tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49740991152743070942024-03-05T10:27:56.366-08:00Truth from the EarthElder Ben Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12770495737462289680noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4974099115274307094.post-59762092632811674232011-03-02T10:44:00.000-08:002011-03-02T10:44:41.895-08:00Popping the Question<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; height: 309px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 382px;"><a href="http://www.thailand-wedding-planning.com/wp-content/uploads/how-to-pop-the-question.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thailand-wedding-planning.com/wp-content/uploads/how-to-pop-the-question.jpg" /></a></div><br />
When you think about "Popping the Question" its hard to imagine a more frightening, emotional, fate deciding, beautiful, daring, happiest, nerve wrecking, question then "Will you marry me?"<br />
What is more important then that? In one question you are saying so many things. do you love me? Are you willing to love me forever? Will you spend your life with me? Will you make me apart of all your life's goals plans ambitions? You could go on for a long time. <br />
This isn't even mentioning the importance of the answer. In one word you could become the "happiest man/woman on earth" or become shocked sad and clueless for who knows how long. There are few questions that have such life changing results as this one.<br />
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So what question could possible be more important then that one. What in this vast world could be more life changing then the answer you get for it.<br />
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There were some questions asked long ago that in my opinion are drastically more important. they were offered to a small group of people in an ancient town and were so powerful that even today you most likely have heared them before.<br />
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What think ye of Christ? <br />
Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? <br />
What manner of men ought ye to be? <br />
Lovest thou me? Whom seek ye? Believest thou this?<br />
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These great questions have more of a life changing effect then anything else. They cause you to think about the deepest part of your heart and recognize all that you must change. <br />
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A modern day apostle Elder Russell M. Nelson adds some questions to these that provide the same deep search.<br />
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Now may I administer a quiet quiz to help you evaluate your answer to my opening questions: "What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?"<br />
With your silent declaration in mind, ask yourself two more questions:<br />
<i>What does his mission--his Atonement--really mean to me?</i><br />
<i>What does his ministry--his example--really mean to me?</i><br />
To help you to be even more specific, let me ask:<br />
* What do you think about when you partake of the sacrament?<br />
* What do you do with your precious eyesight? What do you read? What do you watch on TV or look for on the Internet?<br />
* What do you do with your ability to hear? To whom do you really hearken?<br />
* What topics are worthy of your most intensive study?<br />
* What do you allow into your body--your unique temple and gift from him?<br />
* What kind of language is spoken from your lips?<br />
* How does Jesus affect the way you use your time and talents?<br />
* How does he influence the use of your means and resources?<br />
* How does he influence your love for your wife or husband? Parents? Children? Brothers and sisters? Friends? Associates?<br />
* How do his mission and his ministry affect who you really are? And who you may become?<br />
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So I would ask you these questions in hope that they may help you have a Life changing answer. <br />
Jesus Christ in the way, the light, and the hope of all mankind. Come unto Him and be able to spend your life with the truest friend<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Greater <a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/15.13?lang=eng#" id="footnote17" jquery1299090849905="42" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=john&chapterUri=15&noteID=13a&lang=eng"><span style="color: #486fae;">love</span></a> hath no man than this, that a man lay down his <a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/15.13?lang=eng#" id="footnote18" jquery1299090849905="43" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=john&chapterUri=15&noteID=13b&lang=eng"><span style="color: #486fae;">life</span></a> for his <a class="disabled-footnote" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/15.13?lang=eng#" id="footnote19" jquery1299090849905="44" rel="/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?volumeUri=nt&bookUri=john&chapterUri=15&noteID=13c&lang=eng"><span style="color: #486fae;">friends</span></a>.</div>Elder Ben Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12770495737462289680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4974099115274307094.post-21388906387188940412011-02-21T10:56:00.000-08:002011-02-21T10:56:36.744-08:00<div style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Catch 22 Program" border="0" height="320" src="http://theatre.harvard.edu/archive/1997-fall/catch22/catch22.jpg" width="267" /></div><br />
