So today I was studying up on Diligence. In Preach My Gospel it says, "Diligence is steady, consistent, earnest, and energetic effort in doing the Lord’s work." I thought of those four traits individually. The one that stood out to me the most was energetic. I found it interesting that being energetic would help you to be diligent. When I thought of what energetic was I thought of a little puppy just running around, going crazy, jumping all over the place, and just being happy. The happy part really hit me. I saw the truly being diligent requires a positive attitude. If we are working or doing anything with a negative attitude or grudgingly we aren't going to do a good job or get much out of it. But if we are positive and happy it makes everything go better. So I realized that we need to find joy in all that we do. When we are working towards our hopes and desires if we do it with a positive attitude we will be able to overcome the obstacles that stand in our way. On the other hand if we are negative and upset the first trial that pops up will throw us off track. Then we won’t reach our desired goal.
Then I saw how being earnest tied in with the positive attitude. If we are working for something for the wrong reason we won’t receive the true reward or the joy that comes from accomplishing the task. If we truly desire to reach something, we will be earnest in working for it. That will help us have the positive attitude needed to do the Lords work.
I figured steady and consistent were pretty easy ones. We just have to work as hard as we can. As we steadily work for our desires we will gradually improve. With that consistent improve me we will be able to achieve the desires that we have. The positive attitude fits in here as well. We must look on the bright side of things as we work. As we do we will notice the silver linings, the blessings of God, and the little miracles in our lives. We need to focus on our gradual improvement not our faults and weakness. Seeing the great change in ourselves and those we work for will give us greater motivation to continue working harder and thus improving our weaknesses.
To be diligent requires hard work and sacrifice on our part. The great thing is that we don't have to care the load and the work all by ourselves. The savior is there to lighten our loads and ease our burdens. As we live his commandments and rely on him for help and support it will come. What more could be ask for then the Son of God to be by our side and work shoulder to shoulder with us. What can bring us more joy than know that the Savior loves us enough to suffer and work for us and that God loves us so much to send his only begotten son to do so. I know that this brings me great joy and comfort in my life. I know that as we rely on the savior and work hard we will reach our desires. We will find great joy and love in our lives. We just need to work hard doing the Lords work and what he asks of us. I know that as we do so we will win the prize. The prizes of this life are our righteous desires that bring us closer to God, but we will also receive the greatest prize from God of eternal life. To be with him and our families forever. What a great prize that is. I know that God loves and cares for each of us and will help us reach our desires as we diligently work towards them. So let us stay positive and work hard.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
The Miracle That is You!
So I was studying last night about miracles. One cool thing I got out of it is that we are all a miracle. Life is a miracle. It is a great blessing from God. How we got here we really don't fully understand. Plus this life isn't it we still have the life to come after we are resurrected, which is a miracle.
Our life here on Earth and our future in the eternities all relies on what we do. God has given us the freedom to choose for ourselves. Based on our choices we can have eternal life in the presence of God or to be cast out of God's presence for eternity. Our choices in this life affect how we see and feel about things. We can choice to be positive and look on the bright side of things as we do we will find joy, our faith will grow, and people will enjoy being around us. We could be negative and cause ourselves greater stress, doubt the things that can be accomplished causing our faith to be weakened, and run all of our loved ones away by being such a grouch.
We also have the ability to seek after things of God. In opposition to that we can seek after things of the world. As we seek after things of the world them will bring us momentary happiness, gratify our pride, and make us feel good about ourselves. But as we seek after things of God that is when true joy comes to us all. We must choose to follow God. As we do so times might be hard but the things of God will bring us everlasting joy. One thing that comes to my mind is families. Our families are a blessing from God. At times they might cause us pain and suffering. They might cause us to stress and worry, but in the long run they fill us with joy and love. A joy and love that can last for all eternity if we live the commandments of God and follow his teachings.
I do know that we have the freedom to choose but we don't have to walk the path alone. If we are choosing the right Jesus Christ will be with us to strengthen us and support us in our endeavors. I know that God loves us and so does our savior Jesus Christ. I know that our families our ordained of God and that if we follow God's teachings and live right we can dwell with our families, Jesus Christ, and our Heavenly Father for all Eternity.
