Small and Simple Things

     In recent years, I have had trouble understanding the little things of the Gospel, or the importance of those little things. We are always taught that prayer and scripture reading everyday is so important. These are the main little things will affect us so much. They may seem so menial and routine, and growing up I never could understand how those little things could affect my life so dramatically. However since being on a mission, where all the little things have to be apart of our daily lives, I have learned of the joy that the little things will bring into our lives. One of the prophets from the Book of Mormon, Alma, said it best :

"6 Now ye may suppose that this is ^afoolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by ^bsmall and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

7 And the Lord God doth work by ^ameans to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth ^cconfound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls"

-Alma 37: 6-7

These small and simple things are what will lead to our salvation. It is not to say that the big things and big commitments we make are not important, but rather, if we do the small things it will make the big things not so much of a chore. With the small and simple things in our lives everyday, we invite the spirit into our hearts, making us more loving, charitable and overall more Christlike, which to me, should be our overall goal.

I just want to bear my testimony, that I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints ( Mormons ) is true. I know with all my heart Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that through the power of God he was able to bring forth the Book of Mormon. I know that if we read the Book of Mormon everyday, we will come closer to our Savior. I am so grateful for it and know that it changes lives. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Families

     One of the most important aspects to our message as missionaries is the message about families. The true Gospel of Jesus Christ blesses families better than anything else in this life. Through this Gospel and the ordinances within it, we are able to have an eternal family as long as we keep the promises we make.
     I know in my life, my family has been one of the biggest sources of strength for me when I am feeling discouraged or down in the dumps. They have always been there for me, to build me back and show me the love I need to keep moving on. With a family like that, who I love and a family who loves me, wouldn't it make sense for our Heavenly Father ( who loves us more than we can comprehend and just wants us to be happy ) to make it so we can spend eternity with our families? To me, it just seems like common sense. I don't know where I would be without my family, nor would I like to think about where I would be.



     Unfortunately, not everyone feels there family life is where they would like it to be. People are not perfect, and there are situations where family life is not a good memory growing up. If you have been victim of this I am very sorry. However! It is not too late. It is up to you to do what it takes to make sure that when you start your own family, you make it as happy loving as possible. This section from Mormon.org explains the best way to have a great family life.
    
    
"Happiness within our family will most likely be achieved when it’s founded on the teachings of Jesus. That means being unselfish, honest, loyal, loving and a whole host of other virtues, not to mention a lot of effort. A loving and happy family doesn’t happen by accident."
-Mormon.org

I am so grateful for how the Gospel of Jesus Christ has blessed me and my family, and I know it can bless yours in the same way. You just have to let it. I leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World.

      I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be a missionary. Why is it so important for us to go around sharing our message? Clearly, it is because Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. We are nothing without him and we would have nothing without him. For some reason, the world has this idea that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints ( or Mormons ) are not christians. As I was scrolling through the Mormon.org website today I came across this excellent explanation as to who Jesus Christ really is.
   "But what do we mean when we say He is the Savior of the world? The Redeemer? Each of these titles point to the truth that Jesus Christ is the only way by which we can return to live with our Heavenly Father. Jesus suffered and was crucified for the sins of the world, giving each of God’s children the gift of repentance and forgiveness. Only by His mercy and grace can anyone be saved. His subsequent resurrection prepared the way for every person to overcome physical death as well. These events are called the Atonement. In short, Jesus Christ saves us from sin and death. For that, he is very literally our Savior and Redeemer. In the future Jesus Christ will return to reign on earth in peace for a thousand years. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and He will be our Lord forever."
- Mormon.org

     I would just like to add my testimony to this wonderful explanation. I know my Savior Jesus Christ lives. I know that through him, we all can be saved. I know that when I apply the atonement to my life, my sins can be washed away, which in turn gives me a greater quality of life. I know that he loves me, and that he loves everyone. He is my Lord and Redeemer, as well as my closest friend. When I am discouraged, I can find strength from him. I love him with all of my heart. I say these things in that sacred name, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Tasks equal to our power

     My post today is short but I will get right to the point. We all will face trials in our lives, it is inevitable and it is a part of life. One of the biggest reasons we are here is to overcome trial and tempation in order to grow and progress. At times, these trials seem too much for us to bare. We feel as though we are in a dark tunnel with no light at the end of it.
     However this is not the case. Nephi explains when he is commanded to go and get the plates. 1 Nephi 3:7  "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."
     Let us all find the faith and courage that Nephi found in the Lord. The Lord will always provide a way, no matter what the case or situation may be, as long as we put our trust in him. He is our Heavenly Father. He wants us to be happy, and will always be there for us.

Prayer

     Throughout the course of my mission, I have had my testimony of prayer strengthen greatly. It has been commanded of us to pray to our Heavenly Father in the name of His son, Jesus Christ. However, I feel as though we tend to look at the commandments as things that hold us back, things that do not improve our lives but restrict them.
     I hope and pray that we all can have a new outlook on all of this especially prayer. Prayer does not need to be just another aspect to our daily routine. We need to see prayer as a gift from our Heavenly Father. It is a way to relieve our soul and our spirit.
    This quote from President Hinckley really says how we should view prayer:






“Believe in prayer. I remind you that the Church came out of an initial prayer offered by the boy Joseph Smith. … The Lord will hear the prayers of faithful people as certainly as He heard the prayers of the boy Joseph. I believe that with all my heart”

    I too add my testimony to prayer. I know that when we are faithful, and offer up our hearts to our Father in Heaven, he will hear us and answer our prayers. Do not hesitate to pour out your whole soul to him. Just as our parents on Earth wish to hear from us when we are troubled, our Father in Heaven wants the same. Because he literally is the Father of our spirits, and loves us more than we can comprehend. I say these things in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.