Our Heavenly Father did not put us on earth to fail but to succeed gloriously

Elder Richard G. Scott

Testimony of The Book of Mormon

I know that The Book of Mormon is true. I know that Joseph Smith translated it through the power of the Holy Ghost. Listening to Elder Holland only strengthens that testimony that I have.

Courage

Esther has always been one of my favorite stories. She is a strong woman who shows her faith by standing up for what is right. I will always strive to be like her. Never forget who you are and what you stand for.

mountains to climb

Last week I was struggling with faith. This video helped remind me that I have so much, that my family can see it, and that their faith can grow from mine.

“Miracles happen once in awhile when you believe”

So we were out of people to visit, we were discouraged, our ward mission leader canceled on us, we didn’t know what to do. I prayed the hardest I think I have ever prayed. We pulled off on a road to see some other potentials to no avail. Then I remembered a Less-active that my companion had found and suggested we go there. It was like 8:30 at night almost and no one lets us in that late. Not only did this man and his wife let us in, they invited us as if we were there long lost best friends. They were so wonderful. My companion finally got bold and said, “Look, I’m a missionary. Obviously when I found out that you were a member and you weren’t on our list we had to come back.” The man laughed and said, “Yeah, I knew when I told you that I was a member that you would be coming back. I wasn’t too surprised.” We talked to them about taking the lessons, and they agreed they would and not only did they invite us back, they asked if they could feed us dinner next week. Who says no to dinner? Not us that’s for sure.

So basically, last week was a really good week.

Forget Me Not

Forget Me Not

This talk was the first talk I heard on my first visit to an LDS church. It was the last weekend in March 2012. I hadn’t been to church regularly in years. The entire first hour of church I sat there thinking, “What am I doing here? God has forgotten me. He does not want me here.” I was convinced that I was not worthy to be there, that I was not wanted there, that I was forgotten.

When the person recounted this talk to us she got to the one line I needed to hear the most.

“You are not forgotten.”

It was as if God had heard my thoughts and was reaching out to speak to me. I knew in that moment that He was speaking to me telling me that this was the church I needed. He was telling me that He loved me and that He wanted me to be happy and that I could be through this church.

I want to testify to you that you are not forgotten. Heavenly Father knows you. He knows your name and your heart. He wants to reach out to you if you will let Him. Seek Him out in honest prayer and He will always answer you. It may not be in the way or moment that you expect, but it will come.

 

Missionary Minded

Doctrine and Covenants 4:

1 Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.

2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.

3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;

4 For behold the afield is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;

5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.

6 Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.

7 Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.

I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 2012. I am the only member in my immediate family. I have been called to serve a mission in the Montana Billings Mission. My mission started in October 2013 and will finish in April 2015. I do not know as much as those who have been members their whole lives, those who have grown up learning this gospel, those who pray with their families every morning and night and have gospel discussions during dinner, but I do know that this church is Christ’s true church restored on earth in these latter days. I do know that God loves His children and has not stopped speaking to us through prophets. I do know that The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ translated by Joseph Smith through the power of the Holy Ghost, and it is a companion to the Holy Bible. I know this church has the fullness of the gospel and the restored priesthood power to act in God’s name for the salvation of His children. I have a testimony that this church changes lives for the better, and that through this church we can have eternal families.

I have a desire to serve God. I have faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God. God does not call the qualified, but He qualifies who He calls. I am qualified to be a representative of Jesus Christ.