"Go to the Ohio..."

In 1831 the Prophet Joseph Smith received this revelation for the early saints

“Wherefore, for this cause I gave unto you the commandment that ye should go to the Ohio; and there I will give unto you my law; and there you shall be endowed with power from on high." -Doctrine and Covenants 38:32

Many heeded the call and gathered at the revealed place: Kirtland, Ohio. 

One particular family, Newel K. Whitney and his wife Elizabeth had lived in Kirtland all their lives, they were very humble yet prosperous.

When they heard the Gospel and knew it to be true. 

The Prophet Joseph Smith arrived at their store, shook his hand and declared "thou art the man!...You've prayed me here, now what do you want of me?"

The Whitney's, along with the other saints, started the preparations of 

building a temple. A House of the Lord, the first in this dispensation as 

part of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth today. 

"The temple in Kirtland was built by the Saints in their dire poverty. It was erected at great sacrifice."

After hours of labor for members of each family including sacrificing basic needs such as sleep, water and food along with precious ones such as material and fine china the temple was completed, dedicated and glorious revelations and visitations of heavenly messengers unfolded. 

The Saints had put forth their best effort and 

the word, light, truth and hand of the Lord were clearly and powerfully 

made manifest to these converts of new, unshaken faith. 

"The Saints were forced to leave Ohio and their temple, built at so much sacrifice and such a great cost, and move to Missouri where they suffered again..."

In a video depiction shown at the visitors center Sister Whitney 

is confronted by one of her dear friends after hearing from the prophet 

that the saints were to move on to Missouri. She asked distressingly,

 “How we bear to leave our beloved Kirtland?” 

Sister Whitney pulled her back and looked deep into 

her eyes and replied with great strength. 

"The Lord commanded us to build a temple and that we did, we have been taught, endowed and grown and now He has called us to Missouri.” 

Beautiful to me in this conversation is that Kirtland had always been her life, home, and her dreams. Now with the acceptance of the Gospel the Savior and His perfect will became everything. And she would drop her perfectly good well thought out plans to follow Him. Our heavenly Father created something so beautiful out of something so little. 

A small group of priesthood brethren were gathered in a school room 

as Joseph Smith prophesied unto them that this church would grow 

to fill north and south America and the world. The bewilderment 

in their eyes yet the power of the Spirit in that room is hard to 

comprehend. In our day we have seen that come to pass, 

because of the selfless sacrifice of those early latter-day saints. 

  Their story has laid the foundation of legacy of 

strength of faith and character for each of us.

Serving in the Washington Vancouver Mission is the Kirtland of my life. 

It was hard and required great sacrifice, 

but even deeper were the blessings and the joy. 

 I wasn't meant to stay and dwell safely there. 

There are other lands he was to call me to, invitations 

to come unto Christ to extend. 

This was only the beginning of the growth from 

challenges that we would experience. 

I am so grateful for an all knowing Heavenly Father to let me suffer so much in order to reap so many blessings. I'll walk whatever trek He has planned, because I know all along and forever I will always be safe in His hands.

His Light

I've learned a lot while having the blessed opportunity 

of serving a 18 month mission in Washington and Oregon.

One thing I have come to appreciate dearly is Light.

I didn't understand why it was suggested to take a Vitamin D supplement daily, 

but then I came to understand that for months on end the sun is a little shy. 

Some days I would feel like I had never fully woken up. With no sunlight instantly casting its brilliant rays upon you right as you stepped outside a lot of days it just felt like this dark warm grey blanket was still covering you.  

I have claimed to be solar powered and so days like this would have a big effect upon my mood. It was easy to feel tired, sluggish and unmotivated. 

I knew I needed to seek another light source

and that very source that I needed was what I had chosen to give 

18 months of my life to share with these very people. 

That is the light and the truth of the 

Everlasting Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Through the experience of the mission, with its heartaches and its miracles I came to know to what source I can always rely on.

God is so aware of us. He is our Loving Heavenly Father.

He can never and will never abandon us.  

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way that we can find  

"peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come."  

-Doctrine and Covenants 59:23

That is a promise and it is the thing that is of the greatest worth.

Just like the sun in the sky it is always there. Whether or not we always feel it, that does not deny its existence.

"Your Heavenly Father loves you—each of you. 

That love never changes. 

It is not influenced by your appearance, by your possessions, 

or by the amount of money you have in your bank account. 

It is not changed by your talents and abilities. 

It is simply there. 

It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. 

God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love.  

It is simply always there."

-President Thomas S. Monson

Our Savior's Love

Love is something we all naturally seek for.

Whether loving approval from peers and family members, 

or the tender longings of that one who holds your heart.

It is a natural desire for us as humans to find that love.

The purest love that ever has been manifested 

is the Love of our Heavenly Father giving His Perfect Son,

Our Savior Jesus Christ as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. 

 “Surely he hath borne our griefs, 

and carried our sorrows” 

-Isaiah 53:4

He, though sinless, paid the price for our sins.

He felt the weight of our weaknesses, mistakes and injustices,

from every paper cut to every heartbreak.

He did this so He could succor us or, literally run to our aid.

He showed us the greatest love, the purest love.  

Charity: The Pure Love of Christ

It is the highest, noblest, and strongest kind

 of love and the most joyous to the soul

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that 

"...to have faith in God unto salvation we must have 

a correct knowledge of His attributes and character."

"The love of Christ passeth all understanding..."

-Ephesians 3:19

There is nothing that we can do 

that would make Him love us any less

His Love is UNCONDITIONAL

"...Wherefore they scourge Him, and he suffereth it; and they smite Him, and He suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon Him and He suffereth it, because of His loving kindness and His long-suffering towards the children of men" 

-1 Nephi 19:9  

There is no where you can go where the infinite 

light of Christ's atonement cannot reach

His Love is INFINITE 

"Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to 

separate us from the love of God which is in Christ our Lord..."

-Romans 8:39 

 

Because of His love we can return to live 

with Him and our families forever

His love is ETERNAL

After being visited by the Savior at the time of the Restoration of the 

Gospel of Jesus Christ and priesthood authority, he describes his experience:

"...that earth, nor man, with the eloquence of time, cannot clothe in language as interesting and sublime a manner as this holy personage. Nor has this earth power to give the joy, to bestow the peace, or comprehend the wisdom which was contained in each sentence..."

-Testimony of Oliver Cowdery  

We are to search the scriptures and seek Him earnestly in prayer and immerse ourselves in the truths of His Gospel

 His love is LIFE CHANGING 

"Filled with His love, we can endure pain, we can quell fear, forgive 

freely, avoid contention, renew strength and bless and help others."

-Elder John H. Groberg

 Let His love, reach you and pentrate you. You will find eternal peace.

"...Perfect love casteth out all fear."

-Moroni 8:16 

 

Our Savior's love

Shines like the sun with perfect light,

As from above

It breaks thru clouds of strife.

Lighting our way,

It leads us back into his sight,

Where we may stay

To share eternal life.

Let it Happen

It has previously been against my nature to be an advocate to this phrase 

but as I have pondered I have found some great truth in it.

A very dear friend of mine once coined this phrase and I mocked it,

In another setting my counselor spoke the same phrase 

and I laughingly rejected it.

At another point in my life while seeking advice on how I can make 

my mission an amazing life-changing experience, 

my beloved mission president spoke the previously stated words. 

"You don't make it happen, You let it Happen..." 

The 'coincidental-ness' of all this lead me to ponder it deeper 

and to compare it to the truths I know.

We are Children of our Heavenly Father, 

we are here on earth to learn and grow. 

As part of our mortal progression we have the 

opportunity to choose between good and evil.

To 'Let it Happen' does not mean to give full sway to the 

influences of evil and temptation, there's more to it.

We have been given this earthly experience

with the purpose to succeed.

Our Heavenly Father knew it would be difficult 

and that we would make mistakes.

So He provided a Redeemer and Savior,

Our Lord Jesus Christ.

He paid the price for our sins, 

provided the perfect example, 

and taught His Gospel that through it

we may be cleansed from sin

and return safely home

back to our Heavenly Father's presence.

The First principle of His saving Gospel is to have FAITH.

This mortal experience is for the purpose to have us grow. 

We are like clay in the Potter's Hands.

He is molding us into something far greater than we can see.

In this mortal life we may never understand why we had 

to go through the trails and tribulations we did.

I believe as we all reflect back we will never regret the 

Growth of Character that has come as a result. 

Now whenever I go through experiences that are painful and I doubt here are some things that I have come to remember.

I don't know what the future holds but I know who holds it

Trust a known future to a known God

"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."

-Proverbs 3:5-6 

He is helping you become 

"The Glorious being that He sees that 

you are capable of becoming" 

-President Boyd K. Packer  

I know that are Redeemer lives and because of Him we can be renewed and strengthened through His atonement daily. I know my Heavenly Father's love for me and for all of His children is real and eternal. It it His whole work and His glory for us to come Home to Him. 

 

The Rock

      The mission is so interesting. It is a pattern for our lives.

Not just the life that we will carry on after the name tag comes off, 

the mantle removed and we move on to regular life.

It establishes a pattern for our loyalty to the Savior on through eternity.

I had a great leader, a friend, and we had a work to do. We were in a good area and every day we had the sacred privilege of putting all of our energy in helping others come unto Christ. He taught us how to get lost in the work, immerse ourselves in the scriptures, to pray with great faith and witness miracles.

