Two thousand years ago in a little town called Bethlehem a birth occurred that would forever shape the world. In the town of Bethlehem was born a little child name Jesus. Jesus was born in a destitute situation. Born among animals to a virgin mother and a father, who was a carpenter. To the world this birth would seem insignificant. No child born in this kind of situation could amount to much and wouldn't be able to change Judea let alone the whole world. But this was the most significant birth ever.
Little did the world know how much of a role Jesus had already played in their history. Little did the world know that thirty-three years from the birth of Jesus would occur the most important event in all the eternities. The birth of the baby Jesus had been looked forward to for millenia. When He came all history was marked from His birth and even today we look forward to His coming again. Everything in our world revolves around this baby, who was born in a stable. But why is He so important?
The first man, Adam and the first woman, Eve both looked forward to the coming of Jesus Christ. Because of their transgression in the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve had fallen. Man was now vulnerable to sin and to physical death. Because of sin man was separated from God and could not on his own pay the price needed to return to God. But our Heavenly Father knowing that the Fall was essential for the growth of man had already provided a way for the redemption of mankind. That way was through His Son, Jesus Christ.
From Adam on down the prophets and followers of God testified of Christ and preached of Christ. They looked forward to the coming of Christ knowing that He must come. The prophet Nephi wrote about Christ so that future generations might know that Christ would come to redeem mankind (2 Nephi 25:26). Can it be too big of a surprise that at the birth of the Son of God that angels appeared to herald the birth? (Luke 2:8-14) Or that a star appeared in the sky and made the night as day? (3 Nephi 1:15) Or that wise men came bearing kingly gifts? (Matthew 2:1-12) It is not when the mission of the Babe is laid before us as it so clearly is in the scriptures.
For the next thirty-three years the Son of God worked in the flesh among the children of men. He performed miracles, the greatest of sermons, and went about doing good to everyone that He met. Yet His own people reject Him and crucified Him. It would appear that the Son of God had failed His mission based on earthly means. He established no earthly kingdom (John 18:36), didn't deliver Judea from Roman oppression, and was killed (John 19:30). But the death of Christ wasn't the end of His mission, it was just part of the greatest event in history, the Atonement. For on the third day after His death Christ rose from the tomb and signaled the defeat of death and sin. He had paid the price for every sin ever committed by mankind. Because He did this man was now able to live again and to be freed from the guilt and suffering that comes with sin. Man was now redeemed.
The mission of Jesus Christ continues today as He continues to strengthen us and allow us to do all things (Phillipians 4:13). We can look to Christ and know that everything will be okay as long as we live the Gospel in our lives and gain faith in Him. To gain a testimony is simple is to read, pray, and then act. That is the message of Christmas as we approach this time of the year. So remember that over two thousand years ago a little baby was born in a stable and that because of Him we can all be happy.
Follow the link to learn more about the birth of Christ.
christmas.mormon.org
Showing posts with label Book of Mormon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book of Mormon. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Equality
Oftentimes in life it can seem as if things just aren't fair. All of us at one point or another have wondered, "Why is that person blessed with that gift and not me?" We might even say, "If God is a loving God and if He is a fair and Just God, why is He letting that person have it easy, while I'm having such a hard time?" It may appear to us mortals that God plays favorites with His children. In all actuality God loves all of His children equally and doesn't favor one over another.
In a world where there are very poor people and very rich people, people with incurable diseases, and people being treated cruelly and unfairly it can seem as if God doesn't care. But there is nothing farther from the truth,
In a world where there are very poor people and very rich people, people with incurable diseases, and people being treated cruelly and unfairly it can seem as if God doesn't care. But there is nothing farther from the truth,
For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
Everything that our Heavenly Father does is centered around us and about making us better. Just like earthly parents should want the best for their children our Heavenly Father wants what is best for us. And what's best for us is having eternal life and being able to live with Him for forever.
The way that God had made it possible for us to receive eternal life is through the gift of His Son.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
God gave us the gift of Jesus Christ, a gift that allows all of us to be able to live again and to receive all of the blessings that our Heavenly Father has promised us.
