Let the Atonement Shape You.

    I was talking to a very faithful member the other night about gospel topics. As we talked we came to the topic of the atonement of Jesus Christ, and she made a comment that made me ponder for a time. It went something like " I let the atonement shape me and decide who I will be!" I had no idea how the atonement could do that no clue on how it could shape her and make her who she was! But then it all dawned on me! So I hope that I will be able to shed some light upon the topic and write how I feel at this point!

    So we know that in this life we must suffer and endure hardships, trials, and things that we do not enjoy,  However, it's how we handle these trials, temptations, struggles, and pain that define who we are and shape us to what we can become. That is what we were sent here to do; learn, grow, and gain experience. God provided us a way to overcome those things as well and sent his son that knew how we would feel. As I studied the atonement the next morning I was reading in Alma 7:11 It states:

11. And he shall go forth, suffering pains and ^aafflictions and ^btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ^ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

Jesus Christ came, he suffered, he overcame spiritual and physical death for us. All so we could be happy and feel of the love of God and be forgiven of our sins. Now we learn that its not only sin that he took care of through the atonement, but all of the things listed in the above scripture. If we take all these trials and hardships to Christ, he will help us overcome them. Not only overcome them but make them strengths unto us,as found in Ether 12:27: 

27. And if men come unto me I will show unto them their ^aweakness. I ^bgive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my ^cgrace is sufficient for all men that ^dhumble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make ^eweak things become strong unto them.

So how did the Atonement shape her and make her who she is? She simply took all the trials that she was burdened with and let Christ help her through making them her strengths, I know that this is true and possible for all of us and we should not let these small things get us down and ruin who we are and what we can become! So remember when you feel lost and weak or that no one is there, that Christ will be there to show you the way and love you and to help His Atonement shape you.

Healing a Wounded Soul

     So these past few days my companion and I have been listening to a talk given by Jack R. Christianson. This talk is about the Book of Mormon and how it heals a wounded soul. I love this talk for many reasons but one being is because it teaches us what we must do in order for our soul to be healed! There are just a few quotes that I found to up life me and help me.

1. "You wont survive spiritually if you cant receive revelation." -Elder Packer

     I know that this is true and that in this world we live in today we must do all that we can to stay afloat.  Being in tune with the spirit can do that for us.

2. "We need to hearken, employ and use it in our lives." -Brother Christianson

    Talking of the Book of Mormon, we must not only read it but read, ponder, and act on the things we read. We can't just look and say that's nice, we must do all we can to use it daily!

3. "We must love, we must lead, and we much teach with our own healed hearts!" -Brother Christianson

     This was the nail in the coffin for me. In order to help others we ourselves must be healed! God has provided many ways to be healed and this is one way: the Book of Mormon.

I know that this talk has helped me see what it is that I must do to be healed and I know that it will do the same thing for you! So go ahead and listen to it. I know it will help!!

Healing the Wounded Soul

By: Jack R. Christianson

Where it all Began!

I was your typical 19 year-old teenage boy, soccer, family, friends and life in general, always on my mind. I was saving up money (at times spending faster than saving) for things that not most teens wouldn't save up for! It was May 25th 2010 Wednesday morning when that long awaited call came from the Post Office. "Hello is Elder Jones there?" I knew just what that call was for! That day seemed to not go fast enough school, work, seminary graduation but all in due time it came. Gathered at my home with people all around I took the knife in my nervous shaking hand and cut the envelope!

Dear Elder Jones,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.You are assigned to labor in the California Santa Rosa Mission. It is expected that you will serve for a period of 24 months.

 Now think about that leaving behind all that you have, all the people that you love for 24 months, WHY? I will tell you why, because I know that this Church is true and I know that the blessing that come from it are endless and amazing and will be till the end! This Gospel brings to pass Eternal Life and salvation for all those that live the gospel standards and seek to follow Christ. It provides happiness, peace, joy, and endless comfort. Think about having your life changed, becoming something that you never thought about. Sounds amzaing huh?!

Since being called, I have faithfully served in Eureka CA, Vallejo CA, currently Fairfield CA, and now serving as an Online Missionary. I hope that as I post and share my experiences in the Gospel that this blog and my facebook will become an Ensign to the Nations. Meaning simply that it will teach, uplift, and support in the times that is needed most! So stay tuned for many things to come, and please be patient with me!! Jesus Christ lives and so does Heavenly Father. They are there waiting to bless us and support us in our times of need!! Remember that and seek after them and you will find ETERNAL JOY! And life does not get any better than this!

Progressive Post!! Hold Tight and Be Prepared!

     We have so far heard from Elders McBride and Menasco and Sister Nestman about their journey and life changing event! Now we have heard allot about Eureka and I myself spent 6 wonderful months there! I loved that place with my whole soul and would love to blog about it, however I have had an area with a short stay but memories that will be eternal! Vallejo California is a city of diversity, one with all sorts of different people, places, structures, but if all of that set aside something can be found there that will change your life! I spent 6 weeks in Vallejo and I remember one thing specific to my stay, Hold Tight and Be Prepared! It is like the scripture that is found in 1 Nephi 8: 24

    

And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, ^aclinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the ^bfruit of the tree.

     In Vallejo there are thousands of people! But as I was there I truly did meet those people that were pressing forward and clinging to that rod! Despite all the trials, hardship, sadness, and anything else that could get one down. They pressed forward clinging. And as I was there, this is what I learned, to press on in my life's journey, Hold Tight to the Iron Rod and Be Prepared for anything that may come my way. I know and love this gospel and saw it bless the life's of so many in Vallejo and know that it will continue to do so. I will take this lesson that I cherish and always remember the people of that blessed city, and how they although struggling did all they could and lived this gospel. I know that my Savior Jesus Christ lives and that he loves me and that my Father in Heaven will as well! I testify that if you cling to the iron rod (the word of God) that you will never feel alone and scared, but you will feel happy safe and calm! Now that you know a little more about Vallejo and how it blessed my life, check out Elder Dave Mahrt's blog for what he learned in his past areas!!