The Healing Power of Forgiveness

One of the greatest secrets to happiness in the world today is learning to forgive. There is a burden and a weight that is lifted when we choose to forgive or let go of grudges we may be holding. It is important to note that Elder Uchtdorf tells us to not only forgive others, but also to forgive ourselves. At times we may feel that what we have done is past repair or that God certainly won't welcome us back because of what we've done. These thoughts and feelings are destructive and not of God. As we learn to forgive, to learn, and to move on we will find the purifying and healing effects of the Atonement operating in our lives.

Looking Through Windows

I think that one of the things we all have a hard time with is the way we view and judge others. We continually find ourselves asking the questions, "Why don't they do that the way I would?" or "When will they just figure out how to really do it?" The sad reality is that many times the fault lies not with them, but with us. Through our imperfect vision we can't see all the facts, or in other words things as they really are. President Thomas S. Monson relates Christ's parable of the mote and the beam. How many times are we more likely to identify the motes in others instead of noticing our own beams? We should all remember our own faults, weaknesses, and shortcomings and then strive to correct them. Then and only then can we sympathise with and help others in a way that Christ himself would. Then we are showing forth the pure love of Christ: charity.

Why be baptized?

One of the most common similarities across all of Christianity is the concept of baptism. Each denomination may do it differently, but there seems to be a sense of necessity present in every instance. Why is that? In the end, it comes down to the life and teachings of our Savior Jesus Christ. To start his public ministry, Christ traveled to John to be baptized in the Jordan River. Why John when there were many people in his day doing baptisms? The answer is because John had the authority from God to baptize. He could do it by God's power, in God's way. In addition to his example, Christ also taught, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved (Mark 16:16)." Baptism is an ordinance that is necessary for us to return to live with our Heavenly Father again.


In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the authority to perform the ordinance of baptism has been restored. The same authority John the Baptist held. Through it, people can be baptized for the remission of sins and open the gate to eternal life with Heavenly Father. As missionaries we follow the Savior's command to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Matt 28:19)."

So why baptism? Because "no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end (3 Ne 27:19)." Baptism and repentance are a gift. If we will utilize them to show our commitment and faith in Christ, we will be happy in this life and be able to dwell with him again hereafter.

Guest Post

I was given the opportunity to write a guest post for another Christian blog. Check it out at http://www.newonrevival.com/2012/01/he-will-give-you-rest.html and feel free to leave comments and insights. Thanks!

The Mediator

President Boyd K. Packer gave this analogy in an address he gave in 1977. In it, he explains the laws of justice and mercy, and how both can be satisfied only through the inclusion of a mediator.



I think that we can all relate to the young man at some point in our lives. We all feel like we can do whatever we would like and the day of accountability will never arrive. Unfortunately, God will require us to be responsible for everything we have done with our time here on earth. Since all of us have messed up at some point or another, it seems logical that all are now doomed to suffer under consequences of a just law and a just God. But in His mercy, God sent His son Jesus Christ to suffer for us and thus become the mediator in our contract. Through him, we are able to become clean and inherit eternal life, "the greatest of all the gifts of God (D&C 14:7)." With Christ as our new creditor and with the commandments he has set, we are able to fulfill our obligations and become clean through him. It may not be easy, but it is possible.

Declaring vs. Doing

Unfortunately for Michael Scott, declaring bankruptcy is not as easy as merely yelling the word "bankruptcy." He probably was confused when someone told him that if he would only declare bankruptcy, his problems would go away. The real problem, though, arose in Michael's misunderstanding of what it meant to "declare" bankruptcy. In reality, declaring bankruptcy is a lengthy process, requiring dozens of forms, consultations, and court hearings. It is something that takes a lot of work and is hardly a passive or easy process.

