Like the Shepherds

I love Christmas!  And I love the Christmas season and being able to focus even more on the Savior and His birth.  One story that has recently really inspired me was the story of the shepherds and their involvement in the story of the birth of the Savior.      

In the New Testament in Luke 2 it talks about the shepherds.
" 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. "

These good tidings of Jesus Christ's birth is really a message of great joy.  Jesus Christ is born who is the Savior of the World, the Redeemer, the Messiah, the Good Shepherd, the Lamb of God, and the Prince of Peace.  

In the Book of Mormon in Alma 11:40 it talks about Christ and says, 

"40 And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else."  

Jesus Christ's birth in Bethlehem is "good tidings of great joy" for all of us because it is only through Jesus Christ that we can return to live with Heavenly Father again.  Jesus Christ's birth, His life, His ministry, His Atonement, His death, and His resurrection were all for us to make the way possible for us to become clean and for us to return to live with Heavenly Father again.  That should bring all of us great joy!  

After the shepherds heard this announcement from the angel, it says, 

"15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. "

I love the part where it says the shepherds "came with haste" in their search for Christ.  They diligently sought after Jesus Christ.  Do we diligently seek Christ during the Christmas season and everyday of our lives?  I hope we can be like the shepherds and search for Him.  And then it says the shepherds "found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger."  The shepherds found Christ in a manger; where can we find Christ?  We can find Him in the scriptures, in prayer, in service, in forgiveness, in love, in charity, in church.

In the Bible in Jeremiah 29:13 it says, 

"13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. "

We all can be like the shepherds and find Jesus Christ if we but diligently search for Him with all our heart.  He is always there, but it is our responsibility to go to Him.  I hope we can find Jesus Christ in our hearts this Christmas season and always. 

And finally, after the shepherds found Jesus Christ, it says, 

"17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds."

After the shepherds found and gained their testimony of Jesus Christ, they helped others come to know about these good tidings as well.  They spread the Christmas message to all who would hear.  That is our responsibility too, to help others come to know about and find Jesus Christ.  Let us all spread the true spirit of Christmas to all others and help them find Jesus Christ too.  

I love the Christmas season and I love the story of the shepherds and how they sought and found Jesus Christ.  I hope we can all diligently seek and find Jesus Christ this Christmas season and throughout our lives and help others to do the same, just like the shepherds.

Bringing Others Closer to Christ

There is a quote I just read from Elder Ballard's recent conference talk.  It is by Clayton Christensen and it says, "Every time you take someone figuratively by the hand and introduce him or her to Jesus Christ, you will feel how deeply our Savior loves you and loves the person whose hand is in yours."  The longer I have been on my mission the more and more I have realized this.

The more I sit in people's living rooms, on a park bench, in a hospital room, or in the church and talk with and teach others more about Jesus Christ and His gospel, the more I come to love them and see God's love for them.  We are all sons and daughters of God.  And the more I am with someone, hearing their experiences and testimony and sharing with them mine, the more I see how each of us are unique and special in God's eyes.  He loves all of us and He blesses all His children.  I have the privilege of seeing and hearing daily how Heavenly Father loves all His children, answers their prayers, and gives them miracles to increase their faith, to give them hope, and to lead them to the path they need to be to find His gospel and the true happiness it brings.  

And for me, the more I teach others about Jesus Christ the more I feel God's love for me.  The more I see His blessings in my own life and His hand directing me to where I need to be and helping me become who He needs me to be.  One such blessing He gives me is the honor of meeting and knowing so many amazing people here in New York.  I love all the people here and all those I am teaching.  I know that every time we teach and introduce others about Jesus Christ we will feel more love and charity for that person and we will feel the Savior's love for us more.          

Have Faith...God Loves Us!

 One of the most important, essential, amazing truths we all need to know and believe is that God, our loving Heavenly Father, loves us!  He is our Father and we are literally His children.  This one fundamental truth is the light we need to combat the dark clouds of discouragement around us.  Because of this love we don't ever need to feel alone or lost.  His love can and will guide us and give us hope.  Trust Him!

