Relying upon the wisdom of God

Sometimes as human beings, we have a tendency to think; I am wise, I've got the power to do this on my own. I know i've been guilty of that in my life. One such lesson we learn in the book of Nephi 9:28 "28 O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish" Sometimes, I think too often we use our own wisdom to figure out the things of God. James 1:5 As we can see from this scripture, that God will give liberally, or "Freely" he won't hold anything back from you, and he will not upbraid you or "Scold" you. He is the most powerful being in the universe, and yet he's willing to condescend to you and give you answers to your prayers. Its the most wonderful testament to his love, that he is willing to help us, beings who frankly, are unworthy of such assistance. If you don't know anything, like "Is the book of Mormon true"? Do not rely on your own wisdom, or your own supposed wisdom. Trust in god, and trust that he "has all wisdom" as king benjamin in the book of Mormon taught his people. I testify, that if we are willing to do this, then we are able to know the truth of all things. And I say these things in the name of Jesus christ amen.

Christmas

Well, its christmas time again. Its a time for cheering and laughing with friends, its a time to get together with family and eat a large dinner you can't possibly eat all in one day, and some how do; then get so stuffed that you have to take a nap afterwards!

Not only that tho, its also a time to remember the savior and what wonderful things he has done for you! He loves you, and that is why he came into the world. He came to redeem the world. As it says int he scriptures it says in Luke 2:8-14 "8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." The hosts of heaven literally sang out in Joy of their king. Our savior and Redeemer! Because of him we are redeemed from the fall, and the way is paved that we may return to our heavenly Father, if it so be that we no longer deny him, but call on his holy name!

This season, we celebrate what was over 4,000 years in the making, When we were in the pre-earth life, we were over joyed to know that our redeemer would come to redeem us all! As it says in Job 38:7 " 7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" How Joyful an occasion that must have been, when we as spirits, and children of our Heavenly Father, knew that we could progress beyond our spiritual state, and learn to be like our heavenly Father, learn to have a fullness of Joy as he does. Let us all remember this christmas season, that its not what you get; and sometimes its not really about the gift you give; but that its the spirit by which the gift is given! Remember Christ in all things this christmas season, after all, as the prophet Isaiah said speaking in the voice of the savior "I have engraven thee on the palms of my hands"! He remembers you, and all of us! He loves us, and he will never forget us! Please remember him, I love you all, and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

-Elder White

calling back the lost

Jesus christ, our lord and savior said; "I am sent to call the sinners, not the righteous to repentance, the whole need no physician". As I ponder this christmas season, I can't help but think that I haven't been the best example that I could be too my family! True, i've fought with them; I've yelled at them, I have good times, and bad times with them. But as I reflect back on these times, I realize, What have I done for those I love, whom have strayed from the gospel plan?

Please, don't misunderstand what I am saying; this has nothing to do with you being a bad person. After all, I firmly believe that there are plenty of good things about you, with out tools like; the book of Mormon, the plan of Salvation! But I would speak to you, on this wonderful book that is called "The Book Of Mormon". Its a wonderful book, full of wisdom of an ancient people whose descendants we are! I am half cherokee, and appachee, which; if you do a little digging, they are one and the same with the navajoo, so therefore I am half cherokee and navajoo! We are half lamanite! We share this proud heritage,but have we fully accepted the promises, and privliges extended to us? We have been promised to become a great people, to be a new Jerusalem! If only, we will accept the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fulness. The book of mormon does that for us! It gives us the doctirines of Jesus Christ, it gives us examples of what happens when you fail to follow these principles, or if you hold out faithful. It promises us blessings, and truth to light our path should we choose to follow its guides. Allow me to cite the scripture found in Moroni 10:3-5 which states" 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 untill the time that ye shall recieve these things, and ponder it in your hearts. And when ye shall recieve 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". I beg you, as did moroni of old, look not upon me in my weakness and scoff, but come unto christ. Get on your knee's, asking God the Father, through your humble prayer, to enlighten your mind, and teach you of all things concerning his doctirine. Ask him to tell you of the Book of mormon, and weather it is true or not. Thank him for blessings shown, and all things you have, that are dear to your life. Then end in the name of Jesus Christ. Recieve a testimony of these things for yourself, by not relying on the wisdom and powers of preception of man, but relying wholly on the powers of God, who will show you all things what you should do! The way is given that all man maybe saved, its made conditional upon our asking, and truely wanting to know. God respects our ability to choose, and will not force an answer on us that we do not desire, even if it be right! Please, call upon god, and ask for his help. He has all power to perform his words! I know its true, and I love you all! In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

-Elder White

Keep moving forward

I draw my blog topic from two sources today; The first is from the movie meet the robinsons, and the other is from my own personal experience! I'll start off with meet the robinsons, and then i'll move on to my own personal experience.

In the movie meet the robinsons, a young man named Lewis, a brilliant young inventor; who is unwittingly met by his son from the future, who has taken the time machine in order to look for the stolen time machine, that he was the cause of being stolen. He accidentally left the garage door open. So in order to make up for his mistake he goes back in time, only to discover that the time machine he is looking for is in the time frame that his dad was a child in. Upon this discovery he tries to use his dad, with out his knowlege, so that he can hopefully get the time machine back which his father invented. (Confused yet, hopefully not because we've got a ways to go. Ok not really, but metaphorically speaking.) So, Lewis, and his son from the future, end up in the future, now upon reaching the future, he learns of this amazing slogagn, which ofcourse in the future, he'll be the creator of. The slogan is, "Keep moving forward".

