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. 



Joseph Smith : Prophet of the Restoration

This is one of my favorite movies.  The Bible speaks of the "restitution of all things."(Acts 3:21)  The Bible also says that there would be a general or great Apostasy, or a "falling away."(2 Thessalonians 2:3)

In Ezekiel 37 The Lord speaks to His Prophet of two books of Scripture, the Stick of Judah and the Stick of Ephraim.  The Stick of Judah is the Bible, because it was written by the Jews.

What then is the Stick of Ephraim?

What book of Scripture did the tribe of Ephraim write?

The Stick of Ephraim is the Book of Mormon.

The Book of Mormon was written upon the American continent.

The Book of Mormon was brought forth in modern times by a Prophet of God.

The Book of Mormon was Translated by the Gift and Power of God.

This movie is a depiction of what Joseph Smith went through in order to restore the Church to the Earth.

ENJOY

Click HERE for a free copy of the Book of Mormon

Some of My Favorite Scriptures

"And this Zeezrom began to question Amulek, saying: Will ye answer me a few questions which I shall ask you? Now Zeezrom was a man who was expert in the devices of the devil, that he might destroy that which was good; therefore, he said unto Amulek: Will ye answer the questions which I shall put unto you?

And Amulek said unto him: Yea, if it be according to the Spirit of the Lord, which is in me; for I shall say nothing which is contrary to the Spirit of the Lord. And Zeezrom said unto him: Behold, here are six onties of silver, and all these will I give thee if thou wilt deny the existence of a Supreme Being.

Now Amulek said: O thou child of hell, why tempt ye me? Knowest thou that the righteous yieldeth to no such temptations?

Believest thou that there is no God? I say unto you, Nay, thou knowest that there is a God, but thou lovest that lucre more than him.

And now thou hast lied before God unto me. Thou saidst unto me—Behold these six onties, which are of great worth, I will give unto thee—when thou hadst it in thy heart to retain them from me; and it was only thy desire that I should deny the true and living God, that thou mightest have cause to destroy me. And now behold, for this great evil thou shalt have thy reward."

-- Alma 11:21-25

"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself."

-- 2 Nephi 2:27

"And I will come unto you, and if there be any among you that has a desire for freedom, yea, if there be even a spark of freedom remaining, behold I will stir up insurrections among you, even until those who have desires to usurp power and authority shall become extinct."

-- Alma 60:27

Earthbending - A Steadfast Ability

"And Jesus answered and said unto him, 

Blessed art thou, 

Simon Bar-jona: 

for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, 

but my Father which is in heaven.  

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, 

and upon this rock I will build my church; 

and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

-- Matthew 16:17-18

Here Christ is teaching Simon, to whom He gives the name of Peter which means 'small stone', and tells him that Christ's church will be built upon the 'rock of revelation'.  Revelation is only possible when you are listening to the Spirit of the Lord.  When the timing is right, the Spirit will whisper what to do, how to do it, where to go, what to say, who to talk to, as well as give advance warnings.

Earthbending demands a special connection with the earth that is achievable with neutral jing, doing nothing but waiting and listening until the right moment to strike.  By waiting and listening you can sense where things are, and when someone else who might be a threat is near by.

Sometimes however even when the Spirit does speak to us we don't listen.  Either we are too distracted by things of the world, or we hear Him and then Choose not to obey.  If we are going to have the Spirit we need to be willing to act on what He tells us to do.

For good Earthbending you must be solid like a 'rock'.  Meaning you don't just move the rocks, sometimes you let the rocks move you.  If you can bind yourself to the Earth and accept what the stones intend to do, it makes them a little more willing to act under your direction.

"Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith; 

nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable 

in keeping the commandments of God, 

and they bore with patience 

the persecution which was heaped upon them."

-- Alma 1:25

"No matter how the wind howls, the Mountain cannot bow to it." -- Disney's Mulan

So practice being immovable like a rock, and sooner or later the rocks will move for you.  The Spirit will tell you what you need to know, but the more willing you are to listen and then follow His instructions, the more willing He is to tell you about stuff.

Fire Bending - It's a Talent

"And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one;

to every man according to his ability"

-- Matthew 25:15

I am a Fire Bender. 

Just in case any of you are unfamiliar with what that actually means, I shall try to explain.  Avatar The Last Airbender is a cartoon based in a world where people can manipulate, or Bend, the four elements of Water, Earth, Fire, and Air.  Each nation has individuals that can Bend that specific element, but the Avatar can Bend all four elements. 

