Seeking Guidance Through Fasting

As fast Sunday was yesterday I was a little hesitant to fast at first since I was getting over being sick. I had made the decision to fast and I am so glad I did. I was really able to seek the guidance I am needing for my life through doing so.

Henry B, Erying spoke recently at general conference and said this about fasting. 

"Many children, and some adults, may for personal reasons find a 24-hour fast difficult. It can be, in the words of Isaiah, felt that the fast has “afflicted [their] soul.” Wise parents recognize that possibility and so are careful to follow the counsel of President Joseph F. Smith: “Better to teach them the principle, and let them observe it when they are old enough to choose intelligently.”<sup>12" 

At times things may be difficult there are trials and decisions that the Lord needs to help guide you in the way you should go. But he is always there. By weakening your body to strengthen your spirit will offer you more closeness to the Lord and understanding of His plan for you.</sup> 

My Year Abroad: 2014 part 1

January 10th is the day I started my adventure………

Being number two in the line of ten kids things can be a little crazy but believe it or not we have travelled so many places just in one year that no one even fell into the Canal in Venice Italy!

Our first destination after waiting what seemed like a year our vehicle arrived and we went to Ludwigsburg Castle. This being our first visit castle since ten years previous we had the time of our lives.

Here in Germany we have to many places to see and to little time. Thats just in Germany!! Just think of France, Switzerland, Austria, England, wales, and Italy….plus more and like I said never ever enough time.

Our second destination was Rothenberg to do a little sightseeing and to visit the Torture chamber museum. I thought it was kind of funny some of the things people got in trouble for in the medieval century.  

In March we moved into our apartment on the highest level! Yes we get to climb 8 flights of stairs!! Yay!! Yippy Skippy!! its one of those times when your counting the steps and hoping your apartment is the next one because there is NO elevator.  

April 3rd 2014 Courtney Adele Baker joined are family coming as number ten the Baker Bunch!

That baby girl brought so much joy in our lives!! She will never know how much I love her.

another fun excursion we took to a very popular European Ritter Sport Chocolate Factory!!!

Seriously guys I think I have gained 5 pounds from Ritter Sport alone!!! LOL. Even the outside you could smell chocolate. The fact that we live so close is to much a  temptation to bear. Believe me……

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Look at all that. Anyway trying to move past the chocolate is hard….

In May my oldest sister graduated homeschool high school with a diploma. She also graduated seminary with her diploma as well. My heart swelled with pride and adoration for my sister on her honorable accomplishments.

It was August 8th 2014 we ventured to one of the most beautiful places on earth……..

FRANCE. Strasbourg France to be specific and we saw a Notre Dame Cathedral (not to be confused with THE Notre Dame). It was amazing. Right behind it we went to the art museum and found an old victorian carousel. Oh yes this is my kind of summers day.:)

The Martyrdom of Joseph Smith

             

“ I understand my mission and business. God Almighty is my shield, and what can man do if God is my friend.” (Joseph Smith)

Joseph Smith was commonly known as the man who had restored the gospel upon the earth, but really he did so much more.

He built the foundation of the church, he prayerfully sought guidance because he knew this was not his church but it was Heavenly Father's and Jesus Christ's church.

He understood that The Lord was his foundation and knew that the church must have the same foundation. A few months before Joseph Smith's martyrdom he was revealed revelation as seen in  Doctrine and Covenants 5:22 " And that you be firm in keeping the commandments wherewith I have commanded you; and if you do this, behold I grant unto you eternal life, even if you should be slain. Then the prophet was blessed with reassurance in Doctrine and Covenants 6:30 "And even if they do unto you even as they have done unto me, blessed are ye, for you shall dwell with me in glory."

In 2nd Nephi 2:27 it says, "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself."

There must be opposition in all things. Joseph Smith got his fair share of opposition and he endured to the end with them a better person. Joseph was accused of many things including that he was a false prophet. Joseph reassured the members of the church in conference April 1844 that he" was a not a fallen prophet, that he had never felt more nearer to God than at that time. The next day the leaders of the conspiracy were exposed in the Time newspaper and were excommunicated

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In the late evening of June 22nd 1884 Joseph and Hyrum tearfully bade farewell to their families and left. Before leaving Nauvoo Joseph said  “ I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am calm as summer’s morning. I have a conscience void of offence toward God and all men. If they take my life I shall die an innocent man, and my blood shall cry from the ground for vengeance, and it shall be said of me “He was murdered in cold blood.” The prophet had only one more time to bid his dear family farewell.

As the Smith brothers were riding to carthage the town was full of mobs and riotous people.

June 26th about midnight men surrounded the jail house. The prophet yelled out “ come on ye assassins wereare for you, and would willing die now as daylight!” the mob retreated.

Men disguised in mud and gunpowder approached carthage. Meanwhile the four men in the cell prepared to defend themselves. The men asked John Taylor to sing “A poor wayfaring man of grief”’ At 4pm the prisoners heard noises downstairs and then a shout for surrender and heard four shots. A bullet fired through the door and hit Hyrum in the face and fell, saying; “I am a dead man” Joseph found no safety in the room and tried to escape from the window and was instantly killed.

Even though the prophet was killed his legacy has and will continue to live on in the lives of others and latter day saints. The Lord calls all of us and this was joseph’s call.

Joseph Smith was an amazing man and was one of the best missionaries to bring others to the true gospel. May we all recognize his sacrifice as a blessing and thank our Heavenly father for him and his wonderful and awe inspiring work.

 

Traditional Christmas Carols

The first Carol song, according to legend was sung by angels appearing to the shepherd of Bethlehem and declaring the birth of Christ and "peace on Earth goodwill to men". 

Luke 2:14 

Traditionally carols were sung to remind every one of the true meaning of Christmas. With Christmas coming more secularized and commercialized, it is important to remember he is the reason for the season. Popular holiday songs like jingle bells Frosty the Snowman and many others. Even though the songs aren't bad songs they can still be listen to and enjoyed this Christmas season along with many others to come. However we have traditional Christmas carols to help remind us what the real season of Christmas is about.

"God rest ye Merry gentlemen let nothing you dismay me, remember Christ our Savior is born on Christmas Day to save us all from Satan's power though we have gone astray" "and I are deeply troubled world, where there seems an abundant dismay, we can indeed take comfort and joy from the knowledge that Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day, to save us all from sings power when we were gone astray." Close quote 

Thomas S, Monson said in the 2011 christmas devotional "

“When we keep the spirit of Christmas, we keep the Spirit of Christ, for the Christmas spirit is the Christ Spirit. It will block out all the distractions around us which can diminish Christmas and swallow up its true meaning.

“There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus Christ.

“Because He came to earth, we have a perfect example to follow. As we strive to become more like Him, we will have joy and happiness in our lives and peace each day of the year. It is His example which, if followed, stirs within us more kindness and love, more respect and concern for others.

“Because He came, there is meaning to our mortal existence.

“Because He came, we know how to reach out to those in trouble or distress, wherever they may be.

“Because He came, death has lost its sting, the grave its victory. We will live again because He came.

“Because He came and paid for our sins, we have the opportunity to gain eternal life.” (President Thomas S. Monson, 2011 First Presidency Christmas Devotional)"
 

The Christmas season is a time to reflect and act upon the blessings and opportunities we have because of the birth, life, Atonement, and Resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As our Heavenly Father “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son”  (John 3:16),we express our love toward one another and toward God and his precious Son by giving of ourselves.

Use the resources below to enrich your Christmas celebrations and help you to focus on the Savior this season.

Through this Christmas season create Christmas time with comfort and joy with your families and other loved ones that you can share fond memories with in the future Christmases to come.

Prepare Spiritually for the Last Days

Book Review: Valiant Young Women and Heroines

                                               

In 1st Timothy 4:12 it says, "Let not man despise thy youth; but be thou an example unto the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." 

In Bryce D. Gibby's book Valiant Young Women and Heroines he shares five stories of five valiant young Christian girls who had to put their faith in Christ. All of these wonderful young girl's stories remind me of this wonderful scripture in Phillipians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me." 

The fist woman he talks about is Maria Von Trapp. Through her story he explains how Maria had loving and motherly Christlike attributes. Another thing that inspired me most about her beautiful story was she was so willing to find her mission, live her mission, be her mission. 

In Doctrine and Covenants 18:10 it says, " Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." 

Maria"s story  also inspires others to know they are are of infinite worth through their divine mission to strive to fulfill. 

                                                       

The second story the author shares i stye story of a dear girl named Lady Jane Grey. Through Jane's story he was able to display many different God given feminine attributes. For example Jane was very blessed with intelligence, patience, and very strong faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

In Doctrine and Covenants 81:8 it says, "Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved until the day of the Lord cometh, for behold it cometh quickly saith the Lord, amen." 

Jane Grey died a martyr at age 16, while standing strong in her faith, and standing for truth and right. 

Jane story has helped inspire me to to stay true and strong in the faith! 

The third story in this amazing book was about Irene Gut Opdyke. 

Irene's story inspired me tremendously! This woman was smart, faithful, beautiful, and strong.

Irene was given many many trials in her life that she taught though life gives you trials you will be strong in the end for it! 

To read about the rest of the young women read the book! 

This book gives you a good point of view on how to embrace the challenges the Lord has blessed us in this life and remain faithful and strong in your faith. 

This book would finely go under inspirational, Christian, faith.

I would highly recommend this book! I was very inspired and touched. The outcome of this book was amazing. 

Hastening the Work of Salvation

                                                                     

In Doctrine and Covenants 88:73 it says " Behold I will hasten my work in its time."

This is the time that the Lord is hastening His work of salvation. WE are part of the prophecy in the scriptures. Elder Russell M. Nelson said, "That time of hastening is now."

In this day and age we have been blessed with unlimited resources right at our fingertips. To make it easier and faster for us to hasten the work of the Lord.

What are some of the ways you have witnessed in hastening the work? 

It is our duty as members of the church to bring others unto Christ. We as members need to take full action in hastening the work. Spencer W. Kimball said, " We must lengthen our stride and must do it now."

How can we lengthen our stride by serving the Lord daily? Some good ideas for making small sacrifices for hastening the work could be participate in going to the temple, reading our scriptures, praying more often, and rely on the Lord for help. 

This is how we can help hasten the work with small sacrifices like reading our scriptures and familiarizing ourselves with the gospel to make missionary work easier. 

Everyone has a part in hastening the work, even if it is a simple invite to a church activity or service. We can do our fair share by bringing others unto Christ. 

As we read our scriptures and study diligently we will be prepare to share the gospel. How do you think preparing for a mission now could help you contribute to hastening the work? (Heleman 11: 1, 6)

We being the rising generation have an important duty to bring others to Christ.  "We can be blessed  to take part in the hastening of the Lord's work. Consider opportunities you have to contribute to the hastening of the Lord's work."( Home-study guide) May we all fulfill the prophecy that the Lord has revealed to us and help in hastening the work of salvation and work diligently to bring others to Christ. 

Recommended Readings:

Exodus 5: 13

Doctrine and Covenants 58: 56

Doctrine and Covenants 88: 73

Jacob 5: 61-62, 70-71