I've been thinking a lot lately about happiness.  Why are some people happier than others?  Why does the grass always look greener on the other side?  I read this scripture from The Book of Mormon in my studies this morning:

"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God.  For behold they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness.  O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it." Mosiah 2:41



Me being happy!!



This is King Benjamin a Prophet in The Book of Mormon giving a sermon to his people and he tells them how they can be happy.  He tells us that those that are blessed in all things by God are keeping the commandments.  But He not only refers to happiness right now on earth but he says that if we keep the commandments we "may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness".  That is the ultimate goal, to live with our Heavenly Father again and to have never-ending happiness!  So we need to follow all the commandments and all will be well!  That is easier said than done, we know the commandments but often we fall short but that is why our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ suffered and died for us.  We just need to do our best and the rest is made up by our Saviour.  I'm grateful for repentance!  

Rejoice in Christ!!

One of the best things about being a missionary is that I get to talk about Jesus all the time!! Its the best!  There is a scripture in The Book of Mormon that I love..

 "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies" -2 Nephi 25:26

That Scripture truly does describe what we do as missionaries.  We spend our days TALKING to people about Christ.  We have the awesome job of teaching people about how a relationship with Jesus Christ WILL bless their lives.  Then we get to REJOICE  in Christ.  We get to see people grow and change through repenting of their sins and accepting the atonement of our beloved Savior Jesus Christ.  It has been an amazing experience to see the light of Christ in people, to see how people's lives improve because of their knowledge of Jesus Christ. We spend our time PREACHING and PROPHESYING of how the restored gospel of Jesus Christ has blessed our lives and we get to share the promise in the scriptures of how it will bless the lives of all who will receive it!  And in our mission we get to write according to the prophecies in our blogs!  How great is that?

The most important thing that we teach people is that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.  It reminds me of that famous verse the New Testament, John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Our Father in Heaven loves us so much that he created a means by which we could return to him.  He knew that we would sin when we came to this earth so he created a means by which we can be forgiven and become like him.  He allowed his beloved Son, Jesus Christ to suffer for our sins in the garden of Gethsemane and to suffer and die on the cross for us so that we could be cleansed from all our sins and have everlasting eternal life! The best gift we could ever get.

As missionaries we get to talk to people about this beautiful message.  We love the Bible and teach from it often and God has given us more scripture, The Book of Mormon that compliments and clarifies the teachings in the Bible.  Check out http://mormon.org/ and find out more or meet with a missionary just like me! http://mormon.org/missionaries/

How do we know?!

I was thinking today about how it is that we can say that we know something to be true.  How do I know that the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ are true?  How do I know that I have a Heavenly Father? How do I know that Jesus Christ atoned for my sins? How do I know that Joseph Smith was called of God to be a Prophet? How do I know that The Book of Mormon is the word of God?

I came across this scripture in The Book of Mormon that I think helps answer these questions. Alma 5:46

"Behold, I say unto you they are made ^aknown unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have ^bfasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of ^crevelation which is in me."

That scripture truly does tell us how we can know, and it tells us that we need to put a little effort into it.  As we read the scriptures I think its important to remember that scriptures are the testimonies of Prophets (Men called of God to lead his children on earth).  This scripture is the testimony of Alma, a Prophet in The Book of Mormon.  He is sharing with people how he came to know the truth, he tells the people that he has put forth his own effort and fasted and prayed and he says that he knows the truth of these things because the Holy Spirit of God has made it known unto him.  I love it!! Who better to ask for advice than a prophet of God!

We need to fast and to pray!

When we fast we give up food for a period of time and show God that we are willing to sacrifice our temporal needs for a time to get that answer.  In fasting we show God that we are willing to put aside something we want and need (food) in order to receive our answer.

Along with fasting Alma says we need need to Pray!  Prayer is key in seeking answers, unless we ask an answer wont come.  But there is a catch to praying.  Listen to this scripture, the testimony of the prophet Moroni about how to get an answer...

