The Gospel Restored

This week has gone well. I have been reading "Increase In Learning" by David A. Bednar. So far its amazing. I have also been taking subjects each day to study. Now, seeing as you can learn a lot about one subject, so I can probably take one subject and week and dive deeper but since this is the first time I'm doing this, I want to start small.

This week one of my topics I studied was the RESTORATION.

When Jesus Christ was on this earth, He taught his Gospel. He had his 12 apostles. Before the Savior's death, He have his Apostles authority to teach his gospel and perform the ordinances of salvation, and establish His Church in the world.

Then the Apostles got killed and the priesthood was taken from the earth. This was a time of darkness. Some people wanted to continue learning but didn't remember everything that was taught so they made a church with what they remembered. Or some started churches and left out what they didn't like. That is why there are so many churches. But no churches were the TRUE GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST.

In 1820, Joseph Smith wanted to know what church to join. He turned to the scriptures for answers. James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given." He then decided to ask God. So he went to a grove of trees and knelt in prayer. He described this experience:
           "I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended
            gradually until it fell upon me...When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose
            brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake
            unto me, calling me by name, and said, pointing at the other- This is My Beloved Son. Hear
            Him!"

The Father and His Son told him not to join any of the churches for they were all wrong.

Years later Joseph Smith became a Prophet of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. He restored the Priesthood to the world again.

Joseph Smith was directed by a heavenly messenger named Moroni where the Gold plates were. These gold plates were translated by the power of God. The Book Of Mormon is a record of ancient inhabitants of the Americas.

Christ's original church has been restored and we are guided by Prophets who are called of God.

Now, this is a lot of information! I know there are people out there that do not believe that Joesph Smith was a prophet. They also have a hard time believing we have a prophet on the earth. I ask that you do as James 1:5 says, And ask god if Joseph Smith was a prophet. Ask him if the book of Mormon is true. If you do this, with a sincere heart, and really mean it. The Holy Spirit will testify to you.

Now this is just a little tid bit of the Restoration. I encourage you to learn more-- meet with missionaries, read the Book Of Mormon, attend church.

You can always learn more. We must continue learning and draw closer to Christ.

We must remember Christ and get to know him. How do we do this? Just like you would a friend. Spend time with him! As we do this we will continue on our journey towards Christ.

I hope that this week you all will find out for yourself the truths. Continue to seek, ponder and pray.

"Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified b the reception of the Holy Ghost" 3 Nephi 27:20

NEW YEAR - NEW CHALLENGES

Good-bye 2015....... HELLO 2016!

I cannot believe that we are already in January. 2015 went by so fast. It was a great year though. My highlights from 2015 are:
    * went back to church in June - making this decision changed my life for the better. I became truly
       converted. I know that the Book Of Mormon is true! It changed my life- it will change yours!
    * I got my patriarchal Blessing - amazing!!!
    * quit my job, got a new one- this was a hard decision. But I couldn't choose between my daughter
       and church. They are both important to me. My new job is much better environment. I also can
       go part-time and still make enough to get by :D
    * I got my temple recommend and went to the Temple for the first time!!!! This was an exciting
       day for me. I also got to share this day with my sister. I am so happy she decided to make
       changes for herself and go back to church.
    * My daughter has done a lot of growing-development wise. I love watching her grow and learn
       new things. There are some challenges of course- motherhood is always challenging- but I know
       that she will continue to learn at her own pace and that's okay with me!
    * I made some amazing new friends. They will always be in my life and I am forever grateful for
       them! I mean, they all live in difference states, and I don't get to see them, but I talk to them and I
       know I will see them!

2016 will be amazing!

I know I will continue to grow my testimony in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Things I want to do this year are:
    * Go to Temple Square - this is will amazing! I love the Salt Lake City Temple. It is gorgeous! I
       mean all the temples are gorgeous but Salt Lake is my fave!
    * Go to General Conference - I watched it for the first time ever back in October of last year, and it
       was amazing! I want to go to at least one session!
    * Go to the Sacred Grove - I hear that you can really feel the spirit here. I know that Joseph Smith
       saw God and Christ when he prayed to ask which church to join.
    * Go to at least 6 different temples - going to the different temples will be amazing!
    * Save money - this one will be hard for me. But I know that it is a must!
    * Take a vacation to Disneyland - my daughter will love it! I haven't been in YEARS!
    * Visit my two friends in Idaho and Utah.
    * Meet my future husband - maybe lol I can only hope. I want that eternal family. :D
    * Declutter my life - keep what's important
    * Pray - I do pray, but I need to be more consistent
    * Study/read the scriptures -  I can always do better at this!
    * Read more spiritual books - David A. Bednar  has amazing books (well they are probably
       amazing) I just started reading his Increase In Learning
    * Simplify my life - there is a book called "Simplify" by Carolyn J. Rasmus that I got for my
       birthday and there are 7 ways to simplify your life. I want to apply these to my life
    * Keep the Sabbath day holy - still hard one for me...... but I can only get better right?
    * FHE - every Monday

Those are just some of my goals for the new year! Yes a lot of them are Spiritual. I know that once I get my life more together and more in tune with the Gospel- that everything else will fall into place. I will still have challenges and trials, but I know through Christ I will get through them and grow.

My hope for all of you is to continue your Journey back to Christ - or START!! Meet with the missionaries, come to church, read the Book Of Mormon, or talk with members. I know that if you just Christ in, your life will be more filling!

"And as I have prayed among you even so shall ye pray in my church, among my people who do repent and are baptized in my name. Behold I am the light; I have set an example for you." 3 Nephi 18:16
"And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended not." John 1:5