This... Is Elder Coles. I don't know if I have told everyone who reads this blog yet... But I love the Book of Mormon! I take one everywhere with me! On my bike, to teaching appointments, at the apartment, in the car, everywhere! I have grown to love it for a few reasons........
Reason 1: The stories.
The stories in the Book of Mormon are amazing. I have a few favorites, which I will briefly mention. My first favorite is the story of Alma and Amulek. Alma and Amulek went preach the gospel to people who are so hard hearted that they take them and throw them into prison. While they are in prison they are beat and mocked by the wicked people, suffering for days without food or drink, but still remaining faithful to the Lord. When the spirit told them the time was right, they broke the chords to which they were bound, and the walls of the prison fell and everyone in the prison, except for Alma and Amulek, were killed, and Alma and Amulek walked away unharmed. (for more on this story see Alma chapters 8-14). My next favorite is the story of Ammon and the sons of Mosiah. They wanted to preach the gospel to their brethren the Lamanites, who were the enemies of the Nephites, which is what Ammon and his brothers were. Ammon and his brothers split up, and Ammon went to be a servant to a King among the Lamanites named King Lamoni. While Ammon was tending the flocks of the King, other Lamanites came to scatter their flocks. Ammon stood to contend with these men and he slew many of them with a sling and when the people started coming after him Ammon drew his sword and anyone who contended with him he chopped off their arms. Ammon is the man. He then went on to convert the whole house of King Lamoni. (for more information on this story see Alma chapters 17-22). These are just two of my favorites, but there are many others which I may go into more detail in the future.
Reason 2: The Personal Applications
I love how you can apply everything in the Book of Mormon to our lives today. And when I say everything, I mean everything! No matter what problem you may be having, weather it be you are having a bad day, or you are going through some trials, or you are having a hard time finding meaning to your life, the Book of Mormon has the solution. You may be thinking "Elder Coles you are crazy. This book was written over 2000 years ago how can anything in there apply to our lives today??" Well here is how...
The prophet Mormon had a whole bunch of Nephite records. It was his job to take the most important things and abridge and compile them into a book and deliver it to his son Moroni so that he could add a few words and then hide the records up in the earth so that it could come forth in these latter days to help us out. The Book of Mormon, even though it was written over 2000 years ago was written for us, and it has been brought forth by our loving Heavenly Father through the prophet Joseph Smith for us to read today. It is so great that He loves us so much that he has given us another volume of holy scripture and we can apply everything to our lives today!
There are so many more reasons why I love this book. The examples of the prophets, the personal ministry of Jesus Christ, the wars, the lessons contained within, there is just so much that you can learn from the Book of Mormon. I encourage all the read it, even if you have already read it, read it again! It is so great and it will invite the spirit into your lives.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Through small and simple things....
This... Is Elder Coles. Missionary life is so crazy! There are so many things going on all the time! I feel especially overwhelmed this transfer. I am serving in two units a ward and a branch and so we have alot of people to see, alot of members to teach and uplift, not to mention all the people investigating the church who we need to see as well, trying to reactivate members who have had some struggles, training a new missionary, preparing trainings for district meetings, continuing to learn the gospel, trying to write my friends letters, trying to make the best blog posts ever.... the list goes on. Despite all of this going on I still continue to love life! I love being busy and trying to balance out everything (which I still fail at but I am getting better). I try to stay calm and I try to remember the scripture in Alma 37:6
"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass"
There is a point that I have reached just recently where I have been trying to magnify my calling so much and trying to do what is right and be 100% focused and be PERFECT... I just realized that I cant do it all. I want to do it all... but I cant. I know now that I just have to keep it simple. To keep life simple. But for real... How simple is the gospel?? Soo simple! Our savior Jesus Christ set the example for us and showed us how we need to live and what we need to do to be happy and taught that faith in him, repentance, baptism by proper authority and recieve the gift of the Holy Ghost and endure to the end is all we need to do to be happy. Thats it. Isnt that great? Its so simple.
"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass"
There is a point that I have reached just recently where I have been trying to magnify my calling so much and trying to do what is right and be 100% focused and be PERFECT... I just realized that I cant do it all. I want to do it all... but I cant. I know now that I just have to keep it simple. To keep life simple. But for real... How simple is the gospel?? Soo simple! Our savior Jesus Christ set the example for us and showed us how we need to live and what we need to do to be happy and taught that faith in him, repentance, baptism by proper authority and recieve the gift of the Holy Ghost and endure to the end is all we need to do to be happy. Thats it. Isnt that great? Its so simple.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Perfection
This... Is Elder Coles. I wish I was perfect. I strive to be better everyday and to be more like the savior... But I fail! All the time! It can be pretty discouraging. I once had a day where I woke up and I said to myself "today I am going to try to be perfect." I think I lasted about two hours. I have come to realize that to be perfect is impossible, and that we are allowed to make mistakes.
One definition of perfect is "never having flaw or error." Only one person has obtained this kind of perfect, and that is our Savior Jesus Christ. We are commanded to be perfect by Jesus Christ (see 3 Nephi 12:48) but the apostle Paul says that "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) But there is another definition of perfect, and that is "having all flaws and errors removed." This definition gives me more hope, and I know that we can become perfect through Jesus Christ. I know that I have been far from perfect in my life, and I wish I could have been better. But feelings of guilt and shame can be taken away through the atonement of Jesus Christ. I know this from personal experience. And I am so grateful for it! Anyways there are some things that have helped me as I have tried to be perfect, and failed.
One of those things is a great quote by Gerald N. Lund:
"Remember that one of Satan’s strategies, especially with good people, is to whisper in their ears: “If you are not perfect, you are failing.” This is one of his most effective deceptions, for it contains some elements of truth. But it is deception nonetheless. While we should never be completely satisfied until we are perfect, we should recognize that God is pleased with every effort we make—no matter how faltering—to better ourselves. One of the most commonly listed attributes of God is that he is long-suffering and quick to show mercy. He wants us to strive for perfection, but the fact that we have not yet achieved it does not mean we are failing."
Another thing that has helped me is I have been studying the book of mormon extensively while I have been out on my mission and I look at the people in it who have had to make mistakes and overcome weaknesses in order to be instruments in the hands of God. One of those people being Alma the younger, who was one of the most "vilest of sinners" and later went on to be a great prophet. (see Mosiah 27) Another being the sons of Mosiah, who later went on to be the greatest missionaries. (see Alma 17-22) And one more being Alma's son Corianton, who was chastised by his father for being immoral on his mission, but who was later listed as a great missionary to bring peace to the Nephites. (see Alma 49:30)
The thing that we need to realize is that we are not expected to be perfect. We are expected to try to be better everyday and as we learn and grow through out this life and the next life we will be able to become perfected!
