Hindsight is 20/20

 In The Book of Mormon-Alma 34:32 page 295 

"For behold, 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."

In life we will experience opposition, trials, problems, and challenges. But when you look back at those moments, was it then that you grew as a person or gained understanding? Sometimes we don't understand the adversity we face in life, but the Lord knows what we need. And he knows when we need to grow, and learn. He is shaping us into who he knows we can be. We came to earth to gain experience, and progress toward our goal of eternal life. If we trust and faith in Him, we will have support in our trials. They may not be taken away, but He will help us have the strength to bare our burdens. 

Maybe the trick is not to pray for the challenges and trials to be taken away, but to pray for more strength (grace: enabling power) to bare our burdens. 

Couldn't be anything, but a MIRACLE

What does a miracle mean to you? 

Miracles

An important element in the work of Jesus Christ, being not only divine acts, but forming also a part of the divine teaching. Christianity is founded on the greatest of all miracles, the Resurrection of our Lord. If that be admitted, other miracles cease to be improbable. Miracles should not be regarded as deviations from the ordinary course of nature so much as manifestations of divine or spiritual power. Some lower law was in each case superseded by the action of a higher. They were intended to be a proof to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ (Matt. 11:4–5; John 2:11; 10:25; 20:30–31). Many of them were also symbolic, teaching such divine truths as the result of sin and the cure of sin; the value of faith; the curse of impurity; and the law of love. The miracles of healing also show how the law of love is to deal with the actual facts of life. Miracles were and are a response to faith and its best encouragement. They were never wrought without prayer, felt need, and faith.

Being on my mission, I feel as though miracles are ever so present. Its absolutely amazing what you can see while being on the Lords errand, and going about His work. There is miracle after miracle.Though, many of you reading this may not be on a mission, and are probably in a different phase of life-you can still experience miracles. The Lord gives us miracles to bless our lives and strengthen our testimonies in Him. Miracles are not just something that happened in Biblical times, they occur in our every day lives. How do we experience a Miracle?-By exercising faith, a desire(need), and prayer. The Greatest Miracle of course in human history is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I'm so grateful for My Savior, and the Miracle of the Atonement!

The Greatest Miracle in Human History

PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY

"My beloved brethren and sisters, I add my testimony to the testimony of my brethren this Easter morning. For all of Christendom, for all of mankind, today is observed as the anniversary of the greatest miracle in human history. It is the miracle that encompasses all who have lived upon the earth, all who now live upon the earth, and all who will yet live upon the earth. Nothing done before or since has so affected mankind as the atonement wrought by Jesus of Nazareth, who died on Calvary’s cross, was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, and on the third day arose from the grave as the Living Son of the Living God—the Savior and Redeemer of the world.

As mortals we all must die. Death is as much a part of eternal life as is birth. Looked at through mortal eyes, without comprehension of the eternal plan of God, death is a bleak, final, and unrelenting experience described by Shakespeare as “the undiscover’d country, from whose bourn / No traveller returns” (Hamlet, act 3, scene 1, lines 79–80).

But our Eternal Father, whose children we are, made possible a far better thing through the sacrifice of His Only Begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This had to be. Can anyone believe that the Great Creator would provide for life and growth and achievement only to snuff it all into oblivion in the process of death? Reason says no. Justice demands a better answer. The God of heaven has given one. The Lord Jesus Christ provided it.

His was the ultimate sacrifice, His the sublime victory.

Doubters there may be. But is there a more fully attested experience in the history of humankind than the resurrection of Jesus that first Easter morn? He spoke with Mary, who was first at the tomb. He spoke with the other women who ran to tell their brethren, two of whom came running. He appeared unto ten of His Apostles, Thomas being absent. And then He came again when Thomas was present. The doubter, upon seeing Him, declared, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). He talked with the two brethren on the way to Emmaus, and they said, “Did not our heart burn within us … ?” (Luke 24:32). And Paul declared that “after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once” (1 Cor. 15:6).

Then Paul adds that “last of all he was seen of me” (1 Cor. 15:8).

