“Begin today and write in it your goings and comings, your deepest thoughts, your achievements and your failures, your associations and your triumphs, your impressions and your testimonies.” —President Spencer W. Kimball
How my best friend's suicide changed my life..It's been 7 years since my best friend took his life. There haven't been many days pass where I haven't missed him in some way or another—he was and always will be my best bud..The day I heard of his passing, I was on patrol and getting gasoline …
Continue reading How my best friend’s suicide changed my life.
Do you have the faith of a mustard seed?.What a fun Sunday dinner my family had. I don't get to play much with my food as an adult, but today, I could remember how fun it is to be a child..Using bacon and eggs, I successfully demonstrated the council in Heaven, the Garden of Eden, …
There are certain skills you'll never forget..I learned something cool today. I was a little anxious and nervous to get back on a motorcycle I just purchased. It's been five years since I've ridden..I wasn't sure I would be able to do it and I doubted myself, to be honest; however, the minute I sat …
Continue reading There are certain skills you’ll never forget.
We all learn differently..The last two days, I watched about twenty law enforcement officers learn how to shoot out of a new optic. It was entertaining to say the least. Some were able to catch on and some really struggled..Fortunately, I was able to pick it up really quick. That's usually not the case for …
We don't have to be perfect to hear Him..Boy, if that's not one of the most factual statements, and a very comforting one..I am far from perfect, and I make a lot of mistakes. Unfortunately, I am a creature of habit, and I often make the same mistakes more than once..It's fine to make mistakes, …
Do you ever get the feeling that there is more?.Without going into my own patriarchal blessing, I want to share my testimony of patience. When I received my blessing, I didn't understand it much..As I received my written copy, I read it over and over. In it, it had a lot of statements that really …
Have you “hit rock bottom?”.I was asked to make an entry based off of this question. I don't know if I'm the guy to write about this, since I've never “hit rock bottom.”.I don't think anyone can compare “rock bottom” with another, either. I believe it's personal for every individual..I don't know if I really …
The Holy Ghost testifies of the truth..It's not us who convinces anyone of the truth. We are the instrument in the hands of the Lord and the Holy Ghost will pierce the hearts and minds of those seeking truth and righteousness..Why is the Holy Ghost so important and why do we need to invite Him …
The truth will prevail..We have recently been instructed by President Nelson to “Let God Prevail.” I want to write about something along those same lines—The Truth WILL Prevail..It's not about whether we are wrong or we are right. It's about making decisions in our life that allow the truth to prevail..I've seen both sides of …
How is training going?.Are you excited to train, eager to learn, and motivated to finish?.We all signed up and we all chose to be here on earth. It wasn't forced upon us and we weren't obligated to follow our Heavenly Father’s plan..To this day, we aren't obligated to do the work of the Lord, read …
Are you stuck in a comfort zone?.Take time to advance your position. We can become comfortable with the way life is. This isn't always a bad thing, but look for further opportunities to grow and advance the Lord’s work..We are an interesting group of people. One of my favorite things to do is people watch. …
Work hard and leave no regrets..Sometimes, an assignment is not the most enjoyable. Occasionally, we lack the motivation to do specific tasks—It's human nature..It doesn't mean we should quit or complain about the assignment we are given. We should work hard and leave no regrets..At the end of each day, we all have to answer …
It's after the trial of our faith, not before..I've heard this scripture & read this scripture more times than I can count. I've probably had & have given lessons regarding this scripture..So, why did it impact me differently today?.The part that hit me the most was “ye receive no witness.”.The scripture doesn't say “A little …
Continue reading It’s after the trial of our faith, not before.
We are in “The Fourth Quarter at the 2 minute warning.”.I have always liked the football analogy of our time here on earth. It fits for today, being the Superbowl—Are you ready to win?.I have always seen the break down as this..Pre-Mortal Existence (1st Quarter)..The beginning of time on earth (2nd Quarter)..The ministry of the …
Continue reading We are in “The Fourth Quarter at the 2 minute warning.”
What tools do we need to combat Satan?.I was recently reading an article from the Liahona from Elder James E Faust. It made me think of what we are going through today. We have seen and gone through some disappointments and some setbacks to the work of God; however, we are seeing they are temporary..We …
God doesn't want any of us to miss out..I have had a great Friday. We have a lot of activities going on in our home and it's not always common to go into the “big city.”.For one, I don't like going into Salt Lake because it's where I work, and I don't feel like I'm …
When did you last serve a brother or sister?.I have a unique career assignment. It's something I never imagined doing, but it's something I'm trying to embrace..I am able to serve all of the different communities within the state I live. Part of the assignment is reaching out to individual organizations and stakeholders. As I …
Continue reading When did you last serve a brother or sister?
