Lifting Burdens: He Can Heal Us

Without the atoning sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ nothing would be possible. We would never be able to overcome our weaknesses and live with our Father in Heaven again. But He did atone for our sins, and this video shares the message of what that means for us. 

 In the Book of Mormon, a prophet named Alma prophesies of Jesus Christ with these words. "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." (Alma 7:11-12)

  Our Savior suffered all things according to the flesh so that He would know exactly how we feel. No matter what situation we are in, what burdens we have to carry, He will lift us up and give us the strength we need to go on, if we will but ask. As part of life's journey we are to learn and grow and gain as much experience as we can. But it is so comforting to know that we have a Best Friend who is always beside us to give that ever needed support. 

Although we don't completely understand how the atonement works, we do know that it works and that we can all experience it's transforming power in our own lives. The atonement isn't just about overcoming sin, it's about becoming who our Heavenly Father knows we can become. As we allow His spirit to enter our lives and to cleanse and purify us from sin, we are changed from the inside out. Our nature changes, our habits change, our desires change, and we become more in tune with our Heavenly Father's will. "...for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." (2 Nephi 25:23) As long as we try our very best and give our all, our Savior will make up for the rest and we will enjoy eternal life, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God.

Inviting All To Come Unto Christ

As a missionary I'm asked frequently why I decided to leave home for two years to become a missionary. This video is a perfect answer and explanation for my decision, watch it!

This story reminds me a lot of the Tree of Life vision that Lehi has in (1 Nephi chapter 8). As Lehi goes forth and partakes of the fruit he says "And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit." (1 Nephi 8:12) This fruit that Lehi partakes of is symbolic of the gospel of Jesus Christ or the Atonement, which was the fruit, or action, of our Savior. Once Lehi is filled with the joy that was found in the fruit, he instantly wants to share it with the rest of his family! He knew that he had the most precious fruit so why would he not want to share that with those that he loves? 

This is the same reason that we as missionaries choose to set aside our lives to share the gospel with all the world. After experiencing the joy and happiness that comes from exercising the power of the atonement and after being filled with comfort from the sweet promises and knowledge that His restored gospel brings, I would be tremendously selfish if I did not do everything in my power to spread that knowledge. That's why I'm here, to testify that Jesus is the Christ and that Joseph Smith was His prophet who was called to restore the fulness of our Savior's gospel to the earth once more. To invite others to partake of this fruit and come unto Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.

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.

April Fools: Don't Let Satan Fool You

This April Fool's day, and every other day of the year, stay on guard for Satan's lures that will pull you down. This video is full of hope and caution for those that might have encountered these traps.

Satan is a master deceiver who will do whatever it takes to fool you and trick you into doing what you know to be wrong.  He doesn't want us to have our free agency and he will do whatever he can to limit that agency. His main form of doing this is through addiction. I think just about everyone in the world has experienced an addiction in one way or another. Whether it's through something serious or something as little as those delicious dried mangos; seeing the light at the end of the tunnel can be overwhelming. That's why knowing that we can have a personal relationship with our Father in Heaven is so glorious!! We can go to Him with our pains, our troubles, our addictions and He will help us see that light at the end of the tunnel. He will buoy us up and give us the strength we need to overcome those difficulties. "And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions. And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease." (Mosiah 24: 14-15)  I testify that this is true, that our loving Father in Heaven will strengthen us as long as we go to Him. I have felt of this power and I know that everyone who seeks His divine help can feel of it too.

Live To Bless, Not To Impress

 We all have some of our most influential experiences during our childhood years.  However, we do not always recognize the impact that these have on us at the time.  I can only imagine how this experience must have changed the way this boy reacted in every situation for the rest of his life...

This video reminds me of countless lessons that I have learned while growing up as well. I'm eternally grateful to my Father in Heaven for providing me with those lessons because they have shaped me into who I am today. Just like this young boy had someone there to lead and guide him, we can have a member of the Godhead with us to help direct us as well; the Holy Ghost. It has been one of the greatest blessings of my life to have His spirit and guidance with me. It's my hope and prayer that we can all be an example of charity and service in our lives as we heed the promptings given to us by our loving Father in Heaven.  Someone once told me to "Live to bless, not to impress." That has forever changed my outlook and I hope that it will be a reminder to you as well that "...when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2:17)

He Lives!!

I add my testimony that Jesus Christ our Savior lives. What a comfort it is to know that our Best Friend, who suffered and overcame all things for us, is alive and ever aware of our personal needs and challenges. "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people." (Alma 7:11) No matter what we are going through, no matter how alone we feel, we can take courage in knowing that He will be there for us if we will reach out to Him for help. Sometimes we go through very difficult, very trying experiences. It can be difficult to trust that He knows what is best for us during these hard times. I testify that He does and that He will be with us through every step of the way if we will but ask.  I know that the only person that can relate to us in every way lives and loves us unconditionally and will always be there for us if we are willing to exercise patience and seek Him out.