Authority to Baptize

 Authority in Christ's church is so key because it allows saving ordinances, such as baptism, to be performed and be valid in the sight of God.  There was a reason for Christ going to John the Baptist to be baptized, because John held the priesthood authority, or in other words he was authorized to do so.  Not just anyone can perform baptisms, it is like an ice cream man turning on his music and flagging you down to give you a ticket for speeding, he does not have the authority to do so. But when a police officer turns on his lights and sirens and pulls you over to give you a speeding ticket, he has been authorized to do so.  Now, priesthood authority is not gained by any amount of school or receiving a certificate of certain achievement.(Hebrews 5:4)  Priesthood authority is given from one who currently holds that priesthood and when authorized he can then give it to another. For example, an unlit candle cannot simply catch flame, instead you must take another candle that is already burning and use it to light the wick of the other.  Similarly, that is how it works with priesthood power: there must be a source. 

The time after the death of Christ and His Apostles when the priesthood authority was taken from the earth is called the Great Apostasy.  It wasn't until John the Baptist appeared to Joseph Smith on May 15, 1829 and restored the priesthood authority to Joseph Smith that he could then perform valid baptisms.  I know that this priesthood authority is found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Baptism is necessary to return into the presence of God and must be performed by proper authority.  Christ lives and is our Savior, this is His authority and His church.

For more info visit:

http://mormon.org/faq/authority-to-baptize/

http://lds.org/study/topics/priesthood?lang=eng

"Trust in the Lord"

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

So often in my life I think I know what's best for me or I think I know what I need, but it's at those times I need to remember to look to the Lord.  There have been countless times in my life when something happens and in the moment I'm not sure why but that is when I must completely rely on the Lord.  As I do this everything works out, no matter how hard the road or how long, as I trust the Lord I can get through and come out on top.  Sister Elaine S. Dalton, the General Young Womens President of the Church, relates this story from her own life:

"As a young girl I followed my father everywhere he went. I always admired how dedicated he was to the Lord. He set a high standard for me of selfless service. He took a week off from work every year. However, instead of going on a trip, he would ask my family to help him paint the widow’s house next door. This is just one example of many acts of service. He was always thinking of others.

When I was in high school, my father became very ill. I prayed constantly and asked Heavenly Father to bless my father to get well. He was in the hospital for one month, and then he passed away.

This was a tragedy for our family. To us it didn’t make any sense because we needed our father. I prayed to understand why this happened and why Heavenly Father hadn’t answered my prayers. It felt to me like the heavens were silent. I didn’t get an answer to my prayers. I felt that Heavenly Father had left me all alone. But I continued to pray.

A year later I attended a sacrament meeting where the speaker read a scripture from Proverbs:

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6).

The Spirit witnessed to me that this was the answer to my prayer! I needed to trust the Lord. It took a long time to receive that answer, and it wasn’t the one that I had wanted, but it was the most wonderful answer to prayer. I wasn’t supposed to understand why this happened. I was supposed to trust in the Lord.

When you trust in the Lord, you can do anything—even if it is really hard—because He does direct your path. He’ll walk by your side. He’ll hold your hand. He will send His angels to surround you. That’s my testimony. And it is true for all of us."

It is through prayer and trust in the Lord that we can get through times such as these.  He knows us best. He knows our hearts and what we need.  He will always help us on the path to return to live in His presence once again.  I know this is true.

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Please take a minute to watch this video and listen to the song while pondering about your feelings towards our Savior.  Christ lived and still lives today.  I know that is true with all my soul.   I have felt His redeeming power and there is nothing that can compare to it, He can give us the peace and joy that we long for.   I love Him so much and I am grateful for His love.  Feel free to share your comments about how you feel about Jesus Christ and what He did for you.

And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

 That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.  (Doctrine and Covenants 76:22-24)

Who Am I?

There came a time last year when I was in a new place, with new people and an all new life.  For the first time I did not have the comfort of returning to my own home and my friends and family were thousands of miles away.  It was at this point in my life that I found out who I really am. 