Why do I share messages of the Gospel?.First of all, I share these messages because I have a firm conviction that Jesus Christ is my Savior. His Gospel has been my guide throughout my life..I want the world to know that we can find peace in Christ. There is hope and happiness for each of …
It doesn’t matter who you are, you are loved by God..That’s a powerful truth. How do we know this truth?.“He inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and …
Continue reading It doesn’t matter who you are, you are loved by God.
Did you make covenants with God?.Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are covenant making people..Did you know Jesus Christ is also a covenant maker?.He covenanted with God the Father in the pre-mortal world. What covenant? Well, the covenant to be our Savior. He then went through everything He did and was …
We need to remember to be humble..There are times when we may feel our faith is stretched thin. There are times when we need help believing. It's these moments the Lord is needing us to humble ourselves..In Ether 12:27 we learn “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I …
How strong is your faith?.Do you dictate your faith or do you let others call the shots for you?.I have heard a lot and seen a lot of individuals, couples, and family members who have left the church because they feel betrayed and believe the leaders of the church have kept the truth from them..Again, …
Are you tarnished?.We are all tarnished, but we can be polished..Over the years, I have polished my police gear too many times to count. This last week, as I was polishing my brass, I realized how tedious it is to keep it polished, but how great it feels once it's completed—It's an everyday process..Every day, …
When in doubt, pray it out..I have no idea if that's a real quote by someone or if I just liked the rhyme..I'm not the best when it comes to scheduled prayer; It's like scheduled eating—I don't do either on a schedule..I talk to my Heavenly Father all day long. It has taken some practice …
Some struggle with opinion—it's life; however, respect each other..I am one to struggle with listening to the opinions of others..Why? Because I like my opinion and I'm sometimes selfish—It's okay to call it what it is..I read an article out of the Liahona today, and I struggled reading it. It wasn't the message I was …
Continue reading Some struggle with opinion—it’s life; however, respect each other.
How much time do we have left?.It's an excellent question to consider, but it's definitely not one you're going to figure out or need to stress about..There are days I ask myself this question, and I hope if I stare at the sky long enough something will happen..I would suggest you ask yourself another question..How …
You don't have to try so hard to be anyone but yourself..We are all different—Do we realize that?.We should try being ourselves and not what those “of the world” are expecting. That's the best part about his life. We can do things differently than others..Be the best follower of Christ but be the best leader …
Continue reading You don’t have to try so hard to be anyone but yourself.
You are part of God’s plan—Don’t forget it..Your purpose is more significant than you can imagine. You are part of a Supernal plan. You are a child of God—Does that even ring true to you?.YOU!.God the Father is your Heavenly Father. If that doesn't make the hair on your arms stand, I don't know what …
Continue reading You are part of God’s plan—Don’t forget it.
Learn about the temple and come to the temple..My wife had a conversation with the father of our sister-in-law last weekend. He is a counselor in his Stake Presidency, and they began talking about the Tooele Valley Temple..They were discussing different locations of where it potentially would best serve the residents of Tooele County. My …
Continue reading Learn about the temple and come to the temple.
What holds you back from completely following Jesus Christ?.Are there things that are too hard to accept?.Do you have a hard time trusting and having complete faith in Christ?.What if you were asked to drop everything and follow Him, would you?."As we follow Jesus Christ, He will lead us to live with Him and our …
Continue reading What holds you back from completely following Jesus Christ?
Focus on the lasting impact messages of the Gospel have had in your life..We don't need to focus on how many times we've read the Book of Mormon, the Bible, went to Church services, attended devotionals, or even the amount of times we've participated in the temple ordinances..The focus should be on the impact. How …
Continue reading Focus on the lasting impact messages of the Gospel have had in your life.
The House of the Lord..What a great day. The town I live in received an announcement for the new location of the Temple. It was originally to be located in a different place in town but there were conflicts..Today, they announced it and it's within walking distance to my home. The name was changed from …
When life becomes busy, how do you respond?.I often wonder how busy Christ and His Apostles were. Did they feel busy or did they just work? Was busy even a worry with the mission they served?.I often wonder if we use that word too much. What meets the requirements to say “I'm too busy?” What …
Continue reading When life becomes busy, how do you respond?
Are you one who becomes inspired or discouraged by the example of your leaders?.Here is why I ask the question..Pick a leader in the Gospel—I’ll pick my little brother Nick. Just pick someone who you feel is a leader to you..Does this person make you feel inadequate?.Does this person make you feel like you don't …
Continue reading Are you one who becomes inspired or discouraged by the example of your leaders?
How do we learn everything?.I always wondered how I was supposed to learn everything about the Gospel. I felt lost at times in seminary school, young men's, Sunday school, and other church functions—everyone seemed to always know more..Then one day it struck me like a ton of bricks..They knew scripture mastery; they knew scripture stories; …
I've received a lot of new followers, and I'd like to introduce myself and my family..Many of you have reached out believing I am a female writer—nope, I am a dude. No harm done or offense taken. I know it’s not every day you run across an account like mine where the writer is male..With …
When is it okay to throw in the towel?.It's not..We are children of a loving Heavenly Father. He didn't send you to earth and you didn't accept to come to earth just to quit. So, it's never okay to throw in the towel..If you feel like throwing in the towel and giving up, you are …
Are you a winner or a loser?.I think about this statement, and I think about a billboard I always read on my way home from work— "Are you going to Heaven or Hell— call to find out.".It always makes me laugh, and I'm tempted to call the number to see where my fate is..It's funny …
You miss all the shots you don't take..Sometimes I think we feel we need to make every shot we take instead of scoring as many points as we can..There are a lot of opportunities our Heavenly Father has in store for us during our mortal existence. We will never know what our capabilities are unless …
Good friends may leave your side. The Savior never will..I am sure I'm not the only one to have friends come and go. Make the best out of your friendships, but know they may not always be there during your times of great need..You may have never considered the Lord as your best friend or …
Continue reading Good friends may leave your side. The Savior never will.
Strive to be clean each day..Today, I had the opportunity, as many of you did, to partake of the sacrament and renew my covenants—ALL of my covenants. What does that really mean?.We do this because we promised we would be obedient unto Him in keeping his commandments..Jesus Christ asked us to follow Him. Nephi asks …
How do you feel when you do what's right?.I've thought about this question many times. I've taken time to look back throughout my life and recognize the times I did what was right compared to the times I chose a harder path..I'm not going to say I chose the wrong path because I have learned …
What does it mean to you knowing God loves you?.We live in some incredibly troubling times. I know many of you may not see what I see daily, and it may seem worse for me than it does for you. That's the goal of a police officer, though, right?.I'm here to tell you; we are …
Continue reading What does it mean to you knowing God loves you?
Will you stand as a witness to God?.When it matters the most, will you leave the world behind you and rise up to the call?.Brothers and Sisters, that time is now. The time was yesterday, and the time will be tomorrow. You haven't missed the boat—come aboard..Whatever it is holding you back, let it go. …
Forgive and talk to your loved ones before you can't..It gets old, giving the “cold shoulder.” I bet many of us forget why we have ceased conversation with family or friends. Maybe we haven't forgotten, but we realize the reasoning was dumb to begin with..I know I've been guilty of this a few times and …
Continue reading Forgive and talk to your loved ones before you can’t.
Some days are just a struggle..It's not always easy to make the best decisions or always make the right choices..It's not always easy to be positive or optimistic in our daily activities..It's not always easy to have motivation to study your scriptures or even kneel in prayer..It's not always easy to be happy and be …
No blueprint of God’s is better than another...This is especially true when it comes to the membership in the Lord’s church.."No member of the Church is esteemed by the Lord as more or less than any other..Everything that is done in the Church—the leading, the teaching, the calling, the ordaining, the praying, the singing, the …
Continue reading No blueprint of God’s is better than another
Have you sought forgiveness with real intent?.To me, 'real intent' means to be genuine in your actions and commitment to your efforts..We are all different, but we are all very much going through the same process. We sin, transgress, and ask forgiveness..Don't get me wrong. That's not the process we want to take, but it's …
Continue reading Have you sought forgiveness with real intent?
Nothing we do is easy..I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year..2020 was a year filled with difficulties. 2021 is probably going to be another year filled with problems. (Sorry to seem like the bearer of bad news.).When has anything ever been easy for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints …
Do you have desires to serve God?.If you have that desire, that burning desire, you will be called to the work..It doesn't matter if you are set apart as a missionary or not. The 4th section of the Docrtine and Covenants doesn't state “This is only for missionaries who are set apart.”.The 4th section and …
What's more important?.As you think of your commitments, you've made to the Lord, what in your life is more important to you than keeping those commitments?.I listened to a talk today and the following statement was made, "we will not be safe until we have given our hearts to the Lord—until we have learned to …
There is peace in Christ..There really is. As I listen and read the lyrics of this song, it immediately brings a sense of belonging—when there is no peace on earth, there is peace in Christ.."Listen to His words, let them come alive.".How do you read the scriptures? Do you they come alive for you? Do …
How would it be to walk with Christ?.I often try to visualize what it would be like if I walked along side the Savior. What would I ask Him? Would I talk too much or would I just listen to Him? Would He talk to me or would He want for me to engage and …
You're not a lost cause and Christ loves you..I have family members, friends, and other loved ones who feel they've messed up so bad that there is no hope for them..That is an absolute fallacious testimony. There is only one person who wants you to believe you're a lost cause in the eyes of your …
Continue reading You’re not a lost cause and Christ loves you.
We may be small in size but we are mighty in testimony..I read an honest question from an individual this morning. The question was as follows.."Why are there only 16 million members in a world of 7.73 billion people? Shouldn't there be more?".Here is my response to this..I would say this... How wonderful it is …
Continue reading We may be small in size but we are mighty in testimony.
