The Holy Ghost: My Constant Companion.

On my trip to Puerto Rico for Christmas, my sister and I played tennis a few times at the club they had. It was very fun, and tiring. I found that when I played with my CTR ring, it would impede my ability to swing the right way and it hurt my finger. So today, I took it off. Then at the end, I was dripping in sweat from the heat. So I quickly packed up my stuff, and headed to the car. My family came to watch because we were leaving for San Juan right after we finished playing. While in the car, we were putting the address into the GPS, and was then prompted by the Holy Ghost that I left my CTR ring on the court. I quickly ran to the court, relieved to find it under the bench on the court. I suppose it fell through and that's why I didn't pack it. If I didn't find it, I would have been very sad because I find my CTR ring as a great reminder to always be doing good. If I don't have it on, I feel weird. It's a part of me. If I had not been in tune with the Spirit today, I would have left it. I encourage everyone to always be in tune with the Spirit. In this last General Conference, Elder Quentin L. Cook stated: "We will have the Holy Ghost as our guide for spiritual direction." To those who have been baptized into this Church, do you use this sacred gift in your everyday life? If you do, don't take it for granted any longer. I know that if we do this we will be blessed. The Lord wants us to be blessed and is joyful when we do the right things. I love this Church. I wouldn't give it up for anything. I hope that all will be willing to hear this amazing message. And I say this all in Jesus Christ's name, Amen. 

Patterns of Light: Spirit of Revelation

It's been too long, I need to finish this series. :) David A. Bednar describes the patterns by which our prayers are answered and receive revelation from God. He likens it unto a light being turned on in a room. The room is dark, and with the turn of a light switch, it is filled with light. This is a rarer occasion. The common occurrence is more gradual, like a sunrise. Slowly, the darkness disappears and the light encompasses the are around you. He says that sometimes receiving inspiration is like a foggy day. The light penetrates it, and it gives you enough light to take a few steps forward. "Jesus Christ is the Light of the world, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened." I would much rather follow Christ than be in darkness. Make your choice today. As my EFY (church summer camp) Director said, cut the distance in half everyday towards Christ. It is very hard to have a good connection with Him suddenly. It's in little steps. Cut the distance in half.

Attitude of Gratitude

Hello everyone! I cannot wait for tomorrow! Food is not what I'm looking forward to most, but being thankful for all the things that we have. I am a victim of this myself, but we need to thank our Heavenly Father for the smallest things.  We live in a world where some of our friends are living in terrible conditions, and we may not even know it. If we serve our fellow men, we will be blessed. President Thomas S. Monson asked, "My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love." I love our Prophet. He is so great. He holds the keys of the Church on this Earth today and I am grateful for his selfless service. I think that we would all want to feel of God's love. I know from personal experience that there is a time in our lives where we need that love. And other times, it's a bonus! 

President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives.” I hope that we will all be grateful for what we are blessed with. In Monson's talk (An Attitude of Gratitude), he explains six important things that we should be thankful for. I would like to pick some important points from each of those to share with you today.

First, he says we should be grateful for is our mothers. "One writer summed up our love for mother when he declared, "God could not be everywhere, and so He gave us mothers."" I love my mom. She does miracles for me every day. I would hope that we all will thank our mothers this holiday season for all of their sacrifice in order to bless our lives. Thanks Mom. 

Second, Monson encourages us to thank, you guessed it, our fathers. "Father, like Mother, is ever willing to sacrifice his own comfort for that of his children. Daily he toils to provide the necessities of life, never complaining, ever concerned for the well-being of his family. This love for children, this desire to see them well and happy, is a constant in a time of change." My dad works so hard everyday. And I hope to be like him one day. Thanks Dad.

The third blessing we have, is our teachers. "The teacher not only shapes the expectations and ambitions of pupils; the teacher also influences their attitudes toward their future and themselves." I am grateful for the teachers in my life. I have had so many. You have all helped me to learn so much. You have pushed me to learn and keep learning about whatever the subject may be. I would also like to thank not necessarily my teachers only, but anyone that has ever helped me a tiny bit in my life. Without any of you guys, life would've been more tough. Thanks Teachers/Helpers.

