I love being a missionary!

                              

I've been reading in the Book of Mormon and as I was reading, there is something that really stood out to me.
This part of the video can be found in Mosiah 28:5-8.
I love how Mosiah asks the Lord if that is His will to have Ammon and his brethren go and teach the gospel to the Lamanites.

The Lord answers Him with the most peaceful answer. The Sons of Mosiah then go to the land of the lamanites, and before they separate they say a prayer together. I love the sons of Mosiah and enjoy reading about their adventure, and that the Lord does "deliver [his] sons out of the hands of the Lamanites." 

Being a missionary I really look to their examples. Just as the lord says in this video, "Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success." Alma 26:27
They are great examples to me about being patient in their afflictions and trials. We all go through them, but this was a desire that they had, to teach the people of the Plan of Happiness that our Heavenly Father has for us. They wanted the Lamanites to receive the same happiness and joy that they have felt.
When you study and study for a test, you take that test, and pass it. Don't you just go around sharing it with EVERYONE?! WHY?! Because your happy, you studied and studied and you got a awesome score.. EVERYONE should know this right?!
This is how I feel about the gospel. I studied it and studied it, I wanted to know if the things that I studied are true. I found my answer, I went through tests (or trials) and found that the gospel of Jesus Christ truly does bring joy to my heart. He helps me get through my trials and struggles, and I want everyone else to feel of this same joy that I have.
Ammon said, "..for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo." This is how I feel about my mission.
I love the scriptures, I'm so happy that we have them, that we can read and learn from them. I'm grateful for the living prophet we have on earth today that helps lead and guides us.. I'm so happy for all the missionaries around the world teaching our brethren about our Savior Jesus Christ and His atonement.
Remember who you are and what you stand for!

The Tree of Life: Part 2 of 2

                            
"I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree.

And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed... And after they tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost." (1 Nephi 8:24-25, 28)

I read these verses and thought to myself.."Is this something I would do? Am I sometimes ashamed of who I am and what I believe." I thought back and pondered on this.

As I pondered on this question, while reading an ensign talk, I came to a scripture that was quoted. "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation." (Romans 1:16)
The only thing that I could say was, "I hope not." I hope I'm not one of those people, like in the video, that feels ashamed and lets go of the iron rod. The mist of darkness is everywhere around us, Satan in constantly tempting us. I know that if I just hold tight to the iron rod I will be able to feel of Gods love for me, and everyone else around us. I know that to be true for everyone. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ does make us happy. It doesn't matter about the people in the building laughing, mocking and pointing fingers. Yes at times it is and can be hard, but I know that if we have the courage we need to stand as witnesses of Him, He will help us. Don't be ashamed! "We will have the courage to face whatever comes." So I ask.. Are you ashamed?
Remember who you are and what you stand for!

Remember, we all have "Challenging Times!"

I read a talk yesturday morning and this morning, that was really something that I needed. It was perfect for the way I have been feeling lately.
Yes, even though I am a missionary I still have my hard times. This past month I've just been stressing. I dont exactly know why, I'm just really trying to do my best as a missionary in serving the Lord.

I read this talk, "Finding Strength in Challenging Times!" by Elder Allan F. Packer. One thing that really stood out to me in this talk was when he talked about football and his experience in high school. He said, "We practiced until the skills became natural and automatic. During one play against our biggest rival, I had an experience that has helped me over the years. We were on defense. I knew my assigned opponent, and as the play unfolded, he moved to my right into the line of scrimmage. There was a lot of noise from players and fans. I reacted as the coach had taught us and followed my man into the line, not knowing if he had the ball. To my surprise, I felt the ball partially in my hands. I gave it a tug, but my opponent didn’t let go. As we tugged back and forth, amid all the noise I heard a voice yelling, “Packer, tackle him!” That was enough to bring me to my senses, so I dropped him on the spot.

I have wondered how I heard that voice above all the other noise. I had become acquainted with the voice of the coach during the practices, and I had learned to trust it. I knew that what he taught worked.

We need to be acquainted with the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and we need to practice and apply gospel teachings until they become natural and automatic. These promptings become the foundation of our testimonies. Then our testimonies will keep us happy and safe in troubled times."

How do we get to be acquainted with the promptings of the Spirit? I asked myself this question as I was reading it. There are several things we can do... 1 is to have the desire. "...He granteth unto men according to their desire..."  2 Study and learn, also to ponder. I feel like I have been doing alot of pondering lately and I find that those are the times when I find my answers in what I am pondering about. Its so important for all of us to be aquainted with the Spirit and to feel and understand when he is trying to help us, for it is the Lord speaks to us through the Holy Ghost.

I agree with what Elder Packer says at the end of his talk, "This is a great time to be alive! The Lord needs each of us. This is our day; it is our time!"

This is my time to serve Him here in California. Im so thankful for the Spirit to comfort me and guide me in the things that i need to do. I know that as long as I continue to study the scriptures and pray to my Father in Heaven I will come to be aquainted with the Spirit.

Remember who you are and what you stand for!

Remember... To have Patience!

Yesterday morning I was studying something that I really need to work on... Patience!!
I was reading in Preach my Gospel, a Manuel that talks about the gospel of Christ, and I was reading about patience. Something that stood out to me was when I was reading about what patience is. "Patience is the capacity to endure delay, trouble, opposition, or suffering without becoming angry, frustrated, or anxious... It's the ability to do God's will and accept His timing." Patience means staying with something to the END!
Ah, that can be so frustrating sometimes and hard, but I know that Heavenly Father is VERY timely, and its hard to wait for some of those answers to prayers or even blessings that He might not be ready to bless us with yet. We have to be patient for those answers and those blessings.
I was reading in Romans 8:24-25, which is my new favorite scripture.:)
It says, " For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it."
We have to have hope that the Lord will fulfil His promises to us, but we have to be patient to receive it. They are not always fulfilled as quickly or in the way we might hope.
I personally, need to be patient in receiving blessings and answers but I also need to be patient in the trials and hard times that I go through. In Romans 5:3-5 it says that "...tribulation worketh patience..." Remember to be patient in the hard times and the trials we go through! Yes, it is hard, but it is possible.
And be patient with yourself! Whether in school, work, or a hobby that you may have. Continue in going forward and working hard. I know that by being patient with ourselves we can progress in many things.
I'm not the most patient person in the world. I'm that person that wants things at that time and moment, so when I don't it is hard for me and I give up or quit.
When I started playing the guitar I wanted to be good at that moment. I bought it for myself for Christmas and didn't play it for a year cause I wasn't good. But one day I picked it up and just practiced and practiced. It hurt my fingers but I was patient with myself and kept going. Now, I still am not the best but I can play chords and songs. I'm happy for myself that I was able to keep going and keep working at it. Its that way with anything! Even the gospel. We have to read the scriptures (Bible and Book of Mormon), go to church, & keep the Lords commandments. I know that by doing these things we will be blessed and we can be patient.
With the Lords help, I know that we all can have that patience that we need. I know being patient will help us in everyday life.
So practice being patient. I love you all!!

Remember who you are and what you stand for!