The Standard of Truth..It won't be the first or the last time members of the church are mocked and persecuted. The same deceitful type of man will fight all their days to bring down the truth as did the men and women in Joseph Smiths' time..They were angry with Joseph Smith and called him a …
The Prophets message..If you haven't had a chance to read the new Liahona for January 2021, I recommend you take some time and enjoy the peace that President Nelson brings—Grow into the Principle of Revelation..How in tune are we with the spirit, and do we follow the promptings when they come? President Nelson followed a …
For God so Loved the World..Today is Christmas day. The Savior of the world made His entrance, and thousands of years later, we still celebrate His birth..Not only do we celebrate His birth, but we recognize His divine nature as the Son of God..How would you react today if a sign was given to you …
Merry Christmas Eve!.I want to wish you all what was once and remains an unforgettable night 🌟. May we turn our thoughts to Luke 1:26-35..And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth..To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the …
The Gift of Freedom..I'm grateful this time of year for the gift of freedom and for all the armed forces who fought for freedom and still fight for freedom..Those who disagree with me and do not believe freedom is a gift, well, you're mistaken. If you didn't participate, you didn't earn it. The brave men …
Work on your Gosepl communication skills..”You're one to talk.” I'm just getting that out there, now, for anyone who knows me. As I've said in the past, I like to write about things that I need to work on myself..I am not perfect at any of these posts. That's part of the reason I enjoy …
The power of Jesus Christ..Take a minute and imagine for a second what we learn in third and fourth Nephi?.What can we see happening? Well, we see all of the blessings of the Nephites as they overcame selfishness. They prospered in absolute and perfect righteousness..How long? Four generations!! Who does not desire for this to …
Do the right thing at the right time..I remember being left behind as my brother and our friends left on their Latter-day Saint missions. I was always the youngest of our group and the last to go on my mission..As I was preparing to leave on my mission, my brother and my friends were just …
Don't quit; you're so close!.Have you ever attempted something new?.It doesn't matter what it is. It could be a new sport, activity, driving, program at work, being a new mom or dad, fostering children, building a home, working out, or maybe a career..Have you given it your best and felt like your best wasn't good …
May our gifts be given in compassion..Tis’ the season of giving. As we think of our families, friends, and loved ones, let's also think of the gifts we are about to give..Are our gifts given with true love and compassion, or are they merely out of pity and for self-satisfaction?.How many of us have been …
Keep the law of God..Do you trust your Heavenly Father? It comes down to just that..I trust my own dad here on earth because he has always steered me in the right direction. I didn't necessarily understand why he had his kids do certain things sometimes, & he never really gave an answer—he just expected …
If you're reading this post, you're hopeful..I'm not saying my posts are going to give you the answers to your questions, but I hope they can give you some perspective. I also enjoy reading through your comments..Why do I read posts similar to mine? Hope. I am hopeful I will be able to learn about …
Continue reading If you’re reading this post, you’re hopeful
The Lord will open our eyes if we are willing to see..Last night I took my wife on a small date. It really wasn't much, but it lead us to a great conversation and an interesting thought..How open are our eyes? Do we have faith enough in our current circumstances to see that the Lord …
Continue reading The Lord will open our eyes if we are willing to see.
Christ provides healing comfort through adoption..On December 17th, 2016, our two nieces (Ren & Rilan) were sealed to our eternal family..I'm eternally grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the opportunity to be together, not only in this life but through eternity..The girls miss their mommy, and so do we, but the power of …
Continue reading Christ provides healing comfort through adoption.
The Savior is for everyone!.Do you realize what a Savior means? Think about it for a moment. The literal Son of God, the Only Begotten by the Father..Something is begotten when it's been generated by procreation — in other words, it's been fathered. Wow!!.Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The Savior of the world. “For …
Be about the Father’s business..There is so much contention in the world. When such contention arises, we often want to retaliate or fire back with our own words—proving others wrong..Who cares? Let it be. Leave it alone and be about our Father in Heaven’s work..There is no need to do anything. Success comes when we …
Ride the Storm..There are many times when I don't even want to open my eyes and see what's before me or what's next..Often, it can feel like we are right in the center of the storm, and we are never getting out. Have you ever felt like that or do you currently see yourself in …
Hold up the light..As we see many posts to ’Light the World,’ let's keep one person in mind—Jesus Christ. I know it sounds simple, but we tend to forget the meaning of things..Ask yourself, what light are you being asked to hold up?.3 Nephi 18:25—"Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the …
Partake of the Fruit from Tree of Life..I never really thought of the Tree of Life this way, but after listening to a talk this morning and during my studies, it was one of those ”no-brainer” moments for me..Before I get into what I learned, let's ask ourselves a few questions..Why did Lehi want his …
