Being Christ Like Through Trials

  Jesus Christ was perfect. However, this does not mean that he was exempt from facing temptation and experiencing trials. In fact, I feel that no mind can possibly comprehend all that He went through for us.
    We do know, from the scriptures, that the Son of God sweat drops of blood as he suffered for us. Elder Bruce R. McConkie states that the Savior's suffering "continued for some three or four hours. After this—his body then wrenched and drained of strength—he confronted Judas and the other incarnate devils. . . and he was led away with a rope around his neck, as a common criminal. . . to be judged. They took him to Annas, to Caiaphas, to Pilate, to Herod, and back to Pilate. He was accused, cursed, and smitten. Their foul saliva ran down his face as vicious blows further weakened his pain-engulfed body."
  With all that being said, it absolutely amazes me how the very Son of God reacts to life long torment and abuse. Matt 27:12 states: "And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing." Truly, Christ lived what he taught. In His "sermon on the mount" the Savior counsels us to turn the other cheek, even when we are rightfully wronged. Let us apply this Christ like attribute to our lives. When the Savior "was reviled, he reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but commited himself to him that judgeth righteously. (1 Peter 2:23)
  "We don't get to choose all our challenges, but we get to choose how we react to them."

Christ Centered Christmas

   From now until Christmas I am making it a concious effort to learn more about my Savior Jesus Christ. In the LDS King James Version of the Bible, there is a topical guide at the back of the book. In the topical guide, under the title "Jesus Christ" there are 18 pages with different topics regarding the Savior. I am prayerfully studying each topic by reading all the scriptures that it references. I am devoting at least 30 minutes a day to learning more about Jesus and coming closer to Him.
   Each day, on my blog, I will post my thoughts from my morning studies. I am so thankful for Jesus of Nazareth. I am grateful for this opportunity to come closer to Christ and I invite all to join me in learning more about him.

Thanksgiving Daily

 At this Thanksgiving time, I am so thankful for my family. Due to my mission rules, I have very limited contact with my family and have only heard their voice twice in the last 16 months. However, I feel that this time apart has only brought us closer and has made me realize how much I do love and appreciate them. I've met so many people out here in Montana and have seen some "rough" life styles. I am grateful for my parents who raised me in an environment where principles of Jesus Christ were taught and lived on a daily basis. I am grateful for the support my siblings and parents have for me while I'm a full-time servant for my Heavenly Father. I am so overwhelmed with gratitude for their constant support, prayers, thoughts, letters, and emails. Nothing they do goes unnoticed and I couldn't ask for a better family.
  "Count your many blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings, see what God has done." We are all so blessed in many different ways. Let us all make a special priority at this time of year to ponder and express to others the things that we are most grateful for.

He Lives: Testimonies of Jesus Christ

How to Find Out Spiritual Truths for Yourself

The twelfth prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Spender W. Kimball, addresses this topic in a talk given in 1978:

It is a good question which has been asked by millions since Joseph Smith phrased it: How am I to know which of all, if any, of the organizations is authentic, divine, and recognized by the Lord?

He has given the key. You may know. You need not be in doubt. Follow the prescribed procedures, and you may have an absolute knowledge that these things are absolute truths. The necessary procedure is: study, think, pray, and obey his commandments and teachings. Revelation is key. God will make it known to you once you have capitulated and have become humble and receptive. Having dropped all pride of your own knowledge and wisdom, having acknowledged before God your confusion, having humbled yourself (lost your feeling of self-importance) and having surrendered yourself to the teachings of the Holy Spirit, you are ready to begin to learn. With preconceived religious notions stubbornly held, one is not teachable. The Lord has promised repeatedly that he will give you a knowledge of spiritual things when you have placed yourself in a proper frame of mind. He has counseled us to seek, ask, and search diligently. These innumerable promises are epitomized by Moroni in the following: "And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things" (Moroni 10:5). What a promise! How extravagant! How wonderful!

   I am a disciple, representative, and missionary for Jesus Christ. I am currently serving for two years in the marvelous state of Montana and have never found so much happiness and meaning to life. I can boldly and proudly say that I am a member of Christ's true church. I know that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and that He is the Redeemer of the world. Through his incomprehensible atoning sacrifice, we can all find the peace, comfort, and love that we all yearn for.