The same principle applies in our spiritual lives as well. There are some in the world that would say all that is necessary is to say that you believe and that will suffice. Christ spoke against this lack of responsibility when he said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven (Matthew 7:21)." In addition to "declaring" our willingness, we also have to "do" the will of the Father. So what is the will of the Father? When speaking to the people in the Americas, Christ said, "And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end. Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day (3 Nephi 27:19-20)." There is a way to become clean and it is through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He has asked that we but have faith, repent, be baptized, receive and follow the Holy Ghost, and follow his commandments to the end. Or in other words, "the will of the Father." At times it may not seem like the easiest process, but the gift of becoming clean and pure is worth any sacrifice we may have to make in our lives.

What Will You Give This Christmas?

It's Christmas time was again! Every year when December rolls around, I get excited for the season and the joy it seems to bring into everyone's life. One of the most often questions asked this time of year is, "What are you getting someone for Christmas?" Even though the focus of Christmas may change over the years, the concept of giving has always remained at the heart. When most people think of the first Christmas gifts given, they usually think of the 3 wise men and their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In reality, however, the first gift given was the gift of our Savior given by our Heavenly Father that first Christmas night. The immortal words of Isaiah still resonate today, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)." Truly this was a day that generations of men and women had faithfully waited for. A day when the Savior would come, and with his life and his death, open the doors of salvation to all of God's children.

So, what will you give this Christmas? Why not give the one of the greatest gifts we can: to give of ourselves. As we give of ourselves in service and love to others, we are following the example of Jesus Christ and giving as he would give. We feel the spirit of Christmas in abundance and then realize that it is in fact, the spirit of Christ. As President Monson states, we more fully understand Christmas when we but drop the last syllable and recognize Christ as the purpose of it.

The Golden Rule...and birds

Growing up I was taught, as were probably most of you, what is called the "Golden Rule." In short the Golden Rule is as follows: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Seems like pretty good advice if you ask me. If I don't want people to mock or degrade me, then the best thing I can do is avoid that behavior towards others. When our Savior Jesus Christ was teaching his apostles, he shared this important point. He said, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another (John 13:34)." Christ's life was the ultimate example of love and service. His commandment to the apostles was that they follow his example to love, encourage, lift, and edify.

One of my favorite examples of acceptance and tolerance growing up was the Pixar short film "For the Birds." In it we see those who mock, bully, and degrade and how they will eventually end up.





Our little blackbird friends could have learned a great lesson taught by the Lord in the Book of Mormon. The prophet Moroni was praying to the Lord because he was worried that those who read the book would mock his writing. In response the Lord said, "Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness (Ether 12:26)." The promise given to Moroni is valid for us as well. If we are meek and humble, the Lord will not let others take advantage of weakness. He is willing to make our weaknesses strengths is we will but seek his help. The flip-side is true as well. If we seek to mock and take advantage of others, the Lord will show what "fools" we are. In the end we can gain a valuable lesson from the scriptures and these birds: loving and accepting others will produce the greatest happiness and least embarrassment.

Families and the Gospel of Jesus Christ

"The most important of the Lord’s work that you will ever do will be the work you do within the walls of your own home." -President Harold B. Lee

I'd always heard this quote said by many people as I grew up but now I have really come to understand it's importance and magnitude. I have met my fair share of broken families and it is sad to see the lack of confidence and hope in the future. In today's world, many people may neglect marriage, thinking that it is either outdated or unnecessary. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ however, we understand that marriage and family life are just as important and essential now as they ever have been.

While giving an address to young adults in 2001, Elder Bruce C. Hafen said, "The Restoration is a light of hope in this dark world. Not only does our Church offer the clearest vision about family history but also about future eternal families. These doctrines then shed a unique light on our present, everyday family ties." What is it about the Restoration that makes all of this possible? In the year 1836, as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy, the prophet Elijah returned to the earth and restored the power to seal on earth and in heaven. With this authority established, men and women can be sealed together as families for time and all eternity in temples of God. What an incredible blessing! I believe that everyone on this earth would accept the possibility of being with those they love forever, if they only knew where to find it. The Lord taught Joseph Smith that their are many in the world "who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it (D&C 123:12)."

As a missionary for the Lord, I am sent to help people find the truth and the happiness associated with it. I am sent to declare to the world that the relationships we enjoy here on earth, can continue forever. Through the priesthood of God once again restored to the earth, it can happen.

