EMBARK in the Service of God

How will you EMBARK?
*Serve a full time mission
*Do family history
*Help your neighbor
*Attend the temple
*Fulfill a church calling
*Share your testimony
*Pray for the brokenhearted
*Open your heart to the needy
*Stand up for what is right
*Strengthen and support your loved ones
*CREATE YOUR OWN....
It doesn't matter how you show your love, appreciation and gratitude. The Lord loves you for who you are. He wants you on His side and has asked you for help in bringing His children closer to Him. What are you willing to do?

Persistent Faith

What does it mean to have persistent faith? And how do we persist in faith?

It is through living the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Endure to the End) that we show persistent Faith.

Press Forward, Saints

Song from the LDS Hymn Book

1. Press forward, Saints, with steadfast faith in Christ,

With hope's bright flame alight in heart and mind,

With love of God, and love of all mankind.

2. Press forward, feasting on the word of Christ.

Receive his name, rejoicing in his might.

Come unto God; find everlasting light.

3. Press on, enduring in the ways of Christ.

His love proclaim thru days of mortal strife.

Thus saith our God: "Ye have eternal life!"

(Chorus)

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Persistence: Continuing firmly or obstinately in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition

Faith: The assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen

"If there is any one thing you and I need in this world it is faith, that dynamic, powerful, marvelous element by which, as Paul declared, the very worlds were framed....faith - the kind of faith that moves one to get on his knees and plead with the Lord and then get on his feet and go to work - is an asset beyond compare, even in the acquisition of secular knowledge." -Gordon B. Hinckley

Faith:

Having faith in Christ includes having a firm belief that He is the Only Begotten Son of God and the Savior and Redeemer of the world. When we have faith in Christ, we accept and apply His atonement and teachings. We trust Him and what He says. We know that He has the power to keep His promises. Heavenly Father blesses those who have faith to obey His son. Faith in Christ leads to action. Having faith causes us to try as hard as we can to learn about and become more like our Savior. It leads to sincere and lasting repentance.

An example from the Bible - Daniel: a prophet of God and a man of great faith

Daniel Chapter 1:8-9, 11-15

Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunichs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunichs. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunichs had set over Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked at before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.

Daniel Chapter 2:3, 10-13, 16-19, 24-25, 27-28

And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream. The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean. And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh. For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his followers to be slain. Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation. Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of Heaven. Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation. Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation. Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days.

Daniel 6:13, 16, 20-23

That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou has signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God, whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hat shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me; forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

Daniel 4:34

And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:

• Through Daniels faith, Nebuchadnezzar gained a witness of Gods works, and gained faith in our Heavenly Father, for himself

Repentance:

Our faith in Christ and our love for Him will lead us to repent, or to change our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that are not in harmony with His will. As we repent, our view of ourselves and the world changes. As we change, we recognize that we are children of God. Sincere repentance brings several results. We feel God's forgiveness and His peace in our lives. We feel the influence of the Spirit in greater abundance.

An example from the Book of Mormon - Alma the younger: The first chief judge and prophet in the Nephite Nation

Mosiah 28:4

And thus did the Spirit of the Lord work upon them, for they were the very vilest of sinners. And the Lord saw fit in his infinite mercy to spare them; nevertheless they suffered much anguish of soul because of their iniquities, suffering much and fearing that they should be cast off forever.

Alma 36:11, 13, 17-21

I was struck with such great fear and amazement lest perhaps I should be destroyed, that I fell on the earth and I did hear no more. Yea, I did remember all my sins and iniquities, for which I was tormented with the pains of hell; yea, I saw that I had rebelled against my God, and that I had not kept his holy commandments. And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world. Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death. And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more. And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding was my pain! Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.

Baptism:

Faith in Jesus Christ and repentance prepare us for the ordinances of baptism an confirmation. Through the ordinance of baptism we covenant to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, always remember Him, and keep His commandments. As we keep our part of the covenant, God promises the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, a remission of our sins, and being born again.

