Gratitude

As I was sitting in one of the long but spiritually uplifting meetings the church holds twice a year, called Stake Conference, I happened to have found some inspiration.

This conference was being broadcast from the Motherland, otherwise known as Utah. A man, whose name and position in the church escapes me, came up to the podium and started to talk about gratitude and the holiday season

My thoughts turned to thanksgiving and the retail industry's ever increasing desire to incite the general public to spend money on Christmas gifts at an earlier and earlier time every year.

Thanksgiving seems to be overlooked. There are plenty of decorations to be found everywhere for Halloween and then soon after for Christmas. It may seem as if we skip from one candy receiving holiday to the next candy and gift receiving holiday.

I thought, does my life reflect this retail tradition that I disagree with? Do I go from one "me activity" to the next "me activity" not pausing to find a quiet, clean space where I can kneel and pray in thanks to my loving Father in heaven? I think we can all look at our lives and be a little more grateful for all the blessing we have.

To sum up the talk I mentioned earlier:

Gratitude is not just saying thanks. It is an Attitude of recognizing where our blessings come from.

Lets not be like the pig who eats the acorns and never looks up and recognizes from whence they came.

"Arise from the dust, My sons, and be men"

"And now that my soul might have joy in you, and that my heart might leave this world with gladness because of you, that I might not be brought down with grief and sorrow to the grave, arise from the dust, my sons, and be men, and be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things, that ya may not come down into captivity;

That ye may not be cursed with a sore cursing; and also, that ye may not incur the displeasure of a just God upon you, unto the destruction, yea the eternal destruction of both soul and body.
Awake, my sons; put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off the chains with which ye are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust.

Rebel no more against your brother, .... and who hath kept the commandments..."
2 Nephi 1:21-24

Lehi, in the final moments of his mortality, gave some final advise to his wayward sons, Laman and Lemuel. In these few short verses Lehi, the dying prophet, gives some wonderful advise for anyone.

1)Determined in one mind and in one heart
Any group of people whether its a family, a church group, or work related needs a common goal.

2)United in all Things

What good does a common goal do if everyone isn't united in that goal? Unity is probably more important than having a goal, at least in my opinion.

3)Put on the armor of righteousnesses

A righteous life protects us from the evil around us everyday. Much like armor protects the wearer. Living a righteous christ-like life will yield better reward than anything else.

4)Don't Argue, and Keep the commandment

This last one is basically the same. We are all Brothers and Sisters just trying to get through life. There is no reason for hate or envy. If we all just keep the commandments and try to get along we would be living in a much better world.

Our Potential

Ode on Intimations of Immortality
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting
The soul that rises with us, our life's star,Hath had elsewhere its settingAnd cometh from afar;Not in entire forgetfulness,And not in utter nakedness,But trailing clouds of glory do we comeFrom God, Who is our home~William Wordsworth
Take a moment to ponder this beautiful poem. The author, William Wordsworth, was trully inspired when he wrote this poem. It sums up God's Plan for the Salvation of his children perfectly, at least in my opinion.
Each of us, our physical and spiritual bodies, were created by God in his image."So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." Genesis 1:27
And because of that simple truth we are children of God."The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God:" Romans 8:16
And since we are children of God, We have the same potential God does."And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."Romans 8:17
"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."Revelations 3:21
Why is it so hard to believe that a Loving Father in Heaven, A God, would want his children to have the same things he does. Any earthly father wants his children to have the best."Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"St. Matthew 7:9-11
I testify that God is our Father and we are his children and if we choose to have faith in the Holy One of Israel and overcome all obstacles through his help, than we can have the privilege of obtaining that potential that God sees in each of us.

The challenge

About 180 years ago a young 20 year old boy came forth with a book he claimed to have translated from ancient text. This book, he claimed, was divinely inspired and given to him by an angel. Some believed and were enlightened, others were afraid and drove him, his family, and the other followers of the church further and further west.

Since that time many have tried to discount the Book of Mormon through countless means only for their efforts to be futile. For those whose faith is still lacking in this wonderful volume of holy writ I issue a challenge:

Write a Book comparable to the Book of Mormon that will have the same impact upon countless billions of people throughout time and include:

• 54 chapters dealing with wars

• 21 Historical Chapters

• 55 chapters on visions and prophecies

  • Visions and prophecies must agree meticulously with the bible

• 71 Chapters on doctrine and exportation

  • Every statement must also agree with the bible

• 21 chapters on the ministry of Christ

  • Everything claimed he said and did and every testimony you write in your book about him must agree with the New Testament

• Must employ figures of speech, similes, metaphors, narrations, exposition, description, oratory, epic, lyric, logic, and parables.

