broken liahona

Normally a Liahona is supposed to help someone get to where they are wanting to go. Yesterday my Liahona broke... causing the reverse of helping! Right in the middle of the road my bike chain snapped, almost sending me to the pavement, as cars were wizzing right up to me. I scrambled out of the road luckily not injured laughing at myself and my silliness.

In the Book of Mormon Lehi and his family find a "round ball of curious workmanship...within the ball were two spindles; and the one pointed the way whither we should go into the wilderness." The Lord provided them with their own ancient day GPS, or in other words a Liahona. Nephi observed however that "...the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them...And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things."(1 Nephi 16:10,28-29)

The Lord will always provide a way for our escape, whether from a semi-busy road, or from the falling city Jerusalem. By faith in Jesus Christ and diligence in keeping His commandments we are helped. We must do our part to recieve the promised blessings of Eternal life with our Heavenly Father and His Divine Son. "...for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." (2 Nephi 25:23)

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.”

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.

living the doctrine

This morning as I studied my scriptures I kept thinking of all these silly little things that I do wrong. Things that I think "hold me back" from becoming my full potential. As I prayed for the strength to overcome these things I thought of the Doctrine of Jesus Christ.

The Doctrine of Jesus Christ is centered on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As we focus on Him then we build our faith as our faith grows then we have a desire to repent of the things that we have done wrong. Which leads to Baptism for a remission of our sins and then the Gift of the Holy Ghost is placed upon us by the laying on of hands. Then we Endure. My "wheel" image of the Doctrine of Christ shows this cycle.

This morning As I was thinking about these silly little things I couldn't help myself from being so excited and happy. The Spirit of the Lord was teaching me in a new way. In a special way that was personal to me. I understood from that teaching that each and everyday that we live this Doctrine we are becoming better and better. Most people have big things that they need to fix and habits or sins that keep them from obeying God's commandments. But as we live the Doctrine of Christ those things become smaller and smaller. Our desires to do better increase and our bigger issues become smaller finer details. We go through this wheel and cycle until we are right where the Father needs us to be.

As I made a list of the things that I need to change to align my will with Our Father in Heavens I became thankful. I understood for probably the first time in my life how the Doctrine of Christ changes people. As I learned and grew from my experience I came to appreciate the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ even more. If I don't feel rebuked or corrected everyday of my life then I am not living the Doctrine of Christ. If I am not living the Doctrine then I am not changing. If I am not changing then I am not becoming what I need to be. When I am corrected it means that my Father in Heaven loves me enough to help me become better. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." Revelation 3:19.

Repent daily! Pray to our Father with an open heart! Be honest with Him and you will feel so much better with yourself. You will come to understand the real importance of having Jesus Christ in your life. "...will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?" 3 Nephi 9:13.

no beauty

When my mind gets going... there is no stopping it! The other day I was staring at flowers. They were so beautiful and just brilliant to look at. I caught myself staring and realized I had just gone off into a little dream world. I started thinking of how beautiful those precious flowers were, how easy it was for me to day dream and to love the delight that was sitting right in front of me.

It is so easy to love something that is beautiful. However it is not easy to love something that has no beauty. That is when it takes effort and a determination. Most of the time resulting in a deeper love and a stronger attachment. My mind remembered a scripture that talks about Jesus Christ "...and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him." (Mosiah 14:2) Although He had no beauty to desire, the things that He did for us are beautiful! "Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (Mosiah 14:4-5)

I do not understand all that He went through. I will not ever know the pain that He felt. But to me it is beautiful. To me it makes my heart melt and my spirit rejoice. He is beautiful I have come to feel and see the beauty that radiates off His redeeming love. His beauty is much bigger then any I have ever seen or held. I can not wait for the day when He says to me "Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet..."(3 Nephi 11:14). He is my Savior. He is my brother and He is beautiful. On that sacred day will I rejoice for the testimony that I have. I will rejoice for the efforts I have done to keep His commandments and I will praise and adore at His feet.

smelling the roses

God has created so many wonderful and beautiful things! What a special privilege we have as brothers and sisters to be a part of this world that He made just for us! "Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited; and he hath created his children that they should possess it." (1 Nephi17:36) I love to just take in the beauty of the world that is around us. I sit and marvel and the wondrous things that He has created just for us. "..all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator." (Alma 30:44) There has to be a God! There is no way that this world just happened to be here.