All of this and more is found in the New Testament. It has served as the foundation of the faith of uncounted millions across the world into whose hearts there has come the witness of the Holy Spirit that it is true. They have lived by this testimony, and they have died by it. When the dark shadow of death has crossed their paths, when hope normally would have fled, there has come the reassurance that “as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Cor. 15:22). In such hours of darkness there has shown forth a light, steady and certain, to sustain and comfort and bless.

But if that is not enough, there is another testament. This so-called Book of Mormon, this scripture of the New World, is before us as an added witness of the divinity and reality of the Lord Jesus Christ, of the encompassing beneficence of His atonement, and of His coming forth from the darkness of the grave. Within these covers is found much of the sure word of prophecy concerning Him who should be born of a virgin, the Son of the Almighty God. There is a foretelling of His work among men as a living mortal. There is a declaration of His death, of the lamb without blemish who was to be sacrificed for the sins of the world. And there is an account that is moving and inspiring and true of the visit of the resurrected Christ among living men and women in the western continent. The testimony is here to handle; it is here to be read; it is here to be pondered; it is here to be prayed over with a promise that he who prays shall know by the power of the Holy Ghost of its truth and validity (see Moro. 10:3–5)."

Its An Alma Chapter 34 Kind Of Day!

The Plan of Salvation is is God's plan for the happiness of His children. It is centered on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. If you will follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, you will find lasting inner peace in this life and eternal joy after death. As you learn about the Plan of Salvation, you will find answers to these questions: "Where did I come from?" "What is my purpose in life?" "Where Will I go after this Life?"

(In the Book of Mormon: Alma 22:13 page 264)

"The plan of [Salvation]...was prepared from the foundation of the world, through Christ, for all whosoever would believe on his name."

(In The Book of Mormon: 2 Nephi 2:22-25 page 59)

22 And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end.

 23 And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.

 24 But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.

 25 Adam fell that men might be; and men care, that they might have joy.

We are Literally the The Children of God. (In the Bible-New Testament: Acts 17:29-Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.) He loves us, and has designed a plan. A plan that will bring each one of His children true Happiness. I  know that Heavenly Father Loves us, because he gave his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to pay the price or the sins of man. Not just the sins of Men(everyone), but Man(each one of us) personally. As we come unto Christ and follow His example, we will have the opportunity to live with our Father in Heaven again some day. I'm grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, for what he has done for me personally and for his example. I know that the Atonement is real, it can heal the deepest wounds, and help you endure your trials...All he asks of us is to Come Unto Him, and Keep His Commandments. By doing so, we will have True Happiness! 

These Questions: "Where did I come from?" "What is my purpose in life?" "Where Will I go after this Life?"-Can be answered through learning about The Plan of Salvation-Gods Plan for the Happiness of His Children.

A Path Already Walked

The Worth of EVERY soul is Great!

(The Tree of Life represents The Love of God-which is most desirable to His Children)

(The Rod of Iron represents The Word of God[scriptures]-which guide us to Him)

A Talk Given By Paul H. Dunn-General Authority For The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

“Once upon a time, there was a little red schoolhouse with one big room for 27 children. The teacher sat with an American flag on one side of her and a blackboard on the other. The children sat in rows facing her, the littlest ones in front. The youngest was seven, and she was very little. The biggest was 16, and he was six feet tall. The youngest was smart, and she could read with the other children. The biggest was dumb, but he was strong and could help the teacher carry in wood. In bad weather, he carried the littlest girl across the puddle in front of the schoolhouse. And sometimes she helped him with his reading.“Then one day the state built a big highway, right past the schoolhouse door. And the State Education Department came by and said, ‘Great things are happening in education. There are special teachers for arithmetic, reading, art and music. If you combine with other schoolhouses, you could have a great big school where your children could have all the advantages. And big yellow buses could carry your children over the new highway right up to the school door.’ So the parents voted to consolidate, and the little red schoolhouse was abandoned.“At first things went well in the big school. But after a while, the State Education Department said that it wasn’t providing the children with enough meaningful experiences. And some parents complained that the children were not learning to read and write and figure as well as they had in the little red schoolhouse. ‘We will try some new things,’ said the educators. So they tried the ungraded primer, where fast readers were not slowed down by slow readers, and where children who had trouble with numbers did not get moved on to the next grade before they could add 3 and 5. This helped, but not enough.“‘We will try something more,’ the educators said. ‘We will tear down some walls at the new school, so the children will be working together in one big room. That way, there will be less peer-group competition.’“Finally, an important educator came along, looked at the school and said, ‘This is good, but it is not good enough. It is too big, and the children are losing their identity. There are not enough interpersonal relationships in the infrastructure. What we really need is a one-room schoolhouse. And since red is a cheerful color, I think we ought to paint it red.’” (From Mt. Kisco, N.Y., Patent Trader, in Reader’s Digest, March 1973, p. 68. Used by permission.)The educator in this story did not mean that the consolidated school, the special teachers, or the ungraded primer were not advantages. The point of the story is that along with the wonderful new discoveries in education, the emphasis must still be placed upon the individual and upon his needs and relationships with others.This philosophy applies just as importantly to Church organizations as it does to the little red schoolhouse. In a revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith just prior to the organization of the Church, the Lord said:“Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;

