His touch can heal all.

The other day I read the familiar story of Christ healing the blind man found in John chapter 9. I began to think how amazing it is that this man who once could not see now could. I began to think how this story could relate to my life. 
As we see, when Christ was out with His disciples they came to a man who was blind.They asked if this man had sinned, or his parents, to cause this man to be born blind? Christ answered their question when he said, "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him." 
Then Christ put clay on his eyes and told him to go and wash in a pool of water. And as he did it says "He...washed, and came seeing. " 
As we take this lesson into our lives, we see that as we go through trials and hard times it is not because we have done something wrong, but that the Lord help us become the type of  person He knows we can be. Trials that happen in our lives are there to help us and others come closer to Christ. But when we start to think "why me?" or " why must I go through this?",  that is when we need to turn to Christ and ask him to touch our eyes. He may anointed our eyes with the clay (humility), and ask us to go and wash (cleans ourselves in the atonement). 
As we see in this video of the trials Joseph Smith that great things came from him enduring. 

As we learn to look at our trials as chances to grow we can benefit more then ever. I know that trials are never fun, but they are the way we can become stronger and grow closer to Christ. :) 

The women in our lives. :)

With Christmas around I can not help but think about the love of the savior that I felt thought in all my past Christmases. I see now as I have begone to grow that the spirit of the savior always shown though my mother! Though I was young and stubborn someday,  she always made the best Christmas. Just with that thought I wanted to give a shout to my mother and along with all the other women and say thank you for keeping the spirit of Christ in this season. But to many times the world tries to diminish  the role of womanhood. Please always stay strong! Please always stand for what is right. Just as we see the love Mary had for the savior , we can see in our own lives just how amazing women are!

So Check out this clip on how amazing women are!

And when times get hard this turn to the Lord. Check out this video.

Thank you all the women in my lives and all of you around this world! You truly do help show the Lord's spirit     though your action. Thank you.

It's all on the line.

As We passed in the ball they yelled out the score "21-20, win by two". After a couple of missed shots and turn over by both teams, the ball was finally ours again. We were passing it around the top of the key trying to work it in down low. They passed to me and no one was open. But I was open just long enough to take the shot. "Swish"! Game winning three pointer! The team was ecstatic. On my way home with my dad he told me how proud he was of me and how glad he was to see me having so much fun. Then he added some words of advise to me. "That was a good shot, but don't trust in that. You know you are better with in 15 feet."

Just this passed week I see the lesson my dad was trying to tell me. Don't trust in things of chance. Yes we may make the game winner shot every once and a while, but that is not what I do consistently. I have see in my own life how often times I see people try and push the line, they just to get closer and closer to the edge without seeing it. Just because can get aways with it before does not mean we will be able to get away with it again. As it says in the Book of Mormon, in 2 Nephi, Chapter 26:22 it says "He (Satan) leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever." So as we continue to push the line awe will soon find ourselves walking in and living behind enemy lines. But just as it took one step to cross over it takes some step to come back. Remember that a flaxen cord is like string or twin. It is easy to break at first, while a strong cord, or chains are hard to break.

I am so thankful for the Savior and for his wonderful gift of the Atonement (when He paying for our sins). Which as we come unto Him, we can break those chains which bind us down! I know as we stay with in bounds, and use the Atonement. That our days will be brighter, our hope and love will be stronger! This is the blessings that comes as we stay with in bounds and don't cross over the line. :)

This is what we are! Christians!

With much of the thing in this world today people have had some questions if members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are Christians. I give my testimony with millions of others that we are Christians. This video is the simple truth. Please watch it.

keep your eyes open!

As I sat in the middle of the field I watched steadily for the arrival of the big buck. With only 30-45 minutes left of light left they finally desired to come out. I scanned over the herd and there he was, the one I wanted. It was an easy shot, only 150 yards away. It was in the bag. Just the year before I had taken a shot from 250 yards away as the deer was moving up hill. I sighted him in my scoop and shot; I missed! I prayed he would not run away, and he didn’t. So I took aim and shot again! I missed again! This pattern happened for another three times. As all this was going on the deer just kept on eating. When the sun finally set we went back to the car. It was one of the most embarrassing times of my life. But as we drove home the memories of my dad’s conversations with me for the pasted four months came flooding back. “Son if you don’t sight in your gun you wont get a deer this year." " But dad I got that deer last year and all I did was sit there, it’s still on.“

This lesson of still retuning ourselves even when we feel we don’t need to is found in James Chapter 2:16-17 “Faith with our works is dead.” As we begin to get comfortable in our ways, with such thoughts as I went to church last week I’m good, or I don’t need to read or pray everyday. Those thoughts will define our choices in the future. As we get set in the mind frame of, I have already done enough, that's when we find out just how far we have really fallen. I know that as we work on the little things and do the practices of prayer, reading, and church, we will be ready for when that buck comes into our sight, and we will be able to get him.

Check your powder.

