tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7736557054187074332024-02-07T04:42:41.095-08:00Truth RestoredElder Nate Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01115198795734144510noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-773655705418707433.post-24099426272020727422011-03-10T09:25:00.000-08:002011-03-10T09:25:00.954-08:00Footprints in the Sand One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.<br />
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When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that at times of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that these were the lowest and saddest times in his life.<br />
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This bothered him and he asked the Lord, "You said that once I decided to follow You, You'd walk with me all the way. But during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. Why, when I needed You most, did You leave me?" The Lord replied, "My son, I love you and would never leave you. During those times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I was carrying you."Elder Nate Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01115198795734144510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-773655705418707433.post-30672698871919183982011-03-07T10:58:00.000-08:002011-03-07T10:58:59.568-08:00How Can I Be<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yD_ibxy270Q?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425" height="344" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Elder Nate Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01115198795734144510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-773655705418707433.post-86047766577385715602011-03-04T12:41:00.000-08:002011-03-04T12:44:27.080-08:00The Seven Dwarfs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dragoart.com/tuts/pics/8/810/how-to-draw-the-seven-dwarfs-from-snow-white.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Draw The Seven Dwarfs from Snow White" border="0" height="217" id="TB_Image" mousex="823" mousey="369" src="http://www.dragoart.com/tuts/pics/8/810/how-to-draw-the-seven-dwarfs-from-snow-white.jpg" style="left: 0px; top: 0px;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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I love the classic Disney tale of <u>Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs</u>. It is a tale of a run-away princess that stumbles upon a little cottage filled with seven dwarfs. The dwarfs have names very much describing their personalities and attitudes. You have Doc, Happy, Bashful, Sneezy, Sleepy, Grumpy, and Dopey. Each have their own positives and negatives about themselves and they all have something we can learn from them about ourselves.<br />
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What about the Seven Dwarfs of the Gospel? Could there be seven dwarfs of the gospel? Could they somehow connect to Snow White's seven dwarfs?<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://starbaseatlanta.com/catalog/images/dis0288patch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" id="il_fi" src="http://starbaseatlanta.com/catalog/images/dis0288patch.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="142" /></a>First, we have Doc; the older, wiser leader of this clan of dwarfs. Likewise he relates to the Christlike attribute and dwarf of the gospel Knowledge. The heart of the prudent getteth <span class="highlight">knowledge</span>; and the ear of the wise seeketh <span class="highlight">knowledge. (Proverbs 18:15) The more knowledge we have the better we are able to make decisions. The more TRUE knowlege we have the stronger our testimony of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ becomes. We must remember the plea issued to us in the Book of Mormon, "O be <span class="highlight">wise</span>; what can I say more?" (Jacob 6:12)</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="webkit-fake-url://004FF7EC-4E3E-498A-87D2-BAA09680763B/Happy-snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs-6497352-300-300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Happy-snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs-6497352-300-300.jpg" border="0" height="200" src="webkit-fake-url://004FF7EC-4E3E-498A-87D2-BAA09680763B/Happy-snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs-6497352-300-300.jpg" width="200" /></a>Have you ever noticed that there is a lot of unfortunate stuff that happens in this story and that the dwarfs have to do a lot of things that don't seem like a whole lot of fun? Have you ever noticed that despite that this dwarf is always happy and cheerful through the whole story? I think that's a good lesson for us. A lot of times our Heavenly Father asks us to do things that don't sound like a whole lot of fun. He might even ask us to do things that don't make a whole lot of sense at the time. Our job through all of it is to be obedient. Not just obedient but cheerfully obedient. Conveniently enough, as we are obedient to the laws of the gospel, happiness follows. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"C</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">onditions of great happiness coming from righteous living."</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://images2.fanpop.com/images/photos/6100000/Bashful-snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs-6199691-278-350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" id="il_fi" src="http://images2.fanpop.com/images/photos/6100000/Bashful-snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs-6199691-278-350.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="174" /></a>This shy and always embarrassed character was a little bit harder to connect to church. I was thinking of something along the lines of "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ," but that didn't really seem right. What kept coming back to me over and over again is the quality of virtue. Virtue is a quality that is dropping further and further from society. Our Savior was perfectly virtuous in all of his thoughts and actions. In today's world you cannot even see a commercial without being bombarded with lude, suggestive and nearing pornographic adds and shows. Wouldn't it be nice if we were this, "Bashful" and it was as offensive to us as it would be to this dwarf...and to our Saviour. "We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/pgp/a-of-f/1?lang=eng">Article of Faith 13</a>)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zB7WenjBb0hn7PmICSH7cy7-FR6K7jBoKYlNL-ErD-amVVYqqxWpQQm_TFebT0fAgd5pcqj_kzCnAWm7ZnIMtcpqJCSD7aAplf5oV1Fw80CPAMZDIHEGqSEdbiOj9K0qSVhUWI9HEw0i/s1600/Sneezy_Dwarf_Cutout_682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" id="il_fi" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zB7WenjBb0hn7PmICSH7cy7-FR6K7jBoKYlNL-ErD-amVVYqqxWpQQm_TFebT0fAgd5pcqj_kzCnAWm7ZnIMtcpqJCSD7aAplf5oV1Fw80CPAMZDIHEGqSEdbiOj9K0qSVhUWI9HEw0i/s200/Sneezy_Dwarf_Cutout_682.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="148" /></a>Ahhhhh-chooo! This poor guy can't even get a sentence out without having to let a sneeze go. Having a situation such as that requires the next of the Seven Dwarfs of the Gospel; Patience. Jesus Christ was the ultimate example of patience. He endured everything and endured it well. From the taunting of the Pharisees to the crucifixion of the Romans he took everything that came his way and never lost his patience. We don't have to go through any of that, nor do we have to outlast endless sneezes. Couldn't we practice a little more patience with our fellow man. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">n your </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 18px;"><span class="highlight" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">patience</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> possess ye your souls. (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/21.19?lang=eng#18">Luke 21:19</a>)</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://common.csnstores.com/common/products/ADV/ADV1275_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" id="il_fi" src="http://common.csnstores.com/common/products/ADV/ADV1275_l.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="172" /></a>I hate the yawns. I also hate being tired. This dwarf is always tired, no matter when or where he just wants to curl up and take a nap. It sounds like the perfect dwarf to talk about diligence. There are many times in this life where we will be tired. Sometimes we will be physically tired, others mentally tired, emotionally tired, spiritually tired but we still need to keep on trucking. We are still expected to live a certain way. Fatigue is no reason to become lax in the way we do things. Remember the exhortation from the scriptures, "Be not weary in well doing". As we fight through the fatigue we will actually find a physical renewal that comes from obedience to the Lord. I promise. I have seen it.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://images2.fanpop.com/images/photos/6400000/Grumpy-snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs-6497343-429-411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" id="il_fi" src="http://images2.fanpop.com/images/photos/6400000/Grumpy-snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs-6497343-429-411.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="216" /></a> Oddly enough I would have to say that Grumpy is my favorite of the Seven Dwarfs. The question is, "What does Grumpy have to do with the gospel?" Jesus Christ wasn't grumpy or grouchy. Grumpy is our example of what not to be. He was always irritated and knew that he was always right. We need to show the opposite traits of what Grumpy embodies. We need to be cheerful and humble. Willing to do what we need to do as it comes and as our Lord sees fit.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg6crnPQ531qe4184o1_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" id="il_fi" src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg6crnPQ531qe4184o1_400.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="179" /></a> You have to love Dopey, if for no other reason than that he loves everybody and doesn't know any better. That is my final of the Seven Dwarfs of the Gospel. Love is so crucially important. Jesus Christ had perfect love for all of us. "<span class="highlight">Greater</span> <span class="highlight">love</span> hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/15.13?lang=eng#12">John 15:13</a>) That is exactly what Christ did for us. He layed down his life that others may live. We should love those around us and most importantly our Savior if for no other reason than that He loves us. <br />
<span class="highlight">"We</span> <span class="highlight">love</span> <span class="highlight">him</span>, because <span class="highlight">he</span> <span class="highlight">first</span> <span class="highlight">loved</span> <span class="highlight">us</span>." (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/search?lang=eng&query=he+first+loved+us">1 John 4:19</a>) If only we could be a little more like Dopey. Love everyone because we don't know any better.<br />
