Why?!

As I taught a man today, we promised him the blessings or happiness which come from knowing that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored on the earth today.  Just by way of a humble prayer he could come to know that these things are true also..

He pondered our invitation and then with slight hesitation he asked " Now I don't ask this to offend you, but so what?  So what if the Book of Mormon is true, or God does have a prophet on the earth today..."

Elder Vomocil  and I turned and looked at each other, and then humbly bore testimony of the covenant or promise you make as you come to know these things to be true, and the eternal blessings attached to each promise.  Our message is BOLD but if lived and followed leads to true happiness. 

Things such as.....

• Personal Prayer (trusting in Heavenly Father for Truth, developing a relationship with God)
• Baptism (promising God to follow Him, in return taking upon us the name of Christ)
• Living the Commandments (Showing obedience to God, in return living a fulfilling life)
• Modern day Prophet (listen to the prophet, in return we get guidance)
• Eternal Families (living worthy of a temple marriage, spending eternity with those you love)

Just to name a few major blessing from coming to know that is simple yet perfect message is true.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored!  I know this to be true.  Don't take my word for it, but I invite all of you to ask in prayer if the message is true, and when you receive your personal witness from the Holy Spirit follow the example of our Savior Jesus Christ and be baptized, enabling these eternal blessing into your own life!

picture of question mark came from http://www.plymouth.k12.ma.us/OurSchools/HighSchools/PlymouthNorth/tabid/293/Default.aspx

What has Christ done for you?

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

 

" And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works."

       "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"

The miracles Christ preformed were amazing, but do not have much value if we do not still rely on Him.  Put trust in Jesus Christ, and allow His miracles to work within you!

picture from http://www.morethings.com/god_and_country/jesus/crucifixion_photo_gallery20.htm

A Message just for You

General Conference is a time that we can all cherish, and be grateful for. It is a time when the Lord's anointed servants (Prophets and apostles) speak to the entire world, and each one of personally at the exact same time. Here is a sneak peak of the conference...



What "personal prophetic little epistle" did you receive?

The Book which Changes Lives

A book of CHANGE.  A book of HOPE.  A book of HAPPINESS.  A book of CHRIST.  They are not just simply words on the pages, but directions from our Supreme Creator to lead us to happiness.  As I trust the feeling I get as I read my life takes new meaning.  The guidance is there for all to receive it, we must just begin to read it. 


The Book of Mormon is TRUE.  Read for yourself, and allow the spirit to work with in you.  Ponder the message and ask God if it is true.  Follow the teachings, and enjoy the happiness which follows! 

Obedience Leads to Happiness

Why should I choose to obey?  Why does God have to have so many rules?  Not going to lie these questions have crossed my mind before....but thankfully I have a little better idea why Heavenly Father gives us commandments.

Heavenly Father is just like any other parent, He sets rules (commandments) and invites us to follow them.  As we choose to obey happiness and blessings begin to come our way.  This idea of "obedience leads to happiness" was a hard lesson for me to swallow, but one that blesses me daily! Don't take my word for it, test it for yourself!

"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."

Life just goes better as we obey.  Heavenly Father knows the way all we have to do is choose to follow!

For more on the lesson of obedience check out the talk The Potter and the Clay

picture from http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonarrowood/3350717255/

A simple Gift that keeps on giving

What is a testimony?

A testimony can be simple or complex, but to sum one up, a testimony is what you believe and know to be true.

While serving a mission I have realized how much of an impact a testimony can have, not only in my own life, but in the lives of others too.  As opportunities come up for me to share mine, each time I do my own is strengthen and I feel who I share it with gets strengthen from it too.  My testimony is great source of comfort and peace to me knowing I have values and beliefs to rely on. Mine is also a great defense when facing personal challenges or avoiding situations around me.  Pretty amazing what a testimony has done, and is doing for me, and mine is even rather simple....

I know Jesus Christ is my Savior, and through Him I can find true happiness while overcoming my weakness.  I know God is my loving Heavenly Father; He hears and answers prayers with love.  I know that Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration.  I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and I know as I do my best to follow the teaching from it, life gets a whole lot better!

Brigham Young was not baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the first year of his learning about the restored gospel. But of his conversion he said:

“If all the talent, tact, wisdom, and refinement of the world had been sent to me with the

Book of Mormon, and had declared, in the most exalted of earthly eloquence, the truth of

it, undertaking to prove it by learning and worldly wisdom, they would have been to me

like smoke which arises only to vanish away. But when I saw a man without eloquence

or talents for public speaking, who could only say, ‘I know by the power of the Holy Ghost

that the Book of Mormon is true, that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of the Lord,’ the Holy

Ghost proceeding from that individual illuminated my understanding, and a light, glory,

and immortality were before me. I was encircled by them, filled with them, and I knew

for myself that the testimony  of the man was true”

Please share your testimony with others.  Don't be afraid or ashamed to share something that has given so much to you.  Be willing to allow another to grow from just hearing what you have to say. No worries if you feel like yours is too small or may even not know if you have one. Still speak up and share! I know one is in there, took me a while to find mine too!  Open your mouth and allow the spirit to speak!

Miracles!!!

Miracles happen all around us everyday.  The sun rises, a friend smiles, a baby's born.  We are all surrounded by miracles, its just up to us to see them in that way!   Just yesterday I saw a miracle.  I was back in Vacaville, and knocked on a family's door who I knew from before.  She opened the door and let us in.

The miracle was simple, it was just her answering the door.  Which led to us talking for about an hour and now her and her daughters want to all be baptized!  Miracles do happen! This family is a miracle!

"Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain."

We just got to be looking for miracles, and have the faith that they will happen!