What if ..?

First and foremost, this post should take roughly eight minutes to ten minutes to read. I know that there will be many people around the world in this life to ask many what if type of questions. I know that I ask myself those type of questions time to time and sometimes I hear some people asking those type of questions out loud.

For an example; "What if I did something sooner that would have changed my future decisions for the better?"

I recently thought about what type of what if questions that people may ask. I think it would be best for you to try to ask yourself and find the answers to the following questions in your own time.

What if I chose not to act upon the personal revelations that I receive for myself throughout this life?

What if the only way to get through this life is learning life lessons in a difficult way? 

What if I chose not to put my faith and trust in Heavenly Father throughout this life?

What if I chose not to follow Heavenly Father's Plan/The Plan of Salvation?

What if I chose not to be baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints?

What if I chose to be baptized but not following the gospel teachings in the correct order? 

What if I chose to make other unrighteous decisions throughout this life?

What if I was able to experience pain-free throughout this life?

What if I was able to face no challenges throughout this life?

What if I was able to face no difficulties throughout this life?

What if I was able to face no tribulations throughout this life?

In order for all of us to progress in this life, we all need to accept who are going to become.

In order for all of us to progress in this life, we all need to accept who we were in the past.

In order for all of us to progress in this life, we all need to accept who we are right now.

In order for all of us to progress in this life, we were all given Agency since birth.  In order for all of us to progress in this life, we all need to face tribulations throughout our lives.

In order for all of us to progress in this life, we all need to face difficulties throughout our lives. In order for all of us to progress in this life, we all need to face unexpected trials throughout our lives.

In order for all of us to progress in this life, we all need to face challenges throughout our lives. In order for all of us to progress in this life, we all need to put our faith and trust in Heavenly Father. 

In order for all of us to progress in this life, we all need to forgive one another like Jesus Christ would. In order for all of us to progress in this life, we all need love another like Jesus Christ did.

In order for all of us to progress in this life, we all need experience pain.

I always try my best to act upon all personal revelations that I receive for myself straight away throughout my life. I will always choose to put my faith and trust in Heavenly Father constantly throughout my life.

I will always choose to follow Heavenly Father's Plan/The Plan of Salvation throughout my life.

Sometimes, I do choose to learn a few lessons in a difficult way throughout my life.

I chose to be baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I chose to strive my best to follow gospel teachings in the correct order. 

I will always choose to accept who I am going to become. I chooe to accept who I was in the past. 

I chose to accept who I am right now. I choose to face tribulations throughout my life.

I chose to face difficulties throughout my life. 

I choose to experience pain throughout my life. I choose to face unexpected trials throughout my life.

I choose to face challenges throughout my life, I choose to forgive others like Jesus Christ would.

I choose to love others like Jesus Christ did and so forth.

What are some of your What if questions?

That is all from me for now, I should be posting again sometime tomorrow at Pacific Daylight time zone.

"See the GOOD in yourself"

First and foremost, this post should take roughly eight minutes to ten minutes to read. My understanding for how to see the good in myself is by thinking about what I am capable of doing, my talents, I am a strong person and so much more.

In your own time, I would like you to think about, ask yourself and answer the following question. "What are some of the good things that you see in yourself?"

"See the GOOD in yourself." - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.

It is so true. Whenever you feel down, always remember to seek the good things. Whenever you let yourself down by either negative thoughts or overthinking too much about your past decisions, I would like to encourage you to try to see the good in yourself.

I know there will be times when it would not be easy to think about the good in yourself. I already know how it feels that at times, that I would have liken to made better decisions that I have made in the past. The more that I have realized about why the decisions that I have made in the past, it helps me to acknowledge more about everything has a purpose behind it and has made me to become a better person for who I am today.

We may not have the full understanding of everything and its purpose of it all. I know that everything has its own way of doing things and sometimes we can't stop it happening.

Please see the good in yourself, it is worth to know what is the good for you when we trust in Heavenly Father. Sometimes, it may be worthwhile to ask Heavenly Father what is the good that he sees in you. We may not get an answer for it, but through actions we would be able to know for ourselves what we are good at.

We also have talents. Heavenly Father has given each of us different talents and a few talents could be common with a friend who is next to you or a family member who is next to you.

Don't be afraid to ask someone around you about what are the good qualities do they see in you through actions. If you do that, make sure that you can write it down and compare what you think of what are the good qualities that you see in yourself.

I encourage you to see the GOOD in yourself each day and each night!! That is all from me for now, I should be posting again sometime tomorrow at Pacific Daylight time zone. 

Struggle Today, Strength Tomorrow

First and foremost, this post is short and sweet. This post may take up to five minutes to ten minutes to read. I would like to share with you the following six questions. I would like to encourage you to ask yourself the following questions and answer those questions in
your own time.

1. What are you currently doing now to overcome your current struggles and what did you do to overcome your past struggles? 

2. What are you currently doing now to overcome your current challenges and what did you do to overcome your past challenges?

3. What are you currently doing now to overcome your current weaknesses and what did you do to overcome your past weaknesses?

4. What are you currently doing now to overcome your current difficulties and what did you do to overcome your past difficulties?

"the struggle you're in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow."

5. What are you currently now to overcome the feeling of heartbroken and what did you do to overcome the feeling of heartbroken in the past? 

6. What are you currently doing to overcome after losing a long-term friendship with someone and what did you do to overcome after losing a long-term friendship with someone in the past?

Each individual has their own ways to overcome their past struggles and current struggles. Each individual has their own ways to overcome their past challenges and current challenges.

Each individual has their own ways to overcome their past weaknesses and current weaknesses. Each individual has their own ways to overcome their past difficulties and current difficulties.

Each individual has their own ways to overcome feeling of being heartbroken.
Each individual has their own ways to overcome their past of losing a long-term friendship with someone.

That is all from me for now, I should be posting again sometime tomorrow at Pacific Daylight time zone.

Because of Your Faith

This post marks fiftieth blog post since I have started sharing blog posts on this blog. Isn't that crazy? I think it crazy because this blog already reached over ten thousand total page views.
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This post is based on a October 2010 General Conference talk called "Because of Your Faith" by Jeffrey R. Holland. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk. Before sharing the highlights, I encourage you to think about and answer the following question; "What does because of your faith means to you?"

Elder Holland mentions, "In whatever country you live, however young or inadequate you feel, or however aged or limited you see yourself as being, I testify you are individually loved of God, you are central to the meaning of His work, and you are cherished and prayed for by the presiding officers of His Church. The personal value, the sacred splendor of every one of you, is the very reason there is a plan for salvation and exaltation.

Contrary to the parlance of the day, this is about you. No, don’t turn and look at your neighbor. I am talking to you! I have struggled to find an adequate way to tell you how loved of God you are and how grateful we on this stand are for you. I am trying to be voice for the very angels of heaven in thanking you for every good thing you have ever done, for every kind word you have ever said, for every sacrifice you have ever made in extending to someone to anyone the beauty and blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Too often I have failed to express gratitude for the faith and goodness of such people in my life. President James E. Faust stood at this pulpit 13 years ago and said, “As a small boy …, I remember my grandmother … cooking our delicious meals on a hot woodstove. When the wood box next to the stove became empty, Grandmother would silently … go out to refill it from the pile of cedar wood outside, and bring the heavily laden box back into the house. I was so insensitive … [that] I sat there and let my beloved grandmother refill [that] box.” Then, his voice choking with emotion, he said, “I feel ashamed of myself and have regretted my omission for all of my life. I hope someday to ask for her forgiveness.”