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I can promise you that as we strive to associate with the, "Seven Dwarfs of the Gospel" that we will be happier in our lives and will see the blessings of the Lord flow freely.</div>Elder Nate Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01115198795734144510noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-773655705418707433.post-62081706482275649642011-02-24T09:51:00.000-08:002011-02-24T09:59:18.482-08:00Question of the Day: Eeyore or Tigger.So here we have the tow opposite ends of the spectrum in the Winnie the Pooh stories.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3xeuqW0INQYPtOo36JU5eGdchgg7RSuSg8MD0RMslnnkIhznXSuH0is8DUoAJf9aUVXi3kpkGY0R5yfgRba8VexKsunBnV5dhFxgwMbpht1AMPG9gLe2e-b3QmX0EF2IRrEG6QsDJpc/s1600/eeyore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="149" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391763226083684706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3xeuqW0INQYPtOo36JU5eGdchgg7RSuSg8MD0RMslnnkIhznXSuH0is8DUoAJf9aUVXi3kpkGY0R5yfgRba8VexKsunBnV5dhFxgwMbpht1AMPG9gLe2e-b3QmX0EF2IRrEG6QsDJpc/s200/eeyore.jpg" style="display: block; height: 187px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 250px;" width="200" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div>First, we have Eeyore; the ever-present pessimist who seems to have the attitude, "Could be worse. Not sure how, but it could". No matter what, something is always bad for Eeyore. Nobody loves him, nothing goes right, his house constantly gets knocked over, he always loses his tail. Everything is always bad and nothing is ever good.<br />
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<a href="http://virulentwordofmouse.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/tigger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://virulentwordofmouse.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/tigger.jpg" border="0" height="200" src="http://virulentwordofmouse.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/tigger.jpg" width="123" /></a> On the other hand we have Tigger; the energetic, bouncy, happy Tigger. Tigger seems to look at the world as bright and sunshiny. He finds the silver lining in even the darkest clouds. There is something good about every situation with this one-of-a-kind "T-I-double Ga-errr". He always joyfully exclaims that, "the greatest thing about Tiggers is I'm the only one!".<br />
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Let us hope that is not the case.<br />
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So...which are we? Are we Eeyore? Does everything seem to work against us? Or are we Tigger? No matter what happens we are the ones to handle it?<br />
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God did not create us or put us into situations so that we will be miserable all of the time. "Men are that they might have joy," is what God has in mind. (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/2?lang=eng">2 Nephi 2:25</a>) We need to become a little more like Tigger and find those silver linings. I promise they are there.<br />
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I promise that as we begin to try to FIND the good in every situation we will become more like Tigger; bouncy and happy. Doesn't that sound like a better way to live?Elder Nate Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01115198795734144510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-773655705418707433.post-59602431227396145002011-02-15T10:21:00.000-08:002011-02-15T10:21:03.854-08:00Who's Honest John?I have always loved the movie Pinocchio. One of the most interesting and appealing things about it is not only the entertainment aspect but also the many lessons that we can learn from it.<br />
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<a href="http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/MCG/PFD1458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pinocchio and Jiminy - Friendly Fun" border="0" height="200" src="http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/MCG/PFD1458.jpg" width="156" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></span></span>We start with Pinocchio, a puppet brought to life, who wants so desperately to be a real boy. He starts down the right path. He's got his conscience Jimminy Cricket, he's got his books and he's off to school. He's on his way to becoming a real boy!<br />
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<a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01382/pinochhio-460_1382877c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Was Pinocchio was being 'groomed' by his cartoon pals? " border="0" height="125" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01382/pinochhio-460_1382877c.jpg" width="200" /></a>As he skips down the path with his trusty conscience, joyfully heading to school, he meets Honest John, a fox who distracts him from his goal. He convinces him that an actor's life would be so much better than going to school. Despite contrary suggestion and guidance from his conscience he decided to pursue this life as an actor.<br />
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<a href="http://static.desktopnexus.com/thumbnails/291560-bigthumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pinocchio and the Blue Fairy - boy, cage, cartoon, Disney, Fairy, movie, puppet, wand" border="0" height="150" id="bigthumb" src="http://static.desktopnexus.com/thumbnails/291560-bigthumbnail.jpg" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="200" /></a>As the story progresses we see that an actor's life is not all it's cracked up to be. He ends up trapped in a cage with no choice, whatsoever, of what he can do. He remembers his friend Jimminy Cricket who always told him to just, "give a little whistle". Well, Jimminy comes back to him and manages to get the fairy that brought Pinocchio to life to get them out of this jam. Pinocchio goes home with the determination that he will go to school now.<br />
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<a href="http://www.sharebook.co.kr/disney/a/%ED%94%BC%EB%85%B8%ED%82%A4%EC%98%A4.files/image008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img align="left" alt="Pinocchio, and the donkey" border="0" height="179" src="http://www.sharebook.co.kr/disney/a/%ED%94%BC%EB%85%B8%ED%82%A4%EC%98%A4.files/image008.jpg" width="200" /></a>It happens again. Pinocchio is off to school when good ol' Honest John comes along and convinces him that he doesn't wanna go to school. He wants to go to Pleasure Island where all the real fun is. Pinocchio veers off the path again and makes the journey to Pleasure Island, which is not very pleasurable at all. They think that they are free and having a good time, smoking, drinking and playing pool when they suddenly realize that they are turning into donkeys.<br />
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Pinocchio realizes once again that he has made a mistake and he needs Jimminy Cricket, as Jimminy tries to help him they end up being swallowed by Monstro, a giant whale. As they manage to escape<br />
the whale Pinocchio has finally learned his lesson, goes to school and becomes a real boy.<br />
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Now what in the world does all this have to do with us? <br />
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We really are not that different from Pinocchio. We become distracted from the goals with the greatest prizes by things that seems better at the moment. As we strive towards our own goals and ambitions we have our own "Honest Johns" that come along and distract us down a path that turns out to not be as amazing as was hoped. Much like Pinocchio, as we ignore our conscience and follow these "Honest Johns" we find ourselves separated from the guidance of the Holy Ghost and our conscience.<br />
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So who are the Honest Johns out there? All the things that distract us from our destiny to live with our Heavenly Father. Riches. Alcohol. Drugs. Recreation on the Sabbath day. I promise you that all these things are just gilded treasures. Worthless things made to look like they are greater than what we currently have, or can receive without them. <br />
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I can promise you that if we follow our conscience, follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we qualify ourselves for that companionship more often. The reason most people fail is because they give up what they want most for what they want at the moment. What do you want most?Elder Nate Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01115198795734144510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-773655705418707433.post-73839135988444769502011-02-10T12:54:00.000-08:002011-02-10T12:54:26.829-08:00Happily Ever After<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Cinderella and Prince Charming" border="0" height="286" src="http://images.picturesdepot.com/photo/c/cinderella_and_prince_charming-4699.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 660px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="400" /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 13px;"></span><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after.p2"><br />
</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after.p2">Over the years I have been exposed to many beautiful languages—each of them is fascinating and remarkable; each has its particular charm. But as different as these languages can be, they often have things in common. For example, in most languages there exists a phrase as magical and full of promise as perhaps any in the world. That phrase is “Once upon a time.”</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after.p3">Aren’t those wonderful words to begin a story? “Once upon a time” promises something: a story of adventure and romance, a story of princesses and princes. It may include tales of courage, hope, and everlasting love. In many of these stories, nice overcomes mean and good overcomes evil. But perhaps most of all, I love it when we turn to the last page and our eyes reach the final lines and we see the enchanting words “And they lived happily ever after.”</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after.p4">Isn’t that what we all desire: to be the heroes and heroines of our own stories; to triumph over adversity; to experience life in all its beauty; and, in the end, to live happily ever after?</div><div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after.p5">“You are a beloved child of Heavenly Father, prepared to come to the earth at this particular time for a sacred and glorious purpose.”