Justice like a flaming fire

In reading the passage about Nephi explaining Lehi's vision to his brothers who did not inquire themselves what the dream meant, I realized something I haven't realized before.

Nephi describes the gulf of filthy water, the awful gulf. When Lehi was relaying his dream he was so concerned about other things, like his family wondering of the path to the tree of life, that he didn't even realize the water was filthy. But Nephi went to the Lord in prayer and found this out himself. Isn't that interesting. He was only trying to see what his Father saw, and he was shown even more then his Father. Nephi had so much faith.     He believed his Father's testimony and his words. Shows the importance of a lot of things. First, of testimony. Nephi was able to accomplish so much because of the testimony of his Father and the example of his Father. Second, of faith. How you can accomplish so much with faith. Third, of "pondering" in your heart. Nephi was pondering in his heart when he had his vision. he wasn't even praying. Sometimes my prayers get so mundane and redundant and non-emotional that it means nothing. But the prayer that I have in the middle of the day, on the family room floor, for no reason other than I need help from my Heavenly Father and I need to re-set my life. those are the prayers that change me and that actually work. It is the same way with pondering. When we ponder with the spirit and on spiritual things, that's when we are able to have revelation and things are made known unto us.

Anyway, I like water being referred to as filthy because usually we hear of water meaning righteous and good. However, it is great for analogies for Satan. I thought of my own analogy for water being like Satan. And how if you think of opening the lid of a water bottle then tipping it over and pouring it onto us, its like allowing Satan into our lives by letting things slip and then doing bad things. when it is poured onto us, that water damage can be bad! And there's no way of getting rid of it except through trying to dab it with towels or change our clothes and suck up the water and all these things are like repentance. But it we have water-resistant materials we won't get as effected which is protection from living the commandments. So I am happy to find that my analogy may truly be inspired and from Heavenly Father because water in this vision is an awful gulf of misery for wicked-doers.

But my main point from this passage is that the justice of God was like fire. It was like a pillar of fire going up and up forever into heaven and it burned so bright. I just picture that and how impressive that looks and how intimidating. But then to think of the magnitude of God's justice and how Jesus Christ intercedes on this burning fire just for us, pulling us back from the filthy waters, over the pillar of burning fire, and into the tree of life and where the saints of God dwell, how amazing that is! And how great it is that we have that kind of an ally and intercessor. He is perfect, and can call the shots for us because he walked our existence. Justice is a hard fast concept, but Christs's sacrifice is all about our relationship with Christ and His love and charity.

7 Weeks of Christmas=7 Weeks of Christ's Teachings

I decided this morning that I don't need to even leave my house to live the gospel. Yes, service is good and we shouldn't be idle, but I can live the gospel from within my heart. A change of heart is the most important part, not just checking off the boxes. So I opened my scriptures to St. Matthew, read a verse about Christ's teachings which said, "judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged." I realized that is truly something I need to work on. I do judge others, and I wouldn't want others judging me the way I judge others sometimes. I repented of some judgments against others I have had in hopes to be better this season of Christmas. I feel that changing my heart through living Christ's teachings is a really good way to celebrate Christmas this year. I prayed for help, that I can see others the way Christ sees me, and that is with LOVE. That one word has stood out to me a lot lately. I tend to be task-oriented and try to check off the boxes: family history, visiting teaching, scripture study, going to church, fulfilling my calling, going to the Temple, etc. However, I'm just going through the motions sometimes instead of realizing the reason for these "tasks"--Love! We do these things because of LOVE. Love for Heavenly Father, love for others, and love for Jesus Christ. And it makes these tasks more meaningful when I think of doing them with love. So, this week I am working on not judging others.

"Beloved"

Alma 9:30
"And now, my beloved brethren, for ye are my brethren, and ye out to be beloved"
I like this verse because it says that we ought to love each other. The reference for beloved in the verse goes to 1 John 4:11--"Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another."

If even God above in heaven, perfect and omnipotent, wise beyond our comprehension, loves us, then we had better love ourselves too. If a perfect being can love us, surely we can love ourselves because we are flawed and don't deserve to be high and mighty to each other-we are all brothers and sisters (flawed, but still loved by the flawless Father). More so, I would add to that-we need to love ourselves personally. If God loves me, what reason do I have not to love myself too?

Aaron/ Miracles

Today I decided to start at the beginning of the Bible dictionary and read it, learning about specific topics at a time. I read Aaron today. That is the name of my brother. I found out that Aaron was three years older than his brother, Moses who led the slaves out of Egypt. I read a little bit about how Aaron cast down the rod that turned into a snake before Pharoah. The magicians and sorcerors of Pharoah also threw down snakes, but Moses' ate up all the others. This is a symbol to me about God's power. People on this Earth can do magic, do pretty surreal things, but these are less important than the magic of miracles from the correct authority. The Pharoah's magic was probably pretty impressive and convincing, but God's was unequaled. God's power can not be overtaken. That is why I put my trust in God, not the world. The world says miracles are not done these days, but I say they are only not done because of our inbelief as a people. I see miracles in my life.

After reading about this old testament miracle I went back to my chemistry studies about pH and bases and acides. Just then I knew, miracles can happen because I see them in chemistry- the way chemicals react is sometimes miraculous. Even though I have not seen a stick turned into a snake, I see and believe in miracles. It has to do with faith. Miracles are not for the unbelieving, they are for the believing.

What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Elder Robert C. Gay of the seventy gave a talk at October 2012 conference, entitled, "What Shall a Man Give in Exchange for His Soul?" I read it from the November ensign. Here are key point I got out of it:

1. "today it is so easy to get caught up in the noise of the world--despite our good intentions" (pg. 34).
2. Cain asked, "Who is the Lord that I should know him?" and then he lost his soul. Nothing is more important than knowing the Lord. How do we know the Lord? -prayer, scripture, conference talks, service, uplifting education, going to church, fulfilling our callings.
3. Sometimes a national championship or money seem so important at the time that we "self-justify our actions like Cain", but as we learn, he lost his soul. I'm sure we do not want to lose our souls, but Satan does a good job at distracting us.
4. Robert talks about the story in the new testament of a wealthy young man that asked the Lord what he needed to do to have eternal life. The Savior told him the one thing he needs to do is sell all that he has. The man could not do it.
-On the other hand, we have an account in the Book of Mormon when a Lamanite King asked the same question and said that he would give all he has away just to have "this great joy" (pg. 34).
5. How importance repentance is. The Lamanite King's repentant prayer is touching: "O God, ...I will give away all my sins to know thee."
6. The Savior asks us to give "up all our sins, big or small" (pg. 35). I like the list Robert puts out as possible sins we need to repent of and forsake:
-self-justifying stories
-excuses
-rationalizations
-defense mechanisms
-procrastinations
-appearances
-personal pride
-judgmental thoughts
-doing things our way
7. Separate yourself from the worldliness and take upon you the image of God in your countenance.

8. I love touching stories of people reaching out to others, strangers even. But it makes me feel inadequate because I do not have many of those stories of my own. My insecurities usually win in the battle with the spiritual promptings. Its difficult to talk to someone I do not know or are not familiar with. However, I know that my mind needs to be in the right place if I am going to have the courage to help others. I need to focus more on others, and on the spirit; Then I may be more likely to feel and act on promptings of helping and befriending others. I know I could be doing so much better than I am now. I only have one neighbor in my apartment complex that I know. I see surrounding neighbors often, know what cars they drive, but haven't said but a single hello. There's definitely room to grow.
9. Set goals: I will meet one more neighbor before Christmas.
10. "May our lives of service always affirm that God forsakes no one" (pg. 36).
11. I like what Robert says: "My testimony is my soul's treasure" (pg. 36).
12. I know that the worth of souls is so great! Docrtine and Covenants 18:10 -"Remember the ^aworth of ^bsouls is great in the sight of God;" Nothing of this world is more valuable. That's why there's nothing more important, satisfying, joyous, or completing as saving our own soul and those around us. 

Service

Church=Service. Have I done any good in the world today?

Helping Hands & Last Days

November 4th- Mormon Helping Hands Cleanup Sandy (link to article); east coasters inspired by Mormon help.
November 7th- Mormon president rejected by east-coasters.