 It makes me feel so special and so loved! He knows each of us so individually and loves each us so much! Yet there is so much out there in this BIG BEAUTIFUL world!  It amazes me that we are all so different even down to the very hairs of our heads. One day my companion and I were sitting in the car during a lunch. She was talking about her hair and how she wanted to get it cut. As I sat there thinking about it, I started comparing our hair. Thick and thin, soft and coarse! We are so different. But we are all created in His image!

I am so thankful for a loving and wonderful Heavenly Father that cared enough for me to send me here to this Earth. As beautiful as it may be it is hard, but it only makes those moments when you stop and smell the roses that much sweeter! It makes me feel like He is so close!

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. 

hold to the rod

There was once a mighty mud truck. This mud truck thought it could take on the world. Nothing seemed to stop or harm it. Little did it know that there were dangers and rough roads ahead. When once he thought he was safe, our dear little mud truck ventured off into a not so little puddle, filled with danger and bad news. Getting a little messy and dirty didn't seem so bad. But after 2 hours of being stuck this mud truck didn't feel so mighty anymore.

Sometimes I think in our own life's we decide that walking into the "little puddle" just a short way will be just fine. We justify, we say anything to ourselves to make the situation seem better then we know it is. We lighten our grip on the iron rod (1 Nehpi 8:19). We change our mindset from a focus on the Savior and the fruit that lies ahead, to selfish and inward thoughts.  Dragging us down and causing us to fight harder. There is great danger in a light grip! We must hold tight and never ever let go. 

The mighty mud truck didn't realize just how deep he was. Not until he was out and found that he was in mud clear past his tires. Sometimes we don't realize just how light our grip on the rod has gotten.

It is never too late. Do not allow your grip become any lighter then it may be. "The Savior made an infinite atoning sacrifice so that if we have faith in Him, repent, are baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end, we can receive forgiveness of our sins and enter and follow the path that will lead us to eternal life in God’s presence (see 2 Nephi 31:13–21)." (Preach My Gospel)

As I have kept a tight grip on the rod I have seen the blessings that come. I know that if you re-evaluate your life, tighten your grip and try harder to follow our Savior Jesus Christ you will be happier!

"Hold to the rod, the iron rod;
’Tis strong, and bright, and true.
The iron rod is the word of God;
’Twill safely guide us through."

(Hymns #274)

the search is over!

There was once a time in my life that I didn't know what I wanted. I was selfish. I was not happy.  I did what I wanted to do. I was just stubborn. I thought I knew better and I thought that I had things figured out. When I finished school when I started what I thought was my "dream job" I realized that something was missing. Now don't take me the wrong way. I always went to church and followed Jesus Christ but I still felt like there was something more.

I needed to find out what was missing. I needed to feel like I had a place in my own life. I humbled myself and I turned to my Heavenly Father, this time in sincere prayer. I pleaded with Him and sought for direction. It came in a way that I didn't expect. I learned that I was to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was excited and nervous. I didn't know how everything would work out but I trusted in the Lord.

 Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught, “We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.”

As I prepared to serve a mission. I couldn't believe the place I was beinging to feel in my life. I had clear direction and I felt like I knew exactly what was needed of me. I had given up good opportunities and growth for better growth and a stronger testimony.

This exact experience may or may not happen to you. But I know that if you are missing something... anything in your life that you can and will find it if you seek Heavenly Father.  He will help you! I have been so blessed. I am the happiest when I serve my Father. I know that this is the only way to true happiness. I love my mission and treasue every moment that I have.

 If you ask in sincere prayer for direction and help in your life you will receive it! Jesus Christ taught "Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name;  And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you." (3 Nephi 18:19-20)
Ask our Father in the name of Jesus Christ, you will be answered!

"...our relationship with God is most sacred and vital. We are His spirit children. He is our Father. He desires our happiness. As we seek Him, as we learn of His Son, Jesus Christ, as we open our hearts to the influence of the Holy Spirit, our lives become more stable and secure. We experience greater peace, joy, and fulfillment as we give our best to live according to God’s eternal plan and keep His commandments." Presidnet Dieter F. Ucthdorf

I share these things with you because I know that they are true! The promises of having greater peace, joy, and fulfillment are real! I feel them every single day, and I want you to feel the same.



No matter how hard I tried I could
not break free without help.

