"We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but...against spiritual wickedness in high places."

 

  Every single one of us whether we be black, white, grey, or purple. Rich, poor, or something in the middle. Tall, short, skinny, fat, weak, or strong. Every single human being goes to war every single day! Not against an actual physical being, but agains someone who knows us, probably, better than we know ourselves. The great thing is that our Heavenly Father has given us instruction to protect ourselves from any harm that may befall us. 

    

     Ephesians 6:11-18 

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

        12 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.

        13 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. 

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

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

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

wicked. 

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

        18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

 

  We can come off conqueror with whatever temptation, or evil thing that may come across our paths each day. If we take heed to this scripture, and put on our whole Armour of God, by reading our scriptures, keeping the commandments, and having faith that our Heavenly Father will protect us from all the evils of the world, we will be able to "stand against the wiles of the devil." 

 

"As a hen gathers her Chicks"

  Chickens are very funny animals I think. I mean have you ever watched them strut around. Ha ha ha ha! I also believe that chickens are one of the most useful animals. Without them we wouldn't have chicken nuggets, grilled chicken sandwiches or eggs (to bake with.) Chickens, or hen's more specifically, are also very protective of there young.

  When ever danger is near a mother hen scoops up her chicks and  sits on them, shielding them from whatever bad that might happen. Instead of allowing her chicks to be exposed to possible danger she hides them so that she can will take the brunt of whatever lies in store.

   In 3Nephi 10:6 this is when Christ is speaking to the inhabitants in America, after he has just destroyed to wicked from the land, and right before he descends from heaven. He says "O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart." I really love this scripture because Christ is telling us that no matter what, he will always gather us to him if we have faith in him and, repent. He will be, to us, as the hen to her chicks, shielding us from dangers.
  Christ took upon himself all the sin in the world. He is already reaching out to gather us, we just need to go and accept his embrace.

fishin IN the LILLY pads.

 

 Throughout my life, and all throughout my mission I have saught for opportunities to strengthen my faith in my Heavenly Father and my savior Jesus Christ.  It took one summer day, a faith filled companion and a lake full of lilly pads to teach me what it truely ment to have faith. 

  It was a Monday afternoon in the middle of September. My companion, Sister Smith, and I had been wanting to go fishing for quite some time when the opportunity arouse on a preparation day. There were some members in our last area who had a private lake on their property and they had aggreed to let us use their lake, and their rickety old dock for our fishing needs. 

  My companion and I are both from Utah. Both of us had done plenty of fishing in Utah, but we had never experienced what it was like to fish in lilly pads. A member from the Church in Allegan lent us a few poles and a fully loaded tackle box to take fishing. He had also given  us some pointers on how to try and avoid getting caught in the lilly pads. "Cast directly out in front of the dock, there you should be able to avoid the masses of lilly pads." he said. So my companion and I haveing full confidence in our fishing abilities, and the advice that we received, bated up our hooks, threw a few weights on the end and casted out.

  The first few casts were an utter failure, our line's kept getting stuck in the lilly pads. Time and time again we just didn't have the strength to get our lines our far enough to avoid the lilly pads. Probably on about our 5th or 6th cast both of our hooks had gotten so stuck that no matter what we did they wouldn't come loose. We sat tugging and tugging, pulling and pulling but to no avail. Our hooks were stuck. The only option I could think of was to just cut the line, but because we were using borrowed tackle we were afraid to do so.

  We both sat weighing our options when my faith filled companion starts praying outloud. I kinda sat back doubting, thinking in my mind 'there is no way that her praying is going to work.' after all we had just been trying with all of our might for the past 15-20 mins to get these lines loose. As soon as my companion said Amen, I told her "there is no way that is going to work." Instead of letting me discourage her she gave her line one final tug, and the line came loose, hook and all. I just sat there with probably a look of utter amazement on my face. I was speechless. She turned to me and said "you need to repent." So I silently in my head said a quite prayer repenting, and then asking my Father in Heaven to do the same for me. I ended my prayer and gave my line a few more tugs. Then eventually my line was free.

  I think this experience has been one of the most humbling experiences of my life, who would have thought that a lilly pad, and a stuck fishing line would do that for me. I'm grateful for a companion who had enough faith to pray, and ask for help when she needed it. As small as the request was she exercised her faith, and our Heavenly Father because he loves her answered her prayer, I know he will do the same for all of us we just need to exercise the faith we have in him, that through him anything is possible!

 

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!!

   Over two thousand years ago one of the most significant events happened that would make salvation possible for the entire human race. The birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Without the Birth of Christ the Atonement would never have been preformed, and the opportunity for us to return to live with our Father In Heaven would not have been possible.There's an account in Luke chapter 2 verses 8-20 of the birth of our Savior.
 
  8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by    night.

  9 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.

  10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

  11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

  12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

  13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

  14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

  15 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.

  16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

  17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

  18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

  19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

  20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

 

  The reason I like this account is because in verse 17 where it says "they made known abroad the saying the saying which was told them concerning this child." The shepherds went about telling everyone of the birth of the Savior, they did not keep this miraculous event to themselves. They wanted everyone to know of this event because they knew of its significance. This is how all disciples of Jesus Christ should be! For those who have come to know Christ and who have experienced the power of his Atonement, we should be out helping others come and find Christ so that they can  feel of the peace and happiness that comes from being completly cleansed from sin. There's not greater time them when the spirit of Christmas is in the air. Lets make this Christmas Season "The Most Wonderful Time of Year" by inviting others to come unto Christ. 

"Cleanliness is Next to Godliness!!!"

 This past month I have come to understand the importance of deep cleaning.  For most kids saturday is the day of the week they look forward to. No school, no church, just a nice day to sleep in, and relax. For me, and possibly my siblings, it wasn't a day to look forward to. My mom who lived by the saying "Cleanliness is next to godliness" always reserved Saturdays for deep cleaning. This usually ment we were pulling everything out of some closet to reorganize it, that we were scrubbing the bathrooms floor to ceiling, and it usually ment the wiping of the dust off of all the floor boards. Saturday was a day to be dreaded at my home because of all the cleaning that usually needed to be done. The work was never fun, or ever easy, but boy by the end, I didn't realized then but do now, the hard work was totally worth it. 

 

  There are times throughout our lives when a deep cleaning is necessary, not a deep cleaning of our house (which is essential every so often) but a deep cleaning of our own personal lives. Not one single person on this earth lives a spot free life. Everyone has some dirt in their lives. Some more than others, but dirt none the less. One thing I've noticed, with dirt, is that if you don't get it early on the pile will spread. At first it may just start on one little corner of your tile floor, but if you don't get it before someone trudges across your floor the mess is soon spread all over your floor. Thats the same with sin. It may just start off small, but if you don't catch it and rid it from your life quick it can, and will spread to other aspects of your life.
   Sin is normal. NO ONE is perfect. Just as no one has a spotless house, some people may try to fool you, by putting a rug over the dirt pile, or  flipping the couch cushion to hide the stain, but everyone of us has some stain in our lives that needs to be cleaned out. It may require a deep deep cleaning, or maybe a simple dusting. The point is, we all have something we need to repent of, and change in our lives to be able to feel more peace and happiness. In Matt. 8:3 the man with leprosy comes to the Savior and asks to be cleaned. This was His response:   And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.  I don't think very many of us out there are sick with leprosy, but I do know there are many in need of a good cleaning. Sometimes it may take alot of hard work, and sometimes very little effort, but It is necessary so that we can experience peace, and joy in our lives. I'm sure we've all heard "No unclean can enter into the house of God." Thats why its so important for us to clean ourselves of whatever dirt we may have. I know that we will come closer to our Savior Jesus Christ and will be alot happier if we take the time to deep clean our lives.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Gordon B. Hinckley Has always been a huge influence in my life. I remeber this story being told to me as a child, and it has been one that has always stuck with me...

OUR SAVIORS LOVE!!!

    I remember when I was younger my uncle had a poem hanging on his wall, I'm sure half of the world is familiar with it, but its one that reminds me of all that Christ, our Savior, has done, and continues to do  for us.

Footprints

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.

This really bothered Him and He questioned the LORD about it. LORD you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.

The LORD replied, my precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.

 

 





 

(artwork by: Liz Lemon Swindle)



 



   Never have I known this to be more true then out here on my mission, never have I gone through anything so physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally exhausting as these past 10 months of my life. I could have NEVER gone through this alone.  I know that because my Savior Jesus Christ came to earth and preformed the atonement (his suffering and bleeding in the garden, dying on the cross, and then being resurrected three days later.) that not only my sins, but my trials as well  can be placed on him, and he will carry them for me. He can, and will do the same for everyone. He loves all of his brothers, and sisters so much. He is there to help us all through any trial we go through. Not only will he be there with us through them, but he will take them upon himself. I know my savior lives!! Words cannot express how grateful I am for all of my burdens that he has lifted from me. Let Our Savior, Jesus Christ, take your burdens, the burdens he's already suffered for, upon himself so that you can feel the peace and joy you are promised to have in this life!!!

1 Peter 4:  13 But rejoice,,inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings;that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy

Huff Family

  My grandpa was, and continues to be a huge influence in my life, even if he's not here physically. Some of the greatest memories I have of my grandpa are when he would pull pranks on people. I credit him for all the fantastic pranks I have ever pulled, because he was the first to teach me how. This is not all that I remember about him though, I also remember how strong he was in our church. There was hardly a time when I would go over to his house that he either wasn't working on something that had to do with his church calling, or studying his scriptures. Anytime I slept over he always made sure a family prayer was said before anybody went to bed. Family get togethers involved something spiritual to help strengthen all of his children, or grandchildren. My grandpa was not only worried about his own salvation, but he was also concerned about his posterities as well. He worked hard to make sure that EVERY single one of his family members, living and dead, made it to live with our Heavenly Father again.
 
(Now this isn't everyone... there are 41 that still need to be added to the picture. This was taken when I was about 4 years old. My grandpa is the one with white hair in the middle. He passed away in the fall of 2006.)
  
  My grandpa knew that our entire family has the potential to live with our Heavenly Father again one day,  all we need to do is follow the example of our savior Jesus Christ, and keep the commandments. I'm so grateful for my grandpa, and his desire to dwell with his family in the Kingdom of Heaven. I know its possible for every single one of us to return to live in the presence of our Heavenly Father. Thats why I came on a mission. So that I could teach people how to return to live with their Families forever in Heavenly Fathers Kingdom.

OUR POTENTIAL

  Hercules was always one of my favorite movies growing up. I love the story of a boy who has fallen from godhood to become an average Joe, who then realizes his potential; he could become a god. Over the years I've come to realize, and understand that every single one of us our God's children, and we all have the opportunity to become gods, and goddesses.
 One thing that I've often thought long and hard about in relation to Hercules is that throughout all of Hercules' life he works hard doing everything he thought would make him a god. He goes up against all the evils of the world, flaunting his strength, and helping people but in the end its not until he is willing to die for someone he loves that he attains the title of god. 
  All of us are children of Heavenly Father. We too are promised the opportunity to become gods, and goddesses, but its not until we are willing to give up our lives for those we love that we are given that blessing. In John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." We know that Christ is the greatest example to all of us. Its only when we become like him that we can then obtain the promised blessings, in Romans 8: 17, of becoming "joint- heirs with Christ" . If we all start today laying down our lives for our friends by; serving them, showing them we love, and caring for them. Then are we on the path to receiving our inheritance.

THE PATH MORE TRAVELLED

Since I first heard the words of the poem " The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost, I have tried to live a life of roads less traveled.  But it hasn't been until recently that I've begun to see this poem in a new light...

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference

When I look at the world today I see many paths that are being made to draw people away from our Savior Jesus Christ. His path is beginning to be more and more the path less traveled. It scares me because Christ is our example. He has come and has prepared a path for all to follow. Sometimes it may seem scary to take a step into the unknown, and fully rely on the Lord, but he's not one to lead us astray. His path is set, and is never changing. The world is full of ever changing paths. You never know what may come of a worldly path, but the path that our Savior has left is one that has one destination... ETERNAL LIFE!  When we choose to follow Jesus' path that doesn't mean it will be easy, after all it wasn't easy for him. We will all have our trials, and hard times but we will have a constant companion helping us all along the way.

Alma 7:9 "...Repent ye, and prepare the way of the Lord, and walk in his paths, which are straight; for behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh upon the face of the earth."

Let us all check what path we are on, and strive to follow the Lords footsteps to make The path more travelled.

THE STORMS OF LIFE

Alma 26:6 say's "Yea, they shall not be beaten down by the storm at the last day; yea, neither shall they be harrowed up by the whirlwinds; but when the storm cometh they shall be gathered together in their place, that the storm cannot penetrate to them; yea, neither shall they be driven with fierce winds whithersoever the enemy listeth to carry them. "



  This Scripture reminds me of the story in Luke 8. When the Savior is sailing with his disciples across the lake when a big storm comes in. His disciples were scared, but they instantly knew who to turn to for help. The Savior.
Sometimes it seems so much easier to turn to other means of comfort such as friends, family, T.V., and other things. If we would all learn to turn to our Savior first our trials, and troubles would be so much easier to bare. I know my Savior lives, and loves me. I know its only through him that we can be saved. I'm so grateful for his atonement. I love him, and I know he loves me.

Heaven on Earth

From President Thomas S. Monsons Oct. Ensign address "Blessings of the Temple."
I  think there is no place in the world where I feel closer to the Lord than in one of His holy temples. To paraphrase a poem:

How far is heaven?
It’s not very far.
In temples of God,
It’s right where we are.

The Lord said:
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” -Matthew 6:19–21


San Diego, California Temple

Temples, to me, are little peices of heaven on earth. I love going to the Temple!!! Nowhere do I feel closer to my Heavenly Father than I do when I walk through the doors of the temple. Temples are the only places completly unspotted from the world. It doesn't matter whats going on in my life at the time, just stepping through those doors brings a peace that can't be found anywhere else.

My Testimony.

   Although I've been a member of this church my entire life, I didn't always know it was true. I, just as everyone else who has come to know of its truthfulness, had to find out for myself.
   I can now say without out a doubt that I know that this church is the only true church on the earth today! I know that Joseph Smith did see Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and that through him Christ's church was restored on the earth in its fullness!  I know that Families can be TOGETHER FOREVER! That life doesn't end here, and  that everyone can return to live with our Father in Heaven, and Jesus Christ one day if we keep the commandments, and do what is right!!!  I know that we have a modern day prophet, Thomas S. Monson, who leads Christ's church today. He is able to receive revelation (revealed truths) from our Father in Heaven... I Know all of this to be true! I say it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.