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.

 

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!