The Heavens Are Open

As a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I teach a lot of people about Jesus Christ, His gospel and doctrine. Among the topics I teach about is prayer. Prayer is the communication between you and our Heavenly Father. I know that Heavenly Father not only hears our prayers but listens to them. Many people I have met either don't believe this or have a dramatically different definition of prayer and its purpose. Most people believe God answers their prayers. However, at the same time those people believe the heavens are closed and that no more revelation is given to man. I believe this is due to people not knowing what revelation really is. To help us better understand what revelation is let's use the word reveal in place of revelation. When you ask God a question, for help, guidance, direction, knowledge, understanding etc you are asking for revelation. When you ask God to help you choose the best path for you to take He answers you by "revealing" (revelation) the path He knows will be the best for you. Everyone is entitled to personal revelation. Meaning you can receive answers to questions that apply to yourself. You can not receive revelation for other people unless you are authorized by God. There are many accounts in the Old Testament where a king or general will ask the Lord's chosen prophet what God's will is for him and his people. Prophets have the authority from God to receive revelation for others. Apostles of Jesus Christ also have this authority. This is how they knew what to say and how to correct the saints in different areas in their epistles to the leaders of the church in those areas. So it is easy to understand that without that prophetic, and apostalic authority the doctrines of Christ's church were changed over time. This also helps us understand why people believe God answers their prayers yet revelation has ceased. After the apostles died revelation did cease because no one else at that time had the authority to receive the revelation needed to lead and guide The Church of Jesus Christ. In 1820 the heavens were once again opened! God had called a prophet to restore The Church of Jesus Christ to the earth. Jesus Christ called twelve apostles to be His special witnesses in the latter days. Since the restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ with His priesthood authority there is an unbroken chain of succession in preisthood authority from the first prophet called in this dispensation (Joseph Smith) to the current prophet Thomas S. Monson, as well as a succession of twelve apostles since the restoration to now. Jesus Christ's chosen prophet and apostles walk and speak on earth today! Please listen to them and then pray to Heavenly Father and ask Him to "reveal" to you if these men are in fact His prophets and apostles. God can not lie and if you believe He answers your prayers then listen to these men, ponder their message, and ask God for confirmation that they are what they claim to be. I know that if you have real intent when you pray and ask in faith for this personal witness from the Holy Ghost He will answer you, I promise you this. I bear my witness and testimony to you that these men are prophets and apostles of Jesus Christ. http://lds.org/study/prophets-speak-today/what-are-prophets-testimonies?lang=eng

HE LIVES!

Part of the atoning sacrifice that our saviour, Jesus Christ, made was conquering death. He is the only person who was capable of giving up His life in submission to the Father and then take it up again through resurrection. If He had not done this none of us would be able to be reunited with our bodies after death. We would remain as spirits which defeats the purpose of us coming to earth and getting a physical body. How glad and grateful should we be that Jesus not only was capable of breaking the bands of death but, that He succeeded. The atonement, and His death and resurrection was not an easy thing to do. It took a lot of love and a lot of sacrifice from both Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I'm grateful for having the Sabbath day set apart to worship our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ. I am grateful for the Easter Sabbath so that we can remember the resurrection and atonement of our Saviour as we worship Him. I testify to anyone and everyone who reads this that HE IS RISEN! I know Jesus Christ LIVES! and He has once again established His church and kingdom on earth, just like he has done several times before. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is HIS church. He leads and guides HIS church by His chosen prophets, seers, and revelators now in our day the same as He has since the fall of Adam and Eve in their days. Jesus Christ's chosen prophet in our day spoke of Christ and the resurrection last year in April. Please take the time to read and ponder his words. http://lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/he-is-risen?lang=eng Thank you for your time and reading my blog.

The House Of The Lord

If we have chapels and meeting houses for worship services on Sunday why do we have temples? It is because sacred covenants, ordinances and vicarious work for the dead can only be performed in temples do to their sacred nature. We are so blessed to live in a time where Holy Temples dot the earth. We are so blessed to live in a time where Holy Temples are more accessible than ever. These blessings increase every time a new temple is built and dedicated. A living prophet on earth today, President Thomas S. Monson, spoke about temples in the most recent general conference. http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-holy-temple-a-beacon-to-the-world?lang=eng This is a link to his talk. Every person on earth should strive to be worthy to enter into The House Of The Lord.

Overcoming Temptation

All of us who are doing our best to follow Christ know that Satan is trying his hardest to divert us from this path. How he does this is by tempting us. Satan is very very good at this. He knows just what to do so that we start thinking about something that is offensive to the Holy Ghost. Most the time it is very subtle. In my experience most of my thoughts start off innocent. However, by not being mindful of where our minds wander we end up having thoughts that drive the Spirit away. Because of the innocent or curious beginnings we tend to justify delving deeper into our carnal thoughts. By dwelling on carnal and sensual thoughts and feelings, we develop a desire for what we are thinking about. What if Joseph had a different reaction to Potiphar's wife? Genesis 39:10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. What if Joseph, at first, didn't lie with her but what's the harm in hanging out and getting to know her better? At first it would be innocent to simply get to know her and spend more time with her. However, if he had done that how much harder would it have been for him to say no when she asked again. And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me (Genesis 39:11-12). Surely beforehand Joseph wouldn't have done it but after spending time with her and becoming closer to her the decision he made would have been much harder to make. and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out (Genesis 39:12). I have come to discover for myself time and time again that the best and easiest way to overcome temptation is to avoid temptation. No matter how innocent and justified a situation or circumstance seems to be. Let us be wise and learn from the example of Joseph of Egypt as well as many other people's experiences and avoid temptations from the beginning.