Miracle of Miracles

When we make a decision and become totally committed and persistent, the impossible can become the possible. "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."(Ether 12:27) When we become committed to do our best, give it all we have got, and trust in the Lord, we become future oriented and live in anticipation. Heber J Grant often spoke of persistence. "Persistence in the pursuit of righteous desires can help us develop talents, and attain our spiritual goals and serve others. We all have gifts and talents, but many lie 'dormant or in embryo' until touched by the spirit of commitment. Friendship is a precious gift we can all magnify as we comfortable acknowledge the gifts we don't have and give thanks for the miracles that available to each of us. It is while pondering solitude that we are helped by the spirit to discover the plot of ground that we must cultivate if we are uncover and claim our gifts. And THEN we can watch the miracle unfold.

D&C Section 76

'What brought it and what it brought'-(John 5:29) Joseph Smith asking questions was part of what brought this vision. We need to watch for constant communication(Which is Revelation) Instead of looking for a powerful revelation. There needs to be personal worthiness for revelation even personal. There are 6 different visions within one vision.
Vs 1-19 Introduction and explanation
1. Vs 20-24 Christ
2. Vs 25-29 Satan
3. Vs 30-38,43-49 Sons of Perdition
4. Vs 50-70, 92-96 Celestial
5. Vs 71-80, 91, 97 Terrestial
6. Vs 81-90, 98-112 Telestial
Testimony of Jesus:
1. Personal knowledge of Jesus Christ
2. Verbal declaration of Jesus Christ
Received Not:
1. Never offered, therefore never received
2. Rejected
Celestial:
If we are valiant, we can touch others deeply instead of being remembered pleasantly. If we are consecrated we are reverent and genuinely constantly striving, loving Him and keeping ALL of His commandments(Seek so to do)
Terrestial:
Those who are terrestial are 'honorable'but not valiant, they are not aware of the gap. They aren't miserable, wicked, unrighteous, or unhappy. A comfortable state. They are content with what they have. They are remembered pleasantly.
Telestial:
Those who are telestial are grossly entangled, overcome and in bondage. They are committing sins of omission.
To be a celestial person we need to: 1. Serve the true master-if the Master is a stranger to us, than we will merely end up serving other masters. 2. Greater consecration corrects omission occur because we fail to get outside ourselves. The hands which hang down and most need to be lifted up belong to those too discouraged even to reach out anymore. 3. Letting God educate our desires-everything depends-initially and finally on our desires. These shape our thought patterns. Our desires thus precede our deeds and lie at the very core of our souls, tilting us toward or away from God. Only by aligning our wills with God's will is where full happiness is found. 4. The need to lose ourselves, He is only asking us to lose the old self in order to find the new self. It's not a question of one's losing identity but of finding his true identity! 5. Submission brings revelation and joy-as one's will is increasingly submissive to the will of God, he or she can receive inspiration and revelation. So much need to meet the trials of life 6. The only possession that is ours to give is the submission of one's will, which is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God's alter. When we finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual wills to be swallowed up in God's will, then we are really giving something to Him. It is the only possession which is truly ours to give! Consecration thus constitutes the only unconditional surrender. Which is also a total victory!!!!

Vision of Moses-The Divine Heritage of the Human Soul

The dignity of the human soul is the first thing that God wants us to understand. Joseph Smith gloried in the potential of the human soul. The spirit will train us just as he did with Moses. Their (Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ) character is to lift us up, to help us feel good about one another. A lifting of all mankind of dignity. Moses see's a broader perspective. Man is everything, we matter to God, something that God care for. Moses beheld God and he was transfigured. Satan then came tempting him. When Christ comes we will see Him as He is, and purify ourselves as He is pure and we need to see that in one another. If we believe that wew ill be different people and see others differently as well. Having a correct understanding of who we are is a way to defeat Satan, to overcome the adversary. We need to be able to distinguish good and evil. Moses then has questions for the Lord and the Lord comes back, he views the first vision, he views all the inhabitants of the earth of all lands. He asks the Lord why? and how? The Lord says'I have a purpose a wise one and will stay with you' The highest moment of prayer is when the spirit inspires us what you need to ask for. There is no end to God's work past, present, or future. When we are weary, than the Lord shall strengthen us. All of God's children matters to Him. God helps us understand that we matter to Him.

