Until We Meet

I am very touched by Moroni's final comments in Ether chapter 12. I think he presumed this would be the last message from him in the Book of Mormon - mostly because he himself writes in Moroni chapter 1 that "I had supposed not to have written more." But he goes on to say that he had not yet perished so he would write a bit more.

So Moroni's message in at the end of Ether 12 is very powerful. It's as if he is talking right to us He bids farewell "until we shall meet before the judgement seat of Christ. And then shall ye know that I have seen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me face to face."

If anyone has any doubts about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and Moroni's testimony he tells we will all find out at that time that he was telling the truth. I look forward to that day when I can meet Moroni and hear his testimony from his own lips and perhaps express to him my eternal gratitude for the role he played in compiling that great book of scripture that has blessed my life so much. I KNOW it's true, and I add my witness and invitation to his: "And, now I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written." in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Moroni 7:19 & 22

(Verse 19) "Search dilligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil." I think that's pretty good, straightforward advice. It gets even better when, in verse 22, it says, "In Christ there should come every good thing." So, when you look for answers or guidance in Christ's light, you'll know good from evil. And that good will be extra good, because every good thing comes from Christ. And you just chose Christ's good. So, you're pretty much set. Obviously, you have some trials, but Heavenly Father knows you can handle them, and eventually, good things will come. I would like to bear my testimony of these things, and of the entire Book of Mormon. I know that it is true, and I'm so grateful that the bishop was inspired to have us do this blog. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Charity Never Faileth

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is 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.

-Moroni 46-47

I have often heard the phrase 'Charity never faileth' in conference talks and Sunday School lessons, but I never knew where it came from. Well, now I know. Anyway, these two verses are pretty powerful and contain a lot of good doctrine. The very first thing Moroni tells us (before he even shares what charity is) is that if we don't strive to have charity, we are nothing. He then goes on to say that charity is the pure love of Christ and that charity never faileth. And whoso possesses it at the last day, it shall be well with him. So how do we know when we have obtained charity? Well, I think we'll know we possess charity when we are as close to Christ's example as we can be. When we are able to love others for who they are and not judge them by their past transgressions. When we are willing to do anything to help others when they are in need. And if we have been and still are obedient and loyal to our Heavenly Father. That is when we'll know.

I have a testimony in these things and I know that they are the truth. I know that Moroni was inspired to write these words about charity for a reason. I know that President Monson is a true prophet and that he is called of God. I know that Jesus is the Christ and that he atoned for our sins. I believe that The Book of Mormon is true and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

It Shall Come in a Day When ...

I was amazed this week reading how the prophecies of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon are happening. Mormon 8 has a lot of them. First there are the natural disasters:

"Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be heard of fires, and tempests, and vapors of smoke in foreign lands. And there shall also be heard of wars, rumors of wars, and earthquakes in divers places. Yea, and it shall come in a day when there shall be great pollutions up the face of the earth."

I think of the news we've reported just recently - the tsunami and earthquake in Japan that killed so many people. The recent tornados - 1,032 of them reported in April alone. The worst April on record before that the worst was 267 back in 1974. Normally a handful of people die per month in tornados. 875 lost their lives in April.

Another part of the chapter says the Book of Mormon will come in a day when some will say it's okay to do anything you want and Lord will uphold you at the last day. It also says there will be murders and lying and whoredoms and all manner of abominations. We are certainly seeing plenty of that too.

The fulfilling of these Book of Mormon prophecies is just one more indication of its truthfulness.

Ether 12:27

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

This is such a powerful scripture that really explains a lot about why we have weaknesses and trials. The verse states that Heavenly Father gave us weaknesses so that we may humble ourselves before him. Also, weaknesses and trials provide a way to build our faith in the Lord and challenge us in life. But in order for us to strengthen the weaknesses we have, we must work diligently to try to fix our problems that we face. I believe that if we have faith in Heavenly Father and his power, he will help guide us through our trials. I know that these things are true and that we have weaknesses for a reason. I know that Jesus is the Christ and that he set the perfect example for us. I have a testimony of repentance and forgiveness, and I know that we must all forgive each other for the wrongs we have committed. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet called of God and I am thankful for his example as well. I know that the scriptures are the word of the Lord and that they are true. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Thou Are a Sober Child

I am amazed at the great confidence Ammaron had in Mormon when Mormon was only ten years old to tell him about the golden plates and trust that Mormon would remember to dig up the golden plates when he was 24 and take charge of them. But then Mormon was apparently an incredible young person to be made head of the Nephite armies at just 15 years old - the age of the teachers quorum in our ward. But then Joseph Smith was just 14 when he had the first vision.

