Spirituality

April 3 2021

General Conference of April 2021

Church News, Faith, Jesus Christ, Spirituality

It’s once again time for the General Conference, a special event held twice a year by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I’ve written about it before, and you can read more here.

What makes this event so important to members of the Restored Church is the opportunity to hear the word of God through living prophets and apostles. Imagine that! Modern day prophets speaking God’s will to us today!

Surely, in such a troubled and uncertain world, a prophet called by God would have important timely and inspired guidance to offer. That’s exactly what General Conference is all about. Messages of hope, truth, repentance, and peace, centered on Jesus Christ.

You can watch General Conference live on YouTube or stream it through the Church’s official website at churchofjesuschrist.org. Sessions are also available to view or read afterward in many languages.

February 13 2021

Overcoming Life’s Obstacles Video

Heavenly Father, Random Thoughts, Spirituality

I don’t know how to put into words a commentary on this moving and powerful video “Your Great Adventure: Overcoming Life’s Obstacles” produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, so instead I’ll let the video speak for itself.

This inspiring message is a much needed reminder of why we are here and what this life is really about. We all struggle at times over the challenges of life. We face discouragement over the seemingly unsurmountable trials. But through it all there is hope in the love of our Savior Jesus Christ and his comforting influence in our times of need.

Sometimes, His help comes immediately. Other times He will come later after we’ve walked a while in the dark. Just know that He will be there exactly when we need Him most.

Some of the powerful lines that stuck out to me while watching while watching the video were:
“I’m here to keep trying”
“It’s not a sprint. It’s a marathon.”
“It’s your choices that show what you truly are far more than your abilities. Even if I failed, I could choose not to give up.”

These word struck a deep cord in me. We are not defined by our setback, but by our persistence, our choices, and our willingness to keep going.

overcoming life's obstacles

If you’re feeling discouraged while overcoming life’s obstacles, watch this video. Let it remind you that you’re not alone in your struggles. Your journey has a purpose. And most importantly, there is One who knows exactly where you are and He will never give up on you.

Personally, I have faith that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are there for me as I’m struggling with my weaknesses and that Christ will lift me up as I turn to Him for help. I believe He will do the same for you.

Should you need additional help, be sure to reach out to trusted friends, professional counseling, or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has Life Help Resources online.

Image Credit: Screenshot from video

January 24 2021

The Grace of Jesus Christ Our Savior

Conversion, Faith, Random Thoughts, Spirituality

I was genuinely surprised when I came across this video about the grace of Jesus Christ, because the man speaking is one of my friends from way back in high school. Seeing him again brought back memories, and I felt impressed to share it with you. I deeply admire Josh’s willingness to share his struggle with the world and to testify of the Savior’s love. His example reminds all of use that the Savior is aware of each one of us personally and that He never leaves us alone in our struggles.

It breaks my heart to hear of the challenges my friend has faced, yet I feel gratitude knowing that through the atonement of Jesus Christ, the weight and pains of past mistakes can be lifted. Because of Him, sorrow can be turned to peace, and broken hearts can be healed. No matter what we’ve gone through, the Gospel of Jesus Christ offers hope, healing, and the promise of a brighter future.

A Message of Hope From a Prophet of God

Faith, Spirituality

A message of hope from President Russell M. Nelson.
During this time of turmoil and uncertainty across the nation and around the world with the pandemic, President Russell M. Nelson, the Lord’s living prophet today, has offered us a message filled with hope and healing. In a world that feels heavy with fear, his word remind us of the power of gratitude. He extended a simple and profound challenge to help heal our hearts. In this message of hope, President Nelson shows us how. Choosing gratitude can heal hearts- our own and others. I love how President Nelson says, “Counting our blessings is far better than recounting our problems.”

I want to take a moment to follow his counsel and express my own gratitude.

I am deeply grateful for my wife. She is the love of my life, the one I have chosen above all others to spend the rest of eternity with. She is strong, wise, and endlessly supportive. Her faith and goodness bless our family daily. In short, she is the most amazing person I know and I can’t survive without her in my life.

I’m thankful for my children, each of whom are awesome in their own ways.

My oldest daughter is an incredibly creative artist. Her imagination and artistic talents inspire me.

My second daughter is a natural peacemaker. She is very intelligent.

My son is my little buddy. We have such a good time together. He loves cars and I love watching him use his imagination to bring those cars to life.

And my youngest daughter? She is a real character bursting with personality and charm.

My family is the greatest blessing, and I am filled with gratitude for them every day.

I hope President Nelson’s message of hope helps you recognize the blessings in your life as we all push through the pandemic together with our hope in Jesus Christ.

Image Credit: Screenshot from the video

October 18 2020

How Dale G. Renlund Can #HearHim

Faith, Holy Ghost, Spirituality

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint published another video about how the brethren of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles hear the voice of the Spirit. This video is of Elder Dale G. Renlund.

Image Credit: Screenshot from video

October 5 2020

General Conference Time! Come Learn of Jesus

Conversion, Faith, Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, Spirituality

It’s time for General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!

Twice a year, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gather, either in person or online, for General Conference, a worldwide broadcast where we hear messages of hope, faith, and direction from living prophets, apostles, and other Church leaders.

General Conference is an opportunity to receive counsel from the Lord’s chosen servants and to be uplifted by teachings centered on Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. These messages are meant not only for church members, but for all who are seeking truth, peace, and purpose in today’s world.

I’ve written about General Conference before, and you can read more about it here.

If you’d like to read, listen to, or watch you can visit the Church’s official website at churchofjesuschrist.org. Whether you’re tuning in life or revisiting talks afterward, there’s always something that will speak to your heart and bring you closer to the Savior Jesus Christ.

Image Credit: Screenshot from broadcast

September 6 2020

How Dieter F. Uchtdorf Can #HearHim

Faith, Holy Ghost, Random Thoughts, Spirituality

To hear the voice of the Spirit can be both in the literal sense to hear an audible voice and also to have a feeling inside of you, an inner voice, telling you what to do.

There are times when God will give you audible commands and you can hear a disconnected voice, but these are not as frequent as the still small voice inside of you. We often do not need God shouting at us, but instead the gentle promptings.

The Scriptures share Elijah’s experience:

“And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” —1 Kings 19: 11–12

The Holy Ghost can speak to us in multiple ways, each customized to how we recognize that voice. Sometimes it might be a burning in our chest, what we like to call the warm fuzzies, or it might be thoughts of things we need to do, or it can be a good feeling about something we read. That’s not an extensive list, but some things to give you an idea of what to look for.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave his view of how he is able to hear the voice of the Spirit.

You can watch how others are also able to #HearHim.

One final thought: There is a saying, “You want to talk to God, you pray. You want God to talk to you, you read the scriptures. If you don’t feel like you are hearing the Spirit, perhaps the best place to start is in the scriptures.

Image Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints