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.