Bible Quiz

Be sure to check out the recently added "Bible Quiz" page of my blog. It contains various multiply choice questions based on accounts given in the King James Version of the Bible. It is an open book quiz so feel free to look up any of these accounts in the Bible. If you do not have a copy of the King James Version, you can use a free online version found at lds.org. Enjoy!

Brandon Flowers (yes of The Killers)

When I first saw this video I asked the same question that many people ask, "How can you be a rock star and live your faith as well?" I think that Brandon is an excellent example of those who follow God while still being themselves. It is also inspiring to see how he is also able to enjoy a family life as well.

It is so true that the gospel really is for everyone. The Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us how to come closer to Christ and keep his commandments. While it is true that there are some things that God may require us to change in order to be in harmony with his standards and commandments, there are also many ways in which we can still maintain our individual status. I believe that God created us all as individuals and gave us different talents and abilities. In this life it is up to us to develop those talents to bless our own lives as well as the lives of those around us. Some may be talented with music, others with teaching, and yet others with serving. It is by sharing these talents that we show God how grateful we for the things we have been blessed with.

For more videos of people who live their life while living their faith visit Mormon.org.

Thou Shalt Love Thy Neighbor

I think that this video truly captures the spirit of what Christ meant when he said, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself (Matt 22:39)." To see an entire community come out to help and support this family in their time of crisis is absolutely incredible. After I watched this, I immediately thought, "Do I do enough to help those in need around me?" While some people may have readily visible needs such as this family, other are more subtle. For some the hurt is emotional or spiritual and can rarely been seen with the physical eye.  When we are baptized into the Church of Christ, we promise to take upon the name of Christ and help those around us. As representatives of Jesus Christ we seek to bring all men to his feet so that he can heal them through the power of his atonement. He called out to all of the weary when he said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matt 11:28)." He has offered the invitation, now it is our responsibility to lift ourselves and others into his out-stretched arms. Remember the words of King Benjamin, "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God (Mosiah 2:17)."

The Most Important Pearl of All

In the world of pearls, it seems like there are limitless options. When you go to a jeweler you have the option of white, black, pink, round, oblong, salt water, fresh water, and everything in between. These pearls are each the result of an oyster coating over and over again some foreign object it finds lodged inside its shell. Each one is appraised beforehand to determine how much it is worth and at what price it can reasonably be sold. Each year people travel all over the world in search of the biggest, best, and most expensive pearls to sell to their customers. To many that pearl would represent an achievement in their lives and a sign of their wealth.

In the scriptures, a reference to a pearl is made to illustrate the kind of wealth we should seek. In Matthew 13:45-46, the Savior likens the kingdom of heaven to a "pearl of great price" that a merchant man gives everything he possesses to obtain. The Lord was instructing his listeners that his gospel, or the way to the kingdom of heaven, was worth anything we may be required to give up. To the rich young ruler Christ said that if he would give up his treasures and follow him, then he would be able to inherit the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:20-22). In most of our lives, the Lord requires us to offer are desires and our sins to him. He asks us to stop doing those things that are contrary to the commandments and follow him. To some it may be quitting an addiction to cigarettes or alcohol. For others it may mean foregoing Sunday activities in order to worship him in church. No matter what the sacrifice may be, Christ has always promised that the reward, or pearl, would be worth far more than anything we may have given up.

Flip-flops and Scorpions

Although I've never actually been stung by a scorpion (we don't have many in Idaho), I imagine it to be a fairly painful experience. As a young boy, Elder Kearon knew exactly what to do and what precautions to take in order to avoid being stung by one of these. However, like most of us, he disregarded those precautions because of casualness in his behavior. We see instances like this all around us. We all know that by obeying the speed limit we reduce our risk of being in a serious accident, yet how many of us speed anyway? We know that wearing our seat belts may very well save our lives, yet how many of us neglect to buckle up?

