I want to be.........

 If my memory doesn't fail me I can recall a time in my early childhood when my first grade (I think the first grade) class preformed a program for the school and our parents. I believe many of my class mates will remember this one. As all of us gathered on the stage in our costumes we waited in anticipation for our turn to go up to the mic. I was just a little guy most likely scared to death to be standing in front of people. It was my turn to go up, I walked the long stage which was actually probably only ten feet to walk, my hands were sweaty, I reached up for the mic and said "I want to be........ a artist when I grow up". I then scurried on back down the stage. 

                                       
                                          Now about 15 years later.....

............I know I have no artistic ability at all, but that's OK I still have other talents I can shoot for. Growing up I had people around me that I looked up to and wanted to become more like. As a kid I knew I could become something, but little did I know about the potential you and I really have. Little did I know about our true identity. There's a lot of things in the world that will try to tell us who we are or what we can become. But God knows who we truly are and what we can become.

           
         This video describes our true identity and our true potential. Enjoy!

In Romans 8:16-17 it states, 

 "16:The Spirit itself beareth ^awitness with our ^bspirit, that we are the ^cchildren of God: 17:And if children, then heirs; ^aheirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we ^bsuffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."

 

 I know that we are children of God and he loves each and everyone of us. As we come unto Christ and change and become like him we will all reach the full potential that our Heavenly Father see's in us. Don't let anyone tell you different.

Superman

Meet my Dad.

 To me this man is Superman. I don't think I've seen him deflect bullets off his eyeball but I have seen him put out a backyard fire with no shoes on. He may look like a bad dude but he's a big softy.

He's a man of dedication, love, honesty, respect, virtue, obedience, and comedy.

He's a father of nine children and twelve grandchildren.

I'm not arguing that my dad is better than yours but I'm saying that everything he is today comes from living the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Lunch Time Thought: Eternal Families

Today I ate lunch at a near by church, Elder Smith was practicing "Near My God to Thee' on the piano. I had just finish eating my lunch and I figured that I could read some scriptures. As I was reading I had a small glimpse into the future. It was more of a feeling than anything. I thought about my family. I thought about what heaven is going to be like? I felt the happiness and the peace that that thought brought me for a small moment.
It makes me think though........

can heaven be the wonderful place that people say it is without our family ties?

Heavenly Father put us in families for a reason. He knows that it is through our family relationships that we have the greatest happiness. He doesn't want us to be separated after death.

As goofy as they look I want to be with them forever.

How is this possible? 

Through our Lord's temples the sealing power has been restored to the earth today. This is the way that we can be united as a family forever.


P.S. Click on the picture for a quick movie about temples!

Unexpected Visitors

You here a knock at the door, who could it be at this time of day. The knock comes again, hmmm.... maybe something of importance? Getting closer to the door you see two figures. Some what hesitant you open the door. First thing you notice is their battered old shoes, man they must of walked miles. None the less they looked genuinely respectable. Smiling they introduced themselves to you. Then you think to yourself, ohh I know who they are. After a small conversation they say, we have something, something that can change your life! You watch as one reaches into his satchel, what could it be......

Scroll Down........ 

A little further....

                                                                WOW!

 

Alright I got you this far, so I guess you can stay for a little bit longer....

What do you know about the Book of Mormon? What have you heard about it? Do you believe what you have heard is true? 

Being a missionary we talk to many people on a daily basis, we encounter a lot of people who have little knowledge or a skewed knowledge about the Book of Mormon. I thought that this video would help you understand more about its purpose.

                                 An Apostles Introduction

The Book of Mormon does not take place of the Bible. When both are used hand in hand we can know and understand the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I stand as a witness that the Book of Mormon is true and that the reading of its contents can bring us even more peace and happiness into our lives. I know that it is true because I have asked God and He has shown me its truth through the power of the Holy Ghost. I invite all who read this to take time to learn more and to truly understand what I meant by saying this book can change your life.  



 
Request a Free Book of Mormon 

Zombies or not Zombies

This is my brother.....

 

               My brother awhile back made a video based off of the scripture in (1 Samuel 16:7) "for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart". The story follows a young boy by the name of Levi who grew up being told that his Mormon friends and neighbors were "zombies" and he should stay away from them. He finds out some of his friends are Mormons and after some discussion, they convince him to come to a dance held for them. He has a great time and finds out that Mormons aren't crazy or boring. This is just the start to his introduction to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and he finds out it is something he actually wants in his life. 

                                                                       

                                                            Enjoy........

     

                  I had a good time watching this, it made me laugh, but I also felt the spirit of its message. This may be an extreme example, but the message behind it is good. We need to look at the hearts of those around us rather than their outward appearance. It teaches us to search for truth for ourselves rather than taking others word for it. In (Matthew 7:7-8) it states, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened". I testify that God will make known the truth of all things if we go to him in sincere prayer.

