General Conference..... and I love it!

General Conference brings back some of the greatest memories that I have. I still remember all the best times that are associated with Conference, like waking up in the morning with a waffle or pancake breakfast for the Saturday morning session of conference. I think it was the tradition of my family to do that for Saturday morning, because looking back I can't think of a time that it didn't happen. Not to say that there wasn't a time, I just don't remember it ha. And I also remember quite often we would go for a drive up to West Yellowstone State Park. We would have conference playing on the radio, and be driving through the beautiful environment. It really was a cool thing to hear conference as we talk about Jesus Christ and the many mighty miracles that he did, and while I am listening to that, I am also able to see with my eyes all the marvelous things that God has done for me in this life. All of the beautiful mountains that he has given us and all the animals that roam around that country are an amazing adventure to see. This world when I really look at it, is a testimony that Jesus Christ lives, and that there is a God. For there is beauty all around uncomparable to the creation of man. 

    Those are my favorite memories of Conference, being with my family, enjoying our traditional breakfast on Saturday and then going for a beautiful drive to see and to hear what great things God has done for me. I hope that I am able to create more memories that are just as good as the ones that I have right now. General Conference is a wonderful time for me, for God has given me many things to be happy and thankful for !

Under the Masters Watch

When I was in Israel I saw a little boy who could whistle and call his sheep as we call dogs. My son-in-law, who spent two years there, told me that some shepherds are so close to their sheep that they literally call the sheep by name, and the sheep come out of the flock. Jesus, understanding the nature of sheep, referred to them in characterizing the Pharisees and others who did not belong to his fold and did not recognize who he was. They did not come out and follow him as he called.

In John 10:7, the Savior explains that it is through him, and only through him, that mankind can gain entrance into his Heavenly Father’s kingdom: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.”

--- Homer S. Ellsworth

    Jesus Christ knows each of us by name, like some of the sheep herders that lived in Israel, he is very close to us, more than we even realize. We are characterized as his sheep, for he calls to us by name, with pure love that none can compare, he always wants the best for us. Sometimes I like to imagine it as this, that the sheep that are of the fold of Christ are kept in a beautiful pasture, they have all they need to live happily and they are under the watch of the master that will never let the enemy come upon them. Then there are the sheep that are on the outskirts who are not apart of the fold, and are on their own. The wolves and the predators that prowl for them are always on the watch and lie in wait to catch them, for the sheep have no protection. The shepherd (Christ) is always calling the sheep by name to come over to him, and he will open the gate to let the sheep enter into full safety of the masters watch. But unfortunately sometimes the sheep will stare at the gate but will not come because they like the freedom of what they think is the rest of the world. For the sheep don't realize the dangers that lie outside of the masters watch, and they do not realize that they shall have all they need in the masters watch, and protection forever.

     As I have gone through my time on my mission, I have seen people that respond to the call of Christ very quickly, they realize what the shepherd has to offer and accept the call. Yet there are those that sit at the gate, they hear the call of their master, for he has called them by name in love to let them in. But they sit at the GATE and DEBATE what freedom really is. Commandments are freedom, for they will set you free. Though others may think those of the fold are suppressed, the watchful eye of the master can see to the horizon and knows the dangers that lurk in the distance. For he guides his sheep in safe paths, while they who choose their own path do not see beyond their strides.

The Lord has given us a promise, that if we hearken to his voice and come under the watch of the master, we will be promised eternal life, peace, happiness, and our families forever. Do not WAIT at the GATE and DEBATE about what freedom really is, but enter into the fold and live peacefully under the MASTERS WATCH .

NEVER ALONE

            


1 Nephi 3:7

7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.
Regardless of the problems that we may have in our life, the lord shall always prepare a way that we may accomplish the task at hand as well as keep his commandments at the same time. It is not something that we have to choose one or the other. For he giveth no temptation above that which we are able to handle. And he will with the temptation make a way that we will be able to escape it. So when we consider that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen, and also that a trial must be encountered before we receive a witness of what we believe, we must realize that temptation is a way to grow our faith. Just like faith has been compared to a seed, if it has nourishment it will grow, It must be challenged to become strong. Not everyone is going to see an angel on the road they travel, like on the road to Damascus. Some may think that by that type of experience is the only way for them to truly believe. But I shall consider to you that faith once again is things not seen. The road to accomplish all things in your life has been laid out already by your loving heavenly father who gives guidance by his holy spirit to anyone that seeks his counsel, and those who seek it often are wise. The road is already there though you may not see it, but sometimes the only thing that is holding us back is to start walking...

Raise Your Vision: Safety for the Soul

A missionaries purpose

This one is more to the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We had a wonderful zone conference today, in which Elder Nash of the seventies came and spoke with us. He is a very powerful speaker, and we had speakers from the missionaries, from our mission president and his wife, and from Elder Nash and his wife. The main time was spent with elder Nash speaking. I always listen carefully for something that I have never really thought of before. I always want to pull some idea or concept out from a talk that I can really feel like I have learned something new that I never knew before. Elder Nash said this, "It is the role of the missionary to assist the members in the work of the Lord, and not for the members to assist the missionaries." That was a strange thought to me at first, but as I thought about how to be a successful missionary, and the things that we have learned from preach my gospel, he is right. You as members are the true servants of the vinyard, doing the Lords work. You are the ones that spend day in and day out, with your non-member friends, and it is through you that the missionaries can assist you in your efforts to bring eternal life for your friends and family. We as missionaries should do everything that we can to find and to bring in, but in large, success is found through the members of the ward. If you follow your part, the blessings of God will follow and rain upon you.

     The whole idea of the message is, that every member is a missionary, and will play a big part if not bigger role than the missionary in bringing people to the truth. Hopefully the missionaries will try to involve you as members in everything that they do, and make realitionships with investigators in the ward, but you as members, can make a major difference in the work of the Lord in your area. Talk to your missionaries and sdee how they can assist you. And as the ward begins to feel the fire of the work, many souls will be brought into the fold of God and blessings that are special to you shall be given from our loving Saviour and God. Missionaries and Members together, unified and strong will bring a greater result than the two seperate parts could ever hope to achieve alone. In unity are the greatest works of this world accomplished. The savior loves us all, and there are many that await the light of the gospel.

The Only True God & Jesus Christ Whom He Has Sent

I love to listen to Elder Holland, he puts passion into his words. I hope that we can all have passion within our words to bear with power our testimonies of the savior Jesus Chrsit.

"Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it is the only thing."   --  Albert Schweitzer

 I am really big into quotes and I like to hear what other people think. There are regular people everywhere inspired everyday by the Holy Ghost to say things that will make a difference in other people's lives. The Holy Ghost whispers quitely to us, It will not be loud like thunder, but we will feel it in our hearts and hear it within our minds. The Holy Ghost is a guide that will never leave us as long we are worthy of that great gift.

The Sting of the Scorpion

If we obey the commandments and follow the teachings of the savior, he will give us promptings for safety. And as the boy thought to grab shoes, he justified not wearing them. Many times have I justified not following a prompting of the spirit and found out my path was not the right choice but the one I was prompted to follow would have been best.

The Blessings of Scripture-400th Anniversary of the KJV Bible

2 Nephi 32:3

Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.


I am so thankful to have the words of Christ in my life, that I am able to study and learn and decide for myself what I believe and have faith in. Thanks to the efforts of some men, I have been richly blessed with the words of Christ at my finger tips.