What a great time of year

There is so much to be thankful for. During this time of the year have you taken the opportunity to recognize what matters most? In just a few days we will move on from the lights, the carols and into a brand new year. What weighs most on your heart this time of the year?
Take the time. Take time to hold those you love. Take time to pay a little more attention to the story of a little babe born in Bethlehem. Take time to remove yourself from all the hustle of the season and just take it all in.
Merry Christmas to All and a wonderfully shining New Year!!!

Seek To Be Taught

The greatest institution for teaching is to seek our Heavenly Father. He wants to teach us. But first we have to have a desire to learn, then we have to be ready to be taught. 

The best place for this learning to be received is at the temple of our God. We need to go there with the purpose and we need to prepare to enter. We have to have a testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ. We have to do certain things that will help us to be more prepared as we entered to be taught by the Spirit.

When we have questions we need to ask those questions and expect that our Heavenly Father will answer.

Those questions are worth taking to the temple. The temple can be referred to as the University of spiritual guidance. The spirit will bless us with knowledge that we seek.

In the temple the things that we learn lead us to Jesus Christ. The lessons taught there strengthen our testimony of Jesus Christ. 

As we go to the temple we are taught as we are ready to receive. The teachings of the Spirit is a two way conversation the spirit asks us questions; just as we are asking our questions. That way we are being taught as if we are having a conversation with our Heavenly Father. 

As we gain that knowledge of our questions we are also gaining knowledge of the life of Christ. We learn of his birth his mission,  the way the world treated him, we learn how to strengthen  a testimony of The master and his called leadership.

We leave the temple ready to serve with the knowledge that we have been given. These are tools that will assist us in being messengers of the Savior Jesus Christ. We learn how to follow Christ's example. By 1: visiting the sick 2:visiting those who are afflicted with disease 3: reaching out to those with devils and unclean spirits. This is truly exercising the priesthood. And those who we visit and help will be healed as we learn to exercise the priesthood of God. 

There is a real battle going on right now. The world would have us believe that there is no other purpose other than to follow our own wills. People suggust that we are to just succomb to the natural man.

 We know that that is false teaching! 

We can stand in holy places. We can reach out to others. We can come to know the real purpose of this life to learn to recognize the spirit. And be taught by the spirit as we attend the temple.

Who Can We Follow

Who can we follow? That's a hard question. Especially when there are many who are saying do this and you'll be saved. There are many who are just doing their own thing. These people are lost. 

There is someone that we can look to, to bring us to safety. That person is the prophet of the Lord. 

The prophet has been prepared for our day. Like many that have come before him they were to guide their people through the torent of worldly wisdom. The prophet speaks for our day and time to bring us to safety.

The heavens are not closed. The Father loves and expects much from us. We need a leader who has a knowledge of and experience with listening to the father. The scriptures have taught that "surely the Lord God will do nothing, save he will reveal his secret to his servants the prophet. (Amos 3:7)" The prophet speaks with the Father. 

With that knowledge then... that we have a leader. Someone who is willing to guide us through the storm. We have to then choose to follow him. No one is going to make us choose to follow him.

Just like everything in the gospel of Jesus Christ we are free to choose. We are given the things that we need to make it through this life. Christ tells us that he'll take care of us. As long as we are willing to follow him (2nd Nephi 2:27-29). One of those tools that has been given to us; is following the prophet. 

Once we have set off on that path it is important for us to recognize those who have wandered far from that path. Those who have had the knowledge and encourage them to come back. Take the opportunity to share your testimony  every chance you can. Invite others to recognize the loftiness and pride of the worldly wisdom that is all around them. Be willing to share your testimony of how the Gospel has changed your life. Be able to offer examples of how your testimony of the prophet and following  his example has led you to come to know more of your Savior, Jesus Christ.

This is truly the work of the master. Bringing others to the knowledge of the Savior. Helping others back when they have fallen short. Ours is not to judge. It is but to be a help in facilitating our Heavenly Father in rescuing some of his children.

Why Is Any of This Important To Me

The purpose of any gathering is to offer a safe haven, a place where people of like mindedness can meet together and gain a better insight. 