(Check out 2 Nephi Chapter 2 and mormon.org/faq/#Eternal+Life and mormon.org/faq/#Family)
Our life here on Earth and our future in the eternities all relies on what we do. God has given us the freedom to choose for ourselves. Based on our choices we can have eternal life in the presence of God or to be cast out of God's presence for eternity. Our choices in this life affect how we see and feel about things. We can choice to be positive and look on the bright side of things as we do we will find joy, our faith will grow, and people will enjoy being around us. We could be negative and cause ourselves greater stress, doubt the things that can be accomplished causing our faith to be weakened, and run all of our loved ones away by being such a grouch.
We also have the ability to seek after things of God. In opposition to that we can seek after things of the world. As we seek after things of the world them will bring us momentary happiness, gratify our pride, and make us feel good about ourselves. But as we seek after things of God that is when true joy comes to us all. We must choose to follow God. As we do so times might be hard but the things of God will bring us everlasting joy. One thing that comes to my mind is families. Our families are a blessing from God. At times they might cause us pain and suffering. They might cause us to stress and worry, but in the long run they fill us with joy and love. A joy and love that can last for all eternity if we live the commandments of God and follow his teachings.
I do know that we have the freedom to choose but we don't have to walk the path alone. If we are choosing the right Jesus Christ will be with us to strengthen us and support us in our endeavors. I know that God loves us and so does our savior Jesus Christ. I know that our families our ordained of God and that if we follow God's teachings and live right we can dwell with our families, Jesus Christ, and our Heavenly Father for all Eternity.
(Check out 2 Nephi Chapter 2 and mormon.org/faq/#Eternal+Life and mormon.org/faq/#Family)
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Do We Really Rely on Jesus Christ Enough?
So the other day I was having a sweet conversation with a guy down in Altamont, TN. We were talking about how life is hard at times. We came to the realization that we make life harder than it really needs to be. We talked about how we rely on ourselves to get through these trials. That we beat ourselves up to much when we do wrong.
Jesus Christ promised that he will not leave us comfortless (John 14:18). All we have to do is rely on him. Jesus Christ will give us the strength we need to get through our trials (Matt. 11:29). Christ suffered everything we would ever go through for us so that he would be able to make our lives easier (Alma 7:12 also see verse 11). I know that Jesus Christ is always there for us and that he will never leave us alone. It is up to us to call upon Him and ask him for the strength and comfort that we need. I know that He will guide us through our trials as we humbly follow him.
We also talk about how we need to focus on the positive in life. That we need to look at the good that we have done but keep in mind how great we can become. God doesn't want us to be sad. God's purpose is to give us joy (2 Ne. 2:25). To give us this joy our Heavenly Father sent his son Jesus Christ to suffer and die for our pains, trials, sins, temptations, and all other horrible things we would face in this life that would keep us from having joy and receiving Eternal Life (John 3:16). Through Jesus Christ we can be forgiven of our sins and our short comings so there is no reason to dwell on them. We just need to seek his forgiveness, through prayer, and then strive not to make the same mistakes. We should not dwell on those things we have repented of because Christ doesn't. Christ promises not to mention those short comings to us if we truly repent of them (Ezekiel 18 verses 21-22).
So let us all rely on the Lord more. Let us pray more often with real intent. Let’s turn from our wrongs and rely on him for support through our trials. I know that our Savior is always there for us. I know that he will ease our burdens and make our lives easier as we trust in him and keep his commandments. I know that Jesus Christ died for our sins and loves us all. Let’s seek the joy in our lives that comes from living how God would want us to live. I know that the Book of Mormon will bring us that joy because it does bring us closer to Christ. So check it out. Jesus Christ lives today and loves and cares for us all.
Jesus Christ promised that he will not leave us comfortless (John 14:18). All we have to do is rely on him. Jesus Christ will give us the strength we need to get through our trials (Matt. 11:29). Christ suffered everything we would ever go through for us so that he would be able to make our lives easier (Alma 7:12 also see verse 11). I know that Jesus Christ is always there for us and that he will never leave us alone. It is up to us to call upon Him and ask him for the strength and comfort that we need. I know that He will guide us through our trials as we humbly follow him.
We also talk about how we need to focus on the positive in life. That we need to look at the good that we have done but keep in mind how great we can become. God doesn't want us to be sad. God's purpose is to give us joy (2 Ne. 2:25). To give us this joy our Heavenly Father sent his son Jesus Christ to suffer and die for our pains, trials, sins, temptations, and all other horrible things we would face in this life that would keep us from having joy and receiving Eternal Life (John 3:16). Through Jesus Christ we can be forgiven of our sins and our short comings so there is no reason to dwell on them. We just need to seek his forgiveness, through prayer, and then strive not to make the same mistakes. We should not dwell on those things we have repented of because Christ doesn't. Christ promises not to mention those short comings to us if we truly repent of them (Ezekiel 18 verses 21-22).