As the rain began to fall, I sat in the midst of a small group of trees. Hunting season had just opened up the day before and I was awaiting the big buck. As I continually thought about the events of the day I remembered my dad and older brother helping to get me ready for this moment. My dad helped place me where I would be able to to get a deer, and my brother had loaded the black powered gun for me while my dad talked to me. As the rain began to come down more a little group of bucks came out into the field. once they got wit in yards of me, I got in position, took aim, and fired. Nothing! So I replaced the primer, fired again, and nothing once more. I was a little frustrated. Once the sun had set and it was time to go back to the truck we checked the gun. We noticed that we had loaded the pellets in backwards and the fast igniting side was not able to be light.

This experience taught me an interesting lesson, we must make sure we are the one doing the work. We can not trust in other people to get us to heaven. Just like in the parable of the ten virgins. They had all gotten dressed and ready, they had even brought lamps. But only five of them had brought extra oil. We need to understand that today is the day to prepare to put our house in order. We can not wait until the "deer" is in your sights and about to pull the trigger to remember, oh I should probably check my things. As it says in the Book of Mormon in Alma Chapter 34: 32 "today is the time to prepare to meet God." I know that as we check our lives and make sure we are as ready as we can be that great blessings will come. Such blessings of having comfort and directions in our lives. As we study the scriptures and follow modern day prophets the Lord will make sure we are ready for all things.

Well I Did It Isn't That Enough?

As a young boy, I learned a very important lesson that has impacted my life a great deal. I learned that "it's not enough to just do something, you must do it right the first time." My dad told me this many times growing up. This principle was illustrated to me by the trips my dad and I would take during my summers growing up. When we would go bug collecting we would pack a few things; a white sheet, a generator, and light bulbs. We would then go to our predetermined canyon and find an isolated place. Once we were at our destination, we would string the sheet between two trees and hook up the lights. We used two different types of lights, multi-vapor lights and black lights. Depending on what type of moth we were trying to catch, determined what lights or watts were needed to pull them in. After setting everything up, the real work would begin. We would have to keep checking the sheet at different times to see if anything new was on it. My dad would check it about every two or three hours. More times then not there would be something new on the sheet. This may seem like a lot of work to do for some moths, but I learned a great lesson in doing this. I learned that if something is worth it to you, then you must do everything you can to get it. It's not enough to pack up all the gear and not go out. Just like it's not enough to pack up all the gear, go out, and not set it up. We must put everything we have into it.

It is the same as we grow in our own lives. We need to decide how bad we want to come close to Christ. We need to decide if we will be like the man in Matthew Chapter 19, where a rich man came to Christ and asked how to receive eternal life (Matt 19:16). Christ tells him to "keep the commandments". And the man replied I have since my youth. Then Christ extended this invitation. "Then sell all thou hast...and come follow me." (Matt 19:21). At that time the man went away sorrowful. (Matt19:22) What type of man will we be? We must make the choice today. We can not follow Christ only 50%, or even only 90% of the way; we must go all the way. As a missionary, I have seen many people that will meet with us and even pray. However, they are not willing to read continually or go to church. We must be willing to give all of ourselves to know God better and to strengthen our testimonies. Which in turn answer some of the bigger questions such as; is God really there, does He love me, is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints the church of God today, does the priesthood have authority from God to act in His name, and is it lead by a prophet of God today? If we want to know these things, we must be willing to do all that we can. Think about it, when Christ was paying for your sins in the Garden of Gethsemane, did he say, "oh wait, the game is on today I can't do it," Or "sorry everyone, it is cutting in to my free time, maybe later." He has given you everything and wants you to be more happy in this life and to be closer to Him. All He asks is for you to pray two times a day (morning and night), read at least 5-10 minutes a day, and to go to church weekly. Can't we give Him our all? For without Him we would be eternally lost! Let us give Him just a little of our time.

Flying Into Danger We May Not See

As my dad came I from the garage h told me to come and see his newest project. I walked out and asked what is that? He said that is a bucket trap. I just chuckled. It was a five gallon bucket with a funnel and plexiglass veins coming off of a black-light. (as seen here) 

 

I thought the trap would not work until I was able to see it in action. What would happen is the bugs would be attracted to he light they would fly towards it and then hit the plexiglass. Once they fell down the funnel would take them down to inside he bucket where the fumes from some chemicals would take the Bugs out. (that is a basic explanation).

Since being out n my mission I have see how Satan does the same things to catch us. He will set something that is pleasing to our eye in front of us. But he will put it just passed our reach. So we will have to leave out safe hold. Once we are on our way to JUST check out the “greener pasture” we fall into his trap and lose out lives to him. The things Satan uses are such things as worldly entertainment, our wants, and our lusts. And as we leave out safe holds, JUST to see it for a second,that is when we are trapped by Satan. We don’t see the danger in the situation and we talk towards it. And once Satan catches us he poisons us by degree (Alma 47:18) until we can not tell anything has happened. We need to remember we can either act on our righteous desires or be acted upon by Satan it is up to us.(2 Nephi 2:14)

This short video shows this principle very well, How we can not leave out strong holds for even a second.

