5 QTs - Scripture Study: Make it Real.

QTs stand for quick thoughts. So I thought on this Thanksgiving Day I would do a quick post so you all can spend more time with your family. What are you grateful for? One of the things I am most grateful for are the scriptures that lead me on the right path of where to go. I always find my answers come up in the stories I read from them. So here are a few of my favorites. :)

1. Alma 7:11-13

"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me."

I am grateful for my Savior. He took upon the sins of the world and without Him we would be nothing. We couldn't return to our Father. There would be no hope. But because he did do it, we have hope. If He had to do it for you, or just for me, He wouldn't have changed His method. Remember Him during this season, and throughout the whole year. 

2. Enos 1:6, 27

"And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away. And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father. Amen."

I love the book Enos. When Enos was forgiven of his sins, he knew that God could not lie. And his guilt was swept away. And the last verse in Enos is so great. I hope to be that confident and happy when I "soon go to the place of my rest". I want to see his face with pleasure. :) This life is the time for men to prepare to meet God. 

3. 2 Nephi 22:2

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation."

Sometimes in life we lose sight of our Heavenly Father and forget that we can do anything with Him by our side. I know that a lot of the time in my life, I tend to forget. That's when Satan can get to you. He makes you think that there is no way out and stresses you out! During these times, remember whose you are. You are the son/daughter of the greatest being in the whole universe!

4. Ephesians 4:29
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."

The world today is filled with nastiness and hatred, so why add to it? Speak with kindness. Lead with love. Hear with respect. With the Lord's help, you will be able to love others like God does. You will see people as they may become. 


5. D&C 54:10
"And again, be patient in tribulation until I come; and, behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, and they who have sought me early shall find rest to their souls. Even so. Amen."

Patience is a hard thing. Instant gratification is a part of life that most cannot suppress. Continue to endure. These are the last days. Christ will come again. And soon. Seek after Christ. Strive to become more like Him every day. If we do this, we WILL find rest to our souls. 


I know that this Church is true and that the scriptures can bring each of us personal revelation to guide us through our lives. I'm grateful for the Book of Mormon and for Joseph Smith for sacrificing his life so that we can have it today. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.  

You Make or Break It. What will you do?

I wish I could post a lot more often. It makes me a better person than I think it makes an impact on other people. I know that I talk about missionary work a whole bunch, but hey, it's everyones duty. There are people out there. Talk to any return missionary. They will probably tell you of the miracles they witnessed while they were out preaching to the world. 

I'd like to start off with a quote by one of most popular speakers in conference. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland counseled:

"I frequently say to missionaries in the field, "You make or break your mission every morning of your life. You tell me how those morning hours go from 630 am to the time you're in the street in your mission. Whatever time it is; you tell me how those hours go and I will tell you how your day will go. I will tell you how your month will go. I will tell you how your year will go and how your mission and your life will go." 

I love this quote because it can also impact those who are not on a mission. Whether your morning consists of seminary, or if you go to work. What we do before we leave the house spiritually, will impact us the rest of the day. Saying your prayers before you start your day will keep you close to your Father and Heaven. You will be able to serve your fellow men with Christlike love, be an example, and you will see the blessings that you receive everyday from keeping the commandments.

Ezra Taft Benson once spoke on the power that prayer brings to us in our lives. "All through my life the counsel to depend on prayer has been prized above almost any other advice I have ever received. It has become an integral part of me, an anchor, a constant source of strength and the basis of my knowledge of things divine. Our Heavenly Father is always near. … Thank God we can reach out and tap that unseen power, without which no man can do his best." Prayer essential to our salvation. We receive personal revelation when we are on our knees talking to our Heavenly Father. We all are on the Earth for a purpose, and in order to achieve that, prayer is key. If we pray with real intent, having a desire to know, we will receive answers for matters that apply to us at that time. Continue to pray. Every day. 

When you go on a mission, it sets your life on a straight(er) course. You are changed. If you take those morning studies seriously, you will be grateful for it. Your understanding of the Bible and the Book of Mormon will deepen and you will bless the lives of others through the Holy Ghost and your knowledge of the word of God. Prepare every day to serve the Lord. Especially before your mission. You have two years to serve your mission and your whole life to think about it. We also all have the opportunity to serve missions when we are older with our eternal companion. So now, preparation applies to everyone! :) 

I know that as you and I prepare for our missions that we will perform on this Earth that we will feel of God's love for us and better know what we need to do next. I love the simplicity of the Gospel. We can live with our family and friends together forever! This Church is full of imperfectness. We will never be perfect on this Earth and we continue to strive to be more like Christ. You make it or break it. What will you do? I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.