I Dare You

I can't believe General Conference will be here in 7 days! Did you know there is an amazing promise that comes with it? I remember one year in Seminary our teacher asked us to think of a question we wanted answered. It could be something that was weighing on our minds, something we need help with- anything that pertained spiritually. He said that if we would pray about it and watch General Conference we would find our answer. So I took his challenge and put it to the test. I don't remember the exact question I asked but I do remember getting an answer.
So I invite you to think and pray about some questions that have been on your mind. Then to watch General Conference and listen. I know that as you do this your answer will come. It may not be the answer you want, but it will come. I know we have a Prophet, Apostles and church auxiliary that have been called by God. The reason we have them is because we have a Heavenly Father who is very mindful of his children and wants us to succeed in life. If we will take this opportunity to listen to them they will have the answers we are looking for. So write down some questions, watch and listen. I dare you

Conference will be held on
Saturday April 2- 10am-12pm and 2-4pm
Sunday April 3- 10am-12pm and 2-4pm

Be Faithful to Him

While in the MTC I decided I would read the Book of Mormon again. In doing so I found one of my favorite scriptures that comes to mind quite frequently. Nephi and his family are in the wilderness because they listened to their father Lehi, who is a prophet whom the Lord told to leave Jerusalem because it was going to be destroyed. While in the wilderness Nephi's brothers Laman and Lemuel get angry with him because he is on his fathers side. In one of Nephi's "rebukings" he tells his brothers,

"Yeah, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do ALL things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him." (1 Nephi 7:12)

  I love Nephi's response. He is put in so many situations where he could choose to be angry like Laman and Lemuel but he CHOOSES to have faith. Life (and being on a mission) gives you many situations where you can be angry, sad, frustrated, etc. But when you choose to look at it in a bigger picture and realize what Nephi is saying is true.  I know if it is according to Heavenly Fathers will he WILL provide a way if we do the things he has asked us to do. Even though we may not see how it is going to work out, by putting our faith in him and taking a couple steps in the dark he will light up the path.

Two Knocks

One of my favorite parts of missionary work is tracting. One apparent thing I have learned is that most people don't answer the first time we knock. It usually takes two. Why is this? As I have pondered for some reasoning behind this, something hit me. How often is the Savior knocking on my door and I'm not answering? How may times will it take to get my attention? Am I going to get off the couch and get my body in action? He's not going to stand out there forever. The decision is mine.
  The message we share is of great value and importance, just like the message Jesus is trying and wanting to share in this picture.  There is no handle for Him to "just walk in." There has to be effort on my part to simply walk over and open the door. It's amazing to feel the love, peace, comfort and support that comes immediately by simply choosing opening the door. So I re-dedicate myself and challenge you- Answer the door on the first knock. I know that as we do, so may blessing await. Answers to questions, a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel, and that extra dose of faith we need to make it through the day will come. Remember: You are never alone. Christ is always on the other side of the door waiting with out stretch arms.