Keeping Perspective and Faith During Life's Storm's

"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." (Matthew 7:24-27)
Storms are adversity and hardships. The rock is Jesus Christ, in 1 Corinthians 10:2-4 " And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." We need to build our lives on the Savior and the Gospel " And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out; For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered."(Mark 6:45-51) "The wind was contrary to them is like adversity and trials"(Ether 6:5-12)The promised land is eternal life
*A Metaphor for Life* A dish could be testimony and desires. There are difficult storms of life. We will be left alone at time, and needs to be an independent being to be righteous in dark. To be the friend of God. He is aware of us when we are struggling. We worship a 4th Watch God:
*We often make assumptions about a 4th Watch God
-He is not there
-Not listening
-Doesn't Care
-We are not worthy
In moments like theses we need to realize, its not the 4th watch YET!!! For example in Abraham 2:2,19,14)"And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee above measure, and make thy name great among all nations, and thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations;" Sariah doesn't have Issac until 38 years after this promise that the Lord makes.
In Mormon 8:5-6 "Behold, my father hath made this record, and he hath written the intent thereof. And behold, I would write it also if I had room upon the plates, but I have not; and ore I have none, for I am alone. My father hath been slain in battle, and all my kinsfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go; and how long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not.Behold, four hundred years have passed away since the coming of our Lord and Savior." He wanders for 46 years and he is all alone.
Here are some examples of 4th Watches Deliverance:
-Man at pools of Bathsalda
-Israelites at the Red Sea
-Widow of Zarephat and Elijah
-Alma & Amulek in prison
Remember YOUR 4th Watch Deliverances
*That which gives fear is the resolution to the problem
*The Gospel is a resource for pain, all that we go through builds our characted so we can become more like our Father and Mother in Heaven
*Walk with Jesus through the storms and we will walk on the storm! "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."(John 14:27)
*There will be a peace to the calm
-"And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions. And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord."(Mosiah 24:14-15) Be instruments in the Lord's hands
-Sometimes the best people have the worst experiences because they are most ready to learn "Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God."(Matthew 14:33)

Growing in the Gospel: Increasing Our Faith

What is Faith? Joseph Smith Said that faith is "the assurance which men have of the existence of things which they haven't seen, and the principle of action in all intelligent beings" then President Gordon B Hinckley said "Faith is a living, vital force with recognition of God as our Father and Jesus Christ as our Savior. When we accept this basic premise, there will come an acceptance of their teachings and a obedience which will bring peace and joy in this life and exaltation in the life to come". A believing heart is the motivating force that leads us to do good and live virtous lives. We must check our hearts regularly and ask ourselves these questions:
*Do I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ lives and that they love me?
* Do I know that Jesus Christ atoned for my sins?
* Do I know that I am a Daughter/Son of God?
* Do I know that God is at the hlm and that He knows what is best for his children?
* Do I listen and obey the counsel from His prophet?
* Do I live the gospel to the best of my ability?
"Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their fyielding their hearts unto God" (Helaman 3:35)As we live our lives with faith in our hearts, our children will recognize our faith and they will not doubt that we know that God lives and Jesus is His son and this is His church. To increase our faith is to place more trust in God and His son Jesus Christ. Increasing our faith will purify our hearts, sanctify our souls and bring us closer to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. If we are faithful we have a tremendous role to play in building Zion and preparing for the second coming.

