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.