What do you think of when you hear the word Captive? Nothing good comes to my mind. The dictionary defines Captive as taken or held prisoner or obligated to listen, and Captivate means to capture the attention or affection of. Satan does all he can to captivate us so that he can hold us captive.

There are all sorts of things that Satan entices us with. Things that may look fun or exciting. But they are things that are VERY dangerous and things we really need to be careful about. Heavenly Father has given us commandments to protect us from these things so that we don't become captive to the father of all lies. But we still have the choice to choose.

"...And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." 2 Nephi 2:27

The Devil captivates us and binds us down. He makes us so dependent on him and "instant pleasures" that if we are addicted to them then we will center our lives around them.  These are things like alcohol and cigarettes, coffee, illegal drugs. These are extreme addictions. But we are warned not to partake! The Word of Wisdom was reveled to keep us safe from them. How can we center our lives on Jesus Christ and have the Holy Ghost with us if we are dependent on these things?

There are many other things that he can captivate us with.  Worshiping false Idols, breaking the Law of Chastity, having multiple wives, not keeping the Sabbath day holy and many other things. He tries in any way he can to tear us down to break us but there is hope! Dont you worry though... there is light...

Jesus Christ taught the people in the Book of Mormon "Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by him." 3 Nephi 18:15

"He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death." Mosiah 16:9. If we call upon Jesus Christ to help us He will be there. If we follow the instructions he has given us through the Prophets we will not be held captive, we will become free. We will have the chains and the shackles removed. We will finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and have the hope for a brighter future. Follow Him! He is asking you to.

a cherished brother

I grew up with 5 brothers. I love them all very much. They picked on me and teased me but it made me strong. They joked with me and rescued me from my dark scary room. They even rushed me to the hospital when I cracked open my chin or took care of me when I had surgery. They did many wonderful things. They showed me their love. Through all of these memories I have one brother holds a dear place in my heart, but I do not play favorites. This brother did a whole lot more for me than jet me off to the hospital, or drive me to school every morning. This brother felt my pain and suffered with me through everything I have felt.

We shall call Him "...Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (2 Nephi 19:6) I have turned to Him in the deepest of sorrow and in the happiest of times. He was there for me each step of the way, holding my hand, calming my troubled heart and helping me feel the peace of His love.

My other brothers, my sister, even my parents they never left my side. But they were there in a different way. Sometimes I would get frustrated with them saying "you dont understand" or "you don't know how I feel." With my dear Brother Jesus Christ I am never tempted to even say this. He does know. He felt it and He knows how to help me through it. While he suffered in the Garden of Gethsemone He felt each pain, each harsh word that cut to my heart. He felt the tears and the temptations that I felt. The sorrow I have when I sin... He felt greater things then I can ever imagine becuase He "...came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Matt 20:28)

I have never needed Him as much as I need Him now. I have never felt the power of what He did strong as I feel it when I read from the Book of Mormon. We are all so blessed to have the opportunity to know him. To feel of His true and everlasting love. The kind of love that can and will carry us through it all. Look to him, He has the joy, the peace and the comfort that you have been searching for.

becoming strong

There comes a time in every ones life when we must decide who it is that we are going to be. This is a very defining and crucial point in any one's life. Sometimes it comes and goes and we don't know it. Sometimes it comes and stays for longer than we would like, and sometimes it comes more then once.

So how do we stay strong through this time and choose the right path? Elder Per G. Malm talks about becoming filled from the inside out, "Just as a young tree grows bit by bit into a sturdy tree, so we can grow step by step in our capacity to be solid and filled from the inside out, in contrast to the hollow tree. It is through the healing Atonement of Jesus Christ that we may have the strength to stand tall and strong and to have our souls be filled—with light, understanding, joy, and love."

If we start living in accordance to God's will then we are becoming strong from the inside out. We need to read our scriptures and seek the understanding and learning that can fill our hearts as we study them. We need to pray to our Father and plead with Him to help us to know what path He needs us to follow. There are loads of other things that I could ramble on about, but it is so simple. Choose now who you will follow and DO NOT EVER look back!  "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." (2 Nephi 2:27)

If we choose NOW to follow our dearest elder Brother and Savior, Jesus Christ, then when we get to that point in our lives the choice will come naturally. If we are strong from the inside out we will look back and see that in that moment we followed Him, we did not let our eyes become unfocused. 

Lets all stand tall and strong. So that we will not falter and fall into the temptations of the evil one. Jesus Christ is always there for you. He will NEVER let you down. He has walked the very path that you have gone down and knows what is ahead. We must not follow Him will a "hollow" heart. Fill your heart with His love. The choice is yours. Become what He knows you can become!

No robot's here

crazy?

I have been told many things about my personality.... among these are crazy, excited, giddy, loud, quiet, random, funny, hyper, weird and many others. I am so blessed to be my own person! I love being myself and not falling into the robot mentality of trying to be something that I am not. That way of living is not fun. But as crazy as I may be I still focus in on what Jesus Christ wants me to do and try to become more like Him.

weird?

God created all of His Children different! He loves each of us and made each of us so unique.Why should we all act the same? So many people think that because you are a Mormon, or because you are a Christian that you need to act or think or become a certain way. That is contrary to our Heavenly Father's plan. He has given us agency to become who we want. "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man." 2 Nephi 2:27. Although we have the freedom to choose, we must choose to follow Jesus Christ, then and only then will we have eternal life.

We are all different. There are no robot's as we choose to follow Jesus Chirst. But if we follow Satan then we are held captive and he pulls our strings. Remember that you are loved and that you are very unique. God loves you and is very aware of you and what you need.  "For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself..." Deuteronomy 14:2. Dont be afraid to shine. We werent sent here to become robots!

Crazy?

Random and excited?



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!

The Devil Cheateth

Here's to another powerful reading of the Book of Mormon.

As I read today I just couldn't help but imagine what Nephi saw.  How strong he must have been to see the things he saw. Think about seeing 2,000 or more years into the future... can you picture it? Do you think you could even make it up? No! I don't think anyone in their right mind would even try. Nephi saw this time, our day and many many other things. How thankful I am for his obedience in writing the things down which he saw.

Lets review a few of the things that I read that really stuck out to me. 2 Nephi 28:19-22

 In verse 21 Nephi says... "and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell." Let's read that one more time.. with emphasis added.. "and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell." Carefully Brothers and Sisters. That is how the Devil gets us! Carefully! He is tricky! Do not whatever you do, DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE HIM! If we just slip up one little time, he has all the more influence to come in with one other little thing. Until it is too late and we are in way deeper then we ever expected!

The Devil lies. Nephi saw the imapct he would have on our hearts today. Gordon B. Hinckley a modern day prophet also saw the impact Satan is having on God's Children. He too talks about the scripture that I shared above. "Those are interesting and descriptive words—'leadeth them away carefully down to hell,' and 'he whispereth in their ears.' How descriptive of the seductive and beguiling ways of the purveyors of filth and violence and evil."

We are lead away little by little. Let us all make a promise to ourselves that we will fight against the Devil and his evil ways. Live for Heavenly Father and strive to become like His Son Jesus Christ. As we do this, Satan will be cast out of our hearts little... by little.

 

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!

Faith in our Savior Jesus Christ

What exactly does it mean to have faith. Ether 12:6 says that ^"faith is things which are hoped for and not seen." So we hope for Jesus Christ to carry us through our troubles and our tears but we do not actually see Him carry us. That makes sense. In Preach my Gospel, a guide for missionary work, it says that faith means we have full trust in Jesus Christ and we are confident that He loves us. We trust in Him enough to live His commandments and follow what He has asked us to do, no matter how hard we may think it is.

Why then is it so hard to have faith sometimes. All we need to do it believe that Jesus Christ will help us and act on what He teaches. That seems easy enough. But we all know that it can be difficult. Having faith is the easy part. Doing the rest is where it can be hard. Shall we all be like Nephi! His faith was so strong that he never second guessed anything he was told to do. "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." 1 Nephi 3:7

I like Nephi know that we would never be given commandments that we wouldn't be able to follow. Lets all make a commitment to rise to a higher degree of obedience. I know in doing so that our faith in the Savior Jesus Christ will grow more and more each day. I know that the only way I get through my day is to follow my Savior and to have faith in Him. That is where it all begins and that is what will get us through. I know with all my heart that He loves me! I have felt His love all around me and in the sweetest moment its almost as if He wraps His arms gentle arms around me to comfort me. I know He lives. I have full confidence that His work will continue despite if we chose to act and follow Him or not. Let us follow Him and not be left behind!