If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard

If nothing ever tested our faith or our resolve of our convictions, ( Because we really do not know what we believe in or what we believe, until we are tested)then what are our chances we would progress far enough spiritually in this lone and dreary world? Whether we like it or not, our trials and struggles can tend to accelerate our push toward Godliness. This life was destined to be a test, a test to determine if we want to be part of the kingdom of God more than we want anything else. Mortality offers a wide range of experiences and opportunities; everything from countless ways to serve our fellowman to an endless array of distraction, deceptions and modes of self gratification. Prophet Joseph Smith said " A Religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation." Our mortal experience is designed to test what we really want to become and how we really feel about our Father and His Son. We don't really know what we believe in or care about until what we believe in or care about is threatened, challenged, or measured. President Boyd K Packer said " These are the days of great spiritual danger....the world is spiraling downward at an ever quickening pace. I am sorry to tell you it will NOT get better. I know of nothing in the history of the church or in the history of the world to compare with our present circumstances. Nothing happened in Sodom and Gomorrah which exceeds the wickedness and depravity which surrounds us now" Evil breeds evil. Anytime Lucifer convinces a man or woman or most horrifying a society- that unrighteous behavior is normal, he has made inroads that are difficult to combat and almost impossible to reverse. How can we ensure that though life is meant to be vigorous, we do what we came here to do and live up to who we are as Latter Day men and women of God? There is only one answer: By living the gospel of Jesus Christ. And that is possibly only if we obtain a personal witness of Jesus Christ and his Atonement and Crucifixion. When we obtain for ourselves a witness that Jesus is the Christ, that His gospel has been restored to the earth, that His prophet leads and guides His church, and that all of the power and ordinances necessary to purify, sanctify, and exalt us here on the earth today, there can be no turning back. As our understanding of what the Father has promised us and what the Savior did for us increases, our love for them increases so much that we are willing to do whatever they ask us to do. Imagine-all that the Father has is potentially our ALL!!! Nothing held back. We have the potential of being joint heirs with Christ. It's difficult not to wonder- at least when seeing through a mortal Len's-how much an exquisite, ultimate reward can possibly be fair, considering what He did for us. If life were easy, we would have nothing to show for our time here. President Boyd K Packer "Life will not be free from challenges, some of them bitter and hard to bear. We may wish to be spared all the trials of life, but that would be contrary to the great plan of happiness. 'for it must needs be that there is opposition in all thing'-(2 Nephi 2:11) this testing is the source of our strength. While we have been assigned to take the test of mortality during the most spiritually rigorous and demanding time in the world's history, we have not been Left alone. We have the gift and power of saving ordinances that bind us to each other and to the Lord. (D&C 68:6) The answer to meeting life's challenges head on is and always will be having a personal witness that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, our elder brother who when called upon premortaly said "Here am I, Send me" and who then fulfilled His atoning mission perfectly and completely. These are time that try mens souls, meaning we are living in the roughest of tough day. President Gordon B Hinckley said " All of us have problems, we face them everyday. How grateful I am that we have difficult things to wrestles with. They keep us young. If that is possible they keep us alive, they keep us going, they keep us humble, they pull us down to our knees to ask God of Heaven for help in solving them. Be grateful for your problems, and know that there will come a solution" Just do do the best you can, but be sure it is the very best. Then leave it in the hands of the Lord. Even during those days when the challenges in front of us seem more intense and demanding than we have the copacity to handle, a personal testimony of Christ and an understanding of the power that lies within His gospel will make it possible for us to do our very best.

Be Still and Know That I Am God

"Let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion, for all flesh is in mine hands, be still and know that I am God" (Psalms 46:10,11) This scripture lets us concentrate on the face of Christ himself, leaning over us in love and encouragement and promise. In the moment of stillness, miracles can happen, in repsons to the Savior's love, peace and knowledge and strength can flood our souls. In th emoment of stillness, in which we recognize the Savior, our testimony is born, but it grows only as we nurture it. When we follow His way, then we can truly lift up our hearts and rejoice because he will fill us with His love. The second way we can lift up our hearts and rejoice is to take stock of our own situtation and then have faith that the Savior is nearby to encourage us and strengthen us. "And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save" (2 Nephi 31:19) If our hearts are fixed on the Savior, we will have a solid reason to rejoice, to rejoice in spite of adversity and to rejoice even in our adversity, we don't need to compare ourselves to others. We are alright, just the way we are, each of us, with our own needs, our own abilities, our own desires for righteousness, and our own set of obstacles to overcome. If we are doing the best we can, that's ENOUGH!! Let the sun shine into our lives, Dont be too hard on yoursleves and don't let other people be hard on you. We need to lift our eyes in faith to the Savior and then waiting in stillness to know that He is God.

HELLO WORLD!

Hello, My name is Bonnie, and I am a proud member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I love this gospel, its the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. I am so grateful for all the many blessings that I have been given from a loving Heavenly Father. I am grateful that the Savior loved me enough to suffer and atone for me and for all of us. I wanted to start this blog, to express inspirations that come to me, that I want to share with others. To tell others of my testimony of this Gospel and of Jesus Christ. May we all continue to be faithful and steadfast in Christ, who made it possible for us to return home!!