• Has to be dictated in just over 2 months

• Only corrections made can be to the punctuation.

• Cannot use any outside sources

• Account has to be claimed as divine scripture and millions must also testify of the same thing after reading the account.

I testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It was received and translated just as Joseph Smith said it was. It has brought me comfort and given me faith in God in a way that no other book could. My faith comes from a witness from the power of the holy ghost and I can not deny it.

I Believe in Christ

I've had many thoughts today on what to share everything from charity, prophets, and judging. There are so many truths that are close to my heart, but none are closer that the truth that My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ Lives. As many times as I've shared my thoughts and feelings about the subject none have come closer than the words of the song "I Believe in Christ".

134: I Believe in Christ,” Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, no. 134

Fervently

1. I believe in Christ; he is my King!

With all my heart to him I’ll sing;

I’ll raise my voice in praise and joy,

In grand amens my tongue employ.

I believe in Christ; he is God’s Son.

On earth to dwell his soul did come.

He healed the sick; the dead he raised.

Good works were his; his name be praised.

2. I believe in Christ; oh blessed name!

As Mary’s Son he came to reign

’Mid mortal men, his earthly kin,

To save them from the woes of sin.

I believe in Christ, who marked the path,

Who did gain all his Father hath,

Who said to men: “Come, follow me,

That ye, my friends, with God may be.”

3. I believe in Christ—my Lord, my God!

My feet he plants on gospel sod.

I’ll worship him with all my might;

He is the source of truth and light.

I believe in Christ; he ransoms me.

From Satan’s grasp he sets me free,

And I shall live with joy and love

In his eternal courts above.

4. I believe in Christ; he stands supreme!

From him I’ll gain my fondest dream;

And while I strive through grief and pain,

His voice is heard: “Ye shall obtain.”

I believe in Christ; so come what may,

With him I’ll stand in that great day

When on this earth he comes again

To rule among the sons of men.

Text: Bruce R. McConkie, 1915–1985. © 1972 IRI

Music: John Longhurst, b. 1940. © 1985 IRI

My words and actions may never be able to express the praise and thanksgiving I have in my heart for my Savior and King. I know that he lives, I know that he watches out for me day by day and hour by hour. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

New Insight Into an Old Parable

A popular parable is given in the account of Matthew 18:23-34. It talks about a servant who had a debt of 10,000 talents to his king. In order to more fully understand this debt a simple conversion into today's wages is given courtesy of "Weights and Measures Table in NIV study bible Footnote of NIV Bible Luke 19:13", and "answers.com".

1 talent = 60 minas
1 mina = 3 month's wages
1 talent = 60 x (3 months' wages) = 180 months' wages
1 talent = 180 months' wages / 12 months in a year = 15 years' wages
1 talent = 15 years' wages

10,000 talents = 150,000 years' wages.

So if a yearly wage is $15,000 (about 40hrs/week at CA min wage ($8/hr)
150,000 year's wages = 2,250,000,000

"Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence (approximately 3 months wages): and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto there lord all that was done.

Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

Shouldest not tohu also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due."

Through our works, following his commandments, The Lord has granted us his mercy and has forgiven us of a debt we could have never paid.

Through this example we learn that we should forgive others and be more understanding.

My Spiritual Witness (Part Three)

One thing that I have learned over the past 20 years is that faith in ANYTHING is gained slowly through multiple experiences. This Last experience seemed to hit the nail on the head for me.

The story begins In Spencer, Iowa during my 2 year full-time mission. I had only recently arrived in Iowa after spending some time training Utah. I soon realized that I was asking people to read the Book of Mormon and pray and ask if it was true, but I had never done so. I took some time out of my morning study to do just that. I read the same scriptures I ask everyone else to read the Introduction, 3 Nephi 11, and Moroni 10:3-5 and then went into the bedroom to pray.

I got on my knees and began a very heartfelt prayer, or so I thought. I thanked God for what I had and asked with faith in God, a sincere heart, and real intent if the Book of Mormon was true and if Joseph Smith was a prophet. Then I sat and waited for an answer, a feeling that it was true.

Then it happened, actually I guess it was nothing that happened. I felt like I didn't recognize my answer I confused and worried that I could not recognize the spirit. I was a missionary recognizing the spirit is an important part of every aspect of my day. Unfortunately it was time for me and my assigned missionary companion to plan for the day and study together.

