Sirius black knows whats up!

     So who is a little Harry Potter crazy right now? It seems like everyone has a bit of the wizard fever with the last movie coming out and everything! I was thinking about all the good parts of the Harry Potter series, and I soon realized there is much that can be learned from this! One of the most memorable lessons that I took away from it was something that Sirius Black said in the 4th book.

     Harry, Ron and Hermione have snuck off during a Hogsmeade visit, to go see Sirius, who is of course, disguised as the big black shaggy dog until they are back into the mountains in the cave he has been hiding out in. During their visit, they discuss Bary Crouch and who he is and what kind of character he has as a person.

     In their conversation, Hermione mentions how poorly Mr. Crouch treats his House elf, Winky. House elves are considered to be lower class in the magical world. Ron, points this out and tries to shrug it off like it wasn't a big deal, however, Sirius Black replies with some excellent insight on people's character.  He says
" If you want to know the character of a man, look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals."

     So let's disect how true this statement really is. We know that all men are created equal, and I don't believe that is what Sirius is saying. When he says inferiors, he is talking about those who may not have as many blessings as we do, or those who are looked down upon by society, such as a house elf. I believe Sirius hit the nail on the head with this one! Look at Jesus Christ! He spent his time with the poor and the sinners. Clearly they did not reach his level, him being the Son of God. But he set the example of how we need to treat them.

     So let us ask ourselves. How do we treat those who are less fortunate than ourselves? When we see a home less person on the side of the road what is our first reaction? Do we automatically judge and say it was their own fault? Or do we follow the Savior's example, and show them love and evaluate how we can help them? I know that if we all try our best to treat everyone with love and kindness, the world will be a much better place!

The Tasty cookie v.s. The Burnt cookie

     Soooooo who loves cookies raise your hand! If you currently have your hand in the air then this is the post for you, because you are about to like cookies even more! Last night, my companion and I were teaching a lesson about overcoming temptaion and choosing the right. We were describing how Satan desguises temptaion and makes it look desirable, and makes it look delicious.

     So imagine this! You have a mean older brother, or mean older sibling ( which some of you won't have to imagine too hard ) Well your sweet mother has just finished baking an amazing batch of chocolate chip cookies. All of them look so yummy, however a few of them got burnt in the process, which we know can happen sometimes. But there are still a bunch of warm soft ones that did not get burnt. Well as your mother pulls them out, she councils you to wait and let them cool off before taking one. So, as a good child you listen and find something to occupy yourself with for 15 minutes while they cool down. After 15 minutes it is finally time! The amazing cookies are ready to be devoured! And how nice your older brother is approaching you with a cookie in hand, letting you have the first one. He even covered it in some chocolate frosting to enjoy even more! You are so excited, you close your eyes and bite into the seemingly fresh cookie. And then you find out it is not good at all! You didn't just eat a good soft cookie, but a burnt one! How could this be!? Well i'll tell you. Your brother tricked you. He took a burnt cookie and covered it in frosting and sprinkles making it look like a tasty treat. Which is exactly what he wanted you to think!

   
      Just like the older brother, Satan does the same thing with temptation. Clearly we know right from wrong, we know what our Savior wants us to do. However, Satan tempts us, and disguises sin to make it look fun and delicious. He makes it seem like something that we really want, until we bite into it, and realize it isn't at all what we thought it was going to be. It is something we need to watch out for and be careful of! Remember what the Savior taught and the commandments he laid out for us to be happy! I promise if we follow his teachings and keep the commandments we will be so happy in this life! Stay away from the burnt cookie covered in chocolate frosting!

Answering a couple questions!

     Recently I was asked about my newest post, feeling the witness rather than seeing it. For some reason my account will not let me post comments so I have had trouble answering their question, so I decided I would answer it through another post.

     The question that was asked, was if there is scripture that she could compare to biblical scripture, as well any bblical scripture of prophets who felt the Holy Ghost so strongly. I am so grateful for the person, forasking such great questions!

     First, on of the most famous scriptures in the Book of Mormon, is all about the Holy Ghost testifying of truth and answering our questions. Moroni 10: 3-5

"Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

The prophet Moroni is telling us to ask God and let him answer our questions, through the power of the Holy Ghost! I love this scripture!

As far as scriptures in the Bible, i did find a few!

