"I say unto you, ye will know at that day that ye cannot be ^asaved; for there can no man be saved except his ^bgarments are washed white; yea, his garments must be ^cpurified until they are cleansed from all stain, through the blood of him of whom it has been spoken by our fathers, who should come to redeem his people from their sins" (Alma 7:21).
As I was reading this verse the other day I got to thinking about it and the Atonement of our Savior is like the 'Ultimate' laundry detergent. It can dissolve any stain we could possibly get on our spirit. It may take time to break down the dirt but in the end our spirit is as clean as the day we were made. I love it! Our Heavenly Father is amazing and I am so grateful that He loves us sooo much that He sent His only Begotten Son to pay for our sins so that we ALL could return and live with Him again!
"Come now, and let us ^areason together, saith the Lord: though your ^bsins be as scarlet, they shall be as ^cwhite as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool" (Isaiah 1:18).

Once again I have taken my sweet ol' time to write a new post. During that span of time quite a bit has happened. Christ has come and gone to visit other of God's children. The title of 'Lamanite' and 'Nephite' were gone; everyone was equal and all were faithful followers of Christ. Now 300+ years have passed away and not only have the people begun to distinguish themselves once again but they have also become a very wicked and idolatrous people. They have many wars amongst themselves and the Lamanites overcome the Nephites because of their greatness in number and because of the Nephites wickedness. In Mormon 6 we learn of the utter destruction of the people of Nephi. I cannot even comprehend the amount of people killed in this single battle-23 captians all fallen each leading an army of 10,000! After this battle there are literally 24 Nephites left (not including the deserters). TWENTY FOUR!!! That is insane! Especially when previously they could not be numbered because their number was like unto the sands of the sea! Can you imagine being in Morom's place: witnessing the entire destruction of the people you love so much. Though they were wicked just as the Lamanites were at that time, they were still his brothers and sisters and he still loved them despite their hardened hearts.
He says "...I had led them, notwithstanding their wickedness I had led them many times to battle, and had loved them, according to the ^alove of God which was in me, with all my heart; and my soul had been poured out in prayer unto my God all the day long for them;..." (Mormon 3:12). "And my soul was rent with ^aanguish, because of the slain of my people, and I cried: ^aO ye fair ones, how could ye have departed from the ways of the Lord! O ye fair ones, how could ye have rejected that Jesus, who stood with open arms to receive you! Behold, if ye had not done this, ye would not have fallen. But behold, ye are fallen, and I ^amourn your loss. O ye ^afair sons and daughters, ye fathers and mothers, ye husbands and wives, ye fair ones, how is it that ye could have ^bfallen! But behold, ye are gone, and my sorrows cannot bring your return" (Mormon 6:16-20).
I implore you, let us learn from these stories and deny ourselves of pride which is Satan's greatest tool. Let us repent NOW and come unto Christ Now, that we may recieve the many rich and wonderful blessings the Lord has in store for us while we are still here on the earth. Let us now live as we know we should so that those left after us don't look to our deaths and say "O that ye had repented before this great ^adestruction had come upon you. But behold, ye are gone, and the Father, yea, the Eternal Father of heaven, ^bknoweth your state; and he doeth with you according to his ^cjustice and ^dmercy" (Mormon 6:22). "O be ^awise; what can I say more" (Jacob 6:12)?

How do you think you would feel if you had Jesus Christ physically in your midst, praying for you, teaching you, and blessing you? It would be indescribable!  I love in 3 Nephi 17:17 how the people hear Christ praying for them "unto the Father".  In chapter 18 Christ teaches us that we must be an example for those around us ALWAYS just as he was. "Therefore, hold up your ^alight that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the ^blight which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do. Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Father, and ye all have witnessed" (3 Nephi 18:24). The Savior loves us sooo much and he showed us and has continued to show us over and over again. I love what he says in verse 31; "But if he repent not he shall not be numbered among my people, that he may not destroy my people, for behold I ^aknow ^bmy sheep, and they are numbered" (3 Nephi 18:31). I love the Book of Mormon!

