Why I Choose Mormonism - Prayer and Gospel Study Refines My Life

I am always amazed when I decide make efforts to reach out to God. I know that he has commanded me to pray without ceasing and to study His word daily. I am always surprised to see how he immediately blesses my life as I commit myself to try. I feel more calm and in control of my behavior. I feel a stronger desire to help my fellow-men. I have an increased sense of my purpose. I have more love in my heart.

What is it about speaking to God and reading the scriptures that does this? I wonder if it is not only that I am opening the communication with Him to speak to me, but also, when I read about how He has dealt with and blessed His children in the past, I invite His Spirit to remind me of all of His blessings in my life.

I believe that His Holy Spirit refines the soul. He turns my thoughts to things that I need to change along with an understanding of how to change and a desire to so I will be closer to Him. As I work on the things that I need to make those changes I feel my confidence increasing. I rely on the Power of the Atonement of His Son Jesus Christ to fix what is beyond my puny human capacity to achieve. I in turn feel the love and concern They feel for me personally which truly humbles me. Then I am teachable.

I love this gospel and this process. I feel fortunate that I have this understanding. I have a responsibility to share what I know.

Why I Choose Mormonism: My Testimony

Today I decided that I would like to share my testimony in mandarin Chinese. I have studied the language a little. However, I know only a few words and none of the words that I know are religious.

I know that God lives. I know that He hears and answers our prayers. I know that He loves each of us and desires that we keep His commandments because that is how we are most happy. I know that Jesus Christ is the messiah. He is the Redeemer. I know that because He antoned for our sins, we can have peace and joy in this life and salvation after this life. He is the way to all contentment and true joy. He knows me and cares for me individually. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only True and Living church on earth. I know that Thomas S. Monson and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are the authorized head of said churcha and that President Monson is the Prophet for the world. I know he communes with the Lord and is truly a watchman on the tower for each of us. I know that is we follow the counsel given to us in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, namely the Bible and the Book of Mormon and other cannonized scripture as well as current revelation from the Prophet and the Apostles, that we will be safe in these troubled times. These truths were made evident to my heart and my mind by the power of the Spirit of God.

今天，我决定，我想分享我的证词以另一种语言，普通话中国。
我知道上帝的生命。我知道上帝聆听和回答我们的祈祷。我知道他爱我们每个人都和他希望我们做他的诫命。幸福是在我们心中，我们做他的诫命。
我知道，耶稣基督是弥赛亚。
我知道，因为他为此付出了代价必要为我们的罪孽，我们可以和平和幸福的生活现在和以后的生活。如果我们这样做他的诫命。
我知道，耶稣基督后期圣徒是真正的地球上教堂。我知道，耶稣基督末世圣徒教会才是真正的教堂和生活在地球上。我知道，如果我们按照意见的福音耶稣基督，这就是圣经和摩门经和其他经文，并册封目前的先知和使徒，我们将帮助这些倍。这些事实表明，我感谢上帝的精神，给我这次的证词。

Respecting The Faith of Others

I recently came across an article titled "Bridging A Jewish-Mormon Rift." I was impressed at the thoughtfulness and care the author took in explaining his position. I appreciated that the story was written without the so often used capitalization on sensationalism. It was refreshing to see a story that was accurate and sensitive to my religion while still being candid and honest on the author's part. He writes, "...the baptism was done out of love, as a way to honor my grandparents. It is the epitome of not forgetting somebody."I hope that I can honor my relatives deceased who lived this life of other faiths.

Now, people and what they write are not always so nice. A few times I have been to Yahoo! Answers to ask and answer questions about religion and have been dissapointed at all of the negative tones that many people take. Some are just plain rude.

Here is my position. Religion and spiritual life is very, very personal. It is really between you and our Heavenly Father. I believe He is very generous and loving and gives little graces to us all. I choose to be Mormon every day of my life. I have said before, it isn't easy. It claims to be the one true church of Jesus Christ. Does this mean that you are going to Hell if you choose differently? I don't think so. As I said before, this is between you and Him. On a case by case basis- I'm sure.

So why say, one true church? Maybe, if He did finally give us all a way to know Him and our individual purposes in this life, maybe He also wants us to choose His but also have a real choicel choice. Maybe He wants us to search for Him and decide for ourselves instead of Him just dropping the one true way in our laps. That's what I plan to do for my children. And that is what I did for myself. I searched. I studied. I pondered. I discussed with everyone I met. I worked and I prayed. Do you know what I found?

I found myself and I found Him.

Link to the Article>

A Vacation to Yellowstone

This past week I had the good fortune of visiting my family who live in Utah. My older sister organized a trip to Yellowstone National Park. It was wonderful to see so many amazing and beautiful instances of God's handiwork. The variety and complexity of even the simplest forms amazed us! As soon as we arrived we were greeted by a passing caravan of many cow elk, led by a bull elk trumpeting them to stay in range. We saw a stately crane carefully stepping through the tall grass. Buffalo are certainly more grand in person and I was surprised that even the non-animal features seemed to be alive. A few times I wondered to myself, "What is the purpose in this or that?"(especially when it wasn't readily apparent).

I know that everything has a purpose, a function, and a part to play in the delicate balance that is our ecosystem. However, I feel that many things exist to also bring joy to those that view and interact with them. You don't have to be Mormon to appreciate a glorious moment while viewing the creations of this planet.

I want you to know that I feel His love for me as I consider the care that was taken in creating such wonderful surroundings. I know He is God when I think of how complex and yet how simply magnificent all of His creations are. My heart swells to ponder His love. I also know that even when the purpose isn't readily apparent to us that God always knows and we can turn to Him for comfort.

Have you had an experience that you would like to share? Please post a comment and as always feel free to email me with any questions and/or comments.

Because God Loves ...

LDS.org - Liahona Article - Be One

LDS.org - Liahona Article - Be One: "A unified family, a unified Church, and a world at peace depend on unified souls."

Maps.lds.org - Search

Would you like to see what services are like at a Mormon Church? It's easy to find the nearest meetinghouse near you! Just click on the link and enter your address.

This coming Sunday, September 7, 2008 is a special meeting held once a month called Fast & Testimony Meeting. This is when members of the congregation may fast and/or share their knowledge of gospel truths and how they have seen the power of the Lord working in their lives. This is a great opportunity to see why other people choose mormonism.

You are welcome anytime. There is also an opportunity for you to ask questions and learn more. Just let anyone know that you are visiting and would like to ask questions. We are always happy to share what has made us so happy! Mormon.org - What to expect when attending a service.


If you do per-chance get an opportunity to visit, please let me know about your experience by posting a comment or emailing me.
Maps.lds.org - Search

Blessings are Proportionate to Effort

Often I feel that when I reach out to the Lord He blesses me so abundantly. He let's me know with powerful clarity that He is aware of my life.

I took my son on a walk yesterday evening and there were so many people out with their families. I didn't make it but a quarter of a mile when a beautiful Asian woman said hello. I didn't realize at first that we had spoken once a few months ago. She is very friendly and I asked her if she would come with us the next time we go walking. We chatted for a long time and during our conversation I couldn't help but think that she might be an answer to my prayers. I prayed that I could find someone who was looking for the gospel and prepared to receive the truth. Even if she isn't looking I am very happy to be getting to know my neighbors. I have often prayed for friends and I hope to have some company and get to know her in the coming days.

Again and again, I see that as I try to be all that God asks, He immediately sends blessings and assurances that He knows me and my desires. I can't help but want others to have this feeling.