Christmas is Comin'

With Christmas around the corner I wanted to dedicate a blog post to preparing for this special season. One great way to get into the Christmas spirit is to read Luke chapter 2 where it talks about the Savior's birth. I would also suggest reading Luke chapter 22 where it talks about how He suffered for our sins.

Another great place to go to prep for Christmas is mormon.org/christmas! It's got free videos, Christmas cards, and music. Plus if you don't have a Bible to read the above mentioned chapters you can request a free copy with the click of a button.

The Church is True

A common phrase in the Church, especially when bearing testimony is, "I know the Church is true." But what exactly does that mean?

First, let's take a look at what the word 'true' means. One definition states that true is: being in accordance with the actual state or conditions; conforming to reality or fact; not false. Another says that it's: real; genuine; authentic. So when Church members say that they believe the Church is true they are saying in a sense that they believe it is in accordance with Christ's original church, that it is not false, and that it's the real deal (genuine).

While we as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claim to be the only true church we are not saying that all other churches preach nothing but false doctrine. In fact, in a General Conference of the Church, Elaine L. Jack said something to the effect of 'we don't believe we have a corner on goodness.' It's true, we don't. But we believe that we have the fullness of the truth. (See The Doctrine and Covenants 1:30)
I'll just finish by saying that I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true, and you can too. Visit www.mormon.org!

The Gift of Grace

Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." We cannot save ourselves. Without Jesus Christ there is nothing we could do to return to live with our Father in Heaven.

Like the scripture says, salvation is a gift from God. And just like any gift we receive, in order to use it, we first have to open it. So how do we go about opening this gift of grace?

2 Samuel 22:21 reads, " The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me." In Hebrews 11 we read of many miracles that were wrought by faith and in James chapter 2 we are taught that faith without works is dead.

In order for us to partake of the mercy of God He has asked us to have faith in Him and to keep His commandments. Doing so will allow us to open up God's gift of grace for us.

Thanksgiving 2012

Well it's about that time of year where bloggers across the U.S. post about Thanksgiving. So I figure I better get my two cents in. So here goes...

This Thanksgiving has special meaning for me as I reflect on the past two years of my mission in Montana. It has been a pleasure and a great blessing. How grateful I am to the Lord for the opportunity to serve the people here and spread the gospel. I am thankful for each of the different missionaries I have been privileged of being paired up with and learning from them. They certainly taught me a lot. I'm thankful for each of the different cities I labored in and the people I met there. I could never number the lessons learned.

My family minus our newest addition

Back at home, my family is adopting a little boy whom I am excited to meet. I am grateful for that. I am grateful for wonderful parents and their example of selfless service and unconditional love. I'm grateful for a Father above who is ever mindful of us. Most of all, I am grateful for His Son, Jesus Christ, and the sacrifice He made so we can be clean and dwell in Their presence.

In Luke 17 we find the account of the ten lepers who were healed yet only one of them turned to thank the Lord. Let us be that one. Perhaps we can encourage our nine other friends to find something to thank the Lord about too.