Nothing Less Than The Best

Bring your “A” game. There is something to be said for the man who brings all he has. Recognize where and what your strengths are. Know what you can do and exploit those things. No one else is going to seek out the best in you. However they will spend every chance they have trying to get ahead and make a difference of themselves.  It is so important that as you are seeking to better yourself that you also recognize your weaknesses. Know that Satan is working double time as well to find out those weaknesses and exploit them himself.  Surround yourself with people who will fortify you and want you to help them and in turn they will help you.  Bringing your best means you come with a complete package; strengths and weakness.  Knowing them will keep you ahead and mindful of what is going on around you.

Smile, confidence goes along way. Even when your scared for your life the best thing you can do is smile. Smiling melts mountains of the hardest hearts. Pick yourself up and get to work. Don’t worry about yourself, seek to boost another and your troubles will be brought into perspective. The Service that we render brings us closer to the Savior.

Work hard leave nothing at the table. There is so much that is out there for us. There is much out there that can be done. There much out there that is fighting for our time. We must seek for the best things. Elder Oaks gave a talk called Good, Better, Best. Recognize what is good, better, and best.  We have to prioritize and make sure that we have the very best. We have to know our needs. We have to continue moving toward always being better!

Seek the will of God in all things. Everything we have, all that we are comes from our Heavenly Father.  Recognizing the father and including him in your decisions  plays a huge part in building and fortifying your heart and life. In all things acknowledge him and he will guide you in all things.

General Conference

It is time again!!!! I am so excited for conference. We get to hear from church leaders, feel of their warmth and compassion. For two whole days we get to sit at the feet of the prophet of God and be taught.

Tune In!!!!!

It starts Saturday at 9:00a.m.

Life!

I once saw a poster in a doctor's office that read "This Life is a test it is only a test! Had it been an actual life you would have been given clear instructions on where to go, and how to get there." while thaat made me chuckle I was thinking tonight about how much Life gets in the way. At least it seems like that sometimes.
Often I think to my self that the way I am going to make it is to just give up. I feel like life has gotten the best of me. I also feel like it is not worth it to keep pushing forward.
I think these are the things that Satan wants us to think. If he can get even a small foothold he will take what he can get. That is why it is so important to ever be vigilant. Be mindful of what is going on around you. Be mindful of the just what the lord has given you.
How sad would it it be if we did not take the time to count our blessings. Life has so much to offer us. There are the little things that brighten our world that make all the mundane go away. I love it when I come home at night I could have had the worst day and my kids welcome me home with a Hug and even the big kids say Dad's home and are excited to see me. They make it all worth it for me! How great are the little things that color and give extra to our worlds.

This life is a test.

It is a test to see how we are going to react the days events and the things that are going on in life. How we deal is what matters. It doesn't so much matter what we do. It does matter how we react to the consequence of those actions.

Be who you say you are

In word and deed in all places they must be the same. Is what you claim to believe in accordance with your actions? Do you step up to the plate, to put your money where your mouth is.

Wherever we go people are watching. Not because we are special, but because we claim to be different. The world wants us to fail. Here is the deal. People need something or someone to look to. In our world there reallhy is not much that isn't slacious or sleezey. So when someone comes along claiming to be a certain way they put us under microscope. They ask questions about why we do what we do. and then they sit back and watch. They watch how we perform.

Our children are the same way. They mirror us so much, they want so badly to be like us. We are their heros even if sometimes they don't want to admit it. They are the fruit that is first affected by the decisions that you make. I love the movie "October Sky." Near the end of a movie where the father and son had fought through the whole picture the son talking to his father says"Sure, Walter Von Braughn is a great scientist but he is not my hero....." that tells me a lot about the integrity of the boys heart. We as fathers are our boys heros!

Use that great power to of teaching to touch the hearts of people you come in touch with. Be an example of the believers. Share your testimony in word and in deed. Be there when a friend is down. Be the listening ear for the brother that just needs to talk. Be a friend and you will find yourself loved.