How do I know He loves us?  He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, down to earth to make is possible for all of us to return to live with Him again.  In the New Testament in John 3:16-17 it reads, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."  Heavenly Father loves each of us and so that is why He sent Jesus Christ.  He knew we would all make mistakes and He knew we would need help so He sent Jesus Christ to earth to atone for our sins.  Christ took our sins upon Him and paid for them so that we can be given mercy, be forgiven of those sins and have our guilt and shame wash away, and become clean and worthy to enter into the presence of God.  That is Heavenly Father's ultimate goal for all of us: return to Him.  Through Jesus Christ and His Atonement we can return to live with God and our families forever! 

I know my Heavenly Father loves me and I know He loves everyone in this world.  Have faith.  Believe in this amazing universal truth.  He loves us more than we can ever imagine.  Trust Him.  Have faith in Him.  Show your love for Him by following Him.  If we do this we can experience true, lasting happiness in this life and after when we will be worthy to return home to Heavenly Father and live with Him and our families in eternal happiness.  God loves us! 

The Source

 

Jesus Christ is the source and the light.  He is the source we need to look to to become clean from sin and guilt.  He is the source we need to look to find answers to all our questions.  He is the source of all happiness, peace, hope, and joy.  He is the light of this world.   He is the light that banishes the darkness of uncertainty, doubt, loneliness, despair, and heartache.  He is the light that illuminates the path and the source we need to look to in order to return home to our loving Heavenly Father.  He is the source and light of life.

In the Book of Mormon in 2 Nephi 25:26 it reads, "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

Only through Jesus Christ and His Atonement can we be forgiven of all our sins and our guilt and shame for past mistakes we have made can be swept away.  He is the source of forgiveness and through Him our burdens can be lightened.  It is so important to always focus on Christ because it is only through Him than we can become clean and worthy to live with Heavenly Father and our families for eternity.

And in 3 Nephi 15:9 it reads, "Behold, I am the law, and the light.  Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life."

Jesus Christ is also  the light.  Through Him we can truly see ourselves and others.  With His help we can see through the darkness of the world around us and see the path we need to take to return home to God.  He is the source of light, hope, love, faith, strength, and confidence that we need in order to navigate this world back to Heavenly Father.  I am so grateful to our wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ, who has lighted the way we must go to find true happiness in this life.  

Missions!

My companion, Sister Carlson, told me an amazing saying about missions.  She said, "Missions are not the best two years OF your life, they are the best two years FOR your life."  Or in my case, substitute "two years" for "eighteen months."  How true this is.  

Missions are so amazing because they prepare you for life and eternal life.  We dedicate eighteen months or two years of our life serving others and inviting them to come closer to Christ.  We do this by teaching them and helping them understand how to follow Jesus Christ and how to return to live with Heavenly Father.  Our purpose as missionaries is "to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end."  By helping others with this purpose, we ourselves become more converted to the Lord and more converted to this gospel.  

I love serving others!  As it says in the Book of Mormon, "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17).  I know that as we serve others we truly are serving God.  Not only will serving others bring us so much joy, but it also makes Heavenly Father proud of us and He will bless us.  I have never felt so happy as I have while I have been out on a mission serving others everyday all day.  Serving and sharing this gospel with others is how we can find true happiness in this life.

Mission are the best two years (or eighteen months) for your life because they teach you how to follow Christ, what truly matters, how to serve others, how to pray, how to keep the faith in hard times, and they strengthen your testimony and your conversion to this gospel.  If you are thinking about going on a mission...GO!  This has been the best decision I have made so far in my life.  Missionary work is hard but SO worth it!       

Joseph Smith - His Story

I took this picture in one of the most sacred places in the world.  I am so grateful to be on a mission and to be able to testify, to everyone who can hear my voice, of the sacred events that happened here.  This is the Sacred Grove and is located in New York.  This is where Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  This is where he was called to be a prophet and was called to restore Christ's true church again upon the earth, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I am so lucky because I have been called by a prophet of God to serve my mission where this amazing event took place.  I would like to talk about Joseph Smith and the significance of this event to our Church and to the world.    

