When thou art converted strengthen thy brethren.

What does it mean to be converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ? I think for everyone that question is a little bit different. The product is the same. I think that there are two bi products of this thing called conversion. First there is personal growth. Mosiah says...that we are willing to yeild to the enticing of the holy spirit, accept the atonement, put off the natural man and become a saint, to become as a child submissive, meek, humble and full of love. Christ is the ultimate example, he knew what had to be done and had the faith to see it through. When we have been converted we are willing to do what ever is asked of us. It is being willing to stand as a witness of God and his son , even Jesus Christ at all times and in all places. It is being willing to mourn with those that mourn. It is seeking out the sick an afflicted temporally and spiritually.

Seek for opportunities to serve. We live in a sick world! All around us there are opportunities to share not only our testimonies but our time talents and all we have to building up the kingdom of God on the earth. There are none that should be left alone and wandering. The world may leave others behind ours is to reach out and pick them up and walk with them until they can move forward on their own.
There are those who are hurting. They long for aid spiritual and physical. The question that we have to ask ourselves is are we going to be a Samaritan or leave the beaten man for the vultures? It does not take much. I helping hand, a smile, acknowledgment of a job well done. Recognize the little things and develop an attitude of gratitude. These little moments provide the lift that carries others forward. What power and strength lie in the in looking for opportunity.

There are many blessings that come from serving others. It is not something that can be half - hearted. We must be totally immersed in serving others. Otherwise it does not work. Total complete service builds relationships, carries us past our own trials, and provides answers to our prayers.
If your the guy that wonders what is in it for me. Roll up your sleeves an go to work. Try it! Use the advice from Alma and experiment with service. Watch and see what the seeds from your service will produce. You will see a great blessing come to fruition.

Finally, the master invites us to come follow him. He is there to mark the path. He is also there to lend a hand.  He puts others in our path that will carry us through. He puts us in others paths so that we can help them. This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Moral In an Amoral World

The world in which we live is much like the people of Ammonihah. Worship has little meaning, church is a social gathering and people care more for themselves than for their neighbor.

Worship has to do with changing ones heart. Seeking to better yourself. Working out your salvation with your Heavenly Father. It is seeking the Lord in prayer. It is a very personal reflection on how your doing in your daily walk. Then as we become strong we stretch out our hand to seek out the those who need our help. Sometimes I think that we use worship interchangeably with caring more about the recent game score than how their relationship with God is. So much emphasis is given to the next big project that has to get done at work, or maybe the huge assignment that has to be turned in at school. What is wrong with success? Nothing, is wrong with being successful, it is the little things that are of high import as well. We must concern ourselves with as President Uchdorf sight "The Things that Matter Most." As we iron out those things that matter most; success will fall into place.

Going to Church needs to be so much more than a social gathering. The "mega " churches have their "Rameumtum" as it were. They have quite the huge edifice were a man stands up pounds a pulpit and someone plays the keyboard to bring home a point to make one feel good and yet the spirit has little to do with the presentation. Although it may be there in parts it is not apart of the service. Reverence is altogether replaced with the full band that sits waiting play out the minister. Then as the audience is released they go for coffee at the "Heavenly Grounds" cafe. 

Finally, Christ taught Peter, "When thou art converted strengthen thy bretheren" (Luke 22:32) The great blessing of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that we are to lift one another up. I love the following picture:

As we help one another up and seek to give a hand. We will feel the presence of the spirit and gain a friend in the process. The social aspect of the church is not a bad thing. It is a by product of service rendered.
It is all the more important for us to be in the world and not of the world. Make the things that matter most a priority and help others make a difference for the better. Help restore a sense of commitment by setting a strong example. Enjoy the social aspect of church but don't make that a reason.

I Want A Day Off!!

Have you ever just wanted sometime to yourself? Life seems to be running you around in circles just to get on with a new days events. It seems like that has been my attitude of late. I just want to have some time off. Time when deadlines or responsiblity can wait. I just want to be left alone!