Talk 3/27

I told a few people that I was talking in church on Sunday they wanted to see a copy of the talk so here it is:

Imagine for a moment you are on board a ship that is being tossed about in a ferocious storm. The storm has thrown the ship against some rocks and your ship begins to take on water. There is hope…for out in the distance one can see a lighthouse standing tall to guide you into the harbor. So, you fire into the air a signal flare.  A plan is launched to save your sinking ship. Your loved ones stand on the shore and watch as a rescue party seeks to come to your aid only to be tossed to fro as they work. Eventually they reach your vessel pull you to safety and to your home port.

Today there are many who stand awaiting the aid that only you can provide. Many are badly beaten down by the waves of life and need you to come their aid. They cannot make alone so they send up signal flares that need to be answered by you. I am talking about the newly baptized or those who are right on the edge of coming to church or not coming. Those who for whatever reason need an extra hand.  No longer can we wait for disaster to occur before we are there to help. We need to be in the homes. Brethren our job is to be the watchmen. We must be fulfilling our stewardship of home teaching more effectively.

When each of us were baptized we made covenants to as Alma taught “mourn with those that mourn.”  It always has been and always will be the responsibility of the members to answer the call when others are hurting. It is the job of missionaries to  create a respite cover from the dark night and the members have the duty of being there for friendship, fellowship and caring for the retention of the Investigator  or Recent convert. I think that when we start thinking of missionary work, or home teaching or any of those things we tune out or turn off because as simple as they are they often times seem fruitless and  we may become a little disappointed and even sad.  Brothers and Sisters now is the time to as Nephi says ( 2Nephi 8:24) No more is there the label of Home teaching or Missionary work or teaching or whatever job you are asked to do it is the work of saving souls. 

It is our job to navigate the whirlpools of the adversary and bring them safely to shore.

Today I would like to purpose five ways that you and your families can as President Monson says “Come to the rescue.”

1-      Know who your neighbors are. What is going on in their families?  Be a friend. I call it the 2x4 method. You need to know the neighbors in front  and in back of your house. Then the two to the right and two to the left.

This is going to accomplish a few things. Your neighbors are going to know who are and friendships are going to spark. People look out for those they know and care about. They will want to come to your aid. They will want to include you.  And you will want the same for them. They will ask you questions. You will ask them questions and then one day you will have an experience like Carol Zoss. She had a member friend this friend and her one day were working on her car. They started a gospel conversation. Before they knew it they had spent 6 hours talking about the gospel. She had been hit hard by life and needed some help. This member recognized the need and was there for Carol. 6 hours later the missionaries were called in and the missionaries started to teach her. 2 weeks later she was baptized. The lessons were held always with members of the ward and she had a support group that was incredible.

You might have a n experience where a friend comes and asks you things that they have heard. And you are able to talk about those concerns which turns into an opportunity for teaching. Skipp Hudson had a friend that helped him overcome childhood concerns that people had told him that Mormons were bad. He came to his friend who he knew was a “Mormon” and asked his questions. Today he has a family and serves in his ward in Idaho.

(Talk about Kari Paugh if time allows)

The church has found that if the members are actively involved in missionary work that the retention of the new convert is so much better. May I suggest that we not focus on the baptism of the individual, but getting them to the temple.  The missionaries give the investigator the respite needed for the short term. Members provide access to the ordinances that will last for eternity.

2-Pray daily that you will have missionary experiences and that you will recognize them.

Each day we are confronted with opportunities to share the gospel. It is up to us to open our mouths.   One day I was riding a bus from Port Angeles to Forks. I started talking to the guy I was sitting next to. He told me a little about himself and as a missionary I started teaching him. The bishop of the branch was sitting right there with me but did not recognize the moment for what it was. I helped him by asking him to bear his testimony right there on the bus. He thanked me for it later. Flights are the best place to have gospel conversations. All you have to do is take a four year old along with you and have him start singing at the top of his lungs “I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ.” Matthew did that on the way home from California.

Take the time to act on the promptings of the spirit, from (DC 33:8) we learn

3-Set up a Mormon.org profile. 

