Happiness is Conditional

Elder Scott a member of the 12 Apostles recently said, "Your happiness now and forever is conditioned on your degree of conversion and the transformation that it brings to your life."

Conversion at times is evident by the things that we do. We can take the example of Peter the Apostle as he is transformed though his personal conversion process. The Lord says to him, “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you. … But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."

Stated simply, true conversion is the fruit of faith, repentance, and consistent obedience. Faith comes by hearing the word of God and responding to it. You will receive from the Holy Ghost a confirming witness of things you accept on faith by willingly doing them. You will be led to repent of errors resulting from wrong things done or right things not done. As a consequence, your capacity to consistently obey will be strengthened. This cycle of faith, repentance, and consistent obedience will lead you to greater conversion with its attendant blessings. True conversion will strengthen your capacity to do what you know you should do, when you should do it, regardless of the circumstances.

As I finished The Book of Mormon and listened to conference this week I again thought how trials continue to play a major part in our conversion. In Ether 12:6 it says," And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that afaith is things which are bhoped for and cnot seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no dwitness until after the etrial of your faith."

Have I not prepared a way?

This week is always an exciting one while members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints prepare to hear the words of a living prophet and apostles in General Conference which takes place this Saturday and Sunday. While I was reading in The Book of Mormon this week I was over come with gratitude knowing that God has provided a way for us to accomplish all that he has asked us to do while here on this earth.

As I thought about all the ways in which God has prepared a way for us I was drawn to Ether 2 in The Book of Mormon where the Jaredites are getting ready to cross the sea and have made little boats. The brother of Jared is concerned how they are going to make it across the sea with out light or air in the boats and he worries that they'll be tossed upon the sea and never make it. The Lord says to him," And behold, I prepare you against these things; for ye cannot cross this great deep save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the floods which shall come. Therefore what will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea."

I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have prepared us in every way for the trials that lye ahead of us. They are aware of what is happening now and what will come. We will not be left alone. There is great peace in knowing that. I know that is why we have a living prophet on the earth, The Bible and Book of Mormon to lead and guide us as well as the Holy Ghost. There is no need to fear for He has prepared a way.

A plan of hope

This week I had a few days off from work because my Elders left for Mexico. To fill a little time- I have been watching the news. In this ever-changing world there are many who want to know the best formula for happiness and yearn to know what to do next. There is a lot of ambiguity among doctors, psychologists, and other experts in their fields concerning a plan of action. I have found that the best council we can follow is found the scriptures. In The Book of Mormon, the word of the Lord is compared to the Liahona, a compass that lead the Nephites out of the desert- a device that worked primarily on faith.

In Alma 37 the answer is found, “For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land.
And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.”

If we will but follow the words of Christ, both what is found in the scriptures and by living prophets today, then the path will be clear and our future will be filled with hope.

Stronger Families

This week I had the opportunity to teach about how to build stronger families. I think that is one of the things that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is known for. It is not that we have some magic formula but it is because we understand how vital it is that our family is with us for all eternity. To prepare ourselves for that blessing we do the little things now that create stronger bonds and a happier family.
President Kimball (1895-1985) stated, “Home is a haven against the storms and struggles of life. Spirituality is born and nurtured by daily prayer, scripture study, home gospel discussions and related activities, home evenings, family councils, working and playing together, serving each other, and sharing the gospel with those around us. Spirituality is also nurtured in our actions of patience, kindness, and forgiveness toward each other and in our applying gospel principles in the family circle” (“Therefore I Was Taught,” Tambuli, Aug. 1982, 2; Ensign, Jan. 1982, 3).
Our homes can be a refuge and will be as we make living the gospel as a family, a priority.
The Book of Mormon teaches us in 3 Nephi 18:21," Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed," how true that is. When a family prays together it brings peace into the home and allows the home to become a place of safety and love.

Asking in Faith

Elder Bednar of the quorum of the twelve apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints states, " Meaningful prayer requires both holy communication and consecrated work." The scriptures state many times the attitude of prayer and are filled with examples of meaningful prayer. We know that prayer is the way by which we can communicate with God, our Heavenly Father. Prayer is how we receive answers, direction and warning. Prayer is humbling and requires faith.

There are examples in The Bible as well as The Book of Mormon that teach us how to pray. An example well known by many of the members of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is found in James 1:5, the scripture that invited the boy Joseph Smith to ask God, which church was true. It states, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering” (James 1:5–6). Here we learn that we must ask in faith and not doubt that God will guide us to what we should do. Concerning faith, the prophet Joseph Smith said, "Faith is not only the principle of action, but of power also, in all intelligent beings, whether in heaven or on earth” (Lectures on Faith, 3). Thus, faith in Christ leads to righteous action, which increases our spiritual capacity and power. Understanding that faith is a principle of action and of power inspires us to exercise our moral agency in compliance with gospel truth, invites the redeeming and strengthening powers of the Savior’s Atonement into our lives, and enlarges the power within us whereby we are agents unto ourselves (see D&C 58:28).

This past weekend I had yet another powerful experience with prayer. As I took what I've learned from Moroni in The Book of Mormon, and prayed with "all energy of heart" and exercised my faith that Heavenly Father would provide some help and comfort; I felt the healing powers of prayer. I know that Heavenly Father answers our prayers and if we will commit to always act on the promptings that he gives us, our relationship with Him will continuously grow.

Ease the burdens

This past week my sister called me quite upset. When she was more calm she told me that my good friend from high school's little brother had died. There are speculations that it was a suicide and not just a drug over dose. This young boy had been involved in a car accident recently where the driver in the other car died. This young boy (19 yrs of age) carried the burden of the affects of that accident since the day it occurred. Being so weighed down with guilt could have led him to desire to leave this mortal existence.

This made me think another saving power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Even though our guilt or sin might be overwhelming, we can have the hope that the pain can be lifted as we repent. There is a scripture that I'm reminded of that speaks of how the Lord will ease our burdens: "And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions." (Mosiah 24:14) I know that to be true, burdens truly are lifted as we talk with our Heavenly Father through prayer and apply the grace of the Atonement in our lives.

Entering into His rest

I’m from California where the economy has not only affected my family but friends and neighbors. I have heard of people just giving up hope and struggling to find peace amid this uncertain future. Some have doubted God and miracles that can still be performed in their lives. In times of disturbed peace one can always turn to the scriptures for answers. There are two principles that allow us to regain that peace in our lives. They are both attributes of the Savior himself; faith and hope.

The Book of Mormon states, “Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope. Hope is the great motivator and our optimism. (Moroni 7:42) Hope stems from having faith. Faith in God and what he can and has already done for us. Faith that the Savior; Jesus Christ knows our sorrows and fears, because he has already experienced them through his Atonement.
The Book of Mormon continues to make a very important point, “Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain.”
Satan would have our faith diminished, he would have us doubt to the point of unbelief. Yet the scriptures tell us to press forward and do the things that require faith. Pray with real intent, study earnestly, and continue to purify yourself so that the Holy Spirit of peace can abide with us. I have seen this happen, I know it to be true.