Never Lose Hope

Last Saturday Elder Thompson and I were visiting people in the city of Davis where we are now serving.  Davis is a small town with a UC not to far from where we work. 
It was growing late in the evening, close to our time to head in, and were visiting some people who were potentially interested in learning about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  As we were walking to the door I noticed a man with a large Jack Daniels liquor bottle in His hand, pouring himself a cup.  We knew this apartment was the correct location of the specific individual who had requested missionaries.  Our confidence quickly shot down, pondering and judging the men who were behind the door to be unstable, and undoubtedly uninterested.
So with willingness and determination, we knocked and without 5 seconds a man answers the door with his cup in his hand and a big smile on his face.  His name was Ron and was the one who we were looking for .  He asked some questions with a slur, and found himself getting carried away in his laughter.  As we carried our conversation, His roommate, John, came running in from behind him.  He was a taller Asian man with a smile from ear to ear, curious, and hand signaled us into his small apartment.  It was coming close to our hour and we thankfully offered another appointment.

This man and his friend surfaced many deep concerns regarding questions of their souls.  John mentioned he had a wife and two beautiful children who lived far away east.  A place where work was difficult to find and a decent education was in drought.  He said, "I have a drinking problem, and other bad habits I need help with."  With his hands spread towards us, wanting relief from his addictions, we could feel his sincerity penetrate our spirits. We could feel his heart towards his children.  We could feel his concern for their welfare.

Although he was passionate about His family, we had fear in our hearts, not knowing if the situation was right and we offered to set up an appointment of a more convenient time.  We suggested a time early the next day to watch a modern day prophet speak to the whole world.  He agreed, and promised to be there.

We headed home and both looked at each other and complained there was no way he would remember.

The following day early in the morning, we returned to our appointment at nine A.M. and we felt as if we were waisting our time.  I mumbled to myself, "I know he won't be there".  We didn't have hope for this unsober, hungover man. 

With surety he would not answer, we gave it a knock, and nothing happened.  We gave it a second knock having some faith he might answer the door, but nothing came.  After about 3 minutes I gave it a good pound.  Miraculously he opened on the last attempt, dressed to watch the general conference and talk about how he could find the hope for his life and his family!  We watched all of General Conference with Him and bore our testimonies as the modern prophets did that very morning. 
I learned a great life lesson.  Don't ever lose hope on someone, because God wouldn't give up on me.  It is because of the gospel of Jesus Christ that we all have the opportunity to find our faith, realign our life in harmony with Heavenly Fathers teachings.  I know with out a doubt, God lives and loves each one of us, and wants with all of His heart, might, mind and strength everyone to return! 
 
Never Lose hope!  Never!  God will never lose hope on you or on me.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Secrets to His Servants the Prophets

What is a prophet?

  I believe many people are turned away when told about "prophets" because of the doubt and trouble in times past with so called "prophets".  Jesus teaches us about prophets, he said;

"By their fruits ye may know them."  Which simply is to say, look at the good works or "fruit" that comes from a living prophet. 

Amos (a prophet in the Old Testament) teaches us that God gives us "His secrets."

"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secrets unto his servants the prophets."
Has God always called prophets?  The answer is yes.   From the creation of Adam, up to the time of our very own day.  What! we have Latter-day prophets?   Yes. Just as in times of old God calls prophets.

 For example Moses (being a prophet) brought the children of Israel out of bondage or slavery from a very wicked nation.  In a real sense, our day many people are in bondage and have many challenges which take them away from life's most precious moments.  How many families are broken because of drug abuse, violence, harassment or ignorance?  How many thousands of Heavenly Fathers children are hurt because of wickedness and "slavery"?
Our latter-day prophets receive guidance from Heavenly Father to help us come out of slavery and bondage.

The world changes and we can't do this on our own.  We need help and direction. "When there is to be anything different from that which the Lord has told us already, He will reveal it to His prophet and no one else."  Harold B. Lee

Prophets also Testify of the Savior and His ministry, just as John the baptist taught his people.  Watch this video of modern witnesses of latter-day prophets.