The mission went through a transition phase and we were taken out of the area and on to other responsibilities. I had no idea what the next assignment would include or how I was even adequate enough to be considered.

Black ball point pen on lined paper wrote: 

"There's a reason you were called to this, I will do my best to carry on the work you have done here while I still can...You are a leader."

These words meant nothing amidst the chaos of changes and goodbyes. A few miles up I-5 and I found myself in a total dream, everything I had always wanted and desired was right in front of me.

One night after planning and only a few degrees 
past total exhaustion we received a phone call, 

"Have you heard the news? Not to put a downer but 

there was a terrible accident. Your leader..." 

A dense cloud formed around me for days, I tried to work and serve but I was so hurt and I would not extend a helpful hand forward. Rather I grew very bitter and angry in my heart.

Why have I been left alone? Was my faith not strong enough? Why would you leave? It pains me to think of your body torn in pain, the suffering that you must have felt, the price that you paid, the love that you have.

In the moment I don't know if I understood the great, celestial example that was before me, possibly very similar to Peter. Though we cannot make up for the lost time we can make a resolved commitment to that leader that He has always intended us to be.

"He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep."

-John 21:17

                                                 

I know that this Gospel is true, many people have layed down their lives for it. Because of the example of these individuals I have made the commitment to continue to give my whole life to it.

I know our Savior and Redeemer lives, this is His work.

"With God, nothing shall be impossible" -Luke 1:37

Sacrifice: It's all about perspective

The best people I know have, throughout their lives, made sacrifices

of various natures. That of a hard working dad and a tender hearted mother

The way they honored their sacred commitment to one another. 

 

The sacrifice of time and effort they made to make our house a home built on high

moral standards. Teachers of every nature who with inspiration taught

to gain knowledge based on righteousness.

 

Within in the Gospel of Jesus Christ it seems we are expected to give,

tolerate and sacrifice so much. The lists of tasks, responsibilities

and duties goes on and on.

Within the 'task complete' 'success check-mark' or the 'finally that's

over!' We miss the real treasure of seeing how our sacrifice and

effort has been accepted of The Lord.

 

These words of our Loving Savior which were pressed upon my heart at a

sacred and pivotal time in my life have been vital to me as I have

continued in the service of The Lord.

"In the end it will seem no sacrifice at all, only a blessing"

 

The nature of God is that of One who is all- knowing, omnipotent and

merciful. All seeing, all prophesying and all FULFILLING.

His promises are sure and reach far beyond our mortal comprehension.

 

    This sacred and special time of mortality when we get to grow and

experience, cry, love and overcome; we have to opportunity to find

God's eternal blessings in his simple but steadfast words,

"If ye love me, keep my commandments"

-John 14:15

 

The commandments are calculated for our ultimate happiness.

When we align our will with Gods, we will see greater power in our

lives to resist temptation and develop Christ like attributes. We will

find eternal joy as we fulfill the sacred roles He has given each of

us, as a friend, a family membrane and most importantly as

a disciple of Jesus Christ.

 

 

The blessings from heaven with rain down and be all for our gain.

The Good Shepherd

 A major reason I love springtime is because of

all the beautiful new baby animals.

One of my favorites has always been lambs.

 

The Scriptures often refer to sheep to represent

us as Children of God.

Here, in mortality, we can often get lost and confused

just as sheep may wander away from their flock.

 

There is a need for a Shepherd.

 

Shepherds still, as of old, go before the sheep, and the sheep follow,

the master calls and the sheep instantly recognize His voice.

 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son,

Jesus Christ, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish,

but have everlasting life."

-John 3:16

 

Jesus Christ truly is our Shepherd.

Through His Gospel

He will lead us home back to

our loving Heavenly Father's presence.

 

He has felt every pain that we will ever feel,

that is why there is no need for us to wander alone.

"and he will take upon him their infirmities,

that his bowels may be filled with mercy,

that he may know according to the flesh how

to succor his people according to their infirmities"

-Alma 7:12

 

The Saviors invitation is real and it is available to all of us.

Pray to our Heavenly Father in His name

you can have relief to your soul, comfort, guidance and peace.

He knows us and longs to run to our aid when we call.

 

 

 

I am the Good Shepherd, and know my sheep,

and am known of mine.

as the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father:

and I lay down my life for the sheep.

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:

them also I must bring,

and they shall hear my voice;

and there shall be one fold,and one Shepherd.

-John 10:14-16

 

 The Book of Mormon is another testament of the

divinity and the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

On the American continent He beckoned the same invitation:

"Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins,

and be converted, that I may heal you? 

-3 Nephi 9:13

 

 

Let Him heal your heart. Trust Him.

He is the Savior and Redeemer of the world and truly

The Good Shepherd.