So let us all rely on the Lord more. Let us pray more often with real intent. Let’s turn from our wrongs and rely on him for support through our trials. I know that our Savior is always there for us. I know that he will ease our burdens and make our lives easier as we trust in him and keep his commandments. I know that Jesus Christ died for our sins and loves us all. Let’s seek the joy in our lives that comes from living how God would want us to live. I know that the Book of Mormon will bring us that joy because it does bring us closer to Christ. So check it out. Jesus Christ lives today and loves and cares for us all.
Friday, May 27, 2011
All We Need Is Hope!
So I was think how desire is what starts us on a certain path. As I thought of that I realized that hope is what keeps us on that path. When we are seeking after a desire we are hoping for something great to happen. We are hoping to receive or accomplish this desire we have. I know from my own life that as you work for something there always seems to be obstacles and temptations to through you off that path. This is were hope comes in. We have our hope that no matter what the obstacles we will fulfill our desire. President Uchtdorf said, "Hope has the power to fill our lives with happiness. Its absence—when this desire of our heart is delayed—can make “the heart sick.” As I thought of that I thought of how with hope we see that light at the end of the tunnel. We see that better days our ahead of us. This hope gives us the strength to go on and reach our desires. Hope is the anchor that keeps us focused and determined through the hard times (Ether 12:4). Our hope will help us to patiently await the promises of the Lord to be fulfilled (Rom. 15:4). The scriptures are here to strengthen our hope and remind us that the Lord will bless us and fulfill his promises.
When we hope for more and hope for the desires of our hearts to be fulfilled we can't just sit around doing nothing. We have to put for our effort and work for it. First Corinthians 9:10 promises us that if we hope for something and go out and work for it we will receive that hope (1 Cor. 9:10). Receiving our hopes is reaching our desires. As I said our hope keeps us rooted and focused on our desires. A few months ago I was studying up on hope and the armor of God (found in Eph. 6:10–18 ). As I studied that I came across first Thessalonians 5:8 (1 Thes. 5:8). I found it interesting that Paul calls it, "...and for an helmet, the hope of salvation." As I pondered why hope would be the helmet I thought of how the helmet is important to protect our head. One good blow to the head and we are done for so it needs great protection. I thought of how hope needs to be the helmet of our mind. If we aren't focused and rooted on our hope the temptations and trials of this world will cause us to doubt and thus cause us to lose focus. But as we have our hopes solid on our mind we will keep the focus required to preserver. President Uchtdorf said on hope, "
Hope, on the other hand, is like the beam of sunlight rising up and above the horizon of our present circumstances. It pierces the darkness with a brilliant dawn. It encourages and inspires us to place our trust in the loving care of an eternal Heavenly Father, who has prepared a way for those who seek for eternal truth in a world of relativism, confusion, and of fear."
I know that things can be hard at times. I know that doubt and despair can seek into our lives. But I know that as we stay focused on our desires and hope for them to come to pass that we will be able to stand strong. I know that as we stand strong we will accomplish all things and reaching our hopes and desires will bring us ultimate joy. So what do you hope for? What are you able to go through to achieve it? Just know that Jesus Christ is there to help you work towards and receive our greatest hopes and desires. We just need to rely on him and consistently move forward working for our hopes. I know that through Jesus Christ we can accomplish all things. So stay focused on the good and work for your hopes and you will partake of them (1 Cor. 9:10).
When we hope for more and hope for the desires of our hearts to be fulfilled we can't just sit around doing nothing. We have to put for our effort and work for it. First Corinthians 9:10 promises us that if we hope for something and go out and work for it we will receive that hope (1 Cor. 9:10). Receiving our hopes is reaching our desires. As I said our hope keeps us rooted and focused on our desires. A few months ago I was studying up on hope and the armor of God (found in Eph. 6:10–18 ). As I studied that I came across first Thessalonians 5:8 (1 Thes. 5:8). I found it interesting that Paul calls it, "...and for an helmet, the hope of salvation." As I pondered why hope would be the helmet I thought of how the helmet is important to protect our head. One good blow to the head and we are done for so it needs great protection. I thought of how hope needs to be the helmet of our mind. If we aren't focused and rooted on our hope the temptations and trials of this world will cause us to doubt and thus cause us to lose focus. But as we have our hopes solid on our mind we will keep the focus required to preserver. President Uchtdorf said on hope, "
Hope, on the other hand, is like the beam of sunlight rising up and above the horizon of our present circumstances. It pierces the darkness with a brilliant dawn. It encourages and inspires us to place our trust in the loving care of an eternal Heavenly Father, who has prepared a way for those who seek for eternal truth in a world of relativism, confusion, and of fear."