To you, Mom and Dad, and to all the moms and dads and families and faithful people everywhere, I thank you for sacrificing for your children (and for other people’s children!), for wanting so much to give them advantages you never had, for wanting so much to give them the happiest life you could provide.

My thanks to all you wonderful members of the Church and legions of good people not of our faith for proving every day of your life that the pure love of Christ “never faileth.”

No one of you is insignificant, in part because you make the gospel of Jesus Christ what it is a living reminder of His grace and mercy, a private but powerful manifestation in small villages and large cities of the good He did and the life He gave bringing peace and salvation to other people.

As Jesus said to the Nephites, so say I today: “Because of your faith …, my joy is full. And when he had said these words, he wept.”

Brothers and sisters, seeing your example, I pledge anew my determination to be better, to be more faithful more kind and devoted, more charitable and true as our Father in Heaven is and as so many of you already are. This I pray in the name of our Great Exemplar in all things even the name of the Lord Jesus Christ amen."

I strongly encourage you to read the whole talk in your own time. Here is the link to the talk. www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/because-of-your-faith

That is all from me for now, I should be posting again sometime tomorrow at Pacific Daylight time zone.

Developing Christlike Love and Charity YSA Fireside Notes

First and foremost, this post is short and sweet. I would like to ask you the following two questions and I would like to answer those questions in your own time. The questions is,
"What is your definition of Love?" and "What is your definition of Charity?"

I would to share with you some of my notes from attending a most recent multi-stake YSA Fireside and the Fireside was based on "Developing Christlike Love and Charity." I enjoyed what I have learned during the Fireside and I hope you will learn something
new while you are reading this post.

First speaker; she mentioned about It takes one invitation to go to a YSA event or institute.
Second speaker; he mentioned about one of his mission stories that he learned about the potential of loving others.

Jeremiah; chapter 31, verse 3.  "Ye Have Done It Unto Me" - LDS video

Sister Maurer spoke about reaching out with love. Moroni, chapter 10 verses 20 to 21, it talks about charity. Sometimes we do get caught up with life. We need to be prepared, work hard, repent, to be cleaned again, make visits to the Temple, partaking the sacrament, etc.

Every interaction that we do, matters how we respond. Doctrine and Covenants; Section 95, verse 6 and verse 12.

"Moroni 7:47 - Charity is the Pure Love of Christ."

Elder Maurer spoke about questions and extended invitations.

1. Share a message or do something for someone. Feel the prompting and feel the impression by the Spirit.

2. Feel more of the Savior's love. Mosiah, chapter 4, verse 6.
- remission of your sins
- feed the hungry
- clothe the naked
- visit the sick

3. Invitations

1. Think and know God will prepare a way for you to whom to contact or approach to about the gospel.
2. He sends you angels before you to be able to help you. - make the difference/feel the difference.
3. Do it for a reason. - Doctrine and Covenants; Section 11, verse 12.

Matthew; Chapter 25, verse 40.

1. What is your experience with Prayer that has helped you? Speak to the person next to you with your experience about Prayer that has helped you. It can be experiences during your mission, or family prayers, etc.

2. How can cynicism and mockery limit your reach out to others?
- Not feeling the Spirit
- Not feeling Christlike love
- Making excuses
- They are not my type

3. What have you seen in addictive amusement that keeps us from helping others ..?
- Social media
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That is all from me for now, I should be posting sometime tomorrow, Pacific Daylight time zone.

A Sure Foundation

This post is based on an October 2003 General Conference talk called "A Sure Foundation" by Sheldon F. Child. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk and I hope you will learn something new.

Brother Child mentioned, "In the Book of Mormon the prophet Jacob, in his encounter with Sherem the anti-Christ, asked this question: “Deniest thou the Christ who shall come? And he said: If there should be a Christ, I would not deny him; but I know that there is no Christ, neither has been, nor ever will be.

“And I said unto him: Believest thou the scriptures? And he said, Yea. “And I said unto him: Then ye do not understand them; for they truly testify of Christ. Behold, I say unto you that none of the prophets have written, nor prophesied, save they have spoken concerning this Christ. “And this is not all … ; it also has been made manifest unto me by the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Jacob points out three sources of truth the scriptures, the prophets, and the Holy Ghost that testify of Christ. They will help us build “upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God.”

1. The Scriptures - The Savior Himself said, “Search the scriptures; ... they are they which testify of me.” When the Lord directed Lehi to take his family and flee into the wilderness, He knew they would need a strong foundation upon which to build in the new land. So important were the scriptures that, in order to obtain the records, the voice of the Spirit directed Nephi to slay Laban, saying, “It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief.”

Without scriptures, not only nations perish, but families and individuals dwindle in unbelief. Daily scripture study helps us to anchor our faith in Christ. They truly testify of Him.

2. The Prophets - Our message to the world is the same: “We do have prophets on the earth today.”

Brothers and sisters, if God loves us enough to send us prophets, then we need to love Him enough to follow them. Following the prophets will help protect us against the storms of life and lead us to Christ.

"Remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our redeemer, who is Christ, the son of God, that ye must build your foundation. Helaman; 5:12."

3. The Holy Ghost - When Christ met with His Apostles in the upper room prior to His Crucifixion, He said: “If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.”

When hands are laid upon our heads following baptism, we are confirmed members of His Church and then given the gift of the Holy Ghost. If we live righteously and remain worthy, we are promised His constant companionship; He will guide our lives, teach us truths, and testify to us that Jesus is the Christ. As covenant members of the Lord’s Church, we promise to serve Him and keep His commandments “that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon [us].”

Brothers and sisters, the scriptures, the living prophets, and the Holy Ghost all testify of Christ. They will help us build on “a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.”

I encourage you to read the whole talk in your own time and here is the link below.
www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/10/a-sure-foundation

That is all from me for now, I should be posting again sometime tomorrow at Pacific Daylight time zone.

Be of Good Cheer

First and foremost, I encourage you to think about and answer the following question in your own time. "What is your definition on Be of Good Cheer?"

This post is based on a April 2009 General Conference talk and it is called, "Be of Good Cheer" by President Thomas S. Monson. I would like to share with you some highlights
while I was reading the talk and I hope you will learn something new.

President Monson mentioned,
"It would be easy to become discouraged and cynical about the future or even fearful of what might come if we allowed ourselves to dwell only on that which is wrong in the
world and in our lives. Today, however, I’d like us to turn our thoughts and our attitudes away from the troubles around us and to focus instead on our blessings as members of the Church. The Apostle Paul declared, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

None of us makes it through this life without problems and challenges and sometimes tragedies and misfortunes. After all, in large part we are here to learn and grow from such events in our lives. We know that there are times when we will suffer, when we will grieve, and when we will be saddened. However, we are told, “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.”

How might we have joy in our lives, despite all that we may face? Again from the scriptures: “Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with
you, and will stand by you.”

