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When I was taking lessons with the missionaries before I joined the Church one of the things we went over was Tithing.  I did not then nor do have a problem with tithing.  From what I have heard, some investigators do not join the Church because they don’t want to give up tea and alcohol.  Some do not want to tithe their money. 

 

 Let’s make this clear - your money is not your money.  All that you have has been given to you by Heavenly Father, and that includes any money you earn.  All He asks is a little percentage.  Why wound’s we want to give what already belongs to Heavenly Father? 

 

 Tithing is not a punishment or a burden.  It is a blessing.  We are commanded to pray, repent, have faith in our Lord, read the scriptures, attend services, forgive, ask forgiveness, and show charity towards one another.  All of these things are righteous attributes and it's hard to say they are wrong.  They are not wrong; they are all correct and right.  We know that if we pray daily and read the scriptures, we will be blessed some time, some way on Heavenly Fathers own time schedule.  The same holds true for thing.  As President Gordon B. Hinckley said: 

 

How grateful I am for the law of tithing. It is the Lord’s law of finance. It is set forth in a few words in the 119th section of the Doctrine and Covenants. It comes of His wisdom. To every man and woman, to every boy and girl, to every child in this Church who pays an honest tithing, be it large or small, I express gratitude for the faith that is in your hearts. I remind you, and those who do not pay tithing but who should, that the Lord has promised marvelous blessings (see Mal. 3:10–12). He has also promised that “he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming” (D&C 64:23). 

 

I express appreciation to those who pay a fast offering. This costs the giver nothing other than going without two meals a month. It becomes the backbone of our welfare program, designed to assist those in distress. 

 

 When the missionaries and I were going over tithing, one of them said - It may be hard at times to keep the other covenants but tithing is easy.  It's one of the easiest covenants we can keep.  

 

Yes, tithing is not only easy but quick.  There are no hard calculations about it.  10% of your increase and I can admit, as I try to forgive others, including myself, tithing is far, far easier to do.  

 

  One of the discussions that pop up on lds.net from time to time is about tithing and it usually involves some one not wanting to tithe because they are in financial hardship, have bills to pay, and have a family (many times young children) to feed.  It's hard to read these discussions when they say something like "I don't even have money to buy my kids new shoes for school.  If I have to tithe that means no money for dinner and my kids go hungry.  I can't do it." 

 

 It does break my heart when I read something like the above.  I know many of those do want to pay their tithing but are in a bad situation.  So, when it comes down to it - do you pay your tithe when money is tight and finances are not good?  Well, let me ask you - do you pray during bad financial times?  Do you read the scriptures in bad financial times?  Do you attend services in bad financial times?  If you do all those, then why not tithe also?  Tithing is part of the covenants we have made.  Tithing is not in a separate category all by itself, it belongs with faith, repentance, prayer, baptism, scripture study, etc...   

 

 Let us recall Mary Fielding Smith after her husband was murdered in the martyrdom at Nauvoo. 

 

 ...and made her way west with five fatherless children, Mary Fielding Smith continued in her poverty to pay tithing. When someone at the tithing office inappropriately suggested one day that she should not contribute a tenth of the only potatoes she had been able to raise that year, she cried out to the man, “William, you ought to be ashamed of yourself. Would you deny me a blessing? If I did not pay my tithing, I should expect the Lord to withhold His blessings from me. I pay my tithing, not only because it is a law of God, but because I expect a blessing by doing it. [I need a blessing.] By keeping this and other laws, I expect to … be able to provide for my family.” 

 

  What a powerful testimony from Mary Fielding Smith. It is not a testimony about tithing; this is a testimony on her love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  As she said, tithing is a law of God and we are blessed when we do it.  We also show our love for Father and Jesus when we tithe. 

 

  A few weeks ago I celebrated my one year anniversary of praying to Heavenly Father.  I have prayed almost every day since the middle of December 2008.   I know Father is happy when I pray.  I know Jesus is happy when I pray thru Him.  I know that I will be blessed.  I forgot tho - I have been paying tithes since I was baptized the first week of March 2008.  And just as I have and will receive blessings from prayer, I will receive them from tithing also.  

 

So as we head into 2009, with many uncertainties all around us, lets try to keep with the basics - pray, repent, read the scriptures, attend services, love, forgive, and tithe that little ten percent.  When we do all these things - we will receive so much more in return. 

