The words you are about to experience are true...

This is a poem from a friend of mine back in Poplar, Mt. Marcy Ironbear is her name and she wrote this and gave me a copy. I love it and believe you will appreciate it also.
So here it is. Enjoy!



The words you about to experience are true.....They will changer your life if you let them, for they came from the very heart of God, for he loves you and is the father you have been looking for all your life.

This is His letter to you:

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you
I know when you sit down, and when you rise up
I am familiar with all your ways
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered
For you were made in My image

In Me, you live and move and have your being
For you are my offspring
I knew you even before you were conceived

I chose you, when I planned creation
You were not a mistake
For all your days are written in my book
I determined the exact time of your birth
And where you would like
You are fearfully and wonderfully made
I knit you together in your mothers womb
And brought you forth on the day you were born

I have been misrepresented by those who do not know me
I am not distant and angry
But am the complete expression of love
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you
Simply because you are my child, and I am your Father
I offer you more then your earthly father ever could.
For I am the perfect Father.

Every good gift that you receive, comes from my hand
For I am your provider, and I meet your needs
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope
Because I love you with everlasting love

My thoughts towards you are countless as sand on the seashore
And I rejoice over you with singing
I will never stop doing good for you
For you are my treasured possession

I desire to establish you with with all my heart and all my soul
And I want to show you great and marvelous things
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me
Delight in me, and I will give you the desires of your heart
For it is I who gave you those desires
I am able to do more then you could possibly imagine
For I am the great encourager

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles
When you are broken-hearted, I am close to you
As a Shepard carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart
One day, I will take away all the pain you have suffered on the Earth

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my Son, Jesus
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed
He is the exact representation of My being
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you
Jesus died, so that you could be reconciled
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you
I gave up everything that I loved so that I might gain your love
If you receive the gift of my Son, Jesus, you receive me
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again

Come home, and Ill throw the biggest party Heaven has ever seen
I have always been Father and will always be Father

My question is.....Will you be my child?
I am waiting for you...

Testimonies: Different Paths, One Destination

One day I was talking to a missionary who told me alot about his life back at home. He told me about his work as a EMT and alot of the different scary situations he had to face before the mission. There were literally people whose lives depended on him. I replied back, half joking, "Well...I worked at a car wash before coming out." He just laughed and replied,"We take different roads to the same destination."
  How true this is.
 So I would like to share with you a couple of different testimonies of the Book of Mormon that friends of mine have written for me. We all have different roads that have lead us to these testimonies and we pray you may feel of the Spirit as you read.

Brooke:

  As a child I loved two things more than life itself: food and sports. I was eight years old when the new Mormon girl moved to town. Unlike some of the other kids I decided that I would befriend her depsite her unique beliefs. She offered just what I wanted: to come do crafts at her church, and they would even have cookies and a soccer ball. When I walked in and saw the gym I knew this place was legit. She kept invititng me week after week and I loved it more and more. I was Roman Catholic at the time so I didnt listen much to the religious stuff, it just felt like betrayal. Enter middleschool and life was so busy with competitive sports and music that I started ditching out on mutual. Then highschool happened and everything changed. My attitude, my activities and my friends. I knew what I was doing was wrong, and I wanted to get away from my constant poor life choices. Not to mention the tumor we found by my brain that ended my soccer career just short of college scouting. Thats when I went to my LDS friend again. I started going back to mutual and still loved it. Maybe it was because I kicked butt at apples to apples and soccer, but none the less I loved the feeling and the kind people. I started taking discussions (poor missionaries, I was horrid). They gave me a Book of Mormon and reading assignments. I thought it was all a joke, until I started reading. I was always happy and I felt so uplifted. I prayed about it everytime I read and always had such positive feedback. On May 2, 2009 I was baptized and soon learned it was the best choice i would make until this day. It has now almost been two years and I couldnt ask for more from joining the church. I have my life on track, my choices are exceptional, and I have met so many amazing people. I have watched the blessings pour in and make every dream I have ever had achievable. I am so happy I took a leap of faith to join a church that I used to think was ridiculous. If you just take the time to listen and believe this church along with the Book of Mormon can change your life. It saved mine and thats the best gift I will ever recieve.

Elder Lee

My name is Elder Matt Lee and I have been a part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all of my life. I have been blessed and privileged to have the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ as a huge part of my life since my very early years.

I have been blessed with a testimony of the Book of Mormon since I was young. I have always known that it was true. I have read from it and studied it with my family, in church, and in private all of my life. At the end of the Book of Mormon a prophet named Moroni leaves us with a challenge. It is found in Moroni 10: 3-5. In these verses he exhorts us to ask our Heavenly Father if the Book of Mormon is true. The first time that I asked my Heavenly Father that question my answer came back that I already knew that it was true. At first I didn't really like that answer. I wanted something big. Something miraculous. BUT I know that the true miracle is that I have been blessed with a testimony of the Book of Mormon and the very church that Jesus Christ set up since the tender years of my youth.

I was baptized and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost at age 8. I know that being baptized at age 8 has helped me SO much. I know that I was baptized at the time that I needed to be. The right to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost coupled with my testimony of the Book of Mormon helped me SO much during my teenage years and will continue to help me throughout the rest of my existance.

My faith and testimony of the Book of Mormon helped me through the toughest times in my life. In my darkest hour I was able to be strengthened through a few verses in the 36th chapter of the book of Alma in the Book of Mormon. I have learned about charity and service from King Benjamin's address to his people in the beginning of the Book of Mosiah. I have learned about trust in God and His commandments from Nehpi's dealings with his family found in the First Book of Nephi. As I continue to respond to Moroni's challenge at the end of the Book of Mormon my testimony continues to be strengthened.

I have a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon. I read from it every day (along with the Bible). I love the teachings from the prophets within and I do my best to apply the principles that they teach. I know that as I trust in the Book of Mormon I am able to trust in all of the other teachings that are found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ (which fullness is found only in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).

I absolutely love the Book of Mormon. Infinite wisdom is contained therein. I have learned so much from it and I know that there are so many other things that I can learn. I hope that all can gain a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon. It will bring you closer to Jesus Christ. It will bring you in closer harmony with your fellow men. It will bring you joy and peace.

Robin

Here are some thoughts/my testimony of the BOM!

Just to give a brief background for those who might take the time to read this:).. I am 19 years old and live in St. George, Utah. I was baptized when I was 8 years old, and born to a really strong family.

The Book of Mormon is truly about the Savior. When I think of this precious book, I think of our Savior Jesus Christ. If anyone was to read this book, they would notice the title pages explaining the purpose of this book, and it truly is to bring everyone unto Christ. And I understand how crazy that might sound for those who see Jesus Christ as any other historical figure, but he truly is the Messiah and the redeemer of the world! I know that I cannot prove that to someone but I also cannot deny it. I love the quote:

Like the wind we can feel or hear it,
Yet we don’t know where it comes or goes.
So it is with the Holy Spirit,
How He comes to us nobody knows.

There really are not words that can describe my feelings of the gospel. I love the scripture in Moroni 10:5--And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

I know that the burning feeling that I have when I read the book of Mormon is the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost testifies of Christ! I know that in order to receive his companionship I must live worthily and pray to my Father in Heaven.

I have lived life both worthily and unworthily of these blessings but I also can testify of the atonement of Jesus Christ. Men on earth are not perfect, so Heavenly Father sent his perfect Son to atone for our sins! I know that no matter how low I feel, or how big of a mistake I have made, that I can be forgiven if I repent of my sins and try my best to do better. There is a quote that says: "Heavenly Father does not require anything better than our best because that would be unjust, but if we do not do our best, that would also be unjust."

Our Father and Savior know us each individually! They know what our strengths and weaknesses, sorrows, joys, and every thought and action we have ever had/done! His main goal is for us to live with him again despite our iniquities!

I can testify that all these things are true. I have prayed to know about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and I have received an answer. This book and this gospel have brought the most joy I have every experienced in this life (and trust me I LOVE LIFE). I know that the gospel can bring comfort to all people! I am grateful for this knowledge and for my family and friends who are constant reminders of the love my Heavenly Father has for me. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Me

  I can put simply the role The Book of Mormon plays in my life. Its how I know who my Savior is. Its how I know that my Father in Heaven loves each and everyone of us so much. Its how I know that he speaks to us through scripture and through modern day prophets. It's how I know that the Father is not limited in these times, that he is the same yesterday, today and forever. I feel the truth of it each time I read it. You can too. I testify its true and I testify that you can know it is too. Just read and pray. Truely search. You will find.

"When Is The End Of The World?"



O rly?

Many people have asked me this question as of late, so I thought I would answer on my blog.

The Apostles wanted to know more about the end of the world. This is what Christ told them:

Mathew 24:

 3¶And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the ^asign of thy coming, and of the end of the world^b?