I am thankful for those around me who have shown me the path to walk. So I can stay safe from Satan's power. Satan will always be there, but God is there too, and his servants the prophets. Who give us guidance for this life to stay away from the temptations of Satan.

It's only one time.

Growing up in life I'm sure we all have heard It's only one time. But in all reality only once can change the rest of your life, for me this is true. One choice I made changed the rest of my life and I can never look back on in. But this choice was a blessing n my life. The Choice to serve the Lord on a mission. I made that choice to leave my family for two years so others could find the truth and be with there families forever. There have been VERY hard times on my mission but the I have never been alone for one second. I have never been alone for the choice of our Savior Jesus Christ made. Just one time He made the choice to drink that bitter cup so that He could be there for me. I am so blessed for that.

In our lives we have the choice everyday to make that once choice yes or no. These choices can be, should I read my scriptures, should I pray today, should I help that person. These choices are not going to effect us right this moment, but in time they will. The Choice to follow Christ is not a one stop choice, everyday we can do His will or not. In the Book of Mormon in Helaman Chpt 5:12 it says “upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation..” It is the little choices everyday, of prayer, scripture study, going to church loving those around us, and so on and so forth. We will never be perfect at it, but all he ask is for us to try our best. But one night of not saying your prayer, and one day of not reading the scriptures could be the start of the rest of your live. But let us be strong in our faith and not even do it once.

Don't look down

While growing up in Utah I was very active in scouting. We did a lot of outdoor things as you would think. One of the things I loved to do was rock climbing. I wasn’t very good but I loved the feeling you would get after a climb. To see a big challenge like a mountain in front of you and to over come it was a thrill I loved. There are two main trips that stick out in my mind. My first time going out and then my last time. They help me see a very important lesson on trusting in the Lord.

As I was sitting on the the edge as a 12 year old boy, I looked over the edge. Trying to get enough strength to get over the edge. I kept telling myself, “Come on you can do it, everyone else is doing it.” I went up five times and five times I came down the other way. For some reason I could climb up but the repelling off part was a whole other story. This was my first trip with out my brother and I was scared for sure. I would try and pass off the blame by saying “If your brother was here then you would do it.” But on the way home the thoughts of the day was replaying in my mind. This thought came to mind, just because someone wasn’t there to push you along doesn't make it there responsibility. That hit me and so I decided from that moment that I would never back down from repelling again. It is your choice to go big or go home. Some years later we went again. And while standing over looking the edge all the same feelings came rushing back. But the memory of my first trip was firmly in my mind. I knew that I would not back down this time. As I got all the stuff on and set up and began to walk to the edge and turn around I the doubts came flooding back more then ever! But I stopped them and said no I must do this. So I just told myself here we go and I made that jump. The freedom that came as I felt the fear and shame melt away as I knew now that I had nothing that held me down anymore. As I did my first trip down that day I then turned to the younger scouts and help them down. And as I say the fear in there eye leave them was so worth it.

This lesson is the same with Christ. We can’t say oh that trial or that challenge is to hard or I’m not feeling that today. We need to accept our challenges in our lives and face them head on. Yes we will always be scared(2 Timothy 1:7), but we can not let that control us. Then when once we go though those trials we nee to turn around and help those around us. Chris is there and he is the one holding the other end of the rope for us. And if we fall he will be there to catch us. We need to take that leap of faith because he will never let us fall. Trust in him, he is there for you.

Bridge Building

HE BRIDGE BUILDER

An old man, going a lone highway,
Came at the evening cold and gray,
To a chasm, vast and deep and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim-
That sullen stream had no fears for him;
But he turned, when he reached the other side,
And built a bridge to span the tide.

"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim near,
"You are wasting strength in building here.
Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again must pass this way.
You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide,
Why build you the bridge at the eventide?"

The builder lifted his old gray head.
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"There followeth after me today
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building the bridge for him."

 -WILL ALLEN DROMGOOLE

 

As we all have seen at one point in our lives we think that we are having to do this life all on our own. But we need to remember that Christ has already built us the path and the Bridge to help us though any trial or hardship we have. But Christ is there for us all we need to do is to turn to him in prayer and act on the our faith. Always remember that no matter how hard it is or what we are going though, He has been though it all.
He will lift our burdens, It may not always be how we want it, but he does promise that if we do our part He sill lift our burdens. There is nothing to small or too big for him to help help us with. He went though it all for you!! He loves you!! Turn to him. 

 

The Chase of a Life

There it is!! Run!! Jumping over sage brush, Oh there its goes to the left! Look out here it comes to the left of you!!! swing you got it!!!

