Communication with the Almighty!

Prayer. What a gift! The All Powerful, All Knowing, Miraculous Maker of the Universe commands us, miniscule creatures, to talk to Him... Daily! Now why in the world would He do that?! Well that answer come from knowing who we are and our relationship to God. He is our Father. The Father of our Spirits, who knows and loves us perfectly. The Bible Dictionary tell us, "As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are His children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part." So prayer is really a way to talk to our Father.

My Dad!

I remember when I went away to college my dad would have killed me if I didn't call him AT LEAST once a day! After all I was his little girl! In the same way we are God's children and He hates being away from us. He knew that we needed this time away to learn and grow but He still wants to hear from us daily! Now that is what I call love.
The hardest thing about prayer is what Moroni says is praying with a sincere heart and real intent, having faith in Christ. (Moroni 10:4) We must pray in such a way that we are really seeking for a relationship with God and that we will do whatever He tells us to. If we ask for an answer and then won't act upon that answer, He won't give it to us. We must be willing to follow His guidance. That for me has been one of the hardest things to do. Let me share an experience.
Recently I have had to ponder where I need to apply for college. I have truly sought for the answer from Heavenly Father and received my answer! I immediately applied for school and we will see how it goes! In contrast when I was applying for school when I was in high school I was set on going to a certain university. While I asked for guidance, I was not willing to change my answer so Heavenly Father allowed me to decide where to go. While I loved that university and the experience was necessary, I now recognize that that was a decision made on my own and not through the spirit.
I know that prayer is the way we can speak to our Father in Heaven, receive answers and peace, and a commandment to build a relationship with Him. When we pray we are getting to know God and in turn He can show how much he knows and loves us.

John Smith... no wait Joseph Smith! That one guy who did something!

On my mission one of the most frequently asked questions is who is John Smith and why is he important? So I'm going to say it loud and clear so everyone can hear! Joseph Smith is a prophet of God who was called to restore Christ's church again on the Earth! That was pretty bold, right? It is true! His story is one of the most humbling experiences and proof that God still talks to His children.
Joseph Smith was a humble boy who, at the age of 14, was concerned about what church he should join. When I was 14 I was way more concerned about my glasses then my spiritual welfare, but he was a boy who wanted to know God's will and so he sought for it. He studied the scriptures and came across James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." Joseph Smith pondered and applied this into his life. He offered a humble prayer and what occurred has changed the history of mankind. In his own words,

I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! (Jospeh Smith History 1: 16-17).

Joseph Smith saw our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ. They spoke with him and they counseled him to not join any of the churches. Joseph Smith went on in his life to restore the true Church of Christ and to bring back the lost truths of the gospel. 
Of course, the fear is there if this is a false prophet, but scripture tells us that by his "fruits ye shall know them" (Matt 7:20). The fruit of Joseph Smith is the Book of Mormon and the worldwide church known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. One latter prophet John Taylor said,

"Joseph Smith, the prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth . . . He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood." (Doctrine and Covenants 135: 3)

I invite everyone to learn more about the prophet Joseph Smith and his remarkable miraculous story. Learn of the humble boy who became the spokesperson for the Lord in these latter days. Then act as he and ask of God.

#josephsmith 

Becoming a Mom??

A couple months ago our mission president asked us if we would each set a vision for ourselves for
the end of our missions. We were to prayerfully set a vision, goal, and plan for how we wanted to to become who God wanted us to become. As I prayed and pondered what kept coming to my mind was that everything I was learning on my mission was preparing me to become a mom. I recognized that this was my goal in life. I just want to become the best mom I could! As I set my vision I realized I had the best examples in my life! My mom, sisters, aunts and grandmas. They have all taught me the ways of becoming wonderful moms. Here are just a few of those examples:

My mom, some of her sisters and my Grandma!

1. My mom was always so supportive of my extracurricular activities. I had hundreds of performances and she came to every one of them! She always helped me to become a better performer and a better student.
2. My mom allowed me to use my agency and grow on my own. I have always been an individual and my mom was the best and teaching by example and then allowing me to discover the truth on my own.
3. Family always came first in my home. No matter what stresses or other problems arise, our family always was the top priority to my mom.
4. My aunts taught me that it is important to ALWAYS have chocolate on hand! This is key to a happy family.
5. My mom, sister and grandmas have always shown me the importance of hard work.  They have all worked hard to help support their families and to show to their children the importance of it.
6. My sister always made sure my niece had the most fun possible! Whether from painting outside without clothing on, to singing jingle bells to her favorite aunt:)
7. My family has always been the best at sharing their testimonies of the gospel and the blessings that come from it. That has helped me the most to grow my own testimony.

