God is Great

We began the challenge of selling our home in a tough market about 40 days ago. When my husband first mentioned that he felt we should look into building 45 days ago, I strongly protested. Our son had just started Kindergarten and our daughter just began preschool around the corner. Everything was functioning perfectly and I didn't see a need to throw a stick in the wheel. Not to mention that we had tried selling a couple of years ago and after 6 months on the market it didn't sell. I didn't want to go through that again. Each time my husband would bring it up, I would tune him out and refuse to talk about it. So he quietly went about looking into some options anyway.

One day he came home and said he made an appointment to meet with a builder. He invited me to come with and of course I said he'd have to go alone. I then went to the store to pick up some things I needed. While there I happened to walk past a really cute hand painted shelf. As I looked at this shelf the strangest thing happened. I felt something come over me and almost like a heavy blanket (of doubt) was lifted off of me, my mind and body became light. I felt that we were supposed to build - it was right. I smiled.

When I got home, I told my husband that I would go with him to the appointment. He couldn't believe it. He ended up making a second appointment with another builder. When we drove out to the first appointment - as soon as we pulled into the neighborhood I felt really good about it. Last time when we went through this process, none of the homes we looked at felt right and we never sold our house. This time we fell in love with the first model home we saw. I felt that this was the floor plan we were supposed to have and this was the neighborhood we were supposed to live in. My husband felt the same. In fact we didn't think we should meet with the second builder which is not like us. We did anyways and it felt very wrong.

We both agreed we felt good about the first builder, so we would fast and pray about it. Since we felt so good, we prayed that if it was not the Lord's will for us to build, we would get a bad feeling about it. The next day was fast Sunday and we fasted. The next day we both felt very good about it still. So, we went back to the first builder that day and signed the paper work to build. I went from not wanting to sell at all, to the following Monday signing on a home to build. Strange? Now came the faith part. We had to sell our home. The contract was contingent upon us selling our home, so we were safe, however I did not want to go though all the hassle and pains of trying to sell and build for nothing. It needed to work this time. It felt to right.

We had always said that if we ever built or moved the house would need to face west this time. My husband and I wanted to have a shady backyard. There were a lot of lots available however only one lot was left in this subdivision that faced west - I knew that we were being directed to the exact spot where we were supposed to be.

I picked up the phone, to call our the Realtor we had used last time. Something told me that he was going to tell me that he does not work in realty anymore - but I felt I should call him anyways. We promised him that we would use him again if we ever were to sell. So, I called him and of course he told me that he doesn't work in realty anymore but he did keep his license. He referred me to an agent that he helps out now and then. He then told me that a family I absolutely adore who used to live on my street had built a home where we were building. When I mentioned their names to the builder's agent she smiled and showed me where they were building. Just a couple streets away. We would now have a friend to welcome us to the neighborhood! The next day we had the sign in our lawn. The Realtor said it was average for a home to sit 45 days on the market before an offer and at least 10 showings. I hoped he was right.

The first week came and we had a few showings. Things were looking good - but no offers. Then three weeks went by without any showings. I was getting worried. I kept telling myself that if this was meant to be it would happen. It felt right - I just needed to exercise faith in God. When the timing was right the home would sell. Over the next couple of weeks we lowered the price a little bit to generate more showings. It seemed to work - but no offers. The feedback was always great about our home. The only concern was that our backyard faced west - something we couldn't change.

One day while wondering when our home would sell, our builder called and said that they wouldn't dig the hole for our house until we sold our house or lowered it to $189,000. We had initially listed it at $199,900. We did not want to lower it that much, especially in the first 30 days. As I began to notice all the other homes like ours (that weren't short sales) not having any progress either I just kept telling myself that it would happen. I needed to have faith.

It was a sunny afternoon when inspiration came. I was writing a chapter in a book I'm working on when I happened to come across a talk from Elder Bednar titled Ask in Faith I was reminded in his talk about the importance of being specific when praying and then exercising faith. All this time I had been praying that our house would sell if it was the Lord's will but that was it. After reading this talk I knew what I needed to do. I took Elder Ballard's council to heart and that night I prayed for at least 2 showings to come through that weekend and for one of the showings to make an offer. This was specific.

