I had the opportunity yesterday to speak in front of my congregation during our church services.  Usually speakers from the congregation are selected by those who preside over that local congregation.  This gives the members an opportunity to listen to different people every week and of course gives the speaker an opportunity to share faith promoting experiences.  Well I had the opportunity to speak on prayer.  The scripture that I'd like to share today is found in the Book of Mormon in Alma 37:37.  It reads,

"Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."

          There are many scriptures that discuss the role of prayer.  I have gained a strong testimony of prayer as I've had experiences in my life that have reaffirmed to me that God does live, I'm His child, and He listens to and answers all of my prayers.  I know that if I have a problem He will help if I seek Him.  There have been many times where I have been overly stressed or worried about certain issues.  As I have prayed with my Father in Heaven about those concerns, often I have had experiences where I would be filled with peace;  calm reassurance that all would be well.  School has been very important to me and I feel strongly about getting as much education as possible.  I remember for my last semester of my undergrad I need to take 2 lab classes to fulfill the requirements for my degree.  Both were full and there were not a lot of openings to begin with.  This caused me some stress because I really did not want to put off my degree another semester.  I remember on several occasions pleading with my Heavenly Father to help me get into those labs.  While waiting I also did my part as God expects us to do what we can.  I wrote to the professors about getting on a waiting list and checked the availability several times a day.  I remember getting more uneasy and worried as the semester approached.  One class opened up, so I was happy about that, but another one was being more stubborn.  I remember as the final days of the break neared an opening for that class opened up.  I was so grateful for that.  While some may view that as a coincidence, I know that was an answer to my prayers.
          I also can be hard on myself.  I think we are our own worst critics.  I remember on quite a few occasions being weighed down because of my personal struggles and weaknesses.  I'd often entertain the idea because of my flaws and shortcomings, I was unworthy of God's love.  While it may seem harder to pray when we are feeling down, I know this is when we need to the most.  Another scripture in the Book of Mormon found in 2 Nephi 32:8-9 says;

"8 And now, my beloved brethren, I perceive that ye ponder still in your hearts; and it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing.  For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray, ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray. 
9 But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul." 

I have had several occasions feelings of peace and overwhelming love come upon me.  This has been my Heavenly Father letting me know that He loves me perfectly.  While not perfect I know that I can talk with my Heavenly Father about anything anytime.  I can ask for blessings I feel I need.  I can ask for guidance in decisions I need to make.  I can ask for safety for loved ones.  I can also give Him thanks for all He has given me.  I can ask for opportunities to help me help others.  I know that if we ask for opportunities to help others out, our Heavenly Father will put people in our paths that we can make a difference to.  God blesses His children often through the service provided by others.  When we can the time to forgive others, search out for those in need, or provide friendship to the lonely, I know that will be us helping God answer the prayers of His other children.  I know that God is our Father.  He is a real being.  He literally lives.  He has not sent us here to be left alone.  He will offer assistance more than we can know.  Often we are only held back before we do not ask.  I know we can seek answers to important questions in our lives.  If we are humble and are willing to follow the guidance given, Heavenly Father will not let us go down a wrong path.  I am grateful for the power of prayer.  Through prayer miracles can and are accomplished.  I hope I may be better at praying more sincerely and more often.  I have found that starting and ending the day with prayer have led to better peace and happiness in my life.  I know we can keep a prayer in our hearts all day.  I say things things in the name of Heavenly Father's only begotten son, Jesus Christ.  

Sorry it has been too long.  I have been out of town and well I guess I need to get in a better habit of updating this blog on a more frequent basis.  Last Thursday I had the opportunity to travel for an interview for pharmacy school.  A few things ran through my mind through out the trip.  The scripture I'd like to post today comes from the book of Matthew in the New Testament.  One way the Lord liked to teach His followers was by using parables.  These parables were short stories that the people of the time could relate to and contained many gospel truths.  The scripture I'd like to use for today's blog is Matthew 25:14-30.

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful aservant: thou hast been bfaithful over a few things, I will make thee cruler over many things: enter thou into the djoy of thy lord.