So I wanted to talk a little bit on what might keep us from moving forward. What might keep us from moving forward? Fighting with our siblings, failing to be obedient to the commandments, things like that. Our sins, the appostle paul taught "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of god". So, how do we move forward? How do we get beyond these little ruts in our lives that keep us pinned to one spot in our life? Through the atonement of Jesus christ; only in and through his atoneing life blood may we move forward, with the assurance that we are clean from our sins, made only conditional on us asking for this.

I'm a martial artist, I've been a black belt for about 2 years or so, and so every morning as a missionary I have the chance to exercise; well what do you suppose I do with my excercise time? Well I go straight outside and I practice martial arts. Well, our here in New York, for those of you who live out here, you know it can get cold around this time of the year. So as I was out their practicing martial arts one morning, I began to think to myself; 'What the heck am I doing out here'? But then this line went through my head from meat the robinsons, 'Keep moving forward'. As I thought of this, my arms, my legs, and my fingers are cold and frozen, I realized that by just moving forward, and continueing on the same path, I was actually getting warmer. That pretty soon, the cold didn't bother me, because I was moving. Then I thought, how many people can't feel the warmth, and love of Jesus christ, or our heavenly Father, because they don't understand this simple statement. "Keep, moving, forward" Just do it, promise you, that when you trust in your heavenly Father, and rely on the atonement of your elder Brother Jesus christ, that you will be cleansed, you don't need to fall back, or be down on yourself. He loves you and wants you to come unto him, and be healed! Just as Lewis, from meet the robinsons discovered that he had decided in the future, that he would "KEEP MOVING FORWARD"! so can you keep moving forward. By reading your scriptures, and praying daily for guidance from our heavenly Father! its true, I know these things for myself, because I do them! I've tested my heavenly Father time and again, and he never fails me! And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

-Elder White

Study, pray, and listen "There's no greater way to learn the book of Mormon"

I just have to say that I love the book of Mormon, through it, we learn the doctirines of christ, it gives us stories of saints that lived good and faithful lives a long time ago. It gives us stories of battles that ensued from unrighteous action, and warns us against sinning, tells us what we must do to gain eternal life.

I think tho, one of the best features of the book of Mormon, is that it gives us guidance through this life, and its difficult times. As a missionary in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints, its a struggle every day. Weather its to wake up in the morning and get out of bed on time, or trying to teach an investigator, who is just not getting a concept, even tho you try, and you try to get them to understand. But its not our timming, its the lords timming.

The book of Mormon, if we will let it, allows us to gain a closer relationship with the Father, and through this relationship, we can help others to see what kind of love they can feel, if they're just willing to listen! It is my prayer that all of us will, study the book of Mormon, Pray about its precepts, and then listen to god for the answer. Don't take my word for it, prove the book for its self, get on your knees and pray. Test its metal as it were. I know you can recieve an answer. and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen!

A study of culture, verses a study of words!

In my studies of the bible, and the book of Mormon; i've pondered on the many words of scriptures and I realized a fatal flaw in the designs! I had been trying to understand the Bible from the point of view, or an ancient isrealite, who merely wrote in english! As I pondered on these things, I tried to think about all the things I had learned about the ancient isrealites! As I reflected on their culture, and how they would have understood the passage, or even how they would have written it, if they were writting the same thing, but in our cultural languge. The conclusion I came up with, was that they would have written it much differently had they been writting it for our time.


For example in the book of proverbs proverbs 28:26 Now in the english culture, the heart represents the center of emotion, and feeling. So, when I first read that scripture, I wasn't quite sure what they were trying to say. But lets take a closer look at this statement shall we? In the hebrew culture, well in any of the cultures, known more formally as the semetic culture, the heart is the center of thought or intellegence. (This would explain why the heart of the pharoh was preserved, while the brain was considred worthless, and typically tossed out). So, as we examine this scripture, to an ancient israelite, a more litteral translation, would be; "He that trusteth in his own intellegence, and mind is foolish". Which kind of makes the second half of that statement, make a little more sense! But whoso walketh wisely, shall be delivered"!

So, as I pondered on these things, I realized, that; in order to gain a more literal translation of whats found in these passages of scripture is, one would need to study the culture; in addition to the languge, in order to understand what was really being said. After all, inherent in every languge/culture, you will find small statements, that will not mean much to someone else; but through such minute statements, I like to call "Micro communication", you can communicate, threats, statements of love, Joy, or anything else that you might want to communicate to another person. The same is found in the bible; through out, you will find words, and phrazes uncommon to us, but completely natural, and common to the ancient children of israel.

So, the next time you study your scriptures, and you don't quite understand what is meant in them, or even if you think you know what is being said in them, ask god what it means! chances are, the cultures are completely different, and so the meaning has changed as it tries to cross the languge barrier. Try asking yourself, the 5 main questions that every writer has to ask themselves when writing a story, "Who wrote it"?, "What were they writing it for"?, "Where was it written"?, "Why did they write it"?, and "how does it apply"? As you do these things, the bible scriptures, I promise you, that this coupled with prayer, will open a light unto your feet, and the pathway through the scriptures will open unto you! The path will be iluminated before you, and you will never walk alone through the scirptures again!

I say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Lessons learned from a good friend, and fellow missionary; sister vaterlaus!

So; as many missionaries may know, one of our beloved sisters, sister vaterlaus is going home. I thought I would write in honor of her, and the lessons I have learned from her. I think one of my fondest memories, is back when I was still quite a young and tender missionary. I was serving with one of the top 3 most patient elders in the world; he did a lot for me. Now, for people who know me, i'm not really that great with social interactions of any kind; Sometimes I walk away from the whole conversation I just had with someone, going, wow, you are a complete an utter idiot. Not to mention, there are a lot of thoughts, and ideas that fly about the mission about me, that may or may not be truthful; but they make it less then ideal to associate with me at all! Like i'm talking, you talk to me; it sounds like you should probably be shunned! No, i'm just kidding, but it is really hard to talk to me. Because even the things that are true, make it less then pleasent to talk to me. I'm not denying that. I'm working on it, I haven't discovered the secret, or formula to talking to people about situations.

Well, so any way, one day; we're at a kick ball game in honor of all the leaving missionaries. I've ofcourse was being my typical self, trying to be goofy, and funny, and most people probably just thought I was being annoying. But, someone told sister vaterlaus that I knew martial arts, infact, I think it was our very own Elder Nevil that told her that. But either way, she actually asked me to show her some martial arts. Which I did, which was different for me, because most people when they hear I do martial arts, typically think that either that means they should be intmidated, or that I want them to feel uncomfortable around me. That is not true at all! I love people, i'm just really, horribly, nerdy, and socially akward! But any way, so back to the story, she actually started a conversation with me about my skills, then latter after all that, she actually showed me one of her talents; YOGA! I mean, this is the first person, aside from the people that know me rather closely, that has been willing to talk to me, or even try to get to know me. I was astounded at her courage in talking to me, one of, atleast I consider myself, to be one of the most illapproachable missnionaries in this mission.


Then at a later time, we were taking some investigators up to see the sites, I was with a different companion at that time, he's awsome! But, while there, I guess, she got it into her head that she had offended me up there or something. Now, most missionaries would naturally decide that its not worth their time, that they should just ignore the offended, or wounded person and walk away! But low and behold, the next day, when she had time, she went throught he trouble to write me a text, appologizing for what she thought she had done! I was astounded at how, loving, and kind this young woman really was! I learned alot from her, I really have; I learned not only is it ok to talk to people that you think may be a pain in the butt, but also that you should always be willing to swallow your vain and selfish pride, and just appologize to someone, even if you think they're a total bonehead and that they deserve a rebuking and not an appology! I mean, when you go into a situation to appologize, sometimes, i've been guilty of this too, but sometimes we go in there; with the thought that this person is upset because they lack the understanding, and that in reality, they realy just need us to teach them of our ways, and convince them that you are right and they are wrong! I've done that, and, it almost never works out! If you go in there with that attitude, of, they can learn something from me, you usually go in and make the wound bigger; sometimes even foolishly reopening a wound that had healed on its own. But this sister, made it aboslutely clear, that she was sorry if she had offended me, and that she was not expecting me to learn something from her, but she was "On the errand of angels" and was going to "Bind up the broken hearted"! She took the time to bind up the broken hear that I might of had! But, rather then going in there with accusations, or sharp rebukes for some way that I could have been stupid; she said that "She was sorry if she was mean". The impression left upon my heart, was so deep, that I actually started doing it with my companion; and you know something? It actually works! It actually makes you feel 100% better, even if you don't consider it to be your fault, you appologize, and then you explain why you did it, and how you felt; I learned that, if you just go in there with no other object then to bind up their broken heart, then you will accomplish the goal! rarely if ever should you go in with the idea of, I will rebuke them, and they will learn wisdom from me! She has taught me so much, and as I've applied it, i've become a better missionary for it. Sister vaterlaus, we love you, and we think your the greatest! Hey, and thanks for all you've taught me, I have learned to become a greater missionary then I ever would have had I not met you!

We'll miss you here in the New York Rochester Mission, but you go home and be as great of a missionary as you can be, and like we all know that you are capable of being! I say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love thy neighbor as thy self!

As a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we are encourage do as Jesus Christ commanded his disciples to do, "Love thy neighbor as thy self" and "Have love one to another"! Living as a missionary isn't always the easiest thing! As a missionary, we have what we call "tracting", a translation from missionary speak to normal english it roughly translates to, "Going to a door, knocking, introducing yourself and your values as a Latter Day saints, and introduce a message of ultimate happiness. Doing this only to get A.) a door slammed in our face, with some kind of mean comment thrown at us; like, but not limited to, 'I'm sorry we're christian we can't help you', 'Your going to hell', and any such nasty things the human mind can invent. Or B.)Someone could ask us to share the message with them, but they may just say they already believe in christ after we share it, or they may do it to simply fight with us". Yes thats a long deffinition; but its how it works.

So one might ask themselves two questions; "why the heck would you do something like that"; and "how do you keep going despite all that". the simple answer can be found in the reason why we're out here. in John 13:34 From this scripture it is made abundantly clear, that we are not just obligated to love one another, but its a commandment. one of the ways that i'm able to do what I do as a missionary, is simple; I love everyone that I come in contact with. I want all to hear this message that I've recieved that has brightened my life and given me such happiness.

Now, love for my neighbor is not all that motivates me to keep moving. Now yes, love is one of the most important things in the work; but a love of God is a bigger reason for me being out here. I love my Heavenly Father, and I know that the only thing he wants for me, is my eternal happiness, and the eternal happiness of all his children. In D&C 4 This scripture sets forth the doctirines that every missionary should remember when they step out in to the world to perform this labor of love.

Now these two loves by themselves should, and indeed is enough for me to go out into the world and put that name tag on, introducing myself, and the message I bear as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ; But I like to take it a bit further. I go out there into the world each day, because I know with absolute certainty, independent from anyone else, that this church is true; that Jesus is the Christ, and that he and our Father in Heaven live and love us to the end. I know, that with out a shadow of a doubt that our Savior, and redeemer lives, I know that this work is true. The fact is, that when I go out into the world, and I recieve a door slammed in my face, I laugh at it! Because, I know that this is just prophecy that has been spoken of by the prophets of old, and the prophets of today! When i'm told that I'm not a christian, my solution, to turn right around and sing "I believe in Christ"!

What I like to do, is compare the building of ones testmimony to the investing of money in "low risk" and "High risk" investments. When you put your money into a bank account, the interst increases the money with in over a slow period of time right? conversely, if you put it into stocks, where the investment is much higher risk, it produces large amounts of money faster! When I go out there into the world each day, and I see people throwing insults at me, I just laugh, Because these people not only do not understand my religion, but they also do not understand what they are really doing to me! They think, that by argueing with me, or telling me i'm in a cult, that they can break my testimony down, but the reality is, they're actually building mind up! they're creating an enviorment in which, although i've risked my testimony by sharing it I gain the huge reward of the spirit confirming my witness that the words I speak are true. I just know, that they are really fufilling prophecy, and so therefore, my testimony grows. It is my witness, and my privlige to stand bold, and to stand strong with my brothers and sisters in proclaiming, not what I belive, or that I belive, but that "I Know this church is true, and I know my redeemer and savior lives"! Its my privlige to do this, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Why do we need the book of Mormon?

As a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I'm asked alot of times by friends, family, and yes; the occasional investigator will ask this; what do we need the Book of Mormon for?

I will attempt to answer in simplicity the real extent to which we need the Book of Mormon. Please bear with me as i'm not a perfect teacher, and so therefore do not always say things in the most simple of ways.

Now, for those of you who have questioned sincerely what do I need with the book of Mormon, one need look no further then Isaiah for the answer. In isaiah 6:9-13 As we can see Isaiah a Prophet in the old testament, was commanded to speak in such a way that his speech would be beyond the understanding of any who read his words. Much as was done with many other old testament prophets. A book of mormon prophet named Jacob taught his people plainly as to why this is he states in Jacob 4:14 As we can see from these two scriptures, the bible, although a wonderful source of spiritual enlightenment, and revelations of god. It is written in a language totally foreign to those that deal in plainess. It is, the best place anyone should go, for a record of the beggining of the human family, a book chalked full of the revelations of God to his anceint covenant people. Facts I would never dispute, nor is it my intention to tell you that the Book of Mormon is a better source of learning then the Bible.

However, what I would like to say, is that the book of Mormon, was written by the ancient inhabitants of the america's, for our day! Its predated to 600 BC, durring the time of Jermiah's prophecying. God, specifically instructed the Book of Mormon prophets to write in plainess, as Nephi proclaims, "My soul delighteth in plainess". These prophets words were given, as a way for the lord to reclaim both Jew and Gentile. To give unto the people what they really needed, when they stopped asking for things they could not understand, then he would grant unto them the plainess of his teachings.

Secondly, the Book of Mormon fufills many of the prophecies found in the Bible, to name off a few, but to be short in writting I will only give you the books and some of the reffrences, and will let you look them up if you so wish. Note:I've also included in this post the relevance of the scriptures as well. Ezekiel 37:15-17 The Book of Mormon was written by a group that are of the tribe of Ephraim. Isaiah 29 The book of Mormon is the voice of a people brought down low into the dust, because the ones who wrote the thing experienced anniahlation. Psalms 89 The book of Mormon was a book literally found burried in a hill. "Truth springing up from the ground", and many other prophecies, such as the one found in matthew 13 where christ says that the kingdom of heaven is likened unto the seed of a mustared tree, or a treasure in a field, Leaven which was hidden in three meassures of meal, and a seed that a man sewed ina field. For the Book of Mormon, was litterally sewn in a field of tree's. It was most deffinitely a treasure waiting to be found, (Joseph smith himself giving up all worldly persuits to bring fourth and testify of the Book of Mormon); it gained its strongest support from the leaven, or testimony of three special witnesses who litterally saw the angel moroni, and the plates of which have been spoken. The book was harrold in by the calling of angels, "Birds come to nest in the branches there of" not to mention John in his inspiried writings in the book of Revelations 14 "I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven having the evelasting gospel". As we can see from these and many more prophecies, like the ones in Malachi of the lords words hissing fourth, the book of Mormon is most deffinitely needed in this dispensation. Any one who sincerly questions, and wishes to know of the truthfullness of it for themselves, need look no further, then to ask God the Eternal father, truely desiring the answer of it, through humble and sincere prayer. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Rumors

As a missionary, although you would think it would not be so; I hear a lot of rumors about people, places, things; some good, and some are bad. Sadly, such talk, however harmless it must seem to the user, may infact be a deadly poisoun that destroys the target with blinding speed. as it says in James 3:8-9 from what we can see of this scripture, the tongue is indeed an unruly thing, it is full of deadly poisoun. Many may ask themselves, well is it really cursing man if i'm not really saying anything directly to him? The answer is still yes! Just because you don't say directly to the person what you think of them, when you voice it to others it is just as bad!

Through this evil source, you may find the destruction of whole nations, but not just nations alone, but the individuals that inhabit them. I have found, that more often then not, when you spread a rumor here, or a rumor there, it spreads; and just like a plague of locust swarming in on the crops, they will eventually multiply. The saddest part about it, is that the people effected by such action usually go completely unaware of whats happening untill it grows too late! Sure, they may notice the snickering, or maybe even the people that act so strangely around them, but most of the time they will just brush it aside, as mere coincidence, or maybe they'll begin to think something is wrong with them, losing all hope of recieving the love and respect of their peers! I shouldn't have to remind anyone, that people like sheep or goats are herd animals, they require friendship, love, and the interactions of others to feel complete. To find a good lesson to remember, one need look no further then the churches own history. JS-H 1:1 Rumors began to circulate about our beloved prophet Joseph Smith even from the beggining of the churches devolopment. Due to this fact he was forced to publish this letter known as the wentworth letters to "Disabuse the public mind" as it were, or to silence the rumors that had arisen.

It is sad but it is also true, when an unkind thought it communicated one against another, the the rumor, no matter how harmless it seems, destroys the lives and lively hood of a person. They poisoun the mind, and can damage the reputation of one, who may not even be guilty of the act. Inconclusion, I would exhort you, if you have heard a rumor about someone, ignore it; or tell the person that has told you that although you respect their opinion, but you cannot believe that untill you know it for yourself. Then ask the affected person about themselves, get to know them; you will soon find that the shadows of the cloak of rumors, can only be parted by simple an honest communication. Its truth, it can part any cloak, that may cast darkness upon someone who may or may not be innocent, let us all walk a little closer to the lord. Let us attempt to bind up the broken hearted, not hurt needlesly destroy the already hurt!

Thoughts of a missionary!

So recently, had a chance to listen to many sides of the different groups that exsist, that do proclaim themselves to be, or do hold the title of Christian. I've had a chance to learn, from groups of people that we called Anti's or anti-mormons. They are people that go after missionaries, and members alike. I've recently had a chance to see what some of my own friends have said on the subject of my religion! Now, don't get me wrong this is not to go after them, to chastize anyone, or to be a state deffending our beliefs. But is merely to clear up mis-understandings that have seemed to have taken root inside the minds of many friends who truely do not know what to think. The first misunderstanding I would like to clear up, if I could talk to my friends right now, is the misconception, of the principle of what I do out here as a missionary. To all those who would like to know, its very simple. I "Invite others to come unto christ" the key word being "INVITE"! The term invite, does not mean to force, to endeanvor to prove by virture of intellgence what i'm doing, but to ask people if they would like to participate. This invitation is delivered by the missionaries, and is fufilled when the member prays to god by themselves for a witness that this work is true, and that this church is true! we do not pray with them when they recieve the witness for themselves, we do not use intellegence and whit, to win them over and bring them in. Its god that calls them to this church, that tells them its true. We, might testify unto them of the truthfullness of this church, but the witness that is required for them to enter this church, is the convincing evidence of the holy spirit! As it says in Romans 8:26

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

When an investigator asks for gods help, they recieve the spirits witness of this church! Its not through any intellegence on my part, or the part of any missionary, but the witness of the spirit. As is found in Galatians 5:20-22 " 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Through this witness they recieve the answer to their prayers! They join this church based off the witness given them by the spirit. We do not sit there and watch over their shoulder until they decide that based off the evidences its true, but they pray and recieve the witness! Its not god's way to force, but to invite. Thats what I do, I invite others to come by themselves and recieve greater light and truth, through asking god, and hearing the message, not by listening to me alone! I leave these things unto you in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Asking god

So recently I had the oppertunity to sit down with a less active member of the local congregation where i'm serving in. The local branch if you will. Well as we were talking about to the prophet Joseph smith, this member told us that she didn't know that the prophet Joseph Smith was a prophet. Ok, so the first thing i'm tempted to do is to use my great command of the bible and all the scripture to prove her wrong! Me and another missionary were on splits that night, so I was with a different Elder and his partner was with my teaching partner. Then we were also doing missionary night, a night when the members go off with the missionaries to help teach the gospel to our investigators and less active members! Well, this other elder and I kind of started by explaining the need for prophets and why it was important that we need prophets! She still wasn't sure of the need, she said "I don't think there's a need for prophets as its the last days". We kind of told her that since it is the last days, there's a need now more then ever for them! Then after explaining to her the need, and using the scriptures a little bit to help us out, we then testified of the need for prophets. Which was very important, but I think the most important thing said all night was "You need to pray about it for yourself". In the grand and eternal scheme of things does it really matter what the missionaries oppinions are, or what the other persons oppinions are? No, the great being whos oppinion really matters is Gods. Heavenly Father is the one who will direct you to his truth. As it says in James 1:5 "5 If any of you lack bwisdom, let him ask of God, that cgiveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him". God wants us to ask him in all things, to get his answer, he loves talking with us, and just wants us to ask him, the all knowing being what is truth. Not to mention, the words liberally mean that he'll give to you freely, holding nothing back, and Upbraideth means to scold or find fault with! I mean, if he's going to give you freely, and not scold you, then you might so venture. To quote the prophet Joseph, just before his miraculous experience in the grove! What i've spent half my mission learning, is that, it doesn't matter what my oppionion is, its gods oppinion that matters! When you have doubts in what the missionaries say ask god! Do you want to know if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is Gods true church restored on the earth again? Ask god! He's the most important person in all this. Too often I think is Gods oppinion ignored in matters of such importance. This is eternal Life in the balance, ask God, come to him with your questions. When you do ask god remember what it says in the book of Galatians 5:20-22 " 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, btemperance: against such there is no law." When recieving revelation, you will more then not encounter these feelings, it is gods answer that it is true! As he will only sheds fourth his spirit upon the righteous, and the true! He will do it for you! He's done it for me, I bear my witness that as I have prayed to know this church is true, as it is essential for my work as a missionary and so therefore I have prayed and recieved my answer.