One definition of perfect is "never having flaw or error." Only one person has obtained this kind of perfect, and that is our Savior Jesus Christ. We are commanded to be perfect by Jesus Christ (see 3 Nephi 12:48) but the apostle Paul says that "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) But there is another definition of perfect, and that is "having all flaws and errors removed." This definition gives me more hope, and I know that we can become perfect through Jesus Christ. I know that I have been far from perfect in my life, and I wish I could have been better. But feelings of guilt and shame can be taken away through the atonement of Jesus Christ. I know this from personal experience. And I am so grateful for it! Anyways there are some things that have helped me as I have tried to be perfect, and failed.
One of those things is a great quote by Gerald N. Lund:
"Remember that one of Satan’s strategies, especially with good people, is to whisper in their ears: “If you are not perfect, you are failing.” This is one of his most effective deceptions, for it contains some elements of truth. But it is deception nonetheless. While we should never be completely satisfied until we are perfect, we should recognize that God is pleased with every effort we make—no matter how faltering—to better ourselves. One of the most commonly listed attributes of God is that he is long-suffering and quick to show mercy. He wants us to strive for perfection, but the fact that we have not yet achieved it does not mean we are failing."
Another thing that has helped me is I have been studying the book of mormon extensively while I have been out on my mission and I look at the people in it who have had to make mistakes and overcome weaknesses in order to be instruments in the hands of God. One of those people being Alma the younger, who was one of the most "vilest of sinners" and later went on to be a great prophet. (see Mosiah 27) Another being the sons of Mosiah, who later went on to be the greatest missionaries. (see Alma 17-22) And one more being Alma's son Corianton, who was chastised by his father for being immoral on his mission, but who was later listed as a great missionary to bring peace to the Nephites. (see Alma 49:30)
The thing that we need to realize is that we are not expected to be perfect. We are expected to try to be better everyday and as we learn and grow through out this life and the next life we will be able to become perfected!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The Big Test
This... Is Elder Coles. I have been trying to look at life in a different light recently, and I have realized how good life is, and how much our Heavenly Father loves us. Our Fathers plan for us is very simple. We lived with him before we came to earth, and we are here to be tested and to recieve a body and if we keep the commandments we can return to live with him. When he presented this plan to us it says in the bible that we "shouted for joy" (Job 38:7) This is kind of how I picture the plan being presented........
I picture our loving Heavenly Father gathering the hosts of heaven so that he can present his plan to us, and he says that we can either choose to accept or reject this plan if we want to. He says "Alright guys here is the plan. I want you all to reach your fullest potential, I really do because I love all of you! I have created a beautiful world for you all to go there and gain bodies! Sounds great right? But in order for you guys to learn, you will need to be tested, and sometimes you will be tempted to do wrong. But guys, dont even worry about it. This test will be open book.
I will give you people who will be in direct contact with me. These people will be called prophets. They will tell you what you need to know to be happy and to return to live with me. Oh, dont worry, you wont have to memorize everything that they say. I will make sure their words are written down in books called scriptures. Guys, remember to study these things, they will help you out and make you happy! Also, I want to give you more things to help you out. I will provide classes so that you can learn these things and you can apply them in your lives. Ok, now I know that you will all make some mistakes, but I will provide a way for you to over come those mistakes. I will provide a savior and you will be able to repent, and as often as you repent I will remember your mistakes no more. Guys, thats not it. You will be able to grow up in a loving atmosphere with earthly parents and families, where you can learn my doctrines and study my gospel in a loving atmosphere. A church will need to be organized as well. And to make sure this church is run right, I will give priesthood authority, which is the power I will give to you to act in My name, and the church will be run by that authority.
I will not leave you comfortless either. I will send the Holy Ghost, the third member of the God head down to dwell with you and to comfort you when needed, and to teach and testify of me. And you know what, if you still need some extra help with this test, you will be able to come to me and talk about your problems with me through prayer. Know that I will always answer prayers, but make sure you are listening very carefully because if you arent you might miss the answer. Guys this plan is going to be great. Do all these things and you will make it back here to live with me, and you will recieve your reward."
Sometimes we need to take a step back and look at all the things that our Heavenly Father has given us. I am so greatful for all the things he has given me!
I picture our loving Heavenly Father gathering the hosts of heaven so that he can present his plan to us, and he says that we can either choose to accept or reject this plan if we want to. He says "Alright guys here is the plan. I want you all to reach your fullest potential, I really do because I love all of you! I have created a beautiful world for you all to go there and gain bodies! Sounds great right? But in order for you guys to learn, you will need to be tested, and sometimes you will be tempted to do wrong. But guys, dont even worry about it. This test will be open book.
I will give you people who will be in direct contact with me. These people will be called prophets. They will tell you what you need to know to be happy and to return to live with me. Oh, dont worry, you wont have to memorize everything that they say. I will make sure their words are written down in books called scriptures. Guys, remember to study these things, they will help you out and make you happy! Also, I want to give you more things to help you out. I will provide classes so that you can learn these things and you can apply them in your lives. Ok, now I know that you will all make some mistakes, but I will provide a way for you to over come those mistakes. I will provide a savior and you will be able to repent, and as often as you repent I will remember your mistakes no more. Guys, thats not it. You will be able to grow up in a loving atmosphere with earthly parents and families, where you can learn my doctrines and study my gospel in a loving atmosphere. A church will need to be organized as well. And to make sure this church is run right, I will give priesthood authority, which is the power I will give to you to act in My name, and the church will be run by that authority.
I will not leave you comfortless either. I will send the Holy Ghost, the third member of the God head down to dwell with you and to comfort you when needed, and to teach and testify of me. And you know what, if you still need some extra help with this test, you will be able to come to me and talk about your problems with me through prayer. Know that I will always answer prayers, but make sure you are listening very carefully because if you arent you might miss the answer. Guys this plan is going to be great. Do all these things and you will make it back here to live with me, and you will recieve your reward."
Sometimes we need to take a step back and look at all the things that our Heavenly Father has given us. I am so greatful for all the things he has given me!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
The Little Things
This... Is Elder Coles. This... Is a story that Elder M. Russell Ballard used in his talk "Finding Joy Through Loving Service" in April 2011 General Conference. It goes like this.......
"Oftentimes we are like the young merchant from Boston, who in 1849, as the story goes, was caught up in the fervor of the California gold rush. He sold all of his possessions to seek his fortune in the California rivers, which he was told were filled with gold nuggets so big that one could hardly carry them.
Day after endless day, the young man dipped his pan into the river and came up empty. His only reward was a growing pile of rocks. Discouraged and broke, he was ready to quit until one day an old, experienced prospector said to him, “That’s quite a pile of rocks you are getting there, my boy.”
Walking over to the pile of rocks, the old prospector said, “Oh, there is gold all right. You just have to know where to find it.” He picked two rocks up in his hands and crashed them together. One of the rocks split open, revealing several flecks of gold sparkling in the sunlight.
Noticing a bulging leather pouch fastened to the prospector’s waist, the young man said, “I’m looking for nuggets like the ones in your pouch, not just tiny flecks.”
The old prospector extended his pouch toward the young man, who looked inside, expecting to see several large nuggets. He was stunned to see that the pouch was filled with thousands of flecks of gold.
The old prospector said, “Son, it seems to me you are so busy looking for large nuggets that you’re missing filling your pouch with these precious flecks of gold. The patient accumulation of these little flecks has brought me great wealth.”
I love this story because I often find myself looking for huge gold nuggets, and not realizing all the small gold flakes around me. This story helps to remind me that there are so many good things around us and that we just need to take time to seek them out and notice them.
"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass;...and the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes."
-Alma 37:6-7
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Choices
This... Is Elder Coles. Life is all about choices. That is one of Gods greatest gifts to us, to be able to choose for ourselves what we will do in life. In 2 Nephi 2:27 it says "Men are free according to the flesh... 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." No one likes to be told what to do, and the freedom to choose or our agency is something that is a gift from God, and will never be taken away from us.
As I review the other things that I have blogged about, they all go back to choices. Weed didnt have to slide down that hill and cut his head open, Frent didnt have to speed to the store and get a speeding ticket, and Creston, Zolan and Frent could have jumped into the lake (and they probly should have). I am so greatful that I can choose for myself what I want to do each day.
Often times we are faced with hard choices we have to make. Each day we are faced with situations that cause us to ask ourselves "Am I going to do the right thing, or the easy thing?" Choosing what is easy (sin, laziness, selfishness) will make life more difficult in the long run. It is hard to do the right thing all the time, because the natural man in us is lazy. But if we "put off the natural man and become a saint"(Mosiah 3:19) that is when everlasting happiness comes. I think that Joshua put it best when he said "choose you this day whom ye will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)
I am so greatful that I chose to come on a mission. Being a missionary often requires me to make hard decisions, and to go outside of my comfort zone and teach others about the gospel of Jesus Christ , it can be scary sometimes! and I know I fail to be as bold as I should be and that I can always do better. But I know that this message is so important, and the more I study it the more I want to proclaim this wonderful message to everyone.
As I review the other things that I have blogged about, they all go back to choices. Weed didnt have to slide down that hill and cut his head open, Frent didnt have to speed to the store and get a speeding ticket, and Creston, Zolan and Frent could have jumped into the lake (and they probly should have). I am so greatful that I can choose for myself what I want to do each day.
Often times we are faced with hard choices we have to make. Each day we are faced with situations that cause us to ask ourselves "Am I going to do the right thing, or the easy thing?" Choosing what is easy (sin, laziness, selfishness) will make life more difficult in the long run. It is hard to do the right thing all the time, because the natural man in us is lazy. But if we "put off the natural man and become a saint"(Mosiah 3:19) that is when everlasting happiness comes. I think that Joshua put it best when he said "choose you this day whom ye will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)
I am so greatful that I chose to come on a mission. Being a missionary often requires me to make hard decisions, and to go outside of my comfort zone and teach others about the gospel of Jesus Christ , it can be scary sometimes! and I know I fail to be as bold as I should be and that I can always do better. But I know that this message is so important, and the more I study it the more I want to proclaim this wonderful message to everyone.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Lets Flip a Coin
This... Is Elder Coles. First off I have to say sorry to the billions of people who are following my blog, and I will be coming out with an official apology in the near future for my lack of posts. I hope you all got your daily laugh and spiritual thought in some other way during these past weeks. But now I'm back, and I'm in a new area of the Tennessee Nashville mission, Green Hills! For those of you who are just tuning in, I'm a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The message that we share will bring anyone who listens (or reads) so much happiness! I know that to be true. But what is happiness? I am reminded of a story that will help me illistrate what happiness is..............
Sometimes when there was a decision to be made by my friends and I back home, we would flip a coin.
"Hey should we eat here or should we eat there?"
"Lets flip a coin."
" Hey should we do nothing today or should we do something?"
"Umm... lets flip a coin."
"Hey should we be good today or should we be bad?"
"Lets flip a coin to find out."
"Should we play with hot wheels or should we play with barbies?"
"Flip it."
"Should we watch High School Musical one... or Three?"
"Lets flip it... and hope it says Three"
"Justin Beiber or Nsync?"
"Either one will do... but lets flip because that is too hard of a decision to make on our own."
It was great fun, because no matter what the coin said, we would do what it told us to do. And 10 times out of 10, it would make the right decision for us. If we said that if the coin lands on heads we go jump off a bridge or if it lands on tails we will go get ice cream, and it lands on heads... you better beleive we would be going to jump off a bridge, because something good was bound happen if we listened. We knew there were special powers in the decision making of the coin. It always made the right decision.
This one day we decided that we would do what we thought was the better option and didnt listen to the coin. We were trying to decide where we were going to eat out that night and everyone wanted to go to this one place that was super good. But, we decided to flip a coin just to make sure we were doing the right thing. We said if it landed on heads, we would go eat there. To our surprise, the coin landed on tails! We thought "woa no way, there must be a glitch or something" We decided to go eat at that place anyways. When we got there... It was closed for no reason! We should have listened......
The coin is like the commandments that our savior Jesus Christ has given us. We can choose to follow his council, or to do what we think is best and do what we want. I can promise you 10 times out of 10 that following the commandments that we have been given will lead to happiness. Its not always easy, but I know that that is where true happieness lies. We often think that a new car, a makeover or a sweet party will make us happy. And they often do... for a time. True and ever lasting happiness comes from keeping the commandments, and living the way God wants us to. It doesnt matter what we do have or dont have in this life. Our deepest and everlasting happiness will come from following Gods commandments for us.
"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."
-Mosiah 2:41
Sometimes when there was a decision to be made by my friends and I back home, we would flip a coin.
"Hey should we eat here or should we eat there?"
"Lets flip a coin."
" Hey should we do nothing today or should we do something?"
"Umm... lets flip a coin."
"Hey should we be good today or should we be bad?"
"Lets flip a coin to find out."
"Should we play with hot wheels or should we play with barbies?"
"Flip it."
"Should we watch High School Musical one... or Three?"
"Lets flip it... and hope it says Three"
"Justin Beiber or Nsync?"
"Either one will do... but lets flip because that is too hard of a decision to make on our own."
It was great fun, because no matter what the coin said, we would do what it told us to do. And 10 times out of 10, it would make the right decision for us. If we said that if the coin lands on heads we go jump off a bridge or if it lands on tails we will go get ice cream, and it lands on heads... you better beleive we would be going to jump off a bridge, because something good was bound happen if we listened. We knew there were special powers in the decision making of the coin. It always made the right decision.
This one day we decided that we would do what we thought was the better option and didnt listen to the coin. We were trying to decide where we were going to eat out that night and everyone wanted to go to this one place that was super good. But, we decided to flip a coin just to make sure we were doing the right thing. We said if it landed on heads, we would go eat there. To our surprise, the coin landed on tails! We thought "woa no way, there must be a glitch or something" We decided to go eat at that place anyways. When we got there... It was closed for no reason! We should have listened......