One day after feeling so overwhelmed and alone I did the one thing that I knew would help.  I got on my knees and prayed to my Father in Heaven. I poured my heart out to Him, as I did so He filled me with joy beyond description and I felt His love as never before.  Not too often in my life do I receive an answer to a prayer in an instant but without delay at that very moment of need my Father comforted me and gave me an understanding of who I am.  I realized that day, deeper than ever, that I was truly a child of God.  I discovered my true relationship with Him and the potential I have as one of His sons.  Since that day I have never doubted what I can do, I have never doubted His love and I have never felt alone.  Through that experience I gained a greater understanding of the scripture found in Doctrine and Covenants 18:10 "the worth of souls is great in the sight of God."  You and I alike are children of God, it does not matter what the world thinks because they do not know your heart.  Our Heavenly Father does and as we go to Him in prayer He will show us exactly how He feels about us.  I testify of our divine nature as a child of God and our worth is beyond that of the world. Below is a video of an Apostle of the Lord teaching us through the story of the ugly duckling that we have unmeasurable worth.   

Not Just A Book, The Word of God

There is a movie about the Book of Mormon called "How Rare A Possession".  The movie depicts the stories of how Parley P. Pratt and Vincenzo Di Francesca came to know the truth of the Book of Mormon.  They are truly remarkable stories, the one of Parley P. Pratt, a man who had his life going for him and set off on a journey to find the truth and came across the Book of Mormon. Of his experience he said this, “I read all day; eating was a burden, I had no desire for food; sleep was a burden when the night came, for I preferred reading to sleep. I knew and comprehended that the book was true… My joy was now full.” Through the Book of Mormon he had found the truth that he set out to find. 

The other true history is of Vencenzo Di Francesca, this one longer and more in depth, a truly remarkable story.  Vencenzo was an Italian Protestant minister in the early 1900's.  He gave up his ministry for a book without a name, the book was the Book of Mormon but because of the missing cover and title page he knew not the title nor the origin. Some 20 years later he came across the word “Mormon” in a dictionary and from there found the source of his beloved book.  Without the title or origin he still knew it to be true.  He said, "I read and reread, twice and twice again... At the end of the day, I locked the door of my room, knelt with the book in my hands, and read chapter ten of the book of Moroni. I prayed to God, the Eternal Father, in the name of his son, Jesus Christ, to tell me if the book were of God, if it were good and true...I felt my body become cold as the wind from the sea. Then my heart began to palpitate, and a feeling of gladness, as of finding something precious and extraordinary, bore consolation to my soul and left me with a joy that human language cannot find words to describe. I had received the assurance that God had answered my prayer and that the book was of greatest benefit to me and to all who would listen to its words."  Vincenzo received his answer from the source of truth Himself just as we all can.

I leave my witness with those of Brother Fancesca and Brother Pratt, which is I know the Book of Mormon to be true.  It truly is another testament of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  I know this through the power of prayer, I have asked our Father in Heaven and He has in reality answered my prayers.  I bear this witness to the world and do so in the name of Jesus Christ.

To read the full of account of Parley P. Pratt go to:

http://lds.org/ensign/2007/04/the-extraordinary-life-of-parley-p-pratt?lang=eng&query=parley+p+pratt 

To read the full account of Vincenzo Di Francesca go to:

 http://lds.org/ensign/1988/01/i-will-not-burn-the-book?lang=eng

A Father's Love

My dad is the greatest dad on earth.  I just want to share a small part of what he has done for me in my life.  My dad taught me through his example.  I learned from his example: hard work, respect of others and the way to live a righteous life.  He never had to say much but he just lived and I watched.  He always gave and gave and never asked for anything in return.  He always supported me in my righteous desires and helped me make the right choices, even if I didn't always listen.  He corrected me when I needed it but always out of love.  He taught me about Christ and helped me find the way to return to live with God again.  As he serves others he never does a job half way, it is always his best.  There is a song by Brad Paisley called “He Didn’t Have To Be”, there is a line in there that I love it says, “Lookin’ back all I can say about all the things he did for me is I hope I’m at least half the dad that he didn’t have to be”  I love my dad, I hope someday I can repay him for everything he has done for me. 


There is so much more that my dad is and that he has done for me but now I want all to think about our Father in Heaven.  How much has He done for each of us individually?  What does He want for all of us?  I think of all my dad has done for me and how much he loves me, then I think how I can’t even comprehend how much my Father in Heaven has done for me or how much He loves me.  It is incredible.  He watches over us and is there for us every moment.  We can pray and converse with Him always and He wants us to.   I love my Heavenly Father and know that He lives.  He loves us all so much and blesses us. I am so grateful that my Heavenly Father sent me to the father I have here on earth.  Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there and especially to my dad!

 Here is a video of a father who loves his son and helped fulfill his dreams. 

Hold On!

