Don't Give Up!

     Have you ever had a time when you wanted to make a good choice and it seemed that everything was working to keep you from it? From the scriptures we learn about a couple of different stories where others faced a similar situation and how they made it through. I'll share the first and the second is in video form at the end.
     The first involves the young boy, Joseph Smith. As he was seeking answers from God about what was true he faced intense opposition from Satan. He related, "After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go... I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which overcame me... Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction. But exerting all my power to call upon God to deliver me.., and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair... I saw a pillar of light." (JSH 1:15-16)
     Just prior to having one of the greatest spiritual experiences of his life, we see that Joseph Smith faced some of the greatest opposition. It may be this way for you too. When you want to be baptized, come back to church or go to the temple, you may face intense opposition to keep you from doing so. Clearly that opposition comes from Satan who wants everyone to "be miserable like unto himself," and if he can keep you from doing such things, he will win.
      If you aren't perfect the first time you try, that's okay. Keep on trying. Don't give up. Continue to "call upon God" just as Joseph did. Don't let Satan bring you down. Know that you have a far more powerful being on your side, your Heavenly Father, who will help you overcome the opposition you face. He will help you to make it through as you turn to him. I personally know this is true and I say this in the name of Jesus Christ.

     For another example of this watch the following video relating Moses' experience with opposition from Satan.

Back to the Basics- The Gift of the Holy Ghost

     In my recent post about baptism, I talked about the need to be "born of water and of the spirit". This post will focus on being being "of the spirit". In the book of Acts in the New Testament we learn from Peter that we need to "repent, and be baptized... and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Being 'born of the spirit' is receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.
     The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead and a personage of spirit. He can only be in one place at a time, but his influence can be everywhere at the same time. The Holy Ghost is our Heavenly Father's messenger and is a special gift to us. He can guide and direct us and teach us what is true. We read in the Book of Mormon that "by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." (Moroni 10:5) That makes the Holy Ghost extremely important in our lives. With so many ideas and different teachings floating around we are promised a way that we can know what is right.
     So what must you do to have such a gift?? Prior to receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost you must be baptized by someone who holds the priesthood authority of God. Following baptism someone who holds the priesthood lays their hands on your head and will give you the gift of the Holy Ghost just as Paul did in the New Testament. (Acts 19:6) At that time you will have the Holy Ghost to be with you at all times, so long as you remain worthy.
     I am grateful for the ways that the Holy Ghost has blessed my life. I know that there have been many times when it has guided me to avoid a bad situation or to go and do something that my Heavenly Father would want me to do. I know that the Holy Ghost plays a significant impact in my life and I know it can do the same for you.
     This video will show how others have felt the Holy Ghost, aka the Holy Spirit, in their lives and how it has helped them. Enjoy!

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Wise Men Still Seek Him

     I've seen this sign up in many homes and I've always enjoyed it. Now there is even a video to go along with it. You hear this all the time during the holidays, but this video truly makes you think about the reason for the season. Enjoy it and then go and do something for someone else during this wonderful time of year! Have a very Merry Christmas!

My Christmas Gift to Everyone- The Book of Mormon!

     You see me post things about The Book of Mormon all the time, right? Why do you think I would do that? Well here is the reason... Watch the video and see how it changed this man's life. Then request a free copy and see how it can change your life for the better! Think of it as a free Christmas gift to everyone. 
I promise it will bring you more happiness as it helps you to come even closer to Jesus Christ. Now that's a good gift!

Now get your free copy. Just click here!

Back to the Basics- Baptism

     Jesus Christ taught us in the New Testament, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:3-5) In this post I am going to focus on being "born of water." To be 'born of water' is to be baptized. Baptism is a ceremony in which you are "buried in the water" (only for a quick second) and then you come out of the water. Baptism serves as a symbol of your old life passing away and being "born again" as a follower of Jesus Christ. An important aspect of baptism is that it must be performed by the proper priesthood authority (3 Nephi 11:21). In a sense, the authority is like having God's permission to do something in his name. Baptism is also the first covenant, or promise, that you make to your Heavenly Father. In this covenant, you promise to do three things:
1. Be willing to take Christ's name upon you.
2. Always remember Jesus Christ.
3. Keep his commandments.
The cool thing about making a promise to God is that when we keep our end of it, he will ALWAYS keep his. When we are baptized we promise to do our part (the 3 things listed above), and in return our Heavenly Father promises us certain things as well:
1. We are washed clean of our sins! It's literally like having a clean slate.
2. We can have the Holy Ghost (aka Holy Spirit) to be with us always. (I'll talk more about this in the next post.)
     So baptism is the first step you make in following Christ. It shows your willingness to be obedient and follow God's commandments and in return it brings great blessings into your life. Imagine being forgiven for all of your sins and anything bad you have done. That is the power of following Jesus Christ. Take that step of faith and follow him by being baptized by someone holding the proper priesthood authority authority. I promise it will be the first step you take to finding true happiness in this life.
Want to learn more about this?? Click here to chat with missionaries online or request to have them come to your home. I know it will be a good experience for you!

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

     I have been writing a lot about the basics of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and there is more to come shortly, but in the spirit of Thanksgiving and the holidays I think it is so important to remember what we have and what we are grateful for. We take too many things for granted nowadays and it's important to reflect on ALL that you have been blessed with and give thanks to God. Enjoy the video. It's one of my favorites.

Back to the Basics- Repentance

     Hopefully you read the last post I wrote about Faith. If not, I would recommend that you read that one first because the gospel of Jesus Christ builds "line upon line," (2 Nephi 28:30) and I'll reference it in this blog post.  By now, hopefully, you have followed Alma's counsel found in The Book of Mormon and put it to the test. You have "experimented on the word" to see if it was good and have cared for your faith "as a seed" by giving it the spiritual food it needs. (If this sounds confusing read the last blog post)

     You have felt your faith in Christ begin to grow as you have learned more about him. As your faith continues to grow you want to be more like Jesus Christ and follow him. The first step you can take in following him is to repent. Let's first define what this means... "Repentance is a change of mind and heart that gives us a fresh view about God, about ourselves, and about the world. It includes turning away from sin AND turning to God for forgiveness."

     I love that definition, but I have an easier time applying something if there are steps for me to follow. The following are six basic steps required for true repentance. As you read these remember that it is not a checklist of items to be crossed off after you have done them once. Rather it is a lifelong process in which each of the steps are repeated many times througout your life.

1. Recognize that you have sinned and feel true sorrow.
2. Stop doing the sin and try your best to never do it again.

3. Confess your sins to God and ask for forgiveness. Also ask others you may have hurt for forgiveness.

4. Make restitution. Do all you can to correct any problems you may have caused.

5. Keep the Commandments. In addition to stopping bad things you must also do good things.

6. Remember the Savior. The most important part is to remember that forgiveness comes because of Jesus Christ. Without him, we cannot be forgiven. That's a big part of why it is so important to have faith in him. He makes repentance possible for us all because he suffered and died for us.

     As you try your best to follow Christ you may still fall short. Don't get discouraged, but remember that through sincere repentance you can be forgiven.

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