This is some of the conversations that would happen to me when I was growing up when I would go on bug collecting tips with my dad. I bet when you think of bug catching you think of a little kid or girl skipping though the woods. This is far from what it really is. you’re running jumping, falling and getting cuts.

One of the bugs I loves to collect are day flying moths, called Hemileuca.  The reason I love to collect them is because they are a day flying moth. Which means they have a little more strength and agility then the normal butterfly, so the chase for them is more rewarding intense. These Moths would take me on a course of jumping over sage brush, leaping over ditches and ending up anywhere and everywhere. As I remember these chases it reminds me the chase God puts on us, the chase for a testimony.

This chase is never easy, but is always worth it in the end. As Christ says in Matt 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you;seek, and ye shall find;knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

three things, and all action words. Just as we seek in the 

scriptures and study them it’s never just read once and we’re done. But continually feasting on them, then we shall find. Asking is prayer. It is a scary thing for some people to ask God for something. But as we see in the scripture James 1:5 and in Moroni 10:3-5, we are told time and time again to ask him. Also we must knock. This is where it really turns to action. We must go to church, we must meet with missionaries, we must physically get up and do. We must open the door to Christ. as we see in this picture there is not door handle door handle for Christ, we must open the door for him. We must get up from our lazy boy (the comforts of the world) and go to him. 

I had to do the same things growing up to get my testimony. I couldn’t trust my parent’s testimony anymore. I needed to know for myself. So I did all the same steps, prayer, study the scriptures, and going to church. I did this course for 3-5 months. Finally it hit me as I was mowing a lawn, It’s true and you know it. When that thought came to me a warm peaceful happy feeling came over me. These feelings were the same fruits of the spirit which are talked about in Galatians 5: 22-23.

The road is often times long, the battle is hard. But when you catch that testimony it is always worth it. This testimony can change you for the rest of your life. It brings you closer to God, your relationship with him is more personal and you know he loves you. I am so thankful for this gospel and that Christ is truly at the head of it and gives modern day guidance though a prophet of God. Just like he has always done it in the bible.

The Book of Mormon.

With the Book a Mormon is the media today more then ever, have you ever wondered what the Book of Mormon actually is? This video is my an apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This book is true! I love this gospel. The Book of Mormon, and the Bible are the greatest strength in my life. This is the true and living gospel of God!! I bear my testimony along with this apostle. If you just read it and pray as it says in Moroni 10:3-5 with sincere heart, real intent, having faith in Jesus Christ you will know the truth of this book. Here is a great testimony of the Book of Mormon. If you would like to read this for yourself click here and you can get a free Book of Mormon.
 

Bite and Die

Bite and Die

Growing us I spent a lot of time out doors, camping, hiking, hunting and Fishing. Every summer on most weekends I was gone. But one of my favorite activities was fly fishing. While I was looking back on these memories a lesson I learned caught my eye.  While fly fishing you use something called a fly, flies are used to imitate an insect. The fish will see the fly and eat it. But little does it know it could be its last bit. This is just like us with the temptations of Satan. Satan uses his

Lest's Eat!!

Let’s eat are one of the most inviting words inviting words we can hear when we are around a big layout of food. If we think of Thanksgiving, and other holidays or celebrations where everyone is waiting to eat. Finally when the cook give the okay it is like a mad house of grabbing this and passing that until you plate is heaping full and you can not possible fit any more on it. Then you go for round two and so on and so forth. I love having feast like this, but how often do we have a feast spiritually? How long has it been since we have eaten spiritually? 

Growing up my dad was a bug collector for fun. In the Summer we would go out on the Weekends (Thur-Sat) to some obscure dirt road in Utah and Collect bugs. Many times though in the spring we would collect some caterpillars and we would take them home and raise them, mostly we would raise tiger months. I was put in charge of taking care of them. While looking back on this I see a valuable lesson I learned, if you don’t eat your strength will never come.

When I look at this lesson a scripture comes to mind in the book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 32:3 “ ..Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do..” So as we see the Lord has given us a promise to us. If we feast then we will know what to do, and how to do it. Like wise it was with the caterpillars. When they first came out they were able to crawl and eat. But they still were tender and vulnerable to prey (like we are to Satan). But as they grew they are able to run faster and get away from danger (or sin and temptation for us). Then once they eat enough they eventually turn make a cocoon. They are stronger, but they are still able to be attacked. Now as they continue to do the things they are suppose to do, there is a change that happens inside of them, like wise that is with us. As we come unto God and do as he asks, we too change. The lord give us a great promise in this scripture, “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” So just as the caterpillars would eat and grow, that is just like us. If we eat we will grow our testimony and that testimony will set us free just like the butterfly is able to be freed from the cocoon.

This is the great blessing we can receive when we do as the Lord directs. But there is the other side, If we do not feast and eat on the words then we will die.. We will not have the testimony to help us through life to be an added strength to us. It’s our choice 2 Nephi 2:27, But for me I want to be free with Christ.

Independence Day!!!

Why we need independence!!!

