"A foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall"

This morning while I was studying at my desk some of my pictures on the wall started falling down. I have to put them back up periodically. But as I put them back and sat down again they kept falling. "Grrr! Why do you keep falling down?!" I usually have a picture below the pictures that fell, it's a picture of the Savior with a young woman, supporting and comforting her. I removed this picture to help one of my investigators better understand the relationship we can have with Jesus Christ and who He is to me. Then, it clicked. It's missing a foundation.

One of my all time favorite scriptures, Helaman 5:12:

"And now my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

If you only knew what that scripture alone has gotten me through. I know that I will not fall when I build on the foundation of Jesus Christ. I know that as I do my part, as I study the scriptures, pray, go to church, make good decisions and continue in faith even when it's too hard that I have something and someone I can always rely on. That is the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that this life is very trying and that we will continue to go through hard things, but I promise you that as you build upon this rock you will stand and you will conquer the adversary.  Fear departs when faith endures and you do not have to have that fear of falling or failing because you have an elder brother who knows how to help you and knows how you feel. He has given me the faith and the hope to go forward each day, to share what I love and that is of His church and of His infinte sacrifice (the atonement) for us. I know that he lives. I know that because of Him I can overcome anything that comes my way. And I have. We can know our Savior indiviually and know for ourselfs that He is truly there if we only ask. You can be happy and you can know that His gospel is true and ever-lasting happiness and peace.

When I have the foundation everything falls into place and as you can see I was finally able to get my pictures back to where I wanted them!

Prayers Are Answered

Have you ever had a day, any day,  when you just know that things could not be a coincidence? I have felt that several times in my life, especially out here on a mission. I know that my Heavenly Father truly hears every prayer, even if it is just for something small, it matters to Him because it matters to me. One of my favorite quotes that I alway have running around in my head is from President Spencer W. Kimball:

“God does notice us, and He watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs.” I can tell you that is true. I have found many times that other people answer my prayers. Whether it's comforting words that I needed to hear through a hard time or a letter from a friend I really needed to hear from. These, I know are answers to my heartfelt prayers that Heavenly Father has granted me. The other thing that I have to remember as well is that I can be that answer to another's prayer as well as I act on those impressions that press upon my  mind.

This story given by President Gordon B. Hinckley has always warmed my heart. I have no doubt that those two boys were an answer to that man's prayer. I love that He poured his heart out to the Lord in gratitude for that blessing in which he recieved. It always reminds me that God is always watching over us.



Remember that you matter!

Another Testament of Jesus Christ

I've been stewing over what I should write for the past few days now and I decided it would be best to talk about the most fundamental element of this gospel. The very keystone of our religion, the Book of Mormon.
Out of any book that any I have ever read, I have never come across an invitation to ask God if it is true. In Moroni 10:3-5 it says:

 "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.

"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.

And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

Moroni was the last prophet who wrote in to Book of Mormon, he not only invites but he exhorts or strongly encourages us to read and in sincerity of heart with real intent, meaning that we need to have real desire to  act on the answer we receive.

Growing up in the church I have always had the Book of Mormon. I would read from it, not as often as I should have. Before my mission I had to read it cover to cover. I took the challenge and read. As I did, my life was filled with meaning and with purpose. Several almost an innumerable amount of times I felt the Spirit strongly as I read. I never questioned if the book was true but reading it with the intent that I would be sharing my testimony of its divinity to those I would meet in the mission field, I was determined to have a burning testimony. I knew that its teaching were true and that they were for me. You may ask what is the Spirit and why is it important? The Holy Ghost, (or the Holy Spirit) testifies of Heavenly Father and of Jesus Christ. It witnesses to our hearts and to our minds and reveals all truth.

In the Book of Mormon in 3 Nephi 11:3 it says:

"And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn."

Let the Spirit work in you to know what is true. Alma 34:38 reads:

 "That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you."

I know with all the energy of my soul that the Book of Mormon is true. Joseph Smith did see God and Jesus Christ and was later called as a prophet, just as God has always called prophets. I know by the power of God that Joseph Smith translated to Book of Mormon and that you can read it and if you truly want to know if it is true, you can know. Its pages cannot come to life if you never open it and read."For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round" (1 Nephi 10:19). I would exhort you just as Moroni to read and let it testify to you of our Savior, Jesus Christ who truly did come to the Americas and will again.

We Can Find Happiness Through the Storm

I was thinking today about our life on earth and all the things that happen to us while we are here. I know that life is hard and that we all face challenges each day. I was reading something in the April 2011 Conference talks in the Ensign about a little boy.

