I had once heard that when you share your testimony, you are forgiven of your sins. To me it has been really hard to forgive myself for my sins. But over the last few days, I have come to realize that what is past is past. And I need to move on in my life. I remember a flair on face book before I got off, it said, “You don’t know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.” I am now coming to a state of mind where I need to be in control of my life. I don’t want anyone else in charge of my life.
I have decided to become the man that the Lord wants me to be. This involves me giving more of myself to Him. I haven’t been the best example of being a disciple. But that is why I am making choices to ‘become’ a disciple. It takes time, and effort. And, yes, I know that effort is hard. But it is so worth it. The joy that comes from the spirit is so wonderful. I have felt it as I have gone to the temple of the Lord. He is so wonderful and compassionate to be willing to share his Spirit with me.
I have been thinking about what it means to give your all. Recently I have been training for the Ragnarok Race, (sorry about spelling) it is 188 miles split up between twelve runners. My uncle invited me to start training for it because a couple of men in his team might not be running in it due to injuries. So I have started training. It is hard but I am getting where I can run farther and farther every day. I think that this is a way of showing the Lord that I am willing to submit to his will. I have decided, before I run every day, I am going to read my scriptures for half an hour to get the Lord on my side.
And not just read the scriptures, but study and ponder what they mean and how they can apply to me today. When I take the time to do this I feel an added measure of the spirit. I saw a quote by President Abraham Lincoln, “when I do good, I feel good. When I don’t do good, I don’t feel good.” This is simply a saying how you feel with each choice you make. We all have a conscience (light of Christ) within us, so we know what is good and what is bad. When we choose for follow that light for good, we feel good. It is that simple. :D
I know that Jesus is the Christ, He suffered for our sins and our sufferings. It is hard to imagine what it would be like to take on the sins of the world. Only Christ could have done it. I think of how many challenges have been hard for me. And Christ suffered them all and more. His Atonement is infinite, and it is available to us, so let us take advantage of what he has given us. I Love the feeling of the Spirit in my life. I Love my Father in Heaven, He is so kind and Loving to everyone, and I hope to be like him someday.
May the Good Lord bless and keep you.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Preparation
I have found it really interesting that we do a lot of things that prepare us for something else. I work for construction and I seem to do a lot of preping for all the projects we work on. eg; preping steel beams for paint, sweeping the floor for final inspection, or just getting ready for the days work.
But today, I would like to focus on the fact that everything we do and go through, each and every day is preparation for us to meet God. We make choices each day and we will be held accountable for our choices when we finally meet God at the judgement seat.
In a way, preparation is just getting us some place where we will do more preparation for something else. Our preparation builds upon itself until it is complete. Wherewith I will keep studying my scriptures and keep on preparing myself until that final day.
The trials we face are, in a sense, a preparation for some later trial that you wouldn't have been able to stand if you hadn't had the first one. So we need to look at our trials with gratitude. When we choose the right through our trials, the Lord will bless us because we are showing our love for him. He loves us and wants us to succeed.
Almost everything in life worth recieving is in need of preparation. I am still preparing for the blessing of going through the temple to recieve my endowment. I want to have the Lord in my life so I can be blessed, and share the blessings by sharing my testimony.
I know that the Lord, Jesus Christ lives. He has atoned for my sins. He loves me. I know that Joseph Smith restored the gospel in these the latter days. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, I have recieved personnal revelation to know these things.
May the Lord bless and keep you.
But today, I would like to focus on the fact that everything we do and go through, each and every day is preparation for us to meet God. We make choices each day and we will be held accountable for our choices when we finally meet God at the judgement seat.
In a way, preparation is just getting us some place where we will do more preparation for something else. Our preparation builds upon itself until it is complete. Wherewith I will keep studying my scriptures and keep on preparing myself until that final day.
The trials we face are, in a sense, a preparation for some later trial that you wouldn't have been able to stand if you hadn't had the first one. So we need to look at our trials with gratitude. When we choose the right through our trials, the Lord will bless us because we are showing our love for him. He loves us and wants us to succeed.
Almost everything in life worth recieving is in need of preparation. I am still preparing for the blessing of going through the temple to recieve my endowment. I want to have the Lord in my life so I can be blessed, and share the blessings by sharing my testimony.
I know that the Lord, Jesus Christ lives. He has atoned for my sins. He loves me. I know that Joseph Smith restored the gospel in these the latter days. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, I have recieved personnal revelation to know these things.
May the Lord bless and keep you.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Diligence
Diligence means to have constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken. Is your best effort earnest and constant? I know mine hasn't been. But trying to be diligent in the small things every day makes a big difference over time. I really liked what Nephi said in 2 Nephi 4:16 "Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard." Wow, Nephi knew the definition diligence, and lived it.
Recently I have decided to read the Book of Mormon for at least half an hour every day. I know that I have felt the spirit more in the last two weeks. Being diligent in this task has not been easy. "If I don't make time to read my scriptures, I won't have time." I have taken this task upon me and I hope to be a better person for it.
I would like to turn this challenge to you. Make some time to read and ponder the scriptures. I have also noticed that if you keep a journal and pen at the ready personal revelation comes easier.
