Watching for Rain

I grew up in the city of Farmington, Utah. I lived most of my life in a desert where we don't get rain very often and whenever we did, it was something to be excited about. Since then, I've traveled to live in Florida to spend two years of my life teaching others about Christ and how His gospel and Priesthood authority were restored to the Earth through a living prophet in the 1820's and 1830's (Learn about The Restoration here). While here I've realized that rain is not such a special thing to people who get soaked with it almost everyday. I've since learned that you have to be prepared for the rain in a moments notice because there are days you literally only have seconds to get ready because you can see a wall of rain getting closer and closer. I've learned that early and preemptive preparations are the key to staying dry and comfortable no matter the weather. So it is with our life.

The Storms of Life

Life is good at taking all of us by surprise. I know it hits me upside the head all the time. So we have to find a way to be ready for whatever life my throw at us. When Christ was on the Earth He was able to say to the raging sea "Peace, be still" and the storm ceased (Mark 4:39). I don't know about you, but I have never been able to tell a storm to quiet down and have it listen to my opinion. Christ is the one who created this world and He is the one who has power over it. As we turn to Christ and His teachings and put Him first. Then we shall have all the protection that we need.

"But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering;"

(Alma 13:28)

The key to having protection from the storms of life and the sins and temptations that the devil continually is trying to throw at us to slow us down is humility. When we are truly humble we are willing to submit to anything that the Lord feels is necessary for us to learn to become like Him. He shows us our weaknesses so that we can know that it is only through Christ that we are able to do anything good in this life.

"Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know that it is by his grace, and his great condescensions unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things."

(Jacob 4:7)

So remember that next time the storms of life approach and it seems that you only have seconds to get ready, if you've been striving to follow your Savior, things will work out for your good. I know that as we follow His directions life goes on and we can have peace in us no matter the storms of our surroundings. We can be comforted in knowing that the Lord is watching over us and is never far away. I know He loves you. I know He loves me. Let us all love one another and draw nearer to our Savior. In His name, Jesus Christ. Amen.

"For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

(Luke 12:30-32)

  

The Power of God.

My Testimony:

I know that God has power. I know that when we look to Him and follow His Son we are strengthened to do things beyond our normal capacities. He has pulled me through hard times, and carried me to the peaks of my good times. All the while His power supporting me in my righteous desires and actions. Christ has said:

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." 

(Ether 12:27)

I know that God will show unto me my weaknesses at a pace and at a time that I can be taught to overcome them. He wants for me to become more like His son so that I will be ready when my time comes to return to Him. 

My Story

 When I was a young boy, my left hand became covered with warts. Somewhere around 30 or them. That left my little hand ugly, painful, and embarrassing. Thanks to the restoration of God's power to the earth, The Priesthood, I was given a blessing by the laying on of hands by my Grandfather. While his hands were upon my head he pronounced that I would be healed and within a miraculously short period of time my hand was clean again. It makes me think of the time when Christ was approached by a leper who said "If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean" (Mark 1:40).

"And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean."

(Mark 1:41)

My faith as a child was enough to produce miracles. My faith now is my driving force to keep me spreading the Lord's word among His children. It is what provides me with strength and gives me the desire to carry on and endure in the Lord's service. 

We all have burdens, and whether small or great they can be lifted off of our shoulders as we come to Christ. 

"For [His] yoke is easy, and [His] burden is light" 

(Matthew 11:30) 

Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Love: Part Two

The Truth About His Love

Our Father in Heaven is always waiting and wanting to show us just how much He loves us. He does so in many ways. Whether it be the tender mercies we receive at His hand day by day, or the miracles he sends as we have faith in our Savior. Even when times may seem hard and the world may be after us, we can always have hope in the Lord. "...But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance" (1 Nephi 1:20).

Our Savior's Example:

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" 

(John 15:13)

"If ye love me, keep my commandments"

(John 14:15) 

As always, Jesus Christ has provided a perfect example of love. He laid down his life, He forgives us of sins, He cheers us on as we strive to keep His commandments. People sometimes ask why in the world He would do what he did for us. The answer really is simple. HE LOVES US! We never need to despair and think that God doesn't want to be our friend anymore. Sometimes he allows us to wade through affliction and struggle with things, but how else could we ever learn? This is one of my favorite descriptions of what Christ does for each of us. 

"11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.  

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."

(Alma 7:11-12)

He understands us. He felt what we feel. His love and his mercy are all encompassing.  "It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines" (It Is Never Too Late, Jeffrey R. Holland).

  

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

(Romans 8:35-39)

I am a witness to this kind of love. He loves each of us. I am so grateful for the love and forgiveness He has extended to me. I love Him. He loves you. His love is real and this is His truth, that He will always love you. He wishes for you to follow Him. He will always lead you to do what is right if you will but listen. I testify of this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.