Returning.

This week I will be heading back to Santa Rosa, to witness Bob and Ada be sealed. This is one of the most sacred ordinances within our church. It promises that if a husband and wife obey their covenants, they can spend eternity together. Entire families are sealed, and it provides so much hope for the life after this and motivation to live well in this life, so that we can obtain these incredible blessings.

So I will have a chance to witness them complete their ordinances in the holy temple. As I prepare to return, I have a lot of similar feelings for when I returned home. I know I lacked a lot of blogs during that time. But I had great anticipation, to see those I love (specifically my family) and to be able to reunite with them. As I have talked to some people I grew to love in Santa Rosa, I have a lot of those same feelings.

This is how I think it will be as we return home to our Father in Heaven.

I can't wait for this weekend, and my reunion with some wonderful people. And ultimately, I can't wait until my reunion with my Father in Heaven and my brother and savior Jesus Christ.

I just want an easier way

"I just want an easier way!"

Have you ever thought this to yourself?

I know I have, even today.  I think it is natural to want to have things go smoothly without having to worry or work to keep them going in that way.

What would happen if we just chose the easier way all the time?

 Alright, I want you to look at this river. It is the Eel River, taken from a bridge driving about 35 mph. What do you notice about it? One of the first things I noticed about this river was that it was very twisty. This is just one side of it. It zigs and zags going across sand bars, around trees and under bridges (obviously) and keeps flowing and flowing.

The River chose the easiest way. Just imagine if the river chose a direct path from its source to its destination. The river would be quicker, deeper and more powerful. But if it just chooses to wrap around like this little one did, it will waste momentum, and energy, and won't be able to fulfill its purposes quite as well.

So are things going hard for you? I submit that is good! Keep pushing. Just as the Colorado river carved a great canyon in the earth (over a mile deep in some areas), if we are diligent in being our best, no matter how hard it is, we will be able to make a great impact.

"Convenience is not in the vocabulary of a disciple of Jesus Christ."

-President Bunker-



On the outside looking in

Isn't it funny.

Everybody thinks they are on the outside looking in. Everyone thinks they know the solutions to problems, the best path in our lives, and how to do things better than you.

Sometimes those who are sure of their height, sure that they are looking at you from lofty heights, and seeing your 'limits' will even tell you to do things certain ways. Or gain their perspective since it is SO much better.

1 Corinthians 3:19 "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God."

Sometimes the world seems so wise. As they stand on their high platforms with their flowing robes. Do not be deceived. The world would like us to think we are fools for standing up for the 'cause of Christ' and giving up our time efforts and resources to build His kingdom. We know more.

Just like it seems to someone with no medical knowledge, insensible to cut someone open to help them feel better. So might it appear to someone unfamiliar with those things spiritual, to live commandments, to talk to an unseen being, and all the other things that firm believers do.

May we seek constantly after the wisdom of God, and allow Him to heal our hearts. (Which may include some surgeries...)

Cold Summers



Have you been cold recently?

It's summer for most people, but here in Fortuna, CA the summer highs are around 60 F. That makes for cold mornings.

What do you do when you are cold?


Source



For most of us, we bundle up, and get near something warm. Whether a heater, a fire, or maybe an oven cooking chocolate chip cookies.





About 2 years ago, before I came on my mission, my life was pretty cold. It seemed that everything in my life was falling apart. My girlfriend dumped me, my twin got a girlfriend (which meant he stopped talking to me.) and everyone friends and family, seemed a little too busy to care what happened to me. During that time I was cold.

Throughout my life, I have had the source of warmth around me. I grew up knowing about Jesus Christ, going to church, and even participating in church activities. I have had 7 great siblings, helping me and keeping me on the right path and two wonderful parents, who would do everything for me. I had always been around other fires. As I was left alone, cold, forsaken, I shivered missing the warmth. As I gazed at my life, I realized what I was missing and what I needed.

This fire, is the Love of God. It is manifest as we accept it. It can grow just as a fire can, as we put more kindling, and logs etc. Building our relationship with our Heavenly Father is simple enough. As we grow in our Faith in Jesus Christ, Repent and change, are Baptized, and recieve the Holy Ghost more into our lives, then our fire burns brighter.

Are you cold?
Do you know anyone who is cold?
http://mormon.org/missionaries/

Not exactly what it seems.