 3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how ^amerciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ^bponder it in your ^chearts.

 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ^aask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not ^btrue; and if ye shall ask with a ^csincere heart, with ^dreal intent, having ^efaith in Christ, he will ^fmanifest the ^gtruth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may ^aknow the ^btruth of all things.

 I love that!! So lets recap, if we:

- "receive these things", hear the word of God
- "ponder it in your hearts", really think about in in our mind as well as our heart
- "Ask God", pray about it!
- "with a sincere heart", really sincerely seeking an answer
- "real intent", be will to act on the answer
- "faith in Christ", having faith we will get an answer

Then we will get an answer, its that simple!!

As a missionary we teach people everyday and everyday we ask people to pray.  I myself have prayed and I know the message we share is true but only as you pray will you be able to know the truth as well! 

I challenge you all to read and pray about The Book of Mormon!  If you do I know that God will answer your prayers and tell you that it is indeed his words!

For the Beauty of the Earth

Today as I was pondering the gospel it brought me to think about times in my life where I've felt the most happiness and felt the most peace.  As I thought back in my life so many of those times were when I was outside appreciating this beautiful earth that Jesus Christ created through the direction of our Heavenly Father.

I remember on day while I was on a vacation in Las Vegas with my friends and one of the moments I remember the most was when we stopped in the Valley of Fire on our drive back home.  As I look out over that beautiful sandy canyon I felt to incredibly happy.  It was early in January and I could take my shoes off and run through the sand!  I could look out over this beautiful canyon and see these amazing red rock formations.

I remember one day stepping out of my from door and looking at the clouds in the sky and how the sun coming through them reflected off the street after the rain.  It was such a beautiful moment in the middle of a busy day where I had the opportunity to stop and see the beauty of this world.

I remember just before I left to come out here on my mission my friends and I went to Waterton National Park in Southern Alberta.  As we hiked the mountains and spent time in nature I remember stopping and pondering on this beautiful earth and the majesty of it all.  We climbed to the top of Bears Hump Mountain and as I sat there at the top looking down over the little town and the lake and surrounding mountains I remember feeling so peaceful.  I took some time to pray and thank God for this world we have and for the many blessings he has given me.  As I prayed I felt God's love and knew without a shadow of a doubt that he personally knows me and loves me.  He loves us all so much that he sent his son Jesus Christ to this earth to suffer for the sins of all the world and to die on the cross so that we to can return to our father in heaven.  So amazing!

I'm reminded of a scripture in Alma 30:44

“Yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it … do witness that there is a Supreme Creator”

That scripture sums up my thoughts on this subject.  Those words speak peace to my heart as I drive through the country roads here in Tennessee and Kentucky.  As I look at the beauty of the earth I know that "all things denote there is a God." As I look at the leaves falling and the sun setting I find peace and comfort in knowing that our Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ love us!

A testimony is everything!

Today my companion (the lovely Sister Cosper) and I were talking about how we can better explain to people how being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will help them in their lives so we got to talking about how it has blessed us personally. Such an important thing to think about.  The reason we are out here as missionaries is because we have personally been blessed by our Heavenly Father and know that if others will come unto Christ through faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end they will also be blessed.  We know that this church is truly lead by Jesus Christ himself through his prophets and apostles and we have been blessed for our faith!

So I think now (in between Canadian Thanks Giving and American Thanks Giving) its an appropriate time to think about the blessing that I have been given because of my faith.

The first thing that comes to mind is that I know my purpose here on earth.  I know that this life as Alma states in The Book of Mormon is the time to prepare to meet God.  Knowing that the things that I do here on earth matter and that I will be judged by my works or the things I do helps me to understand my purpose. 
I also think about how my faith has helped me to develop my relationship with my Heavenly Father and to know His son Jesus Christ. As I pray I know that God hears me and loves me.  I know that He loves me because He sends me comfort when I need it and also allows me to feel sorrow and pain when I need to learn and grow. I have learnt so much from reading the scriptures and applying what I read to my life.  I am more in control of my emotions.  The closer I am to my Heavenly Father the easier it is for me to forgive others and to let go of the hurt and pain I feel in my life.  The more I pray the easier it is for me to love others around me and not to judge others. 

