The Hearts Of The Children Turn To The Fathers

...The hour is coming, and now is, when the DEAD shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall LIVE                                                                      -John 5:25

     This past week I had an opportunity to do some family history. I always thought that it was the most boring thing on earth and my mom would always say how cool it was, but I never listened and never tried it out for myself. I know that my mom told me about why family history and genealogy are so important but it never really clicked for me, until this week. 

     Why is Genealogy Important?

There are many scriptures throughout the Bible that tell us that we cannot make it to the kingdom of heaven without baptism (John 3:5, Mark 16:16). So what happens to those who never had the opportunity to hear about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone who holds the same Priesthood Authority as John the baptist, or the Apostles of The Savior? are they lost and cast off forever? Does God love all of his children? Does he want all of them to have a fair chance at returning to live with him? He does.

      Heavenly Father is our perfect father in heaven and he has created a perfect plan called The Plan Of Salvation so that all of his children can have a fair chance at learning and accepting the gospel. After we die we go to a waiting place called the Spirit World, and we will be there until the time of the Resurrection and judgement. The Lord knew that some would not have a chance to hear the gospel in this life "For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit." -1 Peter 4:6. As it says in this scripture from the New Testament, the spirits that have passed on will be "Judged according to the flesh." they will be sought out and found by those on earth who are living and we will perform ordinances such as baptism (1 Corinthians 12:29) which they cannot do themselves while " [living]... in the spirit." All those in the Spirit World will be taught but if we do not find out who they are and perform the ordinances for them how can they enter into the kingdom of God if the Lord so clearly taught that all must be Baptized to receive salvation? The Savior himself preached the gospel to spirits in the Spirit World after he was crucified.  (1 Peter 3:18-20). We follow Christ's example in searching out lost souls and sharing the gospel with them. That is why Genealogy is important. If we don't do it then how can our brothers and sisters on the other side receive salvation and and eternal life with our Heavenly Father? 

  Family history is cool bro. just look at these dudes.

Horace Ephraim Zabriskie (Left). Alfred Christen Peterson (Right).

     I have learned a ton about my family and where I came from by taking 10 minutes and looking at familysearch.org. I learned cool things about my great great grand fathers on my grandpa and grandma's side. It turns out I'm related to someone that I never imagined I would be related to. I may be living more Southern culture when I get home than I thought I would be. I learned who the first member of the church was in the Zabriskie line. Because of his willingness to follow the gospel, thousands of people are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. There are still so many that have been without baptism and other ordinances in my line too. So I now know that there are people on the other side waiting for me to do those things for them! 

Get involved

   I challenge you to go on to familysearch.org and search out those who have not yet heard about the gospel!!! There is someone out there waiting for us! If you want to learn more about God's Plan of Salvation for his children or have any questions of where we came from, why we are here, or where we are going, talk to the missionaries! They can help! As we follow the example of Jesus Christ in sharing the Gospel with everyone on this side and the other we will truly be fulfilling the prophecy in Malachi 4, of turning the hearts of the children to the fathers and the hearts of the fathers to the children.

#LetsChatAbout    #TheHeartsOfTheChildrenTurnToTheFathers

    

     

Men, Women, and the Priesthood

"Our roles and assignments differ... But the man is not without the woman nor the woman without the man in the Lord -President Spencer W. Kimball

Lately I have been asked about the roles that men and women play in our heavenly father's plan. Some seem to get the idea that men or women may be greater or less than the other. That makes me sad that someone would think that. Men and Women are complete equals. We have different roles but they are both of extreme equal importance.

Some tend to think that because it is the man who holds the Priesthood that women are lesser and not apart of it. That is wrong. That is like assuming that when a woman brings a child into this life it was just her that created it. The Lord intended that the wife be a help meet for man. Meet means equal. Men and Women are Equal in partnership.

From this diagram (is this a diagram? I can't believe I don't know what a diagram is...) we learn that when married, Women bring life from the Spirit world into the mortal world to receive a body. They cannot do this without man. Through the Priesthood we are able to return to heaven as a family. Without Women there would be no one to be sealed to. there would be no life on earth. It would have just been Adam from the beginning, and it would still just be Adam today. The Lord said it is not good for man to be alone. We literally complete each other.