I prayed each night throughout the week for this very thing. Thursday my agent called and said that morning two calls came through at the exact same time. The first call scheduled for a showing Thursday night and the other for Friday morning. I was very happy. Right after the second showing ended on Friday morning my agent called and said that the Thursday night showing had put in an offer. After 35 days and about 10 showings it happened. I was so happy and humbled. God had answered my specific prayer. That Saturday they accepted our counter offer and that night my husband and I were scheduled to go to the temple. I was so happy to thank the Lord by serving Him. As we dropped our kids off at Parent Date Night at my daughter's preschool, there had been a mix up. They did not have our kids on the list and there was not an infant teacher there to watch our baby. They offered to watch the older two but not the baby. My heart sank. Then I remembered how I had watched a friend's kids earlier that day. Maybe she would be willing to return the favor at the last minute on a Friday night. I called and she was happy to help. Again, I felt the Lord's love.

After the weekend ended and our celebrations died down, we quickly realized we would need to find a place to rent very soon. I thought this would be pretty easy. We would be excellent renters with good references. Who could say no to that? How wrong was I? The first available 15 homes I called on (in the vicinity of where I live) told me that they only do year leases - no exceptions. I needed a 4-5 month. I called on apartments, condos you name it. No one was willing to work with me. I had wanted to stay in my neighborhood so that my son could keep going to his school and I could continue to serve in my Primary calling in our ward. I wanted things to remain familiar for the kids. It would be hard to move twice with unfamiliar surroundings. I prayed to the Lord that He could help.

That day a friend in the ward told me that her backyard neighbor (who lived a couple homes north west of me) had moved out and might be renting. She gave me this lady's cell phone number. This would be perfect. We could move right across the street. We wouldn't even need a moving truck! A house was most ideal so that we wouldn't need to continue renting a storage unit. I said a prayer in my heart and then called. The lady listened to my request and my assurance that we would be her best renters ever. She was very kind and laughed at my silly yet desperate ways of convincing her to rent to us. She said she'd talk to her husband about it and call back later that night.

Later that night we were outside playing with the kids in the front yard. I saw the lady and her husband at the house moving things out. Should I go talk to them? No...she promised to call back, I would just wait. About 9:30 pm I wondered if she had decided not rent to us and didn't know how to tell me. Then something assured me that she was busy with moving and cleaning and realized it may be too late to call me. I prayed again that night.

The next morning about 9:30 am I decided to call her again. I needed to secure something soon to avoid getting an ulcer from all the stress of not knowing. Another woman had called and offered to work with us. Her home was very tiny (built in 1944) and no garage. The neighborhood looked very iffy and I wouldn't feel safe living there. It didn't feel right. I prayed that God would answer my prayer with my neighbor. Ater a couple of rings she answered. "I was just going to call you." she happily said. "I talked with my husband and he'd be happy to rent to you on a month to month basis." The hairs on my arm stood up. I had never asked or even suggested a month to month and here she was willing to offer it to us. Rather than us as renters trying to accommodate her, she was going to accommodate us. I couldn't believe it. I was so happy I almost cried.

I can't help but tell the world how great God is. He is there to work out all the kinks in the intricate design of our wonderful lives. He wants to bless us with what we desire all we have to do is ask. We also need to recognize His will. If you pray about it and you feel good, then you need to have faith that your prayers will be answered. It wasn't His will for us to move two years ago. We were looking down in Herriman last time to be closer to Manuel's job and my family. We never did get that assurance that we were looking in the right place and our house never sold. This summer Manuel got a job in Ogden - we can now see why our house never sold. He would be commuting again. Now he gets to work in under 20 minutes. We were supposed to stay up here. Manuel needed to get a job up here so that we would be led to where we were supposed to live. The Lord works in mysterious ways.

In addition to asking the Lord for blessings and answers we have to be specific with what we ask for. I believe it's because He wants us to clearly recognize His hand in our blessings - not to confuse them as a coincidence or "good luck". He then requires that we exercise our best faith in Him. This is the best part but not always easy. When you try it however, it's the best most euphoric and humbling feeling! Nothing compares to receiving a blessing or answer to a prayer that you know came from the Lord. It feels absolutely amazing to know that He hears your prayers and He speaks back. It feels absolutely amazing to see faith in action and to witness miracles. What a testimony builder!

Lastly, I have been making an effort to thank God by telling Him what I can do for Him rather than always asking what He can do for me. I ask Him to place service opportunities before me and for opportunities to share the gospel and my testimony. Let me just tell you - God always takes you up on your offers. I am grateful for the opportunities he has placed in my path because it confirms that He loves me, He hears me and He is communicating with me. Also, it feels great to serve the Lord!

I challenge you to look for ways to exercise your faith and to improve your prayers with God. I know if you do, He will show you His love, mercy and grace. You will be blessed. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ - amen.

The Contact Lens

I love this story. I first read it in an email a month ago and have enjoyed sharing it since. It's the perfect example of how faith and prayer go hand in hand. Enjoy!

Brenda was almost halfway to the top of the tremendous granite cliff.. She was standing on a ledge where she was taking a breather during this, her first rock climb. As she rested there, the safety rope snapped against her eye and knocked out her contact lens.

'Great', she thought. 'Here I am on a rock ledge, hundreds of feet from the bottom and hundreds of feet to the top of this cliff, and now my sight is blurry.' She looked and looked, hoping that somehow it had landed on the ledge. But it just wasn't there.

She felt the panic rising in her, so she began praying. She prayed for calm, and she prayed that she might find her contact lens. When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the lens, but it was not to be found. Although she was calm now that she was at the top, she was saddened because she could not clearly see across the range of mountains. She thought of the bible verse 'The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth.'

She thought, 'Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me.'

Later, when they had hiked down the trail to the bottom of the cliff they met another party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, 'Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?'

Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly across a twig on the face of the rock, carrying it!

The story doesn't end there. Brenda's father is a cartoonist. When she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a cartoon of an ant lugging that contact lens with the caption, 'Lord, I don't know why you want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what you want me to do; I'll carry it for you.'




God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called

Pioneer Day Tribute

Today I gave the sharing time lesson in Primary and it was on the sacrifices that the pioneers made for the temples. The lessons are only 15 minutes but it seemed longer and turned out better than I imagined.

I want to share with you some of the special thoughts and messages that I shared with the beautiful primary children today in tribute of Pioneer Day next week!

A millennia ago, the prophet Micah predicted the following:

Micah 4:1-2

“But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.

“And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”

Micah saw the Salt Lake temple and temple square - the place where saints from all over the world gather twice a year. It is also a temple that visitors from all over the world come to see all year long.

When the prophet

Joseph Smith was commanded to build a temple, he had never seen one before and did not know how it should look. There were no temples in his time. The Lord needed a place where his sacred ordinances could be carried out just as in the days of Moses and Solomon, Joseph wanted it to be pleasing unto the Lord. He and the first presidency prayed together and they were shown a vision of the Kirtland temple and how it should be built.

Prior to the temple's dedication the prophet Joseph Smith, his counselors and many other witnesses experienced marvelous visions inside the temple. One vision in particular, when Joseph received revelation about those who die before hearing about the gospel is as follows:

After all the men had been anointed, Joseph Smith testified that “the heavens were opened upon us” and he “beheld the celestial kingdom of God, and the glory thereof”( D&C 137:1-10) He saw “the blazing throne of God, whereon was seated the Father and the Son.” He “saw the beautiful streets of that kingdom, which had the appearance of being paved with gold.” He saw “Fathers Adam and Abraham” and others who were then living, including his father (who was with him in the room), his mother (who was home in Kirtland), and his deceased brother, Alvin. He saw the twelve Apostles, who had been called the year before, and he saw Jesus standing in their midst. He also saw in the celestial kingdom all of the presidency and many others. Upon asking the Lord how Alvin, who had died before the Church was restored, could inherit the celestial kingdom, he received the remarkable assurance that “All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God

According to the Prophet Joseph Smith, during this vision angels not only ministered to him but to others who had received their anointings. “The power of the Highest rested upon us,” he said, and “the house was filled with the glory of God.” His scribe, Warren Parrish, recorded his own experience at the Prophet’s dictation: “My scribe … saw in a vision the armies of heaven protecting the Saints in their return to Zion, and many [of the same] things which I [Joseph Smith] saw.”

Following this ordinance, says the Prophet Joseph Smith, “The visions of heaven were opened to them also. Some of them saw the face of the Savior, and others were ministered unto by holy angels.” He further testified that “we all communed with the heavenly host. … The spirit of prophecy and revelation,” he added, “was poured out in mighty power.”

The early saints (pioneers) had such a powerful testimony of temples that after the mobs drove them out of Kirtland, Ohio, to abandon the temple (that all their sacrifice of blood, sweat and tears went into), they would go on to Nauvoo, Illinois where they would again sacrifice to build a House of the Lord. The prophet Joseph Smith was martyred half way through the construction of the Nauvoo temple. Shortly after the temple was dedicated the mobs came and drove the saints out of Nauvoo and destroyed the temple. The pioneers watched their hard work and sacrifice burn to the ground. You would think that most people would say, "Hey, I've had enough. I give up - this just isn't worth it." No, not the pioneers. They made the long trek across the plains to the Salt Lake Valley in Utah, many giving their very lives for the sake of what they held so dear. It was there they again sacrificed blood, sweat and tears to build the Salt Lake temple.

The Salt Lake temple is my favorite temple. It was where I was married and sealed for time and all eternity to my husband. Whenever I visit, I feel the testimony of those early pioneers. From the gold Angel Moroni mounted on top to the "Holiness to the Lord" engraved on the east side. They all are a visible testimony of those early saints.

The prophet Brigham Young had a vision of the Salt Lake temple years before it was built. Though he never lived to see it completed he was in attendance that day. On the morning of 6 April 1893, the prophet Wilford Woodruff entered the Salt Lake Temple through the southwest doors and proceeded to the fourth floor. At 10:00 A.M., with twenty-five hundred people in attendance, the first of a series of forty-one dedication services began. The dedication was the final step in a forty-year saga of sacrifice and labor surrounding the construction of the Salt Lake Temple.

“The Heavenly Host were in attendance at the [first] dedication [service],” President Woodruff told the congregation in a subsequent dedicatory service. “If the eyes of the congregation could be opened they would [have] seen Joseph and Hyrum [Smith], Brigham Young, John Taylor and all the good men who had lived in this dispensation assembled with us, as also Esaias, Jeremiah, and all the Holy Prophets and Apostles who had prophesied of the latter day work. … They were rejoicing with us in this building which had been accepted of the Lord and [when] the [Hosanna] shout had reached the throne of the Almighty,” they too had joined in the joyous shout." My great, great, great grandmother, Elizabeth Mills Oakden Whitaker was a little girl when she came with her family from Ireland to Nauvoo. She saw the Nauvoo temple built and later destroyed. She also witnessed the building of the Salt Lake temple. Her accounts from her biography are as follows: "Well, if you're going to write a book about me, I suppose I should go back to when i was just a little girl in Nauvoo, and they were building the Nauvoo Temple. I used to take my father's lunch to him every day and there I would see the prophet Joseph. My mother was an excellent cook, and she'd sometimes put in an extra piece of chocolate cake, or other dessert, and father would share it with the Prophet. Sometimes, that wonderful man would take me on my knee, there on the steps of the temple and stroke my hair and tell me how beautiful it was, and that I must always strive to be as beautiful on the inside as I was on the outside. "For," said he, "Jesus loves little children and he wants them to grow up pure and clean so they can come back to Heaven and dwell with him, forever. Did I tell you that my father was a professional tin-smith and that he made and mounted the hoofs, horns and bars of the oxen in the basement of the temple, that held up the baptismal fonts? I wasn't old enough then when the temple was finished to be baptized in it, but I remember that glorious building and how hard everyone worked and skimped and saved, to get it finished. It never was completely finished. My parents were permitted to go through it for their own endowments and sealing, December 13, 1845. It was opened only one day for living sealings, when the city was mobbed and that glorious Temple was destroyed by them. It was burned to the ground and as foretold in prophecy, 'not one stone was left on top of another'. This was after the martyrdom. " Account of the Salt Lake Temple "I remember when the Salt Lake Temple was finished and decorated. They opened it up and let everyone, outsiders and all, who wanted to go through it and see it for one whole week before they dedicated it. Oh, it was the most beautiful building west of the Mississippi." My great, great, great grandmother made great sacrifices. When traveling across the plains she was kidnapped by Indians. Her father later risked his life to go save her. I have other great, great grandparents who helped build the Manti, Utah temple. They too sacrificed much for the work. Many of the pioneers sold all they had to earn money to build the temples. They risked their lives, sold their belongings, and endured great trials to come to Utah. Here in Utah, would be a permanent refuge for the saints, where they could live in peace. "We are here! Thank the Almighty God of Israel!” exclaimed Brigham Young. The exodus to the west was very similar to that of Moses and the children of Israel. Instead of crossing the parted sea and wandering in the desert for 40 years, the saints crossed the plains and made their home in the desert of what is now Utah. I will forever be grateful for what my pioneer ancestors gave and sacrificed for they believed. It is because of them that I enjoy this beautiful valley, the gospel and the blessings of the temple. I strive each day of my life to live a legacy that would be pleasing to my pioneer ancestors and the Lord. I don't want their sacrifices to have been in vein. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I know that temples are a House of the Lord and allow families to be together forever. This is my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

The Still Small Voice

My sister and I were talking on the phone the other day and we began to talk about dealing with our children and patience.

"Lately I have really tried to make an effort to speak calmly to my children." she said. "It has really made all the difference."

She then told me about an experience the day before when her son was going to be late for baseball practice because he couldn't find his cleats. Normally she would have been chastising him for not being more organized with his personal things. This time she decided to take the calm approach. She saw that he was already not happy with himself for misplacing them and she did not need to add to his personal agony.

As she quietly followed him around the house, helping him turn over every piece of furniture and blanket the thought came to her to go out in the garage and back out her van. So without hesitation that's what she did. As she backed the van out into the driveway - there were her son's cleats. They had been under the van.

She told me that she realized had she not been calm and patient with her son, her anger and rage would have overpowered the Spirit and she would have not have been able to hear the promptings. I thought this was a great message for everyone.

Doctrine and Covenants 105:40

40 And make proposals for peace unto those who have smitten you, according to the voice of the Spirit which is in you, and all things shall work together for your good.

1 Peter 3:4

4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

“The Holy Ghost is a revelator,” said Joseph Smith, and “no man can receive the Holy Ghost without receiving revelations” (HC 6:58). According to the Bible Dictionary, without revelation, all would be guesswork, darkness, and confusion.

We live in such a noisy world as it is. With all that surrounds us, we should strive to be forgiving, peaceful and patient - and to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost with us always. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Touched by a Real Angel

My younger sister has allowed me to share this recent personal experience - so I thank her.

My sister had planned a fun Saturday afternoon outing with our mom. It had been a while since they had spent some time together because my sister was going through some small personal trials. Because of her trials she was easily irritated by my mom and had found it best to just avoid her rather than hurt her feelings or get in a spat. Because of this she did not answer her phone when my mom called or return any of her messages for weeks at a time.

So, when my mom was able to finally schedule a visit with her she was ecstatic. My sister however was very hesitant and apprehensive. They started by having lunch at a quaint and popular soup eatery not too far from my sister's home. Already uneasy about spending time with our mom, my sister had her guard up. When it came time to order at the counter my sister knew what she wanted but my mom didn't have a clue. My sister noticed a gentleman who just walked in the door and was waiting behind them. She told him that if he knew what he wanted he could go ahead of them because they weren't ready. My mom however turned to him and said, "No, we are almost ready just give us another minute." So the man waited.

My sister feeling embarrassed but trying to hide it told our mom that there was no need to make this man wait when he knew what he wanted. My mom blew it off and told her that the man could wait as she was almost ready to decide. A few minutes later she made her decision and they ordered.

As they sat and ate, my mom began to tell my sister about all of her weekly frustrations. My sister asked her to tone down her voice as it was very loud and people were looking over. The man who was in line behind them came and sat one table over and quietly ate his meal and read his newspaper. He faced my sister but never once seemed to look at her. My sister was becoming a bit annoyed by my mom's conversation but kept quiet and let my mom do all the talking. She began to wonder if she should cut their visit short.

When they were finished, my mom went to go use the restroom and my sister waited by the door. Just then the man sitting by them approached her. This is her account of what happened next;

"He was a very tall man. He surprised me by taking my hands in his. His hands were very large and encompassed both of my hands. Normally I would have pulled away feeling socially violated however something about this man felt good and right. His eyes were very piercing and he looked right into mine as he began to speak. It's not normal for me to engage in full eye contact without occasionally looking away but for some reason it felt natural to just look at him the entire time he spoke. Our eyes never looked away.

As he spoke he began to tell me that he was a very wealthy man. However upon obtaining his wealth he learned a great lesson. He learned that the things of this world are not why we are here. He told me that this life is all about family. We are here to love, support and help our family. He then began to lovingly tell me that I need to love mom and appreciate her more. That we are put on this earth in our families for a certain reason and we need to embrace that reason. He said that mom needed my love and that she is a very special and amazing person. Then he told me that I shouldn't be embarrassed by her at all.

He said other amazing and wonderful things that for some reason I can't remember. In fact, he used such high vocabulary that some of things he was talking about seemed to be on a plane not of my understanding. Regardless, what he said pierced right through my soul and warmed my heart. I could feel a warm power coming through his hands into mine and it softened my soul. I suddenly had a greater understanding of things and I wanted to love my mom."

She went on to tell me that when he was done he walked away and cleared off his table. My mom came out and she and my sister went out to the car. They sat in the car and talked for quite a while and the man never came out. My sister's eyes had been opened and she wanted to spend the rest of the day with my mom. They went to a little antique shop and had the best time together. Instead of being embarrassed by our mom's silliness she joined in and soon the store manager was laughing with them and having a great time. They all broke out in song and dance right there in the sore and had a fun time.

Afterward my sister planned to take my mom back to her place and give her a pedicure but my mom got a phone call and was summoned to babysit her grand kids. My sister found herself feeling very sad that my mom had to leave.

That next weekend was Mother's Day and my sister did not want to miss this opportunity to show her love for our mom. Before meeting the man at the soup eatery she had decided that she was not going to see my mom on Mother's Day. She would send her a card instead. Now, she couldn't wait to get to my mom's house and see her again. She left hours early to help my mom clean her home and prepare the dinner. She also stayed hours after everyone had left and helped clean up and visit with my mom, who lives alone. This was a big step for my sister and our mom had a wonderful Mother's Day.

After hearing about this experience I told my sister that the weeks leading up to their experience at the soup eatery, my mom was heartbroken about not seeing my sister. She was praying each day and going to the temple pleading with the Lord to help soften my sister's heart so that they could have a better relationship and spend more time together. My mom had cried herself to sleep many nights over it. My sister had no idea.

When my sister realized how intriguing it was that this stranger knew the thoughts and feelings of her heart as well as our mom's she knew he couldn't have been just anyone. Based on her description of him, and how loving and powerful his words were and the fact that he broke social norms and boundaries yet it did not bother my sister one bit, we concluded he was an angel sent from God. Whether living on the Earth at this time and inspired by the Lord or sent from heaven above - it was clear that this was a work of God. It was an answer to my mom's prayer.

In a talk written by Bruce C. Hafen in the April 1992 Ensign he stated;

"When do the angels come? If we seek to be worthy, they are near us when we need them most. The mountain might even be full with the horsemen of Israel and their chariots of fire."

My mom had faithfully pleaded with the Lord and exercised her righteous faith through continuous temple service. When we ask something of the Lord and exercise faith while doing our part in return, He will bless us. The powers of heaven are easily conjured through righteous prayer and faith.

I know that the Lord is aware of us all and that we are a part of a greater plan. The Lord's kingdom is in heaven and being built on Earth. Angels administer in this great work, daily. The Lord hears our prayers and desires to bless us. By the powers of Heaven all things are possible, even softening the hearts of men.

I testify this is true, in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Are Mormons Christians?

With all the hype in political news lately with the GOP candidates it has been interesting for me to notice the rising question of Mormons being Christians. I think this assumption may come into factor due to the nickname "Mormon" given to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by the world. People assume we worship Mormon or even Joseph Smith.

It always helps to educate oneself before making an assumption. Which I hope my response below will do just that. It's funny to me how many people who believe that LDS members are not Christian are a bit hostile in doing so. Over the last days I have read several mean and spiteful comments coming from these people towards members of the Mormon faith. The Savior Jesus, Christ was very loving towards all people during his ministry on Earth regardless of their beliefs. Those who are true followers of Christ today do the same.

My response about Mormons not being Christians:

The definition of the term Christian is "a follower of Christ". The LDS (aka- Mormon) church is the "Church of Jesus Christ" of Latter Day Saints. With Christ in the name and recognized as the head of the church it is very clearly stated that we are 100% Christian.

All people, of all faiths who believe in Christ and follow him are Christian. The Articles of Faith, which sum up best what Latter Day Saints believe state,

" 1-We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

3-We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

4- We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost

........and my favorite......

13 -We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."

In the Book of Mormon , 101 names/titles of Christ are collectively presented 3,925 times in 6,607 Book of Mormon verses (see * below). Which averages the mentioning of Christ once every 1.7 verses. The Old Testament, New Testament and Additional Testament of Christ visiting the American Continent (aka Book of Mormon) is what we believe to be true and the core of our beliefs.

With that being said Jesus Christ is who we serve daily and the core of our beliefs and testimony.

It is important that during these interesting political times we don't lose sight of what's really important. It's easy to get caught up in defending who is right and wrong and why, however that is not the way to bring people unto Christ. Be a light to the world by your example and compassionate love towards others. The key to entering the kingdom is charity (compassion for all).

"Gentiles … show unto them that faith, hope and charity", Ether 12:28

"Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth", 1 Corinthians. 8:1

"Whoso is found possessed of charity at last day, it shall be well with him", Moroni. 7:47

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ - Amen.

References:

*http://www.schoolofabraham.com/findingchrist.htm