22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

 26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

One thing I noticed about the city I visited on my trip was how bad the economy was in that town.  Granted there were some nice buildings and places, but the overall feeling I got was one of struggle.  There were many people who looked like they have fallen on hard times.  It made me think of all the blessings I have and continue to receive.  While I know each one of us will have struggles, I couldn't help but think how happy a home I had come from and how many opportunities I have been given.  I truly don't deserve the abundance of blessings God has given to me, but rather know its an act of love and mercy.  I have often had the chance to question why I have been given much.  There are way kinder, more faithful people in the world.  There are way more people with more patience, forgiveness and dedication than I.  This parable has not explained to me way I have been given what I have, but it has given me instruction, which I for one need to do better in following.  In this parable the master gives to his servants different amounts of money.  To each he gave a different amount.  On returning from his trip he comes to his servants to see what they have done with the money given.  Two of the servants had doubled their earnings while the third, afraid to use what he had been given, decided to hide the money so as not to loose it.  I have always found it interesting that the master was just as pleased with the servant who had two talents as with the servant who had been given five.  He was upset at the man given one.  Not because the amount given, but because the servant hid the talent instead of using it to become profitable.  I know our Father in Heaven and the Lord feel the same way.  We have all been given skills, talents, and even resources.  Some of us maybe have a lot of money, some of us may struggle financially.  Some of us may have skills in the arts, music, science, or building things.  I often fall into the trap of looking over at someone with 20 talents and comparing them to my 5.  The Lord only cares what I do with the opportunities and blessings I have been given.  I have a unique set of talents and skills.  I have been born into circumstances that are far more favorable than many around the world.  Does this mean I am better than another?  Absolutely not!  Does this mean the Lord will hold me accountable for what I do and accomplish from what I have been given?  Absolutely!  The Lord loves every single one of us infinitely.  His sacrifice was the ultimate expression of love.  I know that if we turn to the Lord He will help us use the talents we have been given.  I am always amazed at stories in history where someone who has been brought up in very difficult circumstances has gone on to do some very amazing things.  They have definitely multiplied their talents.  Often it involves a lot of hard work, but I know we all can use what we have been given, despite feeling limited sometimes, and accomplish great things.  I know through prayer, diligence, service and other Christ centered activities the Lord will help us expand what we have been given and we can use that to promote good.  I know the Savior lives and that His whole mission is to uplift us.  We were sent here to grow and develop.  I know it can be scary sometimes to put ourselves out there or to try things we feel we might fail in.  But I know all of this will lead to an increased amount of happiness and greater peace.  I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ.  

Alright so today I want to focus on a scripture found in the book of John in the New Testament and a scripture from the Book of Mormon.  In John 16:32-33 it says:

"32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

This is one of my favorite scriptures in the New Testament.  Here the Savior is providing comfort to His apostles.  On several occasions Christ had foretold His upcoming death and the persecutions that would follow those that followed Him.  Personally that would be a lot to take in for me.  The Savior told His apostles that many of His disciples would be put to death and that the community would feel it was doing God's will (verse 2).  Even the apostles would later be hunted down.  Peter was crucified and James was beheaded.  Indeed they were going to have tribulation in the world.  While hopefully we aren't being hunted down, every one of us faces our own tribulations.  The list could go on and on.  I don't know what everyone's particular circumstances are, but I know at one point or another we may be facing dark times.  I've had my share of struggles and I know I will continue to have struggles.  I have often wondered why a particular challenge came my way.  I have often felt if only I could trade my struggle for a different one.  Unfortunately life doesn't work like that.  Some struggles are brought upon us by our own choices.  Sometimes other people do terrible things to us without us ever having deserved the situation.  Sometimes things just happen.  I know for myself though that the peace promised in the second of the two verses is true.  This was apart of God's plan from the beginning.  Mortality would be full of trials and challenges.  They would be difficult.  Not that God wants to see us suffer, that is far from the truth.  God loves us.  He wants the best for us.  Tribulations and trials can, if we turn to the Savior and our Heavenly Father, help us develop spiritually.  We can have peace during troubled times and difficult situations.  I don't know why children starve all over the world, I don't know why people get raped, murdered or kidnapped.  I certainly don't know why some of our loved ones are taken from us early.  I don't have answers to thousands of these questions.  I certainly know though that God does not delight in our pain.  I know that He allows people to exercise their own agency, but does not condone their choices.  Sorry this can be a totally different topic.  All I do know is that this scripture is true.  We can know with certainty that Christ really has overcome the world.  This is through His great and Eternal sacrifice.  Both in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross, Christ has taken upon Himself the sins of the world.  He has also taken upon Himself the sicknesses, weaknesses and pains of all mankind.  This includes all anxieties, worries, depression.  A scripture in the Book of Mormon explains this a lot better than I ever could.  This is found in Alma 7:11-13.

