Same blog, new name

For those who may have noticed, or didn't as the case may be, I've changed the name of this blog. I figured that since completing my mission and returning home, things have changed slightly. I am no longer set apart as a full-time missionary with the special commission to "go... into all the world... and preach the gospel."  I am however still a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I will continue to let my light shine and "be an example" in everything I do and say.

Just as I am no longer called "Elder," my blog also has a different name reflecting my current position in life. I hope you'll stick around and share your comments as I share my thoughts on living the gospel and being an example in all things.

Standing For Something: 10 Virtues

In light of my return home and the things that I've learned (and hopefully become) on my mission, I want to start a series of posts based on President Gordon B. Hinckley's book "Standing For Something."  These posts will hopefully serve as a successful transition from my full-time missionary work to my personal life at home.

These posts will touch on faith, hope, charity and love, service, and becoming, among other virtues.  My hope is that these posts will bless you, the reader, and help you strive for and obtain the best within you.

The virtues that President Hinckley writes about are as follows:

1. Love
2. Honesty
3. Mortality
4. Civility
5. Learning
6. Forgiveness and Mercy
7. Thrift and Industry
8. Gratitude
9. Optimism
10. Faith

President Hinckley also discusses two gaurdians of virtue: Marriage and the Family.

It has been a little while since I have read the book, so I ask for your patience as I work on these posts.  As I finish each post I will add links to them from this post.

What I've Learned on My Mission

I want to start with a "Thank You!" to everyone in New York!  Thank you for two wonderful years in your service.  I hope our friendships can continue on and grow, even as we are miles apart.

So, what have I learned during these 24 months away from home?

Several things stand out as of prime importance.

First, we must develop faith, hope, and charity as Paul has taught.  If we have nothing to believe in, no hope for life after death, then our life becomes dark and we are inclined to cynicism.  Such an attitude does not lend itself to the Charity and love that should fill our souls.  "Believe in God; believe that he is... believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend." (Mosiah 4:9)  "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." (2 Nephi 31:20)

Second, selfless service is paramount in putting off the natural man, becoming like Christ, and becoming fully converted to His gospel.  Conversion comes as we honestly and consistently live the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The central doctrine of His gospel is His Atonement and selfless sacrifice for us.  This sacred service to us would not have been possible if Christ weren't who He was.  When the selfish natural man in each of us would have turned inward, Christ always turned outward.  For example, despite the pains, abandonment, sorrow, and persecutions of His suffering in the Garden and on the cross, Christ still spoke to the Father on behalf of the Roman soldiers who had treated Him so cruely: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)  If you or I were in such a situation we would be more likely to curse our enemies than to bless them; or at the least not spare a thought for them as we focused on our own recent troubles.
   So how do we change our nature and come to love our enemies and pray for those that despitefully use us? (see Matthew 5:44)  We turn outward as the Savior did and serve without thought of personal reward or gain.  As we lose ourselves for the gospel's sake and for Christ's sake, we will find ourselves. (see Matthew 16:24-25)  We will not find ourselves if we set out to accomplish it.  We will only find ourselves as we lose ourselves in others; and we won't be looking for it to happen.

Third, ultimately it is only the gospel that can solve all our problems and save us.  There are so many problems, so many heartaches and troubles in this world.  Society runs around looking for new and novel ideas to problems that humanity has been faced with since the fall of Adam and Eve.  There is no greater or more powerful answer to all our concerns than the very answer that was given to our First Parents.  Christ and His gospel remain the only way to fully solve every social, civil, and personal problem.  In the gospel we not only find the virtues that are the basis of a sound and happy life, but also the principles of righteous living that bring the blessings of God to us and our families, nations, and world.

Lastly, I know that God the Father is our loving Heavenly Father.  He knows us each individually and desires our happiness and salvation.
   I know Jesus Christ is His Son, our Savior.  His Atonement can cleanse and heal us from the deepest sins and wounds, if we are willing to change what we need to and live His gospel.
   I know the Spirit of the Lord can speak to each of us.  He has spoken to me from time to time.  We can know what we need to know and do.  We can be comforted and encouraged in our daily struggles.
   I know that the church and kingdom of God are on the earth again.  God has restored everything necessary for the salvation of all His children.  We have again among us living prophets and apostles who speak the mind and will of God.  There is consistency and safety in their words because they are God's words.

Please:
   Study the scriptures.
   Pray with full sincerity of heart.
   Keep God's commandments.
   Selflessly serve others.
   and Believe.

Then you will recieve what you ask for, find what you seek, and doors will be opened when you knock.  I promise, in the name of Jesus Christ, that this is true.

Are we there when we are called?

Trying to think of a way to write a blog for Sister Vaterlaus, I remembered a quote that I once heard:

“Life in the Church soon teaches us, too, that the Lord does not ask us about our ability, but only about our availability. And then, if we demonstrate our dependability, the Lord will increase our capability.” Neal A. Maxwell

In a way, Sister Vaterlaus has been an example of this to me.  She made herself available to serve a mission and the Lord called her.  As she came on her mission, the Lord called her and moved her where he needed her.

I do not know everything that she has experienced, but what I've seen has been impressive.  Many other people would excuse themselves from serving, but Sister Vaterlaus made herself available and the Lord proved that she was capable.

Members blogging their testimonies!

Today I ran across a couple links to blogs where members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had fearlessly shared their beliefs.  I wanted to share them with you.


I Really Lived!: I Am a Mormon = I Am a Christian: I am a Mormon.  What does that mean? It means I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It means that am a follower and a disciple of Jesus Christ and I look to Him as my Savior and Redeemer. A lot of people in the world are wondering if Mormons are Christians. Many people believe we are not. I am here to tell you that we are.

Joseph Trevor Antley: Are Mormons Christians: What with the recent controversy over a certain Texas Evangelical minister accusing a certain high-profile Mormon of being a non-Christian — because Mormonism is, according to this minister, a non-Christian cult — I thought I’d briefly address this criticism that has been repeated ad nauseum for the past two hundred years: are Mormons Christians?


There are many more out there who are doing the same thing.  These just happened to be the ones I ran into today.  Please read with an open heart and seek for understanding.

We do believe in Christ and trust in Him as our Savior and Redeemer.  We seek to live what we believe and to share it with those around us.

Pray to know the Truth through the Holy Ghost

As a missionary, I do my best to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ clearly.  It is possible to be logically convinced of the Gospel, but that is not what will lead to lasting conversion.  It is only through the power of prayer and the witness of the Holy Ghost that you can have an abiding testimony of Christ and His Gospel.

Enos prayed all day and all night.

Christ promised: "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." (Matthew 7:7-8)  He also promised that "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you." (John 16:23)

Near the end of the Book of Mormon we find a similar promise.  It reads in part "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." (Moroni 10:3-5)

Pray to Heavenly Father.  Share with Him the feelings and desires of your heart.  Ask Him if this message is true.  Close your prayer in the name of Jesus Christ.

I promise that if you will do this in faith, sincerely desiring an answer, you will feel the truth of this message and desire to learn more.

We Believe: Priesthood Authority

"We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof." (Articles of Faith 1:5)


As we learn in the New Testament, men must be called and set apart in the proper manner in order to officiate in the offices of the Priesthood: "And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." (Hebrews 5:4)
   How was Aaron called?  By commandment of God to His Prophet Moses: "And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother... that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office..." (Exodus 28:1)

It is the same today as it was then.  Men are called by God to serve in His Church and Kingdom.  The living Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, holds all of the keys of the Priesthood.  In other words, he holds the authority to administer any and all ordinances that are essential to our salvation.  That authority is delagated in part to various local and general officers in the church.  These men are regular members of the church who are called by inspiration of God to lead and serve in His church.

I am thankful to have the Priesthood on the Earth to bless our lives.  It is the same Priesthood that Christ and His Apostles held.  It is the same priesthood that cured the lepers, made the blind see, and made the lame walk.
   I know God loves us and has given us His Priesthood to help us in our daily lives here on earth.

The Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ

"We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth."  (Articles of Faith 1:6)

The gospel and church which I am called and ordained to teach and represent is the same as formerly existed in the time of Christ.  We teach what Christ taught and serve as he served.  We hold the same Priesthood and believe in miracles and blessings and healings by the power of that priesthood.
   We have the same officers that Christ established:

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;" (Ephesians 4:11)
"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;" (Ephesians 2:20)

We use the Holy Bible as a Testament of Christ and His dealings with mankind in the "Old World" from Adam until the death of the 12 Apostles.  We also use the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Christ.  It is a record of Christ's dealings with the ancient people of the Americas.  It does not replace the Bible, but rather compliments and clarifies the teachings contained therein.

My purpose as a missionary is to invite you to come unto Christ by helping you receive the restored gospel through Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, Repentance, Baptism, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End.

   To that end I invite you to read the Book of Mormon and to soften your heart and "ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true." (Moroni 10:4)

Have Questions?

I've got answers! A few at least.

I've added a page for questions.  Feel free to visit my "Q & A" page where you can ask a question by leaving a comment.

Also, if there is some religious vocabulary that you don't quite understand then check the "Vocabulary" page.  If you don't find the word or phrase you are looking for, then leave a comment.

If all that fails, then try using the search on the right-hand side of my blog.  If I can't help you, someone else can.

Mormon.org also has a "FAQ" page that you can visit.

What are missionaries doing online?

For those who know about the rules that Mormon missionaries are asked to live, it may seem out of the ordinary to run into us online.  Normally we are asked to limit our internet use to e-mailing our family on one day of the week.  However, the church is recognizing that media is changing.  So, in an effort to reach out to more people, the church has decided to allow several missions around the US to use Facebook and blogging.

For a background to the church's stance on new media and how members of the church can get involved in using it, check out Introduction to Sharing the Gospel Online.

Also here are two posts from a member's blog that are of particular interest.  One is about the New York Rochester Mission, where I am serving as a full-time missionary, and the other is a list of all online missionaries as of January 2011.
Rochester Mission Online
Master List: Online Missionaries

Who I am and why I'm "Mormon."

I am the oldest of six children.  I have 4 younger brothers and a younger sister.  My parents are still happily married after 22 years.  Our family has lived in Utah, Oregon and now Idaho.
  I enjoy good books.  Sci-fi, fantasy, historical fiction, etc....  I also really enjoy singing.  I was in choir during high school, then I was part of a barbershop quartet with 3 of my friends when I started college.  As far as college goes, I attended Brigham Young University - Idaho where I started a bachelor's degree in Chemistry.
  All of that is on hold right now because I am serving as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I have left my family and friends and set school and girls aside so that I can share the Gospel for two years.  And I'm not getting paid to do this.  I have volunteered my time and money to come out to Western New York and teach of Christ.

I have always had the blessing of knowing Christ's gospel.  But I do not think I ever fully understood what being a member of the LDS church meant.  I knew it was blessing my family and that we were happy because of it, but that was about it.  As a teenager I had to start making more decisions for myself.  Some of these decisions had to do with the way I would live my life.  I had to decide, for myself, that I would continue to live my life according to what I had been taught by my parents and the living Prophets.  It has been hard at times, but the comfort, peace, and security that have come from living the teachings of Christ have more than made up for the trials I have faced.
   Because of the personal trials I've gone through and the blessings I've received, I want to share what I know.  I want to share Christ's gospel and Heavenly Father's plan, because I know the happiness, peace and strength that comes from living in Their Way.

I know Heavenly Father loves all of us.  I know that because He loves us, He gives us prophets who teach of His Son, Jesus Christ.  I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is led by true prophets.  I know Christ is "the way, the truth, and the life." (John 14:6)

"Go ye into all the world..."

"...and preach the gospel to every creature." -Mark 16:15

As a missionary, I have been called by a living prophet of God.  That call was made by the same authority that Christ had when he sent the Apostles to "preach the gospel."  I am thus a representative of Christ.  I know that He is the only way that we can return to be with our Heavenly Father.  Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.  It is through His Grace that we can be saved through our Faith and through following His commandments.

On this blog I'll be sharing what I know as a member of and missionary for the LDS faith.  I'll also answer questions that any of you may have.  Feel free to comment in a respectful manner.