<sup class="noteMarker" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after?lang=eng#1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #486fae; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1</span></a></sup></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after.p6">Those words are true! They are not made up in a fairy tale! Isn’t it remarkable to know that our eternal Heavenly Father knows you, hears you, watches over you, and loves you with an infinite love? In fact, His love for you is so great that He has granted you this earthly life as a precious gift of “once upon a time,” complete with your own true story of adventure, trial, and opportunities for greatness, nobility, courage, and love. And, most glorious of all, He offers you a gift beyond price and comprehension. Heavenly Father offers to you the greatest gift of all—eternal life—and the opportunity and infinite blessing of your own “happily ever after.”</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after.p6">But such a blessing does not come without a price. It is not given simply because you desire it. It comes only through understanding who you are and what you must become in order to be worthy of such a gift.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after.p6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after.p8">For a moment, think back about your favorite fairy tale. In that story the main character may be a princess or a peasant; she might be a mermaid or a milkmaid, a ruler or a servant. You will find one thing all have in common: they must overcome adversity.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after.p9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><img alt="cinderella scrubbing" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-9336" height="154" src="http://www.shapingyouth.org:8000/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/cinderella-scrubbing.PNG" style="display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 5px;" title="cinderella scrubbing" width="229" /></span>Cinderella has to endure her wicked stepmother and evil stepsisters. She is compelled to suffer long hours of servitude and ridicule.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after.p10"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-2774" height="249" src="http://gatheringbooks.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/belle-father-locked-up-300x249.png?w=300&h=249" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; display: inline; float: right; height: auto; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 24px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;" title="belle-father-locked-up-300x249" width="300" />In “Beauty and the Beast,” Belle becomes a captive to a frightful-looking beast in order to save her father. She sacrifices her home and family, all she holds dear, to spend several months in the beast’s castle. </div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after.p12">In each of these stories, Cinderella and Belle have to experience sadness and trial before they can reach their “happily ever after.” Think about it. Has there ever been a person who did not have to go through his or her own dark valley of temptation, trial, and sorrow?</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after.p13">Sandwiched between their “once upon a time” and “happily ever after,” they all had to experience great adversity. Why must all experience sadness and tragedy? Why could we not simply live in bliss and peace, each day filled with wonder, joy, and love?</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after.p13">In stories, as in life, adversity teaches us things we cannot learn otherwise. Adversity helps to develop a depth of character that comes in no other way. Our loving Heavenly Father has set us in a world filled with challenges and trials so that we, through opposition, can learn wisdom, become stronger, and experience joy.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after.p13"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after.p27">You need to know that you will experience your own adversity. None is exempt. You will suffer, be tempted, and make mistakes. You will learn for yourself what every heroine has learned: through overcoming challenges come growth and strength.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after.p28">It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life’s story will develop.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after.p28"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after.p38">I understand that, at times, some may wonder why they attend Church meetings or why it is so important to read the scriptures regularly or pray to our Heavenly Father daily. Here is my answer: You do these things because they are part of God’s path for you. And that path will take you to your “happily ever after” destination.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after.p39">“Happily ever after” is not something found only in fairy tales. You can have it! It is available for you! But you must follow your Heavenly Father’s map.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after.p39">I give you a promise that as you accept and live the values and principles of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, “[you] will be prepared to strengthen home and family,And the day will come when you turn the final pages of your own glorious story; there you will read and experience the fulfillment of those blessed and wonderful words: <a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after?lang=eng">“And they lived happily ever after.”</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460794601682311106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3z-moOEoNHwPRax4fVoNhTBcTAVI3At3sNkQoERc-k86Nt87zCk-v3IwtdxsYu4Bx2LlGrKfPEvjt57F_o4a3wtvgLOtFKG5nBA99do6qzac-HxCBHgvJ6y2PViR2L-A0CdyxPcicg/s400/Happily_Ever_After.gif" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; float: right; height: 174px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 175px;" /></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after.p39"><br />
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</div></div>Elder Nate Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01115198795734144510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-773655705418707433.post-12645036854820182882011-02-05T09:33:00.000-08:002011-02-05T09:34:45.938-08:00The Happiest Place on Earth<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><img alt="Disney Magic Kingdom" height="400" src="http://www.thevarguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/disney-magic-kingdom.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(51, 102, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(51, 102, 153); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(51, 102, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(51, 102, 153); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: inline; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 450px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right;" width="334" /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="color: black; display: inline; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Disneyland...The Happiest Place on Earth.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">I love Disneyland. I can remember the excitement I felt when we drove up. It just creates a spirit of happiness. As you approach you start to hear the cheerful Disney music, you see hedges trimmed in the shapes of Mickey Mouse, Dumbo and Goofy. I can barely contain my feelings of elation. It is a place where you can let your hair down, have fun, be a kid. It doesn't matter. I once watched my father, a grown man with children and grandchildren, SPRINT from the parking garage to the gates of the park. Nobody cared. Everybody else was just as excited.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Ok, ok, I'm sure all of you are thinking, "Elder Davis are you a missionary or a sales rep for Disney?" </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">My point I was getting to was that why should those feelings revolve around a park that you visit maybe once in a lifetime? Why can't we have that excitement and happiness all the time?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">What if our homes were that way?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><img alt="happy_family_2_313120707" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6" height="400" src="http://www.zenit-kultur.nu/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/happy_family_2_313120707.jpg" title="happy_family_2_313120707" width="267" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Couldn't it happen? What if that's how it was? Every time you come home at the end of the day you were so excited to be there! As you drive up you are just filled to the brim with joy and exhilaration! You know that waiting there for you are the people that you would most want to spend time with...your family.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">I promise you that this can be the case. If you focus your life and family around the proper things I can promise you that your home will become your "Happiest Place on Earth". Your family will be closer together. I promise you that no matter what your life is like. Single or married, children or not. If you base your life around the gospel of Jesus Christ your home will become your safe-haven and you will want to go there. Our homes should be our happiest place. Our families are whom we should want to spend our time with. I promise you there is a way.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"></span>Elder Nate Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01115198795734144510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-773655705418707433.post-71889462685763999512011-01-31T09:58:00.000-08:002011-01-31T09:58:11.391-08:00Something More<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
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</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="The Little Mermaid Wallpaper - the-little-mermaid wallpaper" border="0" class="border" height="375" src="http://images2.fanpop.com/images/photos/6400000/The-Little-Mermaid-Wallpaper-the-little-mermaid-6497030-1024-768.jpg" title="The Little Mermaid Wallpaper - the-little-mermaid wallpaper" width="500" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">For those of you who know me you knew it was only a matter of time until I posted something that had to do with Disney. This song is from the Disney movie, <u>The Little Mermaid,</u> it is about Ariel wanting MORE. She talks about wanting more, and how some think there's something wrong with her for wanting more. As you read the lyrics I want you to think, "What does this have to do with me and why is he posting this?" </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe He's Right<br />
Maybe There Is Something The Matter with me With Me<br />
I Just Don't See How A World That Makes Such Wonderful Things <br />
Could Be Bad<br />
<br />
Look at this stuff<br />
Isn't it neat?<br />
Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?<br />
Wouldn't you think I'm the girl<br />
The girl who has everything?<br />
<br />
Look at this trove<br />
Treasures untold<br />
How many wonders can one cavern hold?<br />
Looking around here you'd think<br />
Sure, she's got everything<br />
<br />
I've got gadgets and gizmo's a-plenty<br />
I've got woozits and whatzits galore<br />
[You want thingamabobs? I've got 20!]<br />
<br />
But who cares?<br />
No big deal<br />
I want more<br />
