He is Risen

This week is Easter and we have the opportunity to remember Christ and his sacrifice that he made for us. I consider myself lucky because I have been in a class this last semester where I have been studying Christ's life and teachings. There is one story that touched me, especially as I have been thinking about the resurrection. This story starts after Christ had been crucified, the apostles returned to their daily tasks of fishing. Jesus, now a resurrected being, is walking on the shoreline and calls out to the disciples. I love what happened as soon as Peter recognized who it was. continuing in John 21:7, we read:

"Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea."

What would you do if you saw the resurrected Christ? Peter recognizing that it was the savior that had resurrected and immediately went to him. There have been many times in my life where I have recognized that the Lord is alive and seeking to bless each one of us. As we are blessed, we should run (or in this case swim) to him and thank him because there is much to thank him for.

He does continually bless us and seek to help us. Christ suffered for our sins so that he would know how to do this. I encourage all you this Easter season to ponder on how Christ has blessed your life and then go to him in prayer and thank him. 

I am grateful for the savior and all he does for us. I know that he did die for us as the ultimate sacrifice, that he was resurrected, and that he lives for us, giving us hope and strength.

Lively Hope

This last week in my religion class we have had the opportunity to talk about the resurrection of Christ. and how that blesses us. I really like a scripture found in 1 Peter 1:3 which reads:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

Reading this scripture it reminds me of one of the great blessings of the resurrection of Christ. Because Jesus came here to earth and suffered for each of us, we not only will rise again and be resurrected, but we can also return to, and dwell, in God's presence. This means a lot to me. Even though I am imperfect and struggle, because of Christ I can have the hope of a better future.

This scripture shows that God, our Father, sent his son Jesus Christ to die for us, and that through his death and subsequent resurrection, we can have a lively hope. Not just any hope, but a lively one. One that guarantees that we will live again, and that we will be restored to a perfect frame.

This last week we had the opportunity to listen to God's chosen prophets. They repeatedly instructed to learn of Christ. I know that as we learn of him our optimism and hope will grow. I encourage you to study out Christ and his teachings, that your hope may become more lively, and that you may recognize his abundant mercy in your life.

Revelation

We live in a world where God leads and guides us. He is  able to teach and inspire us with revelations given through the Holy Ghost. There are many things that I have learned can help us to prepare to receive teachings from the Holy Ghost such as: Pray, Being reverent,  being humble, keeping the commandments, studying, and pondering.

Jesus Christ taught in Matthew 7:7-8, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to  him that knocketh it shall be opened."

Christs teachings here mean that we can receive answers to our questions if we seek and ask. This has been extremely important to me as I have had questions because I know that I can receive help and guidance from an all knowing being, my Father.

With General Conference we have the opportunity to hear from God's prophets and apostles. They will speak on general topics, but it is our responsibility to seek personal revelation. We can seek and pray about what is taught and be blessed with answers. I have done this many times and have been blessed with answers to my questions. I encourage you to pray about and ponder the things taught this conference. If you seek the Holy Ghost, you will receive specific answers to your questions.

The Lord Calls Prophets

God is always looking to bless us as his children. He does this through many ways, the scriptures, prayer, families, and many more. In 2 Chronicles, Jehoshaphat taught another way that the Lord blesses us, through prophets. 2 Chronicles 20:20 reads:

And they rose early in the morning, and went forth in the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

I found this story to be interesting. We are taught 2 truths, to believe in the Lord and to believe his prophets. God calls prophets to bless his children. They teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As children of God, if we listen to the prophets, and live the gospel, we shall prosper.

Here in a week, we will have the opportunity to hear from one of God's prophets, Thomas S. Monson. He will speak for the Lord and if you believe in his words, you will prosper. If we prepare ourselves and open our hearts to what will be taught, something will be said that we can apply to better our lives.

Peace I give unto you

How can one experience the peace that the gospel brings? There are 2 verses that Christ taught that explain so well how we can obtain peace.

"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.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:26-27)

For me, the Spirit is a great way to receive peace. I love how the Spirit is also called the Comforter. I use the words comfort and peace synchronously. The spirit is how we can experiences the peace that the gospel brings.

The Holy Ghost is a divine gift from our Heavenly Father. His influence can always be felt by everyone, but as we are baptized, we can receive him as a gift. When we receive him through the laying on of hands, we have the promise to always have him with us.

I encourage you, if you are looking for lasting peace, seek the spirit. Pray for him to accompany you. Study the scriptures. Serve. These are all ways that I feel peace and I know God will grant unto you his peace if you do this.