This is a great way for you to share your testimony if you feel you can not do it in public. Right now people are looking and asking questions. They are shooting a signal flare and need our help. The profile itself takes about 20 to 30 minutes to set up. You are able to chat with like minded people and are able to be the instrument that our heavenly father needs to help in very specific instantances. It is so very important that you know what is on this website because so many are going to the site. You need to be able to speak intelligently about what your church is doing. Knowledge is power. As we gain knowledge we are able to progress. We gain this knowledge by sharing with each other our testimonies. By reading our Scriptures and knowing the mind and will of our Father.

 4-Each Family should participate in at least 2 church tours a year

I love church tours. They help me see what the missionaries are doing . What they are like and allows me to trust them with my friends. You get to see them in action. They ask questions and you get involved with the investegators. You may be asked to share your testimony. Two things happen. Both you and those you are with are edified.  Second maybe what you have said helped the investegator to understand in a way that could not have been otherwise. I so enjoy the opportunity when the elders ask about the sacrament. They talk about the savior, his infinite atonement and then ask me what my thoughts are. At first it caught me off guard. I had to really think about it. What do I think about during the sacrament.  I answered the question and I was able to focus better the following week on the sacrament. The investegator did not come to church the next week.  However I was better  for participating in the Church tour.

5- Participate in a 90 Challenge “Conversation to Conversion”

                1-Prayerfully identify a neighbor or a friend

Include the Lord’s help. By so doing you are asking to be an instrument in his hands. This is his church, he will touch the hearts of those who are honestly seeking. We just need to know where he needs us to be… and then be there. Praying offers us the opportunity to pour out our concerns to our father. It makes it possible to make a plan c if A&B fall apart. Ultimatley, prayer takes out the guess work and makes what we are doing attainable.

                2-Have a gospel conversation

Do not feel like you have to force a gospel conversation let it happen if it goes there. Seek the opportunity out and  remember that if you are prepared. By praying and reading your scripture gaining knowledge then it will come. Realize that they have their free agency too. They have to choose. I love the Hymn “Know This That Every Soul Is Free” The message quite simply is that God is always there for us he persuades admonishes us and yet he will never force a man to heaven

The second verse reads:

               

3-Invite them to Dinner

The way to mans heart is through his stomache. Dedra knows she can get me to do anything as long as there is food involved. Not to mention that some find it an insult if you are sharing all of these special things and yet you won’t break bread with them. People need to be shown the value of something before they are willing to dive in. Not to mention you may even make a friend out of the deal

                4-Invite them to FHE

Share with them the glue that holds your family together. Family is so important but to so many they don’t know how to juggle everyday life with the demands of family. Life seems like the thing that matters most and so eventually the family is destroyed because they left it on the back burner and the members were tired of taking a back seat so they move on. These new members and investegators need to realize that family comes first above anything. Everything that we are about should be strengthening our families.

                5-Invite the missionaries to help formulate a plan to teach your friends in your home

The best place for missionaries to teach is in members homes they need to be teaching 20 lessons a week inside your homes collectively. That means that those who you home teach that are less active can be part of this 90 challenge. They need to be guided safely home….to the temple.  Recognize that the temple is the goal NOT BAPTISM. While the baptisms are great the road does not end there. Our goal is to create eternal families…. Eternal relationships (DC 18:15-16)

Brothers and Sisters these are suggestions that will help us aid in the rescue of those souls who are right now being beaten up by the storms of life. They need us to answer promptly and willingly when the flare is lit an aid is requested. We are not participating in organizations for activity or points we are participating in the Salvation of Souls. It is time for us as a ward to take ownership of our stewardship and not rely just on the missionaries (who do an incredible job, I am so thankful for the sacrifice that they have made and that Jared is making)

Bear your testimony 

Service

The single greatest act of service was performed in the garden of Gethsemane, by the Savior. He gave himself freely that we might live. He opened the gate that we may enter in and find peace because he loves us.

Service is just another way to express your love. It is in the things that we do that shows how much we care. It may be visiting the sick, or going back time and time again just to be turned away, or maybe helping with a project that needs an extra set of hands.

Whenever we seek to help someone we are helping the Savior. Christ taught "When ye are in the service of your fellow men ye are in the service of your God." He also taught "If ye have done it unto the least of these, Ye have done it unto me. When we serve others we are serving our God, we are becoming more like Christ.