The gift of Christ is greater than anything else that we could receive and as said before allows us to receive all of our Heavenly Father's blessings. Riches, good health, and popularity as important as they may seem are nothing when compared to the happiness provided through Christ when we live His Gospel. What does it gain us if we own the whole world, but do not live the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Does anything matter if we don't have faith in Christ, if we don't repent, if we aren't baptized, and if we don't endure to the end? Nothing matters if we don't have the Gospel. For the Gospel is eternal while everything in this life ends.
Now I can't say why bad things happen to good people and I don't know why it seems as if some people are more blessed than others. But I do know that:
...the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is...
So I know that whatever happens in this life that it will be for my best interest. I also know that all that is unfair about this life will be made up in the next. For remember the greatest gift of God is that of His Son and that gift is available to each everybody. All it takes is to find out more and to live the Gospel. By studying from the Bible and the Book of Mormon we can learn more about this gift and realize how true the words of the prophet Nephi are when He says:
...for [Christ] doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.
I testify that this is true in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Complications
As a young child my parents would read to me every night before I went to bed and every Sunday too. As I grew older I started read on my own more and more. Gradually I went from picture books, to a few chapter books, and then onto full length novels. I loved to read and would oftentimes stay up late into the night reading. Many nights I could be found asleep with a book by my side and the lights still on. I loved reading because of the knowledge that I gained with every word and every paragraph.
The main reason I read was because I loved the things I learned. I had a decent enough memory that I could read something once and remember all the details of what I had read. Once something was in my head it wasn't leaving and I immediately wanted to share what I had read in the encyclopedia, from a book on the French and Indian War, or from a fantasy book. It didn't matter what it was I just wanted to let people know what I knew.
As a fifth grader I participated in a Geography Olympiad. It was during this time that my knowledge of things kind of got me into trouble. In one of the events at the Olympiad we were asked a series of questions. The first person to buzz in and give the correct answer received points for their answer. I knew the answers to every single question that was asked in the event and was the first one to respond to every single question. On one of the questions I buzzed in and gave the correct answer, but then I continued to elaborate on the answer and by the time I was finished the judge was too confused that she gave the other team a chance to answer. The other team then gave the answer I had given with a lot less added detail. That was the only time they scored.
Even though I won the competition by a lot I was frustrated that I hadn't gotten all the possible points. I complained to my mom and asked her why I hadn't they given the points to me when I had given the correct answer? My mom taught me a very important lesson that day. She told me that if you want someone to know what you are saying then you should be simple. That way there is no way they can see things in the wrong way. She told me that even though I knew a lot of information that I should try to keep things simple and that way people would have an easier time understanding me. This lesson has helped me a lot a s a missionary.
As a missionary my purpose is to help other to come unto Christ by helping them learn more about the Restored Gospel. Now the Gospel of Jesus Christ when stripped to the bare bones is really simple. It is simply having faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. All of those are simple and easy steps. Yet oftentimes missionaries and members can over complicate the simpleness of the Gospel.
As members we first learn the Gospel very simply. We learn that through Jesus Christ we all can be cleansed from sin and live with our Heavenly Father. We know that we must change our ways, be baptized for the remission of sins, receive the Holy Ghost to help guide us, and then we must continue to try and be good people for the rest of our lives. As we mature in the Gospel we begin to learn more about why we do these things and we begin to learn more of the mysteries of God. We want to share these mysteries with the people around us and let them know what we know. But we often find ourselves scaring off these people as we teach them way more than what they are ready for. Confusion and fear will follow when this happens and will sometimes lead people away from the Gospel.
The main reason I read was because I loved the things I learned. I had a decent enough memory that I could read something once and remember all the details of what I had read. Once something was in my head it wasn't leaving and I immediately wanted to share what I had read in the encyclopedia, from a book on the French and Indian War, or from a fantasy book. It didn't matter what it was I just wanted to let people know what I knew.
As a fifth grader I participated in a Geography Olympiad. It was during this time that my knowledge of things kind of got me into trouble. In one of the events at the Olympiad we were asked a series of questions. The first person to buzz in and give the correct answer received points for their answer. I knew the answers to every single question that was asked in the event and was the first one to respond to every single question. On one of the questions I buzzed in and gave the correct answer, but then I continued to elaborate on the answer and by the time I was finished the judge was too confused that she gave the other team a chance to answer. The other team then gave the answer I had given with a lot less added detail. That was the only time they scored.
Even though I won the competition by a lot I was frustrated that I hadn't gotten all the possible points. I complained to my mom and asked her why I hadn't they given the points to me when I had given the correct answer? My mom taught me a very important lesson that day. She told me that if you want someone to know what you are saying then you should be simple. That way there is no way they can see things in the wrong way. She told me that even though I knew a lot of information that I should try to keep things simple and that way people would have an easier time understanding me. This lesson has helped me a lot a s a missionary.
As a missionary my purpose is to help other to come unto Christ by helping them learn more about the Restored Gospel. Now the Gospel of Jesus Christ when stripped to the bare bones is really simple. It is simply having faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. All of those are simple and easy steps. Yet oftentimes missionaries and members can over complicate the simpleness of the Gospel.
As members we first learn the Gospel very simply. We learn that through Jesus Christ we all can be cleansed from sin and live with our Heavenly Father. We know that we must change our ways, be baptized for the remission of sins, receive the Holy Ghost to help guide us, and then we must continue to try and be good people for the rest of our lives. As we mature in the Gospel we begin to learn more about why we do these things and we begin to learn more of the mysteries of God. We want to share these mysteries with the people around us and let them know what we know. But we often find ourselves scaring off these people as we teach them way more than what they are ready for. Confusion and fear will follow when this happens and will sometimes lead people away from the Gospel.
As members, as missionaries, and as disciples of Jesus Christ we need to keep things simple when it comes to sharing the Gospel with our family and friends. Because the Gospel is simple and has been made that way for a reason. The reason is that He wants all of His children to return to live with Him. As Paul said "I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it..." (1 Corinthians 3:2) Start off with the simple truths then move onto the more complex things. If we keep to the basics then our friends will be able to learn and accept the Gospel more easily. Don't over complicate things.
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| As spiritual children we need to keep things simple. |
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
A Mission Blesses
Two years ago an announcement was made by the Lord's Prophet and Apostles here on earth. That announcement was that young men could leave on missions at the age of eighteen and young women at the age of nineteen. Previously a boy had to be nineteen and a girl had to be twenty-one. This was a huge change and has since let over eighty-thousand young Latter-Day Saints leave their homes to serve God. This force of missionaries is here to help spread the Gospel to all the world and to hasten the Lord's work.
Missions have a further purpose than just helping spread the Gospel though. They help to turn missionaries from kids into confident mature adults. This world is a world set on satisfying the needs of the individual. In this world all concerns for others are ignored as people focus only on themselves. For two years though a missionary forgets his own needs and looks outward. A missionary seeks to share the Gospel with random people he has never met. In return there is no monetary gifts or a leadership position in the Church. There is only the reward of knowing that he has tried to help someone return to live with their Heavenly Father.
The happiness that this missionary feels helps him to see that truthfulness of when Christ says:
Missions have a further purpose than just helping spread the Gospel though. They help to turn missionaries from kids into confident mature adults. This world is a world set on satisfying the needs of the individual. In this world all concerns for others are ignored as people focus only on themselves. For two years though a missionary forgets his own needs and looks outward. A missionary seeks to share the Gospel with random people he has never met. In return there is no monetary gifts or a leadership position in the Church. There is only the reward of knowing that he has tried to help someone return to live with their Heavenly Father.
The happiness that this missionary feels helps him to see that truthfulness of when Christ says:
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.
No Greater happiness can be found in life than when we serve those around us. Because when we serve others we only serve God. (Mosiah 2:17)
Another way that missionaries grow during their eighteen months to two years of service is that they learn the importance of work. Missionary life isn't easy at all. From six-thirty in the morning to ten-thirty at night a missionary is working to spread the Gospel. A missionary has to make sure that during all that time he is working. As a missionary works hard he sees blessings come into his life. He finds peace that He is doing God's will. He will see miracles happen in his life and in the lives of those around him. Most importantly he will learn to love those he comes in contact with.
The work that a missionary does on his mission helps him to develop an attitude of hard work. An attitude that he will take home with him. This attitude will help a missionary to thrive at work. To earn the respect of his coworkers. It will also help him to work hard for his family and to love his family even more.
The blessings of a mission are incredible. I have seen myself become a hard worker throughout my mission. I have also gained confidence in what I do and what I say. I have also come to love those around me no matter who they are or what they do. But the greatest blessing I've received out here is a stronger testimony. When I came out I had a very weak testimony. I believed in God, but not much else. As I've served I've gained a testimony of the divine mission of Jesus Christ. I've come to know that God's is on the earth today and it is only in this Church that the priesthood authority of God rests, and that through this priesthood I can live with my family for forever.
My mission has been the greatest experience that I have had so far in my life and I know that it is one of the greatest experiences I or anyone can have. A mission can be hard at times, it can even be boring, but the growth that comes from a mission shouldn't be traded for anything. Jobs can wait, school can wait, and even girlfriends can too. I know this because I've those things up for two years.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
The Power of the Scriptures
Growing up one of my favorite hymns to sing in Primary was "Scripture Power". I can remember singing the song and every time the words "Scripture Power" were sung I would thrust my scripture case into the air. I loved the song as a child and I still love it as a young adult. If given the chance to sing "Scripture Power" again I would find myself still thrusting my scriptures into the air. But this song also teaches a very powerful lesson about how we can receive strength as we read our scriptures.
As I have admitted before I haven't always been the best at reading my scriptures. Often times I would read a verse or two from the Book of Mormon or from the Bible and just find myself wanting to quit. They didn't seem that exciting and they were also super long and written in a form of English I didn't understand too well.
But as I have gotten older I have come to see the importance of the scriptures more and more in my life. I have always had a deep love of history esp
ecially the history of warfare. I can remember my mom urging me to read the scriptures because they told the history of ancient people and their battles. I can remember that this intrigued me and for a time I sought out the passages where warfare took place. But the more I read into these chapters the more interested I became in learning more from the other chapters. I began reading the stories of prophets who boldly testified of the coming of Jesus Christ and taught how we could come unto Him.
As I read more about these prophets I began to see that their central message was to testify of Jesus Christ and that he was going to come to the world and redeem mankind. I learned this as I read about the prophets like Moses, Elijah, Alma, and Mosiah. Every single one of them testified of Christ and His coming. These prophets also were inspired to write these things down so we would know about Christ and all that He does for us. These writing are what make up the Bible and the Book of Mormon and they both act as witnesses of Christ.
The more I read the writings of these prophets the more I learned. From Alma, an ancient prophet in the Americas, I learned that Christ would come and suffer for the sins of man. So none of us would have to die or pay the full price for our sins. From Christ Himself I was able to learn that God loves all of His children and so He sent His Son to earth so we could live again. All of these are amazing messages that I would have no idea about if they hadn't been written down.
Since that time when I started reading from the scriptures I have learned many important lessons in my life and received peace that could only come from God. I truly have received power from the Scriptures. Power that has helped to enrich my life and make me happy and I know that this happiness can be found by anyone who takes the time just to open the scriptures.
Read from the scriptures. Learn about Christ's mortal ministry in the Bible and how He came to redeem mankind. Read the Book of Mormon and learn how Christ visited the people in the Americas and how they knew He was the Christ. Many lessons will be learned, your life will be blessed, and you will receive "Scripture Power". I can promise that in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
As I have admitted before I haven't always been the best at reading my scriptures. Often times I would read a verse or two from the Book of Mormon or from the Bible and just find myself wanting to quit. They didn't seem that exciting and they were also super long and written in a form of English I didn't understand too well.
But as I have gotten older I have come to see the importance of the scriptures more and more in my life. I have always had a deep love of history esp
ecially the history of warfare. I can remember my mom urging me to read the scriptures because they told the history of ancient people and their battles. I can remember that this intrigued me and for a time I sought out the passages where warfare took place. But the more I read into these chapters the more interested I became in learning more from the other chapters. I began reading the stories of prophets who boldly testified of the coming of Jesus Christ and taught how we could come unto Him.
