New Year's: Look Not behind Thee

I am in awe of the amount of symbolism that surrounds us in our everyday life. The gospel of Jesus Christ is all about knowing the good news that we can change and become better. This includes becoming clean of sin, relieving guilt, taking away burdens, and empowering us to take on challenge and adversity! Life in general points towards this very principle: the sunrise, the beginning of a few day, week, month, and even year! As we go into a new year with ambition to change and become, I hope that god grants us according to our desires! May we learn from the past, enjoy the present, and prepare for the future!
Genesis 19:17... Alma 29:4

The Greatest Gift

MAY THIS OCCUR ON CHRISTMAS DAY!!

The never ending goodbye

I easily could say that I never had the perspective before my mission of what good-bye meant! Leaving a host of family and friends behind in Colorado I thought was a big deal and hard enough. Little did i realize that other members of the church, investigators, recent converts, fellow missionaries, and various others would mean so much to me through my journey as a missionary! Let it be known that this is why the mission is the most bitter sweet experience of my life! I call it the DREAM :) !! Last night our mission just sent home a group of faithful returned missionaries and it was another time to "tear off" a band-aid. As I contemplated on this reoccuring pattern of "saying good-bye" this poem came to mind

I’ve said good-bye a thousand times.

Each mother does,

Then, patient, praying, waits at home.

I said good-bye

When toddler’s feet first moved

Beyond safe whitewashed kitchen door,

When youthful hands

Found Joseph’s dark oak bench and tools

To practice craft of carpenter,

When joyful boy discovered

God’s will writ bold in temple text

And heard bright angels’ promises.

I said good-bye

When John baptized him in the stream

And a lone white dove descended

As emblem of his Father’s love,

When faith turned water into wine

And every miracle in turn

Confirmed that he was God’s

Not mine.

I said good-bye

When neighbor’s stone turned sharp,

Ears closed against his tongue,

And mocking people drove him

From green Galilee.

And finally

Standing in the empty crowd

I saw stupidity not men

Pound spikes into his gentle hands

And cursing lift him up

To goad and mock out loud

Until I said good-bye a thousand times

And fresh salt tears poured down

To mark the ground that we were left upon.

Good-bye my son.

I will be lonely

But not alone.

Good-bye my son.

We’ll wait for you

At home.

Christ: The Real Gift of Christmas

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Christ: The Real Gift of Christmas

Service: A seasonal tradition or our attribute?

In this time of Christmas we all know that the true meaning of the season is founded on Christ. We celebrate who he was, what he represented, what he did, and what he means! Christ: the perfect example, taught each of us countless things including a lifestyle of service. My hope is that we might all know how to become more service oriented in not only celebrating this Christmas season but rejoicing in the life of Christ as we strive to become like him! May we enjoy this depiction of what it truly means to follow the perfect one!

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Is it ever to late?

Another day in the mission field isn't just any ordinary day. From meetings, to appointments, to meals, to service... our lifestyle is anything but dull. Today is "unique" because I am participating in a missionary exchange which is when my companion and I split with another companionship for 24 hours and we learn from one another. It is the best teaching and learning opportunities we are given. Elder Lawter is my companion for the day and I have learned how prepared and stellar he is as a person, missionary, and friend! Instead of me describing one of his most recent triumphs, this video will testify to all that it is never to late... 

https://beta.lds.org/youth/mormon-messages/video/fathers-and-sons?locale=eng