The Holy Ghost

Ever wondered what the Holy Ghost is?  What it feels like? How you can better understand and recognize it's promptings?  Watch this video and find out!

Because all of us are different the Holy Ghost speaks to everyone differently. As you try to recognize the promptings of the Holy Ghost and then act on them, Heavenly Father will bless you and you will receive even more promptings. This will also enable you to better understand how the Holy Ghost speaks to you. I know that as you try to better recognize and understand how the spirit works with you, you will feel his presence more abundantly in your life and become the person God needs and wants you to be.

Turning Darkness into Light

One thing I've learned in life is that it is full of ups and downs. I've done a lot of pondering on this especially the following questions; How can I have more ups than downs? What is it that makes the down times so hard? Through scripture study and prayer I have received some insight. I've heard it said a few times that "light and darkness cannot occupy the same space at the same time." If a room is dark and you light a match or flip the light switch, no matter how dark it may seem, light WILL over take the darkness. The same principle applies with the light of the Holy Ghost and darkness of Satan. AKA the ups and downs of life.  Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles states;

"Light dispels darkness. When light is present, darkness is vanquished and must depart. More importantly, darkness cannot conquer light unless the light is diminished or departs. When the spiritual light of the Holy Ghost is present, the darkness of Satan departs." Out of Darkness into His Marvelous Light (emphasis added)

My conclusion to the questions stated above replacing ups with light and downs with darkness is that as we do the things we know we are supposed to do light or happiness fills us. We allow Satan or darkness to overtake us by sinning, and our light diminishes and will eventually depart. One important thing Satan doesn't want us to realize is that we still have the ability to light that match or flip the switch; causing light to overtake darkness once again. Because of Jesus Christ and the sacrifice he has preformed the option will always be there. The choice is up to us. This doesn't mean it will be easy or even that our light will be as bright as it once was. But as we try our best and apply the atonement of Jesus Christ through repentance all that seems lost will be found, all that seems impossible will become possible, and every wrong will one day be made right. I know we can only see a portion of the big picture of life right now, but as we remain faithful more up times will come and all things will work out in the end.

Reason for the Season

As stated in a previous post I love this time of the year. I love the decorations, the candy, music, and spirit that seems to fill the air that everyone whether they want to or not can notice. Most of all, I love the REASON for the Season. That being Jesus Christ.

Throughout my life I've had a chance see the difference in remembering the real reason for the season verses just going with the motions that come with this time of year. I've noticed that as I put the material things aside, and make it a point to focus on our Savior, Jesus Christ, and try to morefully do the things he would have me do, true happiness comes and more of the Holiday spirit is felt. Satan knows that if he can get you so caught up in the shopping and gift giving, which in reality can take up all of your time or stress you out to the max, that you forget the real reason why any of this is even happening. My challenge to you: kick Satan to the curb this month, and hopefully forever, and focus on the real meaning of why we have Christmas. Act on the feelings you get and I can promise happiness will feel you, and you will have a more enjoyable Holiday Season that will last the whole year through.

He Hears Every Word

For those of you who don't already know, I LOVE music! I especially love the spirit it can bring. I know a lot of the time I will hear or sing the words to a song not realizing their true meaning. I love this song about prayer and know the message it shares is true.

There are days I get so lost and so caught up inside the crowd

I try to lift my voice but I keep getting drowned out

By the noise and all the sound

But somehow He hears, every word, that I say

He knows, just how I feel and I can pray for answers

I can turn to Him for peace

Or just to be heard

And He hears every word

There are times I lose my way and start to wander off alone

Even when I make mistakes I’m never on my own

And when I need to find the way back home

He hears, every word, that I say

He knows, just how I feel and I can pray for answers

I can turn to Him for peace

Or just to be heard

And He hears every word

Not one of us can fall far enough

To be out of reach of His Love

He hears every word

He hears, every word, that I say

He knows, just how I feel and I can pray for answers

I can turn to Him for peace

Or just to be heard

And He hears every word
(Click to hear the song Every Word)

 "Prayer is a supernal gift of our Father in Heaven to every soul. Think of it: the absolute Supreme Being, the most all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful personage, encourages you and me, as insignificant as we are, to converse with Him as our Father...

