Why?

President Uchtdorf said this:

“When we understand why our Heavenly Father has given us this pattern for living, when we remember why we committed to making it a foundational part of our lives, the gospel ceases to become a burden and, instead, becomes a joy and a delight. It becomes precious and sweet.”

So I want you to ask yourself why?  Why do you believe in God?  Why do you follow the commandments?  Why do you read the Book of Mormon? (Or if you haven't, why?)  Why do you follow the prophet?  Why do you believe in the Plan of Salvation?

As a teenager I did a lot of babysitting, and I loved it.  One thing that always amused me though was when a three year-old would get on a "why-rant".  They would come up with this never-ending list of "why" questions and expect me to be able to answer all of them.  Often times the questions were ridiculous, but sometimes they were very thought provoking.

It is easy to get annoyed when asked many "why" questions, but I think children have it figured out.  If we don't understand the "why" then it makes the "what" important.  For example.  We read our scriptures every day.  That is the what.  Why?  Because as we read we learn more about Christ and we can be taught by the Spirit the things we must do.

We go to church.  Why?  Because it is a commandment of the Lord.  Let's ask why one more time.  The Lord commands us to go to church to partake of the sacrament.  Why? To renew the covenants we made at baptism.  To be spiritually renewed and to receive strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

What's beautiful about the gospel is that we can come to know and understand the why's?  We don't have to take anything at face value.  There is always an answer.  The answers come through study.  We can study the Book of Mormon, we can ponder things in our heart, we can pray to ask our Heavenly Father.  As we sincerely seek answers to the why we will find them. 

When we understand the why or the gospel, it makes living the what easier.  The why helps us understand our divine potential, our potential to be heirs to the kingdom of God. 

Why Do Bad Things Happen...

One of the questions I am frequently asked is: "If God really does love us, why does He let bad things happen to good people?"  As I watched this video, I began to understand it a little more.

Everyone will have trials in this life, that comes from living in an imperfect world.  Brittany has been given a talent, as the Lord talks about in the New Testament.  He gave ten to one, five to another, and one talent to a third.  They were able to do what they wanted with the talent, but they were to be held accountable for the talent.

Brittany has been given a talent in her love of others, in her artistic skills and her willingness to give, but I also think another talent she has been given is her sickness.  Because Brittany is sick, she is blessed with a more acute awareness of the trials of others.  Her heart has been changed and she has chosen to reach out and help others.  She knows what it's like, as the Savior does, and she is able to give comfort to others.  Why did this "bad" thing happen to Brittany?  I can't be sure, but I know that she is blessing hundreds of people through her example of love and service.

Sometimes bad things happen to good people because the Lord knows that those people are strong.  He knows that their example through their trial will touch the lives of the children of men and that many will be grow from her example and seek to make the world a better place.

In Alma 14 the missionary companionship of Alma and Amulek are forced to watch their people burn.

"10 And when Amulek saw the pains of the women and children who were consuming in the fire, he also was pained; and he said unto Alma: How can we witness this awful scene? Therefore let us stretch forth our hands, and exercise the ^apower of God which is in us, and save them from the flames.
11 But Alma said unto him: The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in ^aglory; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the ^bjudgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the ^cblood of the ^dinnocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day."

The Lord is not going to take away our agency, and He is not going to take away the agency of those who choose to do bad.  Of course He does not want to see us suffer, but when we understand the Plan of Happiness we know that all will be made right.  Everyone will be held accountable and this life is just a temporary state.

As we develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ we will not be relieved of our trials.  In fact, Satan will probably work extra hard on us to keep us from turning to the Savior.  The wonderful thing is that as we do develop faith, we are able to clearly see that there is a plan.  The Lord is aware of us and if we turn to Him, we will be strengthened through our trials and we will grow closer to Him.

If you would like to learn more about the Plan of Happiness, or you know someone who would like to learn more, please check out http://mormon.org/plan-of-happiness/

I know the Lord loves us.  Sometimes bad things happen, but it's not because God doesn't care.  If we turn to Him through the bad times we will be strengthened and we can know for a surety that He is indeed there.  I know this to be true.  I am so grateful for Brittany and her sweet example to the world that though she has been dealt a difficult talent, she can multiply it and allow it bless all the world.

What Thinks Christ of Me?

The Lord really does know each of us, and He loves us more than we can even imagine.

"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;" DC 18:10

This last week we got our monthly newsletter.  In it contained "missionary moment" where one of the missionaries shares an experience they had.  This particular experience was shared by the sisters who are now in the area I last served in.  They shared about a couple who they are teaching.  The husband had not really been interested in the gospel or the Book of Mormon, but he would sit in on lessons.  The sisters asked him if he would just try reading the Book of Mormon.  He said he was just too busy.  The sisters were prompted to tell him that if he made time for God, God would make time for him.  They challenged him to read one verse a day and think about it for a few minutes.  They checked in with him a few weeks later and he was so excited to report that he had been blessed with a new job that required less hours of him, thereby allowing him more time to spend with his daughter.

What a neat experience?  They really were prompted by the spirit and they all saw the blessings of being obedient.  This experience though had special meaning to me for a different reason.  I have been struggling the last couple of weeks feeling like I am enough, or that I am doing enough.  I sometimes wonder if I am wasting my time being here because I don't feel like I am doing any good.  What's neat about this experience though, is that I found this couple mentioned above.  We had knocked on their door weekly for three months trying to contact them and the last week I was there they were finally home.

What if I had given up on them?  What if I hadn't decided to come on my mission?  Their souls are worth enough to Heavenly Father that He sent hard-headed me to an area where I would knock a door until it was opened.  He loves that family and He wants them to have the gospel.

The worth of my soul is great to Heavenly Father too.  He loves me enough that He inspired the sisters to share this story with the mission office so I could know that I am making a difference.

The Lord loves each of us, and wants us to be happy.  He really does know us, and if we will take a second each day to recognize His hand in our life, we will come to realize that He is there, He knows us, and He is trying so hard to reach us so we can feel of His love.

This movie is just another example of God showing His love for "one of the least of these." I watched this earlier today and was reminded the worth of souls, every soul, is so great.

Don't give up, don't let the adversary let you think otherwise.  God loves you!!!  He knows you, and He you are worth it to Him.

Don't Let Satan Win!!!

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.  I love this book with all of my heart, and the more I read it, the more I learn how to apply it to my life.  As we study the Book of Mormon we come to find the messages in the book that were prepared just for us.  The Lord knows each of us, and as we are obedient to His commandments He promises we can have the Spirit with us. 

This week's Book of Mormon lesson comes from 2 Nephi 4.  Lehi has just died and Nephi is watching as his family is about to be torn apart because of the choices of his brothers.  He is lamenting and is sorrowful, but he is also certain that if he trusts in God, God will take care of him.  Verses 26-30 were especially touching, and they read:

26 O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?

 27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptation, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?

 28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.

 29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.

 30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

Life can be rough.  We are met with all types of trials, whether from our own choices, choices of others, or things we can't control, but when we let ourselves get caught up in sorrow or sin we are letting Satan win.  It is important to feel sorrowful when we make mistakes, because that draws us to repent, but it is important to distinguish between sorrow for sin and discouragement.

We are all imperfect, and we live in an imperfect world.  Things are going to go wrong.  People are going to make mistakes.  That is all part of the plan.  We are here to learn and here to grow.  As we learn from our mistakes and repent we gain experience and we come closer to Christ.

Lesson:  Let us no longer droop in sin.  I love the mental image this provides.  Shake of the chains of Satan.  If there's something you need to change, DO IT!  Then you can rejoice in Christ.  Following Him is not the easy way, but anything worth having is worth working for.  If we are doing our best to follow Christ, repent of our sins, and keep the commandments, then we need not droop in sin.  We need not become discouraged, because the Lord will fill us with hope and our faith will increase.

I love the Book of Mormon.  I know without a doubt that this book is from God.  It was translated by the power of God by His prophet, Joseph Smith.  Don't take my word for it, read it yourself!  Have the faith to open the book and open your heart to the witness of the Holy Ghost.

Geneology

Doctrine and Covenants Section 2 is a short little revelation, but it touches on a very important topic. 

"1 Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of ^aElijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and ^bdreadful day of the Lord.

 2 And ^ahe shall plant in the hearts of the children the ^bpromises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers.

 3 If it were not so, the whole ^aearth would be utterly wasted at his coming."

One of the greatest blessings of the restoration of the gospel is that we are able to perform sacred ordinances for ourselves, as well as for our ancestors who have passed on.  While Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were in the Kirtland Temple the prophet Elijah restored the keys of the Priesthood that allow us to do proxy temple work for those who did not have the chance to go to the temple when they were young.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 110:

 13 After this vision had closed, another great and glorious ^avision burst upon us; for ^bElijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said:

 14 Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come—

 15 To ^aturn the ^bhearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse—

 16 Therefore, the ^akeys of this ^bdispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful ^cday of the Lord is near, even at the doors.

Now, I am no professional at family history work, which is why I am SO very grateful for the church's website, which is an excellent resource for finding our ancesters.

familysearch.org  

I have always had an interest in doing family history work.  My dad is a convert to the church and there has not been much work done on his side of the family.  It's been a wonderful journey to search out my ancestors.  As I search them out I feel the reality of the fact that we truly are all children of God.  He loves all of us.  We are all brothers and sisters and we have a responsibility to love and help each other.  I know that as we search out our relatives we feel a closeness to them and a closeness to our Savior as we are helping our ancestors make the covenants that will allow them to return to live with God again.

Mother's Day

This is my cute family, and right in the center is my mom.  I've blogged about families before, but because mother's day is so close, I am going to focus on the importance of mothers in the gospel.

When I think about the knowledge I've gained in my life, the root of most of it comes from the simple things I was taught by my mother at a very young age.  She began teaching me very simple things and as I grew the things she taught me became more complex.  One of the things she taught me that I will never forget is that if I put my trust in the Lord and follow Him, He will always take care of me. 

My mother is a great example of trusting in the Lord.  One specific example I can remember came during a time of financial difficulty in my family.  My parents were constantly discussing the amount of bills they had compared to the income and things just weren't working out.  My mother knew though that if she paid her tithing first, the Lord would somehow make things work out.  And you know what?  He did.  He always does.  The Lord promises to bless us if we keep His commandments and I know the Lord keeps His promises.

This is just one of the many lessons my mother taught me through her example.  In the world today I don't think the role of mother is given the credit it should be.  Motherhood is an eternal calling from God.  It is one of the most precious gifts Heavenly Father gives to His daughters.  He allows them to love, raise and teach His spirit children.  That is a great trust.  The role of a mother is sacred and precious and can bring out the greatest joy we are capable of experiencing in this life.

With that joy and blessing also comes a great responsibility.  We are trusted with God's children.  The home is the place where we are able to learn about our Savior and grow in a loving environment.  Despite what the world says, the mother is primarily responsible for nurturing their children.

I love the scripture in Alma 56 about the 2000 stripling warriors.  They went to war in order to protect their families, and they went forth with faith:  

"47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the ^aliberty of their ^bfathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their ^cmothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

 48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their ^amothers, saying: We ^bdo not doubt our mothers knew it."

These warriors had such a strong testimony of the Savior that they did not fear going to war for a noble cause.  They knew the Lord would protect them.  They knew this because of their mothers.

I am so grateful for my mom.  I love her dearly.  I know that it is largely because of her that I knew what path I wanted to take for my own life.

I understand that no mother is perfect and no family situation is perfect, but I do know that happiness in the family comes when founded upon the teachings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  If we want a happier family, focus on Jesus Christ and His teachings.  It is never too late to turn to the Savior and rely on the enabling power of His Atonement.  He lives and because He lives we can live again too.

Mountains To Climb

One of the things I miss the very most while being on a mission is my Utah mountains.  I absolutely love being outside, hiking, camping, swimming, running, climbing, you name it.  I love the feeling of being completely exhausted after a long day of exploring.  I love to be outside because it gives me chances to think.

“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!” -Dr. Seuss

One of the things I thought about on my most recent hiking adventure is the beauty that surrounded me and the amount of people that would never have the chance to see what I was seeing.  There are truly some amazing things to be seen on the backsides of mountains.  Things that can be captured in a photograph or on a canvas.  Things that can't adequately be described with words.  Things that have to be felt as much as seen.

This reminded me of gaining a testimony.  My testimony came step by step, one mountain trail at a time, you could say.  Was it easy?  No, generally not.  Was it worth it?  Absolutely.

The mountain seen I saw from Provo Peak (elevation: 11068) was viewed after 6 hours of hiking.  It included sunburns, sticking nettle, mosquito bites, and weed scratches.  It followed poorly-planned trails that had to be backtracked and recharted.  It followed overgrown fields of bushwhacking.  It was not easy, but I think that's what made the view at the top so much more incredible.

In life I feel like we are always climbing mountains.  These mountains can lead to some of our most treasured memories and experiences, but the journey there is what makes the view at the top worth it.  Like I mentioned earlier, often times it's things that have to be felt as much as seen.

Gaining a testimony is much the same way.  It can be difficult.  We may not know which route to take.  We might look at that mountain and think...  NO WAY!!!  But, as we take the mountain one step at a time, we find ourselves climbing.  We can look back and see the progress we make.  The top is often hidden from our view, but as we keep walking, we show our faith that the top will come. 

And when we hit the top, what a view!

As we excercise faith in Jesus Christ, repent of our sins, be baptized with the Priesthood Authority of God, and receive the Holy Ghost, we have entered into the path where we can endure to the end, and eventually reach that peak of eternal life living with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ again.

Gaining a testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ, is the most important thing we can gain in this life.  We can come to know Him through the restored gospel.  Jesus Christ lives!!  He has a prophet on the earth today, President Thomas S. Monson.  The life we can have if we follow His teachings is similar to the beauty of the view at the top of the mountain.  It isn't the easy road, and it isn't the road most choose to follow, but those who choose to follow Jesus Christ will find a peace and joy that cannot be compared to anything else.