<br />
And ready to know what the people know<br />
Ask 'em my questions and get some answers<br />
What's a fire and why does it<br />
[What's the word?] burn<br />
When's it my turn?<br />
Wouldn't I love<br />
Love to explore the shore up above?<br />
<br />
Out of the sea<br />
Wish I could be<br />
Part of that world<br />
<br />
What would I give to live where you are<br />
What would I pay to stay here beside you<br />
What would I do to see you, smiling at me<br />
Where would we walk<br />
Where would we run<br />
If we could stay all day in the sun<br />
Just you and me<br />
And I could be..<br />
Part of your<br />
world..<br />
I don't know when<br />
I don't know how<br />
But I know something's starting right now<br />
Watch and you'll see<br />
Someday I'll be<br />
Part of your<br />
world. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Alright! What do you think? She sings about all the THINGS she has but she wants more. There are many that would connect that to selfishness...get it sel-fish-ness...she's a mermaid...fish...funny right. Alright anyway, I hear it and I think how she wants something of greater substance in her life. The THINGS don't satisfy her. She wants something more something greater. Here's the question of the hour... "Do we?" </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Do we want something more or are we simply content with our material possessions.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal;</div><div class="" style="text-align: center;"><a class="bookmark dontHighlight" href="" name="20"> </a><span class="verse"></span>But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.</div><div class="" style="text-align: center;"> <span class="verse"></span>For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> (3 Nephi 13:19-21)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can promise you that as we look past our materials and we "want more" that we can some day be "part of that world". Not part of the human world but part of the world where our Father in Heaven lives and it can be us and Him and we can walk, run and ask all the questions we want. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So...are you willing to WANT MORE?</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>Elder Nate Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01115198795734144510noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-773655705418707433.post-28017607913929117722011-01-29T09:34:00.000-08:002011-01-29T09:34:02.224-08:00A Child's Prayer<div style="text-align: center;">Heavenly Father, are you really there?<br />
And do you hear and answer ev’ry child’s prayer?<br />
Some say that heaven is far away,<br />
But I feel it close around me as I pray.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://revonwheels.files.wordpress.com/2007/02/child-praying.jpg" title="child-praying.jpg"><img alt="child-praying.jpg" src="http://revonwheels.files.wordpress.com/2007/02/child-praying.jpg?w=510" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pray, he is there;<br />
Speak, he is list’ning.<br />
You are his child;<br />
His love now surrounds you.<br />
He hears your prayer;<br />
He loves the children.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heav’n. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Heavenly Father, I remember now<br />
Something that Jesus told disciples long ago:<br />
“Suffer the children to come to me.”<br />
Father, in prayer I’m coming now to thee. </div><div class="BVerse" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="widget-content" style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="Jesus Is the Christ" height="268" id="Image2_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEDYOCgIOO1W6gSy6bsdcT9y3fScAmbC1xw2hlDRTALBK3zy4mVuTaQ_GowoabtFNQdaGEx3PZ4WWJMLFut425N4GlTE0f_vUjdyw-m_f4NysPEOkb1kUHfB1-IAbVGy4md821YmCo2Q/s259/Christ+%26+Children+LLS.JPG" width="400" /> <br />
<span class="caption"></span> </div><div class="BVerse" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="BVerse" style="text-align: center;">Pray, he is there;<br />
Speak, he is list’ning.<br />
You are his child;<br />
His love now surrounds you.<br />
He hears your prayer;<br />
He loves the children.<br />
Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heav’n.</div><div class="BVerse" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="BVerse" style="text-align: center;">I absolutely love this song. Each and everyone of us is a child of God and he wants to hear from us. He is all-knowing all-powerful. He still loves us and wants to hear from you and I. </div>Elder Nate Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01115198795734144510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-773655705418707433.post-27879765590035962192011-01-20T10:05:00.000-08:002011-01-20T10:05:09.185-08:00The Bird Cage<div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="http://www.kevinmakwana.com/gallery/Props/Props_final/birdcage_final.jpg" height="240" src="http://www.kevinmakwana.com/gallery/Props/Props_final/birdcage_final.jpg" width="320" /></div><br />
A pastor in a small New England town entered his church one Easter morning with a rusty, old, bent bird <span class="hilite">cage</span>. He set the <span class="hilite">bird</span> cage on the pulpit causing a few raised eyebrows. Then he began to speak.<br />
<br />
“Yesterday morning, I came across a young boy who had 3 scared birds in a <span class="hilite">cage</span> shivering from <span class="hilite">the</span> cold. I asked him, what do you got there? ‘Just some dumb old birds!’ ‘What are you going to do with them?’ ‘Tease em, play with em, and pull out all their feathers!’ ‘Then what are you going to do?’ ‘Feed em to my cat, he likes birds!’”<br />
<br />
I went silent for a moment and asked, ‘How much would you like for those birds?’ ‘Oh, you don’t want these, they’re ugly and can’t even sing!’ ‘How much?’ came my definite reply. The boy thought for a moment and then said, ‘$10.’ I reached into my pocket and gave the boy $10. The boy took the money and then vanished. I then picked up the cage, walked to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a small grassy spot. He opened the door by gently tapping the bars to the <span class="hilite">cage</span>, and coaxed the birds out into the grass.”<br />
<br />
That explained the <span class="hilite">bird</span> cage on the pulpit. Then he proceeded to tell this story...<br />
<br />
“One day, Satan and Jesus were walking and Satan had just come out of the Garden of Eden. He was gloating and boasting. ‘Yes sir, I caught me a whole world full of people. Set a trap that they just couldn’t resist. Yep, got them all.’ ‘What are you going to do with them,’ came the reply. ‘Gonna have some fun with them; teach them to hate, hurt, and kill each other.’ ‘Then what are you going to do?’ ‘Oh, then I’ll destroy them and bring them down into my kingdom.’<br />
<br />
Jesus paused. ‘How much do you want for them?’ ‘Oh, you don’t want them. They’ll just hate you, spit on you, mock you and kill you. They don’t want you.’ Jesus paused and looked straight at Satan, ‘how much?’ Satan suddenly realized, looked at Jesus and sneered, ‘All your tears, all your blood, all your footsteps, all your strengths, all your life.’<br />
<br />
Jesus paid the price, picked up the <span class="hilite">cage</span> and opened <span class="hilite">the</span> door”Elder Nate Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01115198795734144510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-773655705418707433.post-92002038512580326542011-01-14T13:06:00.000-08:002011-01-14T13:06:43.485-08:00Our Focus<div style="text-align: center;">Some people focus on their family. Other people focus on their careers. Some people focus on their string collection. Everyone devotes their time differently. What kind of things are central in your life? What do you focus your time and efforts on? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well I have a little story for you about 2 different people and what they focused on. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6S5h6DZrcljZ4RIkvfF1L0QpYn3XaO_IWUssoa_gXiQ8UGiL1JKqdOmTUvzC2sDM1df9cvU_UMBfZkyC3fuCuCpCcZMHecu8qv65MNjx3ToCt5MLihV3tth-fqvEQkaUw2jKlgoyJoe8/s1600/King_Benjamin%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6S5h6DZrcljZ4RIkvfF1L0QpYn3XaO_IWUssoa_gXiQ8UGiL1JKqdOmTUvzC2sDM1df9cvU_UMBfZkyC3fuCuCpCcZMHecu8qv65MNjx3ToCt5MLihV3tth-fqvEQkaUw2jKlgoyJoe8/s1600/King_Benjamin%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Once upon a time there was a man named King Benjamin. King Benjamin had a large kingdom and was a very good king. The thing about King Benjamin was that not only was he a king he was also a prophet. King Benjamin had been king for a long time and had grown very old, he knew that he would soon die. He loved his people and his kingdom very much so he decided he was going to talk to them one last time. So he had a large tower built next to the <a href="http://temples.lds.org/">temple</a> so he could have them all gather around and he could talk to them and teach them. All the people gathered together and when they came up to the temple, "they pitched their tents round about, every man according to his family, consisting of his wife, and his sons, and his daughters, and their sons, and their daughters, from the eldest down to the youngest, every family being separate one from another.</div><div class="" style="text-align: center;"> <span class="verse"></span>And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple, that thereby they might remain in their tents and hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them". (Mosiah 2:5-6) So all of these people had come together with their families and had their tent doors toward the temple and their prophet.</div><div class="" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="text-align: center;">So that is half of the story,here is the other half...</div><div class="" style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="" style="text-align: center;">There once was a man named Lot. He lived and traveled through the desert. Eventually, after traveling "Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched <span class="clarityWord">his</span> tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom <span class="clarityWord">were</span> wicked and sinners before the <span class="deitySmallCaps">Lord</span> exceedingly." (Genesis 13:12-13) Lot pitched his tent toward a city that was so wicked that it lead to its destruction. </div><div class="" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="text-align: center;">Now, here is the question...What does this have to do with us? God honestly does not care what physical direction our house (or tent) face. However, it does show a much deeper devotion and focus. Lot and his family wanted the things of the world. King Benjamin's people wanted the things that <a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/2007/10/good-better-best?lang=eng">matter most</a>. What do we want?