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.

Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy

What does the Sabbath mean to me?

Most of all I have the wonderful opportunity to be as clean as when I was baptized by partaking of the sacrament at church.  Also I get to be with and learn from (and sometimes teach) other wonderful members and visitors.  Because of those reasons, the Sabbath becomes a day of refreshment and spiritual upliftment and edification.  As one of our scriptures says: "He that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth... Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together." (Doctrine and Covenants 50:21-22)

Experiencing that understanding by the Spirit while at church helps me to strive to keep the rest of the Sabbath just as uplifting.  The Sabbath becomes a day to seek for Spiritual truth and to serve and lift others.  Studying the scriptures, praying and singing hymns helps me to receive that truth which I need.  Activities such as visiting home-bound members and singing hymns for people in a nursing home are a couple ways that I have sought to offer service.

With all of this to do it becomes easier to let go of activities that are not suited to the Sabbath.  These activities are not necessarily bad (indeed, we may participate in them throughout the week), but they don't help lift us spiritually and they don't help us remember God.  Such activities as shopping or attending a sporting event should be kept from diminishing the purpose and meaning of the Sabbath.

We have the promise of the Lord that we will be blessed as we seek to sanctify the Sabbath:

"If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth." (Isaiah 58:13-14)

"Verily I say, that inasmuch as ye do this, the fulness of the earth is yours... he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and the Spirit beareth record. Amen.(D&C 59:16,23-24; see also verses 9-15)

I know that the Lord fulfills His promises, for I have seen His hand in my life and I know of His goodness and mercy and of His relationship to us as our Loving Father!

Study the Scriptures

The scriptures are written by prophets whom the Lord inspires through the Holy Ghost.  They record God's dealings with His children.

Just as God inspired men in the "Old World" to write scriptures, He inspired men in the Americas who kept a record of God's teachings and gospel in their land.  The "Old World" record is the Bible.  The record from the ancient Americas is the Book of Mormon.  Both testify of Christ and teach His gospel and commandments.

In addition to these records, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints espouses the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price as scripture.

As we study the scriptures we learn God's will and purposes for each of us.  We receive personal revelation for our own lives.  Daily study of His Word is a wonderful habit that brings blessings of knowledge, peace and direction.

A Prophet Speaks Today!

We have the wonderful opportunity this weekend to hear from living Prophets.

Just as in the Bible, God leads His people by the words of "His servants the Prophets." (Amos 3:7)

"Come, listen to a prophet's voice!" (Hymns, 21)

More information on General Conference can be found here.

Peace Amid Tribulation: 9/11

In these last few years there has been much fear, terror, and sorrow in the world.  As we remember the attacks of September 11, 2001, I wanted to share what hope and peace I can.  "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)

In my own life there have been times of despair and fear.  There have been moments when the next step was not clear.  I have come to the end of what I thought I was capable of and found only one way to move forward: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all they ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)



Psalm 23


Jesus Christ knows us.  He has felt our grief and sorrow.  He knows our pain.  "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)

Christ suffered all things and was faithful.  "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)  "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.... 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 14:1,27)

Let us be faithful to Him.  Let us trust Him and love others as He loves us.  Study His words, pray in thanksgiving, pray for strength, and live His teachings.

Heavenly Father Reveals His Gospel in Every Dispensation

One of the great ways that God shows His love for us is by calling Prophets.

Prophets are called and chosen by God.  They are ordained with the priesthood, the power of God delegated to man to do His work.  They are given the keys, or authority, to run His church and teach the gospel.

Prophets speak the words of God for our benefit.  They teach us His commandments and show us the way back to Him, through Jesus Christ.  The prophets have always prophesied of Christ and His coming.  They wrote their prophecies down and these writings were kept and read through the years.  We have many of these today in the Bible.  We also have words of prophets in the Americas as contained in the Book of Mormon.

When people reject the Prophets they fall into apostasy or disbelief.  This can happen individually or as communities and nations.  Throughout the scriptures we see this happening.  Adam taught his family the gospel, but eventually his posterity rejected his words.  When Noah was preaching, the people did not accept him.  Noah's family was righteous and after the flood they continued in righteousness for a while.  Eventually the gospel was rejected again.

We can protect ourselves from apostasy.  We can know that the words of the Prophets are true.  We can pray to ask God, in the name of Christ, if the scriptures are His words.  We can ask to know that He loves us and that this is the way He reveals His plan for all His children.  If we pray, God will confirm that the scriptures are His words.  He will also reveal to us how we can apply the teachings from the scriptures in our daily lives.

Central to all these teachings is the life, ministry, and atoning sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

We Believe: The Word of God

"We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God." (Articles of Faith 1:8)

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I know the Bible is a record of Christ's life and ministry.  It contains His teachings which constitute His gospel.
   However, through the translations and revisions of uninspired men, errors have entered the Bible.  Some of the doctrines contained in the Bible are unclear.  Other doctrinal truths have been removed altogether.  In a way it is a miracle that we have the Bible at all today.  But we do have it, and it is a wonderful blessing in the lives of millions around the world.

Today we have the wonderful gift of a second witness of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  The Book of Mormon is a testimony of the ancient people of the Americas proclaiming the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Book of Mormon clarifies the doctrines taught in the Bible.  It testifies of and supports the Bible. (see 1 Nephi 13:21-23)
   Anyone can come to know the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.  As the introduction to the Book of Mormon states:

   "We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. (See Moroni 10:3–5.)
   "Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is his revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the second coming of the Messiah."

I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God, as is the Holy Bible.  I know that they testify of Christ and that He lives!

Revelation

"We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God." (Articles of Faith 1:9)

The principle of revelation is the principle upon which Christ's church is built.  As Christ said to Simon Peter "flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven....and upon this rock I will build my church..."  Through Peter's faith he knew, by the Spirit of God, that Jesus was "the Christ, the Son of the living God."  (Matthew 16:16-18)

And so it is with us.  We have the word of God as revealed to and recorded by prophets in Old Testament times and by the Apostles in New Testament times.  We have the Book of Mormon, which testifies of Christ and upholds the Bible.  We also have living Prophets and Apostles today.  We can act in Faith upon all the words of God as spoken by His ancient and modern prophets.  We can ask about their truth and validity.  We can seek a personal witness of their callings as Prophets and of Christ's divine Sonship and life.  We can receive, as did Peter, revelation confirming truth.  "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)

I have personally studied the scriptures, I have prayed to my Heavenly Father, and I have received a witness that the scriptures do contain the word of God, that Prophets speak His words, and that the fulness of Christ's gospel is upon the Earth.
   I know Christ died for us, but I also know He was resurrected the third day and is our Living Lord and Savior.