On courage and looking at the bright side

I came upon this from Joseph F. Smith yesterday and found it to be inspiring:

One of the highest qualities of all true leadership is a high standard of courage. When we speak of courage and leadership we are using terms that stand for the quality of life by which men determine consciously the proper course to pursue and stand with fidelity to their convictions. There has never been a time in the Church when its leaders were not required to be courageous men; not alone courageous in the sense that they were able to meet physical dangers, but also in the sense that they were steadfast and true to a clear and upright conviction.

Leaders of the Church, then, should be men not easily discouraged, not without hope, and not given to forebodings of all sorts of evils to come. Above all things the leaders of the people should never disseminate a spirit of gloom in the hearts of the people. If men standing in high places sometimes feel the weight and anxiety of momentous times, they should be all the firmer and all the more resolute in those convictions which come from a God-fearing conscience and pure lives. Men in their private lives should feel the necessity of extending encouragement to the people by their own hopeful and cheerful intercourse with them, as they do by their utterances in public places. It is a matter of the greatest importance that the people be educated to appreciate and cultivate the bright side of life rather than to permit its darkness and shadows to hover over them.

In order to successfully overcome anxieties in reference to questions that require time for their solution, an absolute faith and confidence in God and in the triumph of his work are essential.

The most momentous questions and the greatest dangers to personal happiness are not always met and solved within oneself, and if men cannot courageously meet the difficulties, and obstacles of their own individual lives and natures, how are they to meet successfully those public questions in which the welfare and happiness of the public are concerned?

Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God?

Today while search the scriptures for answers to questions I have in life I came across this powerful verse:

Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power, and at his great command the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll? -Mormon 5:23

What a fantastic lesson and reminder! Sometimes situations in life that seem so dire are truly of little consequence when we look at them through the scope of the grand plan of salvation. Even still, we are in the hands of an all-knowing, all-loving God who understands how we feel no matter how significant the issue in our lives may be!

The Lord also helps us in the small things. Recently my home teacher told a story in elder's quorum about the spirit telling him to not pay out of his own pocket to upgrade to first class (he's a very big guy, coach much be exceptionally uncomfortable for him). Unfortunately, this elicited muffled laughs from some in the quorum, but the spirit witnessed to me the truth of his story. Further, I knew it to be true because I know his character and I know that God is truly aware of and concerned with the smallest things in our lives.

Often patience is the key because the Lord always keeps his promises. Our Heavenly Father repeated a particular promise through his prophets at least 17 times in the Book of Mormon. One example is this:

And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you. -Mosiah 2:22

I know that I am most definitely "in the hands of God"! I have seen and felt him lift me up so many times. I know that with patience that if I do my part--keeping the commandments--God knows what is best of me, and will proper my family and I. Of course patients is the most difficult part, but I know this principle to be true.

I KNOW the Book of Mormon is True

I do not just believe, I KNOW that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It is a companion to the Bible, given to us by our creator to bless our lives! The study of this inspired book has changed my life eternally. Though I have a long way to go, it has helped me become more kind, more loving, more charitable, and more grateful for all I am blessed with. The Book of Mormon has help me draw closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know the Book of Mormon is a true book because I read it myself, asked God myself, and received an answer from God for myself that it is true.

I also KNOW that God calls prophets and apostles today, just as he has throughout the history of his church recorded in the Bible. I invite you to watch this video where one of the living apostles of Jesus Christ shares his witness of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

The Testimony of an Apostle of Jesus Christ

This is one of the most powerful testimonies I have ever heard.



I add to my testimony wholeheartedly to Elder Holland's. I know the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is the word of God because the Holy Ghost has borne witness to me over and over again of its truth and authenticity. I invite you to study the words of this book and discover for yourself whether it is true (the full text is also available online). For, "by their fruits ye shall know them".

The Constitution and Right Freedom Originate from God

I believe, as do my fellow members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that God has blessed us with prophets today, just as he did in the Old Testament days before Christ, during Christ’s ministry with the 12 apostles, and briefly after Christ’s ministry as the apostles continued the work until they were killed by the people.

As we learn in the book of Amos:

Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

Our Father in Heaven has blessed us again today with prophets and apostles. In revelation to the prophet Joseph Smith, Jesus Christ explained how the Constitution of the United States of America was written according to his will, based upon “just and holy principles” by “wise men” that Christ himself put in place to create the Constitution. These were the same men intricately involved in leading the redemption of this land from English tyranny in the Revolutionary War. The exact words of the Savior:

According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles . . . And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.

The prophet Joseph Smith also brought forth convincing evidence that he is a prophet of God, called to restore his true church on the land. This evidence is the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. We learn more in the Book of Mormon about God’s influence on America as an ancient military general and prophet named Moroni once blessed this land while praying to God that “the blessings of liberty [will] rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land”.

We are all blessed to live in this land, which has been ordained by God as a land of freedom. The Constitution was inspired by and is ordained by God. Our founding fathers were led by his spirit to create this blessed document that is the standard and foundation of our laws. May we all stand up to defend our Constitution that God himself has blessed us with.

Today's Attempts to Take Away Our Freedom Are Not New

"Jared rebelled against his father, and came and dwelt in the land of Heth. And it came to pass that he did flatter many people, because of his cunning words, until he had gained the half of the kingdom

And when he had gained the half of the kingdom he gave battle unto his father, and he did carry away his father into captivity, and did make him serve in captivity;

And now, in the days of the reign of Omer he was in captivity the half of his days. And it came to pass that he begat sons and daughters, among whom were Esrom and Coriantumr;

And they were exceedingly angry because of the doings of Jared their brother, insomuch that they did raise an army and gave battle unto Jared. And it came to pass that they did give battle unto him by night.

And it came to pass that when they had slain the army of Jared they were about to slay him also; and he plead with them that they would not slay him, and he would give up the kingdom unto his father. And it came to pass that they did grant unto him his life.

And now Jared became exceedingly sorrowful because of the loss of the kingdom, for he had set his heart upon the kingdom and upon the glory of the world.

Now the daughter of Jared being exceedingly expert, and seeing the sorrows of her father, thought to devise a plan whereby she could redeem the kingdom unto her father.

Now the daughter of Jared was exceedingly fair. And it came to pass that she did talk with her father, and said unto him: Whereby hath my father so much sorrow? Hath he not read the record which our fathers brought across the great deep? Behold, is there not an account concerning them of old, that they by their secret plans did obtain kingdoms and great glory?

And now, therefore, let my father send for Akish, the son of Kimnor; and behold, I am fair, and I will dance before him, and I will please him, that he will desire me to wife; wherefore if he shall desire of thee that ye shall give unto him me to wife, then shall ye say: I will give her if ye will bring unto me the head of my father, the king.

And now Omer was a friend to Akish; wherefore, when Jared had sent for Akish, the daughter of Jared danced before him that she pleased him, insomuch that he desired her to wife. And it came to pass that he said unto Jared: Give her unto me to wife.

And Jared said unto him: I will give her unto you, if ye will bring unto me the head of my father, the king.

And it came to pass that Akish gathered in unto the house of Jared all his kinsfolk, and said unto them: Will ye swear unto me that ye will be faithful unto me in the thing which I shall desire of you?

And it came to pass that they all sware unto him, by the God of heaven, and also by the heavens, and also by the earth, and by their heads, that whoso should vary from the assistance which Akish desired should lose his head; and whoso should divulge whatsoever thing Akish made known unto them, the same should lose his life.

And it came to pass that thus they did agree with Akish. And Akish did administer unto them the oaths which were given by them of old who also sought power, which had been handed down even from Cain, who was a murderer from the beginning.

And they were kept up by the power of the devil to administer these oaths unto the people, to keep them in darkness, to help such as sought power to gain power, and to murder, and to plunder, and to lie, and to commit all manner of wickedness and whoredoms.

And it was the daughter of Jared who put it into his heart to search up these things of old; and Jared put it into the heart of Akish; wherefore, Akish administered it unto his kindred and friends, leading them away by fair promises to do whatsoever thing he desired.

And it came to pass that they formed a secret combination, even as they of old; which combination is most abominable and wicked above all, in the sight of God;

For the Lord worketh not in secret combinations, neither doth he will that man should shed blood, but in all things hath forbidden it, from the beginning of man.

And now I, Moroni, do not write the manner of their oaths and combinations, for it hath been made known unto me that they are had among all people, and they are had among the Lamanites.

And they have caused the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking, and also the destruction of the people of Nephi.

And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lord will not suffer that the blood of his saints, which shall be shed by them, shall always cry unto him from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet he avenge them not.

Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be.

Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up.

For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people, for it is built up by the devil, who is the father of all lies; even that same liar who beguiled our first parents, yea, even that same liar who hath caused man to commit murder from the beginning; who hath hardened the hearts of men that they have murdered the prophets, and stoned them, and cast them out from the beginning.

Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to write these things that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that Satan may have no power upon the hearts of the children of men, but that they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved.

Source: Ether 8

General Conference Highlight Video

This is an exceptional summary of the words of today's living Apostles and Prophets, spoken at the most recent conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"May We Declare Ourselves to be More Fully Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ"

Please enjoy this powerful message.



"May we stand by Jesus Christ "at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in, even until death" (Mosiah 18:9) for surely that is how He stood by us when it was unto death and when He had to stand entirely and utterly alone."

Honoring Good Friday: A Powerful Testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ

I love this sermon and testimony of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Are Mormons Christians?

Are Mormon Christians? Judge for yourself by this statement from a modern-day prophet:

"The fundamental principle of our religion is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Why is it expedient that we center our confidence, our hope, and our trust in one solitary figure? Why is faith in Him so necessary to peace of mind in this life and hope in the world to come?

"Our answers to these questions determine whether we face the future with courage, hope, and optimism or with apprehension, anxiety, and pessimism.

"My message and testimony is this: Only Jesus Christ is uniquely qualified to provide that hope, that confidence, and that strength we need to overcome the world and rise above our human failings. To do so, we must place our faith in Him and live by His laws and teachings."

Ezra Taft Benson, "Jesus Christ: Our Savior and Redeemer," Ensign, June 1990, 2