It's okay to be a follower..I listened to a talk today by Jack R. Christians today.—In fact, I listened to it three and a half times during my road trip..In the talk, he mentions being a leader and a follower. He talks about how It's great to lead, but a great leader is also a …
Take care of yourself..One of my favorite things to be part of is my temple recommend interview. The questions I'm asked remind me to drive to become a better person. The interview process is a commitment I made with the Lord when I made covenants in His Holy Temple..It's the time I can stand before …
If you're fake, it will stand out..When it comes to our stance on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we always represent Jesus Christ..We should never be affected by someone who doesn't understand what we believe. We are unique because we have the fullness of the Gospel. It's unfamiliar for those who may not understand that—that …
Listen to the children..My wife and I have noticed a rather unusual reoccurring topic in our home. It's the topic of the second coming of Jesus Christ..We have discussed the second coming with our children but nothing to the extreme..All of us have been encouraged to find ways to Hear Him. This applies to all …
Have nothing but Integrity..How nice would it be if we honored what was written in the Deseret News back in 1882?."Let us be pure, let us be virtuous, let us be honorable, let us maintain our integrity, let us do good to all men, and tell the truth always, and treat everybody right.".Why is it …
There is no unknown in Christ..How do we calm our troubled minds? I understand this may seem easier said than done, but it's really pretty simple. The following scripture from the Lord teaches us how..“Draw near unto me, & I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently, & ye shall find me; ask, & …
Serve a mission..What a random day—My mission has been on my mind a lot recently, probably more so than it has in a very long time..I felt prompted to write about my mission today, and as I sat down to write, I was able to connect with a member of my mission. I will never …
Death is not the end..I think the word ”death” is a terrible terminology. We put the fear in our minds. The word itself can sound terrifying. It can mean extinction, destruction, and the end of life..Why wouldn't that sound terrible and sad? The word itself just sounds awful..So, what happens after death? Where do we …
How is it done?.Enos asks the question we have all wondered and thought upon. Even being taught of the Lord by his father, he still had an incomplete knowledge of how his sins could be forgiven..Many of us have been raised in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have gone to church, attended primary, sang …
Pray and Listen..We take the time to talk to our Father in Heaven, so why don't we give Him some time to speak to us?.I understand we are in a rushed environment, and it can be hard to make time for things, but we must make time for our Heavenly Father’s response..James 1:5 — If …
Families are eternal!.To close up a great week, it's my honor, my blessing, and as the patriarch of my family, I give thanks to an eternal family. How grateful I am to know of the Plan of Salvation..Did you know there is life after death? It's our Eternal Father in Heaven’s plan of happiness. It's …
What would we do without written records?.I know for me, I enjoy writing, and it is a way to ease my mind. We all have something to take the stress away for some time, and writing is one of those for me..I give thanks to those who write and who document, especially our ancestors. I …
Our attitude decides..I was never grateful for individuals in my life who told me I needed to have a better attitude. I always felt like my attitude was great; however, I'm now eternally grateful to those who told me I needed to change my attitude..I couldn't see my attitude was cancerous at times, and I …
Never short yourself an opportunity..Opportunities are probably the most significant things I am grateful for. If you aren't looking at each day, each setback, or each new challenge as a window of opportunity, you're missing the point of life..I want to share a few paragraphs from a motivational speaker I admire to the highest degree.."How …
Agency is what I am grateful for..The Gospel is full of beautiful things; however, none of it would exist without agency..In the Gospel topics, we learn what the agency is.."Agency is the ability and privilege God gives us to choose and to act for ourselves. Agency is essential in the plan of salvation. Without agency, …
'We' need thee every hour..I am grateful for prayer. Sure, there are times I feel like I'm alone during my frequent ”calls home.” It's these times I need to sit and ponder—what would my Father in Heaven do?.When you can ask yourself that question, you allow Him to teach you what He would do. Many …
Spiritual and Physical Shape..I have experienced both. There have been times when I've been in phenomenal physical shape and spiritual shape. There are also times when I've been in terrible physical shape and spiritual shape..I recognize the difference when I'm either-or..There are many things about sports that I love. It's the physical conditioning, self-discipline, and …
You're doing fine, but we can improve..I am grateful for conversations with my grandparents. Today, I had a chance to talk to my grandma. We talked a little about hope and current events..She has always encouraged my writing and reads everything I write. Usually, she takes the time to respond to my thoughts..My grandma said …
We believe in one true Church, and that is the Church of Jesus Christ..We are not taking away the truths of all other churches. There are truths to each of them, but they do not have the keys or authority to act in the name of Jesus Christ..They have the form of godliness and are …
Continue reading We believe in one true Church, and that is the Church of Jesus Christ.
