What is a Latter-day Saint?

In President Boyd K. Packers recent General Conference address entitled, Guided by the Holy Spirit, Elder Packer discusses the idea of what a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints should represent, what we believe, and what we stand for. I found this talk to be powerful and insightful to the life of a member belonging to the LDS faith.

Elder Packer explains:
 "A Latter-day Saint is quite an ordinary individual. We are now everywhere in the world, 14 millions of us. And this is only the beginning. We are taught to be in the world but not of the world (see John 17:14–19). Therefore, we live ordinary lives in ordinary families mixed with the general population.

We are taught not to lie or cheat or steal (see Exodus 20:3–17). We do not use profanity. We are positive and happy and not afraid of life.

We are “willing to mourn with those that mourn . . . and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9).

If someone is looking for a church that requires very little, this is not the one. It is not easy to be a Latter-day Saint, but in the long run it is the only course."

An Attitude of Gratitude

"Mercies and blessings come in different forms--sometimes as hard things. Yet the Lord said, 'Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things' (D&C 59:7). All things means just that: good things, difficult things--not just some things. He has commanded us to be grateful because He knows being grateful will make us happy. This is another evidence of His love."

-Bonnie D. Parkin

Jesus Christ and the 10 lepers.



In the book of Luke, chapter 17, we read:

“And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

“And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

“And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

“And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

“And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

“And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

“There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

“And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”

Lessons I Learned as a Boy

Life Is A Highway

Thomas S. Monson once said:

"The past is behind--we must learn from it. The future is ahead--we must prepare for it. The present is now—we must live in it."

Have you ever heard the expression 'life is like a highway' before? I know I have, but up until recently I have never really thought about the significance of this statement. Life really is like a highway - there are unexpected, turns, twists, and obsticles that lie in our path. In order to sucessfully navigate the roads that lie ahead in our lives we must rely on someone who can see the entire road, from start to finish.

Neil L. Andersen once said: "A stronger personal faith in Jesus Christ will prepare [you] for the challenges you will most surely face." Placing our faith in the Savior will allow us to overcome any obsticle that lies ahead. In John 14:16 the Savior explains: “I am the way, the truth and the life.”

181st General Conference

In 2nd Nephi 32:3 we read: “Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.”

 It's hard to believe that six months have already passed since the last General Conference. Every time that General Conference gets close I get excited because we have the opportunity to hear and 'feast' upon the words of Christ through His servants. Those who will be speaking to us are the Lords representatives and have been chosen to share messages with us that will allow us to improve and enhance the quality of our lives.

An article about General Conference published by Church News and Events says: "For two days, Church members around the globe will gather in various locations to hear counsel from Church leaders, including President Thomas S. Monson and each member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, as well as other General Authorities and auxiliary leaders of the Church (Check Out The Article Here)." The words of theses leaders give us the council, guidance, and direction that we need in our lives. I know that through General Conference many of my own personal concerns have been answered through the words that were shared and I have been able to see things more clearly in my life through the council that was offered.

The Power Of Prayer

I have always loved what Jesus Christ taught us in the book of Luke Chapter 11 Verses 9-10.  

 

Jesus proclaimed: "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

What the Savior teaches us in these few short verses of scripture is very powerful. We must do as Jesus Christ directs. We must ask, seek, and knock. As we sincerely and humbly seek out Heavenly Father we are promised guidance and direction in our life.  

Mathew 21:22 says: "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." In my own life I have been able to experience this promise many times. However, the answer to our prayers doesn't always come in the way that we would expect. Sometimes the answer comes as we are relieved of our concerns and worries and are filled with peace.

LDS Online Missionaries

How many times do you use the computer a day? Once, twice, maybe three, or four? It seems like theses days it is almost impossible to stop yourself from using the computer in some way. The internet has always been a powerful way to share information. In the modern world it seems like it is almost impossible to do anything without turning to the internet for support. So why shouldn't the computer and the internet be used for the most important message there is to share? Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Today marks the start of a powerful event called the

 'Mormon Missionary

Blog-a-thon.'

Check Out The Event Here!

Identity

In a recent General Conference address President Uchtdorf explained how the story of 'The Ugly Duckling' relates to all of us. We all have struggles and hard times that come with life. Remembering that we are all children of a loving father in heaven helps us through theses struggles and also helps us to keep things in perspective.

I love the words to a familiar song:

"I am a child of God,
And he has sent me here,
Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday."

It is so important to remember our true identity. When others try to tear us down we can rise above it by remembering who we are - very important sons and daughters of our Father in heaven! Trust in the Lord to help you through the hard times in life. Know that as long as you are doing everything in your power to follow Him, and are doing what you know to be right, he will bless you and help you through any hardship that you might face.

Helping Others

In Mosiah 2:17 we read, "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."

Jesus Christ taught us that serving others is a way that we can show our love for Him and our Heavenly Father. When we take the time to serve those around us we find that we are doing the Lords work. When we serve others willingly, we are serving Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We can show Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that we love them by serving one another.

My New Life

Stephanie Nielson's inspiring story impacted me deeply. It reminded me that we all have struggles and trials in this life and that when things get tough Jesus Christ will be there for us and carry us through the tough times.

It reminded me of another story...

Building A House

"Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what he is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew theses jobs needed doing and so you are not suprised. But presently, he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is he up to? The explanation is that he is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but he is building a palace."

                            -CS Lewis

The Good Shepard

The Good Shepherd

 Luke 15:4-6

"What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost until he find it?

 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost."