Be YOU

          This week we celebrate the Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. We celebrate the fact that the tomb is empty and that He lives. Because of Him, we have the opportunity to become like Him. He broke the bands of death, He leads and loves us today. A couple of weeks ago we had a Zone Training Meeting where we were taught how to become. Our zone leader walked up to the chalk board and began to draw a very simple diagram.

Thoughts---------->Actions ---------->Habits-----------> Character

       
 The Book of Mormon not only testifies of our Savior Jesus Christ, it teaches us how we can become like Him. In Mosiah 4: 30 King Benjamin warns us to watch our thoughts. No action we make will ever happen without it first being a thought. There is power in our thoughts, they become who we are. I can still remember my Cross Country coach in high school telling us constantly that "As you think, so you become." We are what we think. This Easter season we invite all to turn their thoughts to our Savior, to become even as He is. 

          As we change our thoughts to mirror our Savior, the actions we take will change as well. Actions that would have reflected the world around us will change to reflect He who created the world. We will choose to serve one another, love one another and lift one another each day. Our words will be kinder, sweeter and helpful rather than hurtful. Christ taught us to lift where we stand.

           Our actions lead us to our habits. Elder Alvin R. Dyer once said:

"Man is the sum result of what he thinks and does. Habit is the instrument that molds his character and makes of him essentially what he is. Habit can become a monster to tarnish and destroy, yet proper behavioral traits can bring lasting joy and achievement. To say no at the right time and then stand by it is the first element of success."

Habits are like the autopilots of our lives. What actions do you do without even thinking? When I wake up, I roll out of bed, say my prayers, get ready to exercise and brush my teeth without even opening my eyes. Auto pilot kicks in every morning, pushing me through my groggy, not-awake-yet moments of the day. These habits have been ingrained by daily consistency. It takes 21 days to make or brake a habit, but once established it will take over our actions and build into our character.

         Character, is defined in the Websters Dictionary as "the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves : someone's personality." As we focus our thoughts on the words of Christ, and change our actions to mirror His actions, we will develop habits that will help us take on Christ's character. The character of Christ is to turn outward when the natural man would turn inward. Christ never thought about himself, he never acted in a way that would benefit him or cast the glory on himself. Christ turned the glory to His Father and He always acted in a way that benefited mankind. 

How will you allow Him to change you?

#BecauseofHim

Click the link to see how Christ changed the world. 

Defending Family

          So I was reading in my favorite book of Alma the other day and a verse jumped out at me that provoked a lot of thought. "The Lord hath said that: Ye shall defend your families even unto bloodshed." -Alma 43:47 I paused and began to think about what that really meant to me. I am not a soldier fighting for my God, my religion, my family and my freedom as they were. But then again, are we not? The battle each of us face today is not one of swords and lances, rather it is of choices and consequences. We battle against the enemy of agency, right and truth. Our adversary is Satan and the stakes are high. The precious item at stake is our families and the happiness that can be had in our homes. We are commanded to defend our families even unto bloodshed. How do we do this? We do this by living the commandments God has given us and following the prophet He has sent to guide us today. I defend my family by living the word of wisdom, keeping the law of chastity and listening to a living prophet today. With each act of obedience I take a step towards our Savior and defend my family, even unto bloodshed.

In 2005 Elder Neil L. Anderson gave a talk titled "Beware the Evil Behind the Smiling Eyes". The enemies we face aren't going to appear as battle rugged and scarred people. The choices are not going to be covered in slime. Rather, they will be shined and polished, put on display for all to see, enticing and delicious to the eye. Those who present opportunities to disobey commandments given by God will not be scary looking, they will be smiling, charming and come  across as caring for you. But therein lies the trap. Does what they present align with the commandments that God has given for our protection? We have been taught in Ephesians(Ephesians 6:11) to put on the whole armor of God. Does what I am watching on TV, reading in a book or talking to with my friends help me to put on the Helmet of Salvation?

You may think, "Well what about those of us who have messed up? I lost the battle, put up the white flag, there is no way out now". WRONG. There is ALWAYS a way out, there is ALWAYS a way up. Christ is the healing balm of Gilead. He has the master key to any chain of sin or addiction that may be draped upon our necks. Though torn by sin, our families can be healed and mended. Though the action or decision cannot be taken back, love, peace and happiness in our lives can fill that gap. No matter what our choices have been in the past, we can choose now to be defenders of our families and of our faith. I choose each day to defend my future family. One day I will be married and have children of my own, but today I choose to live my beliefs and honor my covenants for them. 

Is it worth it?

May I echo the words of our beloved apostle Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and say

"YES IT IS!"