I know that things can be hard at times. I know that doubt and despair can seek into our lives. But I know that as we stay focused on our desires and hope for them to come to pass that we will be able to stand strong. I know that as we stand strong we will accomplish all things and reaching our hopes and desires will bring us ultimate joy. So what do you hope for? What are you able to go through to achieve it? Just know that Jesus Christ is there to help you work towards and receive our greatest hopes and desires. We just need to rely on him and consistently move forward working for our hopes. I know that through Jesus Christ we can accomplish all things. So stay focused on the good and work for your hopes and you will partake of them (1 Cor. 9:10).
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
It All Starts With A Desire
During my daily studies today I studied on desire. I read Elder Dallin H. Oaks talk on Desire (check it out for yourself, Desire). As I read the talk I started to reflect on my own personal desires. That is something I would suggest we all do. In the talk Elder Oaks says, "Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. The desires we act on determine our changing, our achieving, and our becoming." As I read that I thought to myself, what are my priorities? What do I want to achieve and become? After further review there is a lot of work to be done, but there is still hope.
The hope comes because I know that it all starts with a desire. As Alma teaches in the Book of Mormon; "even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you" (Alma 32:27). Once we desire something we need to work to achieve that desire. We can see our desired out come and that is what we hope for. Then we have faith that the Lord will provide the way for us to achieve our desire. Now as we work the path to our desire hard times may arise. We must keep the faith and trust that the Lord will help us through it all. We have to have patience and remember that we will be provided with our righteous desires when the Lord sees fit for us to receive them. We just need to consistently work our hardest at achieving our desires. That is where diligence comes in, but we have to work at a pace that is right for the desired out come. Lots of times things just don't happen overnight. We just have to take the necessary steps to reach our desires. We must follow the council of King Benjamin found it Mosiah 4:27 of the Book of Mormon.
Alma does a great job summing this all up in Alma 32:41-43(Alma 32:41, Alma 32:42, Alma 32:43). I know that as we desire and work towards things of God and that have been ordained of God we will find the greatest joy and happiness imaginable in our lives. I know that the path is hard at times but I know that God will provide us will little tastes of this great joy. This will help us strive harder to reach our desires. I know that when we do reach these righteous desires that we will feel great joy and feel God's love in our lives and that is all we really need. I know that it all starts with a desire and as we do God's will and patiently work with the required effort we will reach our desires. I know that God loves us and will give us the greatest gifts as we serve Him and do His Will. Let us all reflect on our desires and strive to achieve our desires that will bring us closer to God and help us achieve His will for us.
The hope comes because I know that it all starts with a desire. As Alma teaches in the Book of Mormon; "even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you" (Alma 32:27). Once we desire something we need to work to achieve that desire. We can see our desired out come and that is what we hope for. Then we have faith that the Lord will provide the way for us to achieve our desire. Now as we work the path to our desire hard times may arise. We must keep the faith and trust that the Lord will help us through it all. We have to have patience and remember that we will be provided with our righteous desires when the Lord sees fit for us to receive them. We just need to consistently work our hardest at achieving our desires. That is where diligence comes in, but we have to work at a pace that is right for the desired out come. Lots of times things just don't happen overnight. We just have to take the necessary steps to reach our desires. We must follow the council of King Benjamin found it Mosiah 4:27 of the Book of Mormon.
Alma does a great job summing this all up in Alma 32:41-43(Alma 32:41, Alma 32:42, Alma 32:43). I know that as we desire and work towards things of God and that have been ordained of God we will find the greatest joy and happiness imaginable in our lives. I know that the path is hard at times but I know that God will provide us will little tastes of this great joy. This will help us strive harder to reach our desires. I know that when we do reach these righteous desires that we will feel great joy and feel God's love in our lives and that is all we really need. I know that it all starts with a desire and as we do God's will and patiently work with the required effort we will reach our desires. I know that God loves us and will give us the greatest gifts as we serve Him and do His Will. Let us all reflect on our desires and strive to achieve our desires that will bring us closer to God and help us achieve His will for us.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
There Really is a God
Yesterday I was walking around in down town Nashville with Elder Coles. We came across this lady walking her dog. She stopped and talked to us for a short moment and when the topic of religion came up she quickly informed us that she is atheist. Out of curiosity we asked her why. Her reply was life. Then she went her separate way. I personally was confused as to how life could show there was no God.