Airbending is the aerokinetic ability to control and manipulate currents of air.

Waterbending is the hydrokinetic ability to control water, as well as its many forms.

Earthbending is the geokinetic ability to manipulate earth and rock, in all its various forms.

However I said that I was a FireBender.

Firebending is the pyrokinetic ability to create and control fire.

Fire is the element of power, consisting of overpowering force tempered by the unflinching will to accomplish tasks and desires.  Firebending is the most dangerous of the four Bending elements.  Firebending represents energy and life, not rage and anger. 

Fire is also a symbol of Power.  The Holy Ghost is represented as a Baptism of Fire, being the Power that cleanses your Spirit.

"Then he called his twelve disciples together,

and gave them power and authority

over all devils, and to cure diseases."

-- Luke 9:1

" I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance:

but he that cometh after me is mightier than I,

whose shoes I am not worthy to bear:

he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:"

-- Matthew 3:11

Firebenders use their internal body heat as a source of their bending.  Firebending power comes not from physical size nor strength, but rather from the very control of one's breath.  In order to Firebend properly, one must have "inner fire", or a drive and purpose in what they do.

So you are probably wondering, How does someone learn to Firebend?  Most people learn from their father or other close family member.  Some learn from an instructor.  Others learn from ancient Firebending Scrolls.


This is a Firebending Scroll.

These Firebending Scrolls are like the Scriptures.  They are a record of how to Firebend, written by someone who learned from a Dragon, the original Firebenders.  Much like the Prophets and Apostles writting about their interaction with God.



These are two dragons, Firebending Masters, teaching Zuko and Aang.



Learning from a Master helps us to understand exactly what you should use your Bending for, and increases our abilities.  Much like the Apostles learning from Christ.

By reading the Scriptures, and praying to our Heavenly Father, we can each find how we should be using our own Bending element to better serve others.  We have been given talents, and we need to use those talents or they will be taken from us. (Matthew 25:25-28)

Read the Scriptures and learn of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Then Pray and let the Master teach you how to use that knowledge in helping others.

Firebending is one of those things that I enjoy, and so I do the best I can in warming up others on a cold day.



Repentance - Tough on Sins

Everyone Sins, but not everyone Repents. 

Without Repentance you cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
-- Romans 10:13

"I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
-- Luke 13:3

"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
-- Mark 16:16

"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved"

-- Matthew 24:13

Armor of God -- Fight for Your Life

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"

-- Ephesians 6:10-17

Loins girt about with Truth.  In Biblical times to 'Gird up your Loins' would be to wrap the bottom of you cloak into your belt, and by doing so you would be more able to move about and perform the days labor.  You really don't want your clothing to limit your movement in battle.

The Breastplate of Righteousness.  The Breastplate covers your Heart and Lungs, as well as other vital organs.  When the scriptures say that in the last days, "men's hearts shall fail them", (Luke 21:26) it is because they do not have their Breastplate protecting them.  Your Righteousness, which is your diligent obedience to the Commandments of God, will protect you from having your heart fail you.

Feet Shod with Preparation of the Gospel.  When the Hebrews were 'Preparing' to leave Egypt they were told to eat the Passover.  This was done with their Shoes on their feet and their staff in hand, and you ate while standing.  This is because even though they had not yet received permission to leave Egypt, they were planning on going somewhere.

Whenever I go home for anything my Mommy always gets frustrated with me because I never take my jacket off.  This has several reasons behind it, but the first and foremost reason is because I like having my jacket on, even in the middle of the summer.  Then there are the reasons that are actually logical, like my jacket is somewhat a safety object and i am more comfortable around people when I am wearing it.  My jacket has all my stuff in the pockets, my keys, my iPod, my phone, and an assortment of other things for the day.  My jacket is what prepares me to go do what I need to later, and I don't take it off just because I am going to sit down for a few minutes.

 

A Shield of Faith.  You must have Faith in order to be equipped with your best defense, your Shield.  This Faith is required because when you put your Shield up you cannot see your enemy.  You cover your head and most of your upper body to block the opponents sword, but also block him from your eyes.

Much like when Luke Skywalker puts the BlastSHIELD down and cannot see the remote, but must follow the promptings within, or his instinct, to know what to do.

 

The Helmet of Salvation.  The Helmet protects YOUR BRAIN.  There are a few things we need to know in order to return and live with our Heavenly Father.  First is that Jesus Christ is His only Begotten Son in the Flesh.  Second is the Plan of Salvation.  Once you have a Knowledge you must protect it and continue learning.