The history of the Church in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times, is replete with the experiences of those who have struggled and yet who have remained steadfast and of good cheer as they have made the gospel of Jesus Christ the center of their lives. This attitude is what will pull us through whatever comes our way. It will not remove our troubles from us but rather will enable us to face our challenges, to meet them head on, and to emerge victorious.

"Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith. - President Thomas S. Monson."

Too numerous to mention are the examples of all the individuals who have faced difficult circumstances and yet who have persevered and prevailed because their faith in the gospel and in the Savior has given them the strength they have needed.

From the holy scriptures we read, “Behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in [Him], they who have endured the crosses of the world, … they shall inherit the kingdom of God, … and their joy shall be full forever.”

I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us.

My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith."

I encourage you to read the whole talk in your own time,. Here's the link to the talk below.

www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/be-of-good-cheer

That is all from me for now. I should be posting again sometime tomorrow Pacific Daylight time zone. 

How to Press Forward in Life?

This post is based on a Youth Theme song that I love called, "Press Forward" by Noelle Bybee and it is also based of my understanding of Press Forward. I would like to encourage you to do the following instructions in order.

1. Ask yourself the following questions.
2. Answer the questions.
3. Think about your answers.
4. If you have a journal, write down the questions with your answers in the journal.

What does "Press Forward" means to me?
How can I apply "Press Forward" in my daily life?
What can I do better to "Press Forward" in my life?

If you have not heard the song before, I encourage you to listen to the song in your own time. Below is a audio clip of the song and I hope you will like the song.

If you can't see the video above, here's the link. www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9h6eWueGIA
If you have listened to the song, do you have any favourite parts? If so, what were your favourite parts?

My definition of Press Forward is to move forward and not feel discouraged. I always strive to apply Press Forward each day and each night. One of the major things that I strive to apply Press Forward is whenever things go wrong and does not happen the way that I expected it to, I always try to look at the positive side of why it has happened and what did I learnt from the experience.

I think all of us need to press forward more into our everyday lives. For most situations, it can be difficult and hard to press forward. I thought about some things when we can press forward.

In this life, we all need to press forward with continuous trust and faith in Heavenly Father.

In this life, we all need to press forward from our unrighteous decisions and our mistakes.
In this life, we all need to press forward when things happen when it's least expected.
In this life, we all need to press forward when things are going wrong.

That is all from me for now, I should be posting again sometime tomorrow Pacific Daylight time zone.

.. You're Feeling Broken

This post is based on a EFY 2013 song that I loved and it is my favourite, The EFY song is called, "Even When You're Feeling Broken by Julie Yardley." I know there was times in the past when we felt broken and it wasn't pleasant. I think I know there will be more times
in the near future and in the future when we will feel broken again and it would not be pleasant.

If you haven't heard the song before, I encourage you to listen to the song in your own time. Here's the video that has lyrics below.

If you somehow can not see the video above, hereis the link below.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmPNUvQmexo

If you listened to the song, I encourage you to think about a question to ask yourself and that question is "what was your favourite part of the song?" You may ask me, the same question. My favourite part of the song is shown as a image below.

"Even when you're broken, he's going to love you, so pour out all you're feeling inside .."

I really loved the part a lot and I also loved another part of the song that mentions "You can tell him anything whatever you've done because even when you're broken, you are loved."

I encourage you to always remember whenever you are feeling broken, you can always pray to Heavenly Father for peace, comfort, guidance and seek for his help. You should
not be feeling afraid when you are praying to Heavenly Father because I know he wouldn't hurt you and he never will hurt you.

I also encourage you to keep this in mind and try to always remind yourself the following, You are either a son or a daughter of Heavenly Father. I know that he knows you perfectly. I know that he does know your weaknesses. I know that he knows your strengths. I know that he always loves you.

I know that he is always mindful of you. Whenever you are feeling happy, he is happy with you. Whenever you are feeling sad, he is sad with you.

That is all from me for now, I should be posting again sometime tomorrow.at Pacific Daylight time zone.

Do you pray for COURAGE?

This post is short and sweet. I would like to not take too much time out of your day or your evening to read this post. I encourage you to think about and answer the following question in your own time. "What does a Prayer for COURAGE means to you?"

I know there are many times in life when it is the best time to pray for courage. I would like to share with you some examples that I have thought of when I was thinking about the title "A Prayer for COURAGE."

Whenever you face unexpected twists and turns, it is the best time to pray for courage.
Whenever you face life challenges, it is the best time to pray for courage.
Whenever you face life difficulties, it is the best time to pray for courage.

"A Prayer for COURAGE"

We all should not be feeling discouraged, we all need to press forward as each day and night go by. We all should be looking up, be grateful, share thanks, be appreciative towards one another always. We all should always be praying for courage whenever we need to.

When was the last time did you pray for courage? Was it today? Was it yesterday?
Was it a month ago? Was it a year ago? Was it a few years ago?
Was it too long ago that you can't remember when?

How often do you pray for courage? Is it often? Is it regularly?
Is it not so often, like once a few months?

I encourage you to pray for courage often, I promise you if you do, you will able to feel courage often. I hope you can encourage someone else to pray for courage often too.
That is all from me for now, I should be posting sometime tomorrow on Pacific Daylight time zone. 

Patience in Affliction

First and foremost, I would like to ask you a question. I would like you to ask yourself that same question and answer it in your own time. The question is, "What is your definition of patience in affliction?

If you asked me the same question, I would have answered my definition on patience in affliction is that I must be patient whenever I go through afflictions whether it is big or small in life, .

This post is based on a April 1992 General Conference talk called, "Patience in Affliction by Angel Abrea." I would like to share with you some highlights while reading the talk and I hope you will learn something new.

Elder Abrea mentioned, "At a time when persecution intensified toward the newly organized Church, the Lord said to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, “Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days.” (D&C 24:8.)

Tribulation, afflictions, and trials will constantly be with us in our sojourn here in this segment of eternity, just as the Savior said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation.” (John 16:33.) Therefore, the great challenge in this earthly life is not to determine how to escape the afflictions and problems, but rather to carefully prepare ourselves to meet them.

We must have patience in order to withstand pain and grief without complaint or discouragement, which detract from the Spirit. It’s necessary to have patience in the face of tribulation and persecution for the cause of truth, which sets an example because the manner in which we bear our cross will be an influence to others to help lighten their load.

It must be in the same manner and in the same spirit as was that of the sons of Mosiah when they were entrusted with the task to “go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls.” (Alma 17:11.)

Patience must be our constant companion during the journey which carries us toward that great goal, “Continue in patience until ye are perfected,” the counsel the Lord gave to the elders of the Church. (D&C 67:13.)

It should be made clear that we are not talking here about a passive patience which waits only for the passing of time to heal or resolve things which happen to us, but rather a patience that is active, which makes things happen. Such was the patience Paul described in his epistle to the Romans when he used the words “by patient continuance in well doing.” (Romans. 2:7.)

God will not permit any troubles to come upon us, unless He has a specific plan by which great blessing can come out of the difficulty. 

Perhaps one of the best examples of patience which gives us an eternal perspective of its application in our lives is found in the words of Peter: “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.” (1 Peter. 2:20.)

Patience in affliction and adversity means to persist firmly and never forsake that which we know to be true, standing firm with the hope that in the Lord’s due time we will gain an understanding of that which we do not understand now and which causes us suffering.