The Gift of the Holy Ghost:

Jesus taught that we must be baptized of water and also of the Spirit. Baptism by water must be followed by baptism of the Spirit or it is incomplete. Only when we receive baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost can we receive a remission of our sins and become completely spiritually reborn. The Holy Ghost testifies of Christ and helps us recognize the truth. He provides spiritual strength. He comforts us during times of trial or sorrow. The Gift of the Holy Ghost is one of our Heavenly Father's most precious gifts. The gift is a foretaste of eternal joy and a promise of eternal life.

An example from the Bible - Jesus Christ: The Son of God, our older brother, and ultimate example

Matthew 3:13-17

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto  him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Endure to the End:

Once we have entered the strait and narrow path by our faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and the ordinances of baptism and confirmation, we must exert every effort to stay on the path. As we patiently, faithfully, and consistently follow this path throughout our lives, we will qualify for eternal life. Our actions in daily life are shaped and governed by these principles. Eventually, as we follow this way and "press forward with a steadfastness in Christ....and endure to the end," we are promised, "Ye shall have eternal life."

A latter-day example - Joseph Smith: The prophet called of God to restore the true church of Jesus Christ to the earth

Story of Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith's determination and perseverance is a good example of enduring to the end. After reading James 1:5, "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," Joseph knew that he must do as James directed or remain in darkness and confusion. From the moment, he knelt in prayer, he encountered enormous obstacles and opposition. First, and evil, unseen power seized him. Then, he wrote, "Just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun..

"It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me....one of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other-'This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!'" (JS-H 1:16-17).

This marvelous event, near the start of the Prophet's mortal ministry, proved to be a pattern in his life. He suffered ridicule, violent attack by his enemies, betrayal by close associates whom he had trusted, forcible separation from his loved ones, trial and imprisonment on false charges, and, finally, martyrdom at the hands of a mob. Yet he remained true to the charge he had received and served faithfully in his calling as the Prophet to usher in the dispensation of the fullness of times. In addition to seeing our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, he received instruction and counsel from angles and other heavenly beings throughout his life.

Conclusion:

2 Nephi 31:16-21

And now, my beloved brethren, I know by t his that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved. Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have see that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost. And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; Yea, yea have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witness of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive. And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save. Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.

From all of these stories, definitions and examples, I know that if we are to ever return home to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, we must live His gospel. We must persist in faith. For as Nephi said, we aren't done once we have exercised faith. We must keep going. We must move on. We must be even as Jesus Christ. We must never give up. We have to show God, through our actions, that we truly want to live with Him again. Yes, it is hard work, and something that takes a lifetime, but it is worth every second. It will bless us, and our families for ETERNITY! I know that as we live the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Endure to the End), we will be saved and receive our place in the kingdom of God. I know that our Savior lives and loves each and every one of us. I know that the Gospel is true and it blesses and changes lives. I am so grateful for all that our Savior has done. I am grateful that He so willingly sacrificed His life, to give us ours. I know that He expects great things of us, and it can be hard, but the benefits and blessings are far greater. I leave this with you, in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

All Things Denote There Is A God

"Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator." -Alma 30:44
"Your Heavenly Father loves you—each of you. That love never changes. It is not influenced by your appearance, by your possessions, or by the amount of money you have in your bank account. It is not changed by your talents and abilities. It is simply there. It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God's love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is simply there." -Thomas S. Monson

"The love of God and His Son, Jesus Christ, is eternal. From before the world was, a loving Father in Heaven and His beloved Son loved and worked with those who They knew would wander. God will love them forever." -Henry B. Eyring
"Above all, never lose faith in your Father in Heaven, who loves you more than you can comprehend. Never, ever doubt that, and never harden your heart. Faithfully pursue the time-tested devotional practices that bring the Spirit of the Lord into your life. Believe in miracles. I have seen so many of them come when every other indication would say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost. If those miracles do not come soon or fully, or seemingly at all, remember the Savior's own anguished example: if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead." -Jeffrey R. Holland

The Lords Words Never Cease

"Wherefore look, and I will show thee the workmanship of mine hands; but not all, for my works are without end, and also my words, for they never cease." -Moses 1:4
The Bible is the word of God. It is always identified first in our canon, our "standard works." Indeed, it was a divinely ordained encounter with the fifth verse of the first chapter of the book of James that led Joseph Smith to his vision of the Father and the Son, which gave birth to the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in our time. But even then, Joseph knew the Bible alone could not be the answer to all the religious questions he and others like him had. As he said in his own words, the ministers of his community were contending—sometimes angrily—over their doctrines. "Priests [was] contending against priest, and convert[was contending] against convert...in a strife of words and a contest about opinions," he said. About the only thing these contending religions had in common was, ironically, a belief in the Bible, but, as Joseph wrote, "the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question [regarding which church was true] by an appeal to the Bible." Clearly the bible, so frequently described at that time as "common ground," was nothing of the kind—unfortunately it was a battleground.

Thus one of the great purposes of continuing revelation through living prophets is to declare to the world through additional witnesses that the Bible is true. "This is written," an ancient prophet said, speaking of the Book of Mormon, "for the intent that we may believe that," speaking of the Bible. In one of the earliest revelations received by Joseph Smith, the Lord said, "Behold, I do not bring [the Book of Mormon forth] to destroy [the Bible] but to build it up."

I know that the Book of Mormon is another Testament of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that the Book of Mormon is not here on the earth to replace the Bible, but to go hand in hand with it. I know that The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It is a record of God’s dealings with ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel. They both testify of Jesus Christ and His marvelous gospel. They both testify of truth, and they both are here for us to study from and learn how to become more like our Savior and Heavenly Father.

One Lord, One Faith, One God and Father of All

I know that our Savior lives. I know that He loves each and every one of us. I know that there are times in our lives where things just dont make sense. There are times where we just want to forget the past. There are times when we just want to be better. There are times when we want more in life. I know that we all go through those times. I also know that as we rely on the Lord, and follow our Saviors example, we are promised that one day we will receive a full understanding of all. We are all called to a many callings, the first and most important is to follow the Savior and His example.
 
"I therefore beseech you to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." -Ephesians 4:1-15

"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the Remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." -Acts 2:38-89

6 Truths Worth Knowing

Your Spiritual Account
We all live on spiritual credit. In one way or another, the account builds and builds. Because you are being tested, it is expected that you will make mistakes. You, perhaps, may feel inferior in mind and body and are troubled or burdened with the weight of some spiritual account that is marked "past due." If you pay it off as you go, you have little need to worry. Soon you begin to learn discipline and know that there is a day of reckoning ahead. Learn to keep your spiritual account paid off at regular intervals rather than allowing it to collect interest and penalties.

Repentance Gives Relief
The gospel teaches us that relief from torment and guilt can be earned through repentance. We become trapped, and hence comes the pain and torment that only the Savior can heal. No matter what has happened in your life, the Lord has prepared a way for you to come back if you will heed the promptings of the Holy Spirit. You have the power to stop and to be redeemed.

A Rattlesnake Named Pornography
You live in a day when the scourge of pornography is sweeping across the world. It is hard to escape it. There is no part of it that is innocent. To collect it, view it, or carry it around in any form is akin to keeping a rattlesnake in your backpack. One can easily understand, with the world being what it is, that you can almost innocently be exposed to it, to read it, or to view it without realizing the terrible consequences. If that describes you, I warn you to Stop it. Stop it now! If at first you stumble, do not give up. Overcoming discouragement is part of the test. Do not give up. The Lord is always there. He is willing to suffer and pay the penalty if you are willing to accept Him as your Redeemer.

The Savior's Suffering for Our Sins
As  mortals, we may not—indeed cannot—understand fully how Jesus Christ fulfilled His atoning sacrifice. But for now the how is not as important as the why of His suffering. Why did He do it for you, for me, for all of humanity? He did it for the love of God the Father and all mankind. He was willing to take upon  Himself the mistakes, the sins and the guilt, the doubts and fears of all the world. He suffered for us so that we would not have to suffer.

Complete Forgiveness Is Possible
If you have stumbled or even been lost for a time, if you feel that the adversary now holds you captive, you can move forward with faith and not wander to and fro in the world any longer. There are those who stand ready to guide you back to peace and security. I promise that the brilliant morning of forgiveness can come. Jesus Christ is the very kind ruler in the sense that He will always pay the price necessary, but He wants you to do what you should, even if it is painful

Live Faithfully and Remain Worthy
Do not expect that all will go smoothly throughout your life. Even for those who are living as they should, it sometimes will be just the opposite. Meet each of life's challenges with optimism and surety, and you will have the peace and faith to sustain you now and in the future. Remain worthy; be hopeful, patient, and prayerful. Things have a way of working out. The gift of the Holy Ghost will guide you and direct your actions. Have courage. Know that any person who has a body has power over one who has not.

Our Savior, even Jesus Christ: None Were with Him

In April 2009 Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, "I speak of those final moments for which Jesus must have been prepared intellectually and physically but which He may not have fully anticipated emotionally and spiritually—that concluding descent into the paralyzing despair of divine withdrawal when He cries in ultimate loneliness, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” The loss of mortal support He had anticipated, but apparently He had not comprehended this.
"With all the conviction of my soul I testify that He did please His Father perfectly and that a perfect Father did not forsake His Son in that hour. Indeed, it is my personal belief that in all of Christ’s mortal ministry the Father may never have been closer to His Son than in these agonizing final moments of suffering. Nevertheless, that the supreme sacrifice of His Son might be as complete as it was voluntary and solitary, the Father briefly withdrew from Jesus the comfort of His Spirit, the support of His personal presence. It was required, indeed it was central to the significance of the Atonement, that this perfect Son who had never spoken ill nor done wrong nor touched an unclean thing had to know how the rest of humankind—us, all of us—would feel when we did commit such sins. For His Atonement to be infinite and eternal, He had to feel what it was like to die not only physically but spiritually, to sense what it was like to have the divine Spirit withdraw, leaving one feeling totally, abjectly, hopelessly alone.

"But Jesus held on. He pressed on. The goodness in Him allowed faith to triumph even in a state of complete anguish. The trust He lived by told Him in spite of His feelings that divine compassion is never absent, that God is always faithful, that He never flees nor fails us. With faith in the God He knew was there, He could say in triumph, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.”
"Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: “I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].”"

The Three Great Christian Imperatives

Negative speaking so often flows from negative thinking, including negative thinking about ourselves. We see our own faults, we speak—or at least think—critically of ourselves, and before long that is how we see everyone and everything. No sunshine, no roses, no promise of hope or happiness. Before long we and everybody around us are miserable.I love what Elder Orson F. Whitney once said: “The spirit of the gospel is optimistic; it trusts in God and looks on the bright side of things. The opposite or pessimistic spirit drags men down and away from God, looks on the dark side, murmurs, complains, and is slow to yield obedience.^" We should honor the Savior’s declaration to “be of good cheer.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Hollond said, "The voice that bears profound testimony, utters fervent prayer, and sings the hymns of Zion can be the same voice that berates and criticizes, embarrasses and demeans, inflicts pain and destroys the spirit of oneself and of others in the process. My brethren [and sisters], these things ought not so to be. Our words, like our deeds, should be filled with faith and hope and charity, the three great Christian imperatives so desperately needed in the world today. With such words, spoken under the influence of the Spirit, tears can be dried, hearts can be healed, lives can be elevated, hope can return, confidence can prevail. I pray that my words, even on this challenging subject, will be encouraging to you, not discouraging, that you can hear in my voice that I love you, because I do. More importantly, please know that your Father in Heaven loves you and so does His Only Begotten Son. When They speak to you—and They will—it will not be in the wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but it will be with a voice still and small, a voice tender and kind^. It will be with the tongue of angels."