 With the 4th of July here how can we not think of independence? Independence is what our country is founded on. But, as we see in the world today, Satan is coming oh so close to our boarders, if not already in them. He is trying to attack the standards of the world, family life, and our own personal life with sin. The great thing is that we have the greatest general to lead us into battle, Jesus Christ.

With Him we are able to become free. Often times we do not notice Satan coming into our lives. It is always little things at first, When we justify our actions. Once Satan gets his foot into the door he is able to walk right in. That is why we need to keep a close watch of the little things we do. But when we do see that Satan is in or around our lives that is where the help of Christ comes into play. With him we are able to break free from those chains that bind us.

He has been through everything for us so that He can know exactly what it feels like. With the love He showed for us in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He shedding of his blood for us,and pained for our sin. We truly do know He loves us with all His heart. With His blood we are able to break free and be cleansed. We are able to start anew and build our new live with freedom and independence from Satan. Yes we will always have trials and mess up here and there. But that is what repentance is an how we can be come closer to Christ. 

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The prophet the coach for the world

With the NBA draft here I thought about how our own life are like a Basketball game. When you think

of Kyrie Irving , Kemba Walker , and Jimmer Fredette who are some of the big names in the draft. Do you think they were just born with those talents? Do you think that one day they just woke up and just started shooting three pointers? No they had to start at the beginning just like everyone who else. It was when they listened to there coaches and did the endless days of running up and down the court, the hours of shooting and dribbling drills were they able to enhance and refine there ability to play basketball. If it were not for these little drills they would not be the players that they are today. But we are missing one big thing they had to have the desire to improve to push through the pain,and grow. Along with their coaches then they would not be were they are today.

This very much like us, we are at our own level (spiritually). Some are just starting out and some are well down the road. But no matter were we are at we have the #1 coach in this world the prophet (Thomas S. Monson) who has been trained and by out Lord and receive guidance everyday for us. A prophet is a man called h (through his teachings and the scriptures) and guard him more on the left or watch out for the pump fake we will be able to win the big game of life.

Now we can chose to follow the coach (the Prophet) or to trust in out own knowledge. But we would be wise to follow the counsel of the prophet since he is speaking the words that the Lord would have him say. Because it’s all fun to think of this like a game but in all reality this is more important then a game. This is life and out eternal happiness and salvation. Such things

who are some of the big names in the draft. Do you think they were just born with those talents? Do you think that one day they just woke up and just started shooting three pointers? No they had to start at the beginning just like everyone who else. It was when they listened to there coaches and did the endless days of running up and down the court, the hours of shooting and dribbling drills were they able to enhance and refine there ability to play basketball. If it were not for these little drills they would not be the players that they are today. But we are missing one big thing they had to have the desire to improve to push through the pain,and grow. Along with their coaches then they would not be were they are today.

This very much like us, we are at our own level (spiritually). Some are just starting out and some are well down the road. But no matter were we are at we have the #1 coach in this world the prophet (Thomas S. Monson) who has been trained and by out Lord and receive guidance everyday for us. A prophet is a man called h (through his teachings and the scriptures) and guard him more on the left or watch out for the pump fake we will be able to win the big game of life.

Now we can chose to follow the coach (the Prophet) or to trust in out own knowledge. But we would be wise to follow the counsel of the prophet since he is speaking the words that the Lord would have him say. Because it’s all fun to think of this like a game but in all reality this is more important then a game. This is life and out eternal happiness and salvation. Such things as living with our families for ever and living in peace and joy. But I know as we come to know this church (the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-Day saints ) is true and that God still leads and guides his people with a prophet today. The path which we need to follow will be clear before us. of God and give the priesthood, Which is the ability to act in God’s name for the salvation of man. He tells us things to do to help refine us to be the spiritual players we can become. Just as players will do the same shooting drills in practice everyday, the Prophets tells us to do the same. Things such as pray everyday, study the scriptures daily, and come to church. As we do these things we gain trust or a testimony that God truly is guiding his church through his prophet. We will do the things that he counsels us to do such as focus more on our family and schooling, to stay out of debt, etc.

As we do these somethings they will help be ready for the big game, or the big trials we go through. Often times when we are in the heat of the game we need to lean back on the things we have been taught. As we do these things though the game will be long and hard we will win. We will be able to dunk the ball on Satan and steal the ball for a lay up. But when that one moment comes that we miss a shot or get the ball stolen that is when we call a time out and talk with our coach.

Do to the fast pace of the game we may not see where the other team’s (Satan team) sweet spot is. But as we listen to our coach (through his teachings and the scriptures) and guard him more on the left or watch out for the pump fake we will be able to win the big game of life.

Now we can chose to follow the coach (the Prophet) or to trust in out own knowledge. But we would be wise to follow the counsel of the prophet since he is speaking the words that the Lord would have him say. Because it’s all fun to think of this like a game but in all reality this is more important then a game. This is life and out eternal happiness and salvation. Such things as living with our families for ever and living in peace and joy. But I know as we come to know this church (the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-Day saints ) is true and that God still leads and guides his people with a prophet today. The path which we need to follow will be clear before us.

as living with our families for ever and living in peace and joy. But I know as we come to know this church (the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-Day saints ) is true and that God still leads and guides his people with a prophet today. The path which we need to follow will be clear before us. of God and give the priesthood, Which is the ability to act in God’s name for the salvation of man. He tells us things to do to help refine us to be the spiritual players we can become. Just as players will do the same shooting drills in practice everyday, the Prophets tells us to do the same. Things such as pray everyday, study the scriptures daily, and come to church. As we do these things we gain trust or a testimony that God truly is guiding his church through his prophet. We will do the things that he counsels us to do such as focus more on our family and schooling, to stay out of debt, etc.

As we do these somethings they will help be ready for the big game, or the big trials we go through. Often times when we are in the heat of the game we need to lean back on the things we have been taught. As we do these things though the game will be long and hard we will win. We will be able to dunk the ball on Satan and steal the ball for a lay up. But when that one moment comes that we miss a shot or get the ball stolen that is when we call a time out and talk with our coach.

Do to the fast pace of the game we may not see where the other team’s (Satan team) sweet spot is. But as we listen to our coach (through his teachings and the scriptures) and guard him more on the left or watch out for the pump fake we will be able to win the big game of life.

Now we can chose to follow the coach (the Prophet) or to trust in out own knowledge. But we would be wise to follow the counsel of the prophet since he is speaking the words that the Lord would have him say. Because it’s all fun to think of this like a game but in all reality this is more important then a game. This is life and out eternal happiness and salvation. Such things as living with our families for ever and living in peace and joy. But I know as we come to know this church (the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-Day saints ) is true and that God still leads and guides his people with a prophet today. The path which we need to follow will be clear before us.

our trip on the river of life. Part 1: The Dangers of the river Part 2

whenever I have been on a river trip it seems I always get stuck in a whirlpool. we think we know how to get around it. We think we know where we are going. But some how we always get stuck in them. As you see the words we thin in the pass sentence we think we know the best path. when we begin to trust in our own knowledge we tend to always get stuck. Just as it says in Proverbs 11:28 "He that trusteth in his riches shall fall:" Or if we replace riches with his knowledge. when we trust in our own knowledge to get through this life we will always get caught in the Whirlpool that Satan will create. But with a guide as wonderful as Christ he will lead us out of those dangers if we follow what he says. In the Bible, Book of Mormon, Prophets today, and personal revelation .
so as we see in each of these dangers of life we can either react poorly and just let them win (them being Satan) or we can act upon our desires to be strong change our course and saved through Christ. Now we need to always remember that there will always be trials and hardships. But we need to make sure we do not get angry at Gd, his servants, his church, and his gospel. When we react to our situations with anger, that is when we put up a self made dam with our relationship with God. So as we see going down the river of life it is our choice of if our trip will be successful or not. God has given us all the help we need. God was bent over backwards for us to make sure his children can make it home to him. It is our choice to either grow and become what he wants us to become or to give up. Yes times will be scary, and hard. But that is the great thing. Christ is right there with us at all times to help us through. He is only a prayer away.

Our trip on the river of life. Part 1: The Dangers of the river Part 1

While on our trip of life there are many dangers we must be aware of. We have things such as tree/logs jams, shallow sand beds, whirlpools and dams. All of these dangers can be avoided and when we look at them in the right way can be of a benefit and growth to us. The first danger that I listed was tree/logs jams.
When we put this in the terms of the gospel tree/logs jams can be looked at as trials in our lives. As we float along the river we see the trees around us. They give shade and make the river trip more beautiful. But every once and a while one of the trees will fall down. When these trees create a hazard and then will made a tree/logs jam. These jams may be looked at as unforeseen trials. Since being on my mission a couple of these tree/logs jams has happened to me such as my grandma passing away and my uncle getting cancer. These have just been a few of the big trials for me. But how we react to these things is going to be the thing that makes or break us. Are we the type of people that will let those tree/logs jams stop us or do we get some help (from God our Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ our savior and redeemer) to get them out of the way? As we use the Atonement (the action that Christ did for us when he paid for our sins in the garden of Gethsemane) Christ is able to get the crane to pull them out, something that we could not do on our own. We see in the book of Mormon, in the book of Ether, Chapter 12, verse 6 why we must go thought trials. As we continue down the river we are happy that we missed that tree/log jams. But as we are floating down we all at once stop! We begin to look around and we see that we had hit a shallow sand bed.
In my life I have hit those sand beds. Those sand beds can be related to something that someone tells us or something that we hear that gives us doubts. As we see our testimony needs to be deeper and for if we are deeper then we don’t run into those snags. So we can either sit on that sand bed and wait for someone to come by or we can get out and get us off the snag. When we wait around for someone to come down the river and help us we are just wasting time. That is like in our lives when he won’t fix a problem and we wait for our family or friends to find the problem and wait for us. Now I ran into a snag about 5-6 years ago and I waited for my family and friends try and find out what is wrong with me and fix it. But then one day I decided to get out of my boat and fix if. When I finally decide to act in stead of being acted upon (2 Nephi 2:14) I felt free and It was and is the best feeling ever. We will always have questions. I still have questions. But in the words of a LDS speaker John Bytheway, I use to have doubts but now I just have questions. But as we grow and strengthen out testimony through prayer, scripture study and church attendance we will be able to over come those snags of the Sand beds.