Ban The Invisible Killer

Di-hydrogen monoxide is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and kills uncounted thousands of people every year. Most of these deaths are caused by accidental inhalation of DH MO, but the dangers of Di-hydrogen monoxide do not end there. Prolonged exposure to its solid form causes severe tissue damage. Symptoms of DH MO ingestion can include excessive sweating and urination, and possibly a bloated feeling, nausea, vomiting and body electrolyte imbalance. For those who have become dependent, DH MO withdrawal means certain death.

Di-hydrogen monoxide:

• is also known as hydroxyl acid, and is the major component of acid rain.
• contributes to the "greenhouse effect."
• may cause severe burns.
• contributes to the erosion of our natural landscape.
• accelerates corrosion and rusting of many metals.
• may cause electrical failures and decreased effectiveness of automobile brakes.
• has been found in excised tumors of terminal cancer patients.

Contamination Is Reaching Epidemic Proportions!

Despite the danger, Di-hydrogen monoxide is often used:

• as an industrial solvent and coolant.
• in nuclear power plants.
• in the production of Styrofoam.
• as a fire retardant.
• in many forms of cruel animal research.
• in the distribution of pesticides. Even after washing, produce remains contaminated by this chemical.
• as an additive in certain "junk-foods" and other food products.

Companies dump waste DH MO into rivers and the ocean, and nothing can be done to stop them because this practice is still legal. The impact on wildlife is extreme, and we cannot afford to ignore it any longer!

The purpose of this blog is to show that anything can be twisted to make it look right.

Di-Hydrogen Monoxide written chemically is H20 or...Water. What would happen if we were just presented the negatives about anything? Would we think positively about it? How much do we depend on water? Yet after this convincing article, we would be ready to ban it.

Jesus Christ taught,
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits."

What purpose would someone have of driving you away from this life sustaining resource...water? Likewise, there will be false prophets driving you away from this soul-sustaining living water.

Remember the guidance of the good shepherd comes through "Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." When you feel these fruits you will know you are being led in righteousness
.

The Blessings of Scripture-400th Anniversary of the KJV Bible

The Faith of the Broken Hearted

Faith is nothing until it has been tried, tested and has stood. Many times we live a certain way. For social reasons, because others are doing it. For physical benefits, it feels good. Or because we enjoy it.

There is a joke I heard once that refers to the end of the world. The root of its humor (which isn't very funny) is that when the end comes, the sinners run to the churches, and the church-goers run to the bars.

There is a lot wrong with that joke, but this shows the point that I am trying to make. We need to be secure in our faith. For me a great tale of faith is always that of my forefathers. The 'Mormon' Pioneers. These faithful saints endured great hardship and trials as they were crossing the plains to escape religious persecution. They instead of yielding to unrighteous dominion, left their homes, their lands, their families, and followed their hearts, for many of them to their very graves. Others made it to the Utah valley and were able to build up a place where they could worship Jesus Christ as He had revealed.

These are they who have the "Faith of the Broken Hearted" even after torment, pain, loss of loved-ones, they still moved with faith and devotion to their goal.

How I hope I can develop this faith, so that whatever trials I am called to face in this life I will be able to bear them with unflinching courage. 

Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish,

Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel.

Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish;

Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.

Joy of the desolate, light of the straying,
Hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure!
Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying,
“Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot cure.”

Here see the Bread of Life, see waters flowing
Forth from the throne of God, pure from above.
Come to the feast of love; come, ever knowing
Earth has no sorrow but heaven can remove.

Repent!

Source

As you pour over my blog and see that it is barren of copyright infringements, and also pictures, Remember what the scriptures say "For the Lord ^aseeth not as ^bman seeth; for man looketh on the outward ^cappearance, but the ^dLord looketh on the ^eheart."

Now that I have repented, and cleased my blog of all unrighteousness, am I ready for judgement? Nope. I need to rebuild, I need to progress as a blogger, adding pictures of my own, (or rights-free pictures) and make my blog beautiful once again. This is how my blog will truly be changed.

This is repentance. Getting rid of anything negative and harmful in your life, and filling the holes with goodness. See if you can't change one thing today putting in a positive for a negative. Even just one thing will change your life for the better!

Helmet of Salvation

Putting on the Helmet of Salvation

Alright, I have a feeling this is going to be a big hit (no pun intended). The last time I described myself getting hurt, my blog got a lot of views. Maybe the Lord knew that because I have been slacking, and not updating my blog regularly that to get people to read, I had to get hurt again...

Yesterday, I was riding my bike. It was about 7:00 in the evening. We were coming from the house of a member who helps us work with the members in our area. We had met with him and talked about the work that we are doing, so that the ward can be involved in the work of salvation.

Something you need to know about me. I hate going slow. I have no patience for things that I can control, and so I go full speed on my bike. We were coming down this street going probably 20 miles per hour.--When you want to go fast on your bike you stand, and as you are peddaling you move the handlebars up at the same time, so that you are pulling your petals closer to you, as you are pushing down with your legs.--This was the way I was riding, back and forth, when my front wheel suddenly slid further to the right, as I hit a patch of gravel.

Because I was pushing down with my leg at the same time, the whole bike went down, and I was driven headfirst into the Asphalt.

Check out the cracks in the side.

I can remember sliding on my helmet/face for probably a second or two, moving about 7 feet on the Asphalt. I lied there for about a second, before springing up, brushing myself off, and telling the bystanders I'm good. That way preserving my ego from being permanently injured.

If anything happens that shakes me up, I think about it nonstop. (That might be why I am writing a blog about this.)  A couple of days ago me and Elder Hunt, my companion, were reading in Ephesians 6. There it talks about the armor of God. My mother in every letter she writes me, tells me "Don't forget your armor." One of the pieces of armor is the Helmet of Salvation.

We have a rule as missionaries. Any time we are riding our bikes, we are required to wear a helmet. Some missionaries being the 20 year-olds that we are, think that is a stupid rule, and choose not to be obedient to it.

In our normal lives we also have commandments we need to follow. Sometimes we have that same attitude. If we are not obedient to the laws of God, we are leaving the Helmet of Salvation behind, as we bike the path of life, and when (not if) we fall, we have no protection from the impact of the road.

Because of my helmet, I am typing this blog right now...I don't know how much sense it makes, you'll have to tell me when I finish it. My helmet was cracked from the impact. My vision was blurry for about 3 hours after the accident. When obeying the commandments we will still have opposition and trials. But our obedience to the commandments of God, will soften the impact. If I had not worn my helmet, (I can't be sure), but I don't know if I would be conscious right now. I might have had more permanent damage. But now I carry only a slight headache and a lot of roadburns.

I know Heavenly Father gives us commandments for a reason, and as we obey them we will recieve protection and blessings.

 

The Road to Glory

Have you ever ridden a Public Bus?




If you haven't, I highly reccomend it.

It makes your life just a tad bit more interesting. Whether you sit by a man who lectures you about aliens, or you switch seats, because the person behind you is trying to feel your hair, you pay the same price to get on. While you are on the bus, it is your decision where you pull the cord, where you get off, and how much you enjoy the ride.

I would submit to you that life is a bus ride. Each of us has paid a price to be here in this life. Whether your price was to be given a body that is not fully functional, have natural temptations that are extremely hard to contain, whatever your price, you are here.

Now some people's seats are more cushiony than others. Whether they have a strong family, doing well economically, and are blessed to be in countries that allow us to excercise our agency. Whatever seat you are in whether plushy, or springs are poking out, we are all trying to get to the same destination.

There is the stop in Zion; the perfect place which is reserved for as many as will complete the bus ride. There awaiting us, our family who have made the journey in the past, our Heavenly Father who built the stop for us, and our Savior Jesus Christ, who paid our bus fare.

The Journey is long and grueling. It twists over many mountains, causing many passengers to be sick, and leave the bus. At other times, the bus goes through deserts, forcing great heat upon the passengers, and some get out in hopes of finding relief. Fortunately, our Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ, have provided us handbooks of instruction so that we will know where to get water when it's grueling (there's a minifridge in the back) and where we can get Dramamine, so the curves of the road don't impact us as much.



We are also given suggestions on how we can best endure the ride, how we can make our seats better, and how we can help the other passengers, so more of us can make it to the Bus Stop.

I hope you can see the relation of this metaphor to your life. The road is hard for many, but if you give them the hope of a final destination, even those who have gotten off the bus, can get back on the Road to Glory!