It matters not our circumstance, be we humble or arrogant, poor or rich, free or enslaved, learned or ignorant, loved or forsaken, we can address Him. We need no appointment. Our supplication can be brief or can occupy all the time needed. It can be an extended expression of love and gratitude or an urgent plea for help. He has created numberless cosmos and populated them with worlds, yet you and I can talk with Him personally, and He will ever answer." Richard G Scott Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer

Even though we may not realize or understand, I know Heavenly Father literally hears EVERY word of  every prayer you and I say. He may not answer them in the way we want, but He is hearing and answering them. It is up to us to open our eyes and see the answers.

Baptism

When we are baptized we make a covenant, or a two way promise with our Heavenly Father. As we keep our end of the covenant we are promised Heavenly Father will keep His promise he has made to us. An easy way I learned to remember my part of the promise is by using an acronym for the work take.
 When we are Baptized we promise to...

        Take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ

        Always Remember Him
        Keep His Commandments
        Endure to the End

Taking upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ simply means asking ourselves in every situation we are in, "What would Jesus do?", and then acting on the answer to that question. When we take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ we act and do the things that he himself would do if he were here. That means helping someone who is in need and making someone feel better when they are sad.

Always Remember Him. As we ask ourselves "What would Jesus Do?" We are Always Remembering Him. We do our very best everyday to remember Jesus and act the way he wants us to.

Keeping His Commandments means not only the 10 Commandments that were given to Moses but other commandments that have been given. Such as following the prophet, saying our prayers, obeying the word of wisdom, studying the scriptures, ect.


 On page 84 of Preach my Gospel an excellent definition of the last promise we make Enduring to the End  is given. " To remain true to the commandments of God despite temptation, opposition, and adversity throughout life." After we make these promises and are baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by someone holding the proper priesthood authority we are not done. You have to remember the promises you made and do your best everyday to keep your end of the promise.(2 Nephi 31:19-20)

Because a covenant is a two way promise we are promised to ALWAYS have the Holy Ghost as our constant companion if we do our part. Some may say that we have more work on our end but if you have felt the Holy Ghost in your life you know it is quite opposite.

I testify that God is our loving Heavenly Father and that He wants us to follow His son, Jesus Christs example, by being baptized by someone holding the Priesthood authority of God and in return has promised that His spirit will always be with us.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I LOVE this time of year for many reasons!!! One reason is that it helps me refocus my life. I am reminded of the the things I am grateful for and things that actually matter. I like this video because it hit home to me when I watched it. I know I take for granted not only the beautiful scenery around me but also all the blessings Heavenly Father has given to me. How grateful I am for a loving Heavenly Father who has blessed me with health, strength, family, friends, and everything I need to survive in this world. As I look around me and realize even more blessings He has given me my heart becomes even fuller. I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving and take some time to think of all the things Heavenly Father has given to you.

"Those who live in thanksgiving daily however, have a way of opening their eyes and seeing the wonders and beauties of this world as those seeing them for the first time. Look around you and notice...."

Faith is knowing...

I love primary songs and the simple yet powerful truths they teach. Sometimes faith can be hard to explain but I like the way this primary song teaches it.

Faith is knowing the sun will rise, lighting each new day.

Faith is knowing the Lord will hear my prayers each time I pray.

Faith is like a little seed:

If planted, it will grow.

Faith is a swelling within my heart.

When I do right, I know.

Faith is knowing I lived with God before my mortal birth.

Faith is knowing I can return when my life ends on earth.

Faith is trust in God above;

In Christ, who showed the way.

Faith is strengthened; I feel it grow

Whenever I obey.

 Childrens Song Book 

In the Book of Mormon faith is described as

" faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." (Ether 12:6)

I know we don't always have the answer to life's questions, but that is where faith comes into play. I know that as we start with a particle of faith, by hoping for things which are not seen as the scripture sates above, that our faith will grow. We will have the faith sufficient enough to do the things that have been asked of us. As our faith continues to grow we will be able to make the necessary changes in order to return to live with our families and Heavenly Father after this life.