The next important thing we should be grateful for is our friends. "True friends put up with our idiosyncrasies (faults). They have a profound influence in our lives." I am so thankful for all of the friends that have been in my life. Who have helped me cheer up when I have been feeling low, helped me to understand something, and just being there. My best friend will be my wife, but at this moment in my life, my best friend, is the coolest person I have ever met. He has ignored all of my faults and has been 'chill' with my shortcomings. Although he is a little younger than me (less than two weeks), to me, he's at least a couple years older. I look up to him like an older brother. I hope that our friendship will last through eternity. Thanks Best Friend.

The fifth blessing that the Prophet urges us to give thanks to is our country. "The feelings of heartfelt gratitude for the supreme sacrifice made by so many cannot be confined to a Memorial Day, a military parade, or a decorated grave." I would like to thank all of our veterans and any of those serving at this time for their courage and sacrifice for their service. It means a great deal to me that there are people in this world willing to fight for their country. I do not think I could ever do it. They gave us our freedom of speech, religion, and countless other freedoms that we would not have without them. Thanks Soldiers.

The last thing that President Monson wants us to be grateful for is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.    "His glorious gospel provides answers to life’s greatest questions: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where does my spirit go when I die? His called missionaries bring to those who live in darkness the light of divine truth . . ." I am so so grateful for this Gospel. It brings me comfort to know that there is more to this life. I cannot wait to be a missionary and proclaim its truth to all of the world. 

I love The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. If I did not have it, I would not be as happy as I usually am. I have no idea where I would be. I am grateful for all of the sacrifices that Joseph Smith made for us to have this Gospel on the Earth again today. I know that Heavenly Father lives, and if we pray to Him, we will feel of His divine and eternal love. And I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Be Like A Rock.

During Seminary (a church class for teens 14-18 that is 5 days a week) this year, we are studying the New Testament. I'm learning so much every day by learning more and more of Christ's minsitry and teachings. I'm really grateful for my amazing teacher because she brings the Spirit into the class everyday and I have an enjoyable time there. We are now in Luke. And one of my favorite scriptures so far in that book is Luke 6:48 - which reads: "He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock." I love this scripture. It is a call to action. First, we must work to get a good foundation. We can't just sit around and expect to have a strong testimony or be able to say no due to peer pressure. We must "dig deep" and exercise faith that we will have that great foundation to set our lives upon. What is this foundation? Well, it is studying the scriptures every day, obeying His commandments, serving others, and being an "example of the believers. . ." (1 Timothy 4:12). We must do this in our everyday lives because it is our armor. Put on the armor of God. Once we have done so, we will go out into the world. It's going to be hard, no one said that it would be easy. The "stream [will] beat vehemently upon that house". It is inevitable. We need to be strong. Satan targets us when we are outside because we are not with our family. We are weakest when we are alone. Always behave in a way that you would, even if you're alone. Christ is always watching. He knows you more than you know yourself. He is the way to get back to our Heavenly Father, through His atonement, and we cannot throw away that gift and blessing by heeding to Satan's temptations. Whenever you make a good decision, you make Satan angry. And if there is one person that you want to make angry, it's him. If we succeed in defeating Satan today, and the next day, and for months, he "could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock." It is my hope and prayer that we all put on the armor of God in our everyday lives, to stand up and fight against Satan. We must be like a rock. I say that in the name of Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Baptism: The First Step on the Path to Eternal Life

Tonight I will be giving my first ever talk at one of my friend's baptism! :) Hope you enjoy!

What is baptism? Baptism is “the first saving ordinance of the gospel and is necessary for an individual to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to receive eternal salvation. All who seek eternal life must follow the example of the Savior by being baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.” [Church definition] (A good scripture: Alma 7:14-15). When we are baptized, we promise God that we will take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, keep His commandments, and serve Him to the end. How do we take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ? We do so by striving to be like Christ in our everyday lives.

From the bible, we learn that Christ is a Counselor, a Friend, and the Light of the World. In our day-to-day lives, we can be like Christ. A Counselor, a Friend to all, and a Light to the World. How do we keep his commandments? We try to be the best people we can be. We try to stay in safe places where Satan cannot tempt us. We can serve Him by serving others. In Matthew 25:40 it reads: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” No one on this Earth is perfect. But as long as we try, we are blessed. We get the opportunity to be cleansed and renew our baptismal covenants every week with the sacrament. Every time we take the sacrament, we have a clean slate. It’s like being baptized all over again! And we can take it every week!