Is living the Gospel hard?.Yeah, it can be..Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ requires a lot of work and many times it requires a lot of sacrifice..Sometimes it’s challenging to find the motivation to live the commandments and make those sacrifices..Some days I want to fulfill my calling and wonder why others struggle to do …
How will you welcome Him?.I've always thought about this question—How will I welcome the Savior?.A poem that has always had a significant impact on me is ”Footprints in the Sand.”.I've tried to live my life in a way that I include Him in everything I do. I don't want to be caught off guard when …
A Voice Speaks from the Dust..I love the Book of Mormon. I also love the Bible. The Bible taught us many revelations about a special gift the world would receive. The gift I am talking about is the Book of Mormon..If you haven't read the Book of Mormon, I challenge you to do so—member or …
Start taking your Priesthood seriously—Rise Up!.Never before in my life have I felt the need and the importance of the priesthood in the world..The need for each and every one of us to honor our priesthood, is crucial right now. We need to magnify our callings, and contribute wherever we can to advance of the …
Continue reading Start taking your Priesthood seriously—Rise Up!
Love what is right.."And again, verily I say unto you, blessed is my servant Hyrum Smith; for I, the Lord, love him because of the integrity of his heart, and because he loveth that which is right before me, saith the Lord." D&C 124:15..I was reading an older Ensign article the other day, and it's …
God’s Kingdom is Order..I think, as adults, we have a different perspective on what order is and what freedom is..When we were kids, freedom to do whatever is what was enjoyable. That's how I remember it. I didn't want to be told what to do or how to do things. I wanted to be free!.As …
Today is Veterans Day—My Grandma also passed today..The older we get, I think the bigger picture begins to enlighten our minds. There is a much broader understanding of God’s plan for us—at least for me, that’s the case..I want to thank all of our wonderful Veteran’s for the sacrifices they’ve made so I can live …
Continue reading Today is Veterans Day—My Grandma also passed today. (time lapse for post)
Mental Health.How old are you, and what were you doing in your early twenties, or what do you expect to be doing in your early twenties?.What if everything came crashing down on you around that time?.What if you had severe mental health and had exhausted every resource in the community?.What if at the age of …
Laughter will always win..In this world of darkness, anger, and frustration—we live..I've experienced many days of my own personal darkness, as I'm sure you all have..We don't have to remain in that state and I refuse to live in a world of darkness. Just because it's dark, doesn't mean I can't be my own source …
Do what Christ would do..My personal opinion—We are too wrapped up in doing what we personally feel is right, not necessarily what Christ expects us to do..It can feel good to voice our opinions and argue our cause; Especially, when people begin to cheer for what we say. There is a time and a place …
Husbands, you have a huge responsibility..Sure, it can be extremely challenging. Challenge is something my wife and I have gone through our entire marriage..It probably would be a lot easier if I were more cooperative and not so stubborn. I admit to being the donkey of our relationship—she knows that, too..As hard as it can …
We pierced through the darkness..I need you to think about this..The Gospel of Jesus Christ was REJECTED..The Son of God was killed..Why?.Because the world was SO WICKED!!.What happened next? They killed the Apostles and prophets, and we entered into a spiritual dark age. (2 Thes. 2:2–7).."For over seventeen hundred years on the eastern hemisphere, and …
God Will Prevail!.It's as straightforward as that if we are in-tune with the spirit, immersed in scripture study, and earnestly seeking out our Heavenly Father in prayer..Joseph Smith taught us one of the most powerful lessons..I know I'm not alone when it comes to political matters and trying to figure out what is true and …
Have you feasted upon the scriptures?.President Nelson spoke in General Conference about his time spent feasting upon every related scripture related to the Gathering of Israel..This is a powerful message and a strong example for us to follow..We may have our own "feast" we are trying to consume. Whatever it is, are you doing it …
What has the Gospel taught you?.If there is one thing the Gospel of Jesus Christ has taught me, it's never to give up. It's to keep pursuing my goals and dreams. It's to turn the other cheek and ignore the negative influences..The Gospel has given me a sturdy platform to work from. Most of all, …
Your mouth hasn't been shut, so preach the Gospel..Do you have a "Mormon" son in your home? A boy who is 10 and preparing to receive the Aaronic Priesthood in the year they turn 12?.When I heard that announcement nearly two years ago, my thoughts went to Mormon. He was considered a trustworthy boy. Ammaron …
Continue reading Your mouth hasn’t been shut, so preach the Gospel.
The Dark Side..Today is Halloween, and with that comes the ”spooky, haunted, evil, and devilish” components..Halloween is a fun day—so let's not take what I'm about to write out of context. This is just my attempt to make a ”Halloween” post. Celebrate the holiday and enjoy your time spent with friends and family. Light your …
”Even when we think we cannot rise up, there is still hope." Elder Uchtdorf continued, "And sometimes we just need someone to look us in the eyes, take our hand, and say, "You can do it now!".Here is my attempt to the world and all of you who follow my account—Rise up and do it …
Continue reading “Even when we think we cannot rise up, there is still hope.”
