The Battles We Must Fight.

My studies the past few days have very connected to each other. Oh the beauty of studying by the Holy Spirit =) I've learned a lot this past week about the importance of being selfless- why we do it, and what it could mean if we don't. In a talk given by Marvin J. Ashton in the October 1990 General Conference, he states that,

"Selfishness is much more than an ordinary problem because it activates all the cardinal sins! It is the detonator in the breaking of the Ten Commandments."

(http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1990/10/put-off-the-natural-man-and-come-off-conqueror?lang=eng)

Being converted to Christ helps us reach our goal for perfection.

Being selfish leads us to act in an uncaring manner. Christ and his teachings lead us to continually serve others, but when we are incited by Satan, we are moved to act for our own interests. It's a very lonely, cold way to live. When we act only for ourselves, we lose important progression, and that in turn effects the progression of those around us. From the same take, Brother Ashton says,

"Unchecked selfishness thus stubbornly blocks the way for developing all of the divine qualities: love, mercy, patience, long-suffering, kindness, graciousness, goodness, and gentleness...these virtues are sheared off by sharp selfishness...Take away an acknowledgment of divine design and then watch the selfish scurrying to redesign political and economic systems...Take away regard for the divinity in one’s neighbor, and watch the decline in our regard for his property. Take away basic moral standards, and observe how quickly tolerance changes into permissiveness. Take away the sacred sense of belonging to a family or community, and observe how quickly citizens cease to care for big cities. Take away regard for the seventh commandment, and behold the current celebration of sex...Its theology focuses on “self.”...Thus, in all its various expressions, selfishness is really self-destruction in slow motion!"

I have seen first hand the distruction of selfishness. It never leads anywhere good. I have never found any kind of personal, lasting happiness that comes from making choices that benifit only me. That is because it does not follow the example of Jesus Christ, and his constant outward expressions of love. No matter what he was doing, he never turned anyone away because something else was "more important". In today's world, where quick gratification is so popular, let us fight the battle of selfishness by reaching out to all around us. Let us fight by doing a "good turn" each day. You have to be the change you want to see. This really will be a fight, because it requires us to change the way that we think and act. As we strive to reach out to our fellow men, I promise that the world will be a brighter place. We will feel better about ourselves as individuals, and we will feel happiness that will last!

I testify that Jesus is the Christ. His example  and sacrifice is the only way to return to our Father in Heaven. He showed us the way so that we could follow. The way has been set; let us follow Christ' and his lead of selfless service, and we will find our way back to our home!

Photo from "Reflections of Christ"

What I Wish You Knew.

Suuuch a crazy weekend. I am shipping out to a new area on Wednesday! There is lots of late night cram packing to be done. You tend to accumulate a lot of things after 6 months. It's a really good thing I like going through and cleaning things out!

It's really bitter sweet. I've been serving in these congregations for a long time, and with the best companion. Sister Krueger has been a big blessing in my life! I have learned so much from her, and will continue to learn from her as time goes on!

I had a lot of people thank me this weekend for helping their families since I have been here. I want to just express my gratitude for the chance it has been to serve! In Alma 17 (in the Book of Mormon), a group of amazing missionaries are preparing themselves for their missions. I love how their purpose is worded!

"...they fasted much and prayed much that the Lord would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them, and abide with them, that they might be an instrument in the hands of God to bring, if it were possible, their brethren...to the knowledge of the truth..."

(Alma 17: 9, pg. 251)

Because of their righteous desires, the Lord speaks peace to them, assuring them that-

" ...[as] ye [are] patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me...I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls."

(Alma 17: 10, pg. 251)

I have always wanted to help everyone around me become happier. I've learned that true happiness comes from following the commandments of God, and the gospel established by Jesus Christ. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it hasn't been me at all. As I have fasted and prayed, the Lord has blessed me to be an instrument in his hands to help you. I feel so blessed that the Lord sees fit to use me to further his kingdom on earth. It is so incredibly humbling! Later on in Alma, one of the missionaries (his name is Ammon), expresses his joy in service.

"And now, these are the words of Ammon to his brethren, which say thus: My brothers and my brethren, behold I say unto you, how great reason have we to rejoice; for could we have supposed when we started...that God would have granted unto us such great blessings? And now, I ask, what great blessings has he bestowed upon us? Can ye tell? Behold, I answer for you; for our brethren...were in darkness, yea, even in the darkest abyss, but behold, how many of them are brought to behold the marvelous light of God! And this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work."

