A Different View

I always love to think about the different views we all have. Two people can be at the same place at the same time, but see far different things than one other. The other day I was at the top of Chase Tower, and I was able to see out across all of Rochester, and I can tell you it is a way different view that being down in the city. From the top of the tower you can even see Lake Ontario in the horizon and the green trees in all directions.

Yet if someone were to be standing down on the streets of the city, all they would see are the tall buildings around them. But from my angle, I could see all the people as well as miles in the distance. How similar it is when we teach people about this seemingly new concept of the restoration to them. When they first hear it, it may be like they are standing in the streets, they can only see the picture that is right in front of them. But as they lean unto the Lord for understanding, and pray and ponder for themselves, they begin to see the whole picture of what our heavenly father has in plan for us. It is like their eyes are being opened and they are able to see on a whole new plane, even as if they were at the top of Chase Tower and able to see out for miles and miles. As We begin to understand the plan of Salvation, we begin to see the whole picture. We begin to know what the lord has planned for us eternally, and we are able to see what the Lord has planned for us in our future, and the many blessings that we can receive!

FIRE!!

What is the meaning of a fire inside of you? Do you understand what it means to have that fire which will never distinguish inside of you? What is the cause of this fire deep inside? Why would the fire leave us, why will it stay? What is the fire that burns inside of us anyway? What does the fire feel like? What do I understand about the person who caused this fire? What will I do to keep this fire burning brighter than ever?


That was a lot of questions, but I can promise that I can answer everyone of those questions. There
is still a fire burning within me, there is still a fire burning within Brandon Flowers, But what I want to really know is if there is still a fire burning within you? Our goal in this life is to never lose faith, belief and testimony of our savior Jesus Christ, and to always remember him and live like him, that our fire may never distinguish!

World Series

It's the World Series, the greatest time of the year for baseball fans! When I was younger, I would always try to record the game so I could watch it over and over again, to see how the players played so well, so one day I could learn how to play baseball great myself. Maybe it paid off some, as I went and played baseball all through high school and beyond. As someone as dedicated to baseball as I was, it's hard to believe I am not playing it right now. Through the years I would play on the spring team, then during the regular season, the on the summer team, then on the fall team. And if I could have played on a winter team, I probably would have. It is safe to say I was really into baseball. 

     So why would I go on a mission and not continue baseball? The truth is I have a testimony of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and I would have felt worse to know that I didn't serve my God for two years when I had every opportunity to do so, then to play the game I love for two years. So why would I stop playing baseball if I had the chance to continue? Because I know what God wants me to do. I know the Book of Mormon is a true book, as with the Bible, and I know that there are a lot of people that do not know this. They do not know how merciful of a God we have and the plan that he has set up for us to be happy forever. If I can spend my whole life doing something I love, then why couldn't I spend two years teaching others about what else I love, and the love God has for them. My life will continuewhen I get back, but I never will have the opportunity to give 10% of my life to such a great cause again. I went on a mission to serve the lord and bring happiness to others, I was blessed to do what I love for my life before, and now I am blessed to love what I do now.


    

What If We Just Ask ?

What are the possibilities of asking ? What could happen? what might happen? Each of us are entitled to personal revelation and we can all receive it! President Monson talked about gaining a personal relationship with our heavenly father, and that the closer we become with him, the more we will be able to receive insight. Pure intelligence can be spoken in through the mind said J. Devn Cornish. The way that we can receive a personal relationship with our father is through prayer. Elder Cornish also said " If we feel too bad to pray it is like saying we feel to sick to go to the doctor."

     Elder Cornish told a pretty simple story to help us realize what we may receive, even if it is simple. He told a story of when he was a little boy, and he prayed that he could find a quarter on the side of the street to buy a peice of chicken. I mean that is a pretty simple thing to ask for, but he had the faith that it would work. "Whatsoever you shall ask the father in my name which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you. "

    Sometimes there are blessings that we can receive from a loving heavenly father who knows what is best for us, but those blessings are dependant upon us asking for them. The closer we become with our father in heaven the more we will know what we can ask that is within his will, and the more blessings that we can receive if we just have faith and ask, as well as act. For Faith without works is dead ...

Missionary Work and the Atonement

Why is it hard, why is it hard to have people believe what we have to share, about happiness forever. We have a message that will bring peace to everyone that hears it and obeys the message. Why can't success be more rapid? Remember we are all missionaries, every member a missionary as it has been said. This applies to you as it applies to me. Listen to the message of the prophets.

CLEAN AND HALLOWEEN

         During our last preperation day, which is our day for missionaires to get together and have some fun, we played capture the flag again. With all of us running up and down stairs, and jumping from concrete wall to concrete wall. Sometimes running at full speed, some of us are bound to get hurt a little, and some of us did.
           
        I was on my side, waiting for the perfect moment to make my break to the other side and free a prisoner of my team. After a few moments I saw my opportunity and I bolted through the gap. One of the other team came charging after me, but I knew that I was fast enough to make it to the other side and free my teammate. I ran up the stairs and dodged the tag, I was wide open, a clear path to go free them. Right as I made it around the concrete wall, I saw the mud puddle. I had forgotten that that was there, and I was running at full speed, there was no way to avoid it. One of my feet slid in the puddle and next thing I know I was flat on my face covered in mud. Just when I thought I was completely safe, the unexpected obstacle came up, and I was tagged and put into jail :(

  How many times to we think that we are completely free, we think that we will be all right by taking that path because we know what lies ahead of us, and we will remain clean. Then the unexpected obstacle like the mud puddle happens, and before we know it, we have fallen to the ground, we have become dirty and satan has his chains upon us.                 
   
      As Halloween approaches, a lot of people like to have a lot of fun. They think they know what the obstacles ahead are, like what might be at that party, but they think that they are fast enough or good enough to dodge the obstacle. And maybe they will make it through one, but we never know when that unexpected obstacle will jump out at us. Halloween is one of the best times of the year, where friends get together and create great memories. Our Savior knows that we like to have fun, but he also wants us to reamin clean before him. As we have fun this holiday, remember the savior in all we do, that we may have another great holiday and yet remain CLEAN THIS HALLOWEEN!

BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE -- WHATEVER THAT MAY BE

No matter who you are, or what faith you have, you can always be the best that you can be. All of us are never going agree which path is the right one for us to follow. As a missionary I have been put into the mix of hearing what a lot of people believe. And like I said, sometimes we never agree. Sometimes I think that I have brought forth my best point of view upon a certain subject, and yet the other person that I am talking to does not agree with what I have to say. All I have to say is no matter how clear I may present an issue, or how powerful I believe that the spirit has testified to them of what I believe and know to be true, everyone has their free agency to see it differently.

This coach, even though everyone may see the same picture different, has incorporated something into their program that everyone can agree on. If you are Catholic, be the best Catholic boy that you can boy, if you are Mormon, be the best Mormon boy that you can be. Whatever you may be, whatever you may do, honor what you do. We are children of God, regardless of what you believe, be firm in your faith of Jesus Christ and be Your Best. Serve those around you and be the example of what God knows you can be. Be open and hear the messages of Christ, BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE!

NEVER BACK DOWN -- OR DO SOMETHING BETTER

The other day we were walking down the street and we saw a bunch of people, kids ranging from 3 to adults. And if you have ever seen the movie called never back down, that is what they were doing! circling up and ready to brawl ! but this is what I have to say, is there something more we could do than to back yard brawl, could you we be doing something better.  WE CAN DO BETTER, BE BETTER, LIVE BETTER, Follow Jesus Christ and don't let yourself be caught up in the things of the world. Follow the example of this guy!