The coin is like the commandments that our savior Jesus Christ has given us. We can choose to follow his council, or to do what we think is best and do what we want. I can promise you 10 times out of 10 that following the commandments that we have been given will lead to happiness. Its not always easy, but I know that that is where true happieness lies. We often think that a new car, a makeover or a sweet party will make us happy. And they often do... for a time. True and ever lasting happiness comes from keeping the commandments, and living the way God wants us to. It doesnt matter what we do have or dont have in this life. Our deepest and everlasting happiness will come from following Gods commandments for us.
"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."
-Mosiah 2:41
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Overcoming Opposition
This... Is Elder Coles. My companions and I went biking the other day for our P-Day (the one day a week where we get to do laundry, shop, and prepare for our week). It was pretty great, but pretty short because we are all out of shape. It kind of reminded me of this story I heard one time................. (This is a true story, names are of course fictional.)
I once heard about this scout group that was on a biking trip in the canadian rockies. Frent, Creston and Zolan were in this scout group, and they were good friends. They rode this beautiful trail up the a glacier lake, with clear blue water and stunning trees surrounding the lake. There is a glacier that you can climb up into as well. In order to get to the glacier though, you had to walk through a shallow part of the lake. The water was FREEZING! (or so I hear) So the scout group climbs up into this glacier and they have a great time and ate their lunches and laughed together. Then it was time to go back.
" Boys," said Ghys to the scout group, "I'm going to swim accross this lake," and he jumped in the lake and swam accross. It was pretty impressive because the lake was probably like 0 degrees. Then all of the sudden alot of the other kids in the scout group started jumping in and swimming accross!
"Those kids are nuts!," said Frent, who was astounded by their courage.
"Guys, are we going to let them show us up?" Zolan asked Frent and Creston.
"We have to do something big," said Creston. "Lets climb up on top of the glacier, jump in, and then swim accross."
"Then everyone will think we are the coolest!" Frent and Zolan were super excited about this idea. So the three of them climbed up on top of the glacier and were getting ready to jump in, when they did something they all regret to this day. They thought about what they were actually doing, instead of just doing it.
"Guys, this isnt a very good idea, that water is so cold!"
"Pff we can't think about it! Just do it!" By this time it was too late though, and they didnt want to jump in anymore. While they were standing on top of the glacier trying to decide if they were going to jump or not, a group of hikers came walking up to the lake. This was not a ordinary group of hikers though, it was a group of Japanese tourists and there was like 50 of them looking at these boys, telling them to "jump in the lake!" and "do it unless your scared!"
"Awe man we have to do it now!" said Frent, who was ready to jump in. But then, they thought about it again and thought "why would we do this? we will just be cold the whole rest of the way back" and to everyones disapointment, including the Japanese tourists, they didnt jump in.
I often wonder, why is it when we are about to do the greatest good in our lives, that is when opposition is the strongest? Even though I think about this lots, I know what the answer is. The answer is that Satan doesnt want us to do good! So he puts things in our way that will keep us from doing good! Such as fear, or peer pressure, or temptations that we struggle with. Its really annoying. I remember before I came on my mission, I was given so many reasons not to serve. I'm glad I overcame fears and decided to serve a mission.
It is also very frustrating when we are teaching someone about the restored gospel and they are ready to take the biggest step towards Christ, which is baptism by proper authority, and then the opposition hits hardest. They cant find time to read the book of mormon, or to come to church, or they may have a problem with peer pressure from friends. It is always something. But here is a comforting thought. The reason why he hits the hardest then is because he knows you are about to take a step in the right direction. We need to know this, and we need to push throuhg it! We need to say "Satan, why do you even try? You basically just told me that this is a step in the right direction with everything you are throwing at me! I know this is something I need to do, and I will now thwart you in your plans to keep me from choosing the right and I will follow Jesus Christ instead." I know that overcoming tempations and following Jesus Christ is the way to happiness in this life. I hope that when we are about to do the greatest good, and satan starts throwing us curve balls, that we can over come them and follow our Savior Jesus Christ.
(In the story, I'm not sure if they chose the right by not jumping in the lake... or if they should have jumped in but gave in to the tempation of not jumping in the lake... I'll let you decide!)
I once heard about this scout group that was on a biking trip in the canadian rockies. Frent, Creston and Zolan were in this scout group, and they were good friends. They rode this beautiful trail up the a glacier lake, with clear blue water and stunning trees surrounding the lake. There is a glacier that you can climb up into as well. In order to get to the glacier though, you had to walk through a shallow part of the lake. The water was FREEZING! (or so I hear) So the scout group climbs up into this glacier and they have a great time and ate their lunches and laughed together. Then it was time to go back.
" Boys," said Ghys to the scout group, "I'm going to swim accross this lake," and he jumped in the lake and swam accross. It was pretty impressive because the lake was probably like 0 degrees. Then all of the sudden alot of the other kids in the scout group started jumping in and swimming accross!
"Those kids are nuts!," said Frent, who was astounded by their courage.
"Guys, are we going to let them show us up?" Zolan asked Frent and Creston.
"We have to do something big," said Creston. "Lets climb up on top of the glacier, jump in, and then swim accross."
"Then everyone will think we are the coolest!" Frent and Zolan were super excited about this idea. So the three of them climbed up on top of the glacier and were getting ready to jump in, when they did something they all regret to this day. They thought about what they were actually doing, instead of just doing it.
"Guys, this isnt a very good idea, that water is so cold!"
"Pff we can't think about it! Just do it!" By this time it was too late though, and they didnt want to jump in anymore. While they were standing on top of the glacier trying to decide if they were going to jump or not, a group of hikers came walking up to the lake. This was not a ordinary group of hikers though, it was a group of Japanese tourists and there was like 50 of them looking at these boys, telling them to "jump in the lake!" and "do it unless your scared!"
"Awe man we have to do it now!" said Frent, who was ready to jump in. But then, they thought about it again and thought "why would we do this? we will just be cold the whole rest of the way back" and to everyones disapointment, including the Japanese tourists, they didnt jump in.
I often wonder, why is it when we are about to do the greatest good in our lives, that is when opposition is the strongest? Even though I think about this lots, I know what the answer is. The answer is that Satan doesnt want us to do good! So he puts things in our way that will keep us from doing good! Such as fear, or peer pressure, or temptations that we struggle with. Its really annoying. I remember before I came on my mission, I was given so many reasons not to serve. I'm glad I overcame fears and decided to serve a mission.
It is also very frustrating when we are teaching someone about the restored gospel and they are ready to take the biggest step towards Christ, which is baptism by proper authority, and then the opposition hits hardest. They cant find time to read the book of mormon, or to come to church, or they may have a problem with peer pressure from friends. It is always something. But here is a comforting thought. The reason why he hits the hardest then is because he knows you are about to take a step in the right direction. We need to know this, and we need to push throuhg it! We need to say "Satan, why do you even try? You basically just told me that this is a step in the right direction with everything you are throwing at me! I know this is something I need to do, and I will now thwart you in your plans to keep me from choosing the right and I will follow Jesus Christ instead." I know that overcoming tempations and following Jesus Christ is the way to happiness in this life. I hope that when we are about to do the greatest good, and satan starts throwing us curve balls, that we can over come them and follow our Savior Jesus Christ.
(In the story, I'm not sure if they chose the right by not jumping in the lake... or if they should have jumped in but gave in to the tempation of not jumping in the lake... I'll let you decide!)
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Confessions of a Convert
This... Is Elder Coles. I came accross a great blog the other day, and I want to share it! It is written by one of my cousins friends who joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints just recently. Her testimony is amazing and you can tell she knows, just as I do, that this Church is the true church once again restored in its fullness. Click [here] to check it out!
Some other great blogs....
Heed them not
Marvelous Things
Blogs are a great way to share the gospel and I am so happy that I have the opportunity on my mission to try to share the gospel with everyone. If you would like to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints add me as a friend on facebook!
Some other great blogs....
Heed them not
Marvelous Things
Blogs are a great way to share the gospel and I am so happy that I have the opportunity on my mission to try to share the gospel with everyone. If you would like to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints add me as a friend on facebook!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Kung Fu Panda
This... Is Elder Coles. My favorite movie of all time is Kung Fu Panda. One might say I like it a little too much. Sometimes my parents would be looking for my little sister (7 years old) and would hear that Kung Fu Panda was playing downstairs and they would assume that it was her who was watching it and they would come down stairs expecting to find her but instead they see me sitting there watching Kung Fu Panda by myself and having the time of my life. It is just so great. Examples of how awesome it is....
"I see you like to chew. Then perhaps you should chew ON MY FIST!"
"He was so deadly, that his enemies would go blind from over exposure to pure awesomness!"
"There is no charge for awesomness... or attractivness."
"The invisible trident of destiny!"
"I've only seen paintings of that painting!"
"Ok, I'll go now...Your awesome... last thing I'm going to say."
"I'm not dying you idiot!"
"Hey! Those are sensitive in the flabby parts."
"Skadoosh"
I could quote this movie forever. But there is a message contained in this movie that I want to focus on.
When Po is given the dragon scroll (the scroll is the key to limitless power) he looks at it and its a mirror. Po sees his reflection and says "its blank!" Po did not understand where the power from the dragon scroll came from at first, until he spoke with his dad.
Po's dad:"I think its time I tell you something I should have told you a long time ago"
Po: "What is it?"
Po's dad: "The secret ingredient to my secret ingredient soup. The secret is... nothing!"
Po: "Huh? You mean its just plain noodle soup? You dont add some kind of special sauce or something?"
Po's dad: "Nope, you dont have to. To make something special you just have to believe its special."
Po then looks at the dragon scroll again and sees his reflection and says "there is no secret ingredient!"
I love the message that this movie gives. To make something special you just have to believe its special. To feel special you have to believe you are special. How special we are. We are all children of God. Sometimes, we forget this message, and we focus on how ordinary we are. There is so much we can learn from this movie though. When we look in the mirror and see our reflections do we say like Tai Lung does in the movie "Its nothing!" That is exactly what satan wants us to think. But if we look in the mirror and we say to ourselves "I am a child of God, and I am special," then we can reach our full potential, just as Po did. The gospel of Jesus Christ has helped me realize that I am a child of God, and that I have so much potential, and that he loves me!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Love
This... Is Elder Coles. I have been out here for four months now and I feel like I should be using more stories from my mission on this blog. So thats what I'm going to do. This one day.............
It was 10:00 pm. We had a hard day full of missionary work and we were super tired. After planning out our next day, we layed on the couch like fat blobs for a long time, not saying anything to eachother, just lying there. I was feeling so lazy and I was contemplating just going to sleep right there on the couch and not even going to my bed. My companion Elder Olsen felt the same way.
It was almost bed time and Elder Olsen said to me "Elder Coles carry me to bed."
"Dude are you joking me??" I was amazed that he would ask me something like that. "I cant even get myself up the stairs to bed, let alone carrying a big guy like you up there with me!"
Then, Elder Olsen said something to me that made me think.
"Elder Coles, if you love me, keep my commandments. I command you to carry me up to bed."
Now at this point, I wanted to punch Elder Olsen in the face. But then I thought about what he said, and I do love the guy.
"Elder Coles, keep my commandments," he said to me again
Then I was like you know what, he is right. I'm gonna do it! So I jumped up off of the couch, picked him up(he is 185 pounds) like a princess, and carried him up the stairs and I put him to bed. I was super, super tired after that, and we all slept like babies that night, and I felt good about what I did for my companion.
Jesus has said these same words to us. "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15) What a simple, yet powerful statement. If we really do love someone, then we are going to do everything we can to do what they ask of us right? Why is it that we as childeren obey our parents? Why do we do what our husbands or wives ask of us? Why do we try help out our brothers and sisters when they ask for it? It is because we love them. Do we love the savior enough to keep his commandments that he has given us?
Sometimes, it is very hard to do what the savior asks of us. There is so much temptation in this world that looks so appealing that sometimes we do break some of his commandments. We all do. But, the savior loves us. And we can be forgiven because of him.
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." (John 15:13-14)
Jesus Christ loves us so much that he layed down his life for us, so that we might be saved if we listen to him and keep his commandments. I am so greatful for this love, and I want to show my love for him by keeping his commandments.
It was 10:00 pm. We had a hard day full of missionary work and we were super tired. After planning out our next day, we layed on the couch like fat blobs for a long time, not saying anything to eachother, just lying there. I was feeling so lazy and I was contemplating just going to sleep right there on the couch and not even going to my bed. My companion Elder Olsen felt the same way.
It was almost bed time and Elder Olsen said to me "Elder Coles carry me to bed."
"Dude are you joking me??" I was amazed that he would ask me something like that. "I cant even get myself up the stairs to bed, let alone carrying a big guy like you up there with me!"
Then, Elder Olsen said something to me that made me think.
"Elder Coles, if you love me, keep my commandments. I command you to carry me up to bed."
Now at this point, I wanted to punch Elder Olsen in the face. But then I thought about what he said, and I do love the guy.
"Elder Coles, keep my commandments," he said to me again
Then I was like you know what, he is right. I'm gonna do it! So I jumped up off of the couch, picked him up(he is 185 pounds) like a princess, and carried him up the stairs and I put him to bed. I was super, super tired after that, and we all slept like babies that night, and I felt good about what I did for my companion.
Jesus has said these same words to us. "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15) What a simple, yet powerful statement. If we really do love someone, then we are going to do everything we can to do what they ask of us right? Why is it that we as childeren obey our parents? Why do we do what our husbands or wives ask of us? Why do we try help out our brothers and sisters when they ask for it? It is because we love them. Do we love the savior enough to keep his commandments that he has given us?
Sometimes, it is very hard to do what the savior asks of us. There is so much temptation in this world that looks so appealing that sometimes we do break some of his commandments. We all do. But, the savior loves us. And we can be forgiven because of him.
