Patience and Faith

This morning while I was reading in the Book of Mormon I had a couple verses stick out to me. They are in Mosiah 23 : 21-22 it says:
       "Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith. Nevertheless—whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day."

      This really answers a lot of questions for a lot of people it seems like at least once a month or more we will usually get someone that will ask us as missionary's "why does God allow so much suffering" why would God punish people like this".  These are fair questions and this verse does a great job at answering those questions. We see that the Lord with put us through trials to test our patience and our faith so that He can know the level of our commitment to Him and our commitment to keeping the commandments. Then he gives is a promise that whosoever putteth their trust in him they will be lifted up at the last day! I know that Christ loves us and wants us to return and be with him. So lets do our part and do our best as we go through trials and not doubt God and his love for us.

Giving Thanks

The other day I was reading in the Doctrine and Covenants in section 50 and there was a couple of verses that stood out to me. It was verses 34 and 35 they say:

"34 He that receiveth of God, let him account it of God; and let him rejoice that he is accounted of God worthy to receive.
35 And by giving heed and doing these things which ye have received, and which ye shall hereafter receive—and the kingdom is given you of the Father, and power to overcome all things which are not ordained of him"

As I was reading this I thought about all the times that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have communicated with me through the Spirit and all the times I have just said to myself thanks that's what I needed or just taken a prompting for granite. But how many of us actually take the time to thank our Heavenly Father for giving us those promptings? How many of us rejoice because God has accounted us worthy to receive that enlightenment? I know for me I have not always been the best at thanking God for everything He has done for me in answering my prayers. I think if we all will take the time to thank God for all the things He does for us on a daily basis He is going to continue to enlighten us even more!

God Still Loves Us

       This video really puts in perspective for people how God still loves us and cares for us. That's why he has continued to bring forth additional scripture. To help us to better our life's and to live as he would have us live. The Book of Mormon is a second witness of Christ. It is Gods dealings with his people here in America. As is the Bible the dealings with God in Jerusalem. I know that God does love us and that's why he has brought forth the Book of Mormon.

The new year

As this new year started there were a few things that came to my mind that could help anyone to strengthen their faith in christ. The first few that come to my mind are the simple things that we can easily over look everyday. For example saying our prayers morning and night that is so essential to help us and to help us stengthen our relashinship with our father in heaven. Another that comes to mind is studying the scriptures its so simple to sit down for 10-15 min a day and just read the scriptures and feel of the spirit that comes into your life when you study the scriptures. Lastly just doing those things that we have been commanded to do.  In Matthew 22:37-39 Christ is telling us what the best thing we can do to and is also telling us that it is the greatest commandment he says:

"36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

So if we can do these simple things that we have been asked to do our faith will strenghten and we will continue to feel gods love and spirit in our lives.