Love Effect

Cause: the earth rotates on its axis. Effect: colder weather in the northern hemisphere.
Cause: colder weather. Effect: beauty. 

Everything we do has a consequence. 

If I eat an apple today, tomorrow, the next day, and so on, forever  and ever until I die, then the doctor will be kept away. That's a good consequence.

Another way I could put this is 'cause and effect'. 

   Things happen that cause us to make choices and our choices cause effects and those effects cause us to make more choices and also cause others to make choices which will then bring about more effects and it keeps on going and going just like this sentence and won't ever stop...

   Sometimes the consequences of our actions are insignificant. Whether I choose to use one shampoo over another will not have the biggest effect on my standing in the church; the decision to use Colgate or Crest toothpaste might only effect my personal enjoyment of my oral hygiene. However, some choices, though they appear minuscule to us, will cause meaningful effects, and the impacts of those effects can last through the years. A friend of mine made one of these choices that impacted me very much.

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

   About 18 months ago I was going through somewhat of a difficult time. I was new to the state of Arizona and it was summer time. . . But it wasn't the heat that was giving me a difficult time. In fact, I chose to enjoy the heat. It was the fact that I didn't have any friends, and that I didn't particularly feel loved, that bogged me down. This circumstance caused me to feel angry and sad; I did my best to not let these feelings dictate my actions. After a few weeks of this I met a man who became a good friend of mine.
   One day a few of us missionaries were playing a stressed game of basketball. There were a couple moments of intensity and after the game my new friend confronted me. He told me he could tell something was going on, so I told him everything that I had been feeling and he listened with great empathy. He shared a personal experience that he had had while serving in Brazil which really connected with me. I was humbled. What he did next pierced my soul. He said, "Hey man, I love you" and he gave me a hug. Tears began to well up in my eyes and my heart began to be comforted. God had sent this friend into my life for this very moment. The feeling that was come over me was intense as the prior ball game — stress was replaced with peace, and a weight was lifted.
One brief moment in time and three small words changed my entire life.

   I guess that's what the Savior was trying to do when he performed the atonement. He suffered for all my mistakes, pains, sadness, sickness, hunger, etc. and was, in essence, saying to me, "I love you". His loving sacrifice has lifted me from the lowest points in my life and has made to "sing the song of redeeming love"!

So on this great day, this Holliday of Love, this Valentines day, I hope that we can all remember the greatest love of all:

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

What is the consequence of accepting the love of Jesus?

You tell me...

Carry On

Have you ever asked yourself what you believe?
Have you every felt like you're not good enough?
Can you remember the first time you actually felt appreciated?
What was it like?


How do you feel now?
Do you have a belief in something? What is it?

Do you feel loved? Who loves you?

God is there.
He has helped me in my darkest times. He is there when I am happy, sad, discouraged, excited. He is my Father in heaven. He is also your Father.

For those of you who are struggling with feeling lonely, depressed, or troubled in anyway, I urge you tell God how you feel. Ask for the grace of God and Jesus Christ to lift you. And ask for His peace to fill your heart.

As a representative of the Savior, and in his name, I promise you that the Lord will give you the strength to bear your burdens. As you pray to God and strive to keep His commandments, he promises that He "will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name's glory." (D&C 21:6)

Light: Part 3

The flower need light to blossom. We too can utilize light.

I draw close to light.

I grow to the light.

And I use the light.

The Light of Christ "lighteth [everyone] that cometh into the world."

The Light of Christ gives us knowlege and cleanses us from sin.

When I walk in the Light of Christ, my life is washed through the blood of Jesus Christ.

When I search diligently in the Light, I learn good from evil and find pure truth.

By coming closer to God and walking in the Light of His Son, Jesus Christ, we can truly blossom and become who we need to become...

...who God wants us to become.

If you trust in Him, he will light your path.

Prayer

Faith

Scripture study

Church

Repentance

Baptism

Holy Ghost

Light: Part 2

Drop a seed into the ground. Cover it with earth. Then the seed sprouts and begins to grow to the light.

 

My mistakes have, at times, made me feel left in the dark. Sometimes I feel like I cannot escape my weaknesses....like I am captured in obscurity.

 

This feeling is natural - it's part of God's plan for me. He provided an escape from feelings of misery, guilt, and shame! That escape is Jesus Christ. The light of Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection allow me to rejoice and change my natural tendencies. Christ's atonement is real!



Plants grow towards the light - so can we.

Light: Part 1

What is Light

Webster's American English Dictionary - 2011
Light - noun
1: radiation that makes vision possible.
Light - adjective
1: bright.
Light - verb
1: make or become light.
2: cause to burn.

American Dictionary of the English Language - Noah Webster 1828
Light
19. Properity and happiness



Have you ever imagined what your life would be like without light?

Go ahead for a second and try it.

.......

It's almost incomprehensible. You probably closed your eyes, didn't you? Close your eyes again....do you see them? Do you see the small, dim lines and spots of light flashing and moving around?

Is there such a thing as pure darkness? 

Light is made up of both waves and particles. We can see light emanating from a source - such as the sun or a light-bulb. We can feel the light of the sun when we walk outside on a clear day; on a cloudy day we can still feel the light of the sun, but it is not as direct or intense. 

There is a warmth associated with light and people contain light. 

"The light of the body is the eye."  

Light drives away darkness and can bring happiness.

God's light is both tangible and visible, available and incomprehensible. 

His light gives us knowledge, guides and directs us.

The LDS temples are sacred houses of God. In them, church members worship and make covenants with God, which brings added light into their lives.

Broken in Pieces

ISAIAH 8:9-10

9 ¶^aAssociate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.
10 Take ^acounsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for ^bGod is with us. (emphasis added).


What?! What do these verses mean?
- Here is my interpretation -

Don't take offense.

V.9 - I don't need to be offended. If I "associate myself" (gossip/complain about people) then I will be broken in pieces. If I "gird myself" (get defensive and/or on the attack) I WILL be broken in pieces.     

...Broken in pieces...

V.10 ... So people can "counsel together" (combine against me/ not like me) and it won't penetrate. People can "speak the word" (bad talk/criticize) and it will not stand. For God is with me. He will help me and defend me. I need to work out my own salvation...not others'.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf gives a great sermon on not offending and not taking offense. 

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/the-merciful-obtain-mercy?lang=eng&query=stop+it

What do you think?

Up in the Air

14 months ago I was on a plan to Arizona. I was leaving Utah.

I had just spent 3 weeks in a place called The Missionary Training Center in Provo.
They taught me how to teach people about the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

So...while I was on the plane, I had to chance to teach a woman sitting next to me. Our conversation took up the whole 50 minute plane ride. She committed to read the Book of Mormon as soon as she finished the Hunger Games.

After I landed in Arizona, I got a ride with the Mission President to his home in Peoria. While the rest of my comrades took some cat-naps, I wrote about the experience.

High above the earth and

Feeling Her great force,

Talk of peace and plenty

Consume the gift of gab.

From the runway it starts

And pleasantries begin to flow,

Is it really the gift of care?

Or am I just doing what I'm told?

No. I was never told.

I was invited

And I'll do that 'till I'm old.

The gifts of care and love have place in me.

And what else is there to give

But my choice of will. So I will,

Give to Him my agency.