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." (John 15:13-14)
Jesus Christ loves us so much that he layed down his life for us, so that we might be saved if we listen to him and keep his commandments. I am so greatful for this love, and I want to show my love for him by keeping his commandments.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Storms
This... Is Elder Coles. We just went through a crazy storm the other day. We were driving and it was raining so hard we couldnt even see out our windows! The wind was blowing trees over and ripping roofs off of buildings. It was nuts. And kind of scary. The rain and wind was so powerful! Anyways this kind of reminds me of a story. This one day....... (This is a true story... and I am in this one.)
Last summer, we were watching a lighning storm and I took this picture
Pretty legit right?
The end
Alma 30:44
"Though hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator."
Thinking about the storm... looking at this picture of lightning that I captured on camera with my lightning quick reflexes... It just reminds me that there is a God, and that He is all powerful. I can testify that there is a God who loves us and wants the best for us, and has given us this opportunity to live on this earth and to learn and grow.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Family
This... Is Elder Coles. I looove my family. They are the greatest. I am so thankful that I was able to come to this earth and to be with them. I grew up in a loving atmosphere with my brothers and sisters and I learned how to live the teachings of Jesus Christ and how I can be happy after I am all grown up.
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| My family |
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Mommy and Daddy |
I loved growing up in a big family and I love all my siblings the same. My brother, Weston, we are a year apart. We grew up together. We had the same group of friends, we hung out all the time, and we had some good times together. Here are just a few of those good times.
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| preparing for our missions |
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| At my brother Matts wedding |
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| Me squishing his head |
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| Me with my two brothers before I came to Tennesse |
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| Being Nerds |
Sigh... Good times.
Like I said before. I love my family. I wish I had more pictures with my other siblings. The family is one of the most important things that we are apart of. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has put out an official statement called The Family: A Proclamation to the World to emphasise how important family is. One of the greatest blessings we have now is the oportunity to be sealed as families for time and all eternity in one of the Lords Holy Temples here on this earth. I am so happy that I am sealed to my family and that I will be with them for ever.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Joseph Smith
This... Is Elder Coles. Joseph Smith is great. He truly was called of God to restore the church of Jesus Christ back onto the earth. This one day........... This is a true story (that didn't happen to me), but I'm going to tell it like it happened to me. This happened to Joseph Smith. For more details go to Joseph Smith History.
It was early spring in the year 1820. I was confused. You see, At this time there was great religious excitement in the region of the country where I lived, and it seemed like the whole district of the country was affected by it. There were great multitudes of people uniting themselves together into different religious parties, some contending for the Methodist faith, some for Presbyterian and some the the Baptist. Priest contending against priest, convert against convert. It was a very confusing time for me. After attending different churches and different meetings, I was still confused, because they all understood the same passages of scriptures so differently.
I often asked myself "What is to be done? Which of all these parties are right; or are they all wrong together? If any one of them are right which is it, and how shall I know it?" I decided to turn to the Bible for answers. I was reading in the book of James in the New Testament, and I came across a scripture in the first chapter in verse five that struck me with more power than any verse I have ever read before. The verse 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." I thought if any one lacked wisdom at this time, I did. I decided that I would do as James directed, and to ask God which church I should join.
I retired to a grove of trees and I knelt down and started to pray. When I started to pray, I received an answer that I was not expecting.
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: "Joseph, this is My Beloved Son. Hear Him"
All I wanted to do was to find out which church I should join. I was answered that I should join none of them. But I had actually seen a vision. I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither would I dare deny it.
This... Is Elder Coles again. This actually happened. God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith and answered his prayer. He was later called to be a prophet, translate the book of mormon, and restore the Church of Jesus Christ back onto this earth. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints has the fullness of the gospel, and a fullness of truth is where true happiness lies.
It was early spring in the year 1820. I was confused. You see, At this time there was great religious excitement in the region of the country where I lived, and it seemed like the whole district of the country was affected by it. There were great multitudes of people uniting themselves together into different religious parties, some contending for the Methodist faith, some for Presbyterian and some the the Baptist. Priest contending against priest, convert against convert. It was a very confusing time for me. After attending different churches and different meetings, I was still confused, because they all understood the same passages of scriptures so differently.
I often asked myself "What is to be done? Which of all these parties are right; or are they all wrong together? If any one of them are right which is it, and how shall I know it?" I decided to turn to the Bible for answers. I was reading in the book of James in the New Testament, and I came across a scripture in the first chapter in verse five that struck me with more power than any verse I have ever read before. The verse 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." I thought if any one lacked wisdom at this time, I did. I decided that I would do as James directed, and to ask God which church I should join.
I retired to a grove of trees and I knelt down and started to pray. When I started to pray, I received an answer that I was not expecting.
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: "Joseph, this is My Beloved Son. Hear Him"
All I wanted to do was to find out which church I should join. I was answered that I should join none of them. But I had actually seen a vision. I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither would I dare deny it.
This... Is Elder Coles again. This actually happened. God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith and answered his prayer. He was later called to be a prophet, translate the book of mormon, and restore the Church of Jesus Christ back onto this earth. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints has the fullness of the gospel, and a fullness of truth is where true happiness lies.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Restoration of Truth
This... Is Elder Coles. I like the game telephone... even though it is probably the silliest games ever, I still like it. I seem to like to do alot of silly things. Anyways this one day we were playing telephone........... (Based on a true story, and I'm actually in this one.)
The game of telephone was about to start. Everyone... and I mean everyone was getting so excited for this game. This was going to be legendary... because none other than Roe Vonson was going to be starting off the game with the best line ever to be passed around the circle. Roe... started the game.
"Be excellent to each other... and... Party on dudes!" It was the most epic line anyone had ever heard in the history of the game of telephone. The person who he whispered it to (Spanner) was blown away. As Spanner gained his composure... he passed it on to the next person. I was sitting about half way around the circle when the line was whispered into my ear.
"ashweshababashooweeshabba... Party on dudes!" I was confused. I didn't really understand why everyone thought this line was so cool... because it didn't make any sense. I whispered it into my friends ear, and apparently I am no good at this game and she just laughed the whole time I was telling her the epic line. Long story short... the most epic line in telephone history got distorted and the only way we found out what the line was at the end Roe stood up and told everyone what the line was.
Alright... lets tie this to the gospel. Jesus Christ came down to earth, and while he was on this earth he established His church. He didn't establish 1000 churches like we see today. He established HIS 1 church. Jesus knew he would be slain for the sins of the world, so he gave his priesthood authority to his apostles and they were to take charge and run the church after he left. The people listened for a time, but then they killed the apostles as well, and that priesthood authority was taken off the earth along with the apostles. Without this authority, people relied on human wisdom to make sure the church ran smoothly, and some plain and precious truths were lost and distorted to conform to the ways of men, such as baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost (kind of like how the most epic line in the game of telephone was distorted) and many churches were formed. The only way that Jesus' church could be established once again, (and the only way Roe's epic line could be known to everyone) is he had to come down and appear to someone and call them to establish his church once again, and that is exactly what he did.
