Service requires Sacrifice

...Why do we go on Missions?

I was going back through and watching some of my favorite talks from General Conference, and I came across the address from Elder Neil L. Anderson.

When Elders and Sisters go on missions, we are called by a Prophet, ordained and set apart to fulfill our calling.  I've talked with many missionaries who converse about how they can't wait to get back home and enjoy real life.  I'm finding out more and more that being a Missionary is one of the most "Real Life" experiences I'm ever going to have.  I'm very grateful that the Lord continues to bless me and strengthen my faith everyday.

Elder Anderson talks about how whenever we respond to a call, we will leave things behind.  This is as true for missionaries as it is for every person on this earth. 

Missionaries are called to not just do missionary things, but to become Christ-like Missionaries.  As Children of God, we truly are His Sons and Daughters.  He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to be the Savior and Redeemer of all people.  We may not all have the opportunity to serve full-time Missions, but the Lord calls all of us and invites us to learn of Him and follow Him.

The invitation that the Savior extends to each of us to come unto Him is just as tangible and as important as the call to be a missionary.  Serving as a missionary for most of us formally lasts 18 months or 2 years.  Striving to become like Christ is a calling that lasts for our lifetime and beyond.

When I left to fulfill my calling to be a Missionary, there were many things that I had to leave behind. Physically, emotionally and spiritually it was difficult, but I will never regret the decision. 

For every one of us who is trying to become like our Savior, we are invited and called to leave the world behind and follow Him.  We live in the world, but we are not of the world.  There will be many challenges: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually we will be tested and tried all the days of our lives.  However, we will never regret any decision that, no matter how difficult, will strengthen us and bring us closer to Christ.

I know that Jesus is my Savior, the power of His Atonement supports and sustains me everyday.  I've discovered on my mission that having His Spirit with me is the most important aspect of my life.  I know we can receive strength, comfort, peace and guidance through the Holy Ghost as we Follow Christ and strive to be worthy of that Gift.  There is no other joy in this life that can compare to those things.

Preparing the World for the Second Coming

Thoughts for Easter

To understand the meaning of Death, we must understand the Purpose of Life. This Easter season, remember our Savior who suffered and died for us that we might overcome the spiritual death of sin as well as physical death.

He lived for us, He died for us, and He lives again. And because of His sacrifice, we shall all live again.

Feeling like Summer in Orchard Park

So we just had Transfers happen and Elder Lemmon and I are out and about in Orchard Park.  It is beautiful outside, which is nice because we are walking and biking everywhere =)  I'm trying to be better at using this blog and getting it on facebook so we'll see what happens...

The Transforming Power of Faith and Character

Orchard Park!

So... Now I am serving in Orchard Park with my good friends Elder Miller and Elder Hoffman.  Between the 3 of us we can speak English, Spanish and American Sign Language so we should be able to handle just about anything right?  We have our Zone Leader out here on an exchange so our Apartment is kinda busy with 4 Elders in it today.  The snow is starting to melt and everyone is getting excited for springtime. 

We have Elder Richard G. Scott of the quorum of the 12 Apostles coming to visit our mission this weekend, its going to be amazing I'm sure.  I'll post about it next week

This is one of my favorite talks from him, I posted this on my facebook as well, but here is another link for it.

The Transforming power of faith and character

Oh yeah... my blog... about that...

So today is a great day.  Our mission has pretty much everyone on the Internet now, and we all have texting on our phones so we are only roughly 10 years behind the rest of the world  ;-P  It's pretty fantastic.  All of my these missionaries have a gigantic online presence.  The potential to do missionary work through the Internet is HUGE and I'm excited to be a part of it.

A Thought for Today

LDS.org - Liahona Article - The Book of Mormon as a Personal Guide

   One of the most common questions I hear is people wondering why the Latter-day Saint Church is different than any other Christian faith. I tend to focus on the Book of Mormon and how it can bless our lives. The link above is to an article by President Henry B. Eyring about how the Book of Mormon helps us in a very real way when we read it an strive to apply it to our lives. When we exercise our faith and read the scriptures or pray, we are showing God that we are willing to figure out and do what He wants us to do. He is then able to lead us and guide us through the Holy Spirit which brings us peace and comfort in the decisions we make.