Joseph Smith the Prophet of the Restoration

Some people may ask themselves when first learning from the missionaries, or maybe from just what they've heared on the streets; "Just who is this Joseph Smith, and what does he have to do with any of this" well In the book of Amos 3:7 it states simply "Sure the lord god will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servant's the prophets" Joseph Smith a boy of no consequence upon the world, took the direction of James 1:5 which states "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of god, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" This simple direction given by James is most important to all humble seekers of the truth. Then in verse 6 James offers how one must pray to recieve an answer it says "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed". One must have true faith to ask when asking God the Eternal Father, which is precicely what Joseph smith did. In an excerp from Joseph Smiths Journal it says. In short, Joseph Smith, was called and directed as the Prophet who would restore all things of Christs church to the way they were when christ was on the earth. He was to recieve holy scriptrue, a record of the ancient inhabitants of the Americas. "The stick of Ephraim" as noted in the book of Ezekiel 37:15-17 The two scriptures, have grown together to confound false doctirnes, a companion to the bible, the Book of Mormon puts in plainness the doctirines of Christ as found in the Bible, and helps us view our God with renewed vigor and love! As its translator and God's choosen servant, we love Joseph Smith, but we thank our God every day for the atoneing sacrafice of Jesus Christ, that enables us to return to our Father in heavens presence. Joseph Smith, was just the choosen instrument in which Gods word could be restablished in more simplicity upon the earth, a second witness, or in other words; "A second Nations witness" for Christ, and his doctirines. Helping all people believe in the bible, and its words, and tell them what they must do to be happy in this life, and gain eternal life in the world to come!

Creativity

As we all know every human being in the world has the desire to create something; its just in our nature to do! In a talk given by Dieter F. Uchdorf second councilor in the first presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints he speaks of Man kind' need to create. He tells of the very love that God has for us in creating us, and how we were fashioned by an endlessly powerful, and creative God! Recently i've been learning much the same lesson from my own life. I've been writting a book series with a rather good friend and brother of mine for the last couple of Years! Just as President Uchdorf says in his talk, "We all have desires to create something that wasn't there before". I have pondered this notion for quite a while, as I sat writting the books with my dear friend. I thought about the meassure of the success of a writter and how they spin their art. Tied up in the plot twists, the character changes, the enviorment, indeed the very world; there is an amazing thing tied up in every word written by an author. That is their very creative nature, their very soul is locked in every word! As I was writting my own book, I realized just what I had put into my book, and just what had been placed in every other book. The creative process take the form of 4 steps. 1:With in the confines of the author's mind, a story, or a dream forms in the writters mind, thoughts, idea, characters are formed. 2:The author or beggins to organize, and shape his thoughts so that they are in a more believable form. 3:They begin to place their thoughts down on a piece of paper, crafting the enviorment, and the characters very carefully, so as to give the reader the illusion that they could at any point set the book down, get up, and actually meet these characters in real life. When they're done reading, they will feel as if they have said goodbye to a long time friend, that is most dear to them. 4:Then finally, he edits the story, taking care of any plot holes, grammar problems, or spelling errors. In short, the writter, as in my case, makes a world that has never been seen, characters that never have been in exsistence. Just as I, and many authors before me have done, all have a desire to create something. Its in our nature, it is because we were created by a glorious being, who loves each and everyone of us. I invite everyone everywhere to go and create something today, and to thank that God who gave you life, for that life; because he's out there, and he loves you.

The Book of Mormon (A book with a promise)

"The book of mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible, it is a record of God's dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the americas and contains, as does the bible the fulness of the everlasting gospel. (The introduction page to the book of mormon.) The book of Mormon is a passage of holy scripture, much like the Bible, it was written by prophets from many different points of the history of ancient americas. It was written by the spirit of revelation, and prophecy. The same spirit which wrote the Bible. "Concerning the book the prophet Joseph smith said: 'I told the bretheren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on the earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, then by any other book'." All who read this amazing book will come to find out for themselves it is true. But praying to know that the book, and the work it has started is true. This little book from its very last pages to the last are an invitation to come unto christ. In the introduction page already quoted, its says "we invite all men everwhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the Name of Christ it the book is true. Those who persue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost Ghost. Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is his revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jeus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the second comming of the messiah". The book invites people to come unto christ, by finding out if its true. Missonaries everywhere are doing the same. I may not be good at writting blogs, or doing much of anything in the communication department; but I know with all my heart that this book is true. Because I've asked God the Eternal Father in the Name of Christ if its true. I did as paul directs in galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." I listened to my feelings, and when I recieved such feelings to my heart, I knew the book was true! I still know it to this day. Pray to God "Dear heavenly Father" is how I start mine out", as it is him that i'm adressing, and I know he loves me, and I love him. He's my father in heaven. "I usually speak the feelings of my heart" and then Close "In the name of Jesus christ, amen" because we do all things through christ, the "Author and finisher" of our faith.

Let your light so shine

So a few days ago I learned the value of not hidding your talents under a bushel. It was interesting to me, because I was in the midst of writting a song on the piano, when the door opened to the room I was in. I thought it was my teaching partner, when it turned out to be the bishop of our ward. He asked me if I was hidding my talents under a bushel. I told him no, that I've just never had a chance to play this music for anyone. He then asked me, how I learned to play that song. I told him that its not a song that currently exists in the world. That i'd been writting it. He told me that it sounded pretty good, and his wife agreed. I thought it was funny that they should find out my talents like that. But then as I put some real thought into it, I realized. Just as Dieter F. Uchdorf said "We are all children of a glorious being, children of the most high god". It is my testimony, that we as children of God true have gifts and talents that we should all share, as we have been given these things by a heavenly father who loves us, cares about us, and knows us each individually, by name. We deserve to be succesfull, happy, and talented, everyone does. Its the greatest feeling to know that we have such a being who looks out for us. As it says in Moses 1:39 "For behold this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass, the immortality and eternal life of man". God glories when we are happy, and when we are doing what we should. Having talents is just part of living happy, and healthy. As christ said in *(matthew 5:16 & 3 nephi 12:16) "16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." We should all let our "Light so shine" as it is part of the wonderful gifts that our heavenly father has given us.