</div><div class="" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Elder Nate Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01115198795734144510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-773655705418707433.post-23179751147292334492011-01-12T09:49:00.000-08:002011-01-12T09:49:41.064-08:00A Man on a Wall<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="240" src="http://www.oneil.com.au/lds/pictures/lehi_jerusalem.jpg" width="320" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Prophet.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What does this term mean? It's heard so often in religion. I have spoken of following the teachings of the Prophets. But what is a Prophet.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well here we go...</div><div style="text-align: center;">A Prophet is a man called of God to teach us what God would have us do. So here's the best example I can come up with...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I want you to picture a giant thick wall. Now put God on one side of the wall and all of us on the other side. We don't get to have face to face conversations with God. We can pray and he can answer through thoughts and feelings but we don't have face to face conversations with him. Now imagine God putting one of the men from our side of the wall on top. That is a Prophet. He can turn and see and hear what God has for us to know and then he can turn around and share with us what God has told him. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now does it make sense why we would want to listen to a Prophet? He receives guidance and direction from God, who sees the beginning from the end. God has always worked this way. "Surely the Lord <span class="deitySmallCaps">God</span> will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I bear witness to you that as we listen to the Prophets we will have the guidance and direction we need to live happy and successful lives.</div>Elder Nate Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01115198795734144510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-773655705418707433.post-37371734169825726382011-01-08T09:28:00.000-08:002011-01-08T10:16:19.210-08:00A Baseball Players Prayer<div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Dear Lord,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Help me to be a sport in this little game of life. I don't ask for an easy place in the line-up. Play me anywhere you need me. I only ask that I might give you 100% of all I've got. If all the hard drives seem to come my way- I thank you for the compliment. Help me to realize that you won't let anything come my way that you and I can't handle together."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=54129&id=100001797309804" id="myphotolink"><img height="217" id="myphoto" src="http://l6.sphotos.l3.fbcdn.net/hphotos-l3-snc4/hs1357.snc4/162914_121203641282879_100001797309804_145442_507284_n.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I can promise you that the principles in this prayer are true. I can also promise that if we go about our lives with this attitude rather than the attitude of..."Why me?", "Why can't I get all the breaks?", "God, give me this and this and this or else I don't believe anymore!"...we will have a greatly blessed and directed life and we will be much more happy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love you and testify this to you in the name of the Lord and Master; Jesus Christ.</div>Elder Nate Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01115198795734144510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-773655705418707433.post-306892019519839392011-01-04T10:10:00.000-08:002011-01-04T10:10:45.247-08:00A Special Family<img src="http://www.tcnj.edu/~santoro2/family2.gif" /><br />
<br />
<div align="center">Family. What do you think about when you hear this? A lot of people think of family dinners or holidays. Maybe you think of crowded houses and arguments. Regardless, everyone has a family. The question is, how do we make our families closer and more loving? It seems to me that our families should be something more than merely 4, 5, or 6 individuals that just happen to share a last name and live under the same roof for a few years. But how do we do it?</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">"The family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children." When we come to the realization of this then we understand more how important it is to build our families. Having a loving close knit family takes effort. Making a special family takes a special effort. Since families are central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny and happiness for us the adversary is taking extra steps and strides to try to tear families apart and make it harder for them to succeed. If you don't believe me just look at the divorce rate in this world.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">So once again the question sits before us...How do I do it? Well, here is your answer. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">"Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners." </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">My friends and family I don't know what else to tell you. The Gospel of Jesus Christ in it's fulness and simplicity is once again the answer. Not only is it the answer to success in our individual lives, it is also the answer for success in our families. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">So what do we do? What are our actions in this? I promise you that if you sit down with your family and read from the scriptures (Bible and Book of Mormon), have family prayer, have family dinner, go on family activities, have a designated night as a family night, go to church you will have a closer family. I know that if this is not something you have before done it may not make sense. I can testify the truths of it to you because I have seen the blessings in my family as we made this simples steps. I have also seen the consequences of not doing it. My family is not a perfect family, but we are an eternal family and a loving family and it is because of following the simplicity of the teachings of the prophets. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I love you and leave this testimony and promise with you as an authorized representative and disciple of Jesus Christ. </div>Elder Nate Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01115198795734144510noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-773655705418707433.post-44826873853504695452011-01-03T10:10:00.000-08:002011-01-03T10:10:56.802-08:00Hold to the Rod<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.upliftingart.com/images/catalog/category206.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Have you ever thought, "It would be amazing if there was just a definite path or guidebook or something like that for life"? What if there was? Would you follow it? What if it wasn't the most popular thing in the world but it was still the way to success and happiness? Would you withstand the pressure and stick with it?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Guess What...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">There is. There once was a Prophet named Lehi who had a dream about that very thing. He saw in a vision a rod of iron that led on a straight and narrow path, through mist and darkness, along the banks of a river to a tree "whose fruit was desirable to make one happy". (1 Nephi 8:10) Fruit that "was desirable above all other fruit". (1 Nephi 8:12)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Awesome right!? A rod of iron that you can hold onto along a straight path through the darkness and mists! That's what we were looking for! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's the thing...</div><div style="text-align: center;"> On the other side of the river is a great and spacious building filled with people pointing and laughing at those who stayed on the path and held to the rod.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building;<a class="bookmark dontHighlight" href="" name="27"> </a>and it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.</div><div class="" sizcache="10" sizset="94" style="text-align: center;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8.28"><a class="bookmark dontHighlight" href="" name="28"> </a>And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost." (1 Nephi 8:26-28)</div><div class="" sizcache="10" sizset="94" style="text-align: center;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8.28"><br />
</div><div class="" sizcache="10" sizset="94" style="text-align: center;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8.28">These people had found what they were looking for. They found the path, the guide, they tasted the happiness they had arrived! The problem was it wasn't popular. It wasn't the way of the world. It wasn't how everyone else thought they should do things. </div><div class="" sizcache="10" sizset="94" style="text-align: center;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8.28"><br />
</div><div class="" sizcache="10" sizset="94" style="text-align: center;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8.28">My family and friends, brothers and sisters. Does this happen to us? Do we reject the guide that we need so desperately in our lives. I tell you that a lot of the time we do. In Lehi's vision the iron rod resembles the word of God i.e. the scriptures and the words of the Prophets. That is our guide that lead us along the path that leads to our happiness and success, the Tree whose fruit is desirable above all other. In closing I leave you my testimony in love that I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is real. That the mists of darkness in this life are real. I testify to you that the Gospel is delicious to the taste and is more desirable than anything else we will find. I promise you that it brings happiness and success not only in this life but in the life to come. So I invite you to hold to the iron rod, to follow the straight and narrow path and not be ashamed. </div><div class="" sizcache="10" sizset="94" style="text-align: center;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8.28"><br />
</div><div class="" sizcache="10" sizset="94" style="text-align: center;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8.28">I love you. </div><div class="" sizcache="10" sizset="94" style="text-align: center;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8.28"><br />
</div><div class="" sizcache="10" sizset="94" style="text-align: center;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8.28">I promise and testify you these things in the name of Jesus Christ.</div>Elder Nate Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01115198795734144510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-773655705418707433.post-52344127834616044002010-12-31T10:45:00.000-08:002010-12-31T10:45:53.438-08:00New Year ResolutionsHappy New Year!<br />
<br />
The New Year is an exciting time of the year. Everyone is making resolutions to do things different and hopefully better. New Year resolutions are always fun. Some people decide they are going to lose weight, others decide that they want a different job, no matter what the goal is it seems like everyone has something.<br />
