Praise To The Man

My mom and I watched Praise to the Man movie this afternoon.  I loved watching that movie.  It reminded me of why I am really going to serve a mission.  Joseph Smith was and is a Prophet of God.  I know without a doubt what he saw and testified of is true.  I felt the Spirit so strong during the movie.  It made me so much eager and excited to serve a mission.  

In the movie, it recounted Joseph Smith's experience in the grove.  He read from James 1:5- "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering."  I never realized before, but how often we must turn to the Lord for guidance and direction.  It is said by James that we must ask of God with faith.  I have been praying a lot lately that I will be a great missionary, and that I can bring the gospel and happiness to the people I will serve.  But I found out when I heard this scripture quoted in the movie that it is simply not enough to just ask, but to also act.  I need to also do my part and my best in preparing for a mission, then the Lord will bless me to be a good missionary.  Being an effective missionary is all up to me.  

We have to work for everything in this life.  I think if I didn't have to work for anything that I would not appreciate how beautiful the Earth and the Gospel is.  There would be no need for the Atonement.  There would be no need for the gospel and for coming here to Earth if we couldn't work and progress.  

How truly wonderful the Lord is.  He understands us completely.  He knows us better than we know ourselves.  Why not have complete faith and trust in him when he knows the end from the beginning?  

He lives.

"I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth?  I have actually seen a vision and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world to think to make me deny what I have actually seen?  For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it."  -Joseph Smith History 1:25

64 DAYS.

Come What May

A couple weeks ago was Stake Conference.  It was amazing!  Elder J.W. Marriott of the seventy presided.  The Spirit was so strong and there were many things said that I absolutely loved.

President Martyn: "I have great experiences when I go to the Lord."

Sister Hall: "Christ gives me comfort, love, aide."

Sister Hansen: "We don't need to be scriptorians, but we do need to know the principals of the Book of Mormon."

President Birch: "The best place to be tutored is in the temple. Regardless of what happens in the world, come what may." 

President Nufer: "Personal worthiness brings strength."

Tara Pumphrey: "2 Nephi 5:27 Live after the manner of happiness!"

Keith Drake: "What I hear, I forget.  What I see, I may remember.  What I do, I know.  The church is not a play or an act, it is a way of life."

President Christensen: "I can know my Heavenly Father best and first in the temple."

President Jensen: "Live a higher life."

Elder Marriott: "Raising my children should be of my most choicest years.  Be good parents, and enjoy the journey. Be a leader who leads with faith. I can only be successful through hard work and of great faith. I can have great faith when I frequently talk with the Lord."  

Stake Conference was an incredible weekend. 

Life is great! Hard, but great!!

I have all my paperwork done for my mission!  The last thing I have to do before I can turn them in is get another shot on Monday.  64 DAYS!!!! Crazy.  I remember when it was over 120.  Time is flying by. 

 

My mom and I turned in our applications for passports today at the post office.  I was asked by a guy working if I was younger than 16!!!!! Come on people! I'm almost 21! But yes, my mom unfortunately had a great laugh along with everyone else in the post office.  It was beyond embarrassing.

The church is true.  I will always testify that Christ lives and that he is Heavenly Father's Son.  I love them very much!  And I can't wait to be a missionary for them.  It means the world they trust me to represent them!!!

I stand proclaimed.  True love is here to stay.