"Recently a nine-year-old boy was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer. The doctor explained the diagnosis and the treatment, which included months of chemotherapy and major surgery. He said it would be a very difficult time for the boy and his family but then added, “People ask me, ‘Will I be the same after this is over?’ I tell them, ‘No, you won’t be the same. You will be so much stronger. You will be awesome!’”

'More Than Conquerors through Him That Loved Us ' by Paul V. Johnson of the Seventy

I thought, "Wow! What a statement!" 'You will be awesome!' Isn't that what this life is really about. Trial and error, happiness and sadness. I understand why we go through trials. I find the greatest joy after the storm has passed that I look back and see that everything I have experienced, has made me a better person. Heavenly Father knows what we can handle and He promises that He will carry us through and comfort us. It is then that I realize I was never alone, He was there. We can also find joy in our trails. As impossible as it sounds we can find joy through the pain. We can rely on the Savior Jesus Christ and ask him to help lighten our load.

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Elder Orson F. Whitney said: “No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. … All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable. … It is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire.”

We cannot do it alone. I know that I have tried and I have not had the comfort or understanding that I have had when I surrender and let the Lord help me. He will help you, He is waiting to help you. You are never alone. I know that my Redeemer lives!

Look Forward With Faith

God works according to our faith. Let me take you to the beginning of the Book of Mormon where it tells of Lehi and his family. The Lord commands him to take his family into the wilderness because of the wickedness in Jerusalem--which would soon be destroyed. The Lord will always prepare a way, so he gave Lehi a ball to guide him (1 Nephi 16:10). This "ball", also called the Liahona, works much like a compass. Alma 37:40 reads:

"And it did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day."

It is human nature to be lazy and do what we want to do. Because of the easiness of the way they forgot to be diligent and to have faith. The ball stopped working. They were afflicted and stopped in their journey or their progression.

I was thinking of how this can be related to my own life. How many times I have thought--my life is going no where, the Lord has forgotten me. I find when I do face those trials I am brought to my knees and must turn my will over to Him. When we forget who is really helping us through this course in life the Lord humbles us. The Lord can only direct our paths when we are walking! I love that in verse 40 says, ". . .if they had faith to believe that God could cause the spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done. . ." It's true. Do we all show that kind of faith? Do I show that faith?! Alma 37:44:

"For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land."

I see through this passage how much we need trials in our lives to remember that we need God. The way is prepared and the course is set. The journey has begun. The Lord cannot direct us in every decision we make--but remember this, if the decision is praiseworthy and of good report, take it to the Lord.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks says it best:
“[A person may have] a strong desire to be led by the Spirit of the Lord but . . .unwisely extends that desire to the point of wanting to be led in all things. A desire to be led by the Lord is a strength, but it needs to be accompanied by an understanding that our Heavenly Father leaves many decisions for our personal
choices. Personal decision making is one of the sources of the growth we are meant to experience in mortality. Persons who try to shift all decision making to the Lord and plead for revelation in every choice will soon find circumstances in which they pray for guidance and don't receive it. For example, this is likely to occur in those numerous circumstances in which the choices are trivial or either choice is acceptable.

“We should study things out in our minds, using the reasoning powers our Creator has placed within us. Then we should pray for guidance and act upon it if we receive it. If we do not receive guidance, we should act upon our best judgment. Persons who persist in seeking revelatory guidance on subjects on which the Lord
has not chosen to direct us may concoct an answer out of their own fantasy or bias, or they may even receive an answer through the medium of false revelation”
(“Our Strengths Can Become Our Downfall,” Ensign, Oct. 1994, 13–14).

This is not only the temporal matters but also the spiritual (Alma 37:43). We must always keep up our efforts to choose the right. Read your scriptures, go to church, pray every day and throughout your day (2 Nephi 32:9). If you fear to trust, trust in the Lord. He will fulfill all of His promises.

"But if ye keep the commandments of God. . . (for you must appeal unto the Lord for all things whatsoever ye must do with them) behold no power of earth or hell can take them from you, for God is powerful to the fulfilling of all his words. For he will fulfill all his promises which he shall make unto you. . ." Alma 37:16-17. Put the future in the Lords hands and have faith. With Him, I promise, that you will be able to make more out of your life than you ever could without Him. Our compass for our day is the living prophet, prayer and the scriptures. The Lord provides the way for us, He will direct our paths for good.