Never go through the days saying, 'Oh tomorrow I'll change'. Never slacken your strength and zeal because you feel secure or think, 'Someone else will pick up the slack'. This is how your week, months, and years go by piling high with regret. Regret is not a happy thing; its so full of would have, should have, could have dones.
Change today. Put your mind forward instead of in the past. Luke 9:62. Repent of those times you've slackened your strength, faith, or desire. Repentance=Change. Change=Progress. Progress=Eternity. Move forward each day. Do all you can to reach your divine potential.
Live and learn. Learn from your mistakes and others around you. Act and do not wait to be acted upon.
Today I felt like sharing something a little different. These are just some thoughts that have been on my mind lately and something I needed to share today. Always remember God loves you. He knows your name, because, well, He named you. Your Savior is always by your side just waiting for you to trust in Him and allow Him to feel/take your burdens and pain. I know God loves us. I know He lives and I know His plan-the Plan of Salvation was made in favor of us. He wants so desperately to have us return to Him but he also loves us so much that He allows us to choose what path we follow. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I know the fullness of that Gospel is found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love this work and I leave these things with you in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
I love you all and I hope you have an amazing day where ever you may be!

I lOvE Alma! Why are we here? What is the purpose of this life? How can a faith in Jesus Christ help me? These are just the tip of the ice burg of questions to the soul answered throughout The Book of Mormon. Yesterday I was reading in Alma 34 and it talks about why we are here. I love the lines "...now is the time and the day of your salvation" (vs. 31). "...this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity..." (vs. 34).  "this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors" (vs. 33). So why are we here? Well it tells us right there! I love that chapter!

Today I was reading in Alma 36 and I LoVe this chapter too! This chapter talks about how a faith in Christ can and will help us if we allow it to. In this chapter Alma is talking to his son Helaman. He shares an experience he had earlier in his life when he came to know Christ and was "born of God". He shares the exquisite joy and peace that came from accepting Jesus Christ and allowing the healing power of the Atonement to take place in him. I love how he describes his experience; "I ^dremembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world. Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, ^ahave mercy on me, who am ^bin the ^cgall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting ^dchains of ^edeath. And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my ^apains ^bno more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more. And oh, what ^ajoy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain! Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy" (Alma 36:17-21).

Our faith in the Savior brings joy, peace, love, and the ability to be forgiven. We can repent. We can overcome and be forgiven for our sins! I have felt the amazing powers of the Atonment work in my life. I have felt that forgiveness and cleansing power. It is real. I know that our Savior truly did live and die for me, and for you. He truely has felt everything each of us has ever has and will go through-each temptation, each pain, each sorrow, each sickness, everything (Alma 7:11-12 vs. 13 is a good one too!). He made it possible for us to return and live with our Father in Heaven. And why did he do it? "...that he may know according to the flesh how to ^csuccor his people according to their infirmities" (Alma 7:12). I love the definition of succor-to run to. He did it so that he would know exactly how to comfort and help each of us. I love Him so much! I love His gospel and I absolutely love the scriptures and the many many things they teach me each day! I love serving the Lord and just as Alma "...I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste" (Alma 36:24)! That is why I am here serving the people in Florida for 18 months. That is why when I return home I will never cease to share what I know about my Savior and His love with everyone around me. I love this work! I love my Savior and I love my God. I say these things in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Can you imagine what it would be like watching your friends, family, and many others burn to death? The feelings that come with that thought are almost indescribable. But that exactly what Alma and Amulek witnessed and experienced. Now think of not only witnessing that but having the faith to recognize that everything would be alright that those who perished were in the hands of their Father and that it was His will.
Alma and Amulek had the power of God within them and could have stopped the innocent from burning but Alma was so in-tune with the spirit that he knew he mustn't stop what was happening. When Amulek could no longer look upon this destruction he says to Alma, "How can we witness this awful scene? Therefore let us stretch forth our hands, and exercise the ^apower of God which is in us, and save them from the flames. But Alma said unto him: The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in ^aglory; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the ^bjudgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the ^cblood of the ^dinnocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day" (Alma 14:10-11).
God has a plan. We have a choice. Each choice has a consequence and we will be and are held accountable for each choice we make. Though things may not seem fair or right, God knows what He is doing and we just need to strengthen our faith and trust in Him to be able to say "Be it according to the will of the Lord" (Alma 14:13).
Our Father in Heaven loves us so very much and He will do nothing except it be for our good. I love my Father. Though I may not understand all things I know He does and I know that that is all that matters. I just need to keep learning, keep growing, keep trusting in Him, and doing all that I can to get back to Him then He will help with the rest.