As I thought of it the first thing that came to my mind was this complex body we have. I thought of what a great creation it is. Then the scripture Genesis 1:27 came to mind about being created in God's image. I just know that God loves us and that he created these bodies for us so we could come to Earth to learn and grow. I know God lives.
Elder Coles and I continued on our journey and met a lady working out in her yard. We stopped and talked to her for awhile. We sat down with her in the grass and had a good discussion. As I sat there my mind went back to the previous discussion of life shows there is no God. As I was sitting there enjoying the nice weather and looking at all of the nice plants and everything I wondered how this showed there was no God. My mind again went to Genesis and the creation. It teaches us in the scriptures that God created the world and everything in. I also thought of a Book of Mormon prophet that teaches that all things prove there is a God (Alma 30:44). This world and universe is way to complex to just come into existence. It took a well laid plan from our Father in Heaven to develop this beautiful place for us to live.
Then as I was driving home that night I thought of how people could think there is no God with how crazy and messed up life can be at times. We are definitely faced with a lot of hardship and heartbreaks as we go through life. People might question why a loving all powerful God would do that. I do know that God loves us and wants what's best for us. I also know that God has blessed all of his children with agency or the freedom to choose ( 2 Ne. 2:27 2 Ne. 10:23). God allows us to make our own choices. This life is a test for us to prove we are going to follow God (2 Nephi 2:21)(Alma 34:32). As in all test there is right and wrong. It is up to us to figure out what is right but there is always and opposition or temptation to lead us to do wrong (2 Nephi 2:11)(2 Nephi 2:15). People will make choices that will hurt us but we can't get mad at God for that. I know that God loves us and is there for us. I know that at times life gets hard but I also know that it is during those hard times that we grow closer to God. We need to trust in God and stay faithful to His commandments and as we do we will find the light and joy at the end of the tunnel. I know that God loves each and every one of us. I know that he is just a prayer away and that he hears and answers all of our prayers. It all just starts with a desire to believe and then acting on that desire (Alma 32).
I know that everyone has their own beliefs but I know that if anyone will read the Book of Mormon and apply its teachings and pray and ask God if it is true they will find joy and happiness in this life.
As I thought of it the first thing that came to my mind was this complex body we have. I thought of what a great creation it is. Then the scripture Genesis 1:27 came to mind about being created in God's image. I just know that God loves us and that he created these bodies for us so we could come to Earth to learn and grow. I know God lives.
Elder Coles and I continued on our journey and met a lady working out in her yard. We stopped and talked to her for awhile. We sat down with her in the grass and had a good discussion. As I sat there my mind went back to the previous discussion of life shows there is no God. As I was sitting there enjoying the nice weather and looking at all of the nice plants and everything I wondered how this showed there was no God. My mind again went to Genesis and the creation. It teaches us in the scriptures that God created the world and everything in. I also thought of a Book of Mormon prophet that teaches that all things prove there is a God (Alma 30:44). This world and universe is way to complex to just come into existence. It took a well laid plan from our Father in Heaven to develop this beautiful place for us to live.
Then as I was driving home that night I thought of how people could think there is no God with how crazy and messed up life can be at times. We are definitely faced with a lot of hardship and heartbreaks as we go through life. People might question why a loving all powerful God would do that. I do know that God loves us and wants what's best for us. I also know that God has blessed all of his children with agency or the freedom to choose ( 2 Ne. 2:27 2 Ne. 10:23). God allows us to make our own choices. This life is a test for us to prove we are going to follow God (2 Nephi 2:21)(Alma 34:32). As in all test there is right and wrong. It is up to us to figure out what is right but there is always and opposition or temptation to lead us to do wrong (2 Nephi 2:11)(2 Nephi 2:15). People will make choices that will hurt us but we can't get mad at God for that. I know that God loves us and is there for us. I know that at times life gets hard but I also know that it is during those hard times that we grow closer to God. We need to trust in God and stay faithful to His commandments and as we do we will find the light and joy at the end of the tunnel. I know that God loves each and every one of us. I know that he is just a prayer away and that he hears and answers all of our prayers. It all just starts with a desire to believe and then acting on that desire (Alma 32).
I know that everyone has their own beliefs but I know that if anyone will read the Book of Mormon and apply its teachings and pray and ask God if it is true they will find joy and happiness in this life.
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