As I read more about these prophets I began to see that their central message was to testify of Jesus Christ and that he was going to come to the world and redeem mankind. I learned this as I read about the prophets like Moses, Elijah, Alma, and Mosiah. Every single one of them testified of Christ and His coming. These prophets also were inspired to write these things down so we would know about Christ and all that He does for us. These writing are what make up the Bible and the Book of Mormon and they both act as witnesses of Christ.
The more I read the writings of these prophets the more I learned. From Alma, an ancient prophet in the Americas, I learned that Christ would come and suffer for the sins of man. So none of us would have to die or pay the full price for our sins. From Christ Himself I was able to learn that God loves all of His children and so He sent His Son to earth so we could live again. All of these are amazing messages that I would have no idea about if they hadn't been written down.
Since that time when I started reading from the scriptures I have learned many important lessons in my life and received peace that could only come from God. I truly have received power from the Scriptures. Power that has helped to enrich my life and make me happy and I know that this happiness can be found by anyone who takes the time just to open the scriptures.
Read from the scriptures. Learn about Christ's mortal ministry in the Bible and how He came to redeem mankind. Read the Book of Mormon and learn how Christ visited the people in the Americas and how they knew He was the Christ. Many lessons will be learned, your life will be blessed, and you will receive "Scripture Power". I can promise that in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Letters From Home
As a missionary I have come to love mail. Before I left home I had always that getting a paper letter wasn't very exciting. If I did receive a letter in the mail I always wondered why hadn't the sender just sent me a text message, a message on Facebook, or at least an email? I mean they had so many options and they chose the slowest way to get a message to me. A method that sometimes took days if not weeks to get to me.
Now though I have developed a deep appreciation for paper letters. Because as a missionary I don't have the option to text my friends or my family. I get the chance once a week to write them and to email and I don't really know on which day I might receive a response back from them. So now whenever I get anything from my family I am super excited.
Out here on my mission I have developed this ritual that whenever mail arrives at our apartment I rush to the mailbox, with my companion of course, to see if I have any mail. Some days there isn't anything, but whenever there is a letter or a package for me I am always super excited. These letters meant to me that someone at home did care about me and wanted to know how I am doing. These letters have become a treasure that I keep with me at all times and whenever I need advice or just kind words I turn to these letters.
The receiving of these letters every week or so has brought a blessing into my life that I had never considered before. The letters helped me to see how vitally important the scriptures are to me.
Before my mission when I would pray to God I always did it with the hope that I would receive an immediate answer. I would ask a question and just sit at the foot of my bed hoping for a heavenly messenger or at least some kind of feeling. No messengers ever showed up, but I did get a few impressions, but not usually. I often wondered why I wasn't getting a fast response like I might get when texting a friend.
It wasn't until I got on my mission and I would have to wait for days to get a letter that I realized one of the ways that our Heavenly Father answers our prayers is through the scriptures. I realized that the scriptures are like God's letters to us here on this earth. They weren't received all at once and they do take time to read and to ponder. But when we take time to look through them we are able to find answers to the questions we have or find that peace and comfort that we are looking for.
So now whenever I have a question that I need help with I ask God in humble prayer and then I go and read and see if I can find my answer. I have found multiple times as I have read from the Bible and the Book of Mormon that my answer is contained within the pages of these sacred writings. This searching has brought me to a new understanding of God's love for us.
I encourage all to read the scriptures and to find the answers that they are looking for. They can be found as you read these sacred texts and see what God has provided for us. I promise that no time spent reading the scriptures is wasted.
Now though I have developed a deep appreciation for paper letters. Because as a missionary I don't have the option to text my friends or my family. I get the chance once a week to write them and to email and I don't really know on which day I might receive a response back from them. So now whenever I get anything from my family I am super excited.
Out here on my mission I have developed this ritual that whenever mail arrives at our apartment I rush to the mailbox, with my companion of course, to see if I have any mail. Some days there isn't anything, but whenever there is a letter or a package for me I am always super excited. These letters meant to me that someone at home did care about me and wanted to know how I am doing. These letters have become a treasure that I keep with me at all times and whenever I need advice or just kind words I turn to these letters.
The receiving of these letters every week or so has brought a blessing into my life that I had never considered before. The letters helped me to see how vitally important the scriptures are to me.
