Lost and Found - Miranda

"Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it."
-- Luke 17:33

"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it."
-- Luke 9:24

"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."
-- Matthew 16:25

"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it."
-- Mark 8:34


Thus we see the we should seek the Lord and His gospel.

Those who save their own life shall lose it, Even those who seek to save their life.

But those who Seek the Lord, and strive to be OBEDIENT to His Commandments,

These are they that shall FIND Everlasting Life.

These are they that shall SAVE their Life if they stray from the path.

These are they who shall Preserve their Promise of Life,

By always remembering Him, and the Covenants which they have made.

Memorial Day reminds us that there are those who Lost their Life, only to Preserve the Way of Life for others.  While some are now unwilling to give their Lives for what they believe and Love, it may all to soon be taken from them, and they shall Lose it.

Sisters

So there we were...in front of my house.  Mom wanted more pictures...I didn't know why.  Dad had taught me to not say anything when I didn't understand what my mom was trying to do.  So I just stood there.  Then one of my sisters decided to bring back a pose that the four of us have been doing since I was little.....

Rian's Angels

My sisters are a big part of my life.  I never really had a brother to do stuff with but I am ok with that.  Lacey went before the rest of us and showed me what not to do if I wanted to avoid getting into trouble.  Ashli had lots of friends that were kinda like older brothers for me.  Shayla being only two years older than me was always around when I was sad and needed someone to talk to.

I remember one morning when me and Shayla were getting ready for school, and my dad happened to have a day off, we somehow ended up in my room.  At some point I thought it would be funny to 'pin' her to my bed.  I was smaller than she was still I think, but either way I was going to win this one.  After a few minutes of struggling I had her down.  She proceeded to struggle a bit more and then started calling for dad.  Normally I would have been swift in getting off and pretending I didn't do anything, but she sounded like a sheep every time she called for him.  It was something along the lines of, 'DaaaaaD' ... 'DAAAaaaaaaaaD' ... 'DaAAAaaAAAaaaDdy, he's squishing me'.  It was just so funny, all I could do was laugh at her.  Then she started laughing and it was even more funny.

 

Basically I love my sisters.  If they weren't there, I wouldn't have come on a mission.  Because of the examples they have been for me, I know that serving the Lord for two years is exactly what I needed to be doing.  Everything in my life so far has led me to this.  Everything in my life after I go home will be affected by what I do for my mission.

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true and living church on the earth today.  I have felt the witness of the Spirit confirming my testimony that this is true.  I have that same knowledge that the Book of Mormon is true.  It was translated by Joseph Smith, a prophet, by the gift and power of God.  If anyone does not believe that, I invite you to first READ THE BOOK. Then pray about it and ask God speciffically if the writings contained therein are true.  I know, and promise anyone who is willing to do so, that you will also be able to find out the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 



God Helps Us Fix Our Mistakes

When SG-1 went to Cimmeria, Colonel O'niell and Teal'c were beamed away to a Labrinth where the only way out was through a Door protected by an energy field.  This energy field was specifically designed to target Goa'uld and Jaffa.  This being because Cimmeria was a Protected planet under Treaty between the Asgard and the Goa'uld.  Therefore Thor had placed his 'Hammer' to protect the planet.

The only way to free Teal'c was to destroy the Hammer.  However, destroying the Hammer meant that any other Goa'uld or Jaffa that came to Cimmeria would be able to escape as well.  Not too long later they did just that, and Heru'ur invaded the planet.

After receiving a distress signal, SG-1 returns to the planet and tries to help as it was their fault that they were now under siege.

Knowing that they didn't have enough technology themselves, Daniel and Sam go with Gairwyn to the Hall of Thor's Might.  They were hoping to Find some Asgard weapons.  'God' however answers in his own way.

Thor helped SG-1 because they had accidentally allowed room for the Goa'uld, or Ettins (Evil things), to come to Cimmeria and begin enslaving the Cimmerians.

We also have the ability to seek after 'God's Might'.  We can go to our Heavenly Father in Prayer, and seek the Spiritual Weapons of Faith, Repentance, Meekness, Humility, and Charity.  Sometimes God might respond a little different than we might like, but He always does what is best for us.