<br />
So...what's yours? What is your resolution going to be? What are you going to have be better. Is it going to be physical? Financial? Locational? How about a resolution that will effect <strong>ALL</strong> of that? Crazy right? I know you're thinking, "What could he possibly be talking about that could effect all the different aspects of my life?". Well, I will tell you. The answer is...<br />
<br />
<strong>A Spiritual Resolution.</strong><br />
<br />
The Savior Jesus Christ invited all, "Come follow me". I can promise that those who heed this call will gain the blessings we have talked about. <br />
<br />
Not quite convinced? Don't think it makes sense? Let me explain. Say you are going to be setting financial goals if a person will follow the example and teachings of Jesus Christ and pay tithing they will be greatly blessed. <br />
<br />
<u>Malachi 3:10</u><br />
Bring ye all the <span style="color: black;">tithes</span> into the storehouse, that there may be <span style="color: black;">meat</span> in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the <span class="deitySmallCaps">Lord</span> of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that <span class="clarityWord">there shall</span> not <span class="clarityWord">be room</span> enough <span class="clarityWord">to receive it.</span><br />
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<span class="clarityWord">So many blessings that we can't even receive it! Can you believe that people say they can't afford tithing. You can't afford not to.</span><br />
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<span class="clarityWord">Let's continue to physical blessings. Following the Lord has physical blessings and promises also. For instance, just following and waiting upon the Lord...</span><br />
<br />
<span class="clarityWord"><u>Isaiah 40:31</u></span><br />
<span class="clarityWord">But they that wait upon the Lord shall <span class="highlight">renew</span> their <span class="highlight">strength</span>; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.<br />
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Whereas those who go a bit further and follow the physical guidelines and instruction that the Lord has set forth known as The Word of Wisdom...<br />
<br />
<u>Doctrine and Covenants 89:18-21</u><br />
<span class="verse">18</span>And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;<br />
<div class="" sizcache="10" sizset="78" uri="/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/89.19"><a class="bookmark dontHighlight" href="" name="19"> </a><span class="verse">19</span>And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;</div><div class="" sizcache="10" sizset="83" uri="/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/89.20"><a class="bookmark dontHighlight" href="" name="20"> </a><span class="verse">20</span>And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.</div><div class="" sizcache="10" sizset="86" uri="/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/89.21"><a class="bookmark dontHighlight" href="" name="21"> </a><span class="verse">21</span>And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.</div><div class="" sizcache="10" sizset="86" uri="/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/89.21"><br />
</div><div class="" sizcache="10" sizset="86" uri="/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/89.21">My friends and family I can go on and on about the blessings that will come in every aspect of our lives if we heed the call, "Come follow me". I add my testimony that Jesus Christ is the one to follow and even though it will not be easy we will be greatly blessed. This is my New Year Resolution, to be a better follower of my Lord and Master.</div></span>Elder Nate Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01115198795734144510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-773655705418707433.post-24477486815518773912010-12-23T10:31:00.000-08:002010-12-23T10:31:08.585-08:00Modern-Day Grinches<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #777777; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 13px;"></span><br />
<div class="clearfix" id="details" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 30px; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 30px; padding-top: 35px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; z-index: 1; zoom: 1;"><h1 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: OFLSortsMillGoudyRegular, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 48px; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 54px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 484px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Seeing Christmas through New Eyes</span></h1><h2 class="author" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 24px; font: normal normal normal 24px/26px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 435px;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">DIETER F. UCHTDORF</span></div></h2><div class="citation" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 484px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">"Seeing Christmas through New Eyes," </span><span class="emphasis" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">2010 First Presidency Christmas Devotional</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">, (December 5, 2010)</span></div><hr style="border-bottom-color: rgb(243, 183, 82); border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(243, 183, 82); border-left-style: none; border-right-color: rgb(243, 183, 82); border-right-style: none; border-top-color: rgb(243, 183, 82); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 7px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; clear: both; display: block; float: left; height: 7px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 30px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 225px;" /></div><div id="primary" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #2f393a; float: left; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 45px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 470px;"><div class="topic" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">"Isn’t this a wonderful time of the year! So many things fill our hearts with the spirit of Christmas: the melody of Christmas carols, the lights, the decorations, and the happy greetings of “Merry Christmas!”</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">There are certain words that ring like bells in my soul and remind me of the beauty and meaning of Christmas—words such as “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus”</span><sup class="noteMarker" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="http://lds.org/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes?lang=eng#1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">1</span></a></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">and, of course, “Joy to the World!” “Away in a Manger,” and “Silent Night.”</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">There are other words, more cautionary, that are worthy of our consideration as well—words such as:</span></div><div class="figure" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="stanza" id="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="line" id="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Every Who</span></div><div class="line" id="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Down in Who-ville</span></div><div class="line" id="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Liked Christmas a lot . . .</span></div><div class="line" id="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">But the Grinch,</span></div><div class="line" id="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Who lived just north of Who-ville,</span></div><div class="line" id="" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Did NOT!</span><sup class="noteMarker" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="http://lds.org/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes?lang=eng#2" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">2</span></a></sup></div></div></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">The Grinch, that memorable character from a classic children’s story by Dr. Seuss, had a heart that “was two sizes too small,” and he hated everything about Christmas. Through the course of the story, however, he undergoes a dramatic transformation when he learns that there is more to Christmas than decorations and gifts.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Perhaps the Grinch’s story is so memorable because, if we are honest, we may be able to relate to him. Who among us has not felt concern over the commercialization and even greed of the Christmas season? Who hasn’t felt overwhelmed by the packed calendars, the stress of finding gifts, the pressure of planning meals and events? In fact, psychologists tell us that during this season of cheer and goodwill, many feel sorrow and depression.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">We know what the Christmas season ought to be—we know it should be a time of reflection on the birth of the Savior, a time of celebration and of generosity. But sometimes our focus is so much on the things that annoy and overwhelm us that we can almost hear ourselves say in unison with the Grinch: “Why, for fifty-three years I’ve put up with it now! I MUST stop this Christmas from coming! . . . </span><i style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">But HOW?</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">”</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">While it’s true that we can find materialism and anxiety in Christmas, it is also true that if we have eyes to see, we can experience the powerful message of the birth of the Son of God and feel the hope and peace He brings to the world. We, like the Grinch, can see Christmas through new eyes.</span></div><div class="topic" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 24px; font: normal normal normal 24px/26px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Looking for Christ</span></h2><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">As an old family tradition, our family has always celebrated the Advent of Christmas. Starting on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, we would get together on Sunday afternoons, light wax candles on a pine Advent wreath, enjoy delicious homemade cookies, and read passages of scriptures that center on the Christ.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">We read accounts of ancient prophets who yearned for the coming of the Messiah. We read scriptures that proclaim the wondrous story of His birth. Each week by singing beautiful Christmas songs and having a fun time together, our family tried to refocus on the true meaning of the season. I must admit that delicious hot chocolate, hot apple cider, and tasty homemade cookies helped a lot to catch the joyful feeling of the Christmas season!