One reason why I am so excited to get married is because I know that it is this way that we can be sealed in the Temple for time and all eternity, creating an eternal bond that cannot be broken as long as both follow God and keep the covenants that we have made with him.

God created us to love and respect each other. We need to be sensitive and respectful to our partners and let them know how important they are to us. I am currently on a mission so obviously I am not married, but that does not mean that I am not preparing for it. We all need to respect women and the amazing role that they play in God's plan. Temple Marriage is the greatest thing that we can do in this life, and creates the greatest bond that goes into the next life and on forever. So if you have seen all of those cheesy nicolas sparky movies or whatever his name is, you should know that there is a way to keep that love going forever. It is by Temple Marriage and by having a family.

There are so many things i could say about each of men and women's individual roles but the point I really want to get across is that we are equal. We have been since day 1 and we always will be. #ClassicTeamMates

So I would encourage you to stop finding fault with one another and start seeing the God like attributes that we have in each other.

#MarriageIsTheCoolestThingEver #ProvoTempleTabernacle2015 #SeeYouThere

#LetsChatAbout #MenWomenAndThePriesthood

NO JUDGE ZONE

Judge not, that ye be not judged

              Matthew-7:1

The Savior him self told us not to judge! so why do we do it! When we judge someone negatively we are pretty much questioning God's handy work. He has made us all different for a reason. That reason is NOT to be better than someone else. Yes it is true that some people make more poor decision than others, but that is a chance for us to say "How can i help you?" Rather than saying "Omg look at them." I literally never say omg but this is a No Judge Zone so I know I'm safe to say whatever I would like! Being nice is the coolest thing we could ever have. It is all part of God's master plan. #myboxistheman 

Judging others does not define who THEY are it defines who YOU are. There is no point in judging someone just because they sin differently than you do The only one who can judge us is our father in heaven. He created us and knows that we will have struggles. That is why he sent his son for us. Jesus Christ suffered not only for our spiritual struggles but every other kind of struggle we have. That includes physical, mental, social, you name it! any kind of "al" you can think of. 

We need to make NO JUDGE ZONES! It is time that Planet Fitness shares their No Judge Zones with everyone else. When we are loving and accepting to everyone we meet, we will

see a change in how we look at the world

and everyone in it. Follow the example of 

Jesus and quit judging. #WWJD Who would Jesus Judge?

If you find yourself Judging someone and then gossiping about them, just close your mouth. Listen to your mom. If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all. #PropsToMoms 

Make your home and your life a NO JUDGE ZONE and I promise it will not only bring blessings to your life but you will become a blessing to someone else's life. 

#LetsChatAbout #NoJudgeZones 

Have a Heart

Every Saturday morning we do service! One of our favorite places to go is over to Nick's house and help out with his animals! Nick is a member of our small congregation here in Livingston Tennessee. He was Baptized only a few months ago and his love for everyone and everything is awesome. He is the man! Everything that he does is for his animals and for others! He has already done so much for us so we want to return the favor and help spread the word about what an awesome thing he is doing!! So i sat down with Nick the other day after church and asked him a couple questions about what he does!





What is Have a Heart?

Have a Heart is an animal rescue/sanctuary. It is a place where animals can be safe and taken care of.

Where is it located?

It is here in Livingston Tennessee. We rescue dogs here and in the surrounding areas.

Why do you do it?

To rescue the innocent. Dogs love us unconditionally. I think we should do the same to them.

How has it blessed you?

It gives me a great feeling to save them and see them changed from an afraid animal to feeling joy and happiness. It feels great to see them get the love and care that they deserve. That is what god wants for us so we should return the favor to everyone person and animal we see.

How can others get involved with what you are doing?

By getting the word out! Help will be greatly appreciated! You can help by Liking our page on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/haveaheart2helpnetwork


When Nick told me about The animal rescue that he is apart of and why he is apart of it this is what i thought of:

    Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any soul should perish. -Mosiah 28:3 

I think that we all can learn from his awesome example!!! Our congregation is full of great people like him and we are on our way toward having our first branch in Livingston Tennessee!!!!!!

Have a heart and look for ways to help out everyone and everything around you!!!

Remember by small means, great things are brought to pass!!!! -Alma 36:7

And while you are at it adopt a puppy!!!!! There is no better gift for that girl you love on Valentines day than a puppy. See look I got one!

#LetsChatAbout #HaveAHeart

#JustDoYou

What on earth does Just do you mean? Good question. I asked a buddy of mine who is serving here in Tennessee with me if he would give me some advice on how i could do better as a missionary. His reply was "Just do you bro." I said that is probably the dumbest thing you have ever said but please tell me what that means. So this is what he wrote for me and it was really cool and has helped me out alot and I think it is something that can help us all out. Thanks Elder you are the man!!!

     So "just do you" comes from my first tranny (transfer). Elder Oliver would always say to me "just do you" whenever I asked what I could improve on or do better as a missionary. For the first transfer I hated it, but the more I thought about it the more sense it made. The "you" is pure and wants to do good, but it is our bodies the natural man side of us that sometimes want to do not so good things. God gave each of us talents and abilities to bless the lives of his children. We just need to recognize what God has given us and what we have developed because of the natural man in us. So don't bury your talents, cheddar them out so all can be blessed and become the best person you can be and get rid of the natural man.

                                                                   -Elder H

"Just Do You" means be yourself. When we find the best in ourselves we can help bring out the best in others. We all have awesome qualities! Yes we all do have areas that we can fix and work on, but fixing those things does not make us a different person it makes you be the best YOU that you can be. People will listen to you when you are yourself!!!! BE YOURSELF!!!!!!! This is not only applied in missionary work but also in everyday life. We have the choice every day to be the best that we can be! Work, school, church, football games, even Nerf wars. Yeah even Nerf wars. Be happy and be yourself and take some time this week and share with those around you why you are so happy! Mormons always get asked why we are so happy! So be yourself and tell them why you are you!!!

#TheOliveTree #WillLiveForever

#LetsChatAbout #JustDoYou

An Instrument in the Lord's Hands

We are all Instruments... But whose hands are you in?

I love playing guitar. It is one of my favorite things to do! Before i came to Tennessee to serve as a full time missionary, I was in a band with my best friend Montana. We played, wrote, and recorded alot of songs, and played alot of shows and yes... I had long hair.

 I have been thinking lately about how we are all instruments! An instrument such as guitar, when properly played and cared for and loved makes amazing music for all to hear! But how can we be that instrument in the Lord's hand? How do we avoid being an instrument in the hands of someone else? I don't know why I am asking you cuz I might as well just tell you...

In the scriptures over and over Jesus tells us to follow him and his father's plan! I'm not going to tell you the scriptures where it says that so that you go and find it for yourself! #scripturechase #gameon  The Savior came to the earth to teach the Gospel. His Gospel. The Gospel that his father (God) told him to teach. He layed out for us these things to help us get back to our Father in heaven, and to become the best instrument in HIS hands.

FAITH
REPENTANCE
BAPTISM
RECEIVING THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST
ENDURING AND ENJOYING TO THE END

Being an instrument is a good thing. I can promise that if a guitar that is loved and used all the time could talk, he would say that he is happy, because he is doing what he was made to do! Make music and bring joy! We have that same purpose! We are here to be happy and to live life and gain experiences! The best way of doing that is by following what the Savior has asked us to do! His way guarantees joy and lasting happiness. Any other way CANNOT bring us that lasting joy and happiness!

 We all have the ability to reach our greatest potential but it is gonna take some help from the greatest musician of all time.The Lord! He created all of us to do great things! No matter what has happened to us he can fix us and build us back up! Just like a broken instrument can be fixed up and made new, we can all do the same! Every instrument has a history and a past and gets damaged and fixed just like us. We can choose to stay broken or ask our creator to fix us and be in his hands again. As we follow what the Savior has shown for us we will be fixed 100 out of 100 times.

Think about whose hands you are in right now. Don't be a TOOL. God has to deal with enough of those. Be an INSTRUMENT in the Lord's hands

Post #LetsChat on facebook if you enjoyed this. God bless and have a good day!

#LetsChatAbout #AnInstrumentInTheLordsHand

The Spirit of Music

If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.  