"10. O ye wicked ones, enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for the fear of the Lord and the glory of his majesty shall smite thee.
11. And it shall come to pass that the lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.
12. For the day of the Lord of Hosts soon cometh upon all nations, yea, upon evey one; yea, upon the proud and lofty, and upon evey one who is lifted up, and he shall be brought low.
13. Yea, and the day of the Lord shall come upon all the cedars of Lebanon (America), for they are high and lifted up; and upon all the oaks of Bashan;
14. And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills, and upon all the nations which are lifted up, and upon evey people;
15. And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall;
16. And upon all the ships of the sea, and upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures (Tropical Islands).
17. And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low; and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.
18. And the idols he shall utterly abolish (American Idol?)
19. And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for the fear of the Lord shall come upon them and the glory of his majesty shall smite them, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth."
-Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 12: 13-18.

These aren't my words, they are the words of God. Though harsh and hard to hear for the wicked, I believe these words are true and will come to fruition very very soon. The United States has shown its stance, with sam-sex marriage and marijuana use rooted for in the 2012 elections. There was a clear choice between a righteous, qualified, smart leader and a liberal, unreligious, debt-growing leader. Righteousness was not chosen.

Revelation 10: John sees an angel standing upon the sea and the earth with a little book that the angel tells John to eat which will make his belly bitter but his mouth sweet as honey. After he eats he is told to go out again and prophesy. My interpretation: the little book is the Book of Mormon, which makes the stomach bitter because of the harsh truths, but mouth sweet because it is a second testiment of Christ.

Micah 5:15- "And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard."

2 Nephi 27:7 "And behold the book shall be ^asealed; and in the book shall be a ^brevelation from God, from the beginning of the world to the ^cending thereof."

I know that God lives. I know because I have tested Him, by obeying His commandments, and I have witnessed that "wickedness never was happiness" (Alma 41:10). I have "consider[ed] on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things both temporal and spiritual" (Mosiah 2: 41). I have a testimony of the truthfullness of the Book of Mormon, that Joseph Smith restored the same church organized hen Jesus Christ walked the earth by translating the Book of Mormon and recieving revelation. I believe in revelation, yes. Some say it is crazy to talk with God. That is the evil of our world today. I speak with God through prayer, and he speaks to me through the Holy Ghost. I feel him. I know he lives. I know Jesus Christ walked this earth. There are records of his life, there are paintings and murals of Him. He exists, though people are lifted up in the things of the world and cannot understand. They are blind and corrupt. They will know nothing but pain when he comes again. But I will know joy because I know Him today. I do not have to see to believe. I know I have a spirit, I know that when a body dies, it does not rot in the ground forever. I have  a soul that is eternal. And my all bodies will be reunited with spirit when Christ comes. The last days are now. Which is intense, but happy because it will be wonderful when He comes again for the righteous.

Unbelief=dwindling

Mosiah 1:5 in the Book of Mormon uses a phrase that qualifies unbelief as dwindling: "dwindled in unbelief". Without belief, even in small things, my spirit dwindles. Life becomes dull, boring, bitter and sad. Belief raises me up, fills me, inspires me, helps me, and life goes my way when I believe!

I can Only Imagine

I have heard people ask, why do good things happen to bad people, and if there was a God, bad things would not happen. This is a sign that those people do not see past sorrows to the silver lining. In other words, I think God uses "bad things" for his own useful purposes. Is it really a sign that GOd doesn't exist when a baby is born with disabilities? Or a couple cannot get pregnant for 10 years, while teenagers have babies without a home to give them? I don't see these as signs God doesn't exist, I see these as the means through which God does speak to us. The point of this life is to grow, and we can only grow through trials. I found this quote that speaks about what I'm trying to say:

Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body.Seneca (5 BC - 65 AD). A personal trainer knows that you cannot get stronger muscles without resistance and without experiencing a little pain. Therefore, when I see bad things happening to good people, I don't question God's existence, his existence is solidified. God chastens us because he loves us. A parent punishes a child because they love the child and want the child to learn and grow. Likewise, there are hardships, sadness, and challenges to hlep us grow and to give us examples to follow. There is a video that touches me everytime I watch it. A father and son competed in multiple athletic events (marathons, iron mans, etc.), but the son has physical disabilities so the Dad carries, pushes and pulls the son all the way through the race. The father does this because the son expressed how much he enjoys it, and how it makes the son feel as though he does not have any disabilities while they are racing. This solidifies my testimony that God puts disabilities, trials, and sadness into life for us to show our strength, show our love, and show our humility in how we deal with them. That is what this particular father has done. Even though the doctor told he and his wife to hug the son goodbye basically when he was born, they decided they would keep him and raise him like any other child. To me, this family has really understood what it is to love someone and make someone else happy. The boy has graduated from highschool and college, and can comunicate through a special computer. Through this example of loving the disabled, loving family, and sacraficing, my heart is touched and many people are touched. So when I hear people complain about God making "bad things happen to good people" I just think they don't understand the meaning of life. God spoke to Joseph Smith in his hard times when bad things were happening to good people, as said, "know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee ^eexperience, and shall be for thy good" (D&C 122:7). I hold my trials close to my heart for all the things I have learned all the experience I gained. Bad things happening to good people, is just the perfecting of the saints. We are also told that we will not be given any challenge that we cannot overcome. Trials are also useful in compelling people to humility, when nothing else will. I am glad God gives me trials and others trials so we can see how God can work through us, how God can help us, and how much we need God.

Cleanliness

• "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common," Acts 10:15
• In today's world, many call cleanliness "common". Some think not having piercings on unique parts of the body or dark makeup or tattoos is just plain. When I see people with tattoos running up and down their arm, I just think even if I did not have my knowledge of cleanliness, I would not want to permanently mark my body. What if I get tired of that tattoo and have to live with it for eternity? It is like buildings around the city--there are some with grafiti, which lessens their beauty and condition. On the other hand, when a building is beautiful, spotless, and clean on the outside, it is a representation of what is inside and we are drawn to those buildings. The Temples are a place that is beautiful and clean on the outside to represent what is on the inside. In the LDS Ensign magazine for October 2012 there is an article about dress and appearance. It says, "In today's world, many do not understand or respect the sacred nature of our bodies (9)". Our outside appearance represents what is on the inside because it reflects what is most important to us. If people understood more of the importance of keeping our bodies clean, there would be less immodesty, sex before marriage and outside marriage, less smoking, drugs, and obesity. Our bodies hold our spirits and make up our soul. How sacred and wonderful that is! I would not take that lightly and defile it, just as much as I would not grafiti on a Holy Temple of God. Heavenly Father values our bodies even higher than his most beautiful Temple. How sad He is when we defile it, and how pleased when we respect it.    
• kingdom of God is not filthy, and there cannot any unclean thing enter, 1 Ne. 15:34 (D&C 97:15; Moses 6:57).
• let all things be done in cleanliness, D&C 42:41
• I will clean my house, clean my body, try to put good foods into my body, exercise, take care of my hair (its quiet the knot sometimes) and be thankful for the body God has given me.
• Blessed are the pure in heart, Matt. 5:8
• Purity starts from the inside. Clean the inner vessel first, then the outer will follow. Purity of the heart comes from reverence through strengthening or gaining testimonies. I should start every day from the inside--with a prayer, a hymn, a scripture. When I do not have time in the morning to read scriptures, I just push play on my the Mormon Tabernacle Choir CD in my car. Nothing invites the spirit more quickly than the Mo Tab! I love it. Having the spirit at the start of my day is so important to helping me make right choices. Some days I don't start with the spirit and I can tell at the end of the day that I should have started our right because the whole day seems to go wrong when the morning goes wrong.
• let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh, 2 Cor. 7:1
• I see filth around me in the world, and am so glad I do not have to be a part of it. I am SO glad I know what I know-this life is not all there is, there is a God that loves me, and I will live forever in His love and with my family if I do what He would have me do.

Picture is from this link: http://www.lds.org/media-library/images/people?lang=eng&start=21&end=30#portrait-girl-921776

Conference October 6, 2012

Cook
Immersion in the scriptures is essential for spiritual renewal.
When you join the church, you enlisted to serve God. You left the neutral ground and you can never go back.
Are we prepared to meet God? Never foresake the Master.
Anything tha tlessens committment is a consequence:
how we treat those closest to us is a fundamental importance.
We must not physically emotionally abuse someone else.
Kindness and civility begin in our homes. Breakdown of our society goes with the breakdown of families.
How easy it is today for young people to be exposed to impure images.


Are we as involved in our gospel as we are about facebook, texting, careers, hobbies?
Knowledge is the power of God unto salvation
We must increase our gospel knowledge
Our gospel knowledge helps us be confident in our testimones.
We must be doer of the word and not hearers only.
Lovinly serving others, being ovedient. We act with integrity and do what we know is right no matter who may or may not be watching. In our mortal condition, no one is perfect. all of us will make mistakes and all of us will sin. Thorugh our saviors redeeming sacrafice, we can be made clean again. The phrase, "I live it"

Line Upon Line/ Visit Teaching

In 2 Nephi 28:30 we understand that we learn "line upon line, precept upon precept". This is true in studies; I do better on a test when I have started studying early. Craming sometimes works, but does not stick for longer than the test usually.
This learning also applies to the October Ensign article, "Teaching Chastity and Virtue". The article says having "the talk" once is not the best way to teach about chastity. Through daily opportunities, through example in marriage, and by being involved in the child's life "the talk" can be spread out into a lifelong learning.

I also wanted to talk about service. Our beloved prophet, President Monson, is the best example I have heard of in the topic of service. He is a great example. I have today off from clinicals for the rest of the semester and thought, what am I going to do today? I have to study for my test tomorrow (line upon line hopefully) and go to Hobby Lobby for something, but I thought, how can I do service today? I can clean our apartment, study to do well for my future family, exercise to serve my body, but then I was also thinking about visiting teaching. My companion told me at the beginning of the semester that she could not visit in the mornings, saturdays, or sundays. That was complete opposite from me. However, now that my Wednesday mornings are free, maybe our schedule could line up for visiting teaching. I am kind of scared to call her back though. She kind of threw my under the bus, as if she didn't need me because she already visited one of the sisters on Tuesday mornings. And these women are older--not much in common. As I was thinking all this and feeling guilty for not doing visiting teaching even though it has been drilled in my head that Heavenly Father wants me to...my phone rang and the caller ID said "vis teach" (thats how I saved her number in my phone). I was like, what? I answered and discovered my wonderful visiting teacher, Sundie Ellis, was calling to see when she could visit with me next week. That is just a testimony to me, that Sundie had the spirit with her. It was also Heavenly Father telling me to call my visiting teachee sisters and companion. As much as I don't want to, I will. We shall see what happens...

First Presidency Message

Sharing the gospel.I should be praying every day to meet someone who is prepared to recieve the gospel. Missionary work is great, but not as difficult as I make it. All I need is to be close to the spirit.

A is for attitude.

We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.

B is for belief.

...in yourself, ppl, and eternal principles. You can achieve what you believe you can. Trust and believe and have faith.

C is for Courage.

Courage is required to make the thrust toward your goals. Captain Moroni had courage. He mounted his title of Liberty with courage.

Stake Conference Notes

Our stake conference way way good this past weekend! Here are some of the key points:
1. Be an actor, not acted upon. Nephi was an actor but Lamen and Lemual were reactors. Take initiative and go and do!
2. Be less concerned about looking good and more concerned about how Heavenly Father looks at you. Wanting to look good often hinders us from doing what the Lord wants us to do: say hi to someone even if we forgot their name; talk to someone even though you are embarrased of saying something wrong.
3. In marriage, just say, your right. And never raise your voice in marriage-there's no need.
4. Learn to listen to the right spirit. There will be whisperings to give up, but that is not the Holy Ghost, he does not know that word. Even though a voice might make you feel calmed down, it could be the adversary giving you a false sence of security. To the spirit, if you do not make a temple session, it is not because you did not try! To the adversary, it is ok to give up because there's no point in being frustrated trying to get there and then you may not even make it anyway. Pick out these different voices and listen to the one that says, TRY.
5. Callings are never meant to separate a marriage. They will only bring a marriage closer. As one or both of a couple gets closer to the Lord, they will get closer together.

So my goals for today:
1. Listen to that voice that says, TRY TRY TRY!!! with all your heart. And recognize the give up voice and knock it out of my head.
2. Take initiative and not be lazy or negative, but positive and faithful
3. Keep the spirit with me all day.

I am thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life! The focus on persoal progression is amazing!

Trial

I realized that trial does not mean something bad is going on in your life. Trial means your faith is being put to the test, or something is being put to the test. It has nothing to do with what is going on externally in our world. The only way it correlates to the world is how something in the world might trigger an inner trying of our faith. Someone can have a tragic thing in life happen and that is merely where we see the faith come to fruition or not. Faith is built in the everyday life and apparent in times of trial, which do not even have to be triggered by anything external. These thoughts come from James 1:2-4. Interestingly these are the verses that proceed the verses that encouraged Joseph's first vision. Joseph was tempted in the first vision, and trials continued flowing all his life thereafter. But we only saw the great strength that had be manifest.

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into temptation. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." _James 5:2-4

My favorite part of this verse is the end where it states that if you let faith work patience in you, you will not want anything and you will be "entire". Right now in my life I have huge tendencies to fill incomplete in life-negative, ungrateful, bitter, sad, jealous, slothful, etc. This feeling of incompletion can only be fulfilled through the atonement of Jesus Christ.

My new motto is...No Bad Thoughts. I used a motto similar to this last year at school, to not think any bad thoughts of others. And it was life changing! And made life beautiful, and let so much love into my life. I knew the next step up was to not think any bad thoughts, but thought of what an impossibility that would be for me. Now that I have accomplished my first motto, I know I can do the second. It will help turn around my negative attitude. I need an attitude change, this I know for sure. And I'm not gonna sit around and wait for something to change around me, because even if it does, my attitude won't change with it. I have to clean the inner vessel first.

January 8, 2011. "our Very Survival" by David R. Duncan

1. obey the prophets-its the only sure way to happiness.

2. The prophets speaking to me is basically God speaking to me.

3. Living prophet more vital to us than the written works.

4. The prophet doesnt have to say "thus sayeth the Lord" to give us instruction.

What has the prophet(s) insturcted me to do?

Get a good education; be financially frugal and smart; focus on what is most important and that is those around me; strengthen home and family by working on my relationships with others especially those in my family; temple marriage; be spiritually clean; fear God more than man

"the Word is Commitment" by Marvin J. Ashton

1. "Be something, Abe"
2. We should be anxiously engaged in a good cause and DO many good things of their own free will and bring to pass much righteousness.
3. He who does not do anything until he is commanded the same is damned.
4. In setting our own goals we need to consider our own needs and abilities.

• What are my own needs and abilities: 1. good ability to say no and stay away and feel good about it 2. i need rewards frequently 3. I need to feel good about myself and that i am accomplishing my goals. 4. I need to feel like I am not being too harsh on myself nor living too rigidly and unrelaxedly. 5. I need to feel like I am a free spirit and do what I want to

