power of the priesthood

Not many people know this but I am in love with the Priesthood. OK not necessarily in love but I am so grateful for the wondrous gift that it is to be on the earth when we have this authority. I get so excited when I study about it! I wanted to share with you some of the wonderful aspects of its beauty.

"True to the faith" a book I love, tells us that Heavenly Father gives His Priesthood to worthy men "so they can act in his name for the Salvation of His Children." But this unique blessing isn't just given to anyone that walks up and says "Hey I want this power." In Hebrews 5:4 it says "And no man taketh this ^ahonour unto himself, but he that is ^bcalled of God, as was ^cAaron." Worthy men belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hold this Priesthood because it was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith.

People often ask me if I am upset that I can not hold the Priesthood as a woman. I smile a little and tell them that I am not upset. This is the way that Heavenly Father intended it to be. But this morning it hit me in a new way as I studied. Another quote from "True to the Faith" that I really loved said "we all benefit from the influence of righteous priesthood leaders." This statement is so true! I have seen, heard, felt and loved the influence of the Priesthood in many ways. I don't have to "hold" the Priesthood to know its real or to have it bless my life.

Gordon B. Hinckley a late prophet of the Church said "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. We have seen the sick healed, the lame made to walk, and the coming of light and knowledge and understanding to those who have been in darkness.

  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."

I testify that the Priesthood is real! I have felt it countless times in many ways. I am so grateful for each of the men in my life that hold and honor their Priesthood! I am so thankful for a loving Father in Heaven that would allow this power to be on the earth for the Salvation of His children.

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!

being a missionary

I love being a missionary. It is my privilege to teach people every day about our Savior Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon, The Restoration of the Gospel and many other wonderful things. I serve around some young men and women who love doing the same thing I love. Everyday we have the honor to wear the name of Jesus Christ on our chest and spread this powerful message!  I am so thankful to be where I am today!

Why, you might ask, am I so thankful for this wonderful calling? Because it changes people's lives. Hearts are changed and people come closer to our Lord, Jesus Christ. In a unique and special way I form a spiritual bond with people that I teach and work with everyday. It has changed me, and I know that the message that the missionaries teach can change anyone who is willing to listen.

How does this happen? Because we are teaching pure truth that can not be torn down by any person, thing, or argument. Because Jesus Christ is the leader of this great work and we do things His way. Because we teach from The Book of Mormon. It is another testament of Jesus Christ and we are the only Church that recognizes it as scripture. This book sets us apart and teaches true doctrine. "It puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come." (Introduction)

I know the Promise at the close of the Book of Mormon is true! It has worked for me and I know it can work for you. "We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. (See Moroni 10:3–5.) Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is his revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the second coming of the Messiah."

Contact a missionary! Invite them into your home to teach you this life changing message! And if you have heard it before, if you are already a member. Share it with your friends and allow the Spirit of the Lord to work in their hearts.

500 yards of all pool

Growing up I was on the Swimming team.  I learned a lot from those hours in the pool. I learned a lot about hard work and endurance. I remember one specific event during a competition. My coach put me in an event that I wasn't used to swimming. I had to swim the 500 yard freestyle. That is it is down and back 10 times. It was a long event and took a lot of strength.  At the end of the pool right before my flip turn a friend would hold a board in the water counting down my laps. Letting me know how much longer I had, at my last lap the numbers were gone and all I would see was bright orange flashing before my eyes. At that moment I knew I was so close to the end. I would pick up my speed work harder and sprint faster then any previous lap. During those previous laps I had to keep the speed not slow down and keep pushing forward to the finishing goal. As a swimmer I understood the great need of endurance not only in the pool but in my life. If we can not endure then we will give in to anything and anyone.

I often think of Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith when I think of great people who have endured a lot. But what about the stories that aren't as well known. Your trials that you have endured. My challenges that I have had to work through, and many other people who keep their personal endurance to themselves?  What makes it possible for us to endure through these times?

"George A. Smith once received counsel from the Prophet: 'He told me I should never get discouraged, whatever difficulties might surround me. If I was sunk in the lowest pit of Nova Scotia and all the Rocky Mountains piled on top of me, I ought not to be discouraged but hang on, exercise faith, and keep up good courage and I should come out on the top of the heap at last.'" (Overcoming adversity)

This is what it takes. Exercising faith and hanging on. Usually when we say that we can not do it any longer is about the time that things start to get better. In the event above, at about lap 8 I would think that I could go no further. But I wouldn't give up. I wouldn't stop and hang on to the edge of the pool. I fought through the tough times and I pushed a little harder. Just a few laps later it was over and I was sitting on the side of the pool.

 "He that endureth in faith shall overcome the world" (D&C 63:20, 47) One of my lifetime goals is to Live with our Father in Heaven and His son Jesus Christ again. I want to be surrounded by my family and friends. I endure everyday because I will not give up on this goal. "If they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day" (1 Ne. 13:37)

May we all endure a little more in faith. Sure it is hard but I know that Heavenly Father will help you and lift you as you endure. Lets not slow down and but keep pushing forward to the finishing goal.

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.

A humble prayer... A changed world

I would like to share a story with you that is very dear to my heart. It may sound familiar to you, it may not, but it is a true story! A story that is brilliant and that changed the world!

There was a boy. A 14 year old boy, who read the Bible and loved Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. He wanted to follow them and do as they directed. He wanted to be baptized as the scriptures counciled him to do. He was confused with all the religions. He didn't know where he needed to go to receive this saving ordinance. So he followed the advice of James "if any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God..." On a quite morning he went into a grove of trees. A place where he could be alone and pray to the only one who knows all truth.

As he prayed. The  most amazing experience happened to him. 

He said of this experience "I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. . . When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!"

This boy's name was Joesph Smith. He did not know the magnitude his simple prayer would have on the rest of the world. But in those tender moments the world was changed forever. Through Joseph Smith, Jesus Christ restored His gospel to the earth once again.

"Oh how lovely was the morning."

I love this story. I love the effect it has on my life. I am thankful that Joseph Smith prayed that morning. I am thankful that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father appeared to him. I know that this is true! I have prayed about it. The Spirit of God has come upon me to tell me that it is true. I pray that you will also come to know for yourself that this is true. Let it change your life!