We reviewed with each other what we both had studied. But to be honest I wasn't paying attention, I was thinking about my own worries and struggles. I then had a thought! As missionaries we are given a handbook called "Preach my Gospel" and in this handbook is a section about the spirit. There was a table in this section with scriptures on one side and things the spirit does for us on the other. I decided to go and start reading through these, maybe I could find an answer.

I started with the first one leading to a section of modern revelations called "Doctrine and Covenants". It continued with a few in the Book of Mormon, then I came to one that I almost skipped over. I already knew what this scripture in Alma 32:28 was, I didn't need to read it. But something told me that I should read it anyway.

As I read this scripture every line and every word was filled with new meaning and filled me with peace. I was so much as reading words on a page but being taught by an ancient volume of Holy script. No man could have written this and have had the same effect even with years of training, education, and all the resources in the world.

I end with my own personal witness that I now Know that the Book of Mormon is God's Word and Joseph Smith is a prophet of God.

My Spiritual Witness (Part 2)

My journey to find faith in God and a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and its prophet translator continues.

A few years later, also in high school, I began to think about the church I was a part of. How my thoughts started I don't really recall. Some might say it was just a random thought others would say it was planted there by being known to many as the root of all evil, the father of all lies, or Satan. My thought was "Am I in the right place? Do I believe? Could any of these rules that I am following REALLY make a difference or could I do whatever I want and it not make a difference in the end anyway?" Thats what I thought for quite some time.

I think a lot, if not most people, who are members would say at this point that they read the Book of Mormon and prayed. Thats not what I did, I continued to think that same question every so often for what seemed to me was weeks.

Luckily my parents were faithful members and had me go to church were I would at least sit quietly and text my friends. During one of these church meetings were I was not paying attention to the speaker is were I finally got the answer to my question.

It was a typical Sunday we went to church and sat down. After serving sacrament, or communion, the chosen speaker got up and began to recite his well prepared speech on the subject that was given to him. I did not pay much attention, as I often did, to the speaker or what he had to say. He ended his talk and instead of sitting back down he walked over to the piano that was behind him and sat down. This caught my attention, I wondered what he was going play. As he began to play I remembered the tune from my days as a little child in primary. It wasn't an ordinary tune out of the song book as the familiar tune drew to a close he began to play another familiar primary song. this continued through a few songs, all of which I new from primary.

As I listened and sang the songs quietly to myself a strange feeling came over me. This feeling was definitely heavenly, it was from God. It wasn't a voice or a feeling like lighting or thunder. it was just a quiet, warm feeling that could have only been felt if you were listening. The feeling said to me "You already know the answer to your question. You were taught the answers from your youth."

In conclusion, I realized that I needed to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Because I felt God wanted me to be there.

My Spiritual Witness (Part One)

I thought I might share the story of my conversion this week.

I grew up in a loving home that did there very best to teach me the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I grew up in the church I went to primary and young men and a almost all the Wednesday night activities but it still didn't really sink in. Kind of amazing if you think about it how could someone be active in a church and still not know anything about the gospel of Jesus Christ??

It wasn't a HUGE event with a flashing, neon, Vegas style sign that gave me a "testimony". It was actually a series of small events over a period of about 5 or so years that accumulated in what we in the Mormon church call a testimony.

My first real spiritual experience was in high school during a particularly rough time. My grades were not so good and my parents were worried, I was lost. Luckily my parents made me go to an early morning seminary class before school started. One morning after one of these amazingly early spiritual classes we were all leaving out the door and on the chalkboard was really good chalk drawing of the savior with his arms out stretched with the scripture "Come unto me all ya that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest"

The peace and comfort that came over me was amazing. I knew that God and Jesus Christ were both there for me every step of the way.

Never Give Up

I kinda have short message this week. But anywho in church this week we talked a lot about faith (which is interesting because none of the lessons were on faith) and the gospel and how it blesses our lives. Kinda what we learn every week huh? We were talking about the abrahamic covenant and its blessings to all of mankind and ended with this scripte in
Psalms 23:4


"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."


The gospel does not make our lives any easier, in fact at times it may make it harder. But what it does do is give us peace, comfort, and a sturdy foundation so that when our lives are in turmoil we don't have to fear and we can have peace in knowing that all things will work out for our good.

To finish off my message a great video by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The Parable of the Kite

There once lived a girl, so faithful and true,
With so much potential, so much she could do.
Her favorite pastime was spent in the park-
Flying her kite, from dusk until dark.
Her father had built it, a bright, sturdy frame,
It seemed to hold up when the strong whirlwinds came.
It had a long tail, and what joy it could bring,
As it flew through the air, tightly held by the string.
Her father had warned her, to hold on quite tight,
The trial of the wind could put up a big fight.
This daughter grew restless, just watching it fly,
She wanted to see it see it soar deep in the sky.
One day she decided that it wasn't fair,
To punish the kite, and to hold back the air,
The kite deserved more than the same point of view,
if she just let it go, it could fly away too.
Because she was struggling-life was so hard,
She longed for the freedom to let down her guard.
Rules and commandments were causing such strife,
They just held her back, there was much more to life!
In just a brief instant, she cut off the string,
she took a deep breath as the air caught the wing.
It spiraled; it turned and quite soon she had found
Her precious kite mangled and crushed on the ground.
She then heard her father, his voice calm and true,
My child these commandments are given FOR you
to help you and guide you and keep you a flight,
Just as the string has preserved your invaluable kite.
I love you. I need you. Your precious to me.
If you keep my commandments, they help make you free!
Free to fly high, free from the sorrow,
Free to awake without guilt for tomorrow.
My daughter, please know that I'm sending my love,
I'll guide you; I'll hold you with strength from above.
As I hold your sting, I won't let you down,
I promise, in heaven, that you'll get your crown!
-Stacy Schofield Hair

At one point in my life I remember thinking the exact same thing. But I guess it was more "that seems like a lot of fun, I wish I could go and do that." But its really the same thing isn't it? it starts out that way, then we decide to try it once. Then we decide its okay every now and then. And soon our lives are spiraling out of control, like the kite in the poem. Think about it, at some point in all of are lives don't we think at least once, "I want to do that" or "all these commandments are keeping me from having fun".

I remember meeting a man who I was told used to be a very good christian. No smoking, no drinking, shared the love of christ with every one. He had a family and a son. When I hade met him he was divorced, homeless, addicted to alchohol, always drunk, and in and out of jail. I found it hard to believe he was anything different.

Yes, that is an extreme example, but it certainly shows the point of how our lives can spiral out of control if we stop following the commandments our father in heaven has given us

When you stop and think about how all the commandments bless our lives it puts a new meaning on the scripture in ST. John 8:32

"Ye shall know the truth,and the truth shall make you free."

It Starts With you

I was reflecting on one of my favorite stories from the New Testament this week, St. Matthew 22:36-39, and how this can solve the most deadly disease known, pride. But first I would like to share a few details about this story.

According to my studies, the group of people involved were the Pharisees and the Sadducees. At this time it was popular to wear Phylacteries, Amulets fastened on the forehead, or on the left arm. They were small strips of parchment inscribed with texts and enclosed in leather cases. This was according to the mosaic law. Whats becomes interesting is what is written on the phylacteries. “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Deut. 6:5.

If you remember the story a Lawyer came and asked Jesus a question “tempting him”. “Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law?” The masters answer was genius and simple, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

For years the ruling class of the Jews had been trying to figure out which of all there rules were the greatest. And then in an instant it was shown to them that the greatest commandment had been written on there foreheads the entire time. What is a joke? Irony? Humiliation? No, it was only to try and teach the stubborn Jews at the time to forget there pride and worship there God that was right in front of them.

So what can we learn from this? The answer is simple in order to solve all of our problems it has to start with ourselves. If we learn to follow these two greatest commandments our many if not all of our problems would just simply vanish.

Check out this Video from Nickelback If Everyone Cared

"How Great Thou Art"

A Member of my new ward this week played a lovely rendition of “How Great Thou Art” on the cello this week in church. I decided to read the words as I listened to the music. I was really inspired by the words they helped me understand what it means to be truly great.

The first verse talks about the wonders in the universe. Have you ever had the opportunity to gaze into the heavens and see ALL the stars? I mean all of them, like go out away from the lights and the city and see the seemingly countless stars. His works are truly endless and the chorus to “How Great Thou Art” really says it perfectly “how great thou art”.

The Second verse talks about the beauties of the earth that we are so blessed to live on. Although smaller but they are nonetheless just as grand. Next time your out and have the chance take a look at the world and life around you.

The next verse took a different approach on the word great. So far great has been things like grand and amazing and Awe inspiring, you know grand. I like the first verse “And when I think that God, his Son not sparing, sent him to die, I scarce can take it in”. As I thought about this verse and what it means to me I was flooded with emotion, gratitude, love, Faith, etc. The God who gave us everything that we have, humbled himself more than any of us ever have, and gave his life for those who would at some point reject him in some way or another.

To finish up my thought, the last verse talks about his wondrous second coming. How great a day to finally meet our Savior and King in GREAT glory once again. Next time you have some quiet time amidst your hectic schedule running kids and whoever else around the wold take some time to ponder on the Savior and his great sacrifice and what it means to you.