The Book of mormon & How it relates to the bible.

Often times, on my mission, I find people asking me questions about the Book of Mormon. According to the introduction page of the Book of Mormon, "The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It is a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel". Its job, along with the bible is to testify of christ. Not to replace the bible, but to add the witness of another nation to christ. Just recently I had a chance to sit down with one of our investigators. On this particular day, we had been having some trouble teaching the doctirines. So we felt a different approach was in order. We were teaching her about the Plan of Salvation, but we thought rather then using the Book of Mormon only, we thought we would use the Bible as our main source of imformation, and then use the Book of Mormon to back it up. As we taught her the doctirines of the Plan of salvation, we showed her how the bible says everything we share as missionaries. Then showed her how the Book of Mormon supported everything we were teaching her from the bible, infact it clarified several of the points that didn't seem to be too clear. It was great watching the Light bulb come on, and seeing her eyes light up as she started grasping the concepts we were teaching her. We then were able to actually transition the lesson back to a previous lesson she had already been taught, but hadn't fully understood. The restoration of Christ' true church. It made a whole lot of sense to her. After we left the meeting, she said "I learned more from this meeting then from anyother meeting". It really made me feel good to know that we had made a difference in her life. The book of mormon, is a passage of holy scripture, it does not say anything more or less then what the bible says, it only restates what the bible says in a different way. Clarifying and exhorting people with all diligence to come unto christ. Its clarifying power comes from the Holy Ghost, who testifies of, witnessess to, and teaches of its truth and divinity. The spirit eminates from every page, because it is america's witness for christ. It is another nations witness of Christ, the bible is the the witness of the ancient inhabitants of palistine. The testimony of these two nations will bring you closer to christ then ever before. Teaching you his true doctirines. It is the love of god that inspired it, not desiring his kids to walk along in darkness, but to walk along in the light, God gave a second witness to his words. A clarifying witness, which gives you convincing evidence of the words found in the bible. I testify with all my heart that the book of Mormon can change your life today, that it can teach you more simply and clearly the doctirines set forth by the bible. That as a second witness of christ, it is the witness that everyone in the christian world needs. As it validates the bibles statement that "By the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established" as it is a second nations witness of christ. It also gives valdility to the vision shown to Ezekiel when he says in 37:15-17 "15 ¶The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying, 16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one astick, and bwrite upon it, For cJudah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and dwrite upon it, For eJoseph, the fstick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: 17 And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become aone in thine hand". Its the stick of Ephraim, as the people refrenced in the Book of Mormon, are expressly from the tribes of Manasah and eprhaim, of the 10 tribes of israel. As a decendant of these people, I give you my unique witness that the book of Mormon is true, and that it can change your life as it has mine.

The hill cummorah pageant.

So I recently got to see the Hill cummorah pageant! Oh my gosh it is so amazing. It lays out rather clearly the doctirnes that are set fourth by the book of Mormon, which happen to be laid out also by the bible. What I found interesting is how many anti's where there protesting pageant. As I was pondering this, this very morning, my thoughts went to acts 5:35-39 where a doctor named Gamileil of the pharasies said this about John and Peter when they were erained before the council of the high priest. "Ye men of israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before thesze days rose up theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joned themselves: who was slain; and all as many as obeyed him, were scatered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up judas of galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men; it will come to nought: but if it be of god, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against god." The wicked need no opposition, because they will eventuall disperse on their own. But as Jesus Christ said, "The world fights against true religion" Those who fight against the righteous fight against god! That testifies to me that this church is true, for it has so much opposition, yet it falters not. As it is the true church of god. For all those who have never been to the Hill cummorah Pageant. I highly recommend it. Its a wonderful out door production, and the spirit will testify to your hearts of the truth and divinity of the book of mormon, and what Pageant stands for.

christs atonement

This post will be kind of short, but its about the atonement of Jesus christ. It comes from a little book called the blue hand book. Its a book that talks about different religions and jesus christ himself. In it, it speaks of olives, and how before they are prepared and squeezed into olive oil they are bitter and nasty. But for those who have ever prepared olives, when you squeeze and press them in an oil press the oil that is squeezed out is sweet and delicious. This occurs, scientifically due to the pressures pressing out the sugar, and the sweet out of the oil, while leaving the less dense basic solutions that make the olive bitter inside the olive. Durring the atonement, Jesus christ suffering for our sins in the garden of gethsemany he was pressed both physically and spiritually. In a sense taking that which was bitter and pressing out that which was sweet. Or in other words, taking our bitter suffering that we would have to endure with out the atonement, and returning a sweet reward of joy if it so be that we ask for it. Christs suffering in the garden, which was an olive garden was in the similutde of that olive, being pressed releasing the sweet, and taking the bitter. It was the bitter cup that christ drank out of, that he could give us the sweet, and take upon the law that he may offer mercy to those that desire, and work hard to be worthy of it. He took that which was bitter into himself, and then being pressed in body in spirit released that sweet joy which comes from the shedding of his blood which atones for us all. I testify that this has occured, and that you can come unto god through christ, being rewarded that sweet which christ is willing to give, and has the ability to give through his being suffering in the garden. In the name of jesus christ amen.