Faith and Obedience are still the Answers

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." -Proverbs 3:5-6

"Sometimes, we find that even when we do our best to serve the Lord, we still suffer. You may know someone who faces those most challenging of circumstances: consider the parent whose child becomes ill, for whom everyone prays and fast with all their heart and soul, but who ultimately dies. Or the missionary who sacrifices to go on a mission, than develops a terrible illness that leaves him or her severely disabled or in chronic pain. Or the women who lives her life as faithfully and obediently as she can but is never able to have the children she hopes for. Or the wife who does her very best making a good home for her family and raising her children, but whose husband leaves her. The scriptures have many examples of people who were saved after showing great faith, such as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in the fiery furnace. But the scriptures also have many examples of devout people who did not get divine interventions during a crisis. Abinadi was burned at the stake; John the Baptist was beheaded; Alma and Amulek's followers were cast into the flames. To do well does not mean everything will always turn out well. The key is to remember that faith and obedience are still the answers—when things go wrong, perhaps especially when things go wrong." -David E. Sorensen
 
Remember the Lord has promised that He will help us as we face adversity. He has particular compassion for those who suffer. It was He who said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are teh merciful: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." -Matthew 5:3-12

The Tender Mercies of the Lord

"...But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance." -1 Nephi 1:20

"...As you and I face challenges and tests in our lives, the gift of faith and an appropriate sense of personal confidence that reaches beyond our own capacity are two examples of the tender mercies of the Lord. Repentance and forgiveness of sins and peace of conscience are examples of the tender mercies of the Lord. And the persistence and the fortitude that enable us to press forward with cheerfulness through physical limitations and spiritual difficulties are examples of the tender mercies of the Lord." - Elder David A. Bednar

Redeemer of Israel

How long we have wandered

As strangers in sin

And cried in the desert for thee!

Our foes  have rejoiced

When our sorrows they've seen,

But Israel will shortly be free.

As Children of Zion,

Good tidings for us.

The tokens already appear.

Fear not, and be just,

For the kingdom is ours.

The hour of redemption is near.

Family: Isn't it about time

"In today's world, where Satan's aggression against the family is so prevalent, parents mus do all they can to fortify and defend their families. But their efforts may not be enough. Our most basic institution of family desperately needs help and support from the extended family and the public institutions that surround us. Brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, grandparents and cousins can make a powerful difference in the lives of children. Remember that the expression of love and encouragement from an extended family member will often provide the right influence and help a child at a critical time." -M. Russell Ballard

"I therefore command you to send my word abroad, and take especial care of your family from this time, henceforth and forever. Amen." -Doctrine & Covenants 126:3
"And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam" -2 Nephi 9:21
"Behold, you have had many afflictions because of your family; nevertheless, i will bless you and your family, yea your little ones; and the day cometh that they will believe and know the truth and be one with you in my church." -Doctrine & Covenants 31:2

Agency = The power to avoid the Spiritual Crocodiles

I knew what agency was and knew how important it was to be individual and to be independent, to be free. I somehow knew there was one thing the Lord would never take from me, and that was my free agency. I would not surrender my agency to any being but to Him! I determined that I would give Him the one thing that He would never take—my agency. I decided, by myself, that from that time on I would do things His way. That was a great trial for me, for I thought I was giving away the most precious thing I possessed. I was not wise enough in my youth to know that because I exercised my agency and decided myself, I was not losing it. It was strengthened! 

I learned from that experience the meaning of the scripture: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31–32.)

I have not been quite as frightened of spiritual crocodiles since then, because I have been alerted on many occasions as to where they were lurking. I have been nipped a time or two and on occasion have needed some spiritual first aid, but have been otherwise saved because I have been warned. Fortunately, there is spiritual first aid for those who have been bitten. The bishop of the ward is the guide in charge of this first aid. He can also treat those who have been badly morally mauled by these spiritual crocodiles—and see them completely healed.

Press Forward, For Nothing In This World Can Defeat Us

"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." -2 Nephi 31:20

"Standards of morality are failing. The family is under attack and is crumbling. Love in the hearts of men and women has waxed cold and is unnatural. There is a continuing breakdown in the integrity, honesty, and righteousness of political, business, and other leaders. Wars and rumors of wars among nations and creeds abound. And even more destructive than any armed conflict is the war raging between good and evil—between the Savior with His army of light and Satan with his evil minions of darkness—for the very souls of the children of God." -Elder M. Russell Ballard
 “Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us. My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.” -President Thomas S. Monson

Strengthened in the Lord

"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever." -Alma 26:12

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" -Psalms 27:1
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him." -Psalms 28:7

I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life...Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I came, and whither I go...He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God." -John 8:12, 18 & 47

The Lord Wants to Forgive

The Lord said:
"Verily I say unto you, notwithstanding their sins, my bowls are filled with compassion towards them. I will not utterly cast them off; and in the day of wrath I will remember mercy. -Doctrine and Covenants 101:9
"Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me. -Mosiah 26:30
"For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance; Nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven;" -Doctrine and Covenants 1:31-32
"For all flesh is corrupted before me; and the powers of darkness prevail upon the earth, among the children of men, in the presence of all the hosts of heaven....But now i tell it unto you, and ye are blessed, not because of your iniquity,  neither your hearts of unbelief; for verily some of you are guilty before me, but i will be merciful unto your weakness" -Doctrine and Covenants 38:11 & 14

President Thomas S. Monson counseled:
"We need to bear in mind that people can change. They can put behind them bad habits. They can repent from transgressions....we can help them to overcome their shortcomings. We must develop the capacity to see man not as they are at present but as they may become."

Every Mother Deserveto be Thanked!

TO EVER MOTHER: HaPpY MoThErS DaY!
"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God upon ever remembrance of you." -Philippians 1:2-3
"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." -Abraham Lincoln
"Mothers are endowed with a love that is unlike any other love on the face of the earth." -Marjorie Pay Hinckley
"There is no limit to what a mother can accomplish. Righteous women have changed the course of history and will continue to do so." -Julie B. Beck
Helaman recounts what he was told by the 2000 stripling warriors:
"Now they  never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt that our mothers knew it. -Alma 56:47-48
"Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them. -Alma 57:21

All Things Happen, Because Of Him

Jesus is the Son of God, our Savior and Redeemer. Because of Him, death is not the end, and life takes on new meaning. We can change, we can start over - and we can live again with God. This Easter, celebrate His life and discover all that's possible because of Him.
Please visit the following website:
Mormon.org/BecauseofHim

Ask, and Ye Shall Receive

"And now I go unto the Father. And verily I say unto you, whatsoever things ye shall ask the Father in my name shall be given unto you. Therefore, ask and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for he that asketh, receiveth; and unto  him that knocketh, it shall be opened." - 3 Nephi 27:28-29 

"If we teach by the Spirit and you listen by the Spirit, some one of us will touch on your circumstance, sending a personal prophetic epistle just to you.” —Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

" I promise that if you will listen, you will feel the Spirit well up within you. The Lord will tell you what He wants you to do with your life. In conferences we can receive the word of the Lord meant just for us." —Elder Robert D. Hales

God Loves You No Matter What

And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men. 

-1 Nephi 19:9

https://www.lds.org/media-library/images/quote-holland-pier-1173262?lang=eng&category=

Start With Faith: Experiment Upon His Words

"But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words." -Alma 32:27

Test the waters! Try God, and see what he will bless you with. As you take the time to get to know Him and His word, He will take the time to get to know you and bless you with what you need. You will be able to gain a testimony that His gospel is here on the earth: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Families Are Eternal

 “Love … comforts, counsels, cures, and consoles.” Joseph B. Wirthlin

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love...because he first loved us" 1 John 4:18-19

We build deep and loving family relationships by doing simple things together, like family dinner and family home evening and by just having fun together. In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e, time. Taking time for each other is the key for harmony at home. We talk with, rather than about, each other. We learn from each other, and we appreciate our differences as well as our commonalities. We establish a divine bond with each other as we approach God together through family prayer, gospel study, and Sunday worship.” Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Someone Needs Your Help

“My brothers and sisters, we are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness—be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us....That service to which all of us have been called is the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.” -Thomas S. Monson

You Are Important, and Needed

The Lord has said, "Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence. He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved shall not be counted worthy to stand. Even so. Amen." -Doctrine & Covenants 107:99-100

Sister Marjorie Hinckley said: “Oh, how we need each other. Those of us who are old need you who are young. And, hopefully, you who are young need some of us who are old."