Under circumstances when the symbolic cup might represent sickness, pain, anxiety, unemployment, or the suffering of a loved one, are we able to continue our prayer with, “Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt”? This very word, this key word nevertheless, conveys the firm conviction that we are placing everything in the hands of the Lord.

How can we do otherwise than patiently endure the trials of life if we know God and understand that He is omnipotent? With Nephi we can say that “he is mightier than all the earth.” (1 Nephi 4:1.) We know and can testify of His omniscience, and with Lehi we can say, “All things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.” (2 Nephi. 2:24.)

Based on that knowledge, cemented in a strong testimony of the attributes of our Heavenly Father, the faithful Latter-day Saint instead of despairing because a goal on his or her agenda was not realized, because his or her timetable does not bring a solution to the problems, or comfort does not come to calm the troubles of today waits patiently for fulfillment of promises, according to the Lord’s timetable, the Lord who “knoweth all the times which are appointed unto man.” (Alma 40:10.)

The faithful Latter-day Saint waits patiently because, certainly, faith, “the assurance of things hoped for” (JST, Heb. 11:1), is exercised with the conviction that the promises will be fulfilled “in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.” (D&C 88:68.)"

If you would like to read this talk in your own time, here is the link below.

www.lds.org/general-conference/1992/04/patience-in-affliction

That is all from me for now, I should be posting again sometime tomorrow, Pacific Daylight time zone. I hope you will have a great day. 

Hold on Thy Way

First and foremost, I would like you to ask yourself the following question and answer it in your own time. The question is, "What is your definition of Hold on Thy Way?" If you have asked me the same question, my answer would be Holding on to what I already have and what can I do to keep holding on to the things that I already have.

This post is on a October 2015 General Conference talk and it is called, "Hold on Thy Way by Elder Koichi Aoyagi." I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk and I hope you will learn something new.

Elder Aoyagi mentioned, "We are warned that disasters, wars, and countless difficulties in the world will occur. When trials such as these suddenly come upon us, we may question, “Why do these things happen to me?” or “Why do I have to suffer?”

I was able to clearly comprehend our Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation and understand anew this important principle. In Abraham, the Lord God declared, “And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.”

The principle is that the God who created the heavens and the earth knows the grand design of this earth, that He has dominion over all things in the heavens and the earth,
and that in order to bring to pass the plan of salvation, He provides us with many
different experiences including some trials while we are on this earth.

Put God first, regardless of the trials you face. Love God. Have faith in Christ, and entrust yourself to Him in all things. 

And the Lord said the following to Joseph Smith: “Know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. “Therefore, hold on thy way for God shall be with you forever and ever.”

The trials of this earth including illness and death are a part of the plan of salvation and are inevitable experiences. It is necessary for us to “hold on [our] way” and accept our trials with faith.

However, the purpose of our lives is not merely to endure trials. Heavenly Father sent His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior and Redeemer so we could overcome the trials we face on this earth; in other words, He makes our weak things become strong, He atones for our sins and our imperfections, and He makes it possible for us to obtain immortality and eternal life.

President Henry B. Eyring stated: “The test a loving God has set before us is not to see if we can endure difficulty. It is to see if we can endure it well. We pass the test by showing that we remembered Him and the commandments He gave us.”

“Hold on thy way” is a key choice during times of trial. Turn your heart to God, especially when you face trials. Humbly obey the commandments of God. Show faith to reconcile
your wishes with the will of God.

Put God first, regardless of the trials you face. Love God. Have faith in Christ, and entrust yourself to Him in all things. Moroni makes the following promise to such people: “And if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ.”

I encourage you to read the talk in your own time, here is the link.
www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/hold-on-thy-way

That is all from me for now, I should be posting some time tomorrow at Pacific Daylight time zone.

How Can I access to Jesus Christ's Atonement often?

First and foremost, I encourage you to think about and answer the following questions in your own time.

"How does accessing to Jesus Christ's Atonement has been a blessing to you in your life so far?" "How does accessing to Jesus Christ's Atonement has been a blessing to your family members?" and "How can you access to Jesus Christ's Atonement in your daily life?"

I love accessing to Jesus Christ's Atonement each day and each night. I always have access to the Atonement. I would like to share with you some ways of what I do to access Jesus Christ's Atonement often.

I always say my personal prayers often; everyday and every night, I always seeking forgiveness by forgiving others and myself, I always read my scriptures daily; I do scripture study with my boyfriend mostly everyday/every night, I always attend at least one session at the Temple once a week, weekly when it is open, I always make sure that I am worthy to be partake of the sacrament weekly, and I always strive my best to make best decisions for myself. You can access to Jesus Christ's Atonement often in the same ways that I do, and you may have different ways of accessing to Jesus Christ's Atonement often.

I would like you to know that we all somehow got through our past days and evenings. As you look back on your past memories that bring you down back then, you feel a lot stronger now.

We all somehow got through our past worst days. We all somehow got through our past worst nights. We all somehow got through our past challenges. We all somehow got through our past difficulties.

We all somehow got through our past doubts. We all somehow got through our past bad friendships. We all somehow got through our past hardships. We all somehow got through our past lack of faith.

We all somehow got through our past lack of trust. We all somehow got through our past mistakes. We all somehow got through our past struggles. We all somehow got through our past temptations.

We all somehow got through our past trials. We all somehow got through our past unrighteous habits. We all somehow got through our past weaknesses.

"All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. - Linda K. Burton." 

I thought about more questions, and I would like to reflect on the following questions. In your own time, you are welcome to ask yourself the following questions and answer them. 

When was the last time did you face the worst day? When was the last time did you face the worst night? When was the last time did you face a challenge? When was the last time did you face a difficulty? When was the last time did you face a doubt? When was the last time did you lose a friend? 

When was the last time did you face a hardship? When was the last time did you have a lack of faith? When was the last time did you have a lack of trust? When was the last time did you make a mistake? 

When was the last time did you face a struggle? When was the last time did you face a temptation? When was the last time did you face a trial? When was the last time did you have a unrighteous habit? When was the last time did you face weakness? 

I know we all can get through our worst days, our worst nights. our challenges. our difficulties, our doubts, our hardships, our bad friendship with someone, our lack of faith in someone, our lack of trust in someone, our mistakes, our struggles, our temptations, our trials. our unrighteous habits and our weaknesses one day because Heavenly Father's Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ has already paid the price for all our sins when he was suffering at the Garden of Gethsemane.

I know that we all need to have access to Jesus Christ's Atonement each day and each night of our lives. That is all from me for now, I should be posting again sometime tomorrow, Pacific Daylight time zone. I still hope your weekend is going well for you. 

Always pray and NEVER Give Up

This post is short and sweet. Have you ever thought about always praying is one of the greatest ways to help yourself to build a stronger relationship with Heavenly Father/God? 

This post asks a lot of questions in relation to praying. I hope it helps you to have better ideas what to pray for and gives you an idea to really think about when was the last 
time you prayed for certain things.

When was the last time you said a prayer for seeking some answers to your questions?
Was it today? Was it yesterday? Was it last night? Was it a week ago?
Was it a month ago? Was it a long time ago?

When was the last time you said a prayer for seeking forgiveness from your mistakes? 
Was it today? Was it yesterday? Was it last night? Was it a week ago?
Was it a month ago? Was it a long time ago?

When was the last time you said a prayer for seeking guidance from Heavenly Father? 
Was it today? Was it yesterday? Was it last night? Was it a week ago?
Was it a month ago? Was it a long time ago?

When was the last time you said a prayer for seeking comfort from your fears?
Was it today? Was it yesterday? Was it last night? Was it a week ago?
Was it a month ago? Was it a long time ago?

Always pray and NEVER give up

When was the last time you said a prayer for expressing the gratitude for everything you have? Was it today? Was it yesterday? Was it last night? Was it a week ago?
Was it a month ago? Was it a long time ago?

When was the last time you said a prayer for seeking directions when you are feeling lost? Was it today? Was it yesterday? Was it last night? Was it a week ago?
Was it a month ago? Was it a long time ago?

When was the last time you said a prayer for seeking hope for things to improve better? 
Was it today? Was it yesterday? Was it last night? Was it a week ago?
Was it a month ago? Was it a long time ago?

When was the last time you said a prayer for someone to feel better soon?
Was it today? Was it yesterday? Was it last night? Was it a week ago?
Was it a month ago? Was it a long time ago?

When was the last time you said a prayer when you were about to give up? 
Was it today? Was it yesterday? Was it last night? Was it a week ago?
Was it a month ago? Was it a long time ago?

I encourage you to pray always whenever you are seeking some answers to your questions, I encourage you to pray always whenever you are seeking forgiveness from your mistakes, I encourage you to pray always whenever you are seeking guidance from Heavenly Father,
I encourage you to pray always whenever you are seeking comfort from your fears.

I encourage you to pray always whenever you are expressing the gratitude for everything you have, I encourage you to pray always whenever you are seeking directions when you are feeling lost, I encourage you to pray always whenever you are seeking hope for things to improve better.

I encourage you to pray always whenever you know someone is feeling sick, and I encourage you to pray always whenever you are thinking about giving up.

I should be posting again sometime tomorrow at Pacific Daylight time zone and I hope your weekend has been going well for you so far.

".. I can do ALL THINGS"

This post is short and sweet. This post should take you up to five minutes to read. This post is based on a October 2004 General Conference talk and it is called, "In the Strength of the Lord" by Elder David A. Bednar. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk and I hope you will learn something new.

Elder Bednar mentioned,

"I have reflected on the teaching of Paul that “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to
confound the things which are mighty”

“Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we truly can command in the name of Jesus and the
very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of the sea.

“Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know that it is by his grace, and his great condescensions unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things” “The main idea of the word is divine means of help or strength, given
through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ."

"It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means.

This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts” Thus, the enabling and strengthening aspect of the Atonement helps us to see and to do and to become good
in ways that we could never recognize or accomplish with our limited mortal capacity.

"yea, I know I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak,  therefore I will no boast of myself but I will boast of my God, for his strength I can do ALL THINGS" - Alma 26:12.

I testify and witness that the enabling power of the Savior’s Atonement is real. Without that strengthening power of the Atonement, I could not stand before you this morning.

I will go where the Lord and the leaders of His Church want me to go, I will do what they want me to do, I will teach what they want me to teach, and I will strive to become what I should and must become. In the strength of the Lord and through His grace, I know that you and I can be blessed to accomplish all things.

As one of the weakest of the weak, I testify that God lives. I testify and witness that Jesus is the Christ. He is our Redeemer and our Savior, and He lives. And I testify that the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and His true Church have been restored to the earth in these latter days through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Priesthood keys and authority and saving ordinances are again found on the earth. By the power of that priesthood, families truly can be together forever. "

I would like to encourage you to read the whole talk in your own time and here is the link.
www.lds.org/general-conference/2004/10/in-the-strength-of-the-lord

That is all from me for now, I should be posting sometime tomorrow at Pacific Daylight time zone. I hope you will have a great weekend.

How Can I Move Forward in Faith?

First and foremost, I would like to ask you two questions. I would like to encourage you to ask yourself the two questions and answer it in your own time. The questions are, "What should you do when you have to make a decision and you've prayed about your choices, but you're still unsure of what to do?" and "How can I move forward in faith?"

This post should take up to five minutes to ten minutes to read. This post is based on a Ensign article from August 2008's issue and the article is called, "Move Forward in Faith."

I will share with you some highlights of what I got out of reading the article and I learned so much. The article mentioned, "One thing you can’t forget is to involve the Lord in your self-improvement. Pray and remember that the Lord promised that if you come unto
Him, He will help you and turn your weakness into strength.

Proceed with Trust - Elder Richard G. Scott
“What do you do when you have prepared carefully, have prayed fervently, waited a reasonable time for a response, and still do not feel an answer? You may want to express thanks when that occurs, for it is an evidence of Heavenly Father’s trust.

When you are living worthily and your choice is consistent with the Savior’s teachings and you need to act, proceed with trust. As you are sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit, one of two things will certainly occur at the appropriate time: either the stupor of thought will come, indicating an improper choice, or the peace or the burning in the bosom will be felt, confirming that your choice was correct. When you are living righteously and are acting with trust, God will not let you proceed too far without a warning impression if you have made the wrong decision.”

Reference: Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer,” Ensign, May 2007.

Don’t Take Counsel from Your Fears - President James E. Faust
“Let us not take counsel from our fears. May we remember always to be of good cheer, put our faith in God, and live worthy for Him to direct us. We are each entitled to receive personal inspiration to guide us through our mortal probation. May we so live that our hearts are open at all times to the whisperings and comfort of the Spirit.”

Reference: President James E. Faust (1920–2007), Second Counselor in the First Presidency, “Be Not Afraid,” Ensign, Oct. 2002.

Wait Patiently for Revelation - Elder David A. Bednar
“The gradual increase of light radiating from the rising sun is like receiving a message from God ‘line upon line, precept upon precept’ (2 Nephi 28:30). Most frequently, revelation comes in small increments over time and is granted according to our desire, worthiness, and preparation. Such communications from Heavenly Father gradually and gently ‘distil upon our souls as the dews from heaven’ (D&C 121:45).”

Reference: Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Spirit of Revelation,” Ensign, May 2011.

Know That God Will Provide - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“During a busy season of my life, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin extended a call to me to serve as stake president.

“During my interview with him, many thoughts raced through my mind, not the least of which was the unsettling worry that I might not have the time this calling would require. Although I felt humbled and honored by the call, I briefly wondered if I could accept it. But it was only a fleeting thought because I knew that Elder Wirthlin was called of God and that he was doing the Lord’s work. What could I do but accept?

“There are times when we have to step into the darkness in faith, confident that God will place solid ground beneath our feet once we do. And so I accepted gladly, knowing that God would provide.”

Reference: President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, “The Why of Priesthood Service,” Ensign, May 2012..

In your own time, you can read the whole article, Here is the link below, and I hope you will enjoy reading it. www.lds.org/ensign/2013/08/move-forward-in-faith

That is all from me for now, I hope you will have a good day and I should be posting again sometime tomorrow, Pacific Daylight time zone.

We Never Walk Alone

First and foremost, I would like to ask you the following question. I would like you to ask yourself the same question and answer the question in your own time. The question is, "What does the statement, we never walk alone means to you?"