People attend conventions to hear experts offer the latest and greatest gadgets that will hopefully add to the bottom line of the attendees business. 

Professionals attend continuing education so that they have the perfect knowledge of their trade. This done so that when you and I need them we have the very best.  

So, it is with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We gain a testimony and want to be with others who have that same testimony. More than that we feel as the Prophet Lehi did; we wish to share with others what we have learned. Like the prophet Jacobonce he had recieved a remission of his sins his thoughts were turned to his family and friends. We are to invite all to come unto Christ (doctrine & covenants 115:6). We feel it a blessing to share that sweet message with others. 

For all, the church is a place where we can feel the love of others. We feel an acceptance. We feel happy. Members of the church embrace one another and build one another. 

At church all members are on different levels of learning. However the youngest can teach the oldest profound truths. That is because the spirit of the Lord is present. 

We do things together and serve with each other providing opportunities for growth, enrichment and just feeling close to one another. 

Why do we read posts like this? Why do we share the gospel? What motivates us to give of our time talent and all that we possess? It can be answered in one  word. Christ! 

Jesus Christ offers us the shelter that is the gospel. It is his Church that provides  the shelter needed to wheather the wickedness that is all around us. Why go to church? Why read the scriptures? Why pray?

Each of these lead the honest in heart to a testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ. 

Don't give up just because you think you're done

There are those who are struggling...fighting really to endure to the end. When they think that they have arrived at their destination they think all is done. They let go of the rod, the staff that carried them there and they good at first but our world being what it is slowly these once faithful stewards are lost in strange paths. 

The testimony of Christ is what will ultimately win the day. Nephi speaking to his brothers told them 6 times to follow Christ. That counsel a lone is that enough to drive us to go and do. 

It is time not to question God but to lift up his light and life. It is time to follow Christ.

Wake Up!

It is time to wake up! Wake up and say enough is enough. The idea that we can be in and around the world and not be affected is false. Too many have idolatrous behavior in their own homes. They either choose to ignore it or out right condone it. It is time to call it out and cast the world far from the home. That is not to say that people are to be offensive but they can say unequivocally with the prophets of old; "as for me and my house we will serve the Lord"

The praise and love of men is what will bring the righteous down. We want to be liked we want the respect of others. It is through that example and living as the Savior would have us that we gain the respect of the world. 

The strength and power of God are with us as we rely on him. He will guide us through the darkness to light. He will be our protector. 

The time to be about our Father's business is now. The blessings are sweet to the taste and very desirable. May each one of us take the challenge of living in the world. Be bold inviting all to come unto Christ and taste of his goodness. 

Christ made it possible for all of us to return home. Christ is the way through to the father. He loves us and knows You!

The Greatest Blessing Is A Testimony

Much was said at this last conference about not standing on borrowed light. One must take the time to learn for themselves the immense love that comes from a loving Heavenly Father. One much search out a knowledge of the truthfulness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Why is that so important?

Getting a testimony brings one closer to God. The individual begins a relationship with their Savior. It is so much more meaningful if the person knows for themselves. It is the difference between duty and love. We act out of love when we have a testimony. Until we have that witness born to us there is we merely run through the motions.

Once we have a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ we are able to make clear choices. The world focus is on the material wealth. The Gospel of Jesus Christ through the spectrum of the natural man is old fashioned and not worth the time.Yet it is the gospel that moral clarity that allows one to find the peace of mind to move forward.

Our testimonies guide us to serve the master a little better. At best the world demands human decency. The Gospel requires something of the person. We are to serve in the communities in which we live. Shed light to the weary and build the kingdom as we are obedient to the will and command of the Father.

A testimony must be nourished constantly. Daily sustenance is needed as to avoid falling into dark paths.Feasting, drinking deeply from the well of the scriptures brings one closer to Father in Heaven. There is a constant barrage leveling against the things of the spirit. It is time that each of us stand up and build a relationship with God. PRAY, to know what you are to accomplish. Seek what president Eyring terms a constant stream from heaven.