He who spent his life teaching, by example was teaching us to be a better people. His desire is that we love one another. We show that love by serving and teaching others. Teaching them how they might be effective instruments in the hands of the Father. The Savior said to Peter "When thou art converted feed my sheep." The invitation is just as clear today. When you have been warned... don't you think it would be just as important to help get the message out.

God loves us so much! He uses others to cross the paths of those in need. In turn a strange thing happens. Both are strengthened. Both rejoice together and are blessed not only in this life but in the next!

Beware of the word Easy

What comes to your mind when the word "easy" is used.

All to often the easy way is not necessarily the right way. Nor is it the most simple. The easy way shows that many a way to cut corners to get a job done. The easy way is broad and fleeting. One can not find lasting eternal fruits worth taking that path.

The path worth taking is the one less traveled. It is the path that leads to life. It is the path that shapes character. It provides all things necessary to return home. Although it may be rough at first the end is filled with much fruit. You will find happiness in following this path.

Often when we are looking for the easy way out we lower our defenses. We dull our minds and focus on the things that don't matter. We stop doing the little things that are essential to bulding a Zion people. At first it may not be a big deal. But, given time we give up the very heart of everything that we hold dear.

Never has there been more of a need to study our scriptures, Pray and have Family Home Evening. The goal is to fortify ourselves. Be the watchmen that the Father needs us to be. If we will do these simple things  we will be instruments for the Father to help protect one another.

Understanding the Atoonement

I don't think I ever will fully comprehend the Atonement. I hope to be able to know all I can. I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude as I contemplate the Atonement. Without I would be unable to attain my goals.

Christ taught that the reason why he performed the Atonement was so that none would suffer if they would repent. If they would rely on him the savior would bring us to the father and we could feel clean.

Isaiah wrote "With his stripes we are healed" I love the language showing us that the savior takes helps us. The graphic language shows us the sacrifice, the torture that the master would endure. That by so doing he would save us from suffering even as he.

On the flip side if we are not willing to take upon us the name of Christ, then the scriptures tell us that we must suffer as Christ has.

New Mormon Message

You Will Be Freed

10 reasons why I have come to love the Savior

1. He invites, he does not demand.

The Savior, expects that we will come unto him and be partakers of the Atonement. However he does not take away our agency. He provides us with a simple plan; then it is up to us. It was Satan's plan, to force us. to make us less than our true potinential. Christ would have us continually be learning and growing and eventually make the choices that will lead us home. 

2. His hand is outstretched even if we are unwilling to (at the moment) seek him

The Savior is there with his hand outstretched. He may not like what we are doing. He will be there when we decide to finally call on him and seek his aid. It makes me happy to know that I have that ability to call and he will be there for me.

3. He calls me his friend.

My favorite scripture comes from the gospel of John Chapter 15:14-16. Christ tells us first of all that you are my friends. then he tells us why and then he says. "ye have not chosen me, but I have  chosen you. He seeks us to help one another. As we do we grow closer to him as well.

4. He is kind

Throughout the scriptures the savior has been asked for and each time he has come. He comes to us as we call on him. You know he cares about the things that you care about. If you have a problem he is there to help you solve it. When Joseph Smith had a question about what church to join he found an answer to his question in the scriptures. "If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God" The scripture goes on to say that he will not upbraid you or scold you for asking for help. he is kind

5. He is constant

Along those same lines he is constant. No matter what he will always be there for you. He does not change to our way of thinking. We are to turn our hearts to him. We are to seek him. He is as scriptures say the same yesterday today and forever. The great thing about that is that he can be our anchor. This sick world tosses us to and fro. We can take solace that we will be led out of those storms to peace if we are paying attention.

6. He is a great motivator.

Everything that I am I attribute to my elder brother. I would be lost without the help that I receive constantly from the spirit. The Spirit guides me to make righteous choices. I receive great strength knowing that I am doing the work of God.

7. He is an Teacher

I love the lessons from the scriptures that teach me how to be a better husband, and father even a better man. Christ's mission was to heal and free mankind from bondage of sin. Christ taught us by showing the way. He did what he taught. From baptism, to suffering in the Garden to the cross, his life was a lesson. It takes a short time to gain a testimony of the divinity of the Savior it takes a lifetime to master his teachings.

