Finding Answers from God.

"Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him."

(John 7:16-18)

Missionaries, like me, are called to teach Christ's doctrine, not our own. The same promise that Christ gave to those He taught is true today. If anyone will take what he has taught, and act on it, they will find out for themselves if it is from God. The key to tell if a minister is of God or not is where he points you to find answers. Does he point you to look heavenward for the answers to the questions of your heart and soul, or does he point you to himself as the source of all the answers? If he points you to God and gives Him the glory you can know that he is a good minister. I pray that all men will accept my invitation to act and read from The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ and see for themselves from God that it is true. I promise that any who read with a sincere desire to know will be able to learn from on High that it is indeed the word and work of God in our latter days! This is not my doctrine, nor the doctrine of man, but it is the doctrine of Christ and this is his work. Ask Him, you will come to know as you act in faith. 

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Freedom from Sin

"But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage."

(Mosiah 7:33)

This verse to me shows how forgiving the Lord is in every case. The verses before talk about all the sins that this people had committed and how they are now in bondage to another people, but the promise is extended that "if [we] will turn unto the Lord" and do all we can to serve Him. When the time is right, He will bring us out of the prisons of our lives and put us in the light of His perfect love and set us free from all the world and the sins thereof. Will you leave behind your sins and follow the Savior? I promise that He will deliver you from what you struggle with if you will only give yourself over to Him and accept His will in your life. 

What are you sowing?

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

(Galatians 6:7-9)

Our minds are like a field and our thoughts are like the seeds we can sow, or plant, in that field. Thoughts lead to actions is what I get from this scripture. If our thoughts are centered in anger, lust, envy, or any other things that are of the "flesh" we will reap more and more of those things until we ourselves become an outward expression of our inner negative thoughts. However, if our thoughts are full of charity, love, giving, and other qualities that come from the Spirit of God we will grow greater in knowledge and in Spirit giving us the ability to grow virtues in the field of our mind. We will not weary in well doing as we cultivate the crops of humility and patience as well as those of sympathy and self-control. May the Lord help us to sow good seeds so that we may find His attributes and fruits becoming evident in our lives. In His name, Jesus Christ. Amen.

"My soul did long to be there"

Repentance is a change in how we act, think, and feel about ourselves, the world, and our Savior. I wanted to show one of my favorite accounts about repentance and the amazing changes it can bring to our lives. The whole story is found in The Book of Mormon to be brief I will only share two small parts of the whole story beginning with how Alma felt before repentance and then how he felt after coming unto Christ. (See Alma 36)

"...in fine so great had been my iniquities, that the very thought of coming into the presence of my God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror." (Verse 14)

"...I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea, and my soul did long to be there." (Verse 22)

I know that as we turn ourselves to Christ and change our lives to fit in with His will that we will be able to always be filled with that hope and longing to be with Him. "Remember, repentance is not punishment. It is the hope-filled path to a more glorious future" (Personal Strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ -Elder Richard G. Scott). I know that repentance is the path to happiness and peace. May we all become better in our lives so that we can always be on that upward path!

"Good tidings of great joy"

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
(Luke 2:8-11 KJV)

This is the wonderful time of year when we celebrate the birth of Christ. I love how we are told to "fear not" but to rejoice because of the birth of Christ. I know that Christ was born all those years ago. I am grateful for His life, His death, and His resurrection which make it so that all of us can grow and become more like Him. I know that He lives today. Merry Christmas!

Mormon.org/Christmas