One Republic- Apologize

One Republic's first big hit was the song titled "Apologize". They released this song in 2007! It spread like wildfire! In this song there is a message that echoes the words of an ancient Book of Mormon prophet named Amulek!

One Republic talks to us about someone who has taken too long to apologize and because of that their apology is not accepted! Here are the lyrics:
I'm holding on your rope,
Got me ten feet off the ground
I'm hearin what you say but I just can't make a sound
You tell me that you need me
Then you go and cut me down, but wait
You tell me that you're sorry
Didn't think I'd turn around, and say...

It's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late

 Amulek declares in Alma 34:32–34 that "this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors. . . . Do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed. Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world."

Amulek tells us that we will not be able to fix things "Tomorrow". We must fix things TODAY! Good intentions only get us so far! Our Heavenly Father loves us and is willing to forgive us...if we ask!

Repenting is alot like apologizing to God. When we delay doing so it not only hurts us but it hurts him as well. The scriptures remind us of the importance and urgency of repentance! Repentance sometimes requires great courage, many prayers, living the commandments of God and repairing the wrongs we may have done to others.He promises us that we can be free from guilt, shame, and suffering if we do take action now!

I struggle with this too but then again who doesn't? Lets take this seriously and do something about it! :)

You're a JERK!




Somebody doing "The Jerk"



A little while ago there was this little dance craze started by the New Boyz called "The Jerk". I'm not gonna lie, I am guilty of doing this dance! For those of you who know me you have probably seen me doing this dance!  But now that I'm on a mission this song has a whole new meaning!

In this song, alot like other dance songs, there is a phrase that is repeated over and over again and that is the line that says  "You're a Jerk... I know!" How in the world can the New Boyz be related to us in the gospel?

We often recognize our sins but just to know is not enough! We must follow the counsel found in the Epistle of James where we are told "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves"(James 1:22)

The Sons of Mosiah and Alma the Younger are a perfect example of changing for the better! The story of the Sons of Mosiah is found in the Book of Mormon. These men grew up with the gospel but chose to rebel against it! They went about trying to tear down the Church of God. They were even called the "Most Vilest of sinners!" Also known as JERKS! After a lot of prayer from Mosiah and Alma (their fathers) an angel appeared to them and told them to stop persecuting the church! The angel called them out and pretty much told him "You're a JERK..." They then realized their sins(...I know!) and decided to change and right their wrongs!  They went on missions and built up the kingdom of God!

I know that change can be hard but we must all do our very best to change for the better!

Hot & Cold = Lukewarm!

If any of you have listened to the radio in the past 2 years you have heard Katy Perry's song "Hot and Cold" For some reason this tune got caught in my head the other day and stirred up a few thoughts! Now how in the world can a Katy Perry song relate to the Gospel ?


Now here are the lyrics that were stuck in my head:
"Cause you're hot and you're cold
You're yes and you're no
You're in and you're out
You're up and you're down

You don't really want to stay, no
But you don't really want to go-o
You're hot and you're cold
You're yes and you're no
You're in and you're out
You're up and you're down"

Obviously she is talking to somebody who just can't seem to make up there mind! Just sitting on the fence about a certain situation,  not being able to fully commit!  This is not always a good decision, especially when it comes to following the Lord. There are way too many people out there today that are just indifferent when it comes to being a true disciple of Christ!
John the Revelator tells us in:
Rev 3:15-16

 15I know thy ^aworks, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

 16So then because thou art ^alukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will ^bspue thee out of my mouth.


 Pretty intense huh? We are also told in:Luke 14:33
 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that ^aforsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my ^bdisciple


So when it comes to serving the Lord lets be HOT(active) and not COLD(dormant). I can promise you that as you do this you will see the Lords hand in your life so much more abundantly!

God's work out plan!

What is Faith? Alma tells us that "...faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." Now some may ask..."How do we have faith?" That's simple...you don't just get this, you already have it! We all have faith, some may not recognize it as quickly as others but its something that we are born with.
I like to think of faith as a muscle ! We all are born with muscle in our bodies. Although it my not be fully developed or useful when we are babies....it is still there! When a baby is trying to learn how get around on their own they don't just stand up and start running do they? Nope it is a longer process. After multiple attempts to stand and countless rump thumps the babies muscles are strong enough to help him stand!
How do we build muscle? Work out of course! Now what is happening when we work out? Our muscles are ripping and being pushed to there maximum capacity! Working out isn't always the most convenient or desirable but it is necessary for growth!
If Faith is like a muscle than how do we build it up? Work it out !! Some ways that we can test and build our faith in Jesus Christ are:
1. Prayer- This is the best way to communicate with our Heavenly Father is through prayer! This is the time that we can pour out our hearts to God. In the scriptures we are told to cry unto the Lord. To me this means to speak to him with emotion, he wants to here from us so that he can bless us more abundantly!
2. Questions- In the book of James we are told to ask God and he will answer!
3. Scripture study- He answers our prayer through the Holy Ghost and through the scriptures! The scriptures are the writings of the Prophets and the Disciples dealings and experiences with God! If we liken the scriptures to our lives we can see how the scriptures can guide us!
4. Experiences- As we go throughout our day we can recognize some events or answers to our prayers that are obviously of God! Once again it testifies of the power and divinity of God
5. Church- You are not alone on this journey through life in fact there are many like you who want to build a relationship with Christ as well! This is why we go to church it is to be surrounded by others who want to build their faith too! Not only that but church is where we can learn about the Gospel in more detail!


By doing all of these things we can all build our faith in Christ! As we do these things we can be assured that when the trials and tribulations come we will be STRONG enough to endure through them with the strength of God! I know this because I have seen it happen in my life as well as others lives! This is why I am sharing it with you! So what do you do NOW?


GET SPIRITUALLY BUFF!

Whats your talent?

The Lord gives us talents. Now it is our responsibility to develop these God given gifts. Jason hinds recognized his talent and used it for the soul purpose of helping others come closer to Christ! Now his talent was made known to him early in his life. How many laps do you think Jason has ran? Im sure he has spent a good amount of time training and developing that his god given talent! I hope that I can use my talents for a good cause! Im sure we all can whether its running, dancing ;D , singing, quilting, or even just talking! We can all take advantage of the gifts and use them for the building up of the other and for the building up of the kingdom of God! 

The Crafty Fisherman (Satan)

Addictions can drag us down into despair

Satan is a very skilled adversary! He knows our strengths and our weakness's better than we do! He will craft his lures to our specific desires, Some artificial vices that he uses are Alcohol, Drugs, Video games, Pornography. All of which dull our sensitivity to the promptings of the Holy Spirit!  Just as the fly fisherman, Satan want to remove us from the stream(the straight and narrow path). We know that Satan's plan is not to catch and release!
Some people may fall subject to these addictions. When we give into this habit we start to lose our agency! When that happens Lucifer can have a stronger influence in our thoughts, feelings, and even our actions.

Its through our Savior we can be freed

For those who struggle with addiction and my need a helping hand, remember that God loves ALL of his children including YOU! Now as a baby when you are struggling what to you do? You cry! Now we know through out the scriptures they tell us to cry unto the Lord! To me that means speak to him through prayer with all of your thoughts as well as emotions! We know that with the Lords help we can do are things and all things are possible! As you break free of this addiction you will feel closer to our Heavenly Father and recognize his hand in your life more abundantly!

Prayer is the Passport to Peace!

You are a child of God, He is your Heavenly Father! He loves you more than you can imagine! He wants to communicate with you through daily prayer! As we develop this essential habit we will come closer to him and our thoughts and actions will be more like his! He is there just waiting to pour blessing upon you, all that he requires of you is obedience to his commandments one of which is PRAYER!
 
Some of the Principles of Prayer
Make your prayer Meaningful- We know from the scriptures that if anyone

  "...shall pray and not with REAL intent of heart... it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such."(Moroni 7:9) So give serious thought to your prayers and avoid "vain repetition" when speaking to the Lord (Matthew 6:7)

Use a language of Love, Respect, reverence, and closeness.- Yes he is your friend but also remember that He is your father! So do your best to speak to him with respect! 

Always give thanks to your Heavenly Father- We are counseled to "live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you." As you express you thanks you will recognize all that the Father has done for you that day!
Seek guidance and strength in all that you do- He promises us that he will lead and guide us. We must listen to his promptings! Remember that he will help you but we must rely on ourselves aswell! He help us when we have done all that we can do!
5 Parts to Prayer
1. Address your Heavenly Father
2. Give thanks for all that he has done for you
3. Ask for guidance and answers to any of your questions
4. Pray for others and any blessing that come to your mind
5. Close in the name of His son Jesus Christ, followed by "Amen"