John 14:26    

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

John 15:26

"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me"

And finally: 1 Corinthians 2: 9-16

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ."

I hope these scriptures answered this persons questions, I feel bad that I could not comment back, so hopefully they will read this! And everyone else who reads this enjoy!

A witness more convincing than sight!

     So we hear about the Holy Ghost a lot in our lives right? He is something we cannot see however we can feel of his love when he testifies of truth. I often find myself getting that feeling in my heart when I know I am doing something righteous, something that I know would please my Savior and my Heavenly Father. He also gives me that feeling when I have questions about things.  In the Doctrine and Covenants, we hear about Heavnly Father answering our questions throught the Holy Ghost.

"But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right."

- Doctrine and Covenants 9:8

     That is what we ask people to do as missionaries, to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it, and let God tell you if it is true or not, through the power of the Holy Ghost. We would never ask anyone to take our word for it, we want them to know for themselves. However, for some reason people in the world today do not think they can trust their feelings or trust their heart, but rather the only thing they can trust is hard evidence that they can see in front of their face.

      We recently had a meeting with all the missionaries and our mission president and this very question arose. How can a witness from the spirit be stronger or more convincing than something we can see or hold in our hands? The answer he gave made it all too clear for me.

     Imagine this. Your about to do some branding, and you have your branding iron just come out of the flames. You are standing there looking at it... What does it look like? Probably really red correct? Looks pretty hot and the knowledge that we have which tells us metal conducts heat really well is another clue that it is really hot.

     Now imagine this. Instead of standing there looking at the red iron, you are blind folded while someone else is holding the iron. All of the sudden that person presses the tool into your chest. Now you can't see it, but what is a stronger witness that the iron is hot, when you can see? Or when you can feel it? Now, the witness of the Holy Ghost is not as hot as a branding iron don't worry! But the concept is the same! We know these things to be true even when we haven't seen them, because of the things we have felt in our hearts! I know my Heavenly Father would not lie to me! And we are all entitled to this feeling. Our Heavenly Father wants us to ask questions and find out for ourselves if things are true. I promise he will do that for you!

Consider on the Blessed and Happy State

     There are many who do not like or agree with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There are those who will call us foolish for the standards we keep, and how we abstain from many of the things in the world. They will ask why we deny ourselves those certain pleasures and not just be happy. Well over the course of my mission I have really seen the difference between pleasures of the world and true eternal happiness. As a representative of Jesus Christ, I will testify that those worldy things WILL NOT bring you true happiness. The only thing that brings us the satisfaction we are all looking for, is keeping the commandments of God. When we keep the Word of Wisdom ( abstain from alchohol, tobacco, drugs, tea and coffee ) as well as the Law of Chastity ( no sexual relations outside the bounds of marriage ) there is where we find the true happiness. Going to church and partaking of the Sacrament is where we find the true happiness. And of course, in the sacred unit of family is where we find the true happiness.

I would like to quote one of my favorite scriptures in the entire Book of Mormon, that gives great advice to anyone having a hard time keeping the commandments of God.

"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."

- Mosiah 2:41

     As a true representative of the Lord, Jesus Christ, I testify that he lives. I testify that the only way back to our Father in Heaven is through him and him alone. I testify that those cammandments that have been given to us are not restrictions, but rather freedoms. They are to keep us safe and free from the bonds of sin. They are how we will return to Him. I know this Gospel is true, and am so grateful for the blessings I have in my life because of it. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Service

     I've been pondering lately, the true meaning of love. What does it mean to love someone and how do we show it to them? It is really easy at times, to throw around the phrase " I love you " to family and friends, but how can they really know of our love for them. Like I said, after much pondering and searching out the answer, it all comes down to service. We must be willing to serve those that we love. This life is not easy, nor was it meant to be however, we can make it much more bearable if we are willing to help those around us who are in need.

King Benjamin said it best in the second chapter of Mosiah in the Book of Mormon
"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."
- Mosiah 2:17


     Nothing makes our Heavenly Father happier than when we serve and help our fellow man. We are all children of God and he wants all of us to be happy. Since our Father in Heaven cannot be on the Earth with us right now, it is up to us to do the service towards others that he would do if he were here. I testify that when we are helping and serving others, we truly are in the service of our God. I do know that he loves each and every one of us, and I know that the best way to prove my love to others and to my Savior, is by serving and helping others. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen