Simon says... Follow the Prophet!

“When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power.”  Ezra Taft Benson

Like the principle taught in the game of Simon Says, the discipline of following directions given with exactness will lead to great victories in life! I had a chance to play Simon Says with some children the other day and I realized how closely the rules correlated with real life. When we follow the directions of one having authority to direct us we are blessed (in Simon Says we get to stay in the game) but when we lose focus and follow the guidance of those who don't have the authority then we miss out on those blessings (we are out of the game). As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I know that the person given authority to direct us the way that God would if He were here is the prophet. The prophet today is President Thomas S Monson. I know that as we follow his guidance, knowing that it is God's word through him (Amos 3:7), that we will find the greatest blessings in this life and in the life to come! I also know that when we choose not to follow the prophet's guidance we are keeping ourselves from the blessings that God so lovingly wants to give us. So follow the Prophet! He knows the way!

Incomplete but not Broken

Have you ever felt broken? Have you ever gotten to the point in your life where you aren't sure if you can do anything right? Or that there must be something terribly wrong in your genetic make up that makes your imperfections not only numerous but painfully noticeable? I know I have felt all of these things at one time or another. But my Dad showed me an analogy once that has really stuck with me. He showed me a picture of a line of cars being assembled. Much similar to the cars in this picture. His message was along the lines of: "Look at these cars.  They are missing doors, seats, wheels and a bunch of other things..... but would anyone in their right mind say these cars were broken? No, that would be a ridiculous statement. In fact when finished these cars will be sold for thousands of dollars. Once finished they will have all the parts necessary to perform and function for the purpose they were designed. Though they are incomplete right now they are not broken by any definition of the word." He related this to how we are all on the "assembly line" of life. All of us focusing on what we are missing and mistakenly thinking we are broken or damaged when in fact we are just incomplete. I know this is so true! Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can be successfully assembled. So the next time you feel broken remember who can make you feel complete. He knows everything we have ever or will ever go through. He can give us peace and comfort and guide us literally day by day! I know that this happens as we daily and diligently seek Him through word (Bible, Book of Mormon ), prayer and action. The next time you feel discouraged remember that He is waiting with arms wide open for you to allow Him to help you put together the pieces.
                                                    

                                                      And believe me.... we need His help!

Did you know God never answers NO?

We have been given a gift from our Heavenly Father. The creator of the universe has made it possible for us to communicate to him through prayer. He has told us through His word in the scriptures (2 Nephi 32:8-9,2 Chronicles 7:14) that He desires to hear from us in prayer. But we often are hesitant to pray and to truly solicit the Lord's help because we are worried his answer might be. We avoid asking our Heavenly Father for blessings because if we don't ask he can't say No. I would like to propose that God NEVER answers No.  He never answers No but He does answer our prayers!

I have heard it said that He will answer in one of three ways

1. He will say "Yes!"
2."Not right now"
3. or "I have something much better in mind"
Because He is all knowing and because He loves us, He is truly the only one who can give us the answers and the blessings we need. The answers to our prayers will always be greater than we could have ever asked for if we allow God to show us His love!

Prayer. It's a Gift!

Prayer. An often unused gift from a loving Heavenly Father who answers prayers. He tells us in James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." He is telling us to ask Him, through prayer, and he will in his own way and his own time answer our prayers. This video is a perfect example of how God really does answer prayers of those who ask him sincerely. I love the faith that she showed as she prayed to know if The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true and if that is the path she should follow. I know that we each have a purpose here on earth and that if we ask God he will let us know what our purpose is. So pray to him! Do it today! Use this amazing gift and feel his love for you!

Great wealth in flecks of Gold!

There once was a young merchant from Boston, who in 1849, was caught up in the fervor of the California gold rush. He sold all of his possessions to seek his fortune in the California rivers, which he was told were filled with gold nuggets so big that one could hardly carry them. 
After days of dipping his pan into the river and coming up empty, his only reward being a pile of rocks, as he was about to quit when an old, experience prospector said to him, "That is quite a pile of rocks you are getting there, my boy." The young man replied, "There's no gold here. I am going back home." Walking over to the pile of rocks, the old prospector said, "Oh there is gold all right. You just have to know where to find it." He picked two rocks up in his hands and crashed them together. One of the rocks split open, revealing several flecks of gold sparkling in the sunlight. Noticing a bulging leather pouch fastened to the prospector's waist, the young man said, "I'm looking for nuggets like the ones in your pouch, not just tiny flecks." The old prospector extended his pouch toward the young man, who looked inside, expecting to see several large nuggets. 
He was stunned to see that the pouch was filled with thousands of flecks of gold. the old prospector said, "Son, it seems to me you are so busy looking for large nuggets that you're missing filling your pouch with these precious flecks of gold. The patient accumulation of these little flecks has brought me great wealth."

I think this story illustrates more than just gold mining techniques. There is spiritual gold all around us! Wealth of a more eternal and lasting value is at our finger tips. But most people don't know where to find it. They search and search for what is not to be found. They long for the joy that will accompany such fortune and become discouraged at their lack of results. But like the young, inexperienced gold miner we need the help of one who knows where to find the gold! I want to testify and witness to all who read this post that The Book of Mormon and the Gospel of Jesus Christ are the "gold" that the world is searching for! It might not be in the form they think it should be (aka Nuggets) but is true and will bring great wealth in the lives of all those who read and live it! Read it here for yourself!

A call for the world to return to Virtue!

"I truly believe that one virtuous young woman or young man, led by the Spirit, can change the world. But in order to do so we must return to virtue. Virtue is based on high moral standards. It encompasses chastity and moral purity. It is the accumulation of thousands of small decisions and actions. NOW is the time to prepare. We must engage in strict training by exercising more self discipline. A return to virtue must begin individually, in our hearts and in our homes. Lay aside the things of the world. Believe that ye must repent! Always remember (Jesus Christ) and keep his commandments. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, of good report or praiseworthy we seek after these things! LET VIRTUE GARNISH THY THOUGHTS UNCEASINGLY!" (Excerpts from Guardians of Virtue by Elaine S Dalton) 

What the world needs most right now is individuals, families, and communities who are willing to stand for virtue! To make a real difference in the world around you stand up for what you believe! In the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ, in 2 Nephi 33:10 it says "And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good."

Prayer is a Passport to PEACE!

Prayer is a gift given to us as a way to communicate our inner most feelings and desires to our creator and the creator of all the universe! Though at times we feel inadequate and not worthy of this gift I want to promise you that those times are when we need prayer the most! I want to declare that God, our loving Heavenly Father, loves each of us so perfectly and wants to hear from us and to help and guide us every day! I love this quote! 
"To those within the sound of my voice who are struggling with challenges and difficulties large and small, prayer is the provider of spiritual strength; it is the passport to peace. Prayer is the means by which we approach our Father in Heaven, who loves us. Speak to Him in prayer and then listen for the answer. Miracles are wrought through prayer." Pres. Thomas S. Monson
I know this is true and bear this witness in the name of Jesus Christ Amen!

Mercies in disguise

I love this song and the message it contains! I know that I have seen the Lord's hand in my life through the trials I have faced and think of them as some of my greatest blessings!  I hope as you go through the rough times that come with life you will turn to the savior of the world Jesus Christ and allow him to mold you into all you have the capacity to become! I know that the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ is proof that God loves all of his children and wants to bless each of us everyday! Want to read it for yourself? Click here! :)