The whole armour of God

The text of my address is from Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians:

“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. …

“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:

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.” (Eph. 6:11–18.)

           In a seminary video I watched in High School these scriptures became a reality. It shows 5 or 6 wen in war that decide to take a break. There isn't any enemy around (or so they thought) so just for one short couple three minutes they take off their armour. Its heavy, its hot, they will be just fine if they take it off for just a minute. Well in that minute, the enemy was in the tree's hiding and the second they take off their armour, the enemy attacks. A few of the soldiers were killed, but one stood strong. He watched his fellow soldiers taking off their armour and he stood strong and left his on. He was not harmed by the enemy that took the lives of his fellow soldiers.

          In our lives, how many times do we "take a brake" from our armour. We let our guard down for just a few minutes and in that very moment Satan attacks. In this same video it shows a young group of friends strong and firm in the gospel. They are all invited to a party and all decide it won't be a good party for them to go to, except for one friend. He says "oh come on how bad could it be? I'll just go for a minute." He let his guard down and took of his armour for just a moment. He took a drink of alcohol that night and his life went down hill from there. Read Eph. 6:11–18 one more time and think of the ways you can put and keep on your armour of righteousness. It is my prayer that we will not let our guard down for even a second. When we do the enemy will attack. Be prepared with your armour and when the enemy comes, you will protect yourself with truth and righteousness.
                 

Ohana means family, family means no one is left behind.

"Ohana means family, family means no one is left behind." This is probably the truest principle ever said in a Disney movie. Family meaning no one is left behind is both an temporal principle and an eternal principle. Here on earth we should cherish our families. No one should be left behind. Families are ordained of God and should be treated that way. They are the most important social unit we have here on the earth. But most imortantly families are eternal. God didn't just intend for us to be with our families here on earth. We can be with them for eternity but here is only one way, being sealed in the temple of God. When the priesthood way restored through the prophet Joseph Smith that also restored the ability to seal families for time and eternity. Marriages were not meant to be until death do us part. That is a planned divorce. God wants us to be with our husband or wife forever and so should we.

http://lds.about.com/b/a/257357.htm

This link is The Family:A Proclamation to the world  . It is the testimonies of Apostles and Prophets in the latter-days. Explaning why and how we can become eternal families. After you read this take a look at your family and think about how badly you want to be with them forever. If you want it badly enough, you can have it.

A work in progress

A fantastic video on a talented young athlete. Being from Orem, UT and playing basketball, I had the opportunity to play against Tyler Haws. He is a tremendous athlete. Having to guard him was quite the challenge. But here is a perfect example of someone who had some really good things going for him at BYU playing basketball. Choosing to not serve a mission, probably would have been great for his basketball career. He wouldn't have had to put off basketball for two full years. He could've continued to dominate at BYU without a long break. But Tyler Haws chose to serve the Lord before anything. How easy it would have been for him to not go and continue to play basketball. But he knew what was most important. Do we all know what is most important? Is putting the Lord first a priority in our lives? It is my hope and prayer that we all choose to serve the Lord first. President Henry B Eyring said, "Hardest thing today, they will be better in the next day, if you choose to serve the Lord this day." I bear testimony to that truth. Tyler Haws will be able to come back and play basketball for BYU. But his eternal perspective of life increases. I know that because of what I've learned on a mission. It puts so much more importance into living gospel standards and living a Christ-like life. The gospel is true, Jesus is the Christ the son of the living God. I bear this testimony in his name, even Jesus Christ, Amen.

Ever wondered what Mormons really believe?

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Within the Latter Day Saint movement, the Articles of Faith are a creed composed by Joseph Smith, Jr. as part of an 1842 letter sent to "Long" John Wentworth, editor of the Chicago Democrat, and first published in the Latter Day Saint newspaper Times and Seasons. It is a concise listing of thirteen fundamental doctrines of Mormonism.

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
3. We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul--We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Did you know Jimmer Fredette is LDS?

Jimmer Fredette is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I personally am a big fan of Jimmer Fredette. I don't know exactly where I am going with this blog, I just wanted to do something on Jimmer. For all people who get a chance to view this blog post, I have a challenge for you. See what the church is really about. See what we really believe, not what people "think" we believe. Jimmer did this at one point in his life. He sought out truth. At one point we all have to search out the truth. One of my favorite questions to people is, "if the truth was on the earth, what would you do to find it?" I want you all to think about that question. Because I have an answer for you, look for the LDS Missionaries. The truth has been restored. We have a remarkable message to the world, take the time to listen to it. It is something you will never regret. Jimmer will even give an "O face," and a fist pump if you do. (I hope)