And when we are baptized, we must press forward. In 2 Nephi 31, it explains it much better than I do. “And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save. 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.” I know that this Gospel is true. We  can live with God again. Families CAN be together forever. And I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

 

A Great Missionary Opportunity! And for others: Great for Answers!

ATTENTION: 

                            You're invited (EVERYONE) to The Church of Jesus Christ of
                              Latter Day Saints on November 1st, 2012 for an Open House! 

What: The Mormons Next Door.. (title)

Time: 7:00 pm. 

Where: 2930 Townline Rd. Perry, OH 44077

Some questions that will be answered:
- Are Mormons Christians?
- What is the Book of Mormon?
- Can families be together forever?
- Why is Kirtland, Ohio important and what happened there?

If you have any questions please feel free to call:

(440) 228-9181

(440) 796-3764

REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED. (Now you want to come....)


PLEEEEAASEEEE SHARE THIS WITH ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!!!!!!!! Whether it be by status, text, tweet, email etc. We want to get the word out!!!!

Let us Recommit Ourselves to the Gospel.

“I am pleased to announce that effective immediately all worthy and able young men who have graduated from high school or its equivalent, regardless of where they live, will have the option of being recommended for missionary service beginning at the age of 18, instead of age 19. I am not suggesting that all young men will—or should—serve at this earlier age.” This was President Thomas S. Monson’s announcement in his opening remarks at this past General Conference.  When I first heard this, I was wondering if it was a dream. When I finally realized that it wasn’t, (this was a few days later…) I was so excited. It puts things that much closer for me. I’ll be in the field in 3 years! It really is causing me to be more focused on the Gospel because I want to be a good missionary and we all should recommit ourselves to preparing for a mission. “Perspective missionaries will be asked to enhance and improve and take more seriously, their pre-mission preparation. This should include: total personal worthiness, supplemented by gospel study of the Book of Mormon and the Standard works of the Church, seminary classes, and systematic study of the missionary handbook, Preach My Gospel.” (Jeffrey R. Holland). I have also realized that I need to be making the right choices in my everyday life, because one bad choice can hurt me along the way.

I know that because of this announcement I must(among a few):
1. Study His Gospel everyday
2. Learn to teach how Christ teaches
3. Try my hardest now to love everyone
4. Be more selfless
5. Always have the Spirit to be with me (never be in a place where it is hard to hear his still small voice.
6. Establish a good connection with my Father in Heaven through daily prayer.

In D&C 11:21 it reads: “Seek not to ^adeclare my word, but first seek to ^bobtain my ^cword, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my ^dSpirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the ^econvincing of men.” Jeffrey R. Holland insight in this new announcement is as follows: “It means that God is hastening His work. And He needs more and more willing and worthy missionaries to spread the light and the truth and the hope and the salvation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to an often dark and fearful world.” We need to commit ourselves to being completely worthy as Elder Holland has advised us. God only sends the most worthy to do His work. (D&C 105:35 - There has been a day of ^acalling, but the time has come for a day of choosing; and let those be chosen that are ^bworthy.) Russell M. Nelson in his talk at this conference gives the youth of the church some counsel. “All missionaries, younger and older, serve with the sole hope of making life better for other people. The decision to serve a mission will shape the spiritual destiny of the missionary, his or her spouse, and their posterity for generations to come.” I know that this Church is true and that this new announcement was indeed inspiration from Heaven and we need to answer the Lord's call. I love this Gospel and I cannot wait to get out and preach the truth unto the world. And I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

P.S. Here is a link to this past conference, if you did not get a chance to hear all of conference, I strongly urge you to do so! It is so awesome! https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2012/10?lang=eng

