Life's Adventure



This world is filled with so many beautiful things; the mountains, trees, skies, sunset, sunrise. God has given all of these things so that we could love them and because he loves us. Take time and notice the beauties that have been created around you. They are meant for noticing, no passing by. Never let a moment pass to notice the beauty of the world we live in and show our Heavenly Father our appreciation for this wonderful place we live in. I know there's a God and I know that all things were created by Him. One of the most amazing things to watch is a sunrise. I remember being on an airplane, over the clouds, and seeing the sun slowing come over the mountains. The beauty took my breath away and I knew that God was there. This earth has so many beauties that are worth watching and I know you'll feel our Heavenly Father's love as you take time to notice these. Have fun in life with what's there. Life is an adventure and it's our job to go out of our everyday live's schedule and notice these things and try to notice new things each day. "The wilderness must be explored!"



Christmas Time Is Soon

With Christmas time coming up, it's a time to spend with your loved ones. Have fun with this wonderful weather that God created. Sometimes it's just best to have a snowball fight. Any situation can be made for the better with some imagination. Sometimes, the best way to show the love that you have for someone is by having fun with them. Life isn't about sitting around and being idle, but going and doing. This will bring you close together. I fondly remember the experiences, such as snowball fights, that I've had with my brothers just because we had fun with each other and this brought us closer together.

Help Them Look Up!

As members of the church we should let everyone know what the gospel is. Don't pressure too much, but share our beliefs and just why we are so happy. I've found most joy in the gospel when sharing it. I can promise that you will be surprised at the people who will listen to what you have to say, even when at first it may not seem like it. This gospel is true and can touch the hearts of everyone, if we just lend out a hand. There are times when maybe it's not appropriate to share a message and if that's the case, serve them. Many hearts can and will be touched by acts of service. Do it out of love.

"If the very jaws of hell gape open the mouth"

  

  In 3rd Nephi 12: 10-11 it says:

And blessed are all they who are ^apersecuted for my name’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

And blessed are ye when men shall ^arevile you and persecute, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake;

This picture sticks out to me because it makes the persecution for Joseph Smith more comprehensible.  I've always wondered why things have had to happen to me and I honestly rarely know exactly why. This picture is just a glimpse of the trials of Joseph Smith and he was able to endure to the end. I know he's gone through more than I ever could and his example is one I want to follow. He was able to look to Jesus Christ even with a mob swarming about him. Trials are supposed to be hard, but the blessings will be innumerable. I know that I will never know fully everything I need and can definitely learn, but I know I can always turn to Jesus Christ and overcome my trials.

"You just need to believe"

This Gospel is true but there's only one way for you to find out. We read in the bible that you can know someone's works by their fruits. I challenge everyone to read the Book of Mormon and to ponder the message it contains. The gospel is like a seed. Plant it into your heart and if it invites to do good, it is of God. And  I can promise the message we share is of God because I've tested it. Just like in this video, you need to nourish the tree to find out if it is good or not. So I challenge you to do so. Study our gospel and then put it to the test.

The Reality of Music

Music to me the one of the greatest things that God has given to us. Every time I hear a song, I feel a closer connection with Him. Whenever I have had a rough day and nothing seems to help, music does. There is a reason God gave us this wonderful gift; because he thinks it's just that-wonderful. Emma Smith was instructed to make songs to show our love for God and it was pleasing to His ear. So whether you just love to listen or play music, play it so others can be blessed. One of the strongest bonds that could bring two people together is the love for music.

 

Feelings vs. Logic

I’ve now heard both sides to this subject. There are many people who I’ve met on my mission who have said that logic is everything. Things need to be reasonable; don’t need to rely on feelings. On the other hand, I have seen more instances where people from every faith, including ours, think that feelings are everything. Particularly with our faith I have heard non-members have questions and the answer they received was always to just read and pray about the Book of Mormon and you would receive the feeling and that’s all that matters.  I want to share that these are both wrong. These two topics should never clash against each other but should intertwine. They run hand in hand with what God wants from us. We can only get so far with just feelings, and we can only get so far with just logic. But together they can become so powerful. In many instances in the Bible as well as the Book of Mormon we are told to reason with what we have. Paul “reasons” with the people out of the scriptures. The Lord tells us to “reason” with what we receive. First thing that comes to my mind is in the Book of Mormon when Alma tells us to take the seed and test and nurture it to see if it’s true. Now with feelings, the greatest Commandment is to love God with all your heart, might, mind, and strength. Well what is love? A feeling. So as missionaries we do not just ask people to logically find an answer, or just pray for a feeling in the heart. We want both. Take the doctrines of the Book of Mormon and implement them into your life. Test the words and if they invite to do good  and give a feeling in the heart then they are of God. We want you to receive a feeling, but also to reason with what you have and the feeling you receive; so do it.