Why Don't We Drive Cars On The Moon?

      In the world today there are many different concepts of being "saved", but the most usual description among Christian denominations is not burning in hell, or escaping eternal damnation. Easy enough right? Ultimately we are saved by our Savior, Jesus Christ. His infinite atonement is what makes it possible for us to return to live with our Heavenly Father again. But how do we become "saved"?
      The doctrines of my faith go a lot further than simply implying that we are either saved or not, but I want to focus on specifically the manner in which we seek our salvation from God. Some say that by grace and grace alone we are saved, that with faith and believing we win our salvation. This is a common belief among many denominations. Some also say that our works alone will be the ultimate factor in our final judgment. So which one is it? 
      The truth is, we need both our faith, and our works.
 "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified. . For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2:14-26)
        This is a lot similar to how an auto engine works. If you would ask someone how a car runs, they would most likely tell you that it runs on gas. This is true, and obvious as well. But there is another necessary thing for your car to run as well. Just as important, but sometimes overlooked. . . Air. 
     This is the breakdown of where the power comes from inside a four stroke engine:
On the first stroke, the piston pulls down, and the gas and air mixture comes in through the valves at the top - INTAKE. Then, the piston pushes upward to squeeze the air/fuel mixture together - COMPRESSION. Just as that happens, the spark plug ignites the gas/air mixture and creates the combustion - POWER. That small explosion forces the piston back down and the other valves open at the top, letting the exhaust gases  out - EXHAUST.
      Now that we just learned what powers an engine, we can learn what the significance is. Looking specifically at the intake stroke, we see that both gas and air are required. If you have one without the other, or the ratio in the mixture is off, the motor won't run properly. Even when the spark plug fires, the gas alone will not keep the engine running, and neither will the air. You need both. This combination mixed with the spark from the spark plug is what moves us.
      Our works and our faith must go hand in hand for us to receive the full effect of God's gifts. His grace and mercy aren't conditional, He loves us all. And through Jesus Christ's atonement we can all be saved, but we must show our willingness and gratitude by doing good works and believing. 
     "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7)
      It is my humble prayer that we can all remember to have faith and do good works to those around us, just as our great Redeemer did. We must show our gratitude for the wonderful gifts the we have been so mercifully given. Truly we are blessed to do so!
       

Drive It Like You Stole It, Treat It Like You Own It

     Since I can remember I have always learned so many simple and priceless lessons from my Dad and my Grandpa. "If you're gonna do something, make sure you do it it right", or "Take your time with what you're doing, nothing beats quality". There are so many other examples that I can't even count. One of the ones I remember most is to "Take pride in what you have, take care of it and it will take care of you for a long time".

     There was no better implemented possession that this applied too more than our vehicles. Most people know, I live and die with the bow-tie. Im a born and raised Chevy guy and that will never change. Thats just how it is. I learned early to take care of my trucks. You work em' hard but you clean them up good after. Whether is was oil changes, spark plugs, radiators, tune-ups. . I always made sure to take care of them. When I did, they took care of me. Sure, small things happen here and there. . . But nothing to crazy thats not a routine fix.

      So here's a super sport 454 big-block engine. Sucks gas, hauls . . . fast. The type you hear coming from a mile away, roaring like some kind of monster. The ones that just have that loud "chug, chug, chug, chug" sound and when they pull up next to you you have to turn up your radio cause it somehow got turned off. . . You can bet the guy with this under his hood knows a things or two about fine tuning. Were talking about the top performance of American engineering, putting out 750+ horsepower. This isn't a fancy pants Italian exotic car, or your mom's prius, This is American Muscle. You couldn't pull a dollar off the dash board after his beast takes off the line. With all this in mind, you have to wonder how much this guy takes care of his car. . . Yeah it might be worth one pretty penny, but I would have no doubt he rips that thing around the streets then takes it home and babies it like a newborn child.

      There's no difference between this scenario and our own human bodies. We might have grown accustomed to the normal functions of the human body over time, but none the less they are incredible machines. No matter how fancy or advanced technology gets, nothing can measure up to the technicalities and absolute perfection the body has. The functions, the way we heal, they way we think, the brain, the eye, are all things that science has yet to explain. Make no mistake, we are not randomly conspired organisms that have developed over a long period of time and somehow evolved into what we are today. Charles Darwin only made it possible to become an intellectually fulfilled atheist. Something like this couldn't have just happened at random. Our bodies in fact, are of divine design.

      One of the reasons we are here on earth is to gain a physical body. Before, when we lived with our Father in heaven, we saw he had what we didn't. A body and His infinite wisdom and knowledge. As part of his plan of happiness, we too were to gain a body and the knowledge we could. And here we are, with bodies of our own. Like a sixteen year old with the keys to a brand new Corvette, ready to hit the highway. What a lot of us sometimes forget is that God threw in an owners manual too.

      You wouldn't put sugar in the gas tank of your brand new Corvette, and you probably wouldn't put bad gas in either. You'd want too take the best care of it you could, I'd hope. With our bodies it's a just a little different. We don't really notice the immediate effects of what we put into them until a little later down the road. One cigarette won't kill you, neither will a beer here and there, but when the filters in our bodies start to give way then we find ourselves in a world of hurt. Thats why the Lord has revealed his word of wisdom to us in these latter days. He has commanded us not to partake of street drugs, alcohol, tobacco, tea, coffee, or anything else that would harm us. We are also encouraged to exercise and take care of ourselves, not to eat too much and to avoid extreme diets. This was all revealed to us through modern day revelation and living by this will bring us not only physical blessing but also spiritual.

      It all comes down to how you want your engine to run. You can listen to the guy who designed it and take care of it. Or you can wear it out and run it to the ground. The word of wisdom is here to protect us from harming ourselves. If we follow it and take care of our bodies, we will only feel the blessings of a healthy motor.

Play It From Your Heart

     Jimi Hendrix is easily one of he greatest guitarists that has ever lived. In his time, he blew people away with his amazing abilities and a unique style that nobody else knew existed before. He was incredible, and most people are shocked when they find out that he didn't read music.
    For musicians, the actual sheet music is the basis of what you hear when the real music starts to come. Like the written script to a play. Its a pretty vital part. And you'd think it would be absolutely necessary especially in Hendrix's case being the musician he was. Sometimes thats not the case. 
    We have all heard music played that is good but just doesn't speak to us. Often times the case is that musicians get so focused on the written ink, than the music itself. It takes away from what its all about.
      True music comes from the heart. Thats exactly how Hendrix played and you can tell when you listen to his music. It was real, it was distinct.  You knew you heard one of his songs when it came on the radio and there was no mistaking it. He didn't spend so much time focused on the written music that it took away from what it really meant. It came to life.
     Sometimes in life we focus too much on the "checklist" style of living. We get so caught up in making sure all the boxes are checked off with being perfect, fitting in with the normal society, being the "tailor made" saint, or even having material possessions for status. Much like being too focused on the sheet music instead of the actual music. In this case, focusing on the textbook human being rather than living and enjoying life. We sometimes even put more emphasis on being the "textbook" person rather than being a real human being!  When we do this we forget what its all really about!
    We learn in the second book of Nephi, chapter two that "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."  -Verse 25.

    Were not just here in this life to get a body, choose the right, and go home. That might be the bare naked version of it, but theres more too it. Were here to have joy in our journey! We can fulfill the purpose in this life and still enjoy it. It's what were supposed to do! Thats what life's about.
    We can get stressed out over getting the boxes checked, and being exactly as perfect as it is written in the music. Thats why it is important to love life and live it from your heart. Thats where the true happiness is. We know living the gospel isn't the easiest thing in the world, but it makes it a whole lot easier to love the journey. So make the best of it and play it from your heart!

Lipstick On A Pig

     Its October, and we all know what that means. Besides the harvest season, and the trick or treaters, November follows right behind. In other words, it's voting season, and if you have been paying even a little attention to what has been going on you know there is a lot of hostility, a lot of hot button topics, and a lot at stake.
     If you're hoping to hear a missionary's take on how things should be, I'm sorry to disappoint, but it is not my place at this time to do so. Those who know me know I stand up for what I believe in and I am very passionate in that regard. However, I only aim to give a warning of common sense and reason to those who want to hear. This is why:
     Long story short, a former stake president near my home stake in Arizona is running for senate. If Mormons haven't been in the news enough already right? There's nothing wrong with anyone running for an office. The thing is, is that now we have faithful members of the church suddenly changing their views on topics and switching sides. Its not my business, everyone had their agency, but it couldn't be because they just want to vote for their stake president right? Or because he is a Mormon? This has created an uproar in my hometown. From what Ive heard, theres a miniature civil war going on among the LDS there. Does it really come down to a person's faith to decide if they are worthy to fill a seat in office? Does it really come down to a person's faith to decide if they are a good person period?
     To be honest, this news was sickening to me. I have my own opinions and reasons to draw my conclusions from. But this isn't just happening in Arizona. I'm sure everyone knows who Mitt Romney is. And I'm sure if you know who he is, then you know he is a Latter Day Saint. Surprising as it is (not really) some people won't vote for him only because he believes in that "crazy Mormon bible" and for others thats the only reason they will vote for him! So in other words, it doesn't matter who you are or what you've done as long as you go to church every week in x,y, and z congregations you're set!
     Luckily, there is still some common sense floating around. I'm not endorsing any candidate, I'm not telling anyone to vote this way or vote that way. I'm not telling everyone to go join different churches, or telling people not too. I'm only using these as examples to get a point across.
     There are good people all over this world, in every country, in every culture, in every religion, in every walk of life. And there is the opposite, in all the same places. Satan doesn't pick favorites. He may put more of his influence on more important things but he is always trying to pull as many souls as he can down to his misery. Sometimes we let our bias arrogances blind us from this truth.
     Christ loved everyone. He didn't hold his affections and love to any one group of people, he spent his mortal ministry with all who would hear him. How do you think we all are doing with following Him in this regard?
     Sometimes we have to agree to disagree, we have to love each other and look past the differences in our doctrines, and we have to come together.

    
    When we can move past our differences and work together for the good of our communities, then we will truly accomplish things in making the future brighter.
    This is what Christ taught, and I know if we can all do this we will be able to overcome and problems in our world today and really fix the problems we have in our society that seem so daunting.

Sinners Like Us

    One of my favorite stories from the New Testament is found in the book of John. Chapter eight opens as Jesus is teaching some people in the temple and a woman is brought before him by the scribes and the pharisees who has been taken in adultery. They tell him they have taken her "in adultery, in the very act", and begin to ask him what they should do. Under the law in those times, the consequence was stoning. The scribes and pharisees only aimed to tempt Jesus so that they could accuse him.
    As if he hadn't even heard them, Jesus stoops down and begins to write on the ground with his finger. He then arises and tells the accusers: "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her" -St. John 8:7

   One by one the accusers left, realizing the convictions of their own consciences, and left Jesus and the woman alone.
  "Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?" asks Jesus.
  "No man Lord"
   Then Jesus says "Neither do I condemn thee: Go and sin no more."
    There's a lot to lean from this story. Forgiveness, repentance, and mercy are huge things that we see. But there is something that sometimes we forget to take from this lesson, even when it is placed right before our eyes. 
    Im sure the pharisees and scribes felt a little crappy when Jesus told them what they should do. When it was put to em' bluntly like that, im sure they realized they weren't perfect. Of course though, who wouldn't? None of us are perfect. We all make mistakes, we all fall short, we all mess up,we all regret.
    So why is it sometimes it is so easy to find fault in others when we ourselves are all sinners?
    There's a saying in the church that goes something like this: The church is true, but the people aren't. As much as the truth hurts, this often is the case. Meeting with people from different walks of life, I often hear people say that they are reluctant to come to church because they feel pushed out, or not good enough. "The mormon church is just a place for perfect people to go, ill start on fire if I step foot in there!" 
    Now we all know this isn't true. It can't be, they let me in. And there are many who could say the same as well, but to hear this from someone seeking to rebuild their life is both heart wrenching, and embarrassing. We are taught to love the sinner and hate the sin, not too look down upon the sinner and magnify their sins. This is not right. For those of us who know what its like to come back know how hard it is and how much harder it makes it when the people behind the finish line are the ones who have been cheering against you the whole race.
    Lets remember who were striving to be like, our elder brother Jesus Christ. He taught to love everyone, no matter where we've came from or what mistakes we've made. Were all God's children, and he loves us all. Not just the "perfect" ones but also the sinners, the saints, you, and yes, even me.
    No mortal man who ever walked this earth has ever been perfect, with the exception of Jesus himself. Of course there are those who do truly believe they have reached that level. But if you happen to come across someone of the sort, just smile and wave. They're only confused. Were all here on the same level, shooting for the same goal. And as long as we follow our Savior, were going to make it no mater what anyone else thinks.
 

Once Broken, Twice As Strong

      Can something broken or shattered be put back together and become twice as strong as it was before? Think about this question for a second. . . . . Is it possible? In an ideal world, everything can usually be put back together after it is broken. A vase for example, can fall and shatter into small pieces. If you're ambitious enough, you could get your bottle of super glue out and tack that baby back together! If a leg on a wood table snaps in half, its more than possible to glue back on, good as new. But will either of these things be just as or even twice as strong as they were before? You would certainly hope so, but in reality they wouldn't. It depends alot on the overall strength of the material, but usually fixes like these don't hold up. And almost every time they break at the same exact spot where they were fixed.
      During my high school years I spent most of my time in the industrial arts classes. Auto mechanics and welding were probably my two favorite classes period. But welding was the one I spent the most time in. For those who don't know exactly what welding is, it is the fusion of metal.  Or put simply, the way to get metal to bind together.

    
      The picture to the right gives a basic description of a weld. Using original metal, the gas/metal filler combine and fuse the two pieces together. Its simple enough, but how is this different from gluing a vase back together or a leg on a wooden table?
      The main difference is that a weld, if done right, not only has penetration through the material but also fuses together the original material with the new one being added, making it twice as strong as before. If you put it in a clamp, bend it, heat it, grind it, or whatever you can think of to break it, it won't matter. The rest of the metal with give before the weld does. Its always the last to break.
    In The Book Of Mormon we read that if we realize our weaknesses and let The Lord take care of them, then he will make us stronger:
         27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
    Does anyone ever feel broken or weak? Like there are some things that are impossible to overcome? The truth is, everyone does. We all have weaknesses so that we will be compelled to be humble. The Lord knows us better than we do and he knows how to help us. Giving our weaknesses to The Lord takes more effort and time than some of the other "quick fixes" that we come across in life when were faced with challenges. However, if we humble ourselves before our Lord and let him help us, weak things will become strong unto us. We will not only overcome, but will become stronger in the face of adversity. And the things fixed with the help of The Lord will hold when we ourselves cannot. I know this is true. He can make us twice as strong.

Right By Your Side

Her parents never took the young girl to church
Never spoke of His name
Never read her His word
Two non-believers walking lost in this world
Took their baby with them
What a sad little girl
Her daddy drank all day and mommy did drugs
Never wanted to play
Or give kisses and hugs
She'd watch the TV and sit there on the couch
While her mom fell asleep
And her daddy went out
And the drinking and the fighting
just got worse every night
Behind their couch she'd be hiding
Oh what a sad little life
And like it always does, the bad just got worse
With every slap and every curse
Until her daddy in a drunk rage one night
Used a gun on her mom and then took his life
And some people from the city took the girl far away
To a new mom and a new dad
kisses and hugs everyday
Her first day of Sunday school the teacher walked in
And a small little girl
Stared at a picture of Him
She said I know that man up there on that cross
I don't know His name
But I know He got off
Cause He was there in my old house
and held me close to His side
As I hid there behind our couch
The night that my parents died

"The Little Girl" - John Michael Montgomery

       

   

      For anyone reading this who is struggling with something in life, never forget that there is always hope. Even through the darkest times, when it seems that there is no way out. Our Savior Jesus Christ knows exactly how we feel, and He will stand by us no matter what. He endured through pain and sorrow beyond all capabilities of the imagination, and He did it for us. I know this because He took away my pain. I know the Atonement Of Jesus Christ is real and that through its power we can experience great happiness and return to live with Him again. No matter where we go or what we go through in life, He will be there, right by our side.