Hope

Left in the dark, Abandoned
You feel the cool, hard rocks under your hands,

As you climb to your feet,

Your head swoons.As you tilt to the right.
Helpless without sight,

A rock wall catches you,
You stumble through the darkness,

You pray for a way out,

You continue to stumble.

Suddenly, you see.

Faint but there, you see a source of light.

Hope floods into your chest,
You legs seem strong,
The bruises loosing their pain.
You rush forward with a new drive.

The light is your guide, the light is your hope. As you follow the light, you can find your way out of the dark, cold earth into the warm rays of the sun. Jesus Christ said, "I am the way, the truth and the light, no man cometh to the father except by me." If your life seems hopeless, or you are stumbling over obstacles in your life, look to the light!

Book of Mormon Musical

What can I say about this?

The same thing the church has said about it.

The production may attempt to entertain audiences for an evening, but the Book of Mormon as a volume of scripture will change people's lives forever by bringing them closer to Christ.

               Test that!

Want to do something regarding the Book of Mormon, that will actually be worth your time. Read this.

Trust in God's will and timing

It takes a certain level of humility and faith to be able to accept God's control in your life.

I have had a lot of experiences recently that have tested that faith and humility. When we trust in his will and timing, we work in faith to accomplish what the Lord wants us to do, and everything that happens around us, we trust that it will work out.

When we begin to assume that life should go a certain way, or when we get comfortable in how it is going, that is when we need to watch out. This life is for us to grow. Even though it would be nice for us to kick back and enjoy life sometimes, I know that this is not when I grow the most. I am content that as I continue to build my faith and trust in the Lord, everything will work out right.

In a recent conference talk entitled, "As Many as I Love I Rebuke and Chasten" Elder Christofferson told this story

Simplicity in a Chaotic World.

"It is true intelligence for a man to take a subject that is mysterious and great in itself and to unfold and simplify it so that a child can understand it."

John Taylor

 Jacob 4:14 They ^bdespised the words of ^cplainness, and ^dkilled the prophets, and sought for things that they could not understand. Wherefore, because of their ^eblindness, which ^fblindness came by looking beyond the ^gmark, they must needs fall; for God hath taken away his plainness from them, and delivered unto them many things which they ^hcannot understand, because they desired it. And because they desired it God hath done it, that they may ⁱstumble.

I am amazed sometimes at the questions I am asked. For instance the other day I was asked "If Jesus Christ was the Eternal God, how can he be created?" I could probably give you a hundred examples of questions asked that are misleading in their asking, and trying to plant doubt. These questions used to bother me, they used to get me questioning what I believed.

But I found out something. 1 Corinthians 3:19 "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." I have answered a thousand questions for people that are sincerely trying to find faith, and people have cast a shadow of doubt over them. What it always ends up coming back to, is "Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world?" We feel truth. It stems within our hearts. Men's wisdom changes, but God is the same Yesterday, Today, and Forever.

Elder Gérald Caussé of the Seventy in the General Conference of November 2008 He stated, "Little children have a marvelous disposition to learn. They have total trust in their teacher, a pure spirit, and great humility—in other words, the same qualities which open the door to the Holy Spirit. He is the channel through whom we gain knowledge of the things of the Spirit."

"Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:11)."

"And he added, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14)."

May we be simple, be humble and accept the beautiful things of God in our lives.

Not to be acted upon

Lately, something has been consuming my mind. Many people in the city that I serve in, are not happy. We come into their life, and we are able to help them have hope. But some do not act upon it, allowing themselves to passively fall into misery, and a mindframe of hopelessness.

I have seen people who are totally reliant upon welfare, and upon others to do everything for them, who give their agency away freely because of a lack of desire to work.

Jesus Christ suffered and died so that we would be able to choose for ourselves what kind of life we can live.

In a talk given by President James E. Faust, entitled "Acting for ourselves and Not being acted upon" President Faust quotes from the Book of Mormon, "And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon.” and then he says this, "Being acted upon means somebody else is pulling the strings. We live in a time when many want to avoid the responsibility for their acts." and then he shares this story

"When I was a young lawyer, I was appointed by the judges to defend persons who were charged with infractions of the law. One time I was assigned to represent a young man. As we approached the bench, the venerable old federal judge looked down at both of us and asked, “Which one of you is the accused?” From these experiences, I learned that some individuals did not think they were responsible or guilty in any way even though they had violated a law. They felt they were not to be blamed. They had abdicated their consciences. They may have committed the wrongful act, but they felt it was really their parents’ fault because they were not properly taught, or it was society’s fault because they were never given a chance in life. So often they had some reason or excuse for blaming their actions on someone or something else rather than accepting the responsibility for their own actions. They did not act for themselves but were acted upon."