Let us all reach out to those around us, young and old, friends and family. Lets love them and treat them as the Savior would. Do not be afraid to reach out to those around you and share how the Gospel has blessed your life.

Have You done Any Good In the World Today?

Have you taken the time to help someone in need? Have you done any good in the world today? I know that service to others makes a true difference and can change peoples lives. Lift up your head and be of good cheer, reach out to those in need and lose yourself in the Lords work.

 "I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives." -President Thomas S. Monson
 "Therefore, prepare ye the way of the Lord, for the time is at hand that all men shall reap a reward of their works, according to that which they have been—if they have been righteous they shall reap the salvation of their souls, according to the power and deliverance of Jesus Christ; and if they have been evil they shall reap the damnation of their souls, according to the power and captivation of the devil." -Alma 9:28 
"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.....Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." -James 1:22, 27

We Cannot Serve Two Masters

“We have a commitment to serve our Lord. We have an assurance that the cause is just and worthy. But, above all, we have a knowledge that God lives and is in His Heavens and that His Son Jesus Christ has laid out a plan for us which will bring us and our loved ones eternal life if we are faithful. That life will be a busy, purposeful life with accomplishments and joys and development.” -President Spencer W. Kimball

This Journey Isn't Meant To Be Walked Through Alone

My dear Brothers and Sisters,
I know that no matter how hard life gets, no matter how many trials you go through, our Savior, Jesus Christ, is there for you. He is waiting to lift you up. He knows how you feel and he doesn't want you to feel alone. It may not be easy, but it is worth every moment; just let Him lead you.

"I am convinced that [this journey through life] is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him?" -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland 

"Our destiny is not determined by the number of times we stumble but by the number of times we stand up, dust ourselves off, and stride forward." -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The Spirit of [Christ]mas

What does Christmas really mean to you?

Christ is the reason we are here, and as we live worthy of His companionship, He will bless us. As you go about this wonderful season, strive to get out of your comfort zone. Help those around you feel the true love of Christ.

I know that our Savior, Jesus Christ, lives and loves you. Despite the hardships that you face, rely on Him, trust Him, and let Him guide you. There is no greater joy than the peace and love that comes from the one and only person that has felt what your feeling. You are special. You are here for a unique purpose. You were born to do great things. Let the love of Christ work through you, to bless those around you, and work within you.

I love you and know you can do great things.

Christmas Gifts

Thomas S. Monson said, "For a few moments, may we set aside the catalogs of Christmas, with their gifts of exotic description. Let's even turn from the flowers for Mother, the special tie for Father, the cute doll, the train that whistles, the long-awaited bicycle--even the "Star Trek" books and videos--and direct our thoughts to those God gifts that endure. I have chosen from a long list just four.
1. The gift of birth.
2. The gift of peace.
3. The gift of love.
4. The gift of life eternal."

"But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever, and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him." -Moroni 7:47

I want to invite y'all to take some time today, ponder on what gifts and blessings our Savior has given you. Now go out and act. Share the pure love of Christ, charity, with those around you. I can promise you that if you are willing to do this, our Savior in return will show you His love.

Become even as Christ

Jesus Christ is a perfect example for ALL of us and He has showed us characteristics we should strive for. As we press forward with faith, relying on His strength, we can gain these attributes and become perfected.
"...Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am." -3 Nephi 27:27
"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him..." -Moroni 10:32

 

Remember the Lord thy God

In Alma 7:23 it reads, "And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive."

I want to invite you to take the time to thank our Heavenly Father for all that you have been blessed with, no matter if it is what you wanted, what you needed, or what God just decided to bless you with. By doing so you are showing God that you appreciate all that He does for you, and that you want to strengthen your relationship that you have with him. And he will want to continue to pour out His blessings upon you.

Joy

Joy is not the absence of pain; it is the presence of Christ." {Author Unknown}

We don't have joy in this life because we don't have hardship. Instead, we find joy despite the hardship when we allow Christ to "ease the burdens which are put upon [our] shoulders that even [we] cannot feel them upon our backs" -Mosiah 24:14.

When have you felt Christ bearing part of your burdens?