Showing Love by Works and Deeds

This week in my New Testament class we studied 1 John. One of the scriptures that really stood out to me is 1 John 3:17-18. It reads, “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth”. This verse shows us how we, as Christians, are to act and become. We have a responsibility to love and care for our fellowman, and we show that love not just in word but also in deed. That is how we follow the example of Jesus Christ. He, during His earthly ministry, “went about doing good”. The Savior did not only say good and think good, but He did good. Likewise, we--as His followers--are also responsible for doing good to others. It is this desire to do good and become more like Jesus Christ that leads me to want to serve a mission. I feel there is no better way for me to show my love for others through deed than to bring them the message of the restored gospel. It is also a way for me to express my love to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and show my commitment to follow Them. I love the gospel. I know it is true, and it leads me to show my love for others by my works and deeds.

Conference Weekend

Twice a year members of the church hear from the general authorities in general conference. It is a great experience. There are four two hour general sessions throughout the weekend (two on Saturday and two on Sunday). On Saturday a group from my ward went to Salt Lake City. We stood in the stand by line for the morning session, but we didn't get in so we just watched in the tabernacle.

Saturday Morning in the standby line

watching in the tabernacle!

Temple Square on conference weekend is a happening place

But I had tickets for the afternoon session so Adelynn and I got to watch it in the Conference Center! It was so cool. After conference, we went out for dinner in Salt Lake and then did a little shopping at the mall.

inside the conference center

this picture turned out kind of blurry but I love this girl!

Sunday we stayed in our PJs ALL day.

conference party in my room!

I love general conference. I know that the church is true and that its leaders are inspired men and women. They tell us exactly what Heavenly Father wants us to hear. Some of my favorite talks were from Sister Dalton, President Uchtdorf, President Monson, and Elder Holland. You can also watch the highlights from all of the sessions here, and if you send me an e-mail I can recommend a talk I think you would like :)

He is able to succor

Hebrews Chapter 2 verses 17-18 read: “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted”. Jesus Christ, though sinless, willingly took up on Himself sin so that He could “be made like unto his brethren”—like unto you and I. Jesus had to suffer the total pain and punishment for sin so that He can now understand us completely when we sin. He always knows exactly how we feel, and “He is able to succor them that are tempted”. He has destroyed the bands of death and hell by descending into the depths of the grave and bursting the bonds of death. He has suffered immensely not only that our sins might be reconciled and we may be saved but also so that we can call upon Him when we feel alone—that no one understands what we are going through. He always understands and can offer empathy regardless of our circumstances. Whether we are suffering for the consequences of something we did, as a result of some one else making a poor decision, or for something beyond anyone’s control, Chris will always know exactly how we are feeling because He too has felt precisely what we are going through.
I know that the atonement of Jesus Christ is real. I know that He suffered infinitely for each of us, and I also know that He always understands just what I am feeling. There is no time that I cannot call upon Him for comfort, and I am extremely grateful for that. He makes it possible not only for me to have the opportunity to strive to become exalted in the next life but also that I might feel understood and at peace in this life.

mission calls mission calls mission calls

It has been so amazing to see all of my friends getting mission calls. Since the announcement I've had friends opening their mission calls pretty much every week. It is so exciting to be a part of this work at this time! Just from my ward here there will be missionaries on every continent by the end of the summer. I have friends going everywhere from Australia to Botswana to Cambodia and lots of places in between.

Here are pictures from just a few mission call openings!

Lisa's going to the Nicaragua Managua South Mission!

Hayley's going to the Brazil Belo Horizonte Mission!

Oklahoma, Nicaragua, and London!

Andrew's going to the Brazil Cuiaba Mission!

Future missionaries from left to right Norway Oslo Mission (Chris), Nicaragua Managua South Mission (Lisa), California Bakersfield Mission (Sami), England London South Mission (me), Texas Houston East Mission (Shelby), and Japan Kobe Mission (Jordan)

We're just a little bit excited!

Missionary work is incredible! I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to share it with others. I am also grateful for the amazing friends I have who are also going on missions. They are great examples to me.

Happy Belated Easter!

Easter Sunday was a lot different being so far away from home, but it was still wonderful. We had an several incredible musical numbers in our sacrament meeting. I was so impressed; my ward has a lot of talent!

Girls from my Relief Society

 After church Kim and I went to Brooke's house for dinner. Her mom and grandma made us a delicious meal and then we got to dye Easter eggs. 

Easter is really fun, but a lot of times in all the fun we can forget that Easter is really about the atonement and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I love this video because it reminds me why we really celebrate Easter. Jesus Christ truly did suffer and atone for our sins, was hung on the cross and then rose on the third day. I will be forever grateful for His atoning sacrifice. 

Triathlon

I survived my first triathlon! It actually turned out to be really fun. It was just a sprint one ( 300 meter swim, 12 mile bike, and a 5k run). Hayley and I did it together, and we both reached our goal which was to finish without stopping or walking.

Putting on the armor of God

In Ephesians Chapter 6 verses 13 through 17 Paul describes the armor of God. The passage states, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
The first thing Paul instructs the Ephesians to do before even putting on the armor of God is to stand. They are not to shrink or back down, but to stand tall and upright for their cause. Sometimes I find that when I am being mocked or ridiculed or sometimes just questioned for my beliefs it is easy to shrink down. However, I know that the Lord wants me to stand. 
He has also provided armor that I can put on to help me stand. All of the items listed in the passage above except for the sword of the spirit are defenses. They are things that the Lord has given us so that we can be protected from the enemy, so that we can stand and not fear. In battle the most valuable defensive tool is a shield. It can be used to protect any part of the body. As Christians, our shield is our faith. It is our most powerful defensive tool against the enemy. We can develop it, and make it strong.
I know that the Lord gives us tools to defend ourselves against temptation and trials today, but we must choose to “put on” out protection each day. If we do not develop the qualities which protect us, especially faith then we will not be prepared for the battle against the enemy.