Testimony of the Book of Mormon

Ever Learning

One of the most wonderful things about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the knowledge of modern revelation.  god did not just speak to men in ancient times he loves men today as he did than.  He has given us a modern Prophet and council of twelve modern apostles to give us a revelation.  

We also have local leaders who can receive revelation for local members.  Most amazing is that you can receive revelation for your self and family.  I know that God has plans for us and he reveals it to us through the power of his Holy Spirit.  This weekend we were able to hear from the local leaders I spoke about earlier and it was amazing.  I felt the love of God and some small promptings came into my mind of things I need to work on.
God loves us and he wants each of us to know his will but only through our worthiness and searching can this truth be revealed unto each of us a small piece at a time.  God does not just at one time give us everything.  He lights our way one step at a time.

Feeling blessed

We often look at trials in our lives as hard and then afterwards realize how much the Lord is blessing us.  I am currently looking for work and really feel at peace with it.  I believe I needed to change myself and my daily pattern and this has allowed me time to re-energize myself every morning.  I wake up at 6:00 am and try to work out for 20 minutes and then I have what I call a morning devotional for a little over 1 hour (we'll discuss this further) and then I spend 30 minutes to 1 hour reading a business book (currently the Truth Shall Make you Rich).  I then make a game plan for the day of what I need to and want to accomplish.  This has been a huge blessing in helping me cope and for me to believe that God has great things in store for this family.

I am also very grateful to be able to spend time with my little girl and allow my wife to take on more work.  It is a blessing to be with her and my wife and to be able to just read more.

Morning Devotional begins with a hymn and then about 10 minutes of meditation followed by prayer.  Than I read an article form the ensign and write my thoughts in a notebook.  I then study the Sunday School or Priesthood lesson for 30 minutes.  Things than end in a song and a prayer.  This has been a great blessing and I am using several sources for my study I have the Old Testament Made Easier by David Ridges and the old testament manual as study guides.  I then write what key learnings I have by verse set in my journal.  I have noticed the peace that daily communion with God can give us.

I also have journal of thoughts while I read a business book.  My goal is to try and figure out some entrepreneurial ventures that I can begin as a side job.  Most of my thoughts have been different ways to utilize my wifes many artistic talents in as many venues as possible.

I am grateful for the many ways the Lord blesses us and gives us challenges to set us on course.  I love the church and am grateful for the truth and light it sheds for to me.

Reflection on Fort Hood tragedy

Do you ever feel like we are part of something greater than ourselves?  Life is so precious and fleeting.  My heart and prayers go out to the families and colleagues of the great service men and women who were killed at Fort Hood Texas.  We often hear of such tragedy and wonder why something could happen to people who are trying simply to serve their country.  While many reasons come forth we do learn in the book of Mormon that
      "For behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day."  Alma 14:11. (for more on the Book of Mormon a book I believe to be true and I beg you to read and learn more.  Click here for more)  
People are given agency to choose what they may but they can not choose the reward of those actions.  I am also eternally grateful for the knowledge that through temple sealing families are united and connected in an eternal link from generation to generation.  That is one of the reasons family history is so important.  To begin your family history you can try either Family Search or ancestry.com.

I know that God loves his children and many times we don't understand exactly why things happen but we must realize that this life is only a blink of an eye and that in the grand scheme of of your life which never ends or is eternal in nature this mere short life is nothing and we should look more closely at our life and what choices we have made.

In conclusion again my hearts and prayers go out to the families and friends of those who died or were injured in this horrible shooting.  I hope that we continue to appreciate the service that those who fight for our freedom give us.

The Miracle of life

God truly blesses us here on earth with the ability to create and bring forth life.  Life is so precious and beautiful.  I am so happy to be a part of this process to be able to raise our little daughter in righteousness.
Psalms 127 reads.

3 Lo, achildren are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

I believe it is true and am grateful for those that choose to bring forth children and do so in the righteous bonds of marriage.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints published a The Family: A Proclamation to the World Please read it teaches the true nature of the family and the roles and goals that should be set for the family.  

Life is amazing and should be protected and cherished as the miracle it is.  

Thanks for reading.

Choose This Day

Choose This Day

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Geneology Work

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has some amazing resources for researching your family history and genelogical lines.  The first site to check out would be at Family Search.  Part of the teachings of the church believes that we can be married for not just till dealth do we part but for eternity.  Part of this belief is also that we can be sealed or linked eternally to our ancestors.  These ordinaces take place in our holy temples.  I love family history and learning more about where I come from and who lived before me to make my existance possible.  I hope you would utilize the many resources like Ancestry.com or Geneology.com.

In Salt Lake City, Utah you can find the enormous Family History Library.   Take a tour of the Family History Library.  There are millions of records and data that can be sorted through here.
Families are forever and I am grateful for this wonderful knowledge.  I know this is true doctrine and am grateful for it.  The church will even give you a free video about eternal families.