Come What May And Love It

Most times the saying"Come what may and love it"  is a lot easier said than done. At least for me anyways. Especially in today's world- we want instant results and control over anything and everything possible. I've found that the more power and control I try to have the more I realize there is a higher power. I know there is a God; and that everything good comes from Him. As we turn to him and try our best to follow the example he has given us true happiness can come.

I pass on Elder Worthlins challange, "...the next time you're tempted to graon, try to laugh instead..." and then come what may... and love it!

Finding the Right Tool

The other day Sister Tuckett and I were helping a member of the ward with some simple service. We were asked to take the old license plates off of a car and put new ones on. We were given the tools necessary to accomplish the job and sent outside to do it. After just a few seconds of trying to loosen the screws I realized we didn't have the right size of screw driver to accomplish the job. Being my stubborn self I tried to make it work. After several minutes of miserably failing I finally gave up and realized I couldn't do it. I needed the right tool. After swallowing my pride I finally went in and asked for a different screw driver. When I had the right tool, what should have taken no longer than five minutes ended up taking close to fifteen minutes, the job was done in no time. As we walked back into the house I couldn't help but think how much easier it would have been had I asked for a different tool right when I realized what we had wasn't going to work.  It made me think; how often have I made things harder on myself because I wasn't using the "right tool"

I know we have been given all the right tools in order to be successful in this life. Its up to us whether or not we choose to use them. When we came to earth we were given tools to help us such as; a family, prayer, the Holy Ghost, the Scriptures, and Prophets. Five major tools but not close to all of the ones that are out there. As we go through life it is up to us to choose to use them. To learn the function of each one and how each one can best help us. Some are better for certain tasks. As we get familiar with them the more we learn and realize how they can help us. I hope I can learn from my mistakes. Learn more about the tools I have available at my grasp and take advantage. I know that as I do, the Lord will bless me and will make anything possible.

Degrees

Often times we wonder how things came about.  You wake up one morning and wonder how you found yourself in this situation. Most incidences or changes don't just happen. They happen in a matter of degrees.

Amalickiah wanted to be a king over the Lamanite people. When given the chance to be a leader over a large army he took advantage of the opportunity. He convinced Lehonti that if he would take his army and surround them Lehonti would be their chief commander and he would be second in command. Lehonti agrees and over takes Amalickiah's army.

"And it came to pass that Amalickiah caused that one of his servants should administer posion by degrees to Lehonti, that he died...." Alma 47:18

Just as Amalickiah poisoned Lehonti by degrees Satan too posions us by degrees. We don't just one day wake up and decide to commit a serious crime or sin. It happens a little at a time. Satan first entices us, making us believe if we follow him we will have more, and that things will be better. We become subject to his will one decision at a time until we have no other choice to but to follow him. Or so he wants us to believe.

"Yielding to his [Satan's] temptations leads down a narrower and narrower range of choices until none remains and to addictions that leave us powerless to resist." -Elder D. Todd Christofferson

I've seen this in my life and in others around me and know that it is true. I also know we don't have to let or allow Satan to poison us. By choosing to be aware of things around us and choosing weather to act or not act can make all the difference.

Hold On

My Senior year of High School I needed a quote to go in the yearbook next to my photo. After searching and thinking for a while I came across a quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt that stuck with me.

"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hold on"

When thought about physically, it sounds impossible. I imagine holding on for dear life, not having enough rope to somehow magically tie a knot and "hold on." Just thinking about it makes me tired!

But when thought about spiritually it brings a whole new meaning. The rope once a burdensome thing I have to hold on to is now my faith and my testimony. When I think I am at the end and there is NO possible way I can go any further some how I am able to tie a knot and "hold on". I've come to realize that is doesn't "magically" or "somehow" just happen. It happens
because Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father are REAL. They know me (and you) and love me (and you). They know how much rope I really have left. They will never let me fall unless I choose to do so. I know the Atonement of Jesus Christ is REAL. He came to earth, paid the price not only for my sins but for yours as well. And because of that, He KNOWS how I feel. He KNOWS what I'm going through. He has felt my worse and has felt my best, and because of Christ and His Atonement we can all return to live with Heavenly Father and our families for eternity if when what seems impossible, exercise faith, tie a knot and hold on.

Be Prepared

I've been thinking a lot about "being prepared" lately. I came across a story in the Book of Mormon that illustrated the importance to me.  Moroni- a great leader and warrior knows his people are going to be attacked. Not only does he prepare himself, but he prepares his people as well. Preparations such as huge amounts of earth moved to build large walls with trenches around the cities were built. When the Lamanite army came to attack them they were taken back by how prepared the Nephites were. In disappointment they left to try another city, only to find the same thing. We read

And thus were the Nephites prepared to destroy all such as should attempt to climb up to enter the fort by any other way, by casting over stones and arrows at them.

Thus they were prepared, yea, a body of their strongest men, with their swords and their slings, to smite down all who should attempt to come into their place of security by the place of enterence and thus were they prepared to defend themselves against the Lamanites. Alma 49:19-20

Because of their preparedness the Lamanite army was not able to overtake them. Not only were they prepared, they were ready to defend themselves against Anything that might attempt to enter their city. It made me think-
How prepared am I? What am I willing to do to prepare my self against the dangers that come into my life? Is my wall high enough? Do I have the nesessarey equipment to fight anything off that may attempt to harm me?

I know blessings come from being prepared. And in the Nephites case being prepared saved their lives.

We have a Moroni on the earth today. His name is President Thomas S. Monson. He is the Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints. He receives direct direction from Heavenly Father that if listened to will prepare you for any and all danger that may attempt to harm you.

Blessings of the Priesthood

The other day I was able to feel of the spirit while listening to a priesthood blessing being given. It made me realize how grateful I am to have to priesthood restored on the earth again and to be able to receive the blessings that come from it. As I got onto facebook that day- just a little while after- I went to mormon.org and saw the mormon message of the priesthood so I thought I would share it.

It is my testimony that we have the priesthood restored back onto the earth in it's fullness today. The same priesthood Jesus Christ gave to his Apostles! How grateful I am to the worthy Priesthood holders who honor the priesthood they hold. That keep themselves clean to be ready and willing to bless those in need. I know the priesthood has been restored for our benefit and if we will have the faith and take advantage of it miracles will happen.

The Lord is My Light

Transfers can be a crazy time for a missionary. Especially when you move areas. The other day I was worrying and stressing about all the things that needed to be done. Things I knew, things I didn't know, things I did know but needed to remember, and things I need to learn. Amiss all things going though my mind the words to a famous Hymn ran through my mind

"The Lord is MY light; then why should I fear? By day and by night his presence IS near. He is my salvation from sorrow and sin; This blessed assurance the Spirit doth bring."

As I starting singing the song in my head, comfort and peace rushed through me. I knew everything thing was going to be okay because I knew one thing. That the Lord is my Light.
    
       The song continues...
  

"The Lord is my light; tho clouds may arise, Faith, stronger than sight, looks up thru the skies where Jesus forever in glory doth reign. Then how can I ever in darkness remain? The Lord is my light; the Lord is my strength. I know in HIS might I’ll conquer at length. My weakness in mercy he covers with pow’r, And, walking by faith, I am blest ev’ry hour. The Lord is my light, my all and in all. There is in his sight no darkness at all. He is my Redeemer, my Savior, and King. With Saints and with angels his praises I’ll sing.

The Lord is my light; He is my joy and my song. By day and by night He leads, He leads me along."

Throughout life, time and time again I have learned that I can not do it all on my own. I'm not supposed to, neither am I expected to. If I will allow Jesus Christ to be my light HE WILL BE. But the choice is up to me. And if he is my light then why should I fear?

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Isiah 12:2