8. He listens to me.

Prayer is literally talking to God. He wants to hear form us. He rebuked the brother of Jared for 3 hours because he had not prayed. He wants us to share with his all things. From the mundane to the huge important things that shape who we are he wants us to have that line of communication. It need not be long and drawn out as long as it is sincere. There have been many times in my life when I have known the Savior was hearing what I was saying. I loose my keys all the time. The only way I find them is when I take it to the Lord. When I decided to move my family back to Washington from Kansas. I spent a lot of time making sure I was doing the right thing.

9. His compassion

I am so grateful for his compassionate heart. He wants us all to get back home. So, he came knowing that he would take upon him the sins of the world. He saved the woman who had been taken in adultry. He said "Let him without sin be the first to cast a stone at the woman." How beautiful. We could take a lot from that one lesson.

10. His love for me personally

I know he cares about me and knows me personally. He seeks to better me. He works in my life to sanctify me and molds me as I let him. I need him to be my advocate and if I am faithful I will be able to experience the love that he had in the Garden and on the cross where he died for me. I am grateful that I have a personal relationship with my Savior.

Friends

The talk around our house has been a lot about friends and how much of a role they should play in our lives. From the kids spending time away from home to even how much time are we as parents spending away from home. For the most part we have come to an agreement that we need to spend as much time together as a family.

We also have had talks about the kind of friends we have. How well do we choose the friends that we will "hang out" with. Are they the kind of people that we want to be around. Do they build us up? Or do they tear us down? While in the moment it may not be noticeable. We may even want to spend time with those we would normally find offensive.

The interesting thing is that we should look to the Savior as a model in choosing our friends. He taught "Greater love hath no man than this that he layeth down his life for his friends." True friends will go to the mat for you . Take on your troubles and help you work through them. It is a friend that will give you a hand up. All of this a friend does for the good of both of you. The Savior is our truest friend. He sent the spirit to guide us. His hand is always stretched out. He is always there when we are ready to turn our hearts.

I love that he calls us his friends. He taught us that we are his friends as long as we are obedient and accept his sacrifice. He like the Father wants us all to be able to dwell with him again that is the purpose for the Atonement. It is through the atonement we are saved and may receive exaltation.

Trust Christ

Jesus Christ the Savior and redeemer of the world. He paid the price for us to return home to live with him and the Father. It was in Gethsemane that Jesus prayed, taking upon him the sins of all mankind. He lived and showed us by example the way to live and lead. He taught the simple plan that if followed would not only bring happiness in this life as well as in the next.

We know the stories. We know the blessings that others speak of. We go to general conference and listen for divinely inspired counsel from God through his prophets. We see miracles everyday. The sun coming up everyday. The renewal of spring flowers, All these are proof that God really does exist.

Do we trust Christ? Do we have a testimony firmly planted in our hearts that he is real? Do we recognize the Savior working in our lives? Do we actively seek guidance from the Holy Ghost?

The only way that we are able to actively seek the answers is by prayerfully pondering, feasting on the words of Christ. Seeking Christ helps us to come to know the Savior. Learning who the Master is and what his personality  is like brings us to the knowledge that he lives.

Seeking guidence from the spirit, We truly can trust Christ and know that he is real!

Opposition in all things

Choice it is what makes us us who we are. What we are going to eat, how much we are going to eat. What we are going to wear. Each decision adds color to what we are. The decisions we make line a path that leads us to eternal destinations.

We have to taste the bitter so that we can taste the sweet. Life is full of  ups and downs, you win you loose. Ultimately it isn't about what you are doing. It is about how you are handling the situation. 

It is time to recognize the difference between right and wrong. Realize the path that you are or are not on and make the necessary changes to get to where you want to go. How sad would it be if you were not given every opportunity to achieve the goals that you have set for yourself. The greatest gift we have been given is to have the  opportunity to choose.

Power of Choice

Coming to earth, gaining a body, being able to choose, that is what this life is all about. We are able to choose right or wrong, left or right. Once a decision is made we do not have the ability to choose the consequences. They are already set.

