What I Miss the Most From My Mission!

While serving as a missionary I was able to do many different things, such as meet new people, serve others continuously, teach The Gospel of Jesus Christ, Study the Scriptures and internalize them. These are just a few of the things we did. Now I am not saying I am a mighty man by any means, but I cherish these memories in my heart and will forever.

Under the Priesthood Authority of God I was set apart as an ambassador and servant of the Lord Jesus Christ! I had the opportunity to stand as a witness of Him and proclaim His glad message. His message of Grace and Freedom from bondage and sin. His message of Eternal Families, Atonement, Prophets and the list goes on. When I was set apart I was given a gift. This gift is the Spirit in richer abundance. I had to work for this gift let me tell you, but it was given to me to help God's children return unto Him. I was able to hear the sweet whisper of the Spirit. The third member of the Godhead.

As Christ says in the scriptures, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you (John 14:18). But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:26-27). These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).

Here are just a few scriptures of our Savior's love to us. He has given the Holy Ghost to help us and guide us! Now when we ignore His counsel He leaves us for a time, until we go again seeking His help.

Now to the part of my mission I miss the most. I miss all of it. I miss the WICKED AWESOME MEMBERS, teaching the Gospel, enjoying the Great Tennessee State, wearing the name of Jesus Christ upon my shoulder! But there is something I miss soo much. This is the extra abundance of the Spirit of Christ. I was able to feel and know the will of God through the Holy Ghost. I was able to be taught and listen to counsel from my Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I am not saying I don't have the Spirit now but I don't have the extra abundance of the Spirit. It is much harder to receive that counsel I was given on my mission. Honestly I wish I would have figured out what I should do in life, which princess I shall be sealed to for time and all eternity and where I shall go but that is not why I was there. I was there or others not myself. Now I would absolutely love to move back to Nashville. It will take some time if I do, but I would love that! I wish to be able to be there where I laboured in the Lord's vineyard with those I worked with. They mean soo very much to me. Whether it was one appointment or months of meeting with them they are all special. 

I always said I was gonna come home and go out with missionaries. Well I have not made it yet. It is not my fault either because I have called left messages, told them I am willing to go out and everything. I have tried but they dont want the help. It has saddened me, but I then realize what it must have been like for those members who wanted to help but we didn't have stuff to do because missionary work was hard and areas were dead in missionary terms. We would just end up contacting people and they hated when we didn't have set appts. It was a waste of their precious time. It was so tough to be a missionary. So many marvelous memories came from my mission though. The times where we were able to sit in on lessons where the members family taught the Gospel.

I would do anything to be given that special call again! It blessed many lives including mine in many ways. I look back on my mission and realize what I was doing and am so happy I did it. The knowledge(inside joke- yes Elders even on Marriage), eye opener, and friends will always be remembered. 

For those missionaries that their missions will end. Not to scare you by any means but just know that the Spirit will leave to a certain degree and it is going to be very difficult. Cherish the time you have left with such a wonderful gift and do what you can. Don't get trunky but when you get home it gets very busy and tough to do the things you are used to on the mission.

ATTENTION... LEARNING BY THE HOLY GHOST

This past week as I was pondering on what to do for district meeting I came across a section is Preach My Gospel, Chapter 2,

Your gospel study is MOST effective when you are

taught by the Holy Ghost. ALWAYS begin your gospel

study by praying for the Holy Ghost to help you

learn. He WILL bring knowledge and conviction that

WILL bless your life and allow you to bless the lives of

others. Your faith in Jesus Christ WILL increase. Your

desire to repent and improve WILL grow.

This kind of study prepares you for service, offers

solace, resolves problems, and gives you the strength

to endure to the end. Successful gospel study requires

desire and action. “For he that diligently seeketh SHALL find; and the mysteries of God SHALL be unfolded

unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well

in these times as in times of old” (1 Nephi 10:19).

