God is there, and he loves us

     Forrest Gump's mother knew what she was talking about when she told her young simple minded son a simple phrase, "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your gonna get." We are having a great time living life one moment and then all of a sudden we are down in the mud! We all at one time or the other have questioned why we have to go through so many tough trials in our lives. A very common question that comes up frequently in our minds is, If God really loved me, wouldn't he help me through my trials? Why is it that we at times feel so alone? Event hough we may not always realize it, God is there and he is intimately aware of what you are going through! He allows us to go through trials and periods of sheer sadness because he knows it will help us grow. Even though he at times will not help us the way we would like, he still helps us so we are not alone. He gives us family, friends, and most importantly, special witnesses of Jesus Christ.

     Elder Joseph B. Worthlin; an Apostle of Jesus Christ, has given four ways of how we can cope through our trials.

                              1.) Learn to Laugh- Even when things seem rough and tough, take time to laugh at the situation and make it a little humorous.

                              2.) Think of the Eternal- Remember all that the Savior has done for us. Jesus Christ came into this world to die for us because he loves us. When you feel that you have nobody to turn to, you will always have the Savior and he will be welcome you in open arms.

                              3.) Learn about Compensation- As long as we are trying to do what Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ has asked of us to do, things that are taken away from us now will be given back to us later in ways we could never imagine.

                              4.) Trust in God- Put your faith in Heavenly Father and have patience in him. He understands what your going through and it you just trust him, he is going to help you out. We may not be helped out in the way we think, but we will be helped out in the way God thinks.

     I testify to you that God does love us. I have felt at times that God has abandoned me but I have realized that through personal experiences, that God does care for us! I have felt His love, His peace, His kindness, and His care. We just need to keep trying to do what God asks of us and everything will be alright.

      "My dear brothers and sisters, don't get discouraged if you stumble at times. Don't feel downcast or dispair if you don't feel worthy to be a disciple of Christ at all times. The first step to walking in righteousness is simply to try. We must try to believe. Try to learn of God: read the scriptures; study the words of his Latter-Day prophets; choose to listen to the Father, and do the things He asks of us. Try to keep on trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible- and that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you." -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Burying Our Own Weapons

    

     One of my favorite stories in the Book of Mormon is when some Lamanites run away from their life of sin and start a new life with Christ. They changed their names to the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. They made a promise with God that they would no longer fight or use their swords because of their horrific past. It states in Alma 24:17- "they took their swords, and all the weapons which were used for the shedding of man's blood, and they did bury them up deep in the earth." I love the picture above depicting this event, because it shows the humility and courage that these people take to follow their God.

     It seems as if every time we make a promise, there is going to be some form of opposition that will want us to break the promise that we make. The Anti-Nephi-Lehies were definately not an exception; but they held strong to their promise even with the high risk that their lives would be taken from them.

      " And it came to pass that their brethren, the Lamanites, made preparations for war, and came up to the land of Nephi for the purpose of destroying the king, and to place another in his stead, and also of destroying the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi out of the land. Now when the people saw that they were coming against them they went out to meet them, and prostrated themselves before them to call on the earth, and began to fall upon them, and began to slay them with the sword. And thus without meeting any resistance, they did slay a thousand and five of them; and we know that they are blessed, for they have gone to dwell with their God. Now when the Lamanites saw that their brethren would not flee from the sword, neither would they turn aside to the right hand or to the left, but that they would lie down and perish, and praised God even in the very act of perishing under the sword. Now when the Lamanites saw this they did forbear from slaying them; and there were many whose hearts had swollen in them for those of their brethren who had fallen under the sword, for they repented of the things which they had done. And it came to pass that they threw down their weapons of war, and they would not take them again, for they were stung for the murders which they had committed; and they came down even as their brethren, relying upon the mercies of those whose arms were lifted to slay them."-Alma 24:20-25.

     It is always tough to throw away our weaknesses and short comings, but always remember the sacrifice that the Anti-Nephi-Lehies made. It may take a lot of courage and a changed heart, but just think of how much of a better person we can be for it. We will still make mistakes and will tumble and fall at times, but because we have a loving Savior, He will always be there for us to help us and to give us strength!

Everyone's Got A Hero

     When I was a little boy, I always remember that I wanted to be a ninja! You can tell that I may not meet the physical requirements of one, but a boy can dream! I always looked up to ninjas because of their extraordinary fighting styles a long with what they stood up for; well, at least the good ones. I remember practicing my round house kicks a long with my kung fu chops! Eventhough my great love for ninja's died down, I still have heroes.

     While some of my heroes are family members a long with really close friends, my biggest hero has to be The Rose of Sharon, The Lion of Judah, The Bishop of Souls, The Savior Jesus Christ. Just look at all that he has done for all of us." I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father."- John 10: 14-18.

     In two Sundays length, we will be able to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He died for us and he did all he could for us because he just simply loved us. Our big brother was looking out for us and knew we couldn't do certain things on our own because we are too weak. Jesus Christ is my hero, and will always be my #1; not because of who he was, but who he is.

     HAVE A HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!!!

The Power of the Priesthood

                                                                                 

                                                       

      Ever since I was a really small boy, I always remembered those Marine recruitment commercials on television. The slogan they say at the end of each commercial has always intrigued me; "The Few, The Proud, The Marines." It is a long and hard process to actually become a Marine because of the intense physical training a long with the responsibilities a Marine has. They are given power to help protect this great country and the countries faith that they will be successful in all that they do.   

     The confidence that the United States has in the men and women that protect it is a little similiar to the confidence that the Savior had in his Twelve Disciples. It is stated in the tenth chapter of Matthew, "And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease."-(Matthew 10:1). It is incredible to think that Christ gave certain men power to help others. This power that Jesus Christ gave to his disciples is called the Priesthood.

     The Priesthood is the ability to act in God's name. In order to have the Priesthood, it needed to have been given to us from Jesus Christ. "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you." (John 15:16). The Disciples were able to do such inspiring works that helped out the fellow man. It was very sad when the people rejected these men given the priesthood by killing and banishing them. After a time, there was nobody who had the Priesthood so that power or authority was taken off the Earth for a time.

                                                          

     It was such a miraculous day in the year 1829 when Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were able to receive the Priesthood; the Aaronic and the Melchezidek. Peter, James, and John from the original twelve, who were given the priesthood by Jesus, came to Earth and gave them the power to act in God's name by receiving the Melchezidek Priesthood.  The Priesthood was restored and since then, the Priesthood has been on the Earth. This power is to help the World in this time of need, to participate in saving ordinances such as baptism by authority, and to feel God's Love even greater! I know that the Priesthood was brought back to the Earth. It is here to help us partake in saving ordinances or special ceremonies, that will allow us to live with God again someday.