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: Tithing Blessings Law

 Over Christmas time one of my family members received an iToons gift card.  She wanted a few Glen Campbell songs and I helped her search for the songs she wanted.  She found the songs she wanted to buy but decided to buy a complete Glen Campbell greatest hits collection.  Campbell has two or three song that I really love - Rhinestone Cowboy, Whichita Lineman, and Gentle on My Mind.  After all the songs were downloaded I listened to some of them and found a song I don't ever remember hearing.  This song that I discovered just blew me away - Try a Little Kindness.  I have read when Campbell released it as a country song some Christian radio stations even played it.  This song definitely has a great message and listening to it uplifts my spirit. 

 

 Try a Little Kindness 

 

If you see your brother standing by the road
With a heavy load from the seeds he's sowed
And if you see your sister falling by the way
Just stop and say you're going the wrong way

You got to try a little kindness
Yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you'll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets

Don't walk around the down and out
Lend a helping hand instead of doubt
And the kindness that you show every day
Will help someone along their way

You got to try a little kindness
Yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you'll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets

You got to try a little kindness
Yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you'll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets 

 

 What attracts me most to this song is that it mentions brothers, sisters, the down and out, and letting your light shine.  

 

  Are we not all Brothers and Sisters?  Yes, we are all related.  We have the same Father.  We all are Brothers and Sisters and we should care for each other, love each other, and show kindness to each other.  

 

  And the down and out?  Of course we should care for them, show them compassion, and love them because they are again, our Brothers and Sisters.  And are we not all down and out sinners?  Didn't Jesus come to save us all because we are all down and out?  

 

 Hmm, this all adds up to something.  Oh yeah - Charity!  The Pure love of Christ!  Something greater than love, something greater than loyalty, something greater than honor, the greatest thing we can show for our fellow Brothers and Sisters - Charity.  

 

 Notice that the song says - try a LITTLE kindness.  That reminds me of President Hinckley and his Stand a Little Taller.  He did not say Stand a LOT Taller.  He said "a little."  Try to be a littler better each day.  I know that I can not stand a LOT  taller each day.  When I try I fail and get frustrated.  But I know I can stand a LITTLE taller.  I know I can be a little better each day.  I know I can take small steps, baby steps, to righteous living and the Celestial Kingdom.  

 

 So, if you are not a person who overflows with love, that's ok.  If you have not shown love in a long time, that's ok.  If it's hard for you to love because of anger inside or sadness, that's ok.  You don't have to give much - just a little.  Try a little kindness, just a little.  A smile, a pat on the back, a "how are you doing?" or a big Thank You and Your Welcome.  And I know if you try to show a little kindness you will be blessed for it.  I know even if you try to show kindness and it does not come out right, you will be blessed.  

 

 And then there is that line - "Just shine your light for everyone to see."  Where have I heard that before?  Hmm,  that sounds familiar.  Oh yeah - ldsn.net = Let your light shine!  And letting our light shine if very important.  Some one depressed, sad, going thru bad times, that person may gain the Hope that they need to overcome their difficulties because they saw us and the light that shines from us.  We may never know how many people we have touched in a positive way because we have shown your light but one thing is certain - we have and will affect many people, more than we will ever know.  So if you have any light inside your soul, even a little speck, please let it shine.  Heavenly Father wants you to shine your light.  Jesus wants you to shine your light.  And our Brothers and Sisters are in need of your light.  

 

 So, lets all try to show or show a little more kindness.  Let us all show more Charity to those around us.  And if you want to hear this song you can listen to it on my hope page and I'm sure you can find it on youtube also. 

 

Try a little kindness and let your light shine! 

 

 

Tags: Love Compassion Care Charity

  Tuesday night I had a meeting with my Bishop.  We had a great talk.  I think after the talk I took one step closer to the Melchizedek Priesthood.  At the end of our talk another person came in the office and the Bishop introduced me to this person.  He told that person my name and said – “we are working on making him an Elder.”  That really made me feel good.  

 

  During our talk, which seemed to last a good forty-five minutes or so, some one knocked on the door.  The Bishop walked out to talk with a family and I waited in his office.  As I was waiting I was glancing past his desk at the books and folders on a book shelf sitting behind his desk.  I saw about twelve or so books and folders, and binders on a shelf behind his desk.  At one end was a binder/book that said Temple Questions or something like that on it.  I could not completely make out the title but it definitely had the word “Temple” on it and I’m sure it had the word “Questions” on it. 

 

  Now, I am the Emergency Ward Coordinator for my Ward.  As I was looking at the books and binders I noticed the binder I made a few months ago with the list of all the people who have things to share during an emergency.  I could not believe it – there was the binder I made – a white hard back binder.  On the side was printed – “Emergency Ward Coordinator   My Ward Name.”   I simply could not believe it. In the Bishops office, there was the binder I made.  There was the binder that I put a little time in making and putting together.  That warmed my heart when I saw that.  That really made me feel so good. 

 

  I told the Bishop about some problems I was facing and he gave me encouraging words.  At the end of our talk I received a wonderful blessing from him.  As he and another Elder put their hands on my head, I could feel a power run thru my head.  The Bishop gave a long blessing.  His words were awesome. 

 

  As I look back to last night, I felt so comfortable in the Bishops office, it felt like Zion.  I wish I could have that feeling stay with me forever. 

 

  As I think about the binder I made and that was sitting in his office, I realize something – that binder is not mine anymore.  That binder belongs to Jesus Christ.  That binder is sitting in the office that belongs to Jesus Christ.  That binder belongs to all Ward members.  It belongs to all Saints.  I have a feeling that my Emergency Ward Coordinator binder is one more rock in the foundation of the True Church of Jesus Christ.  For all of my sins, trials, and failures, I was able to build up the Church a little by my binder that was sitting in the Bishops office.  What an awesome feeling that is. 

 

 I know this Church is the True Church of our Savior Jesus Christ.  I feel blessed to be a part of it.  And although I get down sometimes, I cry to Heavenly Father sometimes, I know He’s there listening.  I know Jesus lives.  I know I need Jesus in my life.  I know President Monson is a true Prophet.  And I look forward to the day when Zion reigns. 

Tags: Callings Blessings Jesus Foundation

 Here I am trying to be a better man.  It hurts and is depressing when I want to help but am rejected.  

 

  I'm trying to join the Red Cross.  I should say I'm about to join the Red Cross.  In a week I'm scheduled to be trained for the volunteer position I was offered.  I'm doing this, for the first time in my life, because I want to give back to the community.  I want to please Heavenly Father.  I know when I'm in the services of others I'm only in the service of my God.  The woman I've been working with at the Red Cross has been very inviting and kind.  She has acted like she really wanted me there the first time I stepped thru the door and said I wanted to volunteer.  

 

  Recently I took the two missionaries to a transfer meeting.  It was my first time taking them as far as Indy.  The meeting was very special.  It was the first time I have seen a transfer meeting.  I took those two missionaries up to Indy because I wanted to please Heavenly Father.  It was my pleasure and I want no reward except, I hope Heavenly Father is proud of me.  

 

 It makes me feel good to do service for others and I hope I can do far more in the future.  The Red Cross is a big step for me.  Being the Emergency Ward Coordinator was my first big step.  

 

 What makes me sad though is when I want to volunteer but I'm told I'm not wanted.  It particularly hurts when I see others allowed volunteering but I'm not asked.  There is one particular place I'm thinking of.  I love that place very much.  I see others asked to volunteer their time.  I see what they do and say to myself -  I can do that.  I may not be perfect, but I can do that.  So I want to volunteer.  But, I am rejected.  I am not asked.  

 

 And so here I am asking - what does one have to do?  Am I not friends with enough people to be allowed to volunteer?  Do I have to drive a certain kind of car?  Must I always appear with a smile on my face?  Must I have a certain degree?  What does one have to do?    

 

 I just don’t get it. I pray, I ask for forgiveness.  I try to look upon people as my Brothers and Sisters.  I try to forgive.  I try to be humble.  I'm trying to be a better person.  I'm doing something significant that should help me be a better person.  I have testified.  I have taught the Gospel Principles class.  I have counted the people after the Sacrament meeting.  

 

  What else must I do to be allowed to volunteer?  Perhaps I should give up.  Maybe I should accept the fact that I'm not wanted.  Perhaps this is like finding a special someone in your life who wants to be a special Sister or Brother but not your Eternal Companion.  Best friends but nothing more.  

 

 It does hurt me tho.  Seeing others, younger and older, more mature and less mature, allowed to volunteer and not me.  Particularly when that place has been important to me.  

 

 I don’t know.  It makes me sad.  I really makes me sad as I try to better myself that I’m rejected.   

 

 

 

 

I was doing something Friday. I'm not going to say what. But I thought I could start and complete this thing in one hour or so. It turns out, I will not be able to finish it till Monday.

That made me depressed a little. I was thinking - there are always more doors to go thru. Right when I get to my destination, I'm really not at my destination at all and I find another door to go thru. Door after door. It seems to never end and that makes me depressed.

Then I started to think about our Spirits and our Intelligences. Our Intelligences have always existed. No beginning and no end. All of us on the earth have been learning more and more every second on this earth, in the prelife, and even before the prelife. We have been going thru different doors forever, learning each step of the way.