This post will take you roughly up to five minutes to read.
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This post is based on a October 2013 General Conference talk from General Relief Society Meeting session and it is called, "We Never Walk Alone by President Thomas S. Monson."
I would like to share with you some highlights of the talk and I hope you will learn something new.

"You will one day stand aside and look at your difficult times, and you will realize that He was always there beside you." - Subheading states.

"We were not placed on this earth to walk alone." - Thomas S. Monson.

President Monson mentioned, "We were not placed on this earth to walk alone. What an amazing source of power, of strength, and of comfort is available to each of us. He who knows us better than we know ourselves, He who sees the larger picture and who knows the end from the beginning, has assured us that He will be there for us to provide help if we but ask.

We have the promise: “Pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good.” Of course, prayer is not just for times of trouble.

Allied with prayer in helping us cope in our often difficult world is scripture study. The words of truth and inspiration found in our four standard works are prized possessions to me. I never tire of reading them. I am lifted spiritually whenever I search the scriptures. These holy words of truth and love give guidance to my life and point the way to eternal perfection.

As we read and ponder the scriptures, we will experience the sweet whisperings of the Spirit to our souls. We can find answers to our questions. We learn of the blessings which come through keeping God’s commandments. We gain a sure testimony of our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of Their love for us. When scripture study is combined with our prayers, we can of a certainty know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true.

Said President Gordon B. Hinckley, “May the Lord bless each of us to feast upon his holy [words] and to draw from [them] that strength, that peace, [and] that knowledge ‘which passeth all understanding’ (Philip. 4:7).”

As we remember prayer and take time to turn to the scriptures, our lives will be infinitely more blessed and our burdens will be made lighter."

In your own time, I would like to invite you can read the whole talk. Here is the link below,
www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/we-never-walk-alone

I testify that I know that Heavenly Father will never leave you. He is always by your side. You need to put your full trust and faith in him everyday and every night. Tell him that you are grateful for him to be apart of your life. He will always pick you up when you fall down. He always provide ways when you think there is no way. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

That is all from me for now, I hope you will have a good day and I will be posting again sometime tomorrow, Pacific Daylight time zone. 

How Can I Strengthen in Charity?

First and foremost, I would like to ask you a question. In your own time, I would like you to ask yourself that question and answer it. The question is, "What does strengthen in charity means to you?"
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This post is based on a October 1996 General Conference talk and it is called, "Strengthened in Charity" by Elaine L. Jack from October General Conference 1996." I know that Sister Jack has mentioned a lot about charity but there has been so much that has stood
out to me. I would like to  share with you some highlights.

Sister Jack mentioned,
".. The heart is the key to our influence, for it counts and measures each kindness, each effort, each time we lift, praise, teach, or cheer one another. I have come to know that the hearts of Relief Society women are full of love. I have seen examples in every branch, ward, and stake I have visited, and I have heard of the goodness of the women of this Church in letters that bear testimony that “Charity Never Faileth.” Charity is work of the heart.

The Saviour said that “the great commandment in the law” is “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew. 22:36–37). When we love the Lord with all our mind, soul, and heart, we love others. And charity abounds."

"In the scriptures, we find many examples of women whose daily efforts reflected charity. With their hearts filled with the pure love of Christ, they responded to needs quickly and effectively." She mentions the example of Rebekah.

Rebekah, who eventually became the wife of Isaac and the mother of Jacob and Esau, was just such a woman. In the normal pattern of her daily tasks, she was kind to Abraham’s servant who was visiting her village on the dramatic mission to secure a wife for Isaac.

The Lord knew Rebekah’s heart; he knew how she would respond when she observed a need. He answered the servant’s prayer that the young woman who was to become Isaac’s wife would offer him water.

In Genesis we read, “Behold, Rebekah came out with her pitcher upon her shoulder” and went down to the well (Genesis. 24:15). You know that story. The servant asked for a drink. Whole family trees hung in the balance of her answer. She said, “Drink, my lord,” and then added, “I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.

“And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels” (Genesis. 24:18–20). Her brother Laban invited him to lodge, and not until the servant was introduced did she discover he was the servant of her uncle. Her charitable response to this stranger was automatic. She did not stop to think, I am giving service, nor did she consider the station of the one in need. She hastened to serve water to camels.

Respectfully, she offered an act of service, a simple one, and from that act was born a family of great influence for whole dispensations. Rebekah loved with worthiness and willingness as a daughter of God. Remember the question, Who can gauge the reach of our goodness?

From her we learn that charity, though often quantified as the action, is actually the state of the heart that prompts us to love one another. She offered water. It was in the offering that charity was manifest."

In your own time, you can read this whole talk and here is the link below. www.lds.org/general-conference/1996/10/strengthened-in-charity

That is all from me for now, and I should be posting sometime tomorrow during Pacific Daylight time zone.

Some Suggestions for a Returned Missionary {RM}

I hope this post is short and sweet and this post should take roughly five minutes to read. I am not a Returned Missionary, but I would like to share with you some suggestions that I have thought of for a Returned Missionary who has either completed his or her whole mission or returned home early from their missions.

I would strongly encourage you to focus on continue to develop the new skills and habits that you have learned during your mission and try to remember too much about your habits before your mission.

If you have served far away from home or served your mission that is in a different time zone than your home local time zone, I would strongly encourage you to try to adjust to your home local time zone first and for you to be able to achieve that is to keep yourself busy.

I would like to invite you to attend Temple sessions as often as you can and try to make it as a priority, I also would like to invite you to attend Institute often and try to make it as another priority, I would definitely recommend to continue with the habit of personal scripture study daily and saying personal prayers daily.

It is a great idea for you to stay contact with the investigators, converts, church members, friendships and the past companions that you have met during your mission once in awhile. I know that they will appreciate it.

"Welcome Done thou good and faithful servant."

If you have started studying a course before your mission, if the course is still available to do, and if you still have a desire to complete it, I would strong recommend you to finish that course.

When that time comes to applying for jobs again, and if you were working before your mission, you can always ask the manager if they would happy to hire you again and that is also if you would still like to keep working with the company that you did work with before your mission. I would suggest to pray about your decision where to apply for jobs and let the Holy Spirit help you.

I would suggest you to find ways to serve others such as going out with the Full Time Missionaries from your ward, etc.

You are welcome to go to YSA events again and you can always try to make some new friendships. Do not be shy, and try to get out of your comfort zone.

I would suggest you to read some old General Conference talks that mentions about post missions as I think it will help you of some ideas what to do after your mission other than these suggestions that I have mentioned above.

That is all from me for now. I should be posting again sometime tomorrow, Pacific Daylight time zone and I hope you will have a good day.

True Friends

This post may take up to ten minutes or longer to read. I would like to ask you the following two questions and encourage you to answer those questions in your own
time. "What is your definition on true friends?" and "Do you choose friends wisely?"

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This post is based on a April 2002 General Conference talk and it is called, "True Friends" by Henry B. Eyring. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk and I hope you will learn something new.

"Sometimes our preoccupation is on having friends. Perhaps we should focus on being a friend." - Elaine S. Dalton.

Henry Eyring mentioned, ".. The Savior warns that if we start along the path and go far enough and then fail and deny Him, it would have been better if we had never begun. .. 

