God Still Speaks To Us Today

 Are the Heavens closed? Or does God continue to speak to us today just as he did in Bible times? This talk by a living apostle of Jesus Christ tells us the answer.

One of the most glorious blessings that comes from the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the knowledge that the Heavens are still open and that our loving Father in Heaven still speaks to us today. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and testifies, as does the bible, that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. Knowing that our Father in Heaven can speak to us allows us to always have an outlet, a source to go to when we've hit the wall and want to give up. I testify that He does answer our prayers and that we can have a personal relationship with Him. He knows us perfectly and can give us specific answers for our specific problems and trials. 

This personal relationship means that we can go to Him with anything and everything. Concerns as small as a lost pencil or matters as large as where to live are all important to our perfect Heavenly Father. He wants to help us, He loves to help us, and He loves to hear from us.

I am so grateful for the relationship that I have developed with my Father in Heaven. And I am even more grateful in knowing that anyone can have that bond with Him as well. Through actions like daily prayer, daily scripture study, and attending church each week, we can feel the spirit more abundantly in our lives and can begin building that unity with our Eternal Father. Seek Him out and find out for yourself if He does still love and speak to us today. I know that He does and that He is always there for us if we will reach out and accept His help. But most importantly, I know that He cares.

Easter Egg Hunt

Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays because of the excitement of our much anticipated easter egg hunts. I have carried that tradition on while serving my mission out here in New York, but it took on a slightly different meaning to me out here. While searching for the eggs that were hidden in our apartment I was reminded of an article I once read in the January issue of the Ensign called "I will be found of you." A link to this article is right here. "I will be found of you"

 

After playing this game of hide and seek many times I've noticed that it is often the most obvious eggs that can be the hardest. After pondering that interesting fact, I couldn't help but think of how many times in our lives we tend to make things more complicated than they need to be. Although our Father in Heaven is always there for us, we do need to seek out and find Him. This task is simple when we sit back and realize that we all know where to find Him. We know He is always found through prayer, He is always found when reading the Book of Mormon or the Bible, and He is found at church every week where we can go to worship Him. Satan will do all that he can to disguise and camouflage these places so that we won't think to look there. But I testify that our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ are always waiting to be found. They are always found in the same places and will readily bless us and reward us for our diligent seeking.

Because of our Savior's performance of the atonement and overcoming death with the resurrection we all have something incredible to celebrate this Easter season. Jesus Christ lives and loves each and every one of us and can't wait for us to reach out and find Him.

This Is The Way, Walk Ye In It

In today's world there are voices screaming at us from all directions. It can be extremely difficult to find the strength inside of ourselves to tune out the lies and deceptions and to hone in on the voice that brings us guidance and peace. This video is a great representation of the way we can find that oasis in our own lives.

What I love most about the voice of the Spirit, is that it is a broadcast that is never down due to reasons outside of our own actions. Our Father in Heaven loves us and will always be sending us guidance and assistance as long as we are willing to do what He asks of us. Sometimes that means doing things that may be unpopular or looked down upon by those around us. It reminds me of all the times my teammates on various soccer teams growing up would think I was so weird or crazy because I wouldn't drink or smoke with them before games. To them it seemed odd, but to me it was simply a necessary requirement to stay receptive to that voice that would guide and direct me not only in my everyday life, but also helped me to be the best soccer player I could be. This ever present communication from our Father in Heaven guides us through the obstacles that we encounter here on earth and will bring us back to live with Him. Just like a muscle, we must exercise and practice and train ourselves to be receptive to this still, small voice that comes as feelings "in your mind and in your heart." (D&C 8:2) Once we have accustomed ourselves to this gift, no obstacle or trial will slow us down as we rely on our Savior to guide us through it all. 

From Rivals to Brothers

In life's great battle field it is easy to get caught up in all the commotion going on around us. By getting caught up in the small battles we often tend to focus on ourselves, and ignore the big picture of what is really going on around us. Check out how these two boys stayed focused on what was most important.

 These two young men could have easily used their rivalry to form animosity and hard feelings against each other. Instead of getting offended, or allowing pride and arrogance to get in the way, they realized that in the big picture they were on the same team. Our adversary, Satan, knows that if we are united as Brothers and Sisters in the Gospel of Jesus Christ that he will have no power over us. His goal then is to break us up, to tear us apart so that we will be too busy fighting against each other, instead of understanding that we are all fighting against him. In the Book of Mormon a prophet named Lehi said this to his sons. "...arise from the dust, my sons, and be men, and be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things, that ye may not come down into captivity."(2 Nephi 1:21) By remaining united we can fight off the temptations of the world and remain free from the restrictions, or captivity, that can come upon us because of poor choices. May we all follow the counsel of Lehi and be united together as we strive to remain faithful and return to our loving Father in Heaven; for that truly is the battle we are all fighting together.

A Book With a Promise

The Book of Mormon testifies that Jesus is the Christ. It teaches us a greater way of life that will bless our lives and the lives of those around us as it draws us nearer to God. Watch this video to find out more about the promise this divine book contains.

 

I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon because of the peace that it has brought into my life. In a world full of turmoil and chaos it can be difficult to find a steady object to hold on to. When I first started my mission I felt very much alone and unsure of myself. In trying to overcome these overwhelming feelings I dove into the Book of Mormon and began to pour my whole soul into it. This Book healed my pains and sorrows and I testify that it can do the same for you as well. No matter what stage of life we are at, this book can bless our lives and take us to a higher level of living than we have ever been at before. The Book of Mormon prophet Nephi said "For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and the saved." (1Nephi 6:4) It was written to guide us home, and to help us have joy in our lives here on earth. To access that joy and happiness all we have to do is open it and read...

Treasure In Heaven

Before I saw this video I had never heard of John Tanner before. He lived a life full of faith and didn't matter what it cost as long as he was part of the truth. Watch this video and I know that you too will feel the warmth of the Holy Ghost that I felt when I first saw it. I couldn't find the video anywhere besides BYUtv, so this link will send you there. 

BYUtv - Treasure In Heaven

John Tanner will forever be an example to me of a life truly lived in the service of our God. No sacrifice was too great, no trial too sore, for his faith never wavered in understanding his purpose. He went from extreme wealth to begging for food all in the cause of truth. In the world today it can be difficult to know which is the right path to take. Not only did John Tanner listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost that whispered truth to his heart and his mind, but he did the part that often seems harder; he lived it. I'm not sure why this video touched me so deeply, perhaps it is because I know that it is true. But I believe that it is God's way of revealing to us a more faithful way to live. A call to develop the faith that will allow us to stand tall and press forward no matter the circumstance. As our great prophet Moroni said "for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith" (Ether 12:6) Only after having the faith to be healed was John healed. Only after living the faithful life he lived will John enjoy the blessings that await him in heaven. I pray that we can all follow this principle and develop the unshakable faith that we see in John Tanner. For then we will truly live a life worth living.