When I was about 12 years old I was involved in the 4-H program showing horses. The first year I had two different horses, the first passed away and the second had bad knees. So my dad and I were searching for a new horse.  We found one for a great price, a little mare named Babe.  She hadn't really been rode for quite some time but she was a beautiful horse.  When I was test riding her she was great except she didn't like going faster than a walk and would give a few bucks if I tried moving her faster.  We decided we could work with that since she was a great deal.

 Not too long after we took her home I was riding her with my dad watching and we were beginning to work with her.  Well Babe did not like that and was throwing a fit.  No matter if I tried moving her faster or controlling her she would buck and jerk trying to throw me off. At one point she about knocked me off by running into a lone tree in the middle of the field.  I remember we went at it for a while so I just held on and it was getting kind of scary, especially for the 12 year old boy I was.  After a while of being scared and tired I ended up in tears and begging my dad to let me get off but he said, "No you stay on, hold on and show who's in charge." I tried again and again but she kept trying to throw me off and wouldn't cooperate.  So I begged my dad some more to please let me get off but once again he told me to, "stay on, hold on and show who's in charge."  So I did, even though I was so mad that my dad wouldn't let me get off. After many tears and many close calls Babe calmed down and became submissive to my command.  She wasn't perfect but I was able to ride her without major problems.  Over the time I worked with her and her with me she ended up taking me to the Utah State Horse Show competition.  We ended up receiving several ribbons and placing in the top 20 of the state.  We became great friends and had a lot of success together.

I liken this experience to life and how it may seem sometime.  So often life tries throwing us off, to the point where we just want to quit.  Whether its trials, temptations or the load of everyday life, we must never give up. When life gets hard and we don't think we can take it anymore we must "stay on, hold on, and show who's in charge."  Just like the story with Babe if we don't give up and press forward then the reward will be wonderful.  After the work and being tossed around come the blessings.  Just as my father urged me to stay on and hold on, we all have a Father in Heaven who pleads with us to do the same in life.  No matter what happens to us we can always ask for His help and He will answer. I know that as we do so the reward will be beyond anything imaginable.     

  

Modern Day Moses



Thomas S. Monson: A Prophet of God



In the Bible we read of many prophets who taught the word of God and held the priesthood authority of God.  Some are examples are Adam, Noah, Moses and Abraham. These men are blessings from God. They help us know of Him and His gospel.  Prophets are the mouthpiece for God here on the earth. Just as we give heed to their words, if a prophet speaks today wouldn't we also heed his council and guidance?  We have a prophet on earth today, Thomas S. Monson, and he has been called of God to be a prophet today. He is the president of the Holy Priesthood here on earth.  Just as the prophets of old, President Monson teaches the word of God and holds the priesthood authority of God. Just as the ancient prophets testified of the coming of a Messiah, our prophet today testifies that He did come and that He lives.  He teaches and testifies that He will come again to reign on earth. I know that Thomas Monson is a prophet of God.  As we follow his council, which comes from above, we will be blessed. To learn more of President Monson follow this link: http://lds.org/liahona/2008/06-ee/president-thomas-s-monson-in-the-footsteps-of-the-master?lang=eng
The following video is modern day apostles and the prophet testifying of Christ. 

Honor Our Mothers

Happy mothers day to all mothers out there!  This is such a great day to honor those women in our lives who have impacted us the most through years of caring and nurturing. Now I understand that not all have the ideal situation with their mothers but each of us have a woman in our life who has changed us and helped so much and that is a woman to call a "mother" as well.  Mothers have such a divine role from God to bring His children into this world and then raise them in righteousness.   We should give such great honor and devotions to our mothers.  As always the greatest example of this that we have is our Savior, Jesus Christ.  He loved and served His mother all His days on the earth.  Two specific accounts of this are first in John 2, this is where Christ and His Apostles are attenting the marriage and His mother comes to Him and says in concern, "They have no wine."(John 2:3) Now Christ's response is this, "Woman, what wilt thou have me to do for thee? that will I do"(JST John 2:4) Jesus then turns water into wine to calm his mother's concern and come to her aid.  Wow, I just love that passage. The very Son of God when His mother comes to Him and desires help responds with such a willing attitude and says, What can I do for you?  Whatever it is I will do it.  That is the same attitude we should have, simply out of love and respect for our mothers.  Then on the cross the Savior again shows us how much His mother meant to Him.  In John 19:26-28 it reads, "When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the diciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst."  At this moment Christ turns His mother over to the care of John for the rest of her days.  One of the last things He made sure happened before He carried on to fulfill His purpose was to make sure that His mother was taken care of, that she would be provided for.  In these two accounts our Savior truly teaches us the worth of mothers in our lives.  Let us learn from Him and serve our mothers out of love.  We could never repay all that our mothers have done for us but we can do everything possible to try.  I love my mother so much.  She taught me how to have fun, how to live, how to love, and taught me the Gospel.  The teachings of my mother have shaped me into who I am today.  I owe her so much.  I wish all you mothers a Happy Mother's Day, and especially to my mother so far away. 