I know that I have found the true church here on this earth.  I know that is a bold statement but I can say that I know without a shadow of a doubt that Jesus Christ leads this church and that ALL of the Prophets that have been at the head of this church have gone to him to know how to lead us.  This church is lead by a Prophet called of God who is an instrument in the hands of God to lead and guide this church.  I know that this is true because I have prayed and God has answered my prayers.  I know that he will answers yours too, all you have to do is ask.

I would love to heard others testimonies of how they know truth!  Share it with the world my friends!

The Atonement Covers Sins as well as AFFLICTIONS

A mission is an amazing thing! As missionaries we have 2 hours set aside to study from the scriptures daily and that has helped my testimony of the Savior grow more than I ever expected.  As missionaries we get to testify of the Savior and his atoning sacrifice and every time that I have the chance to testify my testimony grows.  The other day I was reading in The Book of Mormon and I came across this scripture. 

"But behold, I, Jacob, would speak unto you that are pure in heart. Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your AFFLICTIONS, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction." Jacob 1:3

I LOVE this scripture.  We often think about how Jesus Christ suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane for our sins but I think that we forget that he also suffered our AFFLICTIONS as well.  Afflictions are trials, pains and suffering that we feel and expereince in our lives. Jesus Christ suffered for ALL of the sorrows and the pains that we feel.  He knows our loneliness our desperation our sorrow our pain and we can find comfort in turning to him and knowing that he has felt how we are feeling. He is the only one who truly understands how we feel and he is the only one who can bring true and lasting comfort to our lives.  

I myself have had moments where I've felt sorrow and loneliness and desperation and as I have prayed for comfort I have felt the love of our Father in Heaven and of his Son Jesus Christ.  I know that God loves me and knows me personally and have felt him comfort me when I need it.  I have felt the love of my Saviour and know that he knows the pains and the afflictions that I go through.  He has comforted me and He will comfort you if you turn to him for support.  So keep on keepin' on my friends and have faith.  Turn to your Heavenly Father in prayer and seek that comfort.  Use that gift of the Atonement that our elder brother Jesus Christ so freely offers us.  Pray, have faith and lose yourself in the service of others!  I'll end on that thought and with one more amazing scripture!

 "11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and AFFLICTIONS and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ^ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him ^adeath, that he may ^bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to ^csuccor his people according to their infirmities.

 13 Now the Spirit ^aknoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the ^bflesh that he might ^ctake upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me." - Alma 7:11-13

I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go

As a missionary we get to spend all day everyday in the service of our God.  Such an amazing calling that we have.  I get to spend 18 months of my life as a witness of Jesus Christ in everything that I do, how great is that?  As I was thinking about missionary work today I was thinking about how amazing music is and how hymns help me to feel the spirit and feel the love of God.

During General Conference the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang the song "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go" and as I heard that song it really brought home my calling as a missionary.  Have a listen to it...



This song has always been one of my favourites but as I listened to it this time I truly felt the love of my Heavenly Father and knew that he loved me.  All the verses are amazing but the third verse really spoke to me this time around.

There's surely somewhere a lowly place

In earth's harvest fields so wide

Where I may labour through life's short day

For Jesus the Crucified.

So trusting my all to thy tender care,

And knowing thou lovest me,

I'll do thy will with a heart sincere:

I'll be what you want me to be.