We can Repent and be clean from all our Sin, but we have to go to the Lord with a Broken Heart and Contrite Spirit.  When we Repent God is always willing to grant us blessings.

The Cimmerians received a new hammer to protect them from the Goa'uld,

but it makes exception for the one called "Teal'c".

Progression - Stargate SG-1

X-301 (Death Glider)

The X-301 was created by salvaging a crashed Death Glider, and was designed to be a small space fighter.  They then McGuyvered it with some parts from Earth and the first flight was a disaster.  They figured out that the Goa'uld (the bad guys) had hardwired their ships to prevent them from being stolen.  Thus when we gave it a test flight, it didn't act as desired.

X-301
Goa'uld Human Hybrid = bad - due to being half good half bad, not a viable vessel.



F-302

The F-302 was the first all Earth space ship, and as such it had a few problems.  It was designed after the model of a Goa'uld Death Glider, but without the alien components it was much better.  While it did exactly what it was designed to do, it was still just a small fighter.

F-302
Human Intercepter = Good - short range fighter, but excellent maneuverability.



F-303 (Prometheus)

The F-303 was the first Earth vessel capable of going long distances quickly.  Prometheus was our only line of defense if a invasion was attempted for a time.  They knew that in order to protect those on Earth they would need something more than a Fleet of 302s.  This was the first step of becoming an intergalatic power player.

F-303
'Flagship' = Better - Higher firepower, Asgard Sheilds, could carry a few F-302s, good base ship for planetary defense.



F-304 (Daedalus)

The F-304 was the upgrade from the F-303.  It was made so we could utilize upgraded Asgard weapons and cloaking technology, and both Amercia and Russia had these in the skies.

F-304
'Mothership' = Best - Faster with its space travel, more firepower, better shields, more room in the flight bay for F-302s, and better agility in combat.

So as we can see, if you are trying to build a spaceship, you need to get rid of the bad or evil parts.  You still only have a small ship when you start, but by putting in a little extra effort you will be able to 'upgrade' your little ship into a little bit bigger ship.  Then you can upgrade that into an even Better ship.  Keep going until you have the Best ship you can.

You are the Ship.  Kick the little alien rascals out, and be a 'pure' you.  You can't begin to grow spiritually if you hold onto the wickedness inside you.

Things work out better when you dont have evil aliens in you.

Satan is the evil alien.

"Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?

or who shall stand in his holy place? 

He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart;

who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully."

-- Psalms 24:3-4

Restoration of the Priesthood - Anniversary

Do you know what today is?

Today is the 183rd Anniversary of the Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood.

On May 15th, 1829, John the Baptist (as a resurrected being, see Matthew 27:52-53 and 3 Nephi 23:11) came to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery on the bank of the Susquehanna River.  He then Ordained them to the Priesthood which he held, which is the same Priesthood that Christ was Baptized by.

Without this Authority nothing that we do in this life would be of any effect out of this life.

When asked who the Apostles said Jesus was, Peter replied,

"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God."

-- Matthew 16:16

It was upon this, the Testimony of the Godhead, that is the keystone of the Church, upon which the Devil has no power to overthrow.

Christ then stated:

"I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven:

and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth

shall be bound in heaven:

and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth

shall be loosed in heaven."

-- Matthew 16:19

It is through this Sealing Power, to bind on Earth and in Heaven, that we may be with our Families Forever.
Without the proper Authority of the Priesthood, nothing done in any religious ceremony is of any effect after we depart this life.  Only by doing what God has Commanded, in the way He commanded it, may we truly be saved at the last day.

Ninja Turtles - Unity

     I am a huge fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  One of my friends once nicknamed me 'Ninja Turtle'.  His nickname was 'Ninja Penguin'.

But have you ever wondered why the Ninja Turtles always defeated the Foot?  Or why the Shredder never seemed to have the upper hand?

First off, it was a movie, and the good guys almost always win.  The part that I wish to point out is that the Ninja Turtles were UNIFIED in the fight against evil.