1. "The direction in which we are moving is more important than where we are at the moment."
2. Don't blame your failures on other people or external sources.
3. is it I? Am I sufficiently committed to righteous goals?
4. William Clement Stone, a Chicago millionaire, in an interview said, “Only if you have drive, the push, ‘the want to’ will you succeed in any field.”
5. Why do we do the things we do? Positive motivation is the best. Being fully committed to the gospel bring joy, satisfaction and the abundant life.
6. Dale Carnegie once said if you are not going in the direction of becoming the person you want to be, then you are in the direction of becoming the person you do not want to be.
7. Realize that God will judge you based on your use of all your possibilities.
8. Making the decision or declaration of a goal, does not constitute your success or commitment to it and does not make you committed to it.
9. Once you become wholly committed to something, you will find help from sources you never even knew existed. The Lord says that he does not give any one a commandment except he prepares a way for them to accomplish it.
10. Ashton relates a story about a five year old boy who fell out of his bed at night and came running to his mom's bedside and when she asked him why he fell out, he responded, "Because I wasn't in far enough." We can see a similar pattern in people who fall out of commitments, like the gospel. It is because they were not in far enough.
11. What makes the difference between those who are committed and uncommitted is the words want and will. "I want to be a good student but I want to have fun too." " I will be a good student." "I want to have a successful career but I have really bad grades." "I will have a successful career."
12. From this talk, I learned that I need to be more committed by thinking "I will" rather than "I want". I am also reminded of the quote from Inception, when a character remarks, "You musn't be afraid to dream bigger, love." If I am not "in far enough" in my endeavors (which should be good causes), then i make it easier for myself to fall out. Also, if I am not on the path that is leading to being the person I want to become, then I am going in the direction of becoming the person I do not want to become. We must set small, obtainable goals every day that will help us master the art of goal reaching and then that will help us in accomplishing the bigger goals. I should try to use "want" less and replace it with "will". I am going to try to recognize throughout the day where I say i want to when i should say i will. I know goal setting is a righteous endeavor and actually crucial to our eternal salvation. If we cannot accomplish goals, we cannot return to our heavenly father.

Faith in Jesus Christ, by Elder Pearson

1. If we want more faith, we must be more obedient.
2. Do not be casual or situational in obeying God's commandments.
3. Faith requires exact obedience in even the small simple things.
4. Desire, hope, and belief are forms of faith but faith as a principle of power comes from consistent behavior and attitudes.
5. You can have spiritual power with faith.
6. The eye of faith: ability to focus and be steadfast, nothing wavering, holding fast to gospel principles.
7. However, there is opposition in all things. Because we can act for ourselves and must be enticed by one other the other (decisions).
8. If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believe th. Faith and fear cannot co-exist.
9. Faith as a grain of a mustard seed.
10. Net faith= faith - doubt - fear - disbelief
11. doubt leads to discouragement and greater difficulty following the spirit.
12. Distraction eliminates the focus the eye of faith requires. It also leads to a lack of diligence. Disappointment does not have to lead to doubt or distraction.
13. Disbelief is choosing to harden one's heart and be past feeling.
14. God lives and loves each of us his children. Jesus Christ is our savior and redeemer. He lives. And becuase of that there is always hope smiling brightly before us.
15. Choose to live by faith and not fear!
16. AMEN!

My Love Metaphore

I made this post a while ago-actually it was probably one year ago give and take a few weeks. But my blog that i posted it on got destroyed and doesn't exist anymore. Then I realized i lost that post and I hadn't written the thoughts in my journal as thourough. So i am going to write the post again. The post was about love, romance, dating...I had an epiphany one day driving in my car. That car's CD player did not work, so my only mode of music was the radio. So, as i started out my drive to work or wherever I was going (which was usually at least a 20 minute drive, as is in Texas) I would turn on the radio and see what was playing on the radio. Sometimes what was playing was just ok-not my favorite or anything, but better than not listening to anything, so i'd keep it just because. And sometimes I would flip and flip and flip through the channels just to see what else was out there before I settled for the one I was gonna listen to which was ok but not the best. Then sometimes there would be absolutely nothing that satisfied me on the radio, so I would turn it off and just hum my own tune or just listen to the wind in my hair. But then there were those happy, sporadic moments when I would turn on the radio and hear my favorite song playing and I knew that this was the only song in the whole world that I wanted to be listening to and I wouldn't even check to see what else was playing, because THIS was it-this was my song. I related this to how my dating life is. Sometimes I am dating a guy just because I don't want to be alone but he is not the best, and then there are times when I would rather just not be dating anyone because I'd rather just be by myself doing my own thing. Then there are times when I might find a guy that is good, but I still feel the need to flip through the other channels of the dating scene to see if there was anything better. But someday-someday! I will stumble upon that one song that beats with my heart, or that one man who is in sync with me, who when I stumble upon him, I will not want to look anywhere else to see if there is anyone better out there, because I'll know there's just not. There's nothing better out there when Mr. Right is right here, in my arms. And I'll know he's Mr. Right when I know I don't want to look anywhere else because he is my ultimate favorite. Don't settle for mac and cheese when lasagna is in the oven!