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.



No Matter Where You Go...

I've always found it interesting how we as people need consistency. Consistency in many areas determines who we are and who we will become. I've grown up my whole life hearing that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the same where ever you go. The building and people will be different but the principles that are being taught will be the same.Two weeks ago I was transferred from Kalispell Montana to Lovell, Byron and Cowley Wyoming. It wasn't until a couple days after we had attended church that a new understanding enlightened my mind. It hit me and strengthened my testimony of this church: That literally no matter where you go The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints WILL always be the same. You WILL have different leaders and a different building but the Gospel (the teachings) will remain the same. You can walk into any sacrament meeting around the world and see the Bishop and his two counselors on the stand. The sacrament will be blessed and passed the exact same way, Nursery, Primary, Young Mens and Young Womens, Relief Society and Priesthood, even the Hymn books are the same.  When you walk into the building people don't care who you are, all that matters is that you are there because we are all spirit brothers and sisters.


God knows of our need for consistency and fulfills those needs by reaching out in love to his children by calling another Prophet on the earth and restoring the same church his son, Jesus Christ, set up when he was on the earth. How grateful I am for a loving Heavenly Father!

I Thank Thee O God for a Prophet

I hope all of you got to listen or watch some of General Conference. Once again it has strengthened my testimony of Heavenly Father (God) and the prophets and apostles He has called to lead and guide us today. I testify that there is a God and that He loves all of Children which is why He has reached out in love by restoring the same church his son, Jesus Christ, set up when he was on the earth and calling another prophet to receive direction for you and I. I leave you the words to Hymn #19 "We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet". They have been on my mind a lot the last couple days with a few changes.

I thank thee, O God, for a prophet

To guide me in these latter days.

I thank thee for sending the gospel

To lighten my mind with its rays.

I thank thee for every blessing

Bestowed by thy bounteous hand.

I feel it a pleasure to serve thee

And love to obey thy command.

When dark clouds of trouble hang o’er me

And threaten my peace to destroy,

There is hope smiling brightly before me,

And I know that deliv’rance is nigh.

I doubt not the Lord nor his goodness.

I’ve proved him in days that are past.

The wicked who fight against Zion

Will surely be smitten at last.

 I’ll sing of his goodness and mercy.

I’ll praise him by day and by night,

Rejoice in his glorious gospel,

And bask in its life-giving light.

Thus on to eternal perfection

The honest and faithful will go,

While they who reject this glad message

Shall never such happiness know.

This is my testimony. I Thank Thee O God for loving us enough to give us a Prophet on the earth today!!

General Conference

I love this time of year for many reasons. One main reason is General Conference. A simple explanation for thoes of you who don't know what General Conference is...  It's when the Prophet and Appostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints address the world. So if you have ever been interested in hearing what the Lord is telling us today, this weekend is a great time to find out. Four Sessions over a two day period will take place. The schedule goes as following

 Saturday     10am-12pm  &   2pm-4pm 

      

Sunday     10am-12pm   &    2pm-4pm

General Conference is a great time to get answers to questions that have been on your mind. Write these questions down and pray about them. I can promise you that as you do, and watch all 4 sessions of General Conference (because you never know which one will have your answer) the answer to your questions will be given. God is the same God yesterday, today, and forever which is why He has reached out in love to his children by calling another Prophet on the earth today and restoring the exact same church his son, Jesus Christ, set up when he was on the earth. The way you can know for yourself is by watching General Conference and praying to know if the things you hear and see are true.

Planting Seeds

"Pray for a good harvest, but continue to hoe" is posted on a billboard in Kalispell. It has been food for thought running through my mind this last week and made me realize life in general is like a garden. In order to be successful or to have something to harvest there are steps you have to take. You can't just walk out to find a green luscious garden. You first have to prepare the ground. This may include tilling, plowing, fertilizing ect... You have to make rows and most importantly you have to plant seeds. And the seeds you plant take time to grow. From experience, you can't plant tomato seeds and walk out the next day to see a vine with ripe tomatoes ready to be picked.  There have been many incidences in life when I've gone to "my garden" to find it half completed. And for some reason am disappointed or question why nothing grew!.... The same goes for our spiritual growth. We have to plant seeds, water them everyday, and pull out the weeds. The process is NEVER over. As long as you want something to harvest from that garden it takes some form of effort everyday. We have to read our scriptures, pray, and look for the Lords hand in our lives every single day. Not once a year, once a month, or even once a week- but on a daily basis. I have seen a difference in my life when I've taken the time to complete all the steps instead of skipping one or two steps to get ahead. Success in anything comes with time. Sometimes remembering that can be the hardest part. But if we didn't have to work for something how would we know the joy that comes from succeeding? How would you know what fresh tomatoes from the vine taste like if you didn't continually water them? You wouldn't experience the sweet relief of finally accomplishing the goal you have been working so diligently towards. So don't give up! Keep sowing those seeds and one day your garden will be more luscious and plentiful than you ever thought possible. Pray for a good harvest, but continue to hoe!