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.

and i'm a mormon

While I have been on my mission I have heard it all. From false rumors to unknown facts. People all over the world are unsure of who "Mormon's" are and what we believe. So how do you know what is true and what is false? Mormon.org is the best place to go for the correct information. There are all sorts of wonderful things on this website.

You can:

                     -Learn what Jesus Christ means to you.

                     -Learn about the Restoration of the Gospel
                           of Jesus Christ.

                     -Read a personal Testimony of someone like Kyra.

                     -Watch Videos of Jesus Christ, Temples, Members
                           of the Church and many other's.

                     -Chat with missionaries online

These are only a few of the many things you can do on this interactive and informational website. You will be able to feel the Spirit of the Lord and learn more about how this Chruch can change your life. 

I am so proud to be a Mormon. I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know who I am, and I know God's plan. These are things I want you to know and feel in your heart. Look at Mormon.org, feel the Spirit that is there and learn and come closer to our Savior Jesus Christ. You will never regret it.

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.

Baptism

When I was 8 I was baptized by my Dad. It wasn't a huge deal, but to me it was something very special. I can still remember how nervous I was. How excited my family was and the spirit that filled the chapel as the service progressed. I did not understand right then all that it would mean to me later in life. But as I have grown older and studied the scriptures for myself I have come to understand the roll of baptism and why it is so important!

Since being a missionary and helping others to feel this wonderful Spirit it has brought me such great joy!  I have had the wonderful opportunity to witness many people come unto Christ by receiving this precious gift. I love to share in these tender moments with everyone that has accepted the invitation from our Savior "...follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do." 2 Nephi 31:12. In Verse 5 Nephi being the bold and loving man that he is asks a profound question "...if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!"

Why would the Perfect man need to be baptized? Nephi lets us see just how important it is that we are baptized in his simple way. Baptism is the saving ordinance that allows us to enter the Kingdom of our Father. But baptism by any authority wont work. We MUST be baptized by the proper authority of God. Jesus Christ also set the example of this, He walked miles and miles to be baptized of John the Baptist.

"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be ^abaptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, ^aSuffer it to be so now: for thus it ^bbecometh us to ^cfulfil all ^drighteousness. Then he suffered him." Matthew 3: 13-15.

My dear Brothers and Sisters, If you have not been baptized by the Proper Authority of God I invite you to do so now! Do NOT procrastinate the day of your repentance. The Authority is only found in Jesus Christs Church! The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints IS HIS CHURCH! I promise you that if you pray and make the life changing decision to enter the waters, and be cleansed from your sin, that you will never regret it. I would give anything to help you get there. I would work and pray and fight for you to have the feelings of love and joy that come from following the example of Jesus Christ!