At these times I have found great comfort in relying on strong examples. I think of President Eyring who spoke about immersing ones self in work. Just plough through and find joy in hard work. The fact of the matter is that this life is for us to work. We had better recognize that we are always going to be doing something. Even if we are wanting that cherished time alone, our minds are still working our bodies are working. So even when we mean not to we are doing something.

The greatest blessings come from serving others. The service rendered to others allows us to forget our own craziness and work out our problems while helping someone else. Often when we solve issues around us it really was not as hard as we originally thought.

So really what are we wanting to get rid of when we want to be alone? It is all the drama that comes with life. Life can  really throw some curve balls. It isn't so much what happens to you it matters most how you choosed to deal with it. You have to make choices! So now you have to choose to run away and be alone or hit the problem head on.

You don't really need time off. You need to remove all the drama, the extras and  find a balance between the quiet and the loud. Then choose to take everything as it comes never looking ahead until what is infront of you is complete.

Waiting for the Christ

Sunday's lesson was on Elder Robert Hales talk from last conference. I have thought a lot about the lesson over the last few hours. I have thought how much I have come to know and love my Savior even Jesus Christ. I am grateful for his sacrifice for the opportunity that he gives me. He gave his agency that I might exercise my agency. What a blessing that is that we have to choose.
Christ chose to see the atonement through. It was the fathers will that Christ suffer that agony in the garden of Eden. Christ's example to us shows how we are to endure our trials. As we choose to follow his example to make it through our dark hours and seek the will of the father we gain rich blessings. We are able to see great growth and able to help lead and guide our brothers and sisters along the path of righteousness.
Service allows us to find peace in our lives. We forget ourselves and go to work. One of my favorite stories from President Hinckley comes from his father. President was complaining that his mission was hard. He was telling of his misfortunes. His father wrote back and told him to forget himself and go to work. I have often found comfort in those words. When I am having a really hard time it is when I am worried more for myself and not about helping others.
Through, these things called trials we come to rely on the Lord. I love the hymn that says"Come cast your burdens on the Lord and trust his constant care." He is the true Shepard. He will bring us safely home. He is the only way. We must trust what he has said to be truth. He helps carry our burdens. He helps us when we are low. Through it all we can find lasting happiness and peace as we follow the Savior.
As we follow Christ we have the spirit and are able to have his constant companionship. We are blessed to develop Christ like attributes. What a great time to be alive. We are witnessing the unfolding of the last days. Along with that great blessing we are also tempted and tried more than any other people in history. Satan knows that his time is short. He knows what is happening and is desires all to fail. The great thing is we have the     knowledge and ability to combat Lucifer. Trials brings us closer to Christ and farther away from him who is the father of lies.
In times of great trial the best thing that we can do is pray. We must share our concerns with our Heavenly Father and give him opportunity to answer. Wait for him to answer our prayers listen for his answers. Expect him to answer your prayers. All to often we are ready to vomit out our concerns without waiting for our answers. Some answers will come quickly others won't. These are the times when we must sit back and wait. Answers will come but they not come in the way you might think. They may come in the form of service given or received. They might come  through a talk or article read. You can always be assured that answers will come!
As always there is this idea that we have to endure to the end. This to shall pass! We will come to know and feel our saviors love as we push forward even through the mundane of life. Recognize that there is always something to be learned through every trial, every minute of everyday. We just have to seek out that nugget of knowledge. What a blessing it would be in our lives if we could learn to endure our lives well.
I enjoyed Elder Hales concluding remarks "in my Gethsemane, and yours, we are not alone. He that watches over us shall neither slumber nor sleep, His angels here and beyond the veil are round about us."
I add my testimony that Christ does know each of us and cares what we are going through and longs to help us as we cast our burden upon him.  He is my light. He is my rock. I love him and am grateful for his loving atonemnet that will bring you and I if faithful back to the presence of the Father!