It just shows us that the Lord can use faithful young people to carry out his work.

Mormon 9:26 and 28

Verse 26 says, "And now, behold, who can stand against the works of the Lord? Who can deny his sayings?" When I'm not standing up for things that are right, to me, that's denying Him and the guidance He's given us. If we go forward with faith and truly apply the sayings of our Lord, whether through scripture or modern revelation, we will be examples of Him, instead of offenders.

Verse 28 says,"Be wise in the days of your probation." Pretty straightforward, right? As I said earlier, we need to go forward with faith. It also always helps when we look at things with eternal perspective. As the verse said, these are days of probation. Our life here on earth is only temporary! I like to think of it as going on a trip somewhere special, like, say, Hawaii. Usually, the trip would be 1-2 weeks long, and you're going to cram as many cool and fun things to do and places to see as you can, not just lay around, watch TV in your hotel room, and text your friends. Our life here on earth is the same way! In eternal timing, this life is very short. We shouldn't just waste this precious opportunity doing useless, or even harmful, things.
I would like to bear my testimony of living the gospel and not just going through the motions, how it positively it affects my life! And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Turn the Heart of the Children to the Fathers

One of the scriptures the Savior quotes during his visit to the Nephites is comes from Malachi:

"And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."

In recent months I am seeing more an more how this prophecy is being fulfilled, even with the youth of our ward. When I see the young people turning out in large numbers for baptisms for the dead, I see the heart of the children turning to their fathers - to those who are dead that have gone before them and need these saving ordinances.

When I hear about the young men and women in our ward going monthly with their families or weekly with their friends on their own to the temple , often in the early morning hours before school, I see the heart of the children turning to their fathers.

When I see people starting to go weekly to the temple, who used to only go each month or just a few times a year, I see the heart of the children turning to their fathers.

The increased fulfilling of this prophecy must be pleasing to the Lord and I'm so pleased members of the Shamrock Park Ward are helping to make it happen.

Do all Things in Worthiness

I just wanted to start by wishing everyone a happy Mother's Day. I am so thankful for my mother and for all she does for me and my family.

Well, the scripture of this week that really stood out to me is found in Mormon 9, verse 29. It states- See that ye are not baptized unworthily; see that ye partake not of the sacrament of Christ unworthily; but see that ye do all things in worthiness, and do it in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God; and if ye do this, and endure to the end, ye will in nowise be cast out.

The reason I chose to blog about this scripture is because it's essential to our eternal salvation that we are worthy to perform and participate in ordinances of the gospel. If we are not worthy to enter the temple or be baptized, we won't be able to have our sins washed away or have an eternal marriage. And if we don't have these things, we will not have the opportunity to receive eternal life.

The verse also says that we should do all things in Jesus' name. This is another important thing because everything must be performed in the name of the Savior in order for them to be true. That is why we bless the sacrament and other ordinances in the name of Jesus Christ.

This scripture also includes that we must endure to the end. So if we do all things in worthiness, if we do all things in the name of Jesus Christ, and endure to the end, we won't be cast out of the presence of the Lord. I have a testimony of these things and I know that they are true; I say them in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

3 Nephi 27:28

"....whatsoever things ye shall ask the Father in my name shall be given unto you." I thought this was a great verse, and especially fitting for fast Sunday. I would like to share my testimony that the Lord does hear and answer our prayers if we truly have the desire and faith. He knows each and every one of us and is aware of our needs. He sends people into our lives who are acting on inpsiration to answer our prayers, and we do the same for others. I say these things in the name of Jesus Chirst, Amen.