Our trip on the river of life. Part 1: How Flooding happens.

While being on my mission in Montana I have seen flooding all around me, physical and spiritual flooding. when flooding appears repair is possible, Clean up is longer and harder. But it is possible. the gospel is very much the same.
So in general rain is good. If it was not for rain we wouldn't have have water and our crops would not grow. so when the rain is used up and meets the needs of crops and humans that is very good and that is when we can live peacefully. Just like questions in our lives such as, is god really there and does he know me? when this question drives us to find out if God really is there and cares for us then we grow (like the crops) and makes our testimonies  stronger. so when questions are used to help us grow closer to our Heavenly Father it is good. But when we do not use or address the questions we have over time those questions will eat at us. This is just what the water does on the bend of a river. over time the river will eat away at the bank.
the bank is just simple dirt. Just like the commandments and the word of God given though the scriptures or through modern day prophets. These are very simple things that are taught to us and over time can become a safety  to us. But as we allow the doubts to eat away at us and push us to brake little commandments such as lying. Over time the water that eats at the banks will brake through.
So when the flooding happens and the water breaks through that is when we give up and allow the water (of the effects of the doubts) run our lives right?  Satan is the one that says it is to big or too much, give up. I'm not sure about you, but I'm going to do all that I can to fix if. But for little brakes some people can fix it on there own, with a pump and a shovel. Such as lying to some one we would go and tell the person we lied to and fix it and then pray for forgiveness to God. But when a big brake happens that is when we need to call a professional company to fix it. The professional company has big tools and many many pumps and tons of man power. For members that is when we call the bishop. He can help us be healed but for non-members that is where meeting with missionaries and following God's example by making covenants with God and be baptism by proper authority. So as we see when Flooding happens it can all be prevented checking our banks (our testimonies) we can see where we need help and where we can need to focus on in building up our testimonies.
So just watter eats away at the river banks, that is the same with your own testimonies. Never focus on the doubts that Satan tries to place in your mind. thought flooding may happen, repairs are possible and your life will be healed and you will be able to get back to life.

For onther Bloggs on flooding Click HERE

Swimming and The Mission

Before coming out on my mission the thought would come into my mind many times. Who am I to be a missionary? Do I really have what the Lord needs. And as I have thought about the question a great scripture comes to mind, Matt 11: 28-30 "28: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

The think that keeps me pushing through the hard times with those doubts of how can anyone like me be preaching the gospel is this scripture. 

When I was in High School I was on the swim team and that is one lesson that I learned was when it hurts, when hard times come You have to push through it!!! The Pain of guilt and the "What if?" thoughts are the thoughts that will Kill you and eat you alive. I never cared if I lost or won in a race as long as I could look my self in the morning and be able to say you gave it all you had. 

That is the same way in life. Christ just asks us to give it all we got. He will be there. He will help us take first in the fight against Satan and the world that keeps bring us down. Christ has given us tools, the Bible, and the Book of  Mormon. Prophets, Prayer, Church, The Priesthood and the Holy Ghost. That is just like sports and training. If we don't use all the Things we have to help us train and make it to the end of the race how will we ever be able to look our self in the eyes and said we gave it all we had? How can we look our Family or Christ in the face and say I tried when we really didn't? If we ever have Questions He is only a prayer away.


For more bloggs on sports Click HERE

How to find more peace in this world

                                            Peace can be found if we follow Christ.

This World seems to be moving faster and faster with no brake insight. Many people feel that we need to keep doing more and more to feel like we are doing the thing we need to do. But this talk helped me to see that we do not need to do more but less, and to focus on what mattes most. Life will get better as we follow the promise by this apostle of Jesus Christ.

The Healing Power of the Atonement.

In this life we may mess up or things may just be hard. How do we heal ourselvs from the unfairness of this world, and the sins that we will commit? Also why is it so important to repent of the things we mess up on? I have found this answer in the Book of Mormon, in 3 Nephi, Chpt 27, Vers 20, on page 459. it says "Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day." So this scripture explain how to be cleansed and the blessing we will have to stand spotless before God. But also in Alma 5: 21 "it says I say unto you, ye will know at that day that ye cannot be saved; for there can no man be saved except his garments are washed white; yea, his garments must be purified until they are cleansed from all stain, through the blood of him of whom it has been spoken by our fathers, who should come to redeem his people from their sins." As we see that we need to wash ourselvs. That is we need to give up all our bad things and dirt to the lord and start a new. But just as we do not only take one Shower of Bath. Me must be cleans daily. And that is why we have repentance and the Sacrement which we take weekly at our church. How amazing is the atonement!!!! It is so beautiful.