May we all take account of our own actions, may we be less critical of others, or our circumstances, and do as the Prince of Pop suggests, and look at the Man in the Mirror. I know that as we do that, we will, will have greater joy. We will have greater control in our lives, and we will be able to help others who need it.

What are you doing Sunday?

http://mormon.org/worship/

Wherever you are, whatever your plans are, make God a part of it.

33 ^aBut ^bseek ye first the ^ckingdom of God, and his ^drighteousness; and all these ^ethings shall be ^fadded unto you.

Put God first!

Soul Search Engine

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Plug in your thoughts and feelings to this useful device, 

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Far beyond what you have access to in your limited world.

Results called revelation ensue from faith-produced products

Such as prayer, fasting, scripture study, church attendance, service, meditation,

And a host of other inspired acts.

Free to all consumers,

We urge you to take advantage of this offer.

Sincerely Yours,

Army of Heaven

Wet Elder

Do you ever have those days where it seems nothing goes right?

 

It rains from the moment you step out the door, to hours later, when you drag your

dripping self in trying to keep the mud out.

Then you decide to boil some water, to make some soup, to warm you up,

and clumsy you, you spill the boiling water all over you.

You have burns on your skin and water in your shoes. What are you going to do?

Love it!

I can guarentee that I don't react this way all the time. I am not perfect. But, if we take days like this and turn them into positive days, we will be able to see the hope in any and every circumstance.

Simply decide in yourself, and say "Come what may, and love it!"

At One

Tie a piece of string around your finger.

Go ahead just do it.

Alright good. Now when people ask you why you have a string tied around your finger you can tell them about this blog, and how it talks about Jesus Christ, and what Jesus Christ has done for your life. Therein I just provided you with a missionary opportunity. Prayer answered?

Why do you think it is important to do missionary work?

Yeah, that could be it.

It could also be for you.

Alright, let's say you have a job, and that you have been working there for a year. You know what's going on, you are comfortable with your responsibilities, etc. And now you have been asked to train someone in your same job. You have to go over the basics again, maybe telling them what was hard for you, what is a good way to do it, and helping them know their responsibilities. Would it bring to your mind things you may have forgotten? Would it help you gain a greater loyalty to the work? Would it help you invest more?

For the last year and a half, I have had the opportunity to be a missionary FULL-TIME, it has been an incredible privilege to be able to introduce others to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and help them have more joy and peace in their lives. But, at the same time, I have been strengthened. I know that I am building the kingdom of God, and I am ready and willing to give everything to this work. I have felt the power of the message. It has changed my life for the better, and everyday I see more light. Jesus Christ said unto Peter, and I think he would say it unto us too. If ye love me, feed my sheep.

Faith takes Work

Do you know that scripture in James, where it says "Faith without works is Dead being alone."?

In this last week, I have realized a lot of the truth of that statement. This week we have had the great opportunity to share the gospel in Clearlake, CA. We have been telling everyone how Jesus Christ has restored His gospel to the earth, and that he has called a prophet to lead us and guide us through these unsteady times.

Many people want to hear us. They want to feel the hope and the peace that comes from this message. But many of them also don't act on the things that we teach them. They don't come to church, they don't read the Book of Mormon, and they don't get baptized. Though in the moment that we teach they feel the peace and hope. They limit themselves from Faith, and from eternal peace that comes from living the gospel.

My Mom wrote in an e-mail to me today a quote that she had just read.
In the Spring,
At the end of the day,

You should smell like dirt.

I think I can echo the words of this person unknown to me.

In our Life,
At the end of it,
We should feel great peace.

Peace doesn't come all at once, and we can't just do deathbed repentance, and expect to get the full peace.
We have to be investing every day, and pray and act on the things which Christ tells us. As we do this, our lives will have greater joy and peace. I know this. So act on your faith!