Before my mission when I would pray to God I always did it with the hope that I would receive an immediate answer. I would ask a question and just sit at the foot of my bed hoping for a heavenly messenger or at least some kind of feeling. No messengers ever showed up, but I did get a few impressions, but not usually. I often wondered why I wasn't getting a fast response like I might get when texting a friend.
It wasn't until I got on my mission and I would have to wait for days to get a letter that I realized one of the ways that our Heavenly Father answers our prayers is through the scriptures. I realized that the scriptures are like God's letters to us here on this earth. They weren't received all at once and they do take time to read and to ponder. But when we take time to look through them we are able to find answers to the questions we have or find that peace and comfort that we are looking for.
So now whenever I have a question that I need help with I ask God in humble prayer and then I go and read and see if I can find my answer. I have found multiple times as I have read from the Bible and the Book of Mormon that my answer is contained within the pages of these sacred writings. This searching has brought me to a new understanding of God's love for us.
I encourage all to read the scriptures and to find the answers that they are looking for. They can be found as you read these sacred texts and see what God has provided for us. I promise that no time spent reading the scriptures is wasted.
Friday, May 23, 2014
Service
The first area I served in on my mission was the tiny town of Lakeview, Oregon. When I arrived in Eugene and was told that I was going to Lakeview the first question I asked was if there was a lake near the town. The answer I found out was no.
The drive to Lakeview from Eugene was a two day affair. My companion and I spent the first night of my mission in Klamath Falls and then went on to Lakeview the next day. My first thoughts when I showed up in Lakeview was that it was super small and that it was super far away from everything.
My companion took no time to stop when we arrived and took me straight to a house where we started to build a playground. For the next few weeks the two of us would go back to this house and work on the playground. We toiled in the hot Sun and drank tons of water. Yet I didn't feel bad about working and I didn't feel bad about being in Lakeview either. It felt so good to work with my hands and to help someone out.
I spent about four moths in Lakeview and the entire time I was there I always tried to help out where I could. I stacked a lot of wood, cut a lot of grass, helped put on siding, and pruned a lot of trees.
Even if someone wasn't interested in hearing the message of the Restoration my companion and I tried to do what we could to help people out. I remember once being asked why were we so willing to help out without any thought of payment. When I was asked this a scripture from the Book of Mormon came to my mind.
The drive to Lakeview from Eugene was a two day affair. My companion and I spent the first night of my mission in Klamath Falls and then went on to Lakeview the next day. My first thoughts when I showed up in Lakeview was that it was super small and that it was super far away from everything.
My companion took no time to stop when we arrived and took me straight to a house where we started to build a playground. For the next few weeks the two of us would go back to this house and work on the playground. We toiled in the hot Sun and drank tons of water. Yet I didn't feel bad about working and I didn't feel bad about being in Lakeview either. It felt so good to work with my hands and to help someone out.
I spent about four moths in Lakeview and the entire time I was there I always tried to help out where I could. I stacked a lot of wood, cut a lot of grass, helped put on siding, and pruned a lot of trees.
Even if someone wasn't interested in hearing the message of the Restoration my companion and I tried to do what we could to help people out. I remember once being asked why were we so willing to help out without any thought of payment. When I was asked this a scripture from the Book of Mormon came to my mind.
And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of you fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.
This scripture spoke a lot of truth to me. The reason I felt good about serving people was because that was what I needed to be doing to those around me. I needed to serve God by serving others.
And as my mission has gone I have found that the best way to serve people is to share the Restored Gospel with them. To let them know that God does love us and does care about our daily lives. Oftentimes He does that through other people. So I will do my best to serve those around me and share the Gospel with them.
So if there is anyone out there who wants to learn more about the Restored Gospel please message me on Facebook or visit mormon.org. I promise that you will never regret learning more.
Friday, May 16, 2014
The Book of Mormon
The first time I read the Book of Mormon was when I was a sophomore in high school. I had opened the book so many times and had just never gotten past the first couple of chapters in the book. I mean I had heard how important the book was from other people and that it was great, but I just never had the motivation to push through the book and find out why it was so great.
