Draw closer to God

Recently I picked up the book by Elder Henry B. Eyring, "Draw closer to God."  I started it a few years ago and somehow got sidetracked, which I have no idea why because it is an amazing book.  I have always tried to be closer to my Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, but this year it has become much more important to me.  I realized after the hard year I had in 2011 that it was ESSENTIAL!

With that being said I taught (well hopefully the spirit taught) a lesson on Heavenly Father this past Sunday.  It is the first lesson in the Gospel Principles Manual and so simple!  My favorite part of the lesson was the section titled "Coming to know God."  It is as simple as 4 things that have been on my mind since.

1. Believe that He exists and that He loves us (see Mosiah 4:9).
2. Study the scriptures (see 2 Timothy 3:14–17).
3. Pray to Him (see James 1:5).
4. Obey all His commandments as best we can (see John 14:21–23).

That being said I do feel near to all three members of the Godhead, but only when I am striving to does those 4 things.  It seems like I can do 2-3 at a time, but struggle with doing all 4 all the time.  I am so grateful that Christ walked the earth so he knows exactly how I feel!

Stand in Sacred Places

Oh my goodness I cannot say enough good things about Elder Marlin K. Jensen's CES address from this past week. I want to watch it again and can here. I felt the spirit so strongly and loved the lessons he taught about the Sacred Grove. The Sacred Grove is special to me for so many reasons...It is were Joseph Smith met God the Father and Jesus Christ in answer to his prayer. It is also the last vacation I went on with my Mother before she passed away. It is where Elder Scott from the Quorum of the 12 apostles proposed to his wife and it is where I have felt the spirit so strongly! I wish I lived closer to the site, but the good news is I can stand in sacred places or feel the Spirit daily!

Elder Jensen talked about what we can learn from the Sacred Grove. He said, "A careful observer of nature ... can learn some significant lessons from the ecosystem that exists there," he said. "I wish to briefly share four of those lessons with you tonight."
Those 4 lessons are:
Lesson No.1: Trees always grow toward the light.
Lesson No. 2: Trees require opposition to fulfill the measure of their creation.
Lesson No. 3: Trees are best grown in forests, not in isolation.
Lesson No. 4: Trees draw strength from the nutrients created by previous generations of trees.

He applied this tree analogy to each of our lives.  I don't even know what else to share with you from him because every word inspired me!  If you want to read some of the talk (but not the full text) you can at ldschurchnews.com

Debt

I have been thinking a lot lately about the service member's in our church render. There are no paid members in our church. The 1st Presidency, Stake Presidency and Bishopric definitely put in more time then anyone I know who voluntarily gives of their time.  There is also the Elder's Quorum and Relief Society Presidency's. 

I never knew how much time these people really contributed until I was old enough to see my Dad gone a lot serving others.  I have always known of the scripture in Mosiah 2:17 that says "...when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God, " but it was not until today when I read verse 34 did I receive an answer to my prayers. "...ye are eternally indebted to your heavenly Father, to render to him all that you have and are."

We are eternally indebted to our Heavenly Father because we cannot even comprehend what he has done for us.  I am pretty blessed to be served by the above mentioned people on a daily basis, but even more blessed that I have a Heavenly Father and Savior who love me so much.  I know that they love me because of their sacrifices.  So thank you President Monson, my Bishop, my Dad, and especially my Father in Heaven.

The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints

I realized today how many people around the world are reading this blog and I thought I would tell you about my church. I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We have approximatley 14 million members around the world. We are Christian and strive to emulate Jesus Christ. We believe in continuing revelation and I know that God answers my prayers. We also believe that we have the restored Priesthood here on the earth. We study and read from the Book of Mormon, which I KNOW is true because I have prayed about it and received my own personal answer about the truthfulness therein.

We have 13 Articles of Faith that include our basic beliefs:

"1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.

3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing egood to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."

I am so grateful to be a member of this church and am priveldged to share it with others in hopes of bring them unto Christ!