The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  The only offensive weapon you have in the Armor of God is the Sword of the Spirit.  In combat your sword is your life, you need it in hand if you are to fight the foe. 

If you do not have your sword and you go up to battle anyway, your only option is to try and block the blows of your enemy.  Sure you have your other Armor, but how long can your Shield last when it is being beat upon repeatedly.  How long do you think it would be before your breastplate either came loose, or perhaps had a small gap between the plates where the enemy's sword found a way through.  How long before your legs grew tired and you trip over your own feet.

The answer, not very long at all.

Without the Spirit you begin to lose faith (Shield), it is harder to keep the commandments (Breastplate), and you become less prepared for the fight (Feet Shod).  Once you lose these other pieces of Armor you are an easy target and then POOF, you die.  When it comes to the Armor of God you die Spiritually, and Christ is the Light and Life of the world, therefore the only way back is through His Atonement.

So remember to always have your Armor, and be on Guard.

God will protect you, IF you are doing what is Right.
 

"And it came to pass that I said unto them 

that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked, 

according to the truth; 

and the righteous have I justified, 

and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day; 

wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, 

for it cutteth them to the very center."

-- 1 Nephi 16:2 (emphasis added)

The Scriptures are the Word of God.  Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon.  God teaches only Truth, and therefore the Wicked take the Scriptures to be Hard.

Keep the Commandments, Read the Scriptures, and do whatever it takes to truly have the Spirit with you at all times, in all things, and in all places.

The Sword of the Spirit is the Spirit of Truth.
Truth will fight your battles for you, as long as you keep it close by, and in your Heart.

What Have You Done With Your TIME?

So my companion just informed me that he feels the pressure of being halfway through his mission.  This reminded of one of my favorite songs, TIME by Jericho Road.

The song goes over whether or not you are using the TIME the Lord has given you here on earth.  Are you using your TIME, or are you losing out on blessings by not keeping His commandments?  Are you paying attention and listening to the messages He is sending your way, or are you missing them?  Are you wishing that you had more TIME to study what is from God, or are you priorities somewhere else?

Here are the lyrics, don't just read them, study them.  At the bottom there is a link to listen to the music.  I think you will enjoy it once you know what it is that they are trying to say.

Time is a tickin'
Are you listenin'
When you find out what you're missin'
You'll be wishin'
That you would've taken

Time is a wasting
Are you waiting
To find that yours is taken
You'll awaken
When you're running out of time

Time is a moving
Are you using
Your time or are you choosin'
To be losing
The precious gift of time

It went so fast
But you thought it would last
And I wonder when you'll see that
Your time's run outChorus:
It's time
To make the best of time
Just trust and you will find
There's something you can do
To make the best of time
You gotta understand
When you reach out your hand
Someone's reaching out for you
Just leave your fears behind
It's time

Why are you waiting
Hesitating
To change your situation
Stop delaying
Don't live your whole life blind

He is your best friend
So remember when
Your life seemed like a whirlwind
He was waiting
Forever by your side
It goes so fast You think it's gonna last
But I wonder when you'll see
That the time is now

Chorus

You can never live your life over
There's no crying on anyone's shoulder
How long can you walk the line
No more faces to hide behind

You gotta just trust and believe it
Put your faith in what you can't see yet
You know it's not too late
He's guiding you along the way

Chorus

Take a step of Faith and look into that which you don't understand and haven't given the TIME.  Spend more TIME with your family.  Take time to sit and relax, WITHOUT THE TV ON.  Go outside and contemplate how things work in nature, and think of what you really want to do with the TIME you have before it is all gone.


Listen at : http://grooveshark.com/#/s/Time/1eRa4c?src=5

Lyrics taken from : http://www.lyricsera.com/

Good Things Are Good

Hopefully this makes everyone smile.  :)

Hello. My name is Bruce.



Good feelings gone.

So this is my, 'Happy Time' post for the week. 

 Remember, if it makes you smile, and promotes good, it is of God

Deliverance Comes from the Deliverer

We might not be able to stop our children from sticking their fingers in the toaster.  We might not be able to stop them from putting a knife in the power outlet.  We might not be able to have them understand why certain things are bad for them, and we might not be able to stop them from placing their hands on the red hot stove.  But we can always give them a band aid and kiss it better and tell them they shouldn't do it again.  Sometimes they listen, Sometimes they don't.

But just like that bright red on the stove, which is interesting and unknown to them, so is sin.  Something about it seems to attract us to it.  Our Father in Heaven repeatedly tells us, Don't do this...Don't do that.  He also has told us repeatedly, DO this, DO that, and DO them all the time, not just when you feel like it.

Again, like the red hot stove, when we sin we must take the consequence.  Sin brings Spiritual pain.  The only band aid strong enough to help is the Atonement of Christ.  He can kiss it better, and wipe away the tears.  But we have to be DOing what He has told us to DO in order for the Atonement to have any effect.

This is the method of us being Delivered from sin by Jesus Christ.  When we are obedient we receive blessings.  When we sin we we lose those blessings, and things always turn into problems because of our choices.

However, when the Children of Israel were in bondage in Egypt, the Lord raised up a Deliverer for them.  This came after they had Prayed and asked for His help in their afflictions.

"The Lord thy God

will raise up unto thee a Prophet

from the midst of thee,

of thy brethren, like unto me;

unto him ye shall hearken;"

-- Deuteronomy 18:15

Moses was sent to redeem, or save, his people from slavery to the Egyptians.  Jesus Christ came to redeem and save all people from slavery to sin, and the bondage of the devil.

"And I,

if I be lifted up from the earth,

will draw all men unto me."

-- John 12:32

Through Jesus Christ we are able to repent of our sins, and then receive forgiveness.  He was raised up to be our Deliverer.  We must do our part, for the Atonement to have effect in our lives.  We have to be full of good works and righteous actions, or we will stand before the Judgement bar knowing that we have sinned and cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

"And for this cause have I been lifted up;

therefore, according to the power of the Father

I will draw all men unto me,

 that they may be judged according to their works."

-- 3 Nephi 27:15

"The spirit and the body shall be reunited again

in its perfect form;

 both limb and joint shall be restored

to its proper frame,

even as we now are at this time;

and we shall be brought to stand before God,
knowing even as we know now,

 and have a bright recollection of all our guilt."

-- Alma 11:43

The Jedi were Missionaries

So this is another conception of how random stuff is related to the gospel.

I love how "all things denote there is a God." (Alma 30:44)

So Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi are the GOOD guys....
......Darth Maul is the BAD guy.

Missionaries are the GOOD guys.....the Devil is the BAD guy.

Two Jedi against one Sith....Two Missionaries against one Devil....
....seems pretty close to me. ;)

So as we know the Jedi were the guardians and protectors of peace in the galaxy that is very far away.  We as missionaries guard and protect the truthfulness of the gospel here on earth.  We teach others about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and how it helps balance their lives.  The Jedi taught how to work with others to maintain balance in the Force.  The Jedi always avoided conflict unless there was no other choice.  Missionaries only have Spiritual conflict when we can't avoid it.

Basically the "BAD GUY" doesn't like what we are doing, and sometimes we don't always win.  Indeed everyone falls down at some point in life, but Christ is always there to help us get up.  Just like when Obi-Wan had to jump much higher than he normally could, Christ is there to help us jump up Spiritually, and keep on fighting.  Even when things don't look like we are winning, if we turn to the Lord, He will help us and even fight our battles for us.

I have experienced this several times, where I feel like I just can't go any further, He steps in and gives me that extra strength to keep going.  I promise anyone who is having a hard time or a bad day, that if you kneel down and say a prayer He will always be there to help you when you ask Him.

When Things Don't Go According to the Plan

So I am a huge Stargate fan.  SG-1 and SGA for those who watch it.  But I have found so many similarities between Stargate and the gospel it can sometimes be quite funny.

Here is a clip I found in which Teal'c, an alien from another planet who is working with the US Air Force, makes a comment that would normally be considered wrong or confusing.  However, due to him not being familiar with earth culture and American sayings, he is often found saying things that are outside what we would normally think would be said.

Here we see that from his understanding of our use of words, to calm down is to get better.  So if things were going to get worse, being the opposite of better, they would indeed calm up, the opposite of down.

Just like Teal'c had a hard time understanding how we thought, and they way we speak, so to do we often have a hard time understanding the way our Father in Heaven thinks and speaks.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, 

neither are your ways my ways, 

saith the Lord.

 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, 

so are my ways higher than your ways, 

and my thoughts than your thoughts."

-- Isaiah 55:8-9

I hope that as we speak with those around us we will have the understanding that they might not understand what exactly we are trying to say to them, and that as we pray unto the Father we may be able to listen to what He says, so that we may learn from Him what is right.

I also know that as we turn to Him in prayer, we will be able to find peace in our hearts, even when we are in a situation that appears to "calm up".