"11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me."

 This includes anything and everything.  He has conquered all possible things that may separate us from God including sin, death, inadequacy, you name it.  As we turn to Christ He will help us with whatever challenge we may be facing.  Christ has overcome the world.  There is nothing that can happen to us in the world that will not be made right, that can not be overcome as long as we turn towards Him and do His will.  We have every reason to be of good cheer.  Wow there are so many wonderful verses that connect the thoughts I want to convey, but hopefully the main point has been made.  To anyone that may have given up hope, or those that are skeptical about the final outcome I want to bear testimony that I know Christ has overcome the world.  Good will triumph over evil.  I know the Savior has felt the pains we feel and I promise there is relief through Him.  Of these things I testify in the name of Jesus Christ.    

So this is my first blog.  I didn't even know what a blog was until not too long ago even though they have been around for awhile.  A little background on myself.  My name is Blake and I live in the Salt Lake valley. I have grown up in this area since I was a little kid.  Recently I graduated from the University of Utah and am in the process of applying to pharmacy school.  I have been married to my wonderful wife for just over a year.  I enjoy the outdoors (when it isn't winter), video games, and sports.  While my goals and hobbies are important to me, my faith is even more important.  I am a Christian.  I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  My faith in our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ has helped me through out my life and will continue to help me.  I have had the idea of creating a blog for awhile now.   I believe in Jesus Christ and know He is the Son of God, the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind.  I know that because of Him, both death and sin have been conquered.  I know He has born all our burdens and pains and knows how to heal us in any capacity if we will turn to Him and trust Him.  This knowledge has been gained through prayer, scripture study and personal experiences.   I feel it is important to share the message of the gospel to all that will hear it.  The message of the gospel is one of hope and peace.  What comes down to it is that right will prevail and all injustices will be corrected according to God's timing.  It has been especially depressing over the course of the last few weeks to view what has been going on in the world.  With shootings, natural disasters and economic hardships occurring at an increasing pace, I have been a little discouraged as of late.  It is easy to wonder why it seems evil triumphs and why good is oppressed.  It drives me crazy how the law has been twisted to serve the purposes of special interests.  All in all I think if anyone were to dwell on these things too long, they'd be left feeling angry, depressed and hopeless.  I feel there is great comfort in knowing the scriptures.  I know the words received and recorded by God's messengers have created a lasting impact on the world.  I truly believe reading, thinking and applying what is contained in these scriptures will invite peace, hope and love into our lives.  They will give us guidance as we face difficult challenges, situations and decisions.  I know it has happened in my own life.  The intent of this blog is to share scriptures that have made an impact on my life and have helped me with my own struggles.  While I believe the bible to be the word of God, I also believe God has reached out to man again through modern prophets and has given us additional witnesses to the divinity and reality of Jesus Christ and God's plan for man's redemption.  These scriptures include the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price.  These do not diminish the validity or testimony of the bible, but rather aid in being additional testimonies of the Savior.  Any doctrinal questions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints can be answered by visiting mormon.org.  I hope this blog will help anyone out there that may be looking for answers, or that may need a helping hand.  I want anyone to out there to know that God lives and so does His Son.  We are all God's children and He loves us perfectly.  We have been placed here on earth to gain experience and to develop our spiritual potential.  This however is not permanent.  We all through Jesus Christ can return and live with our Heavenly Father.  That was the plan from the beginning.  God has revealed this vital information through prophets, divinely inspired men, that have been called by God to proclaim God's plan.  More will be said on all of this.  I hope this blog will reach and inspire any who are searching.  I will start with a scripture with my next posting. With much love, I bear testimony of these things in the name of Jesus Christ.