Prayer

Prayer is extremely important to me. When I was a missionary, the President of the mission taught me a lot about prayer. The main thing that he taught me was to try to express exactly how I felt to God. If something was weighing on my mind all day, then that something was the most important thing for me to discuss with my Father in Heaven. He also taught me that I should be specific and thorough in speaking with God. This may seem like an awkward idea - trying to have an intimate conversation with someone you can't see, but it has changed my life.

When my wife and I talk about our child (that she is currently carrying) it keeps us close together, because it is something that is very important to both of us. Discussing anything of that nature will bring two people closer together. Everything that is important to you or me is important to God. He is literally our Father. He is like the father we have here, except that He is perfect in every way. I know that He wants us to discuss our lives with Him. He wants us to know Him as a Father. As I have tried to pray as my mission president taught me, I have learned more about how close He is to us. I know that He watches over us and that He is in our lives every day.

Family - The Fundamental Unit of Society

I had the opportunity, when I was 19 years old, to serve as a missionary for my Church. I lived in Cape Verde, Africa, for about 2 years; while I was there I met people from Europe, Africa, South America, and also other North Americans. As friendships grew between people from diverse nations, often the conversation would turn to what life was like in these different countries.

I began to notice that many of the other North Americans (in particular those from the USA) often described how Americans thought and acted very differently from how I would've described things. I also noticed that different people from other countries did similar things. After having this experience over and over again, I began to see the difference: in most cases, when you ask someone about their country, they will describe their family to you.

Some families probably are typical of a country, and most are influenced by the country in which they live, but every family has distinct characteristics that come from that family's identity. Sometimes this produced a stark contrast: I met one man from a country with a well-known history of racism, whose culture continues to be stained with racial prejudice. (this is not meant to single out any country, I think it would be a valid criticism of many countries) This particular young man went to school in this country. He was taught the same curriculum, read the same books, heard the same political commentaries, but he was completely open-minded, and not in the least bit racist.

One lesson I have learned from this is that the family has a stronger influence on people than anything else. Our families shape the way that we see the world, and the lessons we learn at home have the power to influence us more than what happens everywhere else. I know that family is precious. Most often families have difficulties, but I know that our greatest joys and the greatest good we can do is with our own family. No matter how the world views us, each of us really is who we are at home.

The True Meaning of Christmas

I, like many others, love the Christmas season. I love giving a getting gifts, snow, hot chocolate, candy canes, ice skating, and everything else that makes me think of Christmas. During the Christmas season I like to try and reflect on what the true meaning of Christmas is, and I wanted to write something about it.

We all know, even many non-Christians know, that Christmas commemorates the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. When I think of the Risen Lord, one of the first things that comes to mind is service. He lived His life serving others, He died serving others, His resurrection makes ours possible, and He lives now and still serves us. We ought to reach out to each other all of the time, but the Christmas season is the perfect excuse to do a little more, to love a little more, and to care a little more.

The prophet of our Church, President Thomas S. Monson, is a great example of a life of service. In his addresses to the Church, President Monson frequently speaks of serving others, and how his life has been blessed by serving. He would like nothing more than for all people to serve one another. A little more than a year ago President Monson was asked what gift members of the Church could give him for his birthday, and President Monson said:

Do something for someone else on that day to make his or her life better. Find someone who is having a hard time or is ill or lonely, and do something for them. That's all I would ask

I feel blessed to have the example of a Prophet of the Lord. I know serving others will help us all keep the real meaning of Christmas in our minds throughout the season.

A Change of Heart

The Gospel of Jesus Christ can do many different things for a person, but one that is most important and precious is the ability to change someone. I don't mean trivial changes; I mean really changing.

Real change is one of the most difficult things, but I know that angry people can become calm, and arrogance can make way for humility. It is not easy, but it is possible. From Ezekiel 11:19

And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh.

The Savior overcame every difficulty as part of His perfect sacrifice. He has the ability to help us change. I am by no means a perfect man, but I know that through the Gospel it is possible to overcome the desire to sin, not just the sin itself. It is hard to put this into words, but I know from personal experience that we can be changed.

One cannot earn the Savior's help or His mercy. We all rely on His sacrifice, because without it we cannot be saved. I am just a man, but I have felt this change from time to time. I try to retain it in my heart. Merry Christmas.

Abundance

This past week my wife and I were able to go to Chicago and visit both of our families for Thanksgiving. We were really happy to see and be with our families, and to see that they are doing well, despite a bump here or there. It is such a blessing and a luxury to be able to visit family. I remembered how 150 years ago, and for many even more recently, it is impossible to make a 1400 mile trip to visit family. God has blessed all of mankind with such wonderful things. I am reminded of the scripture from the Savior's words: "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)

I know that God blesses us with abundance. He wants us to have full lives, and He watches over us. Many people throughout the world suffer through poverty or other meager situations, but we should recall more of the Savior's words: "not as the world giveth, give I unto you." (John 14:27) Sometimes the Lord's definition of abundance may be different from our gut instincts or what the world may tell us, but I know that a life of following Christ is as a cup that runneth o'er.

Blessed And Happy State

I wanted to share this scripture I read today. It is from the Book of Mormon, and these words were spoken by a dying king to the people he loved. It is one of the last messages that he wanted to leave with them; I think that is because the words here can guide you to a happy life:

"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God has spoken it."

- Mosiah 2:41

I hope to dwell with God in that never-ending state of happiness.

Jacob 7:11

"Behold, I say unto you that none of the prophets have written, nor prophesied, save they have spoken concerning this Christ."

The purpose of all scripture is to teach us of Christ. Reading the Book of Mormon has helped me come to understand Jesus Christ's sacrifice, as well as build a personal relationship with my Savior. The scriptures and all the prophesies from Adam to our time are meant to help us know that "God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16).