SMILE

  While reading through the scriptures, I have noticed there are lots of places that one could make some really good acronyms. And that’s where my thought is from today, is one my favorites it is smile. It comes from the Book of Mormon, the book of 2 Nephi 9:39.

  "O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal."

  From the being of that scripture you may be thinking how does that have to do with smiling?! But as you look at the last 5 words of the scripture you see that being Spiritually-Minded Is Life Eternal. The devil is trying so hard to make us think that following him brings happiness. But we know that those things are not pleasing in the eyes of God. But being spiritually minded will bring us eternal life. This is the greatest of all of the gifts of God. Remember that smiles are contagious, when you see someone smiling; it is so much easier to smile. So let’s be happy not only now but in the life to come that will come as we remember to smile each day!                                                

Mothers

  I was given this idea by my very good friend again. I really liked the idea, because I realized, well I won't be on my mission for mothers day and I know how much my mother has meant to me and there have been a number of influential mothers and women through out the scriptures and time so I will take the time to talk about a one of my favorites.

   The first of course being my own mother. She has helped me so much throughout my life and has helped to teach me so many key lessons that have helped shape me into the person I am today. One of my favorite scriptures growing up, that comes from the Book of Mormon talks once again about the great importance of mothers. It is Alma chapter 56 verses 47 & 48: "Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it." This to me is so great because when we are taught these key truths from our youth, to put our trust in God, He can and will deliver us from harms way.

   There are many other examples from the scriptures I could use such as Mary and how she was such special woman that she was chosen to be a mother of our Master, Jesus Christ. When we take the time to think of what a special role mothers have in bringing our Heavenly Father spirit children into this world, it is sad to see how little respect is given to women. As we look into the world we live in we can see how the values and morals of all people are being diminished. What a sad thing this is that the people of the world are not treating one another with the respect that they deserve, especially women. Mothers have such a key role in the way a child learns and grows, that if they stop caring in the way they raise their kids what will it do to the world? The young men I talked about in the scripture above, they were able to do so many great things because they were taught to trust in the Lord from their childhood. I am not saying that dads are worthless, because I have learned so many lessons in life such as the importance of hard work and to keep going even when you are tired or don't want to go anymore that have greatly blessed my life. Women just have such a great love and spirit about them that we must respect love and cherish them. This is what the Lord wants us to do.

You Never Know Who is Listening

The story that I have here is a forward that someone sent to me that was too good to keep to myself so I will share it today.

"A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes. Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door. She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention, but he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good. Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it! 'And what do you want?' the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice… I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen in ages,' he said without waiting for a reply to his question. 'Well, I want to talk to you about my brother,' Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. 'He's really; really sick....and I want to buy a miracle.' 'I beg your pardon?'  said the pharmacist. 'His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?' 'We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help you, 'the pharmacist said, softening a little. 'Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs.' The pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, 'What kind of a miracle does your brother need?' 'I don't know,' Tess replied with her eyes welling up. I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money..' 'How much do you have?' asked the man from Chicago. 'One dollar and eleven cents, 'Tess answered barely audible. 'And it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.' 'Well, what a coincidence,' smiled the man. 'A dollar and eleven cents--the exact price of a miracle for little brothers.' He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said 'Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you need.' That well-dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, A surgeon, specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well. Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place. 'That surgery,' her Mom whispered, 'was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?' Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost.... one dollar and eleven cents... plus the faith of a little child. In our lives, we never know how many miracles we will need. A miracle is not the suspension of natural law, but the operation of a higher law. I know you'll keep the ball moving! Here it goes. Throw it back to someone who means something to you! A ball is a circle, no beginning, no end. It keeps us together like our Circle of Friends. But the treasure inside for you to see, is the treasure of friendship you've granted to me. Today I pass the friendship ball to you. Pass it on to someone who is a friend to you.

MY OATH TO YOU... When you are sad... I will dry your tears. When you are scared... I will comfort your fears. When you are worried... I will give you hope. When you are confused...  I will help you cope. And when you are lost... and can't see the light, I shall be your beacon... shining ever so bright. This is my oath... I pledge till the end. Why you may ask? Because you're my friend. Signed: GOD"

99 Yards

  I recently read a talk called 99 yards. It was a great talk talking about how important it is to finish something. The story goes there is a football team in a championship game, and like it is in many key games they were down by a few short points, a touchdown would win the game but there was only short amount of time left in the game so it was going to take a team effort. There they go, determinded to win. They have a few good plays, a good pass up the field, a few good runs, first down after first down. Then here is where they have been wanting to be, 4th and goal from the one yard line with 10 seconds left. Down by 3, field goal ties the game or go for the win! The team was confident, they knew they wanted to win, so they went for it! The pads crashed the whistle blew, one team is calling for the touchdown the other says no good. The pile clears and the referee says no good.




 This is one of that sad but true stories of life. Where we are left to wonder did they, or did you, give it your all? Did you do all that you could with what you posses? We all have things in your life where as sad as it is this is what we are left to wonder... These feeling of regret are so hard to get rid of, thats why it is so important to give life your best shot! To do everything you can with as much effort as you can, excuses are a dime a dozen, but true effort is hard to find. You are the only one that will know if you did all you can, just like this team is the only one that will know. Sure we don't always get the results we desire but but we better do all we can so we don't have to face that all fearful question of, was that my best? Christ set the bar high as He suffered for each of us. He knew that we couldn't do it without some help. So, since He was willing to do it all perfect, do you think we could step it up when it comes to the small things? Very few notice the small things that go past each day, but nothing goes unnoticed in Gods eyes, so we can all have a great victory each day, if we do our best to make it the full 100 yards.

Oh Be Wise...

  The scripture I will blog about today is an idea that I got from a very good friend. I have read over this scripture a few times and never noticed it. It is very short and sweet but packs a very thought provoking question. The scripture comes from The Book of Mormon, the book of Jacob chapter 6 verse 12.

  "O be wise; what can I say more?"

  This is some of the greatest advise in the scripture in my opinion. There are many different ways and many different things that we can choose to be wise in, and what is wise to one may seem foolish to another, but that is part of the reason I like it so much. The man who wrote this was a prophet of God, in this chapter he is telling the people to follow Christ, and warning them that in the last days the wicked shall perish. So this comment of be wise, is telling them to follow Christ. Keep the commandments, be good to your neighbor, help those that are in need, and when you are faced with a choice that may not help keep you on the right path, be wise! Do what you have been taught! Growing up I was taught to CTR, choose the right. If we reflect on the good things that we have been taught in life about when we are faced with a tough choice, it is far easier to be wise!

All Things Denote there is a God

  In my reading in the Book of Mormon today I came across one of my favorite examples that we do have proof that there is a God. There are many times in all of our lives where we may wonder why can't God just show Himself to me, it would make it a lot easier to believe if I could just see Him. That is similar to what was happening at this time in the Book of Mormon. There had been a great missionary effort going on in the previous chapters and many thousands of people had been brought to the knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ. And like most times in mortality when there is a lot of good things happening there seems to be a lot of negative things thrown out to try and slow us down. This was the same for these people, a false prophet had come in and began to tell people that Christ was not going to come, that once we die thats it there was nothing after this life. Lucky for them they had a prophet there that was able to help them and this is what he said. This comes from Alma chapter 30 verse 44.

  " ...The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator."

  This to me is so powerful because all of the small things we look at each day are proof that God is real. The way that everything seems to work together and so much of it is for our benefit. The story goes on that this wasn't enough proof for the man he still wanted to see a sign so that eventually lead to his death. This scripture means so much to me because at those times where you feel down, maybe because you haven't seen the grass for the last 5 months because there is too much snow or it has been below 30 for the last 6 weeks straight, what a joy it is when things warm up, the snow starts to melt and we can see that God hasn't forgotten us! If we look high or low we will always be able to see that God is still around and making good things happen all around us.

Proverbs 3: 5-6

 Today’s thought comes once again from my exploration of my scriptures looking for high lighted scriptures and this was a good one. It comes from the Old Testament from the Book of Proverbs chapter 3. I love scriptures that talk about putting your trust in The Lord, because He truly is the only one that can support us through all of our trails. People maybe able to help, but He is the ultimate source to turn to.

  "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

  This scripture has gained a whole new meaning to me in my life. We all have those things in our lives where we don't understand why they happen. And they cause us to wonder, what did I do wrong to disserve this? Is God mad at me? When are things going to get better or easier? The answer that this scripture gives me is, don't try to understand it. That’s what happened and it’s now our job to find out what the Lord has in mind for us with the current struggles or situations we are faced with. As we put our trust in the Lord He will direct our paths and make out journey easier. It far easier to tackle a big job with help, and our trails in life are no different.

Taste and Hear of the Good of The Lord

  Today, the thought that comes to my mind is from the Book of Psalms from the Old Testament. Lately I have noticed that I have begun to forget a lot of the scriptures that I have worked to hard to read apply and love. As a result I have been going through my scriptures just looking for scriptures that I really like so I can keep remembering them so they can help me and those that I come in contact with. This is one of those scriptures that I came across. Psalms 34: 4-8.

"4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

 5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

 7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

 8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him."

  To me these are so great because we all have situations in our lives that we have to seek the Lord, or look for the Lord, or cry for Him. And the wonderful thing is that He is always there. He hears us and answers us and watches over us and protects us from harm. What a loving God that we have. It can take time to have these blessing or promises fulfilled in our lives but they do come. If He was able to help people hundreds of years ago when they were struggling, He can certainly help us now. The scriptures prove this to be true and we can all have a time in our lives where we can see it too.