Jesus christ & his atonement

Some of you might ask yourselves another important question and that is "who is Jesus Christ"? "What is he to me"? "What exactly did he do for me"? The answers to these questions are found both in the bible and in the book of mormon. Many bible, and book of mormon prophets, prophesied of the comming of a messiah. In the book of alma 12:11-13 it says "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and aafflictions and btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him adeath, that he may bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to csuccor his people according to their infirmities. Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the bflesh that he might ctake upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me". Christ suffered all things for us that we wouldn't have to suffer the punishment which comes due to the eternal laws that are irrevocably decreed in heaven. In other words god has laws, he cannot lift them. He follows these same laws, and so therefore we must live by them too if we are to return to his presence. Kind of like the rules of your house growing up. If you don't follow them then your punished according to the punishments that are affixed to that rule. Like when you hit your sibling, your told to sit on time out for a few minutes then made make up with your sibling that you've wronged. In this case the law is a little more binding, and the punishment a little more permenant. In the book of isiah it was prophecied of the comming of christ in isaiah 9:6 it says "For unto us a achild is bborn, unto us a son is given: and the dgovernment shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, eCounsellor, The fmighty God, The heverlasting Father, The Prince of Peace". Jesus christ paid the punishment for our sins, for the laws we would transgress, or break, that we could return to our father and make up with him with out paying the punishment. However this forgivness is only extended on conditions of repentance. Means you say your sorry, and truely mean it. "So who is jesus christ"? The short answer he is the son of god. Which is much testified in the 4 gospels. But he is also our older brother in the spirit. As it says in the book of romans 8:16-17 "The Spirit itself beareth awitness with our bspirit, that we are the cchildren of God: And if children, then heirs; aheirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we bsuffer with him, that we may be also glorified together". Therefore he is our older brother, who has taken upon the pains and afflictions of his people, not only that he may take the punishments for them if they ask for it. But also that he may know how to more fully comfort them. When they are in pain or in need of comfort, they may ask for it and he will comfort them according to their needs. As he has expreienced all of their pains, and has been there, he knows how to comfort the people. I add my own testimony to the millions of testimonies given in the scriptures, that Jesus Christ, the savior and reedemer of the world, our elder brother in the spirit, the one who's been there. He knows how to comfort us, he knows what we've been through, and more importantly that he lives. He was crucified for our sins, as one who lived a perfect life knowing no sin, and yet he was taken as a sinner and crucified on the cross after suffering all these pains. The only one who could suffer the pains of all mankind, die on the cross, and then take his life up again. I testified that he did lay down his life for us willingly, the only one who had to willingly do it for him to truely die, and then raise up again. In the name of jesus christ amen.

Questions of the Soul

Many people around the world have asked themselves these basic questions.      Who am I?   Did I exsist before this life?  what is this life for?  and where am I going after I die?       The simple answers to each of these questions are you did exsist before this life as a spirit.     As it says in the book of mormon, alma 13:3 "and this is the manner after which they were ordained, being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowlege of god on account of their exceeding faith and good works......"      You have an individual identity, you are known to that being who created you.      President Dieter F. Uchdorf of the first presidency of the church gave an absolutely wonderful talk on our true identity.        He recounts the story written by Hans Christianson, "The ugly duckling" he speaks of our true identity.       Just as the ugly duckling in the story we are children of God, our loving Heavenly Father.       In it President Uchdorf. tells how there are voices in the world that would have us believe that we are "Not swans, but merely ugly ducklings".      He admonishes us "Please just look into the water".      He tells us that we are children of one of the most glorious beings in exsistance.       We have a greater potentiel then the world would have us believe.      

 Which leads me to the answer to our next question.   "What is this life for"?     The answer to this question is given in the book of mormon.      In 2 nephi chapter 2 it states in verse 11 "For it must needs be that there is an opposition in all things.     If not so........righteiousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad.     Wherefore, all things must needs be a compund in one; wherefore, if it should be one body, it must needs remain as dead, having no life, neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.     Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a thing of naught......".      Our being here is to experience opposition, to learn to be happy.       This fact is illistrated rather clearly in verse 25 of the same chapter.      "Adam fell that men might be, and men are, that they might have joy".       God that eternal being who created us, our father in heaven, who created both our spirits and our physical bodies created us for the purpose that we might have joy!       God so loves his children that he was willing to send them from his presence into a scary world that we might increase in joy and happiness rather then remain in the perpetual state of innocence having no idea what true happiness was.           He gave us a way to learn for ourselves, and then because he knew that we would also be unable to overcome one very inportant obstacle.       Our sins, he knew that we would do things that were contrary to his laws, that would prevent us access to his eternal realms again, to have us return to him in triumph.     So he sent his son to provide us a way back into his presence to gain forgiveness from our breaking the laws set forth by him.     This principle is illistrated in 2 nephi 2:26-27 which states "And the messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall.   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, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which god hath given.    Wherefore , men are free according to the flesh and all things are given them which are expedient (or important) unto man.     And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great mediator, of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself."       The idea is that we are sent here not to be pupets on a string for this all mighty being.     But to make choices and grow from the consiquences of these choices by a loving heavenly father who only wants the best for us.    

So just where are we going after this life?      Well that is probably one of the more important questions, because obviously if our  heavenly father is true that, a loving heavenly father.      Then he can't just leave us to waste away once we die.      He has provided a place for us to go that we might enjoy the fruits of our labors, or the rewards of our efforts here on earth, and for some, to provide them with a chance to be instructed on christ and his ultimate sacrifice for the world.     To those who might not had the chance to hear it on earth.      "Now concerning the state of the soul between death and the ressurection behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this morta body, yea, the spirits of all men weather they be good or evil, are taken hom to that god who gave them life.      And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow."     Alma 40:11-12      

Truely we are the children of one of the most glorious beings in the universe, God, the eternal father.     We are his children, and we are created in his image.      We are sent here to make choices, to learn, to grow, to enjoy the eternal reward of our work.         In fine, God our loving heavenly father has provided us with not only the means to become better then we were before, but he has also given us the way that we might return to live with him.