An Anchor to Our Souls

     Lately it seems that my mind has been focused on building a stronger foundation. Building a foundation on Christ. A couple of months ago we were talking with a less active woman and we asked her what her favorite scripture was, she showed us this scripture and ever since then it has stuck with me.

     "Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God." Ether 12:4

     I love the part about if we have hope and faith in Christ for a better world, it says that this makes an anchor for our souls. I love the idea of an anchor. This example works just as well as the example of building our house upon "the rock". Just building upon a rock creates a firm foundation, the anchor acts as a steadfast and immovable point in our lives that holds our spiritual ship in place. Against the storms and winds of life that will constantly beat upon us, the anchor keeps us steadfastly in one place. I love how the scriptures never talks about taking us away from the storms and tribulations of life. Binstead we can find strength and center even when the storms beat upon us. It was and never is our Heavenly Father's purpose to take away our trials and challenges, for it is through these trials that we are perfected. He only provides a way that we can overcome these trials and challenges and become greater.
ut
     Many people here, especially men, when trials and difficulties come try to hide and cover their pain and sorrow through alcohol and drugs. They build their houses upon the sand and when the storms come they are swept off into the great abyss. The real solution to these trials is to build and anchor your life in the faith and hope that we can find and have a better world. We know that our Heavenly Father loves us, He has given us a perfect plan of happiness. Confide in this. Don't lift your anchor in the hope that the storm will take you to calmer waters and then be bashed upon the rocks. let your anchor stay and find strength and comfort in the storm, with the knowledge that it will pass and the sunrise will be all the more beautiful and that you have glorified God.

Foreordained of God

This week I was reading in the Book of Mormon in Alma chapter 13. I came across a scripture that I had never before paid attention to-

"And this is the manner after which they were ordained—being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such."

We have been called from the foundation of the world to serve God in all righteousness and faith. I know that we are not where we are because of coincidence. God is not a God of coincidence and He has planned our lives since the foundation of the world. I pray that all might remember their purpose here on the Earth and remember their calling. I know that for such who remember to keep the faith will receive the redemption prepared for them.

Believe in God

This last Wednesday was mission transfers. I anticipated having transfers but i was not sure if the Lord still needed me there in Monte Fresco. Well, the Lord had more plans for me and I was transferred. I am now in Granada. Branch Sabaneta. My companion, Elder Tyler from Oregon. We are assigned to re-open this area. So as I began the mission, I will end the mission. If you have been counting and keeping up with my blog you will notice that this is my fourth time re-opening an area.

As I pondered this occurence I remembered that I had prayed to Heavenly Father that he might bless me with a greater opportunity to end the mission and to work hard until the end. I know that the Lord inspired my mission president to put me here and I feel this is where I need to be. Although I will miss many of the members and converts in Monte Fresco, I feel God´s love and wisdom. I often pnder the great wisdom of God and reflect on the many tender mercies and many learning experiences i have seen both on and before the mission. I know that He loves each and every one of us individually and perfectly. He knows our desires and our hearts and answers our prayers. Whenever i do not understand understand exactly why things happen the way they do I always read and cling to the following scripture-

Mosiah 4:9

"Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has allwisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend."

As we trust in God continually, we show faith in him. We find peace and security in a world of changing values and morals. As we come to trust God, we build our life upon a sturdy and solid foundation, insomuch that when the hail and whirlwinds and storms and floods come beating upon our house we will not fall.

"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty stormshall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." Helaman 5:12

I know that it is upon these principles that we can find success and great strength in this world. Many times as a missionary, my strength falters and my body grows weary and tired. Many times I think about spending the day upon my pillow, forgeting the hardships which face me on a daily basis but every time i feel so, I say a prayer and my spirit and my strength is lifted.