”Your dad is my hero.”.I have grown up in a law enforcement family. My dad served thirty years as a police officer. I am going into my thirteenth year, and my older brother completed his tenth year..My entire life, I've heard great stories about my dad. Never once have I listened to a negative one. …
See people through a new lens..Throughout my entire career, I've seen people at their worst—their lowest of lows. Never have I experienced a call for service where someone wanted to tell me about how great their day had been..Why don't we take some time and try to figure out what the underlying issue is? Not …
What are the treasures to be found by raising our vision?.What an interesting thought. Can you name some of the treasures? If so, I want to hear some of them in the comments on this post..Stephen looked upward: “Being full of the Holy Ghost, he looked up steadfastly into heaven and saw the glory of …
Continue reading What are the treasures to be found by raising our vision?
The Book of Mormon has never guided me off the path to righteousness..There are many worldly things, and I've guided myself off the beaten path—not The Book of Mormon. When "controllable" things go horribly wrong, it's usually 99.9% my fault. When I make choices, I need to take ownership—so do you..Every time I'm indulged in …
Continue reading The Book of Mormon has never guided me off the path to righteousness.
When the light turns on, the darkness vanishes..It's true—walk into a dark room and turn on the light. Did it take a few seconds to vanish, or did it do it immediately? The answer is the latter..That's what happens when you decide to follow Christ. Don't get me wrong; you'll have to continue turning on …
Continue reading When the light turns on, the darkness vanishes.
Are you ashamed to partake of the fruit of the tree?.Have you shared what you learned today with someone, or were you ashamed of what you did?.Did you read your scriptures today and discuss them with a friend, or were you ashamed of what you did?.Are you going to bear your testimony to a member, …
Continue reading Are you ashamed to partake of the fruit of the tree?
Take a look at the stars, and you'll know God foreordained you!.It's been an excellent week for me, as I hope it has been for each of you. I've spend several nights camping under the stars and listening to the sounds of nature..There is one thing I was assured of—God loves His people! We sometimes …
Continue reading Take a look at the stars, and you’ll know God foreordained you
Hard work yields a result, no matter the outcome..The past few days, I’ve hiked and walked more than I have for several years. I’ve climbed some steep areas and have had very little sleep..As I’ve done this, I’ve realized a few things about myself: I can push myself to do hard things. I have prepared …
Continue reading Hard work yields a result, no matter the outcome.
With faith, we do as the Lord directs..There have been some instances where I have thought, "How is it possible to take the message of the gospel to the entire world?" I would assume I am not the only person to have thought this..It's really beyond any of our comprehension. There are things I've done …
Life didn't go the way you planned—so what?.I remember the first real interview I had. I was 21 and dumb. I was interviewing for my first job as a police officer. I will never forget the question they asked me, "What is your five-year plan?".I had no idea. I wasn't married. I had no kids. …
Continue reading Life didn’t go the way you planned—so what?
Have you committed to standing strong and firm in your faith? You're going to be challenged by your peers, and the world for being a member of Christ’s Church. Be ready for it..People are going to ridicule you, but privately they will respect you for your standards. I've seen this time and time again in …
Continue reading Have you committed to standing strong and firm in your faith?
Why does God not intervene?.I've been asked this question more than I can count. It's usually one of two things—it's either God's fault or God doesn't exist..Listening to Elder Holland during General Conference, the answer was given. I'm going to share a few quotes from his talk.."He is pure love, gloriously personified, and Merciful Father …
Who will they really know?.Do your friends, families, relatives, co-workers, and those you may serve church callings with know who you are?.Are you the same person at church as you are at work? Are you the same person in your home as you are outside of your home?.Why is it so difficult to be true …
"Our individual exit routes from this life vary; so does the timing." Elder Maxwell..A few posts back, I spoke about trials. I spoke about praying for trials and recognizing them when they come. No one WANTS a trial & is excited to enter the fiery furnace, but we "receive no witness until AFTER the trial …
Never stop fighting..Today is a special day. It's my firstborn's golden birthday. Emma was born on Ten-Ten-Ten, and today she turned Ten..She is the most competitive of all my children. Her fight to win in everything she does is ridiculous but comical..We have talked about trials in our life, but I don't think we've thought …
My brother’s keeper..What do you think? We definitely know the answer from Cain. We also know what our Father expects from us in his question before Cains questions back to him..God expected Cain to know where His brother was. He wasn't asking a rhetorical question, although it could appear that way, since God knows all; …
I never left you..Sometimes we feel obligated to be someone everyone else expects us to be. We get entangled in everything but the main focus—Jesus Christ..He wants us to be ourselves. He doesn't want me to be you, nor does he want you to be me. He wants us to be unique..About two weeks before …
Hold on to your integrity..We will be thrown some real curveballs, and some things will seem attractive at the moment, but may not be honest—They may jeopardize your integrity..“Blessed is my servant Hyrum Smith; for I, the Lord, love him because of the integrity of his heart, and because he loveth that which is right.” …
What has Jesus Christ done for you?.Some of you may be struggling with this question. You may wonder if Christ even exists or you know he exists but you may feel He doesn't bother to comfort you..Why should you return to Church activity? People are cold to you; you don't feel welcome, or maybe you …