When Joseph Smith was 14 years old, he was living with his family near Palmyra, New York.  During this time in New York there was "an unusual excitement on the subject of religion."  There was so many churches and so many preachers declaring their church was right.  Joseph, although only a young man, was very concerned at which church was true.  That is so much like today.  There are so many different churches all professing to be the true church but all their doctrines were contradictory.  How do we know which church is the right one?  Joseph said that "so great were the confusion and strife among the different denominations, that it was impossible for a person young as I was, and so unacquainted with men and things, to come to any certain conclusion who was right and who was wrong."  He wanted to find the true church so he could follow Jesus Christ but he was unsure at which church it was and how he could find out. 

One day, Joseph was reading the Bible, trying to find his answer.  How amazing this action of Joseph's was.  If we have a question, turn to the scriptures.  Read, search, and ponder the scriptures, both the Book of Mormon and the Bible, to answers the questions of our souls.  Because when he searched the scriptures he found his answer.  He read James 1:5 which states, "If any of you lack wisdom, let his ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."  If we lack wisdom, or have a question, we need to ask God in prayer with faith and He WILL answer us.  Joseph realized "that [he] must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else [he] must do as James directs, that is, ask of God." The only source of truth is Heavenly Father.  To find an answer to a question or to find truth, we need to ask God in sincere prayer.  Joseph Smith decided to do just this and to ask God which church was true and which he should join.         

In the spring of 1820, Joseph Smith headed out into a grove of trees behind his home.  He then kneeled down and uttered a sincere, heartfelt, and vocal prayer in which he prayed to Heavenly Father and asked Him his question: which church was true.  In response to his prayer, Joseph Smith recounts, "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 to the other--This is My Beloved Son.  Hear Him!"  Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith in answer to his prayer.  Joseph asked Them which church was right so he could join them.  His question was answered "that [he] must join none of them, for they were all wrong."  Joseph was told that none of the churches on the earth were the correct church of Christ. 

At this time, Joseph Smith was called to be the new prophet in our days and was called to restore the true church of Christ back upon the earth.  Just as in times of old when prophets were called upon the earth, God again called another prophet in our times.  He was called to restore the church that Christ established while He was on the earth.  In the ensuing years, Joseph fulfilled his calling by bringing forth the Book of Mormon and restoring Christ's true church again upon the earth, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  

Why is my picture significant?  Because it was taken in the same place where Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  It is the place where Joseph had his prayer answered and where he was called to be a prophet and to restore the true church again upon the earth.  This place, the Sacred Grove, is so amazing and I love going into it.  Whenever I enter the Grove, I feel peace, comfort, and tranquility.  I know this is because this forest is special.  Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have been there.  I know this is true.  I know Joseph Smith is a prophet.  I am so grateful for him and all he has done to bring forth and restore the church of Christ.  All who can come to the Sacred Grove!  It is one of the most amazing places in the world!  It is in Palmyra, New York and I know if you come with an open and sincere heart, you will be able feel the amazing spirit that is here.  COME TO THE SACRED GROVE!!!!  I also know that if we pray to God in sincerity and faith and ask Him a question, He will answer us just as He answered Joseph Smith's humble prayer.  I am so grateful to be serving my mission here where I get to be by the Sacred Grove for 18 months of my life!      

Faith in Jesus Christ

Faith in Jesus Christ is the most basic and fundamental principle of the gospel of Christ.  Faith is the foundation to becoming a disciple of Christ, the power behind miracles, the answer to finding true happiness, and the mode by which we can return to live with our Heavenly Father and our families for eternity.   


What is faith?

In Alma 32:21 (Book of Mormon) it states, "And now as I said concerning faith--faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which as not seen, which are true."  

And in Hebrews 11:1 (New Testament) it states, "Now faith is the substance [meaning assurance] of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."    

Faith is a belief in something that is true.  It is not a knowledge, but a belief.  We don't need to see Jesus Christ to have faith, all we need to do is believe in Him.  

After Jesus was resurrected, He appeared to His apostles.  Some of His apostles did not believe He was the resurrected Jesus Christ until they saw Him face to face.  Jesus was talking to one such apostle who did not believe until they saw Him, stating, "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed" (John 20:29).  We do not need to see Jesus to have faith in Him.  Although I have not seen Jesus Christ, I know He is my Savior and Redeemer.  I know that through Him all things are possible.  I love my Savior. 


What do we have faith in?
  
Elder Dallin H. Oaks (an Apostle) has said, "Faith does not exist in itself.  Faith requires an object.  It must be faith in something or someone."  We cannot just have faith.  We need to have faith in Jesus Christ.  We need to believe in Him.  We need to trust and follow Him and His teachings.  We need to accept His will, do what He wants us to, and believe that His path for us will lead us to where we need to be and who we need to become.  We need to believe He atoned and died for us and that through Him and His Atonement, we can be forgiven of our sins and someday return to live with Heavenly Father.  We need to accept His doctrine and follow it, believing it will lead us to true happiness in this life and to Heavenly Father in eternal happiness.

I believe in Jesus Christ.  I have faith in Him.  I know that through Him and His teachings I will be able to find true joy, happiness, and peace in this life.  I know that through His Atonement I can be forgiven of my sins and become clean.  I know that I can one day return to live with Heavenly Father with my family for eternity if I believe and follow Jesus Christ.  I have faith that by following Jesus Christ, I will become a better person and will become who Heavenly Father needs me to be.  I have faith in Jesus Christ.  


Why is faith so important?

It is important to have faith because it is the foundation of everything.  It is the first step towards salvation, towards returning home to live with Heavenly Father after this life.  In the Book of Mormon in Mosiah 3:12 is states, "For salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ."  Faith is the first step on our progression towards eternal life (living with God and our families for eternity).  It is so important to have and continually strengthen our faith.  

Not only does faith bring salvation, but it is also through faith and repentance that our sins can be forgiven.  Enos is a prophet in the Book of Mormon who has guilt for some sins he has committed.  He was feeling weighed down and so he decides to pray and ask God for forgiveness.  In response to his sincere, heartfelt prayer, "there came a voice unto [him], saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed" (Enos 1:5).  After he was forgiven, Enos asked the Lord how he was forgiven.  In response, "[the Lord] said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen...wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole" (Enos 1:6-8).  Because of his faith, Enos was forgiven of his sins.  This promise is all throughout the New Testament, too.  Jesus Christ heals and forgives the sins of others because of their faith.  Through faith and repentance we can be forgiven of our sins.  

Faith also brings miracles.  In the Book of Mormon in 1 Nephi 7:12, it states, "Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him?  Wherefore, let us be faithful unto Him."  Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can do all things that the Lord needs us to do.  This promise is also repeated in Moroni 7:33 which states, "And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me."  Through faith in Jesus Christ, all things are possible.    

Faith is a powerful principle.  Through faith we can begin on the path towards salvation.  Through faith, and repentance, we can be forgiven of our sins.  Through faith we can perform miracles all according to the Lord's will.


What does faith us lead to?

Faith leads us to action.  Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (an apostle) stated, "For our faith to make a difference, we must act.  We must do all that is in our power to change passive belief into active faith, for truly 'faith, if it hath not works, is dead'" (James 2:17).  We need to act on our faith.  Faith is manifest by the actions we have.  It is not possible to have true faith in Jesus Christ and perform negative actions.  We need to show Jesus Christ, through our actions, our faith in Him.  Such actions may include: scripture study, prayer, service, obedience to the commandments, loving our neighbor, and many more actions.     


How do we have and increase our faith?

In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Alma gives an amazing lesson on faith.  He exhorts us to have faith in Jesus Christ and His gospel.  He says, "But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words" (Alma 32:27).  In order to obtain faith, we first need to desire it.  Desire leads to action.  After we have desire, we "experiment upon" the word of God by following it.  We read and ponder the scriptures, pray to Heavenly Father, serve others, and obey all of God's commandments.  As we do these things continually, our faith will grow.       


Faith!

I strive everyday to increase my faith in Jesus Christ.  Because without faith in Jesus Christ, I can do nothing.  My faith in Him brings me joy, peace, happiness, comfort, and confidence.  My faith in Him helps me become a better person and missionary.  My faith in Him gives me the courage and strength to follow Him and His gospel.  I love my Savior.  I know He lives and He loves me.  I know that through faith in Jesus Christ all things are possible.  I know that with faith in Christ I can be forgiven of sins and mistakes and return to live with Heavenly Father.  Faith in Jesus Christ is the fundamental principle of the gospel of Christ.  I would invite all to try and strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ because I know it will bless our lives immensely.       


To learn more on faith, click here and read Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin's talk "Shall He Find Faith on the Earth."  It is an amazing talk and helped me structure my post on faith in Jesus Christ.

Mission Life

Being on my mission has been the happiest time of my life!  Serving others is truly what brings us the most joy.  I love being able to dedicate 18 months of my life in serving others and helping them learn more about Heavenly Father's plan for them.  I love telling people the GOOD NEWS that Jesus Christ lives for us and through Him we can return to live with our loving Heavenly Father with our families for eternity.  Being a missionary is the best!

Gratitude!

One of the most important principles we need to incorporate in our lives as children of God is GRATITUDE!  We need to be grateful to our loving Heavenly Father who has given us everything!  We show our appreciation and love to our Heavenly Father as we express our thanks to Him.  As we do this, not only will we become more happy and positive, but more blessings will come to our mind and we will see Christ's hand in our life more.  I know from personal experience how gratitude has a huge effect on attitude.  If I feel discontent, sad, or depressed, I think of the many blessings that I have in my life and express my thanks to God.  When I do this, I immediately become a happier and I have a better look on life.  Gratitude is truly a medicine that heals our sorrowing hearts.

In the New Testament there is a perfect example of how amazing gratitude is.  The story is of the ten lepers Jesus Christ cleanses.  This occurs in Luke chapter 17.  It says, "

11. And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
13. And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests.  And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15. And one of them, when he saw that he was haled, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16. And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18. There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. "

I think it is so amazing that although all ten of the lepers were "cleansed,"  the one leper who gave thanks to God was the only one who was "made...whole."  The one who was grateful was the one who was healed of all his afflictions, not just his leprosy.  His gratitude to God for healing his leprosy led to him receiving more blessings, namely being "made...whole" from all of his other pains, sicknesses, and afflictions.  Gratitude to God is a witness of our faith in Him.  Having thankful hearts towards God for all He has given us will make us happier and our hearts will be "made...whole."  When we are grateful we show Heavenly Father our love for Him and our faith in Christ.  

Being grateful for all that is given to us from our Heavenly Father is an important characteristic we need to develop as disciples of Christ.  There are so many blessings that come from being grateful itself.  We recognize God's hand more in our life.  We are happier and have a more positive outlook on life.  We show Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ our love for Them.  Gratitude is an expression of faith in Christ.  We will be blessed more if we are grateful and we will see more of the blessings He has already given to us.  We will truly continue to see more and more the many blessings He has bestowed on us that we may have not even noticed.     

I have a testimony of gratitude and how it really does change our outlook on life.  It is such an important principle to incorporate into our lives and our prayers.  Pray to Heavenly Father and express all the many blessings you are grateful for.  I am continually trying to be more grateful towards a loving Heavenly Father who has given me all that I have.  I know gratitude is key to have a happier, more fuller life.  

GRATITUDE IS THE BEST!!!!!    

Introduction

Hello!  My name is Sister Curtis and I am a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I plan to use this blog to write down thoughts I have pertaining to Jesus Christ's wonderful gospel that has been restored upon this earth once more.  I know we are all children of God, our loving Heavenly Father, and He loves us, knows us, and wants us to return to Him.  He wants us to be happy in this life so He has given us families so we can experience love and joy.  He has also given us this gospel, Christ's gospel, so we can know how to find happiness, peace, and comfort in this life, how to follow and come closer to Christ, and how to return to live with our Father in Heaven.  I know that if we want to return to live with our Heavenly Father after this life we must follow His commandments and the example Christ set for us while He was on the earth.  I know Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Christ when he sincerely prayed in a grove of trees.  I know Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet and called to bring forth the Book of Mormon.  I know the Book of Mormon is the true word of God and if we sincerely read, ponder, and pray about it we can know for ourselves it is true and we can find answers to all the questions we have.  I know if we follow this gospel, we can live with Heavenly Father and our families for eternity.  I love this gospel!