Pray in Secret

As Christ was teaching His Sermon on the Mount, he taught a bit about prayer. One quote that I love is:

"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." (Matthew 6:6)

I know that personal, private prayer is extremely important in strengthening our relationship with God. I love how Christ said "enter into thy closet". Though I don't necessarily go into my closet, I try to find a quiet place to pray. When I am free of distractions I can fully focus on my conversation with God. I have seen God bless me openly based on our conversations that we have had.

Prayer is one of the best ways to grow closer to God. Much like a thoughtful conversation with a friend will strengthen that friendship, thoughtful prayer will strengthen our relationship with God. As we pray we should thank Him for all He has given us. We should also seek blessing's for others, as well as ourselves. He is our Father, He is listening, and He will answer our prayers.

I encourage you all to find a quiet place to pray, but before praying meditate on what you will say and ask. If you will seek to draw closer to God, He will draw nearer to you, and He will bless you.

Forgiveness in simple steps

This last week in my Christ and the Everlasting Gospel class we have been talking about miracles. Every miracle has both a physical and a spiritual part. One thing that I have noticed is a lot of the times the spiritual miracle is forgiveness. To be forgiven and made clean in God’s presence is truly a miracle.

As I have been studying many stories about people that were considered “unclean”, by the oral tradition of the Jews, I have noticed that they were not afraid to lay it all before Christ. Even being “unclean” they went before the Lord and asked to be helped. Through my studies on repentance I came to this scripture in Proverbs 28:13:

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy

This is comforting that we can receive mercy. I have many times needed help, and I know that as we approach the Lord with a “broken heart and contrite spirit”, He will forgive us.

Forgiveness is made possible through the atonement of Christ. We suffered for each of us and drank of the bitter cup so that our lives could be sweet. There is nothing more sweet then drawing nearer to our Father through forgiveness. All it takes is us kneeling in prayer and confessing our sins followed by forsaking, or leaving them behind.

You can follow these steps for anything. I encourage you to take these steps to draw nearer to God and taste of his sweetness. 

What Belief can Do

In John 14:12 Jesus taught, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” I love this scripture because it quite simply tells us what we are able to do and become if we have faith. There are many times that I do not feel like I am doing enough, or can do enough. As I remember this scripture, and pray for help the Lord does help me.

Christ was the ultimate example, he healed the sick, raised the dead, taught, served, loved, learned, and ultimately returned to our Heavenly Fathers presence. If we have faith, the Lord has promised that we shall be able to perform the same works. That means that we to can heal, teach, love, learn (I especially love this one as I am studying), and return to our Fathers presence. I am grateful for this promise and know that with faith in the Lord nothing is impossible.

Ways that we can strengthen our faith in God is by studying him and learning about his character. As we understand who God is it becomes easier to have faith in him and his gospel. I encourage you to study out who God is. One great place to start is here: https://www.lds.org/topics/god-the-father?lang=eng&old=true

How can I endure to the end?

This last week in my religion class we were talking about the Doctrine of Christ. We read together in 3 Nephi 11:32-39. After having discussed and read all these verses, my professor gave a set of scriptures to act as a second witness of Christ's Doctrine, 2 Nephi 31.

2 Nephi 31 explains the importance for faith, repentance, baptism, and the need for the Holy Ghost, but I especially loved verse 20, which reads:

 20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

Many times for me I feel like I have a hard time progressing. I look at the Doctrine of Christ and think, "Great so I have been baptized, received the Holy Ghost... now I just have to endure to the end, Right?" but this enduring part can be hard. I constantly find myself enduring as I am, as opposed to enduring to the end.  

As 2 Nephi teaches, we “must press forward with steadfastness”. The action of pressing forward implies that we are going somewhere, not staying stationary. The act of enduring to the end means that we continue to improve and become more like Christ. The thing that also makes this verse so great is how it tells us how to improve and endure. “having… love of God and of all men” and “feasting upon the word”.

If we will study the scriptures and look for ways to show our love through service, we will not stay stationary, but help ourselves and others continue “forward with steadfastness”. Seeking to endure to the end WILL give us eternal life, and we will not be as we are now, but we will become more Christlike.

Guidance through Faith

Ether 6:8-10

"And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind. and they did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord. And thus they were driven forth; and no monster of the sea could break them"

I love this scripture because it reminds me that God is always looking out for us. Even though I am sure that this experience was scary, the people of Jared were optimistic and happy. As they sang and praised the Lord he guided them to the promised land. I am certain that they did remember him at every moment while they were tossed about in the sea. To me, I know that if I try to remember the Lord as I am tossed about during the day that he will bless me and guide me to where I need to go.

This scripture shows perfectly the principle of faith. As the people of Jared were in the middle of the sea, they had no clue where they were neither did they have any way to steer the barges, but they had faith that the lord was guiding them. They showed their faith through song and praise.