“For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.

“And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.” (D&C 18:10–12.)

Our Lord’s response to the Pharisees’ question, “Why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?” was, “The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath.” (Mark 2:24, 27.)

I understand from what the Lord has revealed to us through the prophets that people are his greatest concern. We are his children. We are somebody, as Elder Ashton so wonderfully stated this morning. We are his children, and he continually reveals himself through the prophets so that one day we can be like him.

We are important to our Heavenly Father. Every soul is precious in his sight. Have you ever wondered if He hears your prayers? Or if you even matter to him?-As a representative of Jesus Christ I can tell you with the most assurity & sincerity-He does LOVE you. He KNOWS you. And he HEARS you. And I know it, because He has given us His Gospel here on the Earth & The Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, to help us draw closer to him. 

It All Begins With FAITH

Secure Anchors

In the Book of Mormon-Jacob 7:23

23 And it came to pass that peace and the ^alove of God was restored again among the people; and they ^bsearched the scriptures, and hearkened no more to the words of this wicked man.

Our Savior knows the difficult obstacles in which we face in life. Alma 7:11-12 ( 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. 12 And he will take upon him ^adeath, that he may ^bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to ^csuccor his people according to their infirmities.)-Our Savior, Jesus Christ, took upon himself afflictions and temptations of every kind, so that he would know how to lead us and help us on our journey. He has given us a key(The Atonement) and a map to life(Gospel of Jesus Christ & the scriptures) to help us along in our journey as we follow HIM we can find peace and comfort in this world-As we follow the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ we will feel Gods love for us & purpose. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it means everything to me. It is my secure anchor in this world, that is so often changing. Through, the Gospel of Jesus Christ I have come to know my Savior, and I know as I follow him; I will be lead and
guided through the obstacles of life. 

Let Christ Be Your Foundation

In The Book of Mormon: Helaman 5:12
12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the^arock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your ^bfoundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty ^cstorm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

http://www.youtube.com/v/Tuwid8_O8dk?version=3&autohide=1&feature=share&showinfo=1&autohide=1&attribution_tag=q5Bl5uwjPevx4yGrX0Xo2A&autoplay=1

The Season to be Grateful:
Gratitude is a feeling of appreciation and thankfulness for blessings or benefits we have received. As we cultivate a grateful attitude, we are more likely to be happy and spiritually strong. We should regularly express our gratitude to God for the blessings He gives us and to others for the kind acts they do for us.

Mosiah 2:19-22 in The Book of Mormon:

19 And behold also, if I, whom ye call your king, who has spent his days in your service, and yet has been in the service of God, do merit any thanks from you, O how you ought to ^athank your heavenly ^bKing!

 20 I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the^athanks and ^bpraise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and ^cpreserved you, and has caused that ye should ^drejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another—

 21 I say unto you that if ye should ^aserve him who has created you from the beginning, and is ^bpreserving you from day to day, by lending you ^cbreath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own ^dwill, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your ^ewhole souls yet ye would be ^funprofitable servants.

 22 And behold, all that he ^arequires of you is to ^bkeep his commandments; and he has ^cpromised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth ^dvary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do ^ekeephis ^fcommandments he doth bless you and prosper you.