I don't really know what caused me to pickup the book my sophomore year and delve into it. My seminary teacher that year had challenged me to read the entire book, but it hadn't been the first time in my life that a seminary teacher had asked me to read the scriptures. The year before I had been challenged to read the New Testament, but hadn't found the time to do that. But for some reason I decided to do what my teacher asked and read.
So everyday that year I read from the Book of Mormon. And as I read I started to see why the Book of Mormon was so important. The Book of Mormon told the story of a family that was led by God from Jerusalem to the American continent around the year 600 BC. Here this family taught of Christ and prophesied that He would come and redeem mankind.
The highlight of the Book of Mormon comes when Christ Himself comes and visits the ancient inhabitants of the Americas after His Resurrection. As I read about Christ's visit to the Americas I knew that it had to be true. I just felt it as I read.
By the end of the year I had finished the Book of Mormon and was pretty proud of myself. I learned at the end of the Book of Mormon that the people on the American continent who had written the book had destroyed themselves. But fortunately for me and everyone else God preserved their records so that I could learn of His Son and how He had helped those in the past. I came to love the Book of Mormon during that year and it became very important to me.
But there was a blessing that came from reading the Book of Mormon that I didn't recognize for several years afterwards. My sophomore year was a really good year for me. I got good grades in all of my classes, I had an amazing cross-country season, and I just felt happy about everything in my life. My Junior and Senior years of high school weren't that great. I had miserable seasons running, my grades slipped, and I just didn't feel happy or even feel as if God was watching over me.
I could see a difference between my high school years, but I couldn't figure out what had made the difference in them. It wasn't until I left on my mission that I finally realized what had made the change. It was that I had read from the scriptures my sophomore year. My junior and senior years I hadn't taken the time to read from the scriptures and as a result things hadn't gone so smoothly.
Luckily I now know the blessings that come from reading the scriptures and I invite everyone to read from the Book of Mormon and to take the challenge from the ancient Book of Mormon prophet Moroni who says:
I don't really know what caused me to pickup the book my sophomore year and delve into it. My seminary teacher that year had challenged me to read the entire book, but it hadn't been the first time in my life that a seminary teacher had asked me to read the scriptures. The year before I had been challenged to read the New Testament, but hadn't found the time to do that. But for some reason I decided to do what my teacher asked and read.
So everyday that year I read from the Book of Mormon. And as I read I started to see why the Book of Mormon was so important. The Book of Mormon told the story of a family that was led by God from Jerusalem to the American continent around the year 600 BC. Here this family taught of Christ and prophesied that He would come and redeem mankind.
The highlight of the Book of Mormon comes when Christ Himself comes and visits the ancient inhabitants of the Americas after His Resurrection. As I read about Christ's visit to the Americas I knew that it had to be true. I just felt it as I read.
By the end of the year I had finished the Book of Mormon and was pretty proud of myself. I learned at the end of the Book of Mormon that the people on the American continent who had written the book had destroyed themselves. But fortunately for me and everyone else God preserved their records so that I could learn of His Son and how He had helped those in the past. I came to love the Book of Mormon during that year and it became very important to me.
But there was a blessing that came from reading the Book of Mormon that I didn't recognize for several years afterwards. My sophomore year was a really good year for me. I got good grades in all of my classes, I had an amazing cross-country season, and I just felt happy about everything in my life. My Junior and Senior years of high school weren't that great. I had miserable seasons running, my grades slipped, and I just didn't feel happy or even feel as if God was watching over me.
I could see a difference between my high school years, but I couldn't figure out what had made the difference in them. It wasn't until I left on my mission that I finally realized what had made the change. It was that I had read from the scriptures my sophomore year. My junior and senior years I hadn't taken the time to read from the scriptures and as a result things hadn't gone so smoothly.
Luckily I now know the blessings that come from reading the scriptures and I invite everyone to read from the Book of Mormon and to take the challenge from the ancient Book of Mormon prophet Moroni who says:
And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
-Moroni 10:4
And when you do find these things are true keep reading from the Book of Mormon and treasure up the words found there. Never lose them like I did. I promise that you will see a change in your life.
And when you do find these things are true keep reading from the Book of Mormon and treasure up the words found there. Never lose them like I did. I promise that you will see a change in your life.
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