He Is Risen!

At this time of the year the flowers bloom, sun breaks through the clouds and the streams flow.  There is beauty all around and God's creations are everywhere to be seen.  Even with all this transforming beauty the best part of it all is the celebration of our risen Lord.  We celebrate the wonderful and joyous phrase that Matthew gives, "He is not here: for he is risen".  Christ who had died for all of us was resurrected three days later and even now does live!  As a hymn says, "He lives, he lives, who once was dead".  What great hope that gives us, knowing that because Christ overcame death we can too and death is not the end.  This is one of the things that I love about the Gospel is that it is full of hope for us, a future to look forward to.  That is what the resurrection of Christ offers, a hope for the future. I know that Christ lives.  He truly is our Savior and Redeemer.  Without Him we would all be lost.  We do not need to be as Thomas when he said, "Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe."(John 20:25)  We can know He is the Risen Lord if we just have the faith.  Thomas was allowed to feel the marks of our Savior but the Christ said to him, "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."(John 20:29)  Let us believe without seeing, we can know and "feel" those marks without actually seeing Jesus Christ.  I have a knowledge of this,  He does live and He is the One who sacrificed Himself for us and rose the third day.  Enjoy this Easter season for it is a time of gratitude, joy and hope!

Another Testament

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is a volume of scripture comparable to the Bible and is the word of God.  I love the Book of Mormon so much.  I have grown up reading and studying from it and I have always loved it.  However it wasn't until recently that I gained a true passion for the book.  The Book of Mormon begins with a family who left Jerusalem before its destruction and was guided by the Lord to the American continents.  It is a history of their descendants and their dealings with God.  This ancient record was abridged and compiled on plates of gold by a prophet, Moroni, who hid them in a hill in western New York.  The prophet Joseph Smith was shown where they were by the then angel Moroni and afterwards translated the record by the power of God into what we have now as The Book of Mormon.  The Book of Mormon is convincing evidence that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that The Church of Jesus Christ is the Lord’s kingdom here upon the earth.  Also as the title says it is a testament of Jesus Christ.  Through the book we can strengthen our faith and our knowledge in the Savior of the world.  By reading and praying about the Book of Mormon is how we come to know it’s true.  In the introduction to the book it reads,  “We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost.” (See Moroni 10:3–5.)  I know that this is true, for I have taken this invitation and I now know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God.  I extend the same invitation to find out for yourself if the book is true, it can answer the many questions of the soul that you might have.  If you already know its true then continue to study and read from it, you can strengthen your own faith and testimony by doing so.  Once again I testify of The Book of Mormon, it is true!  It can bring so much peace and happiness to the life of the reader, for it has to mine.  I love that book and will defend it forever.  I owe the truth found within my life and my great joy.  Watch this video and hear an Apostle of the Lord testify of the divinity of The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

Truth Found Today

 A previous post was about the organization of Christ's church when He was upon the earth and today is about how we have that same church today.  First we must understand that after the death of Christ and His Apostles the truth was lost and people were without the true church of Jesus Christ.  Amos, in the Bible, compares this to a famine, "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it."(Amos 8:11-12)  If you have ever been hungry or thirsty this is easy to relate to, but they could not find what they were looking for, the truth and the true Church was not found upon the world, until the early 1800's.  In western New York there was a young man who was searching to find which of all the churches were right for him.  His name was Joseph Smith.  His family was Christian and believers in the Bible.  Being so confused in which church to join, he wanted answers.  One day he was reading the Bible and found this, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."(James 1:5)  Believing the Bible to be the word of God, Joseph took this verse to heart and decided to ask God.  One spring morning Joseph went into a nearby grove of trees where he could be alone to ask God the question of his heart.  He did so and what happened next changed the world.   