Being diligent requires making a decision and acting on it. I made the decision to read the scriptures and now I am going to do my best to be diligent and consistent with it.
May the good Lord bless and keep you.
Recently I have decided to read the Book of Mormon for at least half an hour every day. I know that I have felt the spirit more in the last two weeks. Being diligent in this task has not been easy. "If I don't make time to read my scriptures, I won't have time." I have taken this task upon me and I hope to be a better person for it.
I would like to turn this challenge to you. Make some time to read and ponder the scriptures. I have also noticed that if you keep a journal and pen at the ready personal revelation comes easier.
Being diligent requires making a decision and acting on it. I made the decision to read the scriptures and now I am going to do my best to be diligent and consistent with it.
May the good Lord bless and keep you.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Symbols
Yesterday and today, I went to the temple. I went to the Provo Temple yesterday, and to the Bountiful Temple today. Both trips were really awesome. :D
When I went to the Provo Temple, while I was waiting for my turn to do baptisms for the dead, I was thinking about what all of the symbols in a temple mean. I recall the song called "Sacraments and Symbols," and it is quoted, 'Sacraments and Symbols, open up my mind, pointing to a world waiting behind them. simple bread and water, represent the Christ, even daily bread serves to remind.'
Then I started looking around and discovered many little things that got my mind going. I wrote a bit about what I saw and what I thought each of them means;
Being at the temple we all dress in white, which is a symbol of Purity, and a symbol of unity, we are all Loved by our Heavenly Father.
When I picked up the book of Mormon, I noticed that this copy was white with silver lettering. I was thinking about what it means, I thought that the white symbolized purity in honest written form. The silver lettering shined in the light, and I realize that anyone who will read the book of Mormon can have a share in the light of Christ and shine their testimony abroad.
The benches we sit on have patterns of vines with leaves. To me this symbolizes our relationship with our Heavenly Father, He is our Father and I know that each of us can be the fruit of his tree. "You can count the seeds in an apple, but you can't count the apples in a seed."
There are Celestial Mirrors in the baptistry around the font, To me this signifies the eternal gratitude of those we do the work for. Also it gives us an inkling of what our existance will be like in the next life.
I looked at the oxen holding up the font. I notice that each and every one was different, meaning that the tribes of Israel all have differences in who we are, and the responsibilities that we each have to fulfill. The fact that all of the oxen are holding up the font together siginfies that each of the tribes has the responsibility to bear one anothers burdens. If we all work together, we can get the Lords work done.
I know that there is power in going to the temple and doing the Lords work. It gives us a greater resolve to fight the adversary, and a greater desire to become the disciple the Lord knows we can be. So take the time to go to the temple and give someone the chance to gain salvation.
May the Good Lord bless and keep you.
When I went to the Provo Temple, while I was waiting for my turn to do baptisms for the dead, I was thinking about what all of the symbols in a temple mean. I recall the song called "Sacraments and Symbols," and it is quoted, 'Sacraments and Symbols, open up my mind, pointing to a world waiting behind them. simple bread and water, represent the Christ, even daily bread serves to remind.'
Then I started looking around and discovered many little things that got my mind going. I wrote a bit about what I saw and what I thought each of them means;
Being at the temple we all dress in white, which is a symbol of Purity, and a symbol of unity, we are all Loved by our Heavenly Father.
When I picked up the book of Mormon, I noticed that this copy was white with silver lettering. I was thinking about what it means, I thought that the white symbolized purity in honest written form. The silver lettering shined in the light, and I realize that anyone who will read the book of Mormon can have a share in the light of Christ and shine their testimony abroad.
The benches we sit on have patterns of vines with leaves. To me this symbolizes our relationship with our Heavenly Father, He is our Father and I know that each of us can be the fruit of his tree. "You can count the seeds in an apple, but you can't count the apples in a seed."
There are Celestial Mirrors in the baptistry around the font, To me this signifies the eternal gratitude of those we do the work for. Also it gives us an inkling of what our existance will be like in the next life.
I looked at the oxen holding up the font. I notice that each and every one was different, meaning that the tribes of Israel all have differences in who we are, and the responsibilities that we each have to fulfill. The fact that all of the oxen are holding up the font together siginfies that each of the tribes has the responsibility to bear one anothers burdens. If we all work together, we can get the Lords work done.
I know that there is power in going to the temple and doing the Lords work. It gives us a greater resolve to fight the adversary, and a greater desire to become the disciple the Lord knows we can be. So take the time to go to the temple and give someone the chance to gain salvation.
May the Good Lord bless and keep you.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Time
Today has been interesting. For those of you who don't know, I work construction for a campany called HHI. The work I have been doing is mostly cleaning up the job sites that are being finalized. But this week three of the projects are getting finished. And I have been 'working myself out of a job,' So to speak. So today I didn't have work, and I will have the same problem tomorrow.
Yesterday, when I went to my Great Grandmothers funeral I talked with my great uncle and I asked how he was doing. He is retired and just playing. He said he made a deal with his wife when they got married, which was (and is), 'if you ever have any free time, fill it with something to do.'
So today I decided to give it a try. And wow, it has made feel like I can actually get things done. I cleaned my room, I cleaned the family room and I took time to read my scriptures and pray.
And for sure the temptations were there that wanted me to waste my time with nonsense things, but making the conscious decision to fill my time with positive things makes the biggest difference about how I feel about free time.
Tomorrow, There is no free time for me.
May the Good Lord bless and keep you.
Yesterday, when I went to my Great Grandmothers funeral I talked with my great uncle and I asked how he was doing. He is retired and just playing. He said he made a deal with his wife when they got married, which was (and is), 'if you ever have any free time, fill it with something to do.'
So today I decided to give it a try. And wow, it has made feel like I can actually get things done. I cleaned my room, I cleaned the family room and I took time to read my scriptures and pray.
And for sure the temptations were there that wanted me to waste my time with nonsense things, but making the conscious decision to fill my time with positive things makes the biggest difference about how I feel about free time.
Tomorrow, There is no free time for me.
May the Good Lord bless and keep you.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Foreordination
I've been thinking a lot recently about what it means to be foreordained. The word foreordained means that we were chosen to have a certain calling in this life before we got here. The concept of being chosen in the premortal life gives us a clue to how strong and righteous we were before we reached this mortal life.
In this life however we do not know how we acted in the premortal life, thus giving us the opportunity to choose for ourselves what to think and believe here on earth.
My thoughts tonight are about choosing to be foreordained. It is my oppinion that through our actions and our choices that we become foreordained. Like a Patriarchal blessing, we can choose to follow it's guidance or choose to completely ignore it. But if we choose to follow it, we will gain the blessings of it and gain the Spirit more fully into our lives. The way we live our lives and the decisions we make fulfill our opportunity to become what the Lord has planned.
I believe that we choose to be foreordained. The wonderful Plan of Happiness sets the scene and we choose our outcome, though we may not know the consequences at that time.
I know that the Lord lives. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior, he is my advocate with the Father. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that if we make the right decisions we will be happier in life and become better and true disciples.
May the Lord bless and keep you.
In this life however we do not know how we acted in the premortal life, thus giving us the opportunity to choose for ourselves what to think and believe here on earth.
My thoughts tonight are about choosing to be foreordained. It is my oppinion that through our actions and our choices that we become foreordained. Like a Patriarchal blessing, we can choose to follow it's guidance or choose to completely ignore it. But if we choose to follow it, we will gain the blessings of it and gain the Spirit more fully into our lives. The way we live our lives and the decisions we make fulfill our opportunity to become what the Lord has planned.
I believe that we choose to be foreordained. The wonderful Plan of Happiness sets the scene and we choose our outcome, though we may not know the consequences at that time.
I know that the Lord lives. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior, he is my advocate with the Father. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that if we make the right decisions we will be happier in life and become better and true disciples.
May the Lord bless and keep you.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Opposition
There is opposition in all things. If there were no sadness then there would be no happiness, if there were no hardships then nothing would be easy. If there were no evil there would never be good.
The Fall of Adam and Eve was a key component to the plan of Happiness. One asks, 'do you think that Adam and Eve were set up to fall?' In answer, 'no, I believe they were set up to succeed.'
The opposition in the beginning was created by God. "The Tree of Life, and the Tree of the Knowlegde of Good and Evil, the one being sweet and the other bitter." God knew that for man to be tested they needed to choose for themselves, so he created opposition in all things so we may be tried.
Sometimes when we feel like we are doing good, we are tempted by Satan and we fall. But God knew we would fall, so he provided a way to return; the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
When we fall, we feel the loss of the Spirit of God. This is the sorrow we must feel so we can feel the wonderous Spirit of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In Alma 36, Alma repents and he says, 'and how bitter was my pain, was how sweet my joy.' I'm paraphrasing. We can all feel that Joy, but sometimes we will feel the pain before we reach that marvelous Joy. And yes, putting effort in is hard, but it is so worth it.
I know that all the pain we feel in this life, will be a Joy to us in the end if we choose to follow the Savior.
The Fall of Adam and Eve was a key component to the plan of Happiness. One asks, 'do you think that Adam and Eve were set up to fall?' In answer, 'no, I believe they were set up to succeed.'
The opposition in the beginning was created by God. "The Tree of Life, and the Tree of the Knowlegde of Good and Evil, the one being sweet and the other bitter." God knew that for man to be tested they needed to choose for themselves, so he created opposition in all things so we may be tried.
Sometimes when we feel like we are doing good, we are tempted by Satan and we fall. But God knew we would fall, so he provided a way to return; the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
When we fall, we feel the loss of the Spirit of God. This is the sorrow we must feel so we can feel the wonderous Spirit of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In Alma 36, Alma repents and he says, 'and how bitter was my pain, was how sweet my joy.' I'm paraphrasing. We can all feel that Joy, but sometimes we will feel the pain before we reach that marvelous Joy. And yes, putting effort in is hard, but it is so worth it.
I know that all the pain we feel in this life, will be a Joy to us in the end if we choose to follow the Savior.
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