Intellegence

"You must get all of the education that you possibly can. Life has become so complex and competitive. You cannot assume that you have entitlements due you. You will be expected to put forth great effort and to use your best talents to make your way to the most wonderful future of which you are capable.  Sacrifice a car; sacrifice anything that is needed to be sacrificed to qualify yourselves to do the work of the world. That world will in large measure pay you what it thinks you are worth, and your worth will increase as you gain education and proficiency in your chosen field." - President Gordon B. Hinckley

No one enjoys being called stupid.  We've all been called stupid at least once in our life, and it hurts.  I am sure that everyone wonders why we are called stupid.  This is said when one person believes that another lacks that persons intellectual advantages.  You know that could very well be true.  But it is also false.  One person may be superior in knowledge than one person.  But that person could be strong in knowledge someplace else.  I have places where I'm pretty smart, but I sure can't brag about it because someone else knows a lot more than I do.

In Doctrine and Covenants 130:18 it reads, "Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection."  Everything we learn here on earth is one of the few things we carry with us to heaven.  How it will be used it don't matter.  We are to study as much as possible, and to use it while we are on this earth for good.  Now how do we gain more knowledge?  In verse 19 of the same section reads, "And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come."  Now you may be wondering "why does it say obedience?"  You obviously have to work to gain knowledge of any kind.  But obedience is using that knowledge properly.  You are not going to study computer graphics and start raising cattle.  Since knowledge is universal it doesn't end once you've ended college or finished the text book.

There are levels in knowledge.  Its much like diving.  When you swim you can't see very much of the bottom.  Snorkeling you can see more, but it's not all.  Scuba diving you can see even more, and yet there is still places you can't reach.  There are many levels in learning and understanding of your chosen subject.  As you continue studying in what ever subject you grow in understanding of that subject.  As you apply what you learn that understanding multiplies, not just grow. So what ever subject you may be studying (Science, Theology, Mechanics or Com. Tech to name a few) continue in those studies and use them to build a better world.  Don't settle for what you already have.  Study EVERYTHING!  You might find something that will enhance what you already know and you will be able to communicate better with others.  I really enjoy learning about everything and I've gained a lot of knowledge that build me everyday.  The same could be said for you too.

Not too Close!

I enjoy hearing stories from military personnel who are retired.  It is great to hear their stories and the sacrifices they made for us.  One story came from someone who worked with nuclear weapons in the Navy.  He told me about the Uranium they used and how it was transported.  They carried it in heavy lead cylinders with an iron frame.  The containers were nicknamed "Bird Cages".  These Bird Cages had to be kept a certain distance from each other.  If any of these boxes got too close, and if there was a crack or leak in any of them , a blue arch would jump in between the two containers.  Anyone unfortunate to be in this blue arch would experience hair loss, radiation sickness, and sometimes death.  Survivors were terminated from the military.

We all know what power Nuclear Energy has.  It can be very dangerous, but despite the danger, it has many uses.  Sometimes that power is abused.  Great care must be taken when handling this power.  Like Nuclear energy, we have a special power given to us by God.  That is the power to pro-create, to have children.  However, people who are negligent or misuse this power suffer serious consequences.  Like all dangerous substances, there are laws made for the protection of the handlers.  There may not be any physical dangers, but there are mental or spiritual dangers.  The Law governing this power is called "The Law of Chastity."  This law is not a restriction but a protection for your well being.  God gave us this law so that we could be happy, and still enjoy life.  Every law God creates is not for his own good, but for ours.  The Law of Chastity is:

• staying away from any sexual intercourse/activity outside of marriage
• being pure in thought and action
• Faithfulness to spouse after marriage
• avoiding the plague of Pornography
• Modesty in dress and speech
• No homo-sexual relationships

Now there will be activities that would seem "fun" that would go against everything I put on this list.  Doing the exact opposite of what God wants us to does not bring us happiness (Alma 41:10).  Activities we should participate in, especially when dating, should show respect to the opposite sex and ourselves.
Certain feelings that are felt with the human body are natural, but that doesn't mean we must follow every urge we experience. Elder Jeffery R. Holland, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said, "Love comes with open hands and open heart. Lust comes only with an open appetite."  Lust will lead us to breaks the law of Chastity and will get us to do things that will bring a lot of pain.  Don't rationalize that what you might be doing is okay.  What may seem as an innocent activity eventually, and often quickly, becomes a big mistake.  The Lord appreciates it when we are chaste.  Being chaste shows the Lord that we care and that we are willing to do as he says to obtain our promised happiness.

Gen. 2:24 & Jacob 3:5-7

Now that I've listed all the bad let me show you the benefits of obeying this law.  When we obey the Law of Chastity we will experience a lot of joy.  We will feel greater love towards our spouse once we are married.  We will have peace of mind, knowing we saved ourselves for our spouse.  The best reward for this is companionship from the Holy Ghost.  Since the Holy Ghost is part of the God head, we are driving it away when we get involved with activities that go against what God has asked of us.  God knows what is good for us and what isn't.  Just like handling uranium without the proper procedures can result in death.  Breaking the law of chastity results in a Spiritual death.  So please be wise when around members of the opposite sex.  There are safety protocols there too.  And they are for your growth and benefit. I can promise you that.



For the youth who want more info on the subject see what the strength of youth pamphlet says on said subjects: Chastity, and Dating.

Slow Down and Enjoy the Scenery

I heard someone tell me a story of a wonderful trip they were able to enjoy.  This person had the opportunity to visit Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa.  She told us that she saw many wonderful and beautiful things around her.  The trek was long and hard, but she was blessed to reach the top and enjoy the magnificent view around her.  On her way down she came across two hikers who also made it to the top.  She began telling them all the great things she saw thinking they would share also.  The hikers only said, "What? We didn't see anything like that.  All we saw were rocks and dirt." Why didn't they see what she saw?  They were in a hurry to reach the top.

Some of the most important things only appear as we carefully look for them.  Hurrying through life may get you to your intended destination.  But it will overwhelm your life with everyday things to the point where you miss the things that matter most.  This can easily can be avoided if we just slow down and see the beauty around us.

I enjoy stepping back a bit to see the work I've done.  It's makes me happy inside when I slow down, take a breath and see the hand of God around me.  We are not asked to try and accomplish as much as we can as fast as we can.  When we are in a made rush to get from A to B we miss a lot of good things.  King Benjamin, in the Book of Mormon taught, "it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength."  We should not overburden ourselves with a laundry list of tasks.  But we don't need to idle our time away waiting for something to happen.  Both activities are counter productive.  We should fill our time with productive activities but still leave room for adjustments and balance.  If you are constantly on the go you might miss an opportunity to grow, help someone in need, or avoid a nasty mistake that might be waiting to trip you.  When we are in a big hurry we will often miss important things and will become frustrated.  As you "slow time down" you are able to gain valuble treasures that will help you grow.

So as you are going through your busy lives take a moment and look around.  Listen to the spirit and let it teach you.  Find some one who is having a hard day and lift them higher.  Take a moment and read from the scriptures.  Look for those hidden treasures God has left for you,  In fact, find some time with your family and with those you love.  There is really treasure there.  Bonding with your family is a priceless commodity and cannot be replaced.  As you allow those precious moments to take part in your life, you will find little pieces of gold in your path which will bring true happiness.

Watch this video and see how these individuals found gold.

The Greatest Generation

We all know how the Special Forces are right?  In case you don't they are the top elite of the military forces of their country.  These men and women are trained for the toughest military assignments.  Their training and preparation is hard, but makes it possible for these soldiers to carry out no other soldier can do.  The best of the best are hand picked and put into a specific group to carry out the most critical of assignments.  These men are offered the opportunity and will volunteer at their own decision.  They are not forced.


Now to the readers of this blog.  Have you ever wondered why this world may seem so hard?  I may have an answer for you.  In the pre-mortal existence, God presented his plan to us.  We were to come to earth, gain a body, make choices and gain experience.  In order for us to make it back God choose Jesus Christ to act as our Mediator.
Satan wanted to make it so that we were all able to make it back but wanted to take the glory for himself.  Christ volunteered to go and all the glory (credit) to God.  Satan rebelled when his plan wasn't accepted and was cast out of heaven.  His plan would have destroyed any possible growth with us.  Ever since the earth was created, Satan has been fighting God and is trying to make all men miserable as he is.  But as his time is running short, he will fight only harder.  He is bent on destroying us and keeping us from salvation.  God understood that this would happen.  He prepared his "elite" to come down to counter Satan's work and help lead men to salvation.  Those "elite" are us.

When we pray for help . . .

Prophets were able to see our day. Many saw this day in age and witnessed God's Elite in action.  Now these elite were not on a military mission.  They were hand picked by God to help him carry out his work.  Men like Adam, Abraham, and Jesus Christ were one of the elite.  Now it may not seem like you are not one of the elite because life is just "too hard".  When life gets tough you are most likely going through a "training session" so that you are able to handle the challenges that come your way.  Modern Prophets have called this generation the "Chosen Generation".  They are here to prepare the earth for the return of the Savior.  The Lord has asked us to be strong.  He is ready to give us the support we need to continue on.  Because God saved us for this time He will give us the support we need to accomplish our mission.  So to the youth and their leaders, press on.  Now's not the time to fall back.  God needs his greatest to rise up and carry on.  Christ mark the path you must travel, and that path leads to Greatness.

. . . God gives us support against temptation.
I doubt it will be soldiers.

A Day of Restoration

"Behold, they will crucify him; and after he is laid in a sepulchre for the space of three days he shall rise from the dead, with healing in his wings; and all those who shall believe on his name shall be saved in the kingdom of God. Wherefore, my soul delighteth to prophesy concerning him, for I have seen his day, and my heart doth magnify his holy name." - 2 Nephi 25:13

April 6th has a lot of meaning to me.  Two very important events happened on this day. The first is the most commonly known. This was the day the Savior died for us.  Just hours before he was killed he suffered in Gethsemane.  He was then resurrected Three days later and showed himself to His Apostles.  He took upon him all the sins of the World.  He died so that we may live again, the chains of death were broken so the earth would hold not it's dead.  Christ's suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane removed our punishment for sin from us so that we can make it into the Kingdom of Heaven. To this sacrifice I have a eternal debt with great mercy attached for me.  For that I am truly grateful for the Saviors sacrifice.

The second event was the Restoration of Christ's church as it was organized when Christ was one the Earth. (See also The Articles of Faith.)  Under the direction of the Prophet Joseph Smith, under inspiration from God the Father, the church was officially organized on April 6th, 1830.  With the Restoration of the Lord's Church, The Priesthood (the Authority to act in God's name) was placed back on the earth.  A prophecy made by the Prophet Daniel to King Nebuchadnezzar about the going of the Church of God that would fill the whole earth, never to be destroyed again.  To this day, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has grown from a congregation of thirty to 15 million and growing.  It has never been lead by men, but by God.  Prophets speak to us today, like prophets of old, revealing God's word to us.  I am grateful in taking part in this "Marvelous work and a Wonder" as prophesied by Isaiah.

On this date, our restoration to heaven was completed and The Lord's Church was restored.  Truly this day is a glorious day.

For a special Easter presentation (From the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) click here.

Here are the Events of the Savior's Atonement:

Christ the Good Shepherd

For some time have have been studying the Gospel of John.  In the tenth chapter, verses 1-5, Christ tells his listeners a parable.  He told them that he was like a shepherd.  He said his sheep will hear his voice, and will follow him.  He also mentioned a gate and a wall.  What has a wall got to do with anything involving a shepherd and his sheep?  Let me show you.

The Judean Shepherd during the time of Christ spent all his time with his sheep.  They were part of his life, part of his family and his only means of substance.  The Shepherd has an infinite love for all of his sheep, even the ones that have "little to no" use.  Great care was taken in raising the sheep.  There was an inseparable bond between the master and the sheep.  The Shepherd not only cares for, but protects his sheep, even to the loss of his own life.  The Sheep willingly follow him and trust him.  When he calls they will come.  Those not belonging to that shepherd will not come.  When the night comes the shepherd will lead the sheep into a pen.  The pen would be made out of stone and surrounding the wall was brush making it hard to jump over the wall.  There was only one place to enter the pen and that was the gate.  The only thing standing in the way of that gate, was the Shepherd.  Any thieves or wolves not willing to deal with the shepherd may try jumping the wall.  But once the shepherd hears commotion among his sheep, the intruder will soon face the wrath of the shepherd.



D&C 18:11-12



How fitting is the comparison between our Lord and Savior, and the Shepherd.  Christ has an infinite love for all of us, despite our circumstances.  He took upon himself the sins of the world in Gethsemane.  He did that so that we would have a chance to return to God's presence. He laid down his life for us on Calvary's cross.  He broke the bands of death so that we can be resurrected.  He gave us the Gospel and commandments for us to follow so that we may be led to "green pastures."  When we have done wrong in our life, he will forgive us on conditions of repentance.  How great a love he had for us, that he was willing to go through all that for us.  Because he suffered for us, and paid the price for sin.  All He asks of us is to repent of our sins, become as a little child, and follow him (John 8:12) even as a child submits to his father.  Following Christ is having faith in him and doing what he asks of us, because "faith without works is dead" (James 2:26).  We may not understand why Christ asks us to do what we need to do.  But by placing our trust in him we are able to grow to greatness.  Sheep that do not follow the voice of the Shepherd are lost.  When we ignore the Savior and his teachings, we become "lost".  If the sheep will allow the Shepherd to care for them, they are kept safe.  The same thing applies with the Savior.  If we will listen to him, obey his word, and allow him to work within us, we will be saved at the last day.

Learn more about the Jesus Christ by going to: http://mormon.org/jesus-christ/