Honesty

As I think back on life back at home I often think of the memories I had with my older brother. Why these experiences stick out to me so much I don't know, but the lesson I learned from him were very profound. The summer of 2007 my brother and I and a couple of our friends went down to Magic Mountain, a theme park in the LA area of California. We had a full day of fun and exciting things to do. When the day was winding down it was time for us to leave. As we left the front entrance my brother stopped and told us to wait there. He then walked back to the gates where you pay and started to talk to some of the Six Flags staff. I really had know clue what he was doing. About 5 minutes later he came back and told us what he had just done. A couple years back my brother went to Six Flags with his best friends family. Somehow he cheated the system and didn't pay. It made him feel guilty all these years and he knew that it was not honest of him to do. This is the reason why he went back to talk to the staff. The staff thought he was crazy and even laughed at him when he told them his story and about how he wanted to pay them back in full. They got someone higher up in authority at the theme park and my brother gave him the money. At the time I thought he was crazy, and at that stage of my life I wouldn't let something like that bug me. I would of justified my dishonesty on their high prices. I didn't understand the true meaning of honesty.

           An honest person is trustworthy, tells the truth, keeps promises, and people can depend on them. We need to be honest no matter how small or how big the situation is. The honesty of a person reveals much about them. Can we say now at this time in our life that we can be entrusted with something of great importance? Are we honest with our fellow man, family, friends, ourselves, and the Lord? Dishonesty can destroy our relationships with others. The more we are dishonest the more conditioned and prone we are to be a dishonest person. We can change... make steps to change and trust in God that he will help you. "Being honest often requires courage and sacrifice, especially when others try to persuade us to justify dishonest behavior. If we find ourselves in such a situation, we can remember that the lasting peace that comes from being honest is more valuable than the momentary relief of following the crowd". See True to the Faith (2004), 84 You will see a greater light, peace, and confidence in your life when you can say, "I am an honest person". I can testify as we strive to be more honest in every aspect of our life we will become more like our Savior Jesus Christ and his light will shine through us.

 

In the Hands of the Master Teacher







I would like to share a personal story. Something that has changed my life and has help me understand the importance of life. About three years ago, October of 2007 I came home one night a little latter than usual from high school. When I got home no one was there. For some reason I had a strong feeling that something was incredibly wrong. About five minutes later I got a call from a close family friend telling me that my older brother had gotten in a car accident, and was at the hospital with the rest of my family. In the crash my brother took trauma to his head, in which when the doctors tested him he had no brain activity. We had no choice but to keep him on life support until all our family was able to come, and then let him go. Words can't express what I exactly felt at that time. Today I can still remember all that happened the couple of weeks that transpired after my brothers death. I asked myself, and I asked God some prominent questions. What was the purpose of coming to existence? To live and die, and be no more? I reflected on the things that I learned when I was younger. The Plan of Salvation or God's Plan for all of us. From much searching, and prayer I have come to know that God has a Plan for us. The center of that plan is our Savior Jesus Christ. After Jesus Christ died on the cross, he was laid in a borrowed tomb, and three days later he was resurrected. The word resurrection means the literal reuniting of our body and spirit never to be separated again. In like manner we will all one day be resurrected. In the Book of Mormon there was a group of followers of Jesus Christ who viewed death in this way, "and they never did look upon death with any degree of terror, for their hope and views of Christ and the resurrection; therefore, death was swallowed up to them by the victory of Christ over it". (Alma 27: 28) I know that at this time my brother is in the hands of the Master Teacher, our Savior Jesus Christ, awaiting the time when he, and the rest of the world, will be resurrected. We need to remember when we lose those close to us we need not to fear for we will see them again. I will see my brother again. I challenge all those who read this to learn more about God's Plan, for it will give you direction and purpose in your life. This is my witness; in the name of Jesus Christ.  (The Plan of Salvation)

What is a Testimony?

There are several definitions of a testimony. The definition I want to touch upon is a testimony being a statement of belief or faith. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will often be very quick to share their testimony with you, you might have already experienced that. Maybe I will be able to help you understand why we are so excited to share what we believe. A testimony is a spiritual witness given by the Holy Ghost. It is not something that comes all at once, it is a continuing process of learning from the Holy Ghost. As you search, ponder, and pray you can receive a testimony that something is true. The foundation of a testimony is coming to know that Heavenly Father lives and loves us and that Jesus Christ is our Savior. One of the ways a testimony can grow is by sharing it with others. 

This is my testimony- I know that God lives, loves, and cares for each one of us. We can come to know him through earnest and sincere prayer. His son Jesus Christ was sent to pay the ultimate price, the price of sin, pain, sorrow, things that we could not pay fully ourselves. I do not comprehend all the things that Jesus Christ has done for us but I have felt the healing power of His love, and Atonement. The truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ had been lost after His departure and there was a need of a Restoration. I know that Joseph Smith restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ back to the earth today. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, through a witness I received from the Holy Ghost. The Prophet on the earth today is Thomas S. Monson. You can come to know of these truths yourselves by searching, pondering, and prayer. Last of all I know that Christ lives!