True Love

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen." Moroni 7:48

     This last week there were many times in which I was faced with this question. What is charity? I was pondering such a question, What does charity have to do with salvation? As I read the scripture above I realized that our true destiny is to become as Christ is. Perfect and pure. Its not just obeying commandment and abstaining from sin but literally living as Christ lived and doing as he did. As we do so and show charity to our fellow brethren. Actively seeking opportunities to serve and to love one another that we will become as He is and we shall be purified even as he is pure. I have pondered this doctrine and remembered one time when someone asked me why I wanted to serve a mission, I thought deep down and knew that it was because of love. Love for God. Now it is not only for the Love of God but for the Love for the people. I know that many many times I have been distraught and homesick, tired and broken, but I know that by serving these people with all my heart, might, mind, and soul that I am doing as God has asked of me. God is shaping me into one of His sons, that inasmuch as I shall do His will I shall be like him. I know that this is the true work of God. To serve and to love unconditionally.

"And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

For Mom and Dad

This weekly post is dedicated to my Mom and Dad.
 

   Happy 27th Anniversary! Words cannot explain the love which I feel for my parents. Not only were they the people who raised me, fed me, and taught me. But they were my greatest examples. Every word and deed led me to greater light and understanding of God's Plan for me. Never did a day go by in my life that I did not learn something unique and special from them. I know without a doubt in my mind that the Lord led my parents to each other and blessed their sacred bond. They have blessed the lives of not only 4 small children but have blessed the lives of hundreds of people. 

     Because of them, I know my Creator, I know my God and King, my Savior and Redeemer. I know He lives and loves each and every one of us. I know of His mercy and power. His grace and glory. I see God's light and wisdom in their faces and know I was sent to them for a purpose. My heart sings of the greatness and mercy of our Heavenly Father for blessing me with such loving and wonderful earthly guides. To me, my parents are the most Christ-like people I know and although they may not see it or consider it, I do. Que Dios les bendiga tu matrimonio eternamente y que siempre haiga felicidad y gozo en tus corazones! Les Amo!

He Hears

     This week as I was reading the Book of Mormon and I came across a scripture that caught my attention. Mormon 9:27-29
"O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him. 

Be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God.
See that ye are not baptized unworthily; see that ye partake not of the sacrament of Christ unworthily; but see that ye do all things in worthiness, and do it in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God; and if ye do this, and endure to the end, ye will in nowise be cast out."
     Does God the Father and His son Jesus Christ really consider our prayers and answer them? Many times I have been asked this question and have asked myself this question while here in the mission. This last week as I was struggling inwardly about this very topic I read this scripture and it seemed to come to me at the very precise moment that I needed it. Not only was this very scripture the answer to my prayers and my doubts but it also gave me strength and inspiration to help me overcome some trials I was passing through. 

     I know that God answers every one of our prayers. "Ask, and ye shall receive." I know that God is our Loving Heavenly Father and through him and through the Gospel of Jesus Christ we can be cleansed of all impurity and obtain the strength we need that we "yield to no temptation." I pray that ye would ask in faith with a "firmness unshaken" for anything that you stand in need of. "Come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation." I continually stand as a witness of Jesus Christ. I know He lives and He is there for us in every moment and in every trial.

The Key to Blessings

     This last week we had many opportunities to serve. On Saturday we went early in the morning and we helped a very poor family put plastic up on their roof to protect them from the rain. It always leaves within my heart a good feeling being able to serve others. Another day we were walking through the streets and there was a man that we saw taking out water from near his house after it rained to keep from flooding the house and with our missionary clothes and all we helped him move the water into the streets. Sometimes I feel moved by the spirit to do something but afterward I don't feel like I accomplished anything. I guess I am not able to see the spiritual effects that we have on other people.
     This week I was reading about Christ's visit to the Americas and I noticed how much he was in constant communication with His Heavenly Father. And how much he gave appreciation and thanks to the spirit that was poured out upon the people. I feel that many times we take for granted the many blessings that the Lord pours out upon us and the Spirit that we feel. I feel like I forget much about the Lords mercy and His grace. I know that constant prayer and thanksgiving is the key to blessings.

"And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them as they did pray unto him; and his countenance did smile upon them,and the light of his countenance did shine upon them, and behold they were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus; and behold the whiteness thereof did exceed all the whiteness, yea, even there could be nothing upon earth so white as the whiteness thereof."
"And Jesus said unto them: Pray on; nevertheless they did not cease to pray." 3 Nephi 19:25-26