(Alma 26: 1-3, pg. 272)

I want you all to know that I know this work in the work of God. He is my Father, and He is yours. He loves you more than you can imagine. I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of mankind, and there is no other way whereby salvation can come. As we follow him and keep the commandments of God, you will be a light and a blessing to all those around you! I will praise my God forever for answering my fervent prayers to be of service to you!

Know Ye Not That Heaven's Eyes Are On Thee?

Only the best for the Lord!

It was supposed to look like I was holding it...that didn't work
out so well =)

 So my companion and I got to go three times to see the new Gilbert temple! It is the most stunning thing ever, both in looks and feel. Someone told us that the carpet designs in the Celestial room (the one with the massive chandelier) were drawn first by hand, then carved into the carpet. I am still in awe...I love the temple! If you haven't gone yet, make it a priority to go. You will feel so at peace, I promise.

My companion and I have had two pretty special experiences this week. I thought I would share them with you!

Experience One!

On Tuesday, we attended the open house with a family. Afterwards, we received a ride home from a member. Just as we pulled into our apartment complex, we saw our neighbor struggling to carry an arm full of groceries, and her baby. We jumped out of the car as fast as we could, and grabbed all the grocery bags. Our neighbor told us that she was just thinking about calling us to help her, because she was supposed to be on the way to the airport to pick up her dad, but had to clean out the back of her car first. She was at a loss of how to do it all, and then we pulled up! We helped her carry everything to her apartment, and she managed to get off to the airport right on time.

Experience Two!

Two days ago, the Elders in our district brought us a huge container of brownies (which is dangerous. A whole pan of brownies, just sitting there...I don't know how long they were thinking they would last...). My companion and I were having a good time eating them, when we suddenly remembered that a sister in one of our wards had mentioned to us the day before that she was in need of a lot of brownies for an after party. We gave her a ring, and managed to catch her right at the end of all her brownie making. We brought the whole pan over to give to her, and she was able to relax and hopefully get some other things done for the party besides cook brownies!

So, I wanted to share these two instances with you hopefully help you to see that the Lord knows who you are, and what you need. I have a firm testimony that God answers every prayer, both the spoken and unspoken. Christ taught to his disciples that,

"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father...Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."

(Matthew 10: 29, 31)

Please remember that you are never forgotten. Heavenly Father know you, and what you need. Today, look for little tender mercies from Him. I promise that as you make this a pattern for your life, you will be strengthened by the knowledge that God truly is rooting for you!

He Lives!

 Bahhhh so much has gone on! We had an amazing preparation day on Monday. A bunch of missionaries came together and went roller skating! I've never done that before! We all managed to walk away without being seriously injured, so I would consider it a success...

 

My post today isn't going to be super lengthy. I just want to bear my testimony to all of you of the Savior. Coming on my mission has helped me to

develop a greater understanding of who He is to me personally. I've always felt that I have had a close relationship with Christ and my Heavenly Father, but I have seen it grow in strides since I've devoted all I am to Him. It's come with a lot of work; I've prayed, studied, and prayed a little more each day. I've finally learned what it means to depend on the Lord for everything. We give up so much, because we know that He gave everything. I know that God isn't just some all powerfull being who micro-manages our every action. He is my Father, perfect in His love and compassion towards me. I know that He cares for me, and that as I turn to Him in prayer, I can be carried through the refiner's fire of this life, and become who He knows I can become. I know that trials, if we endure them well, are for our good. Our Heavenly Father gave us His only Son, Jesus Christ, so that we could have the help we so desperatly need to make it back to Him. I testify that God is real. The events recorded in the Book of Mormon and the Bible actually happened. Christ continues to live for us, and I know that it is through his Atonement that we can make it back to the presence of our Father in heaven. In the words of Samuel Medley,

"He lives, my kind, wise heav'nly Friend.

He lives and loves me to the end.

He lives, and while he lives, I'll sing.

He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

He lives and grants me daily breath.

He lives, and I shall conquer death.

He lives my mansion to prepare.

He lives to bring me safely there.

 

He lives! All glory to his name!

He lives, my Savior, still the same.

Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:

'I know that my Redeemer lives!' "

(http://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/i-know-that-my-redeemer-lives?lang=eng)