-D&C 136:28






I love music! Music is one of the biggest parts of my life and always will be. I love playing music, I love listening to music and I love talking about music!

Normally when people pick a style of music, they choose a certain type that they call "their own" because of the way it makes them feel. I listen to indie acoustic music because I'm a lame hipster kid but that's just me. #word


I have noticed that no matter what type of music you like, whether it be bass thumpin or banjo picking there is one kind of music that i believe we all need on a regular basis. 

That is music that brings in the holy spirit. Music that is soft spoken, just like the spirit is.

When music is loud and fast paced it does not leave any room for the spirit to take place.

Don't get me wrong I'm a huge Ke$ha fan and that will never change. I like to think that i wake up every morning feeling like P Diddy. #tiktok

But, by not giving more spiritual music a chance in our days then we are not giving the spirit a chance to bless us and be with us more often.

As Missionaries we put off listening to music  that distracts from our purpose in any way, for the 2 years we are serving. It creates a great opportunity for us to grow in many ways even though it isn't the easiest thing to do and i feel a lot less like P Diddy than i did before my mission.

But that is okay! It is a good thing!

This is a time for us to wake up and do as the Savior would do.

I am a fan of all music and all real musicians. I'm not asking anybody to stop listening to their favorite music but I would like to leave a challenge with everyone reading this, to listen to music that brings in the holy spirit everyday.

We all listen to music everyday so try instead of listening to the story of my life by One Direction, try listening to something about the story of our savior's life and see what direction it takes you throughout the day. #punintended

Next time you hear music that distracts from the spirit think of this scripture   "And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?" If you have felt that comfort brought from spiritual music then ask yourself can you feel it now? If not then try this out. 

I have seen a difference in my everyday life and i know it can make one in yours. If you have any good experiences with this please let me know!!!

#LetsChatAbout #TheSpiritOfMusic

i said music 22 times.

Nephi VS Spider-Man

NEPHI VS SPIDER-MAN

During my studies this morning i was reading out of 1Nephi 16. It talks about when Nephi and his brothers go hunting and their bows break. I love comparing the attitudes of all who are involved in the situation! Laman and Lemuel sit on their butts and complain because they are mad at Nephi over what was just an accident. Their parents and other family members started to complain as well. Nephi on the other hand stays strong and takes initiative. He thinks "what can I do in this situation? Well we need food so I will build another bow." He prays, builds a bow and asks his old man where should I go                                                 hunting and he DOES it. He is a DOER, he aint a STEWER.

Spider-Man has been placed in alot of unfortunate situations as well. But his attitude reflects his courage and responsibility. When Scorpion busts into the Daily Bugle and takes J. Jonah Jameson hostage what does spider-man do? He steps in and stops the Scorpion. Why would he do that? He can't stand Jameson. 

When Nephi and his family are in the Wilderness and Laman and Lemuel don't want to go, why didn't Nephi say "yall can make like Fleetwood mac and go your own way." Then leave the brothers behind? 

1Nephi 16: 4-5 Says:

  4 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did exhort my brethren, with all diligence, to keep the commandments of the Lord.

 5 And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before the Lord; insomuch that I had joy and great hopes of them, that they would walk in the paths of righteousness.

  Both Nephi and Spider-Man desire the well being of everyone. They want peace and obedience. They are trying to help everyone at all costs. They don't give up on anyone even if they are not the biggest fan of the person they are helping out. They believe in second chances. 

 After Nephi is tied up on a ship and beaten for 3 days, he is untied and leads the ship to safety and rejoices with the Lord. He never complains.

While Spider-Man is getting his face beat in by crazy villans everyday, he manages to make light of the situation, make jokes, and smile.

They would both be willing to dive off a building to save someone even if it was a complete stranger. They do not do it for credit. They do it because they know it is the right thing to do.

Who would win in a fight? That would take to long to write about but to make things short I would say Nephi. Because Nephi is actually real.

 I want to challenge everyone to be more like their favorite scripture hero and non-fiction or fiction hero, and strive to always do the right thing. compare your favorite super hero to your favorite scripture hero and i promise you will find similarities. It is pretty cool. 

#LetsChatAbout  #NephivsSpiderman