</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p10"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">While celebrating the Advent of Christmas is not part of all cultures around the globe, there is something we can learn from this widespread Christian tradition. Perhaps even this year we might carve from our busy schedules some time to study and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas—personally and as families.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p11"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">When we prepare for Christmas by pondering its real meaning, we prepare to experience the Christ and His message. May I suggest three things we may want to study, ponder, and apply in this season of preparation.</span></div></div><div class="topic" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 24px; font: normal normal normal 24px/26px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Rejoice in the Birth of Our Savior</span></h2><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p12"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">First, rejoice in the birth of our Savior. We celebrate the birth of the Son of God, the Creator, our Messiah. We rejoice that the King of kings came to earth, was born in a manger, and lived a perfect life. When Jesus was born, the joy in heaven was so great it could not be contained, and angelic hosts parted the veil, proclaiming unto shepherds “good tidings of great joy, . . . praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”</span><sup class="noteMarker" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="http://lds.org/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes?lang=eng#3" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">3</span></a></sup></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p13"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Wise Men “rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when . . . they saw the young child with Mary his mother, [they] fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts.”</span><sup class="noteMarker" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="http://lds.org/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes?lang=eng#4" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">4</span></a></sup></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p14"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">It is only fitting that we—like the Wise Men, shepherds, and angels—take time to rejoice and celebrate that glorious first Christmas Day.</span></div></div><div class="topic" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 24px; font: normal normal normal 24px/26px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Ponder His Influence in Our Lives Today</span></h2><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p15"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Second, ponder His influence in our lives today. The more commercialized and busy the Christmas season becomes, the easier it is for the sublime message of the Savior’s life to get lost along the way. If we notice that planning for parties and scrambling for presents begin to detract from the peaceable message of Jesus Christ and distance us from the gospel He preached, let us take a step back, slow down a little, and reconsider what matters most.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p16"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Christmas is a time for remembering the Son of God and renewing our determination to take upon us His name. It is a time to reassess our lives and examine our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Let this be a time of remembrance, of gratitude, and a time of forgiveness. Let it be a time to ponder the Atonement of Jesus Christ and its meaning for each of us personally. Let it especially be a time of renewal and recommitment to live by the word of God and to obey His commandments. By doing this, we honor Him far more than we ever could with lights, gifts, or parties.</span></div></div><div class="topic" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 24px; font: normal normal normal 24px/26px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Look Steadfastly for His Coming</span></h2><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p17"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Third, look steadfastly for His coming. The early disciples of Jesus Christ yearned for the time when He would come again. For them, mortality was a time of preparation and growth, of sifting and refining, a time for trimming their lamps and preparing for the return of their beloved Savior.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p18"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Brothers and sisters, 2,000 years later we also stand as His disciples. We are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The term </span><i style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">latter-day</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> is significant. We live and serve in a time prior to the Lord’s triumphant return. Our work is to prepare ourselves and the world for the coming of the Messiah in glory!</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p19"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Not long after His mortal ministry, Christ said to the Apostle John, “Surely I come quickly.” And John answered, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”</span><sup class="noteMarker" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="http://lds.org/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes?lang=eng#5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">5</span></a></sup></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p20"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">We live in the 11th hour before the coming of the day of our Lord. Let us therefore look forward to that blessed day when the King of kings descends with a shout,</span><sup class="noteMarker" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: super;"><a href="http://lds.org/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes?lang=eng#6" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 9px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">6</span></a></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> takes away death, dries up tears, and ushers in a new era of peace, joy, and learning.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p21"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">While the Christmas season is typically a time for looking back and celebrating the birth of our Lord, it seems to me that it should also be a time of looking to the future. Let us look forward. Let us prepare for that blessed day when He will come again. Let us be as wise as those ancients who watched for His coming. As His disciples, let us have in our hearts and minds the words of John: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”</span></div></div><div class="topic" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 24px; font: normal normal normal 24px/26px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Seeing Christmas with New Eyes</span></h2><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p22"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">If we look for what is wrong with the Christmas season, we can surely find it. Like the Grinch, we can grumble and complain, becoming cold and cynical about what we see around us. Nevertheless, if we look for the good, we can see this time of year with new eyes—perhaps even with the eyes of a child.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p23"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">The Grinch saw the good in Christmas when he learned to look past its worldly trappings. If we do the same, we can, with the Grinch, proclaim: “Maybe Christmas . . . </span><i style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">doesn’t</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> come from a store. Maybe Christmas . . . perhaps . . . means a little bit more!”</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p24"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Our heart may not grow three sizes as the Grinch’s did, but our heart will change. Our eyes will open to the miracles all around us—at Christmastime and throughout the year.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p25"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">I pray that during this season and always, we will see the purity of the story of the Savior’s birth and feel sincere gratitude for His life, teachings, and saving sacrifice for us. May this gratitude cause us to renew our determination to follow Him. May it also lead us to draw closer to our family, our church, and our fellowmen. And may we look steadfastly forward to that blessed day when the resurrected Christ will walk the earth again as our Lord, our King, and our blessed Savior.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p26"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">I pray that each and every one of you will have a wonderful and merry Christmas season. I leave you my love and blessings in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen."</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2010/12/seeing-christmas-through-new-eyes.p26"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">I add my testimony to that of President Uchtdorf's. As we come to realize what the true reason for Christmas is we will lose some of the stress and a lot of the "modern-day grinches". </span></div></div></div></div>Elder Nate Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01115198795734144510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-773655705418707433.post-56143551838371500882010-12-11T10:08:00.000-08:002010-12-11T10:08:39.720-08:00Merry Christmas<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.faithandhealthconnection.org/new/wp-content/uploads/Jesus-and-Christmas.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was the Christmas season once again and with all the hustle and bustle<span style="font-family: inherit;"> surrounding the popular holiday a local newspaper decided to interview people about what they knew about Christmas and Jesus Christ. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">An interviewer selected 3 people from the chaotic shops to ask their thoughts. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The interviewer spoke to each of them individually. He asked the first person, "It's Christmas time again and you are obviously very engrossed in the holiday with the decorations and the shopping. So, since it is Christmas what do you know about Jesus Christ?" </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Well," the shopper thought, "they say Jesus was born in a barn, somehow born of a virgin. I've also heard that he performed some miracles and supposedly died for our sins, however that works. That's what I've heard."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The interviewer smiled at him and showed him out the door and invited in the second and asked him the same question.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This person was a little more emphatic in his beliefs replying, "I KNOW that Jesus Christ lived. I believe in his virgin birth. I believe in the miracles he performed and KNOW that he died for me and paid for my sins."