Be Still My Soul.

As we know life never goes as planed. But I have found great comfort in a Latter-day saint hymn. Hymn number 124, "Be still my soul" The second line, almost at the end. It says, Be still my soul: the waves and winds still know His voice who rule them while he dwelt below". He can heal ALL!! Jesus Christ is as real in my life as if He was walking next to me today. Sometimes we need to grow and learn from trails. But He will be there to strengthen us every step of the way.

One By One.

Often times in this world we are just part of a number. But in the Book of Mormon, We see how Christ treats The people he is with. First 3 Nephi 11:15 "And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come." and 3 Nephi 17: 21"And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them."

As we see Christ showed us the way, one by one. That is also how we must treat our relationship with God, personal. For that is how God touches our lives. Everyone of us is important to him.

Living Guidence Today.

In a time and world where there are shifting values we need help to remain strong and true. In a book from the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Called Preach my gospel. They explain the roles for prophets.

 "Truth is a knowledge of things as they really are, were, and will be. It does not change

with conditions or time. Truth is the same in every age and culture. God is the source of

all truth. We can have faith in Him because we know He will teach us only truth. God

wants all His children to know the truth. Therefore, He reveals the truths necessary for

salvation through prophets and apostles. He reveals truth to us personally through the

scriptures and personal revelation.

A prophet is called and chosen by God and is a righteous man with great faith. The Lord

reveals truth to him through the Holy Ghost. He commands His prophet to teach truth to

all people. Those who believe God’s words as revealed through His prophet are blessed."

In a talk from Elder Dallin H. Oaks in the Oct. 2010, General Conference He gave a great talk explaining the difference and importance of the two types of revelation, Personal revelation and revelation from prophets. Called "Two Lines of Communication"  (http://lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/two-lines-of-communication?lang=eng&query=two+ways+communication)

Why me?

Often times I have found myself thinking why me? Why do I have to go through this trail? Why does this have to happen to me? Have I not been through enough? But this last general conference, (when the leaders (prophets and Apostle of Jesus Christ)  of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Elder D. Todd Christofferson shared a great story that spoke to me. I quote "President Hugh B. Brown, formerly a member of the Twelve and a counselor in the First Presidency, provided a personal experience. He told of purchasing a rundown farm in Canada many years ago. As he went about cleaning up and repairing his property, he came across a currant bush that had grown over six feet (1.8 m) high and was yielding no berries, so he pruned it back drastically, leaving only small stumps. Then he saw a drop like a tear on the top of each of these little stumps, as if the currant bush were crying, and thought he heard it say:

“How could you do this to me? I was making such wonderful growth. … And now you have cut me down. Every plant in the garden will look down on me. … How could you do this to me? I thought you were the gardener here.”

President Brown replied, “Look, little currant bush, I am the gardener here, and I know what I want you to be. I didn’t intend you to be a fruit tree or a shade tree. I want you to be a currant bush, and someday, little currant bush, when you are laden with fruit, you are going to say, ‘Thank you, Mr. Gardener, for loving me enough to cut me down.’”

Years later, President Brown was a field officer in the Canadian Army serving in England. When a superior officer became a battle casualty, President Brown was in line to be promoted to general, and he was summoned to London. But even though he was fully qualified for the promotion, it was denied him because he was a Mormon. The commanding general said in essence, “You deserve the appointment, but I cannot give it to you.” What President Brown had spent 10 years hoping, praying, and preparing for slipped through his fingers in that moment because of blatant discrimination. Continuing his story, President Brown remembered:

“I got on the train and started back … with a broken heart, with bitterness in my soul. … When I got to my tent, … I threw my cap on the cot. I clenched my fists, and I shook them at heaven. I said, ‘How could you do this to me, God? I have done everything I could do to measure up. There is nothing that I could have done—that I should have done—that I haven’t done. How could you do this to me?’ I was as bitter as gall.

“And then I heard a voice, and I recognized the tone of this voice. It was my own voice, and the voice said, ‘I am the gardener here. I know what I want you to do.’ The bitterness went out of my soul, and I fell on my knees by the cot to ask forgiveness for my ungratefulness. …

“… And now, almost 50 years later, I look up to [God] and say, ‘Thank you, Mr. Gardener, for cutting me down, for loving me enough to hurt me.’”   ^{" (http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/as-many-as-i-love-i-rebuke-and-chasten?lang=eng)}

We are shown what we can be as we turn to the Lord and pray for help and understanding. He has been through it all. He has experienced it all and He will never leave you. He will give you strength and he will bless you as you turn to him continually.