<div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Catch 22</span></div><div align="left">So if your not familiar with the book catch 22, its about a guy named Yossarian,who is a <span style="color: black;">U.S. Army Air Forces </span><span style="color: black;">B-25</span><span style="color: black;"> bombardier. He is stationed in Italy during WWII. Now there is a thing among the troops there called catch 22. It basically means you have to be crazy to get out of the army but if you want out of the army then your not crazy. Its like a lose lose situation.</span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"> Now when anyone stats to learn about the gospel and Christs teaching there are 2 things they most likely will here the most about. Faith and Hope. when you first start looking into them you find out that to get one you need the other, or to have one you need the other. For a log time this seemed to me like a catch 22. you need to pray and read scriptures to get more hope in Gods promises. but at the same time those things take faith that they will work. So my dilemma was that you need faith to get hope but hope allows you to have faith. </div><div align="left">So I started looking into this more and I discovered that you can't just get faith so you can hope and you can't hope you have faith. You have to develop them both at the same time.</div><div align="left">The only way to developing them is actually doing something. You have to just try it and see the results. If you want something more in your life you just have to try out the things God has asked us to do and then you will.</div><div align="left">If someone asks you to pray and you don't think it will help because you don't think you have any faith and your hope isn't really centered on Christ, what do you have to lose by trying it. Your faith will either grow or it wont. </div><div align="left">The Lord tells us that we are to Prove him. Test out his commandments and see if they don't work.</div><div align="left">Faith and hope are to amazing gifts that we need to be happy in this life. If someone offered you something to solve all your problems dont you think you would at least look into it. </div><div align="left">I promise you that with god there is now lose lose situations. if we just try it we will always find win wins.</div><div align="left">This video is a great on on hope and what it can actually do in our lives. Please watch it and then go out and try it out in your life.<br />
<a href="http://lds.org/topic/finding-hope/">http://lds.org/topic/finding-hope/</a></div>Elder Ben Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12770495737462289680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4974099115274307094.post-74695812757657354502011-02-02T10:29:00.000-08:002011-02-02T10:29:38.498-08:00"The Most Correct of Any Book" and the coolest.<div style="text-align: center;">I have to start by saying I LOVE the Book Of Mormon. It is the foundation of my testimony in the modern day work that I am apart of but, that's not the only reason why I love it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the Book Of Mormon because IT IS SO COOL.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wars, rumors of wars, intrigue, sabotage, counter intelligence, dysfunctional families, journeys in the wilderness, quests for treasures, ancient texts, murder, assassination attempts, battles, heroes, villains, victories, defeats, happiness, sadness, inspiration sermons, death defying feats, sieges and defences, romance, visions, prophecies, doctrine and discourses, and that's just naming a few.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It is an amazing book. there is something in there for everyone. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Elder Spencer W. Kimball had a similar experience and spoke of his “adventure” with the Book of Mormon:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“May I tell you of a great adventure? As I traveled to a weekend assignment, I took with me an unusual book which was my constant companion. I could lay it down only to sleep, eat, and change trains. It fascinated me, captivated me, and held me spellbound with its irresistible charm and engaging interest. I have read it many times.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“As I finished it, I closed the book and sat back, absorbed as I relived its contents. Its pages held me, bound me, and my eyes were riveted to them. I knew the book was factual, but as has been said, ‘Truth is stranger than fiction.’ . . .</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“I found in it life at its best and at its worst, in ever-changing patterns. I hardly recovered from one great crisis until another engulfed me. . . .</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“This dramatic story is one of the greatest ever played by man. . . .</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Its story has a vital message to all people. . . .</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Archaeologists may be excited as they read of ruins of ancient cities, highways, and buildings. . . .</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Journalists will find in this book crisis after crisis, presenting rich material for limitless climactic stories. . . .</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“This unparalleled book should intrigue navigators. . . .</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“The student of economics will find in this unusual book the disintegration of nations through pride, soft living, and luxuries, terminating finally in hunger and fetters. . . .</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“The astronomer and geologist here may see signs in the heavens and new stars come into focus, three days without sun . . . nights without darkness . . . and a vapor of darkness so impenetrable that no glimmer, nor candles, nor torches, nor fire could give any light. . . .</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Engineers will learn . . . that . . . centuries ago, men erected buildings, temples, and highways with cement. . . .</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“The psychologists may find studies in human behavior and the workings of the human mind and the rationalizing processes where men convince themselves that ‘good is bad, and that bad is good.’ . . .</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“The educator will find treasures of literature and poetry. . . .</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“This comprehensive book should be studied by politicians, government leaders, kings, presidents, and premiers to see the rise and fall of empires, and the difference between statesmanship and demagoguery. . . .</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Scientists will read of unusual instruments never patented or remade or duplicated, of elements which, without recharging, illuminate dark spaces indefinitely. . . .</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Military men may learn much in strategy, intrigue, in movements, in morale. . . .</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“But after all, it is not the book’s dramatic crises, its history, its narrative that are so important, but its power to transform men into Christlike beings worthy of exaltation.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“It is the word of God. It is a powerful second witness of Christ. And, certainly, all true believers who love the Redeemer will welcome additional evidence of his divinity. . . .</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“My beloved friends, I give to you the Book of Mormon. May you read it prayerfully, study it carefully, and receive for yourselves the testimony of its divinity” </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The greatest part however is still the undeniable witness of Jesus Christ that it contains.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The book is true. Read it and find for your self the greatest adventure ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I say that in the name of Jesus Christ</span></div>Elder Ben Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12770495737462289680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4974099115274307094.post-1887539947895389602011-01-27T10:58:00.000-08:002011-01-27T11:02:16.434-08:00That I May Heal You.<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzEpeHR428qt2F4rQvgJbTaD3n3M18cESBMGvWy5Pc7A_q0nrGDvBITZTsD-GTnJr060X7gqRwnmvlFZG2KeM6rljLLSIoHfVoSkA54YZjquJngL2Cw3mJuc3iOikyTKSYan3lwXX9s8/s1600/ArtBook__083_083__JesusHealingTheNephites_Sm___.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzEpeHR428qt2F4rQvgJbTaD3n3M18cESBMGvWy5Pc7A_q0nrGDvBITZTsD-GTnJr060X7gqRwnmvlFZG2KeM6rljLLSIoHfVoSkA54YZjquJngL2Cw3mJuc3iOikyTKSYan3lwXX9s8/s320/ArtBook__083_083__JesusHealingTheNephites_Sm___.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"And it came to pass that there was a voice heard among all the inhabitants of the earth, upon all the face of this land, crying:<a class="bookmark dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="2"><span style="color: #486fae;"> </span></a>Wo, wo, wo unto this people; wo unto the inhabitants of the whole earth except they shall repent;"-3 Nephi 9:1-2</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints my whole life. For most of my life when i heard the word <strong><em><u>REPENT, </u></em></strong>I always thought of something bad. It always made me feel like i was in trouble and had to fix it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">As i have served my mission i have talked to many people that feel the same way. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I am glad that i have learned the real meaning of repentance.</div><div style="text-align: center;">IN 3 Nephi 9 verse 13 Christ is speaking to the people of America. he says</div><div style="text-align: center;">"will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?"</div><div style="text-align: center;">Christ is teaching the true meaning of repentance. Being healed by the power of the lamb of God.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I know now that repentance is a gift not a punishment. We are supposed to use it always.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and </div><div style="text-align: center;">temptations of every kind; and this that the word might </div><div style="text-align: center;">be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and</div><div style="text-align: center;"> the sicknesses of his people.<span style="color: #486fae;"> </span>And he will take upon him </div><div style="text-align: center;">death, that he may loose the bands of death which </div><div style="text-align: center;">bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities </div><div style="text-align: center;">that his bowels may be filled with mercy, </div><div style="text-align: center;">according to the flesh, that he may know </div><div style="text-align: center;">according to the flesh how to succor his</div><div style="text-align: center;"> people according to their infirmities."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Alma 7:11-12</div><div style="text-align: center;">Repentance is about healing not suffering. So if you have ever felt pain, If you have ever been sad. If you have ever been tempted,guilty, overwhelmed, depressed, sick, hurt, angry, downtrodden, burdened, </div><div style="text-align: center;">left out, rejected,shunned, made fun of, weak, afraid, or anything else that has made you feel farther from God, then do as Christ himself says. Repent that I may heal you.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It is my witness that Jesus is the Christ and through him we may all be made whole, if we but repent and allow him to heal us. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I say that in the name of Jesus Christ Amen</div>Elder Ben Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12770495737462289680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4974099115274307094.post-8922804179459523432011-01-13T10:41:00.000-08:002011-01-13T10:41:19.169-08:00We are the Children of God<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Uqjwr7KXI30?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We can remeber this story in our greatest temptaions.When we remeber who we really are, Sons and daughters of The Most High, then we know that satan has no power over us.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">God has given us the greatest power in the world.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The name of his Most Beloved</div>Elder Ben Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12770495737462289680noreply@blogger.com0