Your choices no matter how big or small affect who you will become. Each decision made starts you down a path that leads to a desired outcome. From what you are going to wear that day to are you going to participate in different activities.

If you choose righteousness, you choose to be happy. If you choose righteousness, you choose to follow God. He promises to bless and protect you if you follow him. He will guide and direct you, if you choose to follow him. Therefore following Christ brings you happiness and peace.

If you choose evil, you choose Satan and sadness. You choose to be lost. You rely on yourself and wind up only spinning your tires. You choose to loose. Everything we have in this life comes to us from our Heavenly Father. Therefore, if we choose evil, if we choose to only to rely on ourselves then we have lost everything!

Faith is the power to do all things. By faith we can conquer all things. By faith we come into the presence of God the Father. By exercising our faith we grow. We grow toward greatness. We see things as God sees them.

It is as simple as it sounds. It is black and white. There are clear lines drawn in the sand. It is up to us to choose. We must choose for that is how it was in the beginning. Each of us fought for right and light. It is no different here!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGk-Zjm7uz8&feature=player_detailpage

Listen

Some of the sweetest experiences that I have ever had, have been when I have taken the time to listen. Likewise there have been many times when I would not listen. When I would see it only one way and I chose react. It is at these moments that I wish I could have backed up and slowed down to see all angles of the issue.

Listening to different ways to do things can bring new experience as well as provide opportunities to learn and grow. As a friend of mine always says there is more than one way to skin a cat? By listening to others we are able to recognize the different ways to get the job done. as long as we have the same end goal, why should we get lost trying to force our will. The fact of the matter is often someone is offended and not willing ot listen to you. Work hard at listening and you can solve many of these problems.

Listening helps both you and the other person be edified. When we are truly paying attention to those we are working with we will both feel the spirit and we will grow together. Often it is a listening ear that will calm rough seas. It is just being there to be the sounding board.

Seeking Refuge

Where Can I turn for peace?
Where is my solace,
When other sources cease to make me whole?
Where in my need to know, where can I run?

The answer is found in the Savior of the world. As we search him out through prayer and scriptures, we can also go to his house if we are worthy. There we can truly find him. We can commune with him and find peace.

The temple provides us peace, happiness, a lasting joy that will go on throughout all eternity. It is a refuge from a sick crying world. Here we leave our worldly cares and only focus on the things that extend beyond here. The temple shines light on what matters most, our Families.

The temple provides a place for the work of the Lord to be carried forth. What is that work, the immortality and eternal life of all  Mankind!(Moses 1:39). It truly is the sweetest work that you will ever have the opportunity to perform. It may seem like a little daunting at first but what worth doing does not stretch us. Everything that we do in this life requires work.

Why not be anxiously engaged in a work where the fruits last. The things that we do in the temple have consequences that last not just for this lifetime but go on for eternity. By serving, you are not only helping others of your Brothers and Sisters. You are creating eternal relationships.

What do you think?

For those who read what do you think? What Matters most? What are some ideas you would like me to expound on leave my two cents. You get the point.

I care because I want to make this special for others. I have made it special for me. I love the blog. I look forward to hearing from some of you.

Ken

Search

When I was a scout on more than one occasion I was sent out to gather wood for camp.  On more than one camp out I would go out to about a hundred yards away from camp. I would see there was no wood or the few little twigs (nothing to build a lasting fire.) I turned around went back and reported that there was no wood to be found. My leaders would then send me back out telling me I had to look for it.

All to often we expect to come to Lord explain to him what we need or desire having not done anything to help ourselves. We have to do our part. We have to look, search for an answer to what is on our minds. We have to exercise faith. Faith that will carry us through to the next life. That is why immediate answers do not come. We have to do our part and then come to the Father. Explaining how he could help us.

As we have faith to search it out and make every attempt to know and understand we can call on the spirit. The spirit searches out all things, he teaches us all things and brings light and understanding to our minds.

I was told to go back out and look for wood. I found more but it was not where I had been looking. Sometimes it takes the help of him who is mightier than all of us to make heads or tales of our dilemmas. He points us in the direction that we need to go.