The same principle applies to our spiritual lives as well. It may not be a scorpion, but it may be a sin or addiction that we are taught to avoid. Our parents or leaders may spend hours discussing ways to properly protect ourselves from these dangers, but in the end it is our decision whether or not we will follow their council. One such "scorpion" may be drug abuse. My parents always warned us of this danger and told us that if we would surround ourselves with good influences or good friends, we could protect ourselves and put on those "shoes." I've tried to follow council such as that throughout my life and have luckily been able to avoid many of the pit-falls that claim much of today's world. It may not always be convenient or even popular, but if we'll just put on our shoes, we'll be protected from the stings in life.

Latter-Day Saint Temples

In many places that I have visited, the most beautiful buildings are often the temples. The one in this picture is the Palmyra New York temple and is one of my particular favorites. Sitting atop a small hill, it seems to stand as an ever-lit beacon calling for mankind to enter and partake of its blessings. Sometimes I encounter people who are curious about temples or may wonder why we even have them. The simple answer is that a temple is literally the House of the Lord and we come closer to him by being in it. A temple is a place where we can enter into covenants with God and receive greater blessings at his hand. But without questions, the greatest blessing that comes from temples is the opportunity to be sealed as families for time and all eternity. Many marriages in the world today are "til death do we part," but in the temple, couples and families are able to make their relationships eternal. No more will the sting of death discontinue a family, rather it just relocates a few members until all are once again reunited in heaven. In this video, based on a talk by Elder Nelson, members talk about temples and their love for them:


As a missionary, we strive to bring people to Christ by helping them receive the gospel and enter into their first covenant, baptism. But baptism is hardly the end of the road, rather it is the beginning. The most beautiful blessings our Father in Heaven has to offer us are available as we make and keep covenants in his holy temples. The blessings of eternal life with those we love are available if we will always keep the temple in our sights and strive to receive the blessing therein.  For all those who have not yet attended the temple, continue working towards that goal so that one day you may receive that blessing. For those who have been to the temple, continue to go back. As we return to the temple often we learn, grow, and understand more of our Heavenly Father's plan for us. God has given us a piece of heaven on earth, let us all take advantage of it.

Illiteracy, It Hurts

As you can probably tell from this poster, illiteracy can sometimes hurt. Because that poor penguin couldn't read the words or understand the symbols, he was left with a bruised head and a bruised ego. In the United States the literacy rate is 99% meaning that only 1% of the population cannot read or write. Compare that with places such as South Sudan with a literacy rate of only 27%. Imagine that, 1 out of 4 people can read a sign, a document, a book, or anything else written!

In an April General Conference address, Elder Christofferson presented the idea of another kind of illiteracy: scriptural illiteracy.

Many people may be able to read, but are they taking time to read the scriptures? Many people may read the scriptures, but do they really understand and apply what they read? One of my favorite things that the video below points out is that the Lord has given us greater access to the scriptures than any other time in history. Therefore, how great is the importance of our study and learning from them. Back in William Tyndale's day, getting access to the word of God was either expensive or illegal. To have him give his life to provide the rest of England with the scriptures, obviously shows us how important they were to him. As a missionary, I've been blessed with the opportunity of studying the scriptures everyday. Back home I enjoyed them, but now I've developed a love of them. Before I could see that it was a good thing to do, but now I see that it is one of the fastest ways to invite the Spirit into our lives and come closer to our Heavenly Father. If we'll just put in the time with them, we will understand how much of a blessing they are and how grateful we are to have them. We will come closer to our Savior and literally change into the kind of person he would have us be. I can promise this because I've not only seen it in my life, I've seen in the lives of those around me. God does live and He's given us the road map to our lives, if we'll only read it.

Crossword Puzzles

Last year while I was at college, I spent time in between classes working on solving the crossword in the local paper. I always loved doing it because it was a challenge to see if I could work my way around the puzzle figuring out how things fit together. At times I would get frustrated because it seemed like there was no possible way that "pood" is a word and therefore all my other words must be wrong too. When I would see the solutions the next day, I would find that not only is "pood" a word (it's a Russian weight) but I would also be surprised at how simple some of my missing answers were. Apparently I would spend hours over thinking the clues when in reality the answers were simple, clear, and made sense.

Just as with crosswords, it can seem as if our lives are one big board full of empty squares that we have to fill in. When we work on it alone, it may seem that none of it makes sense or we may miss the meaning all together. Luckily, however, we have the solution key: the scriptures. Through the holy scriptures, God has given us the answers to the questions in life as well as the path we should follow. As we read and apply them in our lives today we can see how things like "grace", "faith", and "repentance" work together in the puzzle of our mortal lives: 

G						F
R	E	P	E	N	T	A	N	C	E
A						I
C						T
E						H

Even though it may seem hard at times, I know that if I'll just turn to the answers, I realize that it isn't nearly as complicated as I thought. God loves each and every one of us and has shown us the path and "key" that we should follow if we are willing to seek his word from the holy scriptures.

Am I Gone?...No, You're Home

This funeral home has possibly one of the best names I've ever seen: Amigone. Many people who go there for the loss of a lost one may wonder that same questions, "Are they gone?" Speculation about life after death is something that I believe everyone thinks about at some point in their life. Sometimes the death of someone close or one's own personal illness can prompt these kinds of thoughts and feelings. One of the reasons why I love the Bible and Book of Mormon is because they teach me about this life and the life to come. By reading the words of prophets of old, I am able to more clearly understand God's plan for me and what I should do in this life as well as after I die. One of the biggest things I learned is that life is not the end, it is merely another step in our Heavenly Father's plan. Just as Jesus Christ died and was resurrected, we will also receive perfect resurrected bodies after we die. The sacrifice of Christ allowed all men to be saved from death and be raised to immortality. In addition to conquering this physical death, Jesus also allowed us to overcome our own weaknesses and return to God once more. By keeping the commandments of God and repenting of our sins, we are able to once again live with our Heavenly Father and enjoy peace and happiness in His presence. When I think about things that way, I realize that far from being scary, death is actually a wonderful opportunity for us to progress back to God.

Nuclear Weapons

While walking down the streets of Buffalo one day I passed a church that had this sign: "This church is a nuclear weapons free zone." I found the sign quite amusing and immediately began to speculate about how many church goers brought nukes in order to necessitate this sign. I laughed at thoughts of people in their Sunday best with a Bible in one hand and a nuclear weapon in the other. After thinking about it for a while, I decided that there was a lesson to be learned from this sign. This church obviously felt it was necessary to protect itself from things brought inside just as we should screen what we allow in our minds and in our bodies. There seems to be an endless supply of "nuclear weapons" in our lives today including drugs, alcohol, and pornography. These can and will destroy our bodies and spirits if we allow them to enter and dwell in our bodies, minds, and lives. Prophets of God have always warned us to respect our bodies and guard our minds against the evils that surround us. In D&C 121:45 the Lord tells us to let "virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly." By doing this I am able to keep my mind and thoughts pure and be more receptive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. It will always be a life-long process but as I work on screening the "nuclear weapons", I know that I will grow closer to my Heavenly Father and become who He would want me to be.

Growing the Hottest Jalapenos

Recently I have helped to start a small backyard garden. A friend of mine offered to give us some of his small jalapeno plants which started me thinking, "How do you get the hottest jalapenos?" After asking some people and looking around, I discovered something I didn't expect, the hottest jalapenos come from stressed plants. I learned that if you want hot peppers, you need to occasionally deny the plant water. By doing this the peppers take on a very hot flavor. Only by doing this can farmers produce the exceptionally hot varieties that are desired the world over.

After learning this, I realized that we are a lot like pepper plants. Our Heavenly Father is the farmer and he knows better than we do what will allow us to achieve our full potential and produce the best "peppers." At times we may not understand why we aren't getting everything we think we need (water) when in reality it is that denial that makes us exceptional. We could content ourselves with being an average plant, but with God's help we can become what he would have us be.

(If you enjoyed this story also read Elder Christofferson's talk from April General Conference)