Patterns of Light: Discerning Light

In the second video, Bednar is discussing discerning the inspiration from the Holy Ghost, and just an everyday thought. He says: "Everything that entices us to do good and to be good comes from the Holy Ghost. So everyday, whenever you feel the need to help someone either by holding the door open or helping them to understand something, both of which you are not obligated to do, is the Holy Ghost. He also informs that God should not have to get our attention in obvious ways. We should always be in a place where we will be able to hear His still small voice. In this ever busy world, we need to put the Kingdom of God first. What helps me personally is asking myself what it is like for other people that don't have the Gospel. They don't know why they are actually here, where they are going after they die, and how they even came to be. But with the Gospel, we know. So let's not take that for granted. We have been chosen to be on this Earth at this time for a reason. One is to spread the gospel to our friends. You would be surprised who is watching you and needing that comfort that the Gospel brings. To get back on topic, Bednar says that "Any person, anywhere in the world can and is influenced by the Holy Ghost. He is our conscience that warns us of things that are not right and what we should do. He can also confirm spiritual truths. Like if we want to know if the Book of Mormon is true. 
"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ^aask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not ^btrue; and if ye shall ask with a ^csincere heart, with ^dreal intent, having ^efaith in Christ, he will ^fmanifest the^gtruth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may ^aknow the ^btruth of all things." (Moroni 10:4-5)

I know that if we are in an environment where we can feel the Spirit that the Holy Ghost will never lead us astray. He wants what is best for us. I love this Church with all of my heart. It gives me comfort beyond belief. I cannot wait for this Saturday to hear from our Living Prophet President Thomas S. Monson. I hope that you will heed to his words and to everyone's words this upcoming weekend. They have pondered over their subjects and their messages are truly inspired. And I say that in the name of my Beloved Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Patterns of Light: Part I

Elder David A Bednar, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, talks about patterns of light, and it is separated into three separate videos. Part 1 discusses The Light of Christ. He explains light as radiance. He has some really awesome points about how light and darkness work together (I don't want to ruin it for you! :) ) He says that the Light of Christ is an influence to do good. And everyone is influenced by it. Even if you don't think you are, dude, you are. It comes as a thought to help someone in need, like a service conscience! As he concludes, he warns us of the consequences of disobedience and the blessings that we can have if we listen to His still small voice. There is also a scripture reference from Doctrine and Covenants that I challenge you all to think about. It is D&C 50:24. I love this video so much and I encourage you to study about Christ's life, because as you do, you will learn of Him and as a result, become closer to Him. I am so happy to a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is such a blessing! If you have never heard of us, go to mormon.org RIGHT NOW. You will be blessed if you do this and as you continue to live righteously throughout your lives. Let's all have the Light of Christ! And I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.



 Patterns of Light: The Light of Christ

Honesty is the BEST Policy!

Hello again! :) This time I would like to talk about Honesty. This principle is key to not only the LDS Church but to life itself! If you are not honest, you can lose your job or lose a life-long friend. In our Church, "^aWe believe in being ^bhonest, true, ^cchaste, ^dbenevolent, virtuous, and in doing ^egood to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we ^fhope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to^gendure all things. If there is anything ^hvirtuous, ⁱlovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." (Articles of Faith -13) If we are honest with ourselves, others, and the Lord, he will be pleased and we will be blessed. To those who have started your school up, it is not good to cheat. Because even if no one sees you cheat, Christ knows you did. And whenever I think about it, it reminds me of a primary song, If the Savior Stood Beside Me. Here's the first verse:

"If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do?
Would I think of His commandments and try harder to be true?
Would I follow His example? Would I live more righteously 
if I could the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?"

I love the words to that song. I didn't realize it while singing it in Primary, but pondering on those words makes me want to make the right choices all the time. I hope that you think the same. We need to make this a part of our daily lives. Not just on Sundays or whenever we feel like it. Now is the time to live righteously. I would like to conclude with the words of Nephi: "I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell." (2 Nephi 33:6) 

May we always "glory in truth" and live righteous lives. I love talking about it and sharing it because it strengthens my testimony immensely! I love this Church and everything that it has done for me. The happiness it has brought into my life is beyond belief. I know that President Thomas S. Monson is the true and living Prophet on this Earth today, and I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, Our Redeemer, Amen.