 The Sista's

 

There are so many other ways my family has shown me how to become a great mom. One day (in the far far future) I will have the opportunity to hopefully show my future daughter what it is all about too!
I am so grateful that the gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us how to be with our families forever! It allows us to develop lasting family relationships that will last for the eternities. Without my family I would be a disaster! I am so grateful for them!

#familiesareforever #familytheproclamationtotheworld

Lay hold upon the word of God

Today when I was reading in Helaman I came across a scripture that I have always loved! Helaman 3: 29-30. It says

Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked—

And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out.

What an incredible promise! If we lay hold upon the word of God we will be lead to the right hand of God! Now that is a end that we all want. I was struck by that idea of laying hold upon the word of God and what it really meant. I know we are commanded to read the scriptures daily and apply them, but is that all it means to lay hold? As I pondered I was struck by how important it is to make the word of God apart of you. To study, know and live the word is key to being able to lay claim on the blessings found in it. Laying hold is grasping firmly and never letting go. It is the same way with our testimonies. We need to grasp hold to the things we know and live for them. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the key to ending at the right hand of God and the only way to have that key is to engulf yourself in the very source of it. I know that by laying hold of the word of God we can receive greater knowledge, a sense of peace and healing. (Jacob 2:8).  I am so grateful for the scriptures that teach us of this word and how to apply it. I am also grateful for a living prophet who speaks for God today and gives us His most recent word. I know that through living the word of God we can lay claim on those blessings found in Helaman. 

Resolutions!

New Years Resolutions!  New year resolutions are amazing ways to start fresh today. The world today uses resolutions as a way to set vague goals that may or may not come true. Resolutions are also seen as a way to better oneself when it comes to the worldly statuses of life. What a better way to use this fresh clean year then to work towards becoming more Christlike. Resolutions are an amazing opportunity to change and become more like our Savior Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven. As I set my resolutions this year I thought of what my mission president suggested "go to the mount" as Nephi did (1 Nephi 18:3) to find out from God (who already knows what you need to accomplish) what your goals should be. Nephi "went to the mount oft" and received miraculous direction, unrealistic direction, direction that blessed him throughout the eternities. Don't settle for mediocrity. Dare to be great" (President Riggs).
We can each set goals that will increase our ability to be a disciple of Christ and return home to our Father in Heaven.
Here are some of my new year resolutions for 2014:
~ Study a Christlike attribute every month and set goals to improve in that attribute.
~ Learn to receive, recognize and act upon impressions from the Holy Ghost
~ Become a better daughter and sister - learn to serve selflessly for the better of my family

What are some of your resolutions?

Christmas.. a little late.. oops!

I know this is a little past the Christmas season but lets be real we should be thinking about Christ year round so it works! This year when I was reading the story of Christ's birth I was once again struck by the faithfulness and loyalty of Mary. She was a young woman who was innocent and believed in God. She had no doubt that God could bless her. When the angel Gabriel came to her to tell her she would become the mother of the Son of God her responsive was, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word" (Luke 1: 38). She did not doubt or voice concern, instead she accepted the calling and allowed us to see how we should also accept the will of the Lord. We are all His servants and will forever be indebted to Him. If we understand that we will understand the necessity and the ability we all have to follow the will of the Lord.
I also loved later in the chapter when Mary says "my soul does magnify the Lord" (Luke 1: 46). Mary understood that her actions and her very spirit could magnify our Savior. She could be the example and leader that He needed her to be. And she was just that! I wish I could take just an hour and observe Mary. I would observe how she taught, spoke, thought, and how she worshiped her God. She does exemplify the way we should all magnify our Lord.
I am so grateful for Mary and her faithfulness that allowed her to become the mother of my Savior! I won't lie I am grateful that I did not have such a trial placed upon me. I am grateful for the example she showed to me of how to magnify our Lord.

The Book of Mormon!

Alrighty listen up ya'll! I have to stop these posts to tell you about the incredible blessing of the Book of Mormon! It blows my mind that Heavenly Father loves us enough to give us so much of His word. He does loves us and the Book of Mormon proves that. There is power in this book. It applies to every situation in our life. It transforms us into the people Heavenly Father needs us to be. It has changed my life. It has turned me from someone who struggled even knowing God was there to someone who stands as a representative of Him. It has changed me from a typical annoying teenager into an optimistic happy individual who is confident. It allows me to become sanctified and purified and it can do the same for you. If you have not read this incredible book, DO IT! Now. Not tomorrow but today! It is the very word of God brought forth to strengthen us today and you can know that for yourself! There is a promise in the Book of Mormon that says:

 3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would 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, and having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

I know that by following this promise you can know the truth of the Book of Mormon!
It is true. It is blue. It can transform you!
#BookofMormon