holy Spirit from our Heavenly Father bearing witness to me that it is true. I have grown to love and admire the stories and the teachings. Just like the Bible it teaches of Jesus Christ and it brings us closer to Him. I know that if we each read it with an open heart and humbly pray on our knees to know if it is true then God will show us through the Holy Spirit that it is true. I know this because I have pleaded with God to show me that it is true, and He never fails me. I have come to know time and time again that it is true. My love for the Book of Mormon grows each and everyday, as I read from it and learn from the teachings and apply it into my everyday life. I would encourage each of you to read from the Book of Mormon, whether it be your first time or your 100th time. I know that you will receive and answer that it is true, and that it will change your life and bring your closer the Jesus Christ then ever before.

"3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." Moroni 10:3-5

I add my witness to that of Moroni! Pray, ask God, find out for yourself and you will never regret it!