The Plan of Happiness! :)

Have you ever wondered, Where we came from? Why we're here? And what the point is to life? Well I have the answer for you! In our church, we believe that we lived in the presence of God before Earth, and that we will return to him one day. In the "premortal life" as we call it, we were all spirits and living with God. Our elder brother, had a plan for us (Jesus Christ). His plan for us was to come here on this Earth, not knowing where we came from, and having agency (the right and power to choose). We would be on Earth to be tested our willingness to follow our Savior. We could choose whatever we wanted. There was not just one plan though. Satan or Lucifer, suggested that we have no agency, that we would follow Christ no matter what. All of Satan's followers were cast out of heaven and sent to outer darkness. Those who chose to follow Christ's plan, came down to Earth to receive a body and continue on our path to come back to Him. That means all of you chose to follow Christ before! Isn't that great?!?!?! LDS.org explains our mortal life very weel so I'll just quote them: "We are now experiencing mortal life. Our spirits are united with our bodies, giving us opportunities to grow and develop in ways that were not possible in premortal life. This part of our existence is a time of learning in which we can prove ourselves, choose to come unto Christ, and prepare to be worthy of eternal life. It is also a time when we can help others find the truth and gain a testimony of the plan of salvation." So after we die, our bodies stay on Earth and our spirits go back to heaven. In Alma 40:11 it states: " Now, concerning the ^astate of the soul between ^bdeath and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are ^ctaken ^dhome to that God who gave them life." This is one of my favorite scriptures of all time. It just gives me so much peace. I LOVE IT. We will at this point remember premortal life! We are either in two places, Paradise, or Spirit Prison. Now it isn't actually a prison, it is where those who have not had the opportunity to hear of the Gospel have the chance to accept it, or those who did not accept it on Earth, have a second chance. Those who followed Christ on Earth, are the teachers. We get to teach others in heaven! After this, we will all be resurrected. Because Christ took upon all the sins of the World through the Atonement we can become like Him. Our bodies will reunite with our spirits and the we will be judged. Our Savior will be judging us. Now our Savior is merciful and we will be judged fairly. We will see all of our wrongdoings, and be placed into 1 of 3 kingdoms: Celestial, Terrestial, and Telestial. Celestial is the one we are aiming for. If we are in this kingdom, we will live in the presence of God forever and ever. I think everyone would want that! In this kingdom, we also can live with our families and friends for time and all eternity! And even the telestial kingdom, the lowest of the three, is greater in glory than the Earth! I cannot even begin to imagine how great that will be and I look forward to it. Our Savior's Plan gives me comfort and I am happier every day having this knowledge. I hope that we all Come unto Him and endure to the end. Through the Atonement, we can be made perfect. I know that that is true. And I love this Gospel so much. And I say that in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

P.S. - Here is the website that explains The Plan of  Happiness much better than I do! http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?locale=0&sourceId=45af9daac5d98010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=bbd508f54922d010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

Seeking First the Kingdom of God.

Sorry it has been so long! I'm still pretty busy. The one thing that I have learned recently, heard a lot, and challenge you to test for yourself as I have, is to Seek First the Kingdom of God. If we do so, we are promised that all of our earthly capacities will increase. (Matthew 6:33 - "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.") That is a great promise. This promise can include any aspect of your life. Whether it be physical, mental, emotional, social or spiritual; "...all these things shall be added unto you." We need to have a strong faith in this promise. Our Heavenly Father wants the best for us and sometimes that means putting us through trials that we don't like. But it is for the best and it will make us even stronger than we could ever imagine. We must have the patience when we ask for things. The Lord may give us those blessings instantly when we seek for His Kingdom, but we may have to wait a little. We need to have a close and personal relationship with our Heavenly Father through daily prayer and scripture study. If we do so, the Lord will teach us and reveal important things unto us that we need at that particualr moment in our lives. I would hope that all of you would apply this in your life because from my personal experience of doing so, it has made my life much more rewarding, happy, and enjoyable. I love this Church and I have NO clue what I would do without it. I would be totally lost. I know that the Book of Mormon is the most true book upon the Earth and "if you pray with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ that the truth will be manifested unto you." I know that families can be together forever, and that God has a plan for us. I know that Joseph Smith did restore The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day-Saints upon the earth. And I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

During Times of Trial: Come unto Him.

Everyone faces trials in this world. Even if it is not being able to find the right outfit to wear to school the next day, or battling a tough illness. Our Heavenly Father cares about the smallest things. And of course the harder trials we have. If we turn to Him through our trials, we will be blessed. But we must remember, that answers/blessings come to us in the Lord's time. So we need to have patience and endure our trials.

Sometimes members of the Church wonder why a certain trial is happening to them. However, the Lord gives us trials so we can learn and grow. He never gives us anything we cannot handle. He is here for us to turn to. President Henry B. Eyring, says it much better than I ever could. Below is an excerpt from his talk from the previous conference titled, "Mountains to Climb":

"Now, I wish to encourage those who are in the midst of hard trials, who feel their faith may be fading under the onslaught of troubles. Trouble itself can be your way to strengthen and finally gain unshakable faith. Moroni, the son of Mormon in the Book of Mormon, told us how that blessing could come to pass. He teaches the simple and sweet truth that acting on even a twig of faith allows God to grow it:

“And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

“For it was by faith that Christ showed himself unto our fathers, after he had risen from the dead; and he showed not himself unto them until after they had faith in him; wherefore, it must needs be that some had faith in him, for he showed himself not unto the world.

“But because of the faith of men he has shown himself unto the world, and glorified the name of the Father, and prepared a way that thereby others might be partakers of the heavenly gift, that they might hope for those things which they have not seen.

“Wherefore, ye may also have hope, and be partakers of the gift, if ye will but have faith."

 It is never too late to strengthen the foundation of faith. There is always time. With faith in the Savior, you can repent and plead for forgiveness. There is someone you can forgive. There is someone you can thank. There is someone you can serve and lift. You can do it wherever you are and however alone and deserted you may feel."

I am grateful for the prophets and apostles that we have on this Earth and I hope that we heed to their words. And I know that we can overcome any trial with Christ by our side. And I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

"How Men Are Saved."

Christ wants all of us to be saved. We have the Atonement to give us the ability to become perfect through Him. In 2 Nephi 25:23 it says, "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." Isn't that a great promise? After all that we do, we will be saved. We are commanded in Matthew 5:48 to be perfect, but we know that it is not possible. That is why we have the Atonement so we can become clean again. And once we become clean, we can enter into the kingdom of our Father. Marion G. Romney, in October 1974 Conference, gives a rather long quotation, that after reading it, I must include the whole thing. So I will conclude with that: "The reward for understanding and implementing what I will read will be eternal life, the greatest of all the gifts of God. Addressing his brethren, he said:

“I know that ye have searched much, many of you, to know of things to come; wherefore I know that ye know that our flesh must waste away and die; nevertheless, in our bodies we shall see God.

“Yea, I know that ye know that in the body he shall show himself unto those at Jerusalem [he was talking, as I said, some nearly 600 years B.C.] from whence we came; for it is expedient that it should be among them; for it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him.

“For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord.

“Wherefore, it [meaning the atonement which Christ was to make for man’s transgressions] must needs be an infinite atonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more.

“O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace! For behold, if the flesh should rise no more our spirits must become subject to that angel who fell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and became the devil, to rise no more.

“And our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our God, and to remain with the father of lies, in misery, like unto himself; …

“And because of the way of deliverance of our God, the Holy One of Israel, … death, … which is … temporal, shall deliver up its dead; which death is the grave.

“And … death … which is … spiritual … shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell; [that’s an interesting definition, to be shut off from the presence of God is literally hell] wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their dead, and hell must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel.

“O how great the plan of our God! For … the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls, having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect.

“Wherefore, we shall have a perfect knowledge of all our guilt, and our uncleanness, and our nakedness; and the righteous shall have a perfect knowledge of their enjoyment, and their righteousness, being clothed with purity, yea, even with the robe of righteousness.

“And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from this first death unto life, insomuch as they have become immortal, they must appear before the judgment-seat of the Holy One of Israel; and then cometh the judgment, and then must they be judged according to the holy judgment of God.

“And assuredly, as the Lord liveth, … they who are righteous shall be righteous still, and they who are filthy shall be filthy still; … and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever and has no end.

“But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever.

“O the greatness of the mercy of our God, the Holy One of Israel! For he delivereth his saints from that awful monster the devil, and death, and hell, and that lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment.

“O how great the holiness of our God! …

“And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam.

“And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day.

“And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.” (2 Ne. 9:4–9, 11–16, 18–23.)

On the other hand, those who will “repent and believe in his name, and be baptized in his name, and endure to the end” shall be saved. (2 Ne. 9:24.)"  (https://www.lds.org/ensign/1974/11/how-men-are-saved?lang=eng) 

I know that this Church is true and that only through Him can we be saved, and I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.