I know prophets are real, they do communicate with Heavenly Father through his Holy Spirit.  I know you can know this is true, because there is evidence that Heavenly Father has given us.

If you would like to know more about this evidence, check out my post "Safety for my soul", and I know without a doubt you can come to know this truth as well.

Additional Study:

 (Eph. 2:19-20)

(Mosiah 13:33)
(2 Chron. 20:20)

Hakuna Matata

    My name is Elder Vea and I hail from Hawaii. I am currently serving with Elder Wright on an "exchange" where missionaries switch with other missionaries and learn from each other. Just last night we started this exchange and I learned a lot within a few hours. Anyways, I am one of five children and I currently reside in Mesa, Arizona. I am loving every bit of being out here serving our Heavenly Father. It has been a neat experience to serve other people. I have learned many things here in California and one important thing I learned is that everyone is different. Everyone has lived a different life and has different backgrounds. Everyone has either experienced their life in a good way or has seen the "rough" part of life. I can honestly say that I have seen both worlds. My entire life has been centered around Jesus Christ and his teachings and how families can be eternal. But it hasn't been all sunshine and bright days. We all have a dark time in our life and sometimes it lasts for a while. We sometimes feel the need to "awake" and do something about our life but we can never find out how.

"If you want to be somebody,

If you want to go somewhere,

then you better wake up and pay attention."

Jesus Christ has provided an opportunity for us to "wake up and pay attention." His Atonement is sufficient for everyone. No matter what happened to us or where we are at in our life. People can change and experience a change of heart.

Growing up, my parents taught me the principles of the gospel and wanted me to live it. I was a rebel. I wanted to be free and I wanted to experience life the way I wanted to. I didn't want anyone telling me how to live my life. As I became older, in high school, something changed my life. As a senior, I was excited and I wanted to get the most out of high school while in this last year. I had a job, played football, and was enrolled in Theatre Arts. Everyday was a busy day: wake up at 6:30, school, football practice, rehearsal, and work. I wouldn't get home till probably around 11:00 at night. Then finish homework and finally went to bed. And then my whole day starts again. This went on for about 6 months. Football ended but I still wanted to do more. I soon forgot about reading my scriptures, saying my prayers and going to church. I forgot about God and what he has done for me. I FORGOT.

A few months went by and I recieved an important call . . . It was from my counselor at school. I received the most dreadful news ever: I was one credit short of graduating and so I needed to enroll in summer school. I was devastated. When I told my parents, they were furious! I felt like a failure.  I didn't know who to turn to but my older sister who was living in Arizona at the time. I told her what had happened. She asked me if I prayed.-- I said no.-- She asked me if I read my scriptures. -- I said no.-- She then told me, "You are asking the wrong person so get on your knees and call me later!" The phone call ended. After about 5 minutes, I got on my knees and prayed hard as I never had before. Still feeling sorry and tears in my eyes, I walked to the kitchen. My little sister was watching "The Lion King" at the time and as I was in the kitchen, These words came out and spoke to me: "Hakuna Matata." It means "No Worries." My soul was at peace. My tears ceased to fall and a smile came across my face. I was being told just that! Not to worry and do what God wants me to and everything will be alright. So, I read my scriptures, went to church and said my prayers. I was doing all that I can that would please my Heavenly Father. My counselor called me again and said, "You can graduate with your class but it would require some time of yours." I quickly took the offer and I was able to graduate.

     

  In the Book of Mormon, there is a prophet that I felt much like during this time, Alma 36: 12-21 "I could remember my pains no more..." I had finally awaken and did something about my problems. I know that as we follow Alma's counsel, and remember what "our fathers have taught us," then we can experience joy. "There can be nothing more sweet and exquisite as was my joy." The power of the Atonement is for everyone. If we put or faith and trust into the hands of our Savior, I can promise that He will tell us not to worry. We don't have to be perfect to come to the Savior. I am not perfect and neither are you but if we give our all, that would be perfect for Him to accept. So, I leave you with two words of wisdom: "Hakuna Matata."