It is to keep the promise we made in the waters of baptism “to bear one another’s burdens.” It is to be a friend.

These words of President Hinckley energize me: “I hope, I pray, I plead with you, every one of you, to embrace every new member of the Church. Make a friend of him or her. Hold onto them.”

President Hinckley can’t be there as a friend for every new member. But you can be there for at least one. All it takes is to feel something of what they feel and something of what the Savior feels for them. .. All it takes is a friend to bring such a mighty change in one’s life.”

.. He introduced his friend to the missionaries. He saw that his friend was baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. He took his friend, even before baptism, to where he would study the scriptures and thus be nurtured by the good word of God.

Even before baptism he helped his friend discover this promise: “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.” The words must have told him to buy scriptures, which he did. .. 

.. We know from the scriptures what caused those changes in him. He had to be praying with faith in the Savior. He was receiving testimony and directions through the Spirit. 

And then he was not only doing what he was inspired to do but he was asking God

to let the Atonement work in his life.

Nephi, describing that miracle of change and what brings it, said this:

“And now, my beloved brethren, I perceive that ye ponder still in your hearts; and it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing. For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray.

“But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in 

the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul.”

.. When we are called to serve, we can pray for the Holy Ghost to be our companion with assurance it will come. When we ask in faith, a change can come in our natures both for the welfare of our souls and to strengthen us for the tests we all must face.

There are limits on what friends can do to help the ones who must endure. It is the new members who must pray. It is they who must rely on the strength they will receive in answers to their prayers. They must choose for themselves in faith to be baptized, trusting in their perfect friend, the Savior. They must choose in faith in Him to repent, to be humble and contrite.

They must choose to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The words of confirmation into the Church are an invitation: “Receive the Holy Ghost.” And that choice must be made not once, but every day, every hour, every minute. Even when the Holy Ghost comes and inspires them what they should do, doing it or not is a choice. Even when they read the

scriptures regularly, it takes a choice to “feast upon the words of Christ.”

And even the feast is not nourishing without a choice to do what the words of Christ tell them to do. With faith and obedience practiced long enough, the Holy Ghost becomes a constant companion, our natures change, and endurance becomes certain.

The member must make the choices, but the true friend is vital. There are important ways for us to share the new member’s burden that it may be bearable. We can love, listen, show, and testify.

First, we must love them. That is what the Savior does. We can do it with Him and for Him. He showed us the way in His mortal ministry. .. “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

.. The Savior watches over the struggling member as a friend. He laid down His life for all of us. He loves us and will grant us, if we are faithful, the gift of feeling a part of His love for them. ..

Second, we must listen to the new member with understanding and empathy. That also will take spiritual gifts, since our experience will rarely parallel theirs. It will not be enough to say, “I understand how you feel,” unless we do. But the Savior does. He is prepared to help you be a friend who understands even those you have just met, if you ask in faith. Before He was born, prophets knew what He would do to be able to help you be a friend for Him. ..

Third, we must be an example for the new member. We can feast upon the word of God. We can ask for and live for the companionship of the Holy Ghost. We can be obedient out of our faith in Jesus Christ. And in time we can become an example of a disciple who is born again through the Atonement. It may be gradual. It may be hard for us to discern in ourselves. But it will be real. And it will give hope to the new member and to all those we befriend on the path to eternal life.

Fourth, we must testify of the truth to the new member. It must be sincere, and it is best when it is simple. It is most helpful when it is about the reality and mission of the Savior, about our Heavenly Father’s love, and of the gifts and companionship of the Holy Ghost. And it is essential to testify that the Father and the Son appeared to the young Joseph Smith and that the full gospel and the true Church have been restored by heavenly messengers. The Holy Ghost will confirm those simple declarations as truth.

The new member will need that confirmation, again and again, even when we are not there to testify. Should they choose to reject the companionship of the Holy Ghost, he or she will not endure. But that is true for all of us, wherever we are and however faithful we have been. All of us will be tested. And all of us need true friends to love us, to listen to us, to show us the way, and to testify of truth to us so that we may retain the companionship of the Holy Ghost. You must be such a true friend.

.. And your friendship to even one new member may, in this life and in the next, cause hundreds or even thousands of their ancestors and their descendants to call you blessed. .."

If you would like to read the whole talk in your own time, here is the link below.
www.lds.org/general-conference/2002/04/true-friends

That is all from me for now, I hope you will have a wonderful Sabbath and I should be posting again sometime tomorrow, Pacific Daylight time zone.

Relationship with Self, Others, and God

This post may take up to five minutes to ten minutes to read. I would like to encourage you to ask yourself the following questions and answer those questions in your own time. "What is your definition of little things?" and
"How can you make the little things count in your life?" 

This post is based on an New Era Article from May 1988's issue and it is called, "Little Things Count" by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the article and I hope you will learn something new. 

Elder Wirthlin mentioned, "I have been impressed recently with the thought that this life is made up of little things, little things that count a great deal. I believe that the little things are of great importance in our relationship with ourselves, in our relationship with others, and in our relationship with God.

The Lord has said, “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (D&C 64:33).

I have often thought that some of the most common little things in our lives are the minutes that pass in each hour of the day. For each human being, time is indeed an indispensable resource. It can neither be ignored nor altered. We are compelled to spend it at a fixed rate of 60 minutes every hour. No spigot can be installed to regulate its flow, and no refilling device can replenish its quantity.

The question is not one of managing the clock, but one of managing ourselves with respect to the time we have. Each minute is a little thing and yet, with respect to our personal productivity, to manage the minute is the secret of success.

Relationship with Self

Let us first consider our relationship with ourselves. You must take proper care in your life to see that the little things regarding your personal life are in order. You must learn to care for your health and your mental well-being. 

Our bodies are truly the result of what we eat and the exercise we receive. If we are not wise these little things can soon catch up with us to become major health problems that will limit our success and contribution.

Relationship with Others

With regard to our relationship with others, I often marvel to think of the perfect example that the Lord Jesus Christ provides in all aspects of our existence. If we were to meet him, we would find him refreshingly pleasant and perfect in all his relationships and dealings with each individual.

Patience and long suffering, considered by some to be little things in this life, are some of the crowning attributes in dealing with our fellowmen. Whether it be in athletics, in business, or in our Church associations, if you can acquire these two great attributes, you will find that you really can work with people and have a good influence in their lives.

 "There are SIMPLE THINGS that we do everyday and you never know when that little thing is really going to MAKE A DIFFERENCE in someone's life - John Hilton."

President Spencer W. Kimball said:

“I have learned that it is by serving that we learn how to serve. When we are engaged in the service of our fellowmen, not only do our deeds assist them, but we put our own problems in a fresher perspective. When we concern ourselves more with others, there is less time to be concerned with ourselves.

So often, our acts of service consist of simple encouragement or of giving mundane help with mundane tasks, but what glorious consequences can flow from mundane acts and from small but deliberate deeds! God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom”

Relationship with God

As children of our Heavenly Father, we each have within us every potential of character, of compassion, joy, and of knowledge that we need in our quest for personal growth. The seeds for each godly character trait are in each of us. With that assurance, we are truly able to grow toward godhood as he has commanded us

We must give attention to the detail that will help us to grow and develop in our relationship with God. We should heed the words of the prophet Alma to his son Helaman, “But behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass” (Alma 37:6).

Lucifer is a master at step-by-step deception. He can make little things seem so harmless when, in reality, they will quickly bind the soul and destroy the spirit. He can make immodest dress and suggestive behavior seem very acceptable. He can cause us to think that a little indiscretion in speech and manner is still quite wholesome. But soon those little steps repeat themselves in an ever-descending pattern until one is at a far-lower level than ever imagined.

I suggest, on the positive side, that we watch for all possible little opportunities to overcome evil and increase our spiritual strength. We must let virtue garnish our thoughts unceasingly, that our confidence will wax strong in the presence of God (see D&C 121:45)

These little things, which, in reality, become such big things, bring perspective to our lives as we learn to conquer them one by one in our effort to gain more and more strength. And this we do in a spirit of humility and gratitude to our Heavenly Father.

We should try to live every day with absolute faith, for we have learned in life that the Lord keeps his promises and watches over those who trust Him. He has been so good to all of us that we should have a profound conviction that He must really love us in spite of our faults."

If you would like to read the whole article in your own time. Here is the link below.

www.lds.org/new-era/1988/05/little-things-count

That is all from me for now, I hope you will have a wonderful weekend and I should be posting again sometime tomorrow during Pacific Daylight time-zone. 

How Can I Make Daily Prayer More Meaningful?

First and foremost, this post may take longer than ten minutes to read. This post is based on an article from October 2010's issue of New Era and it is called, "How Can I Make Daily Prayer More Meaningful?" by Elder D. Todd Christofferson. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the article and I hope you will learn something new.

Elder Christofferson mentioned, "How can I make daily prayer more meaningful? It’s a good question, and it’s one that applies to all of us. President Hinckley used to say that sometimes when we pray it’s like we’re picking up a phone, ordering groceries, and then we hang up the phone, we put in our order, and we don’t think any more about it than that. But if we take a few minutes just to think about our particular need in a given moment, then prayer becomes more meaningful.

.. Everything we do ought to be done with an eye toward our Heavenly Father’s blessing and consecrating to our good all of our activities in a given day. So if we sense our need and think about it, prayer becomes more meaningful.

Beyond that, it’s important to remember we shouldn’t just be praying about ourselves, because there are a lot of people in our sphere of acquaintance who have great needs as well, and we ought to be remembering them and what kind of help they need from the Lord.

.. Lastly, when you’re grateful, when your prayers include a lot of thanks to the Lord for your blessings, they become much more meaningful.

How do you have the Spirit with you when you pray?

.. And when we say “sincere heart” and “real intent,” it means that you want to know the Lord’s will and you want to do it, that you’re committed, as you pray, to knowing and doing His will. And that makes prayer very meaningful. If we’re just praying for what we want and we don’t want to know His will, it won’t be the same feeling or have the same meaning.

.. And I think that’s the most meaningful kind of prayer we can achieve, where the Spirit guides the prayer as well as the responses from our Heavenly Father. And I believe that comes when we really do want to know what the Lord wants and we’re committed to do whatever that is as we pray.

How often should we pray?

There really is not a rule. We don’t have a set number. I think as you go through a day, it’s natural to pray about things as they come along.

Elder David A. Bednar talked in a general conference about prayer and praying always. He said if our morning prayers are looking out toward the day and what’s coming, we’re previewing the day in our prayer. In our evening prayers, we report to the Lord on what’s happened through the course of the day. We may be thanking Him for blessings received, we may be repenting of a few things that happened that were not right, and then there are all the prayers in between. It just becomes part of a stream of prayers. It’s all part of a pattern, and that goes on day in and day out and week after week and through the years. That’s what it means to have your heart drawn out in prayer to Him.

One other scripture comes to mind, from Alma 37:36–37: “Cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

“Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.”

.. So we’re talking about our thoughts going to Heavenly Father. .. The closer we get to Him, the more that happens automatically and we feel that closeness. It’s like having a friend and walking together through a hallway at school. You want to turn and talk to each other about what’s going on at the moment. And as you draw closer to God, that companionship, that friendship, if you will, tends to develop in the same way.

That being said, don’t forget that we ought to look for opportunities when we can have long prayers, when we can have a quiet time and will not be interrupted. We need a time where we can pray as long as we feel we want to and need to, where Heavenly Father can teach us and talk to us at length and not just always be responding to a quick prayer that’s fine for the moment but not all we should ever do.

What if we don’t get an answer to our prayers when we want it or need it?

.. It’s a valuable experience sometimes to pray and not immediately receive the answer you feel you need. It’s all conditioned, of course, on our living the way we should, continuing to seek His guidance, and being open to those promptings.

We ought to remember we don’t dictate to God the timing of His answers to us and the content of what comes in response to our prayers. I learned this when I was about 16. I was in the pageant at Hill Cumorah. I lived in New Jersey at the time, and they had some of the youth from New Jersey and New York as participants. I thought I had a deep belief in the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon and felt that they were true and that the First Vision was as he described it. I thought, “This is the perfect chance. I’ll go to the Sacred Grove one night after the performance and get the final confirmation I need there.”

So I did. I went there late one night. It was a beautiful summer evening. Nobody else was there perfectly reverent and peaceful. And I prayed. I didn’t ask for anything specific. I just said, “Can I have some confirmation of my belief?” Really I wanted a testimony of my feeling about the Prophet and the Book of Mormon.

Nothing happened. I prayed a long time. I’m sure more than an hour. Nothing. I was really disappointed. I said, “What did I do wrong? Why didn’t the Lord answer me? Wasn’t it the perfect place, the perfect time? What should I have done that I didn’t do?”

Later, what I was looking for came, but it was at home in a quiet moment when I was reading the Book of Mormon. That witness from the Holy Ghost flooded over me, and I knew. I knew I knew. And when I looked back on the experience, I said, “Why didn’t He answer my prayer then? Why was it later?” I learned two important lessons from that:

First, you don’t have to be any place special for the Lord to answer your prayer. .. He knows where you are. He knows your name. He can answer you right here, right now, any moment.

And second, you don’t dictate to God. You just don’t tell Him what and when. That comes according to His will and His timing and His wisdom. He loves us; He knows what’s best for us, and our job is to be open. Our job is always to be willing and ready to receive. Then He knows what’s best and when to answer us and how to answer us. So, after all is said and done, we still have to live by faith.

Prayer is one of the things that will give us the strength and the power to be examples of the believers. The influence of the Lord, the meaningfulness of our prayers, His guidance in our life day to day, the strength that comes with all of that really does make it possible for us to consistently be examples of the believers in everything we do.

.. We need a time where we can pray as long as we feel we want to and need to. I think that’s the most meaningful kind of prayer we can achieve, where the Spirit guides the prayer as well as the responses from our Heavenly Father.

God loves us; He knows what’s best for us, and our job is always to be willing and ready to receive."

That is all from me for now, I would like you to read the whole article in your own time. Here is the link. www.lds.org/new-era/2010/10/how-can-i-make-daily-prayer-more-meaningful

I should be posting again sometime tomorrow, pacific daylight time zone. I would still like to receive more suggestions of what I could post.