Its been a minute hasn't it! What a crazy week! But today made it all worth it! We have been teaching a man and today he was baptized! It was so amazing and the spirit there was sooo strong! I absolutely love being a missionary and helping others receive the joy, peace, and love that comes with following our Savior through baptism and keeping the commandments.
A few days ago I read in Mosiah 27. I've probably already said this but I lOvE Mosiah! In verse 9 it doesn't really have anything to do with what I wanted to share but I thought it was interesting; It says that dissension gives "a chance for the enemy of God to exercise his power over them" (us). It is soooo true 3 Nephi 11:29. Alright back to the topic; Mosiah's sons are desires to go and share the gospel with their brethren the Lamanites and those around them. In verse 36 it says "And thus they were instruments in the hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of their Redeemer." This is what I want to be, an instrument in the hands of the Lord. I want to be someone who (not only as a missionary but forever) brings the knowledge of truth and the knowledge of our Reedeemer to many! In Mosiah 28:3 it says "Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not ^abear that any human ^bsoul should ^cperish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure ^dendless torment did cause them to quake and ^etremble." As a missionary my love for others has greatly increased and I want what is best for them. It breaks my heart every time someone chooses not to accept the Gospel or listen to what we have to share. But I am far from the sons of Mosiah's desires. I love my brethren but I still need to strengthen that love and start sharing what I know with EVERYONE I come in contact with. Some times I think we are a little to casual with the knowledge we have. We don't understand the impact and Eternal outcome it has on us and others.
I love being a missionary and one day as I strive to do so now, I will be as the sons of Mosiah and declare salvation to EVERY creature!

Trust in Him.

Where is our trust? Is it in ourselves or in the Lord? Ponder that. Are you continually praying to Him asking for His help and guidance while continuing to do all that you can? If not something needs to change. I know I need to work on it and change some things. Its not always easy nor our first reaction but we need to make it so.
I love in Mosiah 9 & 10 how it teaches us the importance of trusting the Lord and relying on His strength rather than ours alone. "Yea, in the ^astrength of the Lord did we go forth to battle against the Lamanites; for I and my people did cry mightily to the Lord that he would ^bdeliver us out of the hands of our enemies, for we were awakened to a remembrance of the deliverance of our fathers. And God did ^ahear our cries and did answer our prayers; and we did go forth in his might; yea, we did go forth against the Lamanites, and in one day and a night we did slay three thousand and forty-three; we did slay them even until we had driven them out of our land" (Mosiah 9:17-18).
"...we did go up in the ^astrength of the Lord to battle. Now, the Lamanites knew nothing concerning the Lord, nor the strength of the Lord, therefore they depended upon their own strength. Yet they were a strong people, as to the ^astrength of men...putting [our] trust in the Lord; therefore, we did contend with them, face to face. And it came to pass that we did drive them again out of our land..." (Mosiah 9:17 & 10:10-11 & 19-20).
We can do a lot. But with the Lord with us we can do even more. Seek for His strength. Be worthy of it and strive to obtain it through righteous desires. The Lord is there waiting for you to put your trust in Him so that you can achieve more & reach your full potential. He loves you and will always be there to help.

Testimony

Today I would just like to bear my testimony.

I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Jesus Christ's church on the earth today. It has been restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith who was called of God and given the Priesthood authority to do so. I know that we have a living Prophet on the earth today, just as in Bible and Book of Mormon times, his name is Thomas S. Monson and he has been called of God. I know that my Father in Heaven is there. I know that he is aware of EVERYTHING that I (and all of you) have and have yet to experience. I know He loves me and is waiting for me to return home to Him. I know that my Savior Jesus Christ lives and that he atoned for each of us, individually, so that we could return to our Father's presence. I love my family more than anything and I am so grateful to know that I can be with them for all eternity. I love this Gospel. It has brought so much joy and happiness into my life. I am inexpressibly grateful for the opportunity I have to share what I know with my brothers and sisters so they too can have this joy in knowing.

I know these things to be true and I know the Book of Mormon and the Bible are from God and that they support one another and teach us of the things we must do to return to live with our families and our Father in Heaven. I am grateful God loves us enough to share these sacred records with us and to continue to give us modern day revelation through the Apostles and Prophets to guide us back to Him. I know and I so testify in the name of my beloved brother and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.

God's Eternal Plan

This last week I've been reading in a book called 'Our Search for Happiness' written by M. Russell Ballard. Today I was reading about God's Eternal Plan. I just wanted to jot down some things that really stood out to me.
"...[we are] a mortal mixture of human frailty and divine potential."
"...the quality of our lives has more to do with substance than style. A quality life is one that positively influences others and makes the world around it a better place in which to live. A quality life is one that is constantly growing, expanding its horizons and enlarging its borders. A quality life is one that is filled with love and loyalty, patience and perseverance, kindness and compassion. A quality life is one that is based on eternal potential and not confined to this life only. A quality life is a life well-lived. But it isn't necessarily a perfect life."
"...adversity becomes a vehicle for growth and death becomes a doorway from one phase of our eternal existence to another."
One of my favorites was the one about our potential. Are we living up to our divine potential? Do we realize how great our potential is? God loves us. We are His children, His sons and daughters and therefore have the potential to become like Him. That is why we came to this earth, so that we could reach our potential and rejoice with our Father in Heaven in the joy and blessings that await us. Make the most of who you are to become who you want to be.

How Strong is Your Faith?

Oh if only we all had the faith of Enos! He hears the voice of the Lord and is fogiven of all of his sins. When he asks the Lord how it is made possible the Lord says: ^"aBecause of thy ^bfaith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen...thy faith hath made thee ^cwhole" (vs. 8). His faith in Christ causes him to have great love for his brethren and he desires for their welfare-even those who are his enemies. He wants to please the Lord and he "knows". Do I know?

Every time I read this chapter is always think 'how strong is my faith?' Is it sufficiently and continually strong enough that I too have the promise given to Enos by the Lord? -"Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it" (vs. 15).

We should each, each day strive to increase and strengthen our faith in our Savior Jesus Christ and our loving Father in Heaven. As we do so we too like Enos will "rejoice in the day when [our] ^cmortal shall put on ^dimmortality, and [we] shall stand before him; then shall [we] see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto [us]: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the ^emansions of my Father" (vs. 27).
I love the scriptures! I especially love the Book of Mormon. I love the testimonies which fill its pages and I love the great examples we can learn from and the lessons that are taught. I love my Father in Heaven and am so grateful for the many things he puts in each of our lives to show His love for each of us. I know He loves me. I know He loves you.

God loves His children more than any earthly parent could.

Today I was reading in 2 Nephi 26, which talks about Christ ministering unto the Nephites. I love verse 24 which reads: "He doeth not ^aanything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he ^bloveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw ^call men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation." Our Saviors entire purpose and goal is and was to enable us to return to live with our Heavenly Father. As the Father and His son are one in purpose, our Father in Heaven doeth nothing save it be for our benefit as well. This is hard to remember when we see all of the suffering in the world, when we feel like everything around us is falling apart, and when our tedious life planning completely and slowly unravels; But it is all part of a much greater 'life plan' and part of our learning and experience here on this earth. We shouldn't be so concerned as to why its happening but more how we deal with what is happening. Are we helping those that may have less or who are suffering as much as we can? Are we taking the trials that come into our paths or the unseen turns in our plans and making them into something positive, into something to overcome and learn from? When we "^acheerfully ^bdo all things that lie in our power;... then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the ^csalvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed" (D&C 123:17).
We may not know all the whys or be able to paint in our minds the magnitude of God's love and plan for us but we can strive to make the most of things. When in those times of uncertainty or when we are in the darkest abyss that is when we have the potential to grow the most. That is when we have the ability to put all of our trust in the Lord and feel His love more than at any other time in our lives.
Our Savior, Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven love us. That is all we need to know. Now just put your faith and trust in them, do your very best, learn, and find what God has in store for you.
Also read D&C 121, 122, 123