 4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man ^adeceive you.

 5For many shall come in my ^aname, saying, I am ^bChrist; and shall ^cdeceive many.

 6And ye shall hear of ^awars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not ^btroubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

 7For ^anation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be ^bfamines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

 8All these are the beginning of ^asorrows.

Sounds like our day, doesn't it? So we know we are close. But what day is it exactly seems to be what everybody wants to know.

 36¶But of that ^aday and ^bhour knoweth no man, no, not the ^cangels of heaven, but my Father only.

There you go. The scriptures are here to cut out all of the false doctrine that the world piles on us and they say that even the angels of heaven don't know. They really are warning us:

42¶^aWatch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

 43But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be ^abroken up.

 44Therefore be ye also ^aready: for in such an ^bhour ^cas ye think not the Son of man cometh.

But of course the scriptures always bring hope into our lives. Example:

13But he that shall ^aendure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Simple stough. I know its true. The Lord loves us and is going to chasten us to the very end.

This is because he wants us to return to him.

1Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you whom I love, and whom I ^alove I also chasten that their sins may be ^bforgiven, for with the ^cchastisement I prepare a way for their ^ddeliverance in all things out of ^etemptation, and I have loved you

-D&C 95:1

Our Father in Heaven loves you. There isn't anything to be worried about in the long run, if we but just put our trust and hopes in Him.

Things I learned in Butte, America!



Ahhh, the good ole' days.

   My mission has been amazing. First I was sent to the windy city of "Great Falls", then to my Native home "Poplar" and thirdly, "Butte-The Richest Hill On Earth". Butte is an interesting little town of about 30,000. It has a rich history in the copper mining industry and has been known to be a little rough around the edges. I loved walking around old Uptown Butte which supported about 100,000 people at one point. They even had double decker sidewalks to help with all of the traffic!

Indeed, it does.

  Im going to be blogging the things I learned in a series and this is part one. I hope you might gain something from what I gained. So enjoy!

 1.Triple Negatives Don't Make A Right



Miner 1:"No, I don't not want to go in that there mine".
Miner 2:"What?"



 

  I've wrote alot about the different ways people talk in past blog post (7 Things I Learned From Serving On The Rez). Its amazing to see how very different the culture is in different towns. Here in Butte I was introduced to the "triple negative''.  The miners above show a good example of this. I heard this sort of thing multiple times around town and even once from the pulpit! Also, another funny thinkg I would hear was "Yous guys." Like "How yous guys doing?"
  I love experiencing the different "languages" in my areas, they always give megood things to take back home.

 2.Faith and Works: Its a gift

17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

 18Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

 -James 2:17-18

   Something I definitely relearned was the true principle of "faith and works" and how they play a role in our gospel lives. I know the Spirit guided me to different insights on this principle. (I wrote a little more about the Atonement in The Atonement and Lawnmowers if you are not sure what "Atonement" means.)  It was one even in particular that sparked my pondering on this subject. Elder Mull and Fio were out contacting people, when they ran into a gentleman standing in front of his home. He explained his beliefs to them and said he considered himself a "Born Again Outcast". They asked if they could come back and share more about what we believe and he agreed to it. About a week later Elder Mull and I went back and his continence had changed. He became very upset with me when I opened my scriptures to share something. We got on the topic of the Atonement of Christ and he claimed there was nothing at all that we can do to make it to heaven. He said that Christ gave his Atonement to us as a gift. We don't earn gifts that are freely given. His point was that our works don't matter. The tensions were high in that home and the spirit was far from being felt, so we left.
  It was days later that I was thinking about his statement on Christs Atonement being a gift. That's when it came to me that he was only half correct. This gift is not one meant to be put in the corner to gather dust and to be acknowledged only every once in a while. It was given freely but we are expected to use it. Our true faith in Christ leads us to do good works, the works Christ would have us do.

 33And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me.

-Moroni 7:33

Lets do this thing.

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I Am What I Am, And What I Am Is Who I Am

 Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

 I have been called of him to declare his word among

his people, that they might have everlasting life.

-3 Nephi 5:13

All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.

 
  That was a quote from Abraham Lincoln which I believe is very true in my life. I just wanted to wish all the Mothers out there and especially my Mother a Happy Mothers day! Love you and thank you for all that you do!

The Listener

"The Listener" is the title of this painting. I saw it at a members house here in Worland, Wyoming and instantly fell in love. Are we listeners? Let us look past the worlds interruptions and listen for the divine guidance that the Lord wants us to hear.