Joseph described his experience as this." I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" 

In answer to his prayer, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph.  I testify to the world that this did happen and is true; I know it for myself, for I did as Joseph and asked God if it is true.  Jesus Christ spoke to Joseph Smith and told him that he should join none of the churches for they were not His church but informed him that he would restore His true church to the earth once again.  He did just that, with the priesthood authority, a prophet, and apostles.  Through Joseph Smith, Christ brought back His gospel, including the correct way of baptism.  We have this truth today and it can bless everyone’s life.  This knowledge comes from God Himself and will give direction to our lives. 

Christ's Organized Chruch





Some people have a problem with organized religion and it is their personal feelings towards it but today I wish to talk about the Church of Christ that existed when He was upon the earth.  He taught the people His true gospel, He called Apostles and gave them the priesthood authority, and ordinances such as baptism were performed.  This and more consisting of the organization of Christ's church.  In Ephesians chapter 2 it teaches what the church is founded on, "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;" I know that is the foundation that existed then and exists today.  These apostles and prophets have the power and authority of God to direct His church and the people of the world, which is why after the death of Christ and His apostles there was much confusion and corruption.  Christ's church also consisted of the correct mode of saving ordinances.  One great example of this was the baptism of Christ Himself; He went into the water and was baptized by John.  He was completely immersed and baptized by someone who had the proper authority to do so.  Christ taught the people as well of the basic principles of the Gospel.  He taught of faith, repentance, baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost.  This same organization existed before Christ's life on earth, during and exists today.  During all those times Christ was and is at the head of the Church, He directs it today and it is His church.  Today it is called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.   

Pattern of Prophets

 Some might ask the question, "Why is a prophet important?” hopefully through this we can come to see the significance of having prophets in our life.  All throughout history there has been a pattern of prophets.  From Adam down to the present day, God has called prophets and those prophets teach the world the will of God, specifically true principles of the gospel of Christ, which are: faith, repentance, baptism, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Now the pattern is that those prophets and the teachings are rejected and the world falls into a state called an apostasy.  This is when they are without the truth and for a time the Lord's church is not found on earth.  But because God loves us He always calls another prophet on the earth.  Without a prophet the world is without the full truth and is in spiritual darkness.  Having a prophet is a great blessing if we follow their counsel.  One simple example of this is Noah.  Noah was a prophet and the Lord warned him of the flood that was coming.  As he tried warning the people to repent and follow him, they rejected him and disbelieved his words.  The flood came as he prophesied and everyone was destroyed.  We can relate this to our lives, we have council and guidance from prophets today and in the past and as we heed their words we can avoid the "floods" of the world that are present daily.  Another key element of a prophet is that they hold the priesthood of God.  This priesthood gives him the power and authority to act in the name of God and can only be given by the laying on of hands.  I know and testify that we have a prophet today, Thomas S. Monson.  He is our prophet and speaks the will of God.  If we follow his counsel we will be blessed immensely. 

Families Are Forever

We know we are all part of God's family as His children, but also as we come into this world we are part of our own family here on earth.  Now not every family situation is ideal and there are dysfunctions in every case but that is why the gospel of Jesus Christ is so important in family life.  The teachings of Christ can solve family problems and bring the joy desired within the walls of a home.  It is important to understand that family life doesn't have to end with death but that families can be forever.  When a man and a woman are married in a Latter-Day Saint temple that marriage will last forever as well as the bond with their children, if they live worthy of it.  Having this knowledge of eternal families can help have the desired environment of a home.  Through prophets today the Lord has told us, "Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work and wholesome recreational activities."(The Family: A Proclamation to the World) 

My parents always taught these principles to me growing up and they have always blessed my life and the life of my family.  Do we always get along? No. Are there still problems that arise? Of course.  But that's okay because we have knowledge of God's plan for us.  Now that I am without my family for 2 years I truly realize more than ever how important they are, I guess the sayingn that goes "you never know a good thing util it's gone" is so true, I love my familly so much.  Having that eternal perspective helps us cherish each other and always work things out for the best.  A home should be a place of safety and security from the evils of the world around us.  The prophet Isaiah taught this concerning families, "And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.  In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee."(Isaiah 54:13-14)  Parents can bless their children by teaching them of Christ and that in turn will bless generations to come.  I know that families can be together forever when sealed by proper authority.  I know that peace and joy can be found in a home when founded on Christ and His gospel.  Visit this link to find out more about the family unit.  http://lds.org/family/proclamation?lang=eng   

"I will give you rest"

With all that we do in life, we have things that try to weigh us down.  Think just for a moment on those things that emotionally, mentally, or physically affect you all the time.  Wouldn't you just love to rid yourself of these things and feel free from them?  I know I would.  Whether it's past sin, the emotional damage of your loss or the stress of day to day life; there is way to find peace and rest.  That peace and rest is found with our Lord, Jesus Christ.  He gives us this invitation in the Bible, "come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."(Matt. 11:28)  Our Savior truly knows what we are going through.  He is the One who can bring us that feeling of relief that we all desire.  Sometimes it is just letting go of what we have held on to for so long, we know that we can all "cast thy burden upon the Lord".(Psalms 55:22) By turning to Him and applying the sacrifice that He made for each one of us, then we can be free from the burden we carry.  I have had to turn to my Savior many times in my own life and I can testify that there is peace and joy found there.  I can't even describe it but as you let Christ help you carry the load, then you will feel His love fill your life and replace the things you wish to dispel. This song is one of my favorites and teaches us to go to the Lord.

Love of God

Have you ever felt alone, depressed or feel like there is no hope?  We all have felt this at sometime and I hope that by reading this we can all remember that we are never without the love of God.  This subject is difficult to talk about because I can't even begin to imagine or comprehend the love that God has for all of us.  It is so great and incredible that I could never do it justice.    In the common enlish language we say, "I love my family" and also "I love chocolate cake", but in the Greek language there are 4 different forms of love. These forms of love seperate the word, they are eros, storge, philia, and agape. Agape is the highest form of love and the love that God has for all of His children.  This is an unconditional love for others in spite of their flaws and weaknesses.  Our Heavenly Father loves us no matter what and always will.  Some think they are not loved but that is because they look at what the world offers and not God.  He blesses us so much.  Too often we let what others think drive the veiw of ourselves.  I believe that we need not worry what they think because they do not know our hearts but the Lord does.  As the Lord said to Samuel in the Bible, "...for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."  A modern prophet said this, ^" I believe that He doesn’t care one bit if we live in a castle or a cottage, if we are handsome or homely, if we are famous or forgotten. Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely."-Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Love of God," , (October 3, 2009).
I wrote this of God's love:

You and I, God's children from above

Sent from Him but never without His love

As a nourishing mother would care for her young one

God is our Father, each of us a daughter or a son

Day by day some wonder if He's even there

He is and day after day He does care

So much sorrow upon this earth but we need not fear

Protecting and guiding us is our Father, oh so near

Physically there seems to be a seperation

But spiritually there is an eternal connection

His love surrouds us, allow it to embrace you

Loving all, never ending, no matter what we do

Turning to Him, we can feel of His love

There is lasting joy with Him found above

---

Early on in my mission I felt alone and needed His love.  I went to Him in earnest prayer, He answered.  At that moment I was filled with immense love that can't be described.  I was no longer alone.  I was no longer afraid.  I had more joy than ever before.  This is available to each of us. Go to Him and feel of His love.  I know God loves us more than imaginable.  He does live and watch out for us.
Also check out the poems page for another thought about love.  God's love is everywhere sometimes we just need to look.    

I have been studying and pondering a lot recently on how I can get more out of my prayers to my Father in Heaven.  It is something that I really feel like I need and would help me so much.  I have been trying to do as my mission president advises and that is to, "Really pray and don't just say a prayer".  One of the greatest ways I have been able to do this is to seek the will of God and not always just ask for what I want or "think" I need in my life.   As the Bible Dictionary says, "Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other.  The object of prayer is not to change the will of God..."  We often ask for God to do something that we could do for ourselves, God will seldom do something that we can do for ourselves.  He is there ready to help us and aid us in our righteous desires.

     Another way to help me have meaningful prayer is to kneel when I pray.  This shows humility and that we are willing to follow whatever God may have us do, and of course sometimes takes effort on our part to move out of a comfortable position into a postition where we can truly pray to our Father.  While on our knees, in a quiet and revent place where we can be alone, we can pray vocally to Heavenly Father.  It keeps us focused and there is power in vocal prayer.  The young man, Joseph Smith, prayed vocally for the first time in a grove of trees and the results of that prayer changed my life and the world.  

I know our Heavenly Father lives.  He hears and answers prayers.  Not always in the way we may want but He knows what we need best.  There is power in prayer, and we can truly increase our relationship with God through prayer.