Like Enos, as you hunger to know the words of

eternal life and as you allow these words to “[sink]

deep into [your] heart” (Enos 1:3), the Holy Ghost WILL open your mind and heart to greater light and understanding.

Learning the gospel is also a process of receiving revelation (see Jacob 4:8). To Oliver

Cowdery the Lord said: “Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I

would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. But, behold, I say

unto you, that you MUST study it out in your mind; then you MUST ask me if it be right, and

if it is right I will cause that your bosom SHALL burn within you; therefore, you SHALL feel that

it is right” (D&C 9:7–8). As you study, pay careful attention to ideas that come to your mind

and feelings that come to your heart, particularly regarding the people you are teaching.

2 Nephi 32:5      D&C 11:12–14      John 16:13

Alma 5:45–46      D&C 39:5–6      1 Corinthians 2:9–14

Moroni 10:5      John 14:26
Above are some scriptures to Support this Doctrine

Why is there a color code? Red is the things that we NEED to do. Blue is the promises if we do the DO's.

DO

• Begin with Prayer
• Diligent Seek
• Hunger to Know
• Desire to Know
• Put Forth Action
• Study it out in your Mind
• Pray
• Pay Careful Attention to Thoughts and Feelings

PROMISE

• Gain Knowledge
• Gain Conviction
• Increased Faith
• Desire to Repent and Improve
• Holy Ghost open Mind and Heart
• Shall Find
• Mysteries of God shall be Unfolded Unto You
• Bosom shall burn if it be Right
• Receive Revelation
• Strength to Endure to the End
• Resolves Problems
• Prepares you for Service

In Alma 17:2-3, the Sons of Mosiah tell us what they had to do to qualify for the Spirit.

"Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much(Spanish-MUCHO) prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God."

DO

• Waxed Strong in the Knowledge of Truth
• Searched Scriptures Diligently
• MUCHO Prayer
• MUCHO Fasting

PROMISES

• Men of Sound Understanding
• Spirit of Prophecy
• Spirit of Revelation
• Taught with Power and Authority of God

These are some pretty incredible promises if you ask me. I have tested this doctrine and tried it and I know that it works. The Lord God is Omnipotent. He knows all things. The Holy Ghost knows all things and WILL testify of truth(Moroni 10:5) Whether it be math, calculus, English, or your love life, the Holy Ghost knows all things. Experiment upon this doctrine of study. If you try it with an open heart and mind and do all that it says not missing a piece you WILL see a difference in your studies. I know that to be true. The Spirit can guide you in your lifes decisions, he can bring things back to remembrance when you need it. Only on the conditions of doing your part and trying.


President Ezra Taft Benson said,
"Let us never lose sight of the fact that education is a preparation for life -- and that preparing for life is far more than knowing how to make a living or how to land on the moon. Preparing for life means building personal integrity, developing a sound sense of values, increasing the capacity and willingness to serve. Education must have its roots in moral principles. If we lose sight of that fact in our attempt to match our educational system against that of the materialists, we shall have lost far more than we could possibly gain."

What is the Holy Ghost’s role in helping us learn the gospel?

Learning by the Holy Ghost

Building a Testimony

Well building a testimony is an eternal process. For our earthly life we are going to be going by faith. For after the resurrection we will not be acting by faith after we see our Savior Jesus Christ. We will have a perfect knowledge. But first we need to know the basics. What is a testimony? How do we build a testimony?

Elder Robert D. Hales, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

You can gain your testimony the same way the prophets gained theirs—through the witness of the Spirit.

"Our testimony comes by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost. The testimony received and carried within us enables us to hold a steady course in times of prosperity and to overcome doubt and fear in times of adversity. Each of us needs to know what a testimony is, how we can get it, and what our responsibilities are once we have received a testimony.

A testimony is the spirit of prophecy (see Rev. 19:10). It is a personal revelation from God, revealing the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. A testimony comes through the Holy Ghost; it makes a deep and lasting impression on the soul.

Individual testimonies are the foundation and strength of the Church. Our testimony provides a guiding light that leads to a commitment which directs our conduct and our way of life. Our testimony is true north on a spiritual compass. It is a moving force that cannot be seen but can truly be felt. It is a burning within that tells us what is right. It is when, as President Harold B. Lee (1899–1973) said, “your heart tells you things your mind doesn’t know” (Speeches of the Year, 1973, 101).

Our testimony is the fruit of obedience in the form of peace, joy, and understanding in our hearts of gospel principles. A testimony is a shield of faith “wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (D&C 27:17).

Our testimony is a measurement of our faith. Faith is testimony; testimony is faith. Having a strong testimony allows us to help others in their search for truth. Our testimony is a gift from God. It should be shared, but we do not have the authority to bestow a testimony upon someone else, because a personal testimony is granted by the Holy Ghost. It can aid others in gaining knowledge for themselves—a knowledge abiding in the heart that leaves no room for doubt.

Our testimony is a knowledge of who we are, where we came from, and where we are going eternally if we are faithful. We must each gain such a testimony if we are to withstand the trials and adversities of mortality and go on to the glorious eternal future we all desire.

What do we learn about testimony from the lives and teachings of the prophets of God? We learn that a testimony is very personal. We can each gain a testimony of the truth through the Holy Ghost.

People often ask me, “How do you know? How can you know that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ?” While there seems to be no exact formula by which each of us receives a testimony, there does seem to be a discernable pattern. Though prayer is important in gaining a testimony, we cannot merely ask in prayer for a testimony and expect it to be given immediately to us.

Generally, testimony emerges over time and through life’s experiences. We can compare testimony to the process of watching a photograph develop. Powerful impressions of the Spirit come like flashes of light on receptive photographic film. Like the chemicals needed to develop the picture, certain spiritual conditions and experiences are needed in our lives for our personal testimony to develop into a certain truth and knowledge. And like a photograph, a testimony, if not carefully preserved, will fade with time.

Testimonies often come when there is willingness to serve where we are called. They come when a decision is made to strive to be obedient. Testimonies come during efforts to help, lift, and strengthen others. They come from prayer and from studying the scriptures and applying them in our lives. Whatever our circumstances, there seem to be moments in each of our lives when we can be given the knowledge that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ. There is no greater search in life that we can embark upon than the quest to gain a testimony of the truth.

While each of our lives is different, I believe we can, with some confidence, outline from the testimony of others, such as the prophets, and our personal experience the process and phases we go through to gain a testimony:

Continue to pray. Have a sincere desire to know the truth and express that desire in humble prayer to our Heavenly Father. “If ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you” (Alma 32:27).

Search the scriptures. The scriptures are filled with the testimonies of those who have gone before. Even they, though long dead, can reach our heart and bring peace to our minds and direction to our lives.

Ponder gospel principles. Think about them. Test them with further prayer. Relate them to what we know and feel. All the truths we will learn can eventually fit together into a fervent, undoubting testimony.

Be humble and receptive. Have ears to hear when Heavenly Father leads us to someone who can teach us about the gospel of Jesus Christ. This may be a teacher, family member, neighbor, friend, or acquaintance. It might be a missionary who contacts us through tracting or referral. But know that once we pray, study, and have faith with a desire to learn spiritual matters, the Lord will provide a way for us to gain further light and knowledge.

Live our testimony. We must obediently follow the Savior’s teachings and the prophets’ examples. Our testimony and example will assist others who are searching for the truth.

Share our testimony. “O that I were an angel,” proclaimed Alma, “and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God” (Alma 29:1). Let others know that we know. Bear our testimony in fast meeting. Tell our family; tell our friends. We will find when we share our testimony it becomes stronger, and there are many others around us who also want to embrace the truth.

Be willing to endure the test of time. Do not think that it is easy to maintain a testimony. Others will test us. Sometimes they will point the finger of mockery and scorn. Sometimes they may persecute you openly. Be prepared. Know in advance that the best of God’s children have had the courage of true conviction and were willing to suffer ridicule, deprivation, and even death for the sake of true testimony. Is each of us willing to do likewise?

We also know that if we do not continue faithful in the testimony that is imparted to us by the Spirit, then the light dwindles until it is extinguished. A testimony must be constantly nourished and defended, or it will waste away.

I wish to bear my own testimony in the strongest and most direct manner possible. I know that God lives. I bear witness to the reality and divinity of His Son Jesus Christ, who leads this Church, and who reveals the word of the Father to our generation. I bear my testimony to the gift and power of the Holy Ghost, the eternal nature of the priesthood, the calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and the assurance that God has again spoken through a living prophet." (New Era, August 2002)

Here you have just read a testimony from a modern day prophet, seer and revelator. Take this testimony and let it work in you until you have your own. Rely on his testimony until you have your own. 

How can we know if God speaks to us?

Hello everybody! Today is a good day. Well I am here to talk about something that is often asked. HOW CAN WE KNOW IF GOD SPEAKS TO US? God speaks to us and in this post I will focus on how He does and how we can notice His answers.

We should first recognize that the Lord will speak to us through the Spirit in his own time and in his own way. … We cannot force spiritual things.

“In most cases, ‘His own way’ is not the thunderous interruption or the blinding light, but what the scriptures call ‘the still small voice’ (Kings 19:12). The still small voice does not scream in our ear or cause confusion in our heads. Our God is not a God of confusion but a God of order.He gives us the still small voice to help us in our lives. He gives us the Holy Ghost to help give us direction in our decisions and there for safety. God loves us so He would give us something to help us in our lives. 

In Galations 5:22-23 it states

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

When it talks about fruit of the spirit it is representing some of the ways we will recognize it such as the feelings above. When you read from the Book of Mormon, Bible or when listening to a modern day prophet or apostle speak you may have calm feelings and that is the spirit talking to you. Whoever speaks truth can speak by the power of the Holy Ghost. The spirit is there to testify of truth and so that you can gain a testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and many other things. The Spirit may cause a burning in the bosom and that is also manifestation of truth. 

Have you ever had a thought come to your head and not know why but you follow the promptings? If the thought is good it comes from the Holy Ghost. I have heard of different stories of when people were driving down the road and they had a thought to stop and they did so. After they pulled of the road there was a car that went flying by and would have hit them if they stayed traveling on the road. That proves the Holy Ghost is there to protect us and keep us safe. There are millions of these stories and all thanks are to God. 

One important thing to realize is that there is a difference between the GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST and the POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST. 

When people speak of the Power of the Holy Ghost it talks about a power that all men may receive for short times. They will not have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. Which means the Holy Ghost will not be with them at all times and all places whereas, the Gift Of the Holy Ghost is given as a constant companionship. As long as the person is worthy of the gift from God.  

The Gift of the Holy Ghost is given by priesthood power (the authority to act in God's name). In the New Testament Acts Chapter 8 it shows how the Gift of the Holy Ghost is given. It is given by the laying on of Hands just as Peter and John showed us. This is the only way we can receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

One of the most important things we need to look at is how we pray. Do we pray just to pray? Do we pray only when we need help? Do we pray at all? Do we pray in the name of Jesus Christ? We need to look at these things. Do you honestly only want to talk to somebody just when they come for help or would you like to have a good relationship with them? Well God is the same He wants us to talk with him at all times and in all places. He wants a relationship with us. He wants us to tell Him what we are doing what we are in need of. We need to thank Him for all that He does for us. After we look at these things, prayer will bring us closer to God. Family prayer will build a relationship with our family stronger than anything else can. I will talk about prayer in another post but we need to pray sincerely with all purpose of acting on the answer we receive.

I know that Gods speaks to all of His children. Whether it be through a prophet, a friend, scripture or a thought. God speaks to you. God Loves you. As long as we are doing our part He promises He will do His part. "I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise" D&C 82:10. God is there for all of His children and will always be no matter what we do.