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The interviewer smiled at him and showed him out the door only to bring in the third and final shopper. When they sat down he asked him the same question. This man gazed into the interviewer's eyes and with tears in his own eyes he fell to his knees exclaiming, "Master."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My dear family and friends I hope that I could be the third man. I don't know that I would recognize my Savior if I saw Him, I hope I would. I can tell you that I know that Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah. I know that it is because of His miraculous virgin birth that we celebrate the Christmas holiday. I know that He loves us. I know that He knows us. Do we know Him? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the lights and decorations and excitement of the holidays as much as anyone (if not more), may I suggest that we reflect for a moment on the humble birth of our Brother and Savior.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Elder Nate Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01115198795734144510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-773655705418707433.post-63211800759723174252010-11-24T09:50:00.000-08:002010-11-24T09:50:15.829-08:00You Are a Child of God<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="385" src="http://www.frbillwhittier.com/images/Jesus%20with%20Children.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Who is God? Have you ever wondered that? Have you ever really sat down and thought about it? I have met a lot of people that say they believe in God but they don't really have a very clear idea of who He is. There is a song that I really like that explains it quite clearly.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><dl><dd><div style="text-align: center;">I am a child of God, </div></dd><dd><div style="text-align: center;">And he has sent me here, </div></dd><dd><div style="text-align: center;">Has given me an earthly home </div></dd><dd><div style="text-align: center;">With parents kind and dear. </div></dd><dd><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></dd><dd><div style="text-align: center;">Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, </div></dd><dd><div style="text-align: center;">Help me find the way. </div></dd><dd><div style="text-align: center;">Teach me all that I must do </div></dd><dd><div style="text-align: center;">To live with him someday. </div></dd><dd><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></dd><dd><div style="text-align: center;">I am a child of God, </div></dd><dd><div style="text-align: center;">And so my needs are great; </div></dd><dd><div style="text-align: center;">Help me to understand his words </div></dd><dd><div style="text-align: center;">Before it grows too late. </div></dd><dd><div style="text-align: center;">I am a child of God. </div></dd><dd><div style="text-align: center;">Rich blessings are in store; </div></dd><dd><div style="text-align: center;">If I but learn to do his will </div></dd><dd><div style="text-align: center;">I'll live with him once more. </div></dd></dl><div style="text-align: center;">I bear testimony of the truths of this song. I testify that God is our Heavenly Father. That He knows us all individually and that he cares about us. </div>Elder Nate Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01115198795734144510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-773655705418707433.post-56498682064677835212010-11-08T10:59:00.000-08:002010-11-09T09:55:12.779-08:00What Do You Wonder?<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="494" id="il_fi" src="http://paperclippings.com/lds/images/first_vision.jpg" width="300" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Have you ever had a question? Something that you thought would only effect you? That's how Joseph Smith was, he had question that he thought was just for him. It turns out it changed the world...for everyone.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Joseph Smith was a young man that lived in upstate New York in the early 1800's. At this particular point in history there was a major religious excitement in America. America had recently gained its religious freedom and everyone was eagerly practicing their own beliefs. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Having noticed all of the excitement Joseph Smith began to ponder what could be true. Everyone claimed they had the right answers and that everyone else was wrong. How was he supposed to know? His family, being strong Christians, read from the Bible nightly and his confusion only increased when he read such verses as are found in Ephesians chapter four verse five; "There is one faith, one Lord, one baptism." He understood this to mean that there is ONE church of Christ, but which one was it? He continued attending the different churches and reading in the Bible until he came to a verse in the First chapter of the Book of James. It reads, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him". After reading this verse and concluding that he could not decide for himself which was right and which was wrong young Joseph decided to take James' advice. He would ask God.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">One morning in the spring of 1820 Joseph Smith at the age of 14 years old headed into a grove of trees to pray to God and find out for himself what religion had the truth. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In his own words this is how he describes his experience...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction. </div><div class="verse"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="16"></a><br />
<div id="js_h/1/16" onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"></div><div onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"> But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. </div></div><div class="verse"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="17"></a><br />
<div id="js_h/1/17" onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"></div><div onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"> It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—<i>This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!</i> </div></div><div class="verse"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="18"></a><br />
<div id="js_h/1/18" onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"></div><div onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"> My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join. </div></div><div class="verse"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="19"></a><br />
<div id="js_h/1/19" onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"></div><div onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"> I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the <span style="color: white;">power</span> thereof.” </div></div><div class="verse"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="20"></a><br />
<div id="js_h/1/20" onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"></div><div onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"> He again forbade me to join with any of them</div><div onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"></div><div onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"><div onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)">I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it"</div><div onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"></div><div onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"><br />
I add my witness as a humble disciple and servant of my Lord and Master Jesus Christ that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. I also testify that he has been more persecuted for telling the truth than is believeable or acceptable. I know that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God. I know that Jesus is The Christ, the Son of the Living God and that He still reaches out to us in love. When we allow him to.</div></div></div>Elder Nate Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01115198795734144510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-773655705418707433.post-70737615325322591622010-11-01T10:22:00.000-07:002010-11-01T10:28:06.057-07:00Where Can I Turn for Peace<div class="poetry"><div align="center"><img height="243" id="il_fi" src="http://asimpletestimony.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/jesus-in-gethsemane.jpg" width="237" /></div><br />
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1. Where can I turn for peace?<br />
Where is my solace<br />
When other sources cease to make me whole?<br />
When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice,<br />
I draw myself apart,<br />
Searching my soul?</div><div class="poetry">2. Where, when my aching grows,<br />
Where, when I languish,<br />
Where, in my need to know, where can I run?<br />
Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?<br />
Who, who can understand?<br />
He, only One.</div><div class="poetry">3. He answers privately,<br />
Reaches my reaching<br />
In my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend.<br />
Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching.<br />
Constant he is and kind,<br />
Love without end.</div><br />
I absolutely love this song. It is a song that is found in the Hymnal for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It is telling us that when all else fails we still have somewhere we can find peace and solace. <br />
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Have you ever been going through a hard time? Just struggling with something and you feel completely alone and nobody knows or understands what you are feeling? I know I have and I know that the worst thing in the world is when someone says, "I understand". It's irritating because they don't. Nobody knows how it feels for another person to go through anything. It just magnifies the loneliness that you feel.<br />
<br />
I testify to you that there is a person to turn to. I bear witness that there is ONE person that understands perfectly what it's like to go through everything. That one person is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ felt EVERYTHING. He felt our sorrows, our pains, our weaknesses. He is the ONE person that has shed the same tear that we have. I bear testimony to you that when he knelt in a grove of trees, on the loneliest spring night known to man, that he suffered unimaginable agony and he did it for YOU. Personally. Not a group of faceless people, He did it for you. He saw your face and felt your pain. <br />
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I promise you that I know this is true. I can promise you with every ounce of my being that Jesus is The Christ, The Savior of the World, The Son of the Living God. I can bear witness to you that he is waiting to help with any situation. He loves us. He loves YOU.Elder Nate Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01115198795734144510noreply@blogger.com0