The game of telephone was about to start. Everyone... and I mean everyone was getting so excited for this game. This was going to be legendary... because none other than Roe Vonson was going to be starting off the game with the best line ever to be passed around the circle. Roe... started the game.
"Be excellent to each other... and... Party on dudes!" It was the most epic line anyone had ever heard in the history of the game of telephone. The person who he whispered it to (Spanner) was blown away. As Spanner gained his composure... he passed it on to the next person. I was sitting about half way around the circle when the line was whispered into my ear.
"ashweshababashooweeshabba... Party on dudes!" I was confused. I didn't really understand why everyone thought this line was so cool... because it didn't make any sense. I whispered it into my friends ear, and apparently I am no good at this game and she just laughed the whole time I was telling her the epic line. Long story short... the most epic line in telephone history got distorted and the only way we found out what the line was at the end Roe stood up and told everyone what the line was.
Alright... lets tie this to the gospel. Jesus Christ came down to earth, and while he was on this earth he established His church. He didn't establish 1000 churches like we see today. He established HIS 1 church. Jesus knew he would be slain for the sins of the world, so he gave his priesthood authority to his apostles and they were to take charge and run the church after he left. The people listened for a time, but then they killed the apostles as well, and that priesthood authority was taken off the earth along with the apostles. Without this authority, people relied on human wisdom to make sure the church ran smoothly, and some plain and precious truths were lost and distorted to conform to the ways of men, such as baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost (kind of like how the most epic line in the game of telephone was distorted) and many churches were formed. The only way that Jesus' church could be established once again, (and the only way Roe's epic line could be known to everyone) is he had to come down and appear to someone and call them to establish his church once again, and that is exactly what he did.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The Atonement
This... Is Elder Coles. I... really just want to share this dream that Jeffery R. Holland shared in one of his Ensign articles. This is a dream that Elder Orson F. Whitney had while he was on his mission.
“One night I dreamed … that I was in the Garden of Gethsemane, a witness of the Savior’s agony. … I stood behind a tree in the foreground. … Jesus, with Peter, James, and John, came through a little wicket gate at my right. Leaving the three Apostles there, after telling them to kneel and pray, He passed over to the other side, where He also knelt and prayed … : ‘Oh my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will but as Thou wilt.’
“As He prayed the tears streamed down His face, which was [turned] toward me. I was so moved at the sight that I wept also, out of pure sympathy with His great sorrow. My whole heart went out to Him. I loved Him with all my soul and longed to be with Him as I longed for nothing else.
“Presently He arose and walked to where those Apostles were kneeling—fast asleep! He shook them gently, awoke them, and in a tone of tender reproach, untinctured by the least show of anger or scolding, asked them if they could not watch with Him one hour. …
“Returning to His place, He prayed again and then went back and found them again sleeping. Again He awoke them, admonished them, and returned and prayed as before. Three times this happened, until I was perfectly familiar with His appearance—face, form, and movements. He was of noble stature and of majestic mien … the very God that He was and is, yet as meek and lowly as a little child.
“All at once the circumstance seemed to change. … Instead of before, it was after the Crucifixion, and the Savior, with those three Apostles, now stood together in a group at my left. They were about to depart and ascend into heaven. I could endure it no longer. I ran from behind the tree, fell at His feet, clasped Him around the knees, and begged Him to take me with Him.
“I shall never forget the kind and gentle manner in which He stooped and raised me up and embraced me. It was so vivid, so real that I felt the very warmth of His bosom against which I rested. Then He said: ‘No, my son; these have finished their work, and they may go with me; but you must stay and finish yours.’ Still I clung to Him. Gazing up into His face—for He was taller than I—I besought Him most earnestly: ‘Well, promise me that I will come to You at the last.’ He smiled sweetly and tenderly and replied: ‘That will depend entirely upon yourself.’ I awoke with a sob in my throat, and it was morning."
The atonement of Jesus Christ is real. He did suffer for our sins, and because he did we are able to repent and become clean again if we turn to him and have faith in his atonement and repent and be baptized. I love the savior and everything he has done for me!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
The Light of Christ
This... Is Elder Coles. For some reason, I have gotten alot of speeding tickets. I have no idea why though..... Well maybe I do. I may have driven faster than I should have a few times. This one day........... (This is a true story, names are fictional of course)
Frent, Frooke and Weed were playing together on a fine summers day. They were sitting in the grass, giggling like they always do but not really doing anything wholesome.
"Alright lets go do something," said Weed. They pondered and pondered on something that we could do and finally...
"I want an Ipod touch, lets go buy one," Frent said.
"You know those are like 250$ right Frent?" Weed asked.
"Yeah I know, but I just decided I need one so I'm going to buy one right now! But I dont want to drive... can one of you drive?"
"No Frent, if you want it you have to buy it."
Frent realllly didnt want to drive. But he had already made up his mind he was going to buy and Ipod touch. Today. So he gave in and he drove to the store which was about 45 minutes away. Because Frent didn't want to drive, he thought the faster they got there, the faster he could stop driving.
"Frent, maybe you should slow down!" said Frooke, who was freaking out.
"Pff no way I never get pulled over." They made it safely to the next town without getting pulled over.
"Alright Frent you really should slow down there are so many cops in this next town, you will get a ticket for sure!" Frooke really wanted to make sure Frent didnt get a ticket.
"Pff no way I never get pulled over."
Sigh.... Frent should have listened to Frooke. Frent got pulled over and he got a ticket :(
Have you ever noticed, when you are about to do something wrong, or if you are doing something wrong, there is always something inside of you telling you that it is wrong? In this example, there was someone literally telling Frent that he was doing something wrong, and I'm sure there was something inside of Frent telling him what he was doing was wrong as well. This feeling we get is a gift from our Heavenly Father to us. In the Book of Mormon in Moroni 7:16-17 it says
"For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him."
We talk to alot of people who smoke and drink, and everytime that subject comes up they say "I know its wrong and I really should quit." How do they know its wrong? It is the light of Christ which is in them telling them that they are harming their bodies. We sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that those things will make us happy. And they might, for a time. True happiness comes from following that voice telling us what we should and shouldnt be doing. I would invite you all to re-evaluate yourselves on if you are following what the light of Christ in you is telling you what to do. If not, you might be getting a ticket!
Frent, Frooke and Weed were playing together on a fine summers day. They were sitting in the grass, giggling like they always do but not really doing anything wholesome.
"Alright lets go do something," said Weed. They pondered and pondered on something that we could do and finally...
"I want an Ipod touch, lets go buy one," Frent said.
"You know those are like 250$ right Frent?" Weed asked.
"Yeah I know, but I just decided I need one so I'm going to buy one right now! But I dont want to drive... can one of you drive?"
"No Frent, if you want it you have to buy it."