Stand up

Take notice of the things all around you. There is much in our world vying for our attention. It was made clear to me at conference that there is a great need for as many people as possible to stand up. Stand tall even when it is not the most popular thing to do.

Satan is fighting hard...why aren't we! Everything he does is spent in malicious, venomous attacks that will harm  you and I. Meanwhile for the most part we are waking up Monday morning wondering how our favorite sports teams did. We are focused in on the mundane and the things that matter most are getting left behind. They are claimed as "old fashioned."

No, is the time to choose. What side are you on? How do you want to be remembered? When it comes right down to it the things that matter most...are right under your own roof. We must consecrate and consider holy the time spent with our family. We need to teach lessons that can only be taught in the home. These lessons are NOT the responsibility of the world. But left unchecked the world will teach them.

Sand up and do not be ashamed of the testimony that is in you! The spirit has borne witness to your heart. Share it! Shout it upon the rooftops. Let the world know how much you care.

October Conference

Wasn't conference awesome!!! My batteries were recharged and I feel prodded to be better. For me this conference taught me the basics. Have faith, repent, read my scriptures and just open your mouth. I loved Elder Holland's message to the priesthood. In a word AMAZING!

It was my son's first time to go with me to the priesthood session. I kept telling him that they were speaking to him. I could not help but think it is time to stand up, stand out and be happy.

We are at war. That was made very clear to me. We have casualties of that war all around us. It is our job to be savior's on mount Zion. We are to be ever vigilant and help where we can. Serve our fellow man to the best of our ability and then strive to be and do a little more. Lengthen our stride.

I needed this time to feel the spirit and to put things into perspective. That is what conference did for me. Some specific thoughts that were directed to me:  time management and never neglecting my family. The greatest treasure in my life is my sweet wife. She makes me push forward. she is my rock. I am sooooo grateful for her and the effort she gives day in and day out! My children also need me to be a blaring example of what is right and good. In a crazy, spun out of control world, it is ever important to be there to be the first line of defense. There is only one thing that will stand out louder than words and that is action.

Meekness

To be meek is to show great strength, while still being humble, teachable. It is showing a willingness that you will do what is right no matter the cost. It is standing up when others are sitting down. It is seeking truth amidst the mud and the muck of the modern world. It is defending righteousness even though it might not be the most popular. The meek are obedient!

When Moses was called to be a prophet the Leviticus 26:41 tells us that he was more meek than anyone else on the earth. Moses did not think himself to be special. He knew what was expected and he went and did what was needed. He was bold. When he needed help or had a concern he had a conversation with the Lord. Through his faith the Lord was able to answer those prayers. 

Servants of Christ represent him and teach with humility and love. Paul, taught the people of Corinth that he represented the Savior and the Father as a missionary. He taught them it was as if the God the Father or Jesus Christ were there. He was not boasting. He was helping them understand. It is teaching with Love and humility that we come to learn and understand the principles of the gospel. Have you ever noticed how our church leaders help us learn with compassion and love. I have sat in many interviews when I have been loving taught a better way to accomplish my responsibilities. I was shown what need to happen not by force, but by love. That in turn has helped me to try it in my home as I preside there. 

Those who are teachable and humble will understand the things of God and rejoice in Christ. As we are meek we come to another level of understanding. We put into action the lessons taught. We seek to be better.In this pursuit we find peace. We seek in fact to be as Christ, perfect in all things.

Part of this things called meekness is learning. President Uchdorf in a recent Friend article taught that for Latter Day Saints learning is a commandment. Everyday, every minute our minds need not be idle. this life is a time to learn all we can. Gain as much education as you can. Learn from all you do. Ask yourself what can I learn from this (whatever this is).

As we walk with that attitude of learning we will develop talents that will give us experience to make it through the next challenge. The things that we develop help us on our journey here on earth. Not only do they bless our lives but the lives of others. We are able to be instruments in the lives of others.