God loves All of His children.It's as simple as that—There were some incredible talks this morning during our first session of general conference. The message I took from each speaker was the fact that God indeed loves all of us..We are in the center of some unusual times, but our prophet assured us, "unusual times …
Avoid Temptation Today!.Tomorrow is General Conference. Whatever temptation you may have today, do your best to avoid it and change direction!."We look forward to General Conference... It's a time that will be forever remembered." Elder Neil L. Andersen, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles..What are you willing to do TODAY to prepare your mind spiritually and …
Drugs & Suicide.One of the most common things I’ve seen in my career is drugs and suicide. They are also two of the most common things I’ve experienced in my life that have interrupted happiness..I’ve lost my friends and family members to the two categories. Many times, I've asked myself what I could have done …
What do we fear?.“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:6–7.)..Wouldn't that be nice? I know I'm not entirely without fear, and I haven't met anyone who can say they are..Paul understood the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He knew …
Forty Years of Effort..The Lord loves effort. President Nelson instructed the children during the last conference, "the Lord loves effort because effort brings rewards that can’t come without it.".I have witnessed many individuals expecting to be given everything without putting forth effort—from sports, work, school, and other activities..We need to listen to the Prophet. He …
Listen to the Prophet..As I went back and listened to April’s General Conference, a few things stood out to me. Nothing too new, but still powerful guidance..Hear Him! Words spoken by God the Father..To whom? To Joseph Smith..Who are we to hear? Jesus Christ, His Son..Why? Because God the Father was there to support His …
Learn the gospel by searching the scriptures..Growing up, I was surrounded by other kids, teenagers, and adults who were well versed in scripture. They had scripture after scripture memorized. Many could even retell almost every gospel story..I felt inadequate many times. I could memorize a few short passages of scripture, but a few days later, …
Continue reading Learn the gospel by searching the scriptures.
The Captain of the poor..Have you walked amongst the poor, the homeless, the downtrodden, and the disadvantaged? I have..For the last three years of my career, I have mingled with the hungry, worked with those seeking refuge, and learned from their circumstances..I've learned there are two types of individuals—service resistant or service compliant..I understand every …
The soldier who stood by.."Never had the Lamanites been known to fight with such exceedingly great strength and courage, no, not even from the beginning." (Alma 43:43).There were some extremely difficult circumstances during these battles; however, Captain Moroni went on and led the Nephites to victory over the Lamanites..As we look a little further into …
Let's sustain one another!.What an idea! Is it too hard for us to lift one another and hold someone up when they have hit life challenges?.Several years ago, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin felt the love of his fellow Apostle, Russell M. Nelson. During a talk on charity, his health and age challenged him at the …
It's not anyone else's responsibility to raise your kids..I listened to a few different talks today, several by Elder Jeffery R Holland and one by his son, and recently sustained General Authority Seventy, Elder Matthew S. Holland, also President of the North Carolina Raleigh Mission..These talks made me reflect on my childhood and how I …
Continue reading It’s not anyone else’s responsibility to raise your kids.
The price of peace. Today’s subject is the price of peace. Why? Because we are living in a destructive world with major concern for peace—and our transparent failure to grasp it..We learn from two leaders of the past, Paul and Isaiah. Paul taught, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the …
Do you ’bore yourself’ when you pray?.This was a thought I came across today as I studied a BYU devotional. I've studied a few recent talks by Elder Joseph B Wirthlin..I was able to meet and shake hands with him and his wife during my mission. His daughter was my mission president's wife..It's ironic how …
Do you enjoy being challenged?.While I was on my mission, I had the opportunity to shake President Russell M. Nelson’s hand during a mission conference..I'll never forget the experience. It's burned into my memory. I looked him in the eyes, and he looked right back into mine. From that moment on, there was never a …
Choose Christ & Become Who You are Meant to be!.If you want to make a correct choice, choose Christ. “Thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee” (Moses 3:17)..You're not forced to choose Him, although you already did once. You're free to change your mind, and no one is stopping you. Let …
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Why are we so judgmental?.Help me understand this and I am not perfect by any means. I have some repenting on my end to do for my actions..I get it; we are humans. As humans, we are susceptible to sin and error. On the other hand, we are children of God! Take a moment and …
What kind of Christian are you?.We've all heard the scripture, ”Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matt 7:15..The same applies to you and I. The scripture continues, and we learn how to identify someone that is fake, ”Ye shall know them by their fruits.” …
You're either with Him or not!.It's going to come down to just that. Tonight, tomorrow, or when you have a free moment, ask yourself, ”Am I with Him or not?”.Those who oppose the Lord’s Church oppose Him. To reject the apostles and prophets who are sent to preach the gospel is to reject Him who …
How strong are your roots?.I can't think of a time in my life where strong roots in the Gospel of Jesus Christ are needed. I can bet many of you feel the same way. So, how strong are your roots?.Let's be honest with ourselves. If we are not rooted deep in the word of Jesus …
