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!

a spiritual gps

Ever driven around in a car with a GPS? The little device stuck to the dash and the picture of a map dominating the screen. Roads going every direction, but highlighted just for your convenience the very way you need to go to reach your desired destination? A little voice clear as day telling you "in 200 yards turn right.... turn right." As persistent as they may be they are very useful.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a Spiritual GPS? A voice clear as day telling you "In 25 days take the new job." Luckily we do. We are so blessed to have the scriptures and Prayer. There isn't a literal screen with a highlighted path, but we have an internal map, our destination is set and we have the desire to live with our Father in Heaven again. We wont hear the voice clear as day, but when we hear it, or feel it we will not be able to deny it! "...but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul—" Helaman 5:30 

Whatever our destination we still have the choice to stay on the highlighted path or to stray. When driving around the GPS warns you of the turn ahead. It allows you plenty of time to slow down. Think about your next move and then follow through. When you miss the turn a kind "Make a U turn" is recommended.
If you go to far without making that U turn then it has to make an alternative route. Sometimes this new path is tricky, muddy, complicated and longer then imagined. In turn making us irritated, upset and confused.

Have you ever heard the warning voice of the Lord? A soft voice or feeling, giving you plenty of time to step back, slow down and think of the concequences? He allows plenty of time. He warns you and prompts you of your turn, of your next move, as you seek Him is prayer and desire His help.

When we miss our turn, we are prompted to make a "U" turn. We can stop whatever is taking our mind off the straight and narrow path. We can leave it be and step back into the highlighted and desired road. If we do not, The new path can be tricky, sticky and cause pain and confusion. If we are not careful it can cause more work, take longer and have greater consiquences.  Elder Jeffery R. Holland said "But there is an answer to this challenge... Whoever you are and whatever you have done, you can be forgiven." You can step back on the path. You can allow the Atonement of Jesus Christ to heal you.

If you have gone past your "U" turn. Do not give up! Step up and become clean through Jesus Christ. Allow His healing hands to lift you off your knees and to clear your mind of the pain of sin. I urge you to repent. To turn your life over to our Father in Heaven and to become perfected through His son Jesus Christ. He has the power and the love to heal you. It is not too late.  "Listen to him who is the ^aadvocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him—" D&C 45:3 

The next time you hear the warning voice of the Lord. LISTEN! Stay close to the path and do not stray. On the highlighted path you will find Happiness.



Two powerful and true testimonies that Christ lives!
That He is our Savior!!



Today I finished reading 2 Nephi in the Book of Mormon. I love Nephi! I love the Book of Mormon. It just makes me so excited to share it with everyone. Nephi is so bold and straight to the point. Why shouldn't he be? He knows the truth!

He tells us in verse 4 that "...the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good..." then he continues in verse 5 "And it speaketh harshly against sin, according to the plainness of the truth..." This is the truth! What he is telling us and teaching us is the truth! I know it and I cannot, and will not, ever deny it! The Book of Mormon is true! It IS in fact the Word of God. It teaches plainly what we need to know to gain eternal life. If we believe in Jesus Christ then we will believe in the Book of Mormon. Nephi testifies of this in verse 10 "...hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good." There is NO way around the Book of Mormon! It is the truth and it teaches so clearly.

I know that I testify of the Book of Mormon regularly. But how can I not? When I read from it I feel the Spirit. It motivates me to teach more about it and to bear my humble testimony that it is true. Nephi says that when Christ comes again He will "show unto you, with power and great glory that these are his words" (2 Nephi 33:11) I know it and I want everyone else to feel the truthfulness of it as well. I want all you of to feel the impact that it can have on your life if you read from it daily and make it a part of who you are. Read it!  Love it and find out for yourself that it is true. Jeffery R. Holland  boldly said "If anyone is foolish enough or misled enough to reject 531 pages of a heretofore unknown text teeming with literary and Semitic complexity without honestly attempting to account for the origin of those pages—especially without accounting for their powerful witness of Jesus Christ and the profound spiritual impact that witness has had on what is now tens of millions of readers—if that is the case, then such a person, elect or otherwise, has been deceived; and if he or she leaves this Church, it must be done by crawling over or under or around the Book of Mormon to make that exit." Be not deceived! Do not take anyone's word for it. Come to know that it is true for yourself!

We are never alone

     This morning I read a talk titled "Because of your faith."  Elder Jeffery R Holland is so powerful and bold as he speaks. I felt so much love and realized once again that we really are not alone. Not alone spiritually or physically. There are so many people around the world that love us so much and pray for us, not only members of Jesus Christ's Church but Christians as a whole.

      Elder Holland says, "In whatever country you live, however young or inadequate you feel, or however aged or limited you see yourself as being, I testify you are individually loved of God, you are central to the meaning of His work, and you are cherished and prayed for by the presiding officers of His Church."
        "My thanks to all you wonderful members of the Church—and legions of good people not of our faith—for proving every day of your life that the pure love of Christ “never faileth.”

     We are loved, individually and collectively. We are known on a level no human mind can imagine and cared for each and everyday.  How thankful I am to know that I am never alone. That there are people all over the world and in the Heavens above that love me and that are watching out for me and praying for me daily. Without that love and support surely I would be lost. With that love, I can do all things.