That made me realize, I should be thankful for all the doors that I have to go thru in my life. Would I rather be in the Garden of Eden before our first earthly parents, Adam and Eve, partook of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil? Before Eve went thru that first door on earth, partaking of the fruit, she and Adam were stuck in the same room forever. No death, no pain, no pleasure, no sympathy, no children. Yes, it was paradise, but a bad paradise. There was no room for growth. There were no doors to growth. The only door was the fruit from the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.

After that glorious event, when Eve and Adam ate the fruit, more and more doors, learning experiences, opened up to all of us. The Fall was definitely a Fall forward for all of us. Because of Adam and Eve eating the fruit, we are here on this earth right now. Because of them, we have many doors to go thru, many opportunities to learn from.

Some of those doors, many actually, will lead into rooms that are dark, scary, sad, tempting, depressing. We do not have to succumb to any those bad things in those rooms tho. As long as we put our faith in Jesus, He will get us thru all our bad challenge in all those bad rooms. He will help us get to the next door. And when we get thru those rooms, Heavenly Father will be happy that we went thru another learning experience.

So, I'm starting to have a different outlook now. I'm grateful that I have lots of challenges, a lot of doors to go thru. Sure, I wanted to finish that certain thing today. But that's ok. That will give me another door to go thru on Monday. And the more doors, the more learning experience - the better.

Tags: Learning Adam Eve Trials

   About a month ago I ordered some prints from http://www.ldscatalog.com/ .  The prints I bought were only one dollar each and were 11X17.  It was very enjoyable being on the site and looking at all the choices I had.  I ended up buying 15 or so prints from the Book of Mormon  and New Testament.  

 

  As I was on the site and looking at all the prints, I came upon one that made me gasp inside - Jesus Washing the Apostles' Feet.  When I clicked on the link and saw the picture I thought to myself - What!  That is disgusting! How dare anyone have a picture of my Savior and Brother washing people’s feet!  

 

 I told myself that there would be no way that I would ever buy that picture.  Jesus is my Savior, Redeemer, Advocate, Friend, and Brother.  I would never buy a picture of Him washing anybody’s feet, including the Apostles.  

 

  I went on looking for other pictures to buy.  I ordered 15 pictures, some duplicates.  I did not order the one with Jesus washing the Apostles' feet.  

 

 Over the days, I was thinking about that picture.  It took some time but it finally dawned on me, I was 100% wrong about that picture.  That picture is what Jesus is all about - service to others.  That picture shows Jesus washing the Apostle's feet because He loved them.  He wanted to give Himself to them.  He demonstrated that He was a servant to all.  

 

And to think, He did this knowing the time for the Atonement was near.  To think what He went thru in the Garden of Gethsemane for me and for all of you, and that He took the time to wash the Apostles' feet.  That was pure love.  That was charity. 

 

John 13:4-10 

 

4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 

 

 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to ^awash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 

 

  6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 

 

 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 

 

 8 ^aPeter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I ^bwash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 

 

  9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 

 

 10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is ^aclean every whit: and ye are ^bclean, but not all.  

 

 

  Jesus was not only showing his love towards the Apostles, He was also being an example: 

 

 

14 If I then, your Lord and ^aMaster, have ^bwashed your feet; ye also ought to ^cwash one another’s ^dfeet. 

 

  15 For I have given you an ^aexample, that ye should do as I have done to you. 

 

 

 It is amazing the service and humbleness that is shown by our Savior.  And, "Ye also ought to wash one another's feet."  He is saying - we need to take care of each other.  We must serve each other.  We must serve each other not for money or fame, not to look good or even convert people to the Gospel.  We should serve others out of charity - pure love of Christ.  We must strive to have that pure love, charity, towards our brothers and sisters here on this earth.  It may be hard for some but I, all of us, must strive to do it.  There is no shame in washing the feet of our brothers and sisters.    

 

  I can see now that Jesus washing the Apostles' Feet is a beautiful picture.  It does not bring tears of sadness to my eyes.  It warms my heart.  It does make my eyes a little teary but those are tears of happiness and love.  I have not ordered the print yet but when I order the next batch of prints, Jesus Washing the Apostles Feet will be one of them. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: Atonement Service Love Charity

The last week has been a rollercoaster for me.  I received a book that explains to me how to use the Atonement of Jesus Christ to overcome sins, temptations, bad feelings, depression, and other bad things.  As I was reading this book the last few days, I felt the Spirit lift me up higher and higher.  I felt very strong.  Then, Friday evening I read a few things on lds.net that depressed me.  Then my soul fell like a rock thrown off a skyscraper.  My soul plummeted and hit the ground hard.  I was feeling extremely horrible.

  Friday evening/Saturday morning was horrible.  Saturday afternoon was not much better.  I started my fast in the early evening.  Sunday came and I did something that I have not done in the seven months I've been in the Church - I testified! 

 I have not testified before.  I had to get thru a lot of nervousness to walk up there and testify. But I did it. 

 I've been wondering why Heavenly Father lifted me up so high during the week and then let my spirit fall like a rock on Friday.  I was wondering if there was a reason behind all this.  I think I found the reason - It was going to take a lot to get me to testify.  Heavenly Father knew that I really wanted to testify and that it was eating me up inside going for long and not testifying.  So, Heavenly Father had to make me much more humble to get me to testify.  He had to break down some of my hang-ups that were inside me so that I could fully put my Faith in Jesus and testify.  That's what He did. I know the rollercoaster feelings I have experienced was there to crush those bad feelings inside me, crush them to almost nothing, so that I would be able to divert more of my strength to Faith in Jesus and testify.  That's what happened - Father saw that I got thru it ok and Jesus gave me the strength. 

 I could not have testified without fasting.  I know fasting helped bring the Spirit in me more.  I know I would not have testified if I had not been fasting. 

 I also could not have testified without the support I have received from the posters of lds.net.  I would not have joined the Church without them.  I would not have testified today without them.  There are too many names to mention, so I will just say – all the posters helped me tremendously. Actually, all the posters did help me! 

I testified today for the first time.  And I did that for my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Brother, King,  and Redeemer Jesus Christ.  Amen. 

Tags: Testimony Faith Fasting

So, you face temptations every day?  You succumb to those temptations?  You cry and feel helpless, thinking you can never overcome those problems you face or sins that temp you over and over?  You say - I do not have the strength to overcome!  Sad days?  Stress?  Sins?  Anger?  Hate?  Etc… 

  You need to remember - Jesus has already fought those battles you are going thru right now.  Jesus has fought and felt all those problems of yours, all those temptations, all those negative thoughts.  He faced those sins and problems for you in the Garden.  He fought them and won! 

  YOUR BATTLES ARE ALREADY WON!  Jesus knows every single little and big sin we have committed and will ever commit. He has already dealt with them.  He has already dealt with all those negative feelings and hopeless days and nights.  If we could go back in time and analyze the blood that came from Jesus in the Garden, if we could put that blood under a microscope, we would find drops of blood with our names in it. If we had the right type of microscope, we could find a drop of blood for every sin, every bad feeling, every problem, every doubt we have had and will ever have.  Those things have already been faced by Jesus and he won over them. 

  All we need to do is - when those bad days come, when those temptations attack us, when those sad feelings hit us hard, we must put our Faith in Jesus.  Let him carry us thru those times.  We can overcome all because Jesus has overcome all and he is with us always.  Put your arms around Jesus, He will carry you thru those tuff times.  He’s already paid the price.  Carrying you on His shoulder, no matter if you weight 1 pound or 900 pounds, is a breeze for Jesus after going thru the Atonement. 

  Put your arms around Jesus and never let go. 

 

Tags: Jesus Atonement Sins

Is it wrong to write a blog on Sundays?  I know we are supposed to keep the Sabbath day holy.  To be on the safe side, I will say something that is ok to say on Sundays - a Testimony. 

  Today I saw my first Bishop since I joined the Church released from his calling.  I was totally shocked.  I was also happy to see the Second Councilor in the Stake to be the new Bishop!  I love the new Bishop very much.  He is an awesome guy! 

  Today my Testimony was strengthened.  I know that this Church is the True Church on the earth.  I know this Church is the True Church of our Savior - Jesus Christ.  I know the Book of Mormon is true.  I know Joseph Smith is a true Prophet.  I also know all the Prophets in the Book of Mormon walked and lived in the Americas.  I also know our Brother and Savior visited the Americas. 

  Now matter what problems we face - Heavenly Father and Jesus are with us.  I know no matter how many dead ends I face, Father and Jesus will give me the strength to face those dead ends and help me find a way thru, around, over, under, or back up and find another direction around those dead ends. 

 Speaking of dead ends.  I know Jesus Christ broke the bands of death so that we all may be resurrected.  I also know He took our sins upon Himself so that we me be clean and return to our Heavenly Father. 

 I am grateful to be in the one and only True Church on this earth.  I am grateful for President Monson and President Hinckley.  I know President Monson is the true Prophet on this earth. 

 And I know that if we are worthy and righteous, the Lord will provide for our needs, no matter how big or how small.   

  And I leave these words with the readers of lds.net, and I write and say these words in the name of our Lord and Savior, Brother and Friend, Jesus Christ.  Amen. 

 

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