So many times I see people arguing and fighting over something when the real problem isn't "who is right and who is wrong", the problem is "Who needs help?"  It doesn't matter if you think you have a better solution to the problem, if the other guy has an option hear him out and see if it works.

(Pay attention to what Shredder says between 3:40 and 3:50)

The Godhead is unified even though they are separate and distinct individuals.  This is because each member of the Godhead is working towards the same goal.

We all have differnt Skills, Talents, and Abilities.  Just like each of the Turtles uses a different type of weapon to fight against evil, a staff, swords, and nunchucks, so too might we use our "several Ability" (Matthew 25:15) to help others "come unto Christ and be Perfected in Him". (Moroni 10:32)

So next time you feel like arguing about how something should be done, try listening to what the other person has to say before concluding that they are wrong.  Always remember that we are to be Unified, which does not mean that we have to do the same thing as everyone else, but that we work for the beneift of the whole and not just ourselves.  We must always have the same purpose in mind. 

The Lord has said, "If ye are not one, Ye are not mine."

Doctrine and Covenants 38:27

Smile, your Heavenly Father is watching out for you.

Isaiah 52:12

Mommy Prays - and Teaches Me

I wish to Honor my Mom today...

In the Book of Mormon, there is an account of 2000 young men who join the army during a particularly dangerous war.  Their fathers had made an oath and covenat not to take up weapons ever again, and so they could not go themselves to defend their family.  These sons knew the oath that their fathers had taken and chose to go themselves to protect their parents.

On the battle field their Commander, Helaman, asked if they would go against an army that had been chasing after them, knowing that that army was larger than them.  The Humble and Faithful 'Stripling Warriors' Gave their response based on what their parents, particularly their Mothers, had taught them.

"Father (Helaman), behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go,"

-- Alma 56:46

"And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it."

-- Alma 56:48

I also know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's church here on Earth.  My mommy taught me to Pray when I was very young, and now that I am old I know that I can talk with my Heavenly Father whenever I need to, and that He will give answers to my Prayers.

What would i do Without my Mom?

Without my Mom, i would not be here.

Because of Mom, i have no Fear.

Without my Mom, i would be dumb.

Because of Mom, i don't suck my thumb.

Without my Mom, i get upset.

Because of Mom, i get a pet.

Without my Mom, i am confused.

Because of Mom, i watch the news.

Without my Mom, i would probably die.

Because of Mom, i don't get high.

Without my Mom, i wouldn't pray.

Because of Mom, i know the way.

Without my Mom, i would be lost.

To lose my Mom, is too high a cost.

I LOVE YOU MOMMY!!!

Deception - Not Always

Sometimes I think we might feel like others are dishonest with us,

or that they only want to take advantage of us.

In this clip from the Karate Kid, Daniel is complaining because all he has done is 'chores' for Mr. Miyagi.  What Daniel doesn't realize is that Mr. Miyagi has been building 'Muscle Memory' for his Karate training.

Things are not always as they seem.

Sometimes God does the same thing with us as He tries to help us learn the Gospel.  We often think that 'LIFE' is just not fair.  Which is not exactly true.

"Now it is better that a man should be judged of God than of man,

for the judgments of God are always just,

but the judgments of man are not always just."

-- Mosiah 29:12

God will Judge all men with a Just Judgementat the last day.

Everyone will have the opportunity to hear the Gospel.

Most of the time when something 'unfair' happens to us, we start thinking that something has gone wrong.

If we step back and look at things from a different perspective, we can often see that it might be completely what should have happened.  I have often heard people talk about 20/20 hindsight, (when I was little I thought that meant some people had eyes in the back of their head), and this is what I intend to point out in this video clip.

Daniel didn't see the true meaning of things as he was sanding the floor, waxing the cars, painting the house, or painting the fence.  Yet after a simple and brief explanation from Mr. Miyagi, he understood exactly what each of those tasks was for. 

As we pass through life, I promise everything happens for a reason.  If we seek first to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Follow His Commandments, we can then learn to accept God's timing.  We will be closer to Him, and we will understand those things that He wants us to learn.