Time.

This past Sunday was my birthday,and it made me think of what I have done with the last 20 years of my life.  It makes me wonder what is time and what is it for? The dictionary defines time as: “a limited period during which an action, process, or condition exists or takes place”. This is one point I would like to discuss. As stated in Alma 12:24 this life is “a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God”. This is very important to remember but often times forgotten. It would be really handy if I could have this constantly in my mind reminding me of the purpose of all of the things that life can throw at us. I have made some obvious mistakes at different points in my life, of which I am not proud of. Of course I wouldn’t change them either, because as I relied on the Atonement I have changed for the better and have been forgiven. One can never be perfect but we can get closer as we progress through life.

                It’s also essential to remember the eternal perspective by remembering just how short this life is compared to our existence extending forever.  Our existence here is illustrated by this mental picture: take a string and extend it in both directions until you can’t see either end standing where you are tie one thread on the string. That is this life in the eternal comparison. Let’s not let the decisions of this tiny little moment ruin our hopes and dreams for the rest of forever. Although we sometimes have trials, the adversity and afflictions of this life “shall be but a small moment”, but if we “endure it well” (D&C 121:7-8) the rewards are out of this world, literally. I love this promise given by the lord. As we face life we can hold our heads high and keep our eyes pointed to God as the goal. Those that can keep this perspective tend to move past their trials with out getting hung up and blaming the one that could help them through those points in their lives, God. Let us move forward with faith and remember why we are here, and where we plan to go!

164 years celebrating a legacy of faith!

     The 24th of July marks 164 years since the pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. They have left behind a great heritage and are an inspiration to all of us. They have showed us what those who have desires to follow Christ would be willing to do. There are lots of stories that show their faith, but I will share one that really inspires me. It’s about the rescue party sent out to find the Martin and Willie handcart companies. They were stuck near Devil's Gate Wyoming in blistering cold winter weather. Their food was all but depleted and they had suffered many deaths already. Brigham young had sent a crew from Salt Lake to help.

     "Rescue party leader Captain George D. Grant described the scene to President Young in a letter sent by courier on the morning of 3 November 1856: 'You can imagine between five and six hundred men, women and children, worn down by drawing carts through mud and snow, fainting by the wayside, children crying with cold, their limbs stiffened, their feet bleeding, and some of them bare to the frost. The sight is too much for the stoutest of us, but we go on doing our duty, not doubting, nor despairing. Our party is too small to be of much of a help. … We have prayed without ceasing, and the blessings of the Lord have been with us' (as quoted in Improvement Era, Jan. 1914, 209).

     "Solomon F. Kimball continues: 'Those of the handcart people who were unable to walk were crowded into the overloaded wagons, and a start was made; the balance of the company hobbling along behind with their carts as best they could.

     'When [they] came to the first crossing of the Sweetwater west of Devil’s Gate, they found the stream full of floating ice, making it dangerous to cross, on account of the strong current. However, the teams went over in safety. … When the people who were drawing carts came to the brink of this treacherous stream, they refused to go any further … , as the water in places was almost waist deep, and the river more than a hundred feet wide. … [They] remembered that nearly one-sixth of their number had already perished from the effects of crossing North Platte, eighteen days before. … They … cried mightily unto the Lord for help.

     'After … every apparent avenue of escape seemed closed, three eighteen-year-old boys belonging to the relief party came to the rescue, and to the astonishment of all who saw, carried nearly every member of that ill-fated handcart company across the snowbound stream. The strain was so terrible, and the exposure so great, that in later years all the boys died from the effects of it. When President Brigham Young heard of this heroic act, he wept like a child, and later declared publicly, ‘that act alone will ensure C. Allen Huntington, George W. Grant and David P. Kimball an everlasting salvation in the Celestial Kingdom of God, worlds without end’' (They Came by Handcart)."

This story really shows how these young men cared for those around them and followed the savior teaching to love one another (John 13:34). Those 3 really loved they risked their lives for their brothers and sisters. Which the Lord describes as the greatest example of love (John 15:13).there are still men and women who do this today. Some are the only members in their family, some are the only members in their school, community, etc. they have hardships and struggles just as the people in the 1800's. The Mormon Tabernacle choir will be celebrating this by broadcasting a concert on July 23, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. MDT in several languages. this year they will be "paying tribute to those pioneers who left their homes and families to settle the West” and "will also focus on men and women who have served in the military" (Learn More).

The Pure Love of Christ

     Something that has really been on my mind lately is charity, the pure love of Christ. This is something that I need to work on. It should be our motivation for how we treat the people around us. It will drive us to be more like Christ than anything else would. The prophet Mormon, in the Book of Mormon put it best:

 "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

 "But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

 "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen. (Moroni 7:46-48)

I love this scripture because it teaches us how to gain this charity. I would recommend reading the entire chapter it is awesome. Christ showed us charity when he performed the atonement and "went about doing good". Lets all seek to follow the lords own counsel when he said, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34-35).

The Grand Opening

     I have begun this blog as a way to share my thoughts and feelings of the savior and his teachings. As a missionary my purpose is to "Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end." I will be spending two years of my time and money to do this, away from my family and my home in Idaho. I do this because I love Jesus Christ and know that it is through him and his teachings (the Gospel) that we can find true happiness in this life. I know that he has called a prophet to lead and guide his children today. I know that his authority, The Priesthood, was restored to the earth by three of Christ’s original apostles. I know that I am a child of God and he loves me (and you). I know that families can be together forever. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God along with the bible.  I know that prayer works and if we pray we will receive answers to them.