A Mothers Love

The influence of a mother can change the world one generation at a time.

When You Know Who You Are

I believe when we truly understand the gospel of Christ and embrace it, our very thought process changes. Sometimes it is subtle, but for many the very light inside their soul clicks on and it shows in their very countenance so much so that you may not even recognize them if you knew them before. Because when you know...really know who you are, you begin to act the part.

The Roll of Father

Father means so many things. To my son Spencer, who is adopted, He has learned a lot about this. You see before he came to this mortality he lived with his Heavenly Father. He came into this world thanks to his birth father, and then he came to us where I became his father through the process of adoption. Then on October 31, 2009, Spencer decided that he was ready to be born again into a new family, that of Christ. So, now Christ is the father of his Eternal life. Each father has a roll to play, each father has contributed to who Spencer is, and each father wants him to succeed...to reach a new level of good. Each father has made sacrafices just for him. And each father will continue to guide him through his life. And each father will watch with interest how Spencer teaches his own children how to be better than himself.

Judge Me Not

You may paint me as you see me, but your broad brush does neither of us justice, do not expect me to recognize the image, for you can not put my soul into your picture. Judge me not for my imperfections for my only perfection is knowing I am not.

Reaching Up To God For Answers

To abandon ones faith is far more serious than to abandon ones beliefs. While our faith must be based in God the Eternal Father and His Son Jesus Christ, our individual beliefs may vary according to the knowledge we receive from our Father in Heaven. Some things we may think are significant, and they are, but with a slight variation here or there. God gives us the knowledge we need as we need it. Sometimes he asks hard things of us so that we must approach him in prayer to receive those special witnesses. But when we do lack wisdom he admonishes us to approach him. He does not ask us to rely upon our own wisdom or the wisdom of any man. He says, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:5
There is no man who can give you the answers that God himself reserves as his right to give to you. It is His relationship with you that matters most to Him and the only way you can have that relationship is by talking to Him. As your faith is increased your beliefs may change until your beliefs and your faith are one with God.

No Greater Relationship

It makes sense to me that marriage is a religious experience and ceremony, because it requires Godly actions to maintain and keep a marriage together. That is only hard when we refuse to listen to those natural urges to want to be good to each other and for each other. As God is my witness, there is no greater relationship a man and woman can have than the one they have together with God.

How Do You Win In Politics?

Labeling is like throwing a general net to convict many with a single finger print. At best it is unfair and at worst you may end up convicting yourself.
Labeling someone politically is like two people playing two different games on the same board with two sets of rules while thinking they are playing the same game.
The blame must be placed not on the players but those who arranged the game. The only way the game can really be played fairly is if the players come together and create common rules and ignore those who continue to try to arrange the games.

Leaving A Better Legacy

Our children are a good reason to overcome our past and present "giants." Whether your children know what your giants are or not they will recognize that you have the spirit of overcoming and will observe and learn for themselves. Leave them a legacy of becoming better.

Your Destination Determines The Path You Should Take

The path we take really does determine not only our destination but what we see along the way. Sometimes we get carried away thinking that everything has to be hard. I do not believe that is true. I believe that the hard part is getting off the trail and finding our way back. As long as we are on the trail life is good.

Respect Starts at Home

Knowing how to get married is not nearly as important as how to truly be married. The greatest gift a mother and father can give to their child is to show them how to truly be married. I believe that youth disrespect adults based more on their observation of their personal adult relationships than on any other sinle factor. Give your spouse respect and love and your child will sooner or later respect you.

Obedience Leads to Understanding

When temptation strikes it usually strikes hard and fast. Obedience to the laws of God leads us to understanding the laws of God. Justifying the breaking of those laws leads us to questioning those same laws. Obey and prosper or disobey and flounder.

Who You are Shows.

It is hard to know who we are until we are on our own. The influence of our parents is unmistakable, but it takes time to germinate and grow. Find your furtile ground and then let God do the rest. It won't take long before we all know who you are.

Who You Are Matters

Knowing who you are does matter. When you know who you are you will know that you have a direct link to the source of truth. You do not have to rely upon the arm of flesh to seek the answers you are looking for. When you learn that you are a child of God, you realize that your destiny is to become like unto your father. For every child is an embryo of their own father and mother. When you know who you are you will not despair, but will realize that all trials are for your experience and training. You are a Child of God and knowing that does matter.

Looks aren't everything

Looking at pornography is like swimming with jelly fish. It may look attractive but once you are in the middle of it you will get stung and it could be spiritually fatal.

Why is it so hard to do what is right?

I think we all want to do what is right to one degree or another. It is not that difficult to want to do the right thing. However, when it comes time to actually do what is right it often takes courage.
Sometimes the fear of hurting someone causes us to fear doing what is right. Other times we just don't feel like we know how to do what is right. That is when we have to learn how to practice.
Practice doing the right thing with little things, then when the big things come along you will know why you need to do what is right. And knowing why you should do what is right is the most import thing to know when it comes to doing what is right.

A Covenant Family

As we get older the more we realize the importance of family. This will be more evident as the basic family unit is torn apart by society. The strength of your family will give you greater comfort and courage when you have to make hard decisions. It may at time seem that you are fighting against your own family at times, but when you are on God's side you will be assured that you are fighting for them not against them. The covenants we make with our Heavenly Father must be considered sacred and we must protect them. Families can be together and they will if you remain true to who you are.

Being Happy

Sometimes we think if we get what we want we will be happy. But that only works if what we want is right. Life is about learning to like what is right. We are constantly being tested, and sometimes we are going to make mistakes. The atonement of Christ will give you hope. That does not give you an excuse to make mistakes, but should give you hope that your mistakes will not eternally doom you to a warm and not so comfortable place. Being good, will lead you to being happy no matter what has or will happen in your life.

For My Boys

My son has informed me that he has been reading my blog and has requested that I use it more often so I have decided that I will use this opportunity to expand upon some of the thoughts that I have been using for my statusi on facebook. I will also be adding some of my pictures that I have been taking as I celebrate what is right with this world. I hope that you enjoy!

Spring Bee

I Believe in Americans

The United States of America has been blessed, not because of its government, but because of her people. We are not like any other nation. Some have called us cocky and arrogant, and in someways we are. However, we are also giving and caring. We have taken our place at the top of the world not by stepping on others so much as setting a standard for others to reach. We as a people are quick to help where help is needed. We the people of the United States of America, not the government, but we we the people have donated billions of dollars to nations who have suffered catastrophic disasters. We have donated food and supplies to others whose own governments had turned their backs on them. And when we have seen that our own government was not able to deliver goods to people in need we have found ways to do it ourselves.The scriptures tell us that the Spirit of God is the Spirit of Freedom. This nation was founded on Freedom and its people will not allow those freedoms to be destroyed. Many have underestimated us, I pray that our Government does not. There is a voice that whispers to us that something is wrong. Our spirit is wrestless but we are unsure what we can do. Thus far we have not noticed the effects of our freedoms being stripped from us personally, and we have in the past been able to disregard those voices that have warned us, but instinctively we know it is coming. We know the scriptures and the prophets have predicted such a time, but we have always said, "not in my lifetime." Many of us have believed that the walls of Jericho could not come down. All is well in Zion, yet that nagging feeling continues to eat at us. It is time! we have been awoken. The alarm has gone off and the snooze has gone through its final cycle. It is time to look beyond the benefits of comfort and understand the difference between a right and a privilege. We must come to realize that we can not change the laws of nature. We can have compassion, but we must never place our responsibility on the government. What makes America great is that we come together to protect eachother with personal sacrifice. We can ignore the wealthy if they choose not to participate, it is their choice. We have placed so much emphasis on the value of money, when true value lies within us. It is knowing who we are, and knowing that we have the freedom to experiment with our talents. If money loses its value what can you trade for food, or housing, or whatever you need? Americans are resourceful. That is in our blood. That is who we are.Our ability to reason has come down to name calling if we can't explain our position logically. We have been dishonest with ourselves. We have allowed Congress to use their credit card and spend us beyond our credit limit. How is it that it is okay for Congress, yet if we do this it is bad? We as Americans can disagree, but unlike many parts of the world we do not have to have civil war in order to be heard. Thank God for the freedom of speech. We do not have to believe exactly the same to respect eachother. We can be wrong in our opinion and not be jailed. We were born to be free, but we must know what that means or we will follow natures trail of disintigration. The greatness of America is not in What her government does, it is in what her government does not do. It is not in what her people don't have to do, it is in what Her people do.