I love this part so much, I'm here in Tennessee preaching the good word of God and I have the opportunity to labour for Jesus the crucified!  How amazing is that?  I know that God is real and that he sent His son, Jesus Christ to this earth to suffer for EVERYONE'S sins and to be crucified and resurrected for ALL of us. We just need to live our lives in a way that honours that sacrifice.  I love sharing that with people but the scriptures say it better than I ever could in The Book of Mormon is states

 "Behold, I am Jesus Christ whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. And behold, I am the light and life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning." (3 Nephi 11:10-11)

I love the scriptures, so beautifully written!  I am so grateful for our Saviour Jesus Christ and for all he has done for me.  I'm so grateful for this opportunity to testify to the people of Tennessee the things that I know to be true.   I know that I was sent here for a reason and as the song says...

I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord

Over mountain or plan more sea;

I'll say what you want me to say, dear Lord;

I'll be what you want me to be.

The Book of Mormon has changed my life and it WILL change your life if you read it.  Watch this video and listen to the words of and Apostle of the Lord.  Listen as he speaks about this wonderful and amazing book.  I add my humble testimony to his, this book truly is the word of God. 

The Book of Mormon

One of the biggest things that set a part The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the fact that we study from modern-day scripture that has been brought to us from our loving Heavenly Father.  The Book of Mormon is an ancient book of scripture that is comparable to the bible and testifies of Jesus Christ just as the Bible does.  The book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and was translated by Jospeh Smith, a man called of God to be a Prophet in these latter-days.

Joseph Smith was directed by a heavenly messenger to a hill where gold plates had been hidden for centuries.  These gold plates contained writing of prophets of God's dealing with the people in the ancient Americas.  Joseph Smith was able to translate the writings on these plates by the power of God.

The Book of Mormon like the Bible is a record of prophets writing about the mission of the Savior and his gospel.  The stories are about different people but still testify of the Savior.  This record is for all the world to read and not just those that belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We as missionaries are going about two by two bringing this book to the world and inviting everyone to come unto Christ.  I want to challenge you all to read this book and pray about.  I know that this book is true and that it is indeed the words of God and I know this because I have asked God if it is true and he has answered me.  I know that if you ask God with a sincere heart with real intent to know if this book is true that he will also answer your prayer.  I daily study from the words of this book and it has blessed my life and I know that it will bless yours.  Read and ponder it.

If you don't have a copy of The Book of Mormon you can have one for free!! click on this link http://mormon.org/free-book-of-mormon/

"If any of yea lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbradeith not; and it shall be given him." James 1:5

"Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read then, that ye should read them, that ye wold remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your heart. And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.  And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." Moroni 10:3-5

Conference was Amazing!!

Did everyone get a chance to watch Conference? I hope so, it was so inspiring.  As I watched the sessions this weekend I truly felt that my Heavenly Father loves me and I knew that the things that the Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and his apostles taught were true.  If you didn't get a chance to watch it I would stronly recomend checking it out on line.   Go to http://www.lds.org/ and click on Last General Conference and you will be able to select different talks to listen to.  http://lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2011/10?lang=eng

Here are 2 highlights...

Elder Eyring talked about The Book of Mormon, he said that The Book of Mormon will lift, guide and inspire you.  The people in these books will inspire you to be better and it will become part of your character. As he spoke of The Book of Mormon I felt the spirit testify to me that the things he was saying were true.  This book is amazing and can change your life if you will read it, ponder on it and allow the teaching to take root in your life.  If you haven't read this book then read it, and if you have then share it with someone today!

My favourite talk from the weekend was from our beloved Prophet, Thomas S. Monson (the last one in the sunday morning session). He was funny and spiritual!  He quoted the scriptures saying "draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you."(D&C 88:63)  I love this promise, if we draw near unto our Heavenly Father he will draw near unto us, I love reading promises like that in the scriptures!  President Monson goes onto say "Develop a relationship with your Heavenly Father through prayer and he will bless you." He shared a personal story about prayer, it was funny yet spiritual, a perfect combination!  look it up and watch the video, his facial expression are the best! http://lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2011/10?lang=eng