Men are that they might have joy

As a missionary, you get to meet a whole bunch of people every single day. My experiences have led me to discover that there are a bunch of unhappy people in the world. I can't help but wonder why this is. The prophet Lehi in the Book of Mormon teaches simply that one of the reasons that God has put us on this earth is for us to be happy. "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy." (2 Nephi 2:25)

So if one of the purposes of mortality is to be happy, why are tons of people completely miserable? To be sincerely honest, a lot of the time it's because they choose to be. The prophet Lehi also taught on the power and the lasting impact of our choices:  "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." (2 Nephi 2:27)

I love music. Music, no matter what language we all speak, touches all who hear and all who hear understand the message of what is being portrayed. One of my favorite composers is a man named Eric Whitacre. The video below is one of his songs entitled "Hope, Faith, Life, Love." This song has only eight words: hope, faith, life, love, dream, joy, truth, and soul. As you listen to this beautiful choral arrangement, focus on what word is focused on longest and is the most elaborated musically.

I know that we can choose to be happy. Life is going to hand you lemons sometimes. That's as real and unavoidable as death and taxes. The real question is what are you going to do with those lemons. Lemonade sounds good to me! 

Inspiring Musician

Alex Boye has always been an inspiration to me. Listen to his conversion story and how he was prepared to hear the message of the Restoration of the Gospel.

Marriage and Family

We live in a world where the family is being targeted and ruthlessly attacked. Satan is trying his hardest to destroy family relationships. Divorce is becoming increasingly common these days and prophets, both ancient and modern, have stated that it will only get worse. The Atonement of Jesus Christ will help us stay strong in our families. The family is ordained of God. We are in families because that's the way God wanted us to be in. Families are meant to last beyond the grave. Elder Dallin H. Oaks, a member of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, gives some counsel if you might be struggling in your relationship with your family. I know that families can be forever. I know that Jesus Christ can heal your family relationship if you let Him. Trust Him. He will help you.

Watch and Pray

"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:41)

"Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work." (Doctrine and Covenants 10:5)

Temptation is all around us. Everywhere you go, you see violations of God's commandments. Whether it's on the television, Internet, or with our friends, the commandments are seen as something that's optional and breaking them as something that's even desirable. You see, there's this wonderful thing about our marvelous gift of agency, with every choice comes a consequence. This is as certain as death and taxes. We control what we choose, but what happens because of this choice is out of our hands. The same is true with breaking the commandments of God.

The prophet Alma taught in the Book of Mormon that: "wickedness never was happiness" (Alma 41:10) If that's so, why does it seem that those who break God's commandments are happy? The consequences of sin may not happen immediately, but they WILL happen. Just as Dory and Marlin find out in this video clip, we may not notice the dangers of what we are doing until it's too late.

My friends, let us follow the voice of the Savior who told us to:  "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:41) The easiest way to avoid the consequences of caving into temptation is to make the choice well in advance that you won't. That way, when the temptation comes, you already know what you're going to do. I know that this is a true principle. Let's avoid subjecting ourselves to Satan and his awful chains. I know that wickedness never leads to happiness. It leads to misery. God's commandments make us free. Let us strive to make the choice to follow the example of our Savior, and strive everyday to become more like Him.  

The Book of Mormon (Reflections of Christ)

All I can say for this video is wow. This picture slide show shows the ministry of the Savior Jesus Christ among the people in the Americas as recorded in the Book of Mormon. The Spirit of the Lord is so present in this video. If you'd like a free copy of the Book of Mormon, please visit: http://mormon.org/free-book-of-mormon I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I have read it. It testifies of Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer of the world. His grace and mercy after all we can do is the only way we can return back into the presence of the Father. You too can gain this knowledge for yourself as you read, ponder and pray about the Book of Mormon. God will answer your prayers.

None were with Him.

"For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made." (Alma 34:9)

"And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also." (Alma 42:15)

"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:3-5)

"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.And he will take upon him death, that he may loose 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 succor his people according to their infirmities." (Alma 7:11-12)

I love these scriptures and the video about the sacrifice our Savior made for us. He loved us so much to suffer our pains, afflictions, trials, sorrows, everything we would ever experience in this life. I know these things are true.

Music!

A lot of people think the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are not Christian. We are very much so Christians. Christ is the center of everything that we do in the Church. The Church itself has His name in the title. One of my favorite ways that members testify of the Savior is through music. Some of my favorite songs are all about the Savior, His life, and His Atonement. I thought that today that I would share a few of my favorites with you. I hope you enjoy and feel the Spirit of the Lord as the artists share their talents and testimonies.

For Lyrics, click on this link: http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Curriculum/music.htm/hymns.htm/prayer%20and%20supplication.htm/136%20i%20know%20that%20my%20redeemer%20lives.htm#JD_Hymns.136

For Lyrics, click on this link: http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Curriculum/music.htm/hymns.htm/sacrament.htm/193%20i%20stand%20all%20amazed.htm#JD_Hymns.193

For lyrics, click on this link: http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Curriculum/music.htm/hymns.htm/prayer%20and%20supplication.htm/134%20i%20believe%20in%20christ.htm#JD_Hymns.134

I hope you enjoyed the videos and music. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. He came down to earth and suffered for the sins of the world. It is Him, and only through Him, that we can return and live with God someday.