My Story

 I hope I have worn our my welcome by now, I think  it's time that I tell the story of my conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

One of the greatest things about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the fact that every one who is born and raised in the church and those that are converted by missionaries receive a testimony of the Truth in one simple way. For every one it is the same. God truly is no respecter of persons. I had to find that truth the same way as anyone else. That way is given in Moroni 10:3-5.

I was born in the church to very awesome parents who taught me about the gospel. I grew up going to church and doing the things I was supposed to do except reading my scriptures and praying. The two most monumental things to do as a follower of Jesus Christ. So I grew up, doing my best to make my parents proud and to get through high school. Then came a monumental turning point, going to college.

When I went to college, and no longer under the guide of parental wings, I decided to stop going to church. With no church helping to keep me on the straight and narrow path, I began to waver in my testimony. I struggled with school, with relationships, and with self confidence. Everything I believed to be true was now questionable. Everything about the church was taken with a grain of salt. This continued till my last month at BYU. (yes all of this happened at a church university in Utah).

During that last Semester at BYU I was taking a class about the Book of Mormon and the class required me to read for 30 minutes everyday. So I did. At first I was just reading for the grade, but as I continued to read something peaked an interest about what is the truth. I decided that Iwanted to find out for my self, if the Book of Mormon was true, because if the Book of Mormon is true then the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is truly Gods church here on the earth.

It was during this time that I was going to church more regularly and reading my scriptures daily but I was still missing an important link to know the truth. That link is prayer.

One night I was alone in my room reading the Book of Mormon when I realized that I needed to know if what I was doing was right. I knelt down and I prayed to know if the Book of Mormon was true. The answer I received came by a quiet, peaceful feeling in my heart, confirming to me that what I was doing was right and that  Jesus is the Christ and that through Him all my burdens could be lifted. From that moment, my life has taken on a new light. I am happier, feel at peace, and am confident in my Heavenly Father.

I know that you can get the same answer because that is what our Heavenly Father has promised. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Dancing Chicken

One of the best analogies I have heard about the principle of agency (choice) came from a movie called "Pure Country". In the movie Dusty (George Strait), talks about how he feels about performing on stage. He is a successful music artist that has been living the high life. He reaches a point where he realizes that what he is doing isn't making him happy. He has lost the joy of the music.

Talking to his best friend, the drummer, Dusty asks his friend if he remembers the dancing chicken booth at a carnival. The boys, intrigued by what they saw, crept backstage and saw the owner twisting the knob on the burner underneath the stage. As the stage became warmer and warmer the chicken started dancing. Dusty then talked about how he was the chicken underneath a stage of fame and fortune and, like the chicken, he didn't know how to get off the stage. In the movie, he left the stage and career to again find himself and his heart in music.

On our stage, we choose which side we are going to stand on. Our choices bring us closer to the heat or closer to the peace that comes from our Savior. Christ has given us tools to be able to overcome any of those fiery darts(1 Nephi 15:24). Sometimes, however our choices lead us to consequences that cause us, like Dusty, to question, why we are dancing on the heat?

When we become like the chicken, dancing on the stage become hotter and hotter, Satan continues turning up the heat even when we don't notice. The only coolant to the fiery darts of Satan is the love of Christ. Through Jesus Christ we can be guided away from the Heat and toward the Peace the Christ offers. I testify that Jesus Christ brings answers, healing and sweet peace. He truly will help us as we strive to find our way  to our Heavenly Father. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Ride, Boldly, Ride Till you find Eldorado

One of my favorite movies of all time is a movie called "El Dorado". It is a John Wayne movie that is a great contrast between the good guys and the bad guys. In the movie one of the main characters quotes a poem by Edgar Allen Poe called Eldorado. As I was thinking about the poem, I realized how the poem can relate to the gospel. This poem is a great example of our road to the Temple.

Our Gallant Knight

Gaily bedight,                                                     

A gallant knight,                                            

                   

In sunshine and in shadow,                        
Had journeyed long,                                    
Singing a song,                                          
In search of Eldorado.                                
                                                                             
But he grew old -                                      
This knight so bold -                                  
And o'er his heart a shadow                      
Fell as he found                                          
No spot of ground
That looked like Eldorado.

And, as his strength                                    
Failed him at length,                                    
He met a pilgrim shadow -                          
"Shadow," said he,                                      
"Where can it be -                                      
This land of Eldorado?"                              
                                                                 
"Over the mountains                                
Of the Moon,                                            
Down the Valley of the Shadow,                
Ride, boldly ride,"                                      
The shade replied -                                  
"If you seek for Eldorado!"     

So here is the start of our journey of life. All of us pressing forward. As we all know our journey is in sunshine and in shadow, the journey looks long but we want to continue moving on to find happiness and peace. Eldorado is a place where wealth(peace) can be found. 

In our journey, we can grow tired and "old". Sick of being lost in our journey for a place that cannot be found. The beginnings of doubt set over a heart as that  happiness and peace cannot be found.


 And as our physical strength becomes exhausted, we begin to slow our search. Then looking to another source of light and knowledge, God is asked, "where can it be-this land of Eldorado?"God answers by sending someone to touch your heart.


Then the journey continues, over the mountains of doubt that can seem impossible to overcome. Down the valley of disbelief as you plant your own seed of faith, "Ride, Boldly Ride" till you find the  truth yourself and you can find the path that leads to Eldorado.

Oakland Temple.

I testify that Eldorado is the Temple where eternal life begins. It is a place of peace and progression. A place where true happiness can be found. It is where all of us can behold the grace and love our Heavenly Father has for us. It is where our families can be sealed together for time and all eternity. I know if you seek for Eldorado, you will find it at the temple. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

YEE HAW!! Finally on the internet!!

YES!!! The day I have been waiting for has finally arrived!! I am officially connected to the Internet!!

OK, so now that I am done geeking out, time to talk about why I am blogging. The purpose I have is to talk about Jesus Christ and testify of His matchless power and mercy. I love being able to testify of the Savior and who He is to me.

In 2 Nephi 25:26, Nephi says, "And we ^atalk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we ^bprophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies"  These words have been a support to me as I have testified of my Savior during the course of my mission. As Nephi taught as we talk about Christ and as we teach one another His words we truly become edified. 

The second half of the scripture says, "that our ^cchildren may know to what source they may look for a ^dremission of their sins." I testify that Christ is the source that we can look to receive a remission of sins. 

I came to know of this eternal truth through careful study, diligent pondering, and humble prayer. The peace that has come in my life as I have felt the redeeming peace that comes from our Savior has been a living Testimony to my desire to follow Jesus Christ. I love my Savior. I testify that He lives and He wants us all to come unto him, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." 

I invite all to come unto Christ and be purified through him. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen