Goals: the way to eternal happiness!

Well I have started a study of the old testament and I am currently in Genesis. I love how goal oriented God is and how if we want to become like him we need to be as well. When God set up his plan he first set a goal. In Moses 1:39 we learn about this when he says "behold this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." He then devised a plan where this could come to pass. Namely the Plan of Salvation. Another instance in which we see the Maker's goal setting ability is in the Creation of the Earth. He had a goal that he through His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, would create an earth where His children could dwell. It is a necessary goal. He then every period for 6 creative periods takes a step towards the ultimate creation of the earth. Day 1: He creates day and night! Day 2: He divides the Heavens from the earth. Day 3: He separates the water and the dry land. He created plants and trees. Day 4: He allows the Sun, the moon, and the stars to be seen from the earth. He creates the rotation and revolution of the earth. Day 5: He creates the animals. Day 6: He creates MAN! And on Day 7 He rests from his labors. He accomplished his goals. And we can accomplish the goals we set if we take the steps that heavenly Father took. Take small steps that lead into accomplishing big goals. The Church is true!

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered everything for us. Now he invites us and expects us to use his Atonement for the salvation of our souls. The Atonement is Christ's suffering, death, burial and resurrection which allows us to return to our Heavenly Father one day. We apply the Atonement into our lives by living the first principles and ordinances of the gospel which are Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Repentance, baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. Faith is believing and hoping in something you cannot see. For instance, I cannot see Jesus Christ! I know that he is there because I have studied the scriptures, prayed to know if he is there, and felt the confirming witness of the Holy Ghost. I testify that He lived, died and Lives again! It is one thing to believe in Christ, but do you believe him? You show that you believe Him through repentance. Christ himself said in the Doctrine and Covenants 58: 42, "Behold, he who has ^arepented of his ^bsins, the same is ^cforgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more." I know that this is true! We must repent, but we also be baptized before the full cleansing power of the Atonement can take full effect in our lives, both by water and by fire. The baptism of Water means baptism where you are fully immmersed in the water. The baptism of fire means the baptism of the holy ghost or receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. but in order to retain the effect of the Atonement we must endure through life's trials constantly repenting and reminding ourselves of Christ's Atonement and our commitment to Him. In this Christmas season we must remind ourselves of Him and why we celebrate his birth into the world. As President Monson, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, puts it, "There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus the Christ. Let it be a time that lights the eyes of children and puts laughter on their lips. Let it be a time for lifting the lives of those who live in loneliness. Let it be a time for calling our families together, for feeling a closeness to those who are near to us and a closeness also to those who are absent." I stand as a witness of Him, even Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.

Go Tell it on a mountain.

There is an old hymn that I think captures my purpose as a missionary and also the message of Christmas.

here are the lyrics to the chorus.
Go tell it on the mountains,
Over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountains,
That Jesus Christ was born.

I testify that Christ was born in Bethlehem. That he lived a perfect life. That he taught the truths taught in the restored gospel today. That he established a church based on authority, which church has been restored again today after centuries of darkness. That he suffered in Gethsemane and died on the cross. That he lives again. I know he is there for all of us when we need him the most. I love HIM! As His representative I leave you this testimony which I proclaim throughout the mountains and hills of Montana and Wyoming THAT JESUS CHRIST WAS BORN!!!!!

The Gift of our Savior

Today I have been doing a lot of thinking about my Savior Jesus Christ. I often wonder how much God must love us by giving us his Only Begotten Son in the flesh. John 3:16-17 reminds us of how much Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us when it says:

For ^aGod so ^bloved the ^cworld, that he ^dgave his ^eonly begotten ^fSon, that whosoever ^gbelieveth in him should not perish, but have ^heverlasting ⁱlife.

 For God ^asent not his Son into the world to ^bcondemn the world; but that the world through him might be ^csaved.

Heavenly Father loves us because we are his children. He ultimately wants us to become like him one day. He knew that we had to fall as part of his plan and he also knew that we would need a Savior. So He gave us his Son willingly.

Jesus Christ loves us so much to volunteer his life for us. All he asks in return is that we follow his example. This holiday season let us remember our Savior Jesus Christ. Let us reach out to those in need as he would. Let us carry others' burdens as he has carried ours. I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I testify that not only did He suffer and die for me He lives today. Happy holidays!!!!!! I love you all!! 

I know that my redeemer lives!!!!

I can't bear my testimony of the savior better than it is born in this song.

1. I know that my Redeemer lives.
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead.
He lives, my ever-living Head.
He lives to bless me with his love.
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed.
He lives to bless in time of need.

2. He lives to grant me rich supply.
He lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint.
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears.
He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart.
He lives all blessings to impart.

3. He lives, my kind, wise heav’nly Friend.
He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing.
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
He lives and grants me daily breath.
He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare.
He lives to bring me safely there.

4. He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”

I testify that he lives!!!!!!

The Gospel is a Gospel of Simplicity!

The Gospel is Simple!!!!! It is that through Jesus Christ we may all be saved. It says this in Romans 1:16, which reads, "For I am not ^aashamed of the ^bgospel of Christ: for it is the ^cpower of God unto ^dsalvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." He taught the Gospel that if we follow him and endure to the end we will have eternal life. In 2 Nephi 31: 20, it reads, "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a ^asteadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of ^bhope, and a ^clove of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and ^dendure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have ^eeternal life." I love this scripture, because none of these traits are in and of themselves very hard. We over conmplicate things sometimes. My testimony is simple. This Church is true. Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. He restored the Gospel to the Earth in our day. Thomas S. Monson is the Lord's Prophet today. I love my Savior and I know He lives today and leads this Church!!!!! If we have faith in Him, repent of our sins, are baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end, "thus saith the Father, We shall have Eternal Life."

Helaman 12

In Helaman 12 there are a few scriptures that have stuck out to me ever since the Stake president in Helena, President Allred, showed them to the Adult session of stake conference in September. I liked them because they are good checker statements to make sure we are living above the worldly standard. After I show them, I will right down some questions i think we all should answer as members of the Church.

 3 And thus we see that except the Lord doth ^achasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with ^bdeath and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not ^cremember him.

  4 O how ^afoolish, and how vain, and how evil, and devilish, and how ^bquick to do iniquity, and how slow to do good, are the children of men; yea, how quick to hearken unto the words of the evil one, and to set their ^chearts upon the vain things of the world!

  5 Yea, how quick to be lifted up in ^apride; yea, how quick to ^bboast, and do all manner of that which is iniquity; and how slow are they to remember the Lord their God, and to give ear unto his counsels, yea, how slow to ^cwalk in wisdom’s paths!

  6 Behold, they do not desire that the Lord their God, who hath ^acreated them, should ^brule and reign over them; notwithstanding his great goodness and his mercy towards them, they do set at ^cnaught his counsels, and they will not that he should be their guide.

 

These scriptures make me ask myself these questions:

1. Am I willing to be led by the Lord?

2. Is the Lord's will more important than mine?

 

In answering these questions, I can feel those things that aren't important leave my focus and those which are come into view.

A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief

1. A poor, wayfaring Man of grief
Hath often crossed me on my way,
Who sued so humbly for relief
That I could never answer nay.
I had not pow’r to ask his name,
Whereto he went, or whence he came;
Yet there was something in his eye
That won my love; I knew not why.

2. Once, when my scanty meal was spread,
He entered; not a word he spake,
Just perishing for want of bread.
I gave him all; he blessed it, brake,
And ate, but gave me part again.
Mine was an angel’s portion then,
For while I fed with eager haste,
The crust was manna to my taste.

3. I spied him where a fountain burst
Clear from the rock; his strength was gone.
The heedless water mocked his thirst;
He heard it, saw it hurrying on.
I ran and raised the suff’rer up;
Thrice from the stream he drained my cup,
Dipped and returned it running o’er;
I drank and never thirsted more.

4. ’Twas night; the floods were out; it blew
A winter hurricane aloof.
I heard his voice abroad and flew
To bid him welcome to my roof.
I warmed and clothed and cheered my guest
And laid him on my couch to rest,
Then made the earth my bed and seemed
In Eden’s garden while I dreamed.

5. Stript, wounded, beaten nigh to death,
I found him by the highway side.
I roused his pulse, brought back his breath,
Revived his spirit, and supplied
Wine, oil, refreshment—he was healed.
I had myself a wound concealed,
But from that hour forgot the smart,
And peace bound up my broken heart.

6. In pris’n I saw him next, condemned
To meet a traitor’s doom at morn.
The tide of lying tongues I stemmed,
And honored him ’mid shame and scorn.
My friendship’s utmost zeal to try,
He asked if I for him would die.
The flesh was weak; my blood ran chill,
But my free spirit cried, “I will!”

7. Then in a moment to my view
The stranger started from disguise.
The tokens in his hands I knew;
The Savior stood before mine eyes.
He spake, and my poor name he named,
“Of me thou hast not been ashamed.
These deeds shall thy memorial be;
Fear not, thou didst them unto me.”

This is my favorite hymn. It teaches that when we are in the service of our fellow beings we are only in the service of our God. I love that message that our Savior loves us so much that he allows to love one another.

I know that this is true.

The Lord Is My Light!!!!!

There is a song that appears in our hymnal. It is hymn number 89, "The Lord is my Light." Here are the lyrics:

1. The Lord is my light; then why should I fear?
By day and by night his presence is near.
He is my salvation from sorrow and sin;
This blessed assurance the Spirit doth bring.

[Chorus]
The Lord is my light;
He is my joy and my song.
By day and by night he leads,
He leads me along.

2. The Lord is my light; tho clouds may arise,
Faith, stronger than sight, looks up thru the skies
Where Jesus forever in glory doth reign.
Then how can I ever in darkness remain?

3. The Lord is my light; the Lord is my strength.
I know in his might I’ll conquer at length.
My weakness in mercy he covers with pow’r,
And, walking by faith, I am blest ev’ry hour.

4. The Lord is my light, my all and in all.
There is in his sight no darkness at all.
He is my Redeemer, my Savior, and King.
With Saints and with angels his praises I’ll sing.

I love this song because it exemplifies my testimony of my Savior. That he loves me so much that he would suffer and die for me. He knows me and he knows you. He is there with you through thick and thin, good and bad. He rejoices as we rejoices, he carries us through our trials. He is my light. I pray that we all can make him our light every day. I testify that as we do so, we will overcome and conquer Satan.

Gratitude

I truly loved President Monson's Talk on "the Attitude of Gratitude!" In fact who better than President Monson to tell you about the talk and its importance to us. Here is the talk.

"I think of her. I think of my father. I think of all those General Authorities who’ve influenced me, and others, including the widows whom I visited—85 of them—with a chicken for the oven, sometimes a little money for their pocket.
I visited one late one night. It was midnight, and I went to the nursing home, and the receptionist said, “I’m sure she’s asleep, but she told me to be sure to awaken her, for she said, ‘I know he’ll come.’”
I held her hand; she called my name. She was wide awake. She pressed my hand to her lips and said, “I knew you’d come.” How could I not have come?
In the book of Luke, chapter 17, we read of Him:
“And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
“And as he entered into a certain village, there [he met] ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
“And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
“And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
“And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
“And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
“There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
“And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”²
Through divine intervention those who were lepers were spared from a cruel, lingering death and given a new lease on life. The expressed gratitude by one merited the Master’s blessing; the ingratitude shown by the nine, His disappointment.
My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love.
My beloved friend President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives.”³
In the book of Matthew in the Bible, we have another account of gratitude, this time as an expression from the Savior. As He traveled in the wilderness for three days, more than 4,000 people followed and traveled with Him. He took compassion on them, for they may not have eaten during the entire three days. His disciples, however, questioned, “Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?” Like many of us, the disciples saw only what was lacking.
“And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And [the disciples] said, Seven, and a few little fishes.
“And [Jesus] commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.
“And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.”
Notice that the Savior gave thanks for what they had—and a miracle followed: “And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.”⁴
We have all experienced times when our focus is on what we lack rather than on our blessings. Said the Greek philosopher Epictetus, “He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”⁵
Gratitude is a divine principle. The Lord declared through a revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith:
“Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things. . . .
“And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things.”⁶
In the Book of Mormon we are told to “live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which [God] doth bestow upon you.”⁷
Regardless of our circumstances, each of us has much for which to be grateful if we will but pause and contemplate our blessings.
This is a wonderful time to be on earth. While there is much that is wrong in the world today, there are many things that are right and good. There are marriages that make it, parents who love their children and sacrifice for them, friends who care about us and help us, teachers who teach. Our lives are blessed in countless ways.
We can lift ourselves and others as well when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues. Someone has said that “gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.”⁸

My brothers and sisters, to express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven.
As I close this morning, it is my prayer that in addition to all else for which we are grateful, we may ever reflect our gratitude for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His glorious gospel provides answers to life’s greatest questions: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where do our spirits go when we die? That gospel brings to those who live in darkness the light of divine truth.
He taught us how to pray. He taught us how to live. He taught us how to die. His life is a legacy of love. The sick He healed; the downtrodden He lifted; the sinner He saved.
Ultimately, He stood alone. Some Apostles doubted; one betrayed Him. The Roman soldiers pierced His side. The angry mob took His life. There yet rings from Golgotha’s hill His compassionate words: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”¹⁴
Who was this “man of sorrows, . . . acquainted with grief”?¹⁵ “Who is this King of glory,”¹⁶ this Lord of lords? He is our Master. He is our Savior. He is the Son of God. He is the Author of Our Salvation. He beckons, “Follow me.”¹⁷ He instructs, “Go, and do thou likewise.”¹⁸ He pleads, “Keep my commandments.”¹⁹
Let us follow Him. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His words. By so doing, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude.
My sincere, heartfelt prayer is that we may in our individual lives reflect that marvelous virtue of gratitude. May it permeate our very souls, now and evermore."

I add my witness with that of President Monson that gratitude is important no matter what the season of the year. Take a little time out of your busy schedule to think about what you are most grateful for and post it on this entry if you feel so inclined.

Our Path Is As Straight As We Make It!!!

To go along with yesterday's entry about agency, I was reading in Alma 7 today, which is an amazing chapter about the Atonement and the healing that can come as we choose to partake of it in our own lives. In verses 11 and 12, he says: "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." No matter what sins or hardships we go through in this life, HE CAN HEAL US! This is because he suffered for us and died and rose again that we might live again with our Heavenly Father. Because Christ did this for us, he does not judge us. There is a quote by an apostle, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, that says it perfectly: "We see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today; Heavenly Father see us in terms of forever." He doesn't judge us by our mistakes, but holds out the hand of redemption for us to grasp. But it is all up to us! He will not force us to hold on to Him, but we must choose to do so. Alma, in talking about the people, said, "For I perceive that ye are in the paths of righteousness; I perceive that ye are in the path which leads to the kingdom of God; yea, I perceive that ye are making his paths straight." We make the path straight by following him and keeping his commandments. My prayer is that we as his children recognize the path to eternal life through Jesus Christ and allow Him to heal us. May we always make his paths straight.

Choose Ye This Day Whom you will serve

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a Gospel of choice. All choices stem from the biggest choice, the choice to follow God or to follow Satan. I recall mighty Joshua, a prophet in Israel, and his prophetic words in Joshua 24:15, which read: "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." I recall the words of Lehi, a loving father to his son Jacob, in 2 Nephi 2:27, which say: "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." Today in my personal study I read another scripture that exemplifies this concept in Alma 3:27, which reads: "For every man receiveth wages of him whom he listeth to obey, and this according to the words of the spirit of prophecy; therefore let it be according to the truth." I add my testimony with that of these great prophets that I do know that as we turn to our Savior we choose life and as we turn to our own knowledge we choose death and captivity. This Gospel is God's WAY! It is my prayer that you choose this day whom you will serve.

Trials and Tribulations

With a knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we recognize that God gives us trials and tribulations to strengthen us. Just recently I have gone through trials on my mission where I needed to get an emergency surgery which put my down for recovery. This is really hard for me because I love to do missionary work and to share what I know about the restored Gospel with the people of this great mission.

The other day  I read a story about a prophet who saw tribulation much more than I can handle. This prophet, the Prophet Joseph Smith, saw his family bruised and beaten, his friends tarred and feathered and the Saints pushed off their God-given land.
He said this in a prayer to his Father who knows him as he knows you:
"O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place? How long shall thy hand be stayed, and thine eye, yea thy pure eye, behold from the eternal heavens the wrongs of thy people and of thy servants, and thine ear be penetrated with their cries? Yea, O Lord, how long shall they suffer these wrongs and unlawful oppressions, before thine heart shall be softened toward them, and thy bowels be moved with compassion toward them? O Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven, earth, and seas, and of all things that in them are, and who controllest and subjectest the devil, and the dark and benighted dominion of Sheol—stretch forth thy hand; let thine eye pierce; let thy pavilion be taken up; let thy hiding place no longer be covered; let thine ear be inclined; let thine heart be softened, and thy bowels moved with compassion toward us. Let thine anger be kindled against our enemies; and, in the fury of thine heart, with thy sword avenge us of our wrongs. Remember thy suffering saints, O our God; and thy servants will rejoice in thy name forever."

Here is the Lord's Response, which is amazing:
"Remember thy suffering saints, O our God; and thy servants will rejoice in thy name forever. My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes."

The Lord is in control. I want all to know that I know that! He knows us perfectly. He knows what we can handle better than we can.

Elder Kuck