I love our meetings every Sunday as we get to sing and praise God. Luckily, the faith promoting experience of singing and praising the Lord doesn't have to be limited to Sunday. We can pray to God and praise him as we go throughout our everyday lives. We can read scriptures daily and we can share our faith promoting experiences with others, all with we praise the Lord!

I encourage you to praise the Lord during the week and seek to increase your faith. I know that through this the Lord will guide you.

Guidance Through Prophets

This last week in my Everlasting Gospel class, we have been discussing prophets and dispensations. Talking more about the prophets of old has led me to study more on who prophets are. In Hosea 12:10 it reads, "I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets". God not only speaks to the prophets, but by the prophets. They are how God leads his children hear on earth. This is extremely important to know that God uses others to bless his children. I know God is a loving father, and the father of our spirits. This is important to know that the Lord speaks to me, that I can receive answers to my prayers. Most of my answers that I have received have come from the words of the prophets, both ancient and modern.

There are many examples of prophets both ancient an modern that bless us. Elder Stevenson explains the importance of prophets in his video:

They gave us what is known as scriptures. Scriptures contain the word and will of God. As we study the scriptures we will draw nearer to our Heavenly Father and feel more abundantly of his love. As I said earlier, most of my answers have come through the words of prophets, by me studying the scriptures. I encourage you to come up with questions that you have, pray about them, and then study the words of the prophets. I am certain something will stand out and you can know that that answer is from God.

Salvation is a True Blessing

King Benjamin in the Book of Mosiah Chapter 6:6-7 was teaching his people about how to receive salvation.

(6) I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life…
(7) I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the atonement.

To me this scripture points out two things: first, that we need to know and understand that God is our loving Heavenly Father and second, we need to have faith in the atonement of Christ and put our trust in it. If we do as President Monson suggests and “take an inventory of (our) life and look specifically for the blessings” (Consider the Blessings, October 2012) I know that we will see the goodness, wisdom, patience, and longsuffering of God. I love looking back at my day every night before praying and seeing the small blessings that have been given me.  God blesses his children with small and great things.

One gift that I see bless my life every day is the atonement. Christ’s atonement applies to all of us and allows us to change. We can repent of past mistakes, and we can be empowered to be better. The atonement allows us to obtain salvation! As I have sought to better understand the atonement, my faith has increased and my ability to see blessings has grown.

Have you taken an inventory of your day? What are some blessings you have seen?

Who am I?

In my room I have this quote hanging by Dr. Seuss that says, "Today you are you, that is truer than true, there is no one alive who is youer than you!" 

I love the question that this quote provokes in my mind. Who am I?

Well it seems like, according to Dr. Seuss, everyday I am me and you are you, we are all unique individuals. I know that there is one me, but there are a lot of you, and if we consider every "you" that has ever lived on this earth, couldn't we say it is "innumerable"? Though there are so many of us, and I consider us innumerable, to God "all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them" (Moses 1:35, emphasis added). So God knows each and everyone of us! But why does he care so much about his creations, why does he continue to number us even if we have passed away or are forgotten by our peers? In Moses 1 God tells Moses 3 times that "thou art my son". If I am to think about who we are, I know that we are children of God, our Heavenly Father. As children of God we can say that we have an all powerful, all knowing father to bless, protect, and care for us! I am grateful for all the blessings that I receive from him.

Blessing God's Children

We know that through Christ “the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:24, emphasis added). This helps confirm to me what God taught to Moses that, “thou art my son” (Moses 1:4). We are all children of loving Heavenly Parents and they want what is best for us. Looking at examples of parenthood in my life I see many sacrifices that my parents make to help me succeed. They want me to blessed with all the blessings they have.

Continuing to look at my parents as examples I see that I am very much like them. Elder Callister has asked “Do not the laws of science teach us that like begets like, each after its kind? Science has taught us that a complex genetic code transferred from parent to child is responsible for the child attaining the physical attributes of his parents”. Like begets like, and because I am a child of God, I can return and be like him! Knowing that I can return to him it makes me thing more deeply about “Why am I here?”.

I am here to help bless others. Enoch saw God was weeping because “there has not been so great wickedness as among thy brethren” (Moses 7:36). I do not want to contribute to “wickedness” here on this earth, I really don’t want to be a reason that my Heavenly Parents are weeping. There are many small and simple things that we can do to help diminish the wickedness in the world and one is through testimony.

I hope that through my blog and my testimony that I will be sharing I too can help to bless others and diminish “wickedness among (my) brethren”.

What else can be done to reduce wickedness here on earth? How can you help to bless your brethren? Comment below on your thoughts!