Frent realllly didnt want to drive. But he had already made up his mind he was going to buy and Ipod touch. Today. So he gave in and he drove to the store which was about 45 minutes away. Because Frent didn't want to drive, he thought the faster they got there, the faster he could stop driving.
"Frent, maybe you should slow down!" said Frooke, who was freaking out.
"Pff no way I never get pulled over." They made it safely to the next town without getting pulled over.
"Alright Frent you really should slow down there are so many cops in this next town, you will get a ticket for sure!" Frooke really wanted to make sure Frent didnt get a ticket.
"Pff no way I never get pulled over."
Sigh.... Frent should have listened to Frooke. Frent got pulled over and he got a ticket :(
Have you ever noticed, when you are about to do something wrong, or if you are doing something wrong, there is always something inside of you telling you that it is wrong? In this example, there was someone literally telling Frent that he was doing something wrong, and I'm sure there was something inside of Frent telling him what he was doing was wrong as well. This feeling we get is a gift from our Heavenly Father to us. In the Book of Mormon in Moroni 7:16-17 it says
"For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him."
We talk to alot of people who smoke and drink, and everytime that subject comes up they say "I know its wrong and I really should quit." How do they know its wrong? It is the light of Christ which is in them telling them that they are harming their bodies. We sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that those things will make us happy. And they might, for a time. True happiness comes from following that voice telling us what we should and shouldnt be doing. I would invite you all to re-evaluate yourselves on if you are following what the light of Christ in you is telling you what to do. If not, you might be getting a ticket!
“I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness.”
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
The possibilities
This... Is Elder Coles. I grew up in a small town called Taber in southern Alberta in Canada. Because we lived in a small town, we were often bored and we had to be creative to have some fun. This one day.........(This is a true story, names are fictional of course)
It was raining. It was cold (probably like 3 degrees Celsius, 38 degrees Fahrenheit.) Frent was over at his friend Bensers house and they were sitting there, looking out the window, wishing the rain would stop. There was no sign that the rain was going to stop. Just when they were about to be lame and go play video games, they got a phone call.
"Yo whats up," it was their good buddies Clarren and Spanner. "We are going to be picking you up, and we are doing something so crazy, we will have no choice but to have fun. Prepare yourselves mentally and physically for our coming." And they hung up. Frent and Benser had no idea what to do, so they just waited for them to come over, and when they did, their minds were blown.
Oh yeah... they ghetto tied a canoe the top of a car. Frent and Benser were freakin out and were excited for this epic adventure they were about to embark on. They took them to a nearby pond where they canoed around in the freezing cold. It wasn't as fun as they thought it would be. It was too cold and they were all wet when they were done. (It was actually pretty fun.)
Alright... I know exactly what your thinking. What does this have to do with anything?? How can this story bring me closer to Christ?? Well lets see if we can apply this to life.
I know that there is so much more we can get out of life then tying a canoe to the top of our beat up cars. Life has so much more to offer, and we should not sell ourselves short and aim to go canoeing in the rain. We can be with our families forever, we can find true peace and happiness in this life, and eternal salvation in the life to come. If you feel like there is something missing in your life, I know you can find it. Often times we give up looking for how we can fill that missing thing, and settle for something short and we go canoeing in the rain. But I testify that we are capable of so much more. In Romans 8:16-17 it says: "The spirit beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the childeren of God: And if childeren, the heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified."
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints teaches the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and will help anyone find that thing they are looking for, and will help them get more out of life. Realize how special you are, how special everyone is, and that no one has to settle for anything short of eternal life. I have been trying to do this, and help people not settle for anything, but to help them get the most out of life, and I do this by inviting others to come unto Christ, and to find true happiness, because that is where true happiness lies.
It was raining. It was cold (probably like 3 degrees Celsius, 38 degrees Fahrenheit.) Frent was over at his friend Bensers house and they were sitting there, looking out the window, wishing the rain would stop. There was no sign that the rain was going to stop. Just when they were about to be lame and go play video games, they got a phone call.
"Yo whats up," it was their good buddies Clarren and Spanner. "We are going to be picking you up, and we are doing something so crazy, we will have no choice but to have fun. Prepare yourselves mentally and physically for our coming." And they hung up. Frent and Benser had no idea what to do, so they just waited for them to come over, and when they did, their minds were blown.
Oh yeah... they ghetto tied a canoe the top of a car. Frent and Benser were freakin out and were excited for this epic adventure they were about to embark on. They took them to a nearby pond where they canoed around in the freezing cold. It wasn't as fun as they thought it would be. It was too cold and they were all wet when they were done. (It was actually pretty fun.)
Alright... I know exactly what your thinking. What does this have to do with anything?? How can this story bring me closer to Christ?? Well lets see if we can apply this to life.
I know that there is so much more we can get out of life then tying a canoe to the top of our beat up cars. Life has so much more to offer, and we should not sell ourselves short and aim to go canoeing in the rain. We can be with our families forever, we can find true peace and happiness in this life, and eternal salvation in the life to come. If you feel like there is something missing in your life, I know you can find it. Often times we give up looking for how we can fill that missing thing, and settle for something short and we go canoeing in the rain. But I testify that we are capable of so much more. In Romans 8:16-17 it says: "The spirit beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the childeren of God: And if childeren, the heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified."
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints teaches the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and will help anyone find that thing they are looking for, and will help them get more out of life. Realize how special you are, how special everyone is, and that no one has to settle for anything short of eternal life. I have been trying to do this, and help people not settle for anything, but to help them get the most out of life, and I do this by inviting others to come unto Christ, and to find true happiness, because that is where true happiness lies.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
It might look fun but...
This... Is Elder Coles. I like to have fun. I have a super fun group of friends back home. They are nuts. We liked to do some crazy things and have good clean fun. This one day.................(This is a true story, names are fictional of course).
On a fine wintery day in southern Alberta, there were some kids who were quite bored. There names were Creston, Frent, Weed and Frooke. It was cold out, and there was snow on the ground. But this did not dampen their spirits. Oh no it did not.
"Lets go sledding!" Creston said.
"YEAH!!" said Frent, Weed and Frooke, all in unison.So they decided to go to the tallest, biggest most dangerous hill they could find. And let me tell you, I have heard about this hill, and its nuts. The journey to get there was just as nuts. Climbing through bushes, going up and down hills, sliding accross a pond of ice they werent sure would hold them. Oh I'm sure it was epic. So when they got there, naturally they were not about to go home until they had a few good runs down this hill. It was nicknamed King Hill. I've heard it is a 67 degree angle. When they got there, they were scared.
"Guys, I dont know if this is a good idea..." said Frooke who was very scared.
"Oh come on Frooke you only live life once," said Weed, quite rudely. "I'm gonna go for it! Punk aint dead!"
And he jumped on his sled down the hill.
Weed found out very quickly that this was not a good idea. . Oh no it was not. Weed thought it looked safe to go. But oh no it was not. The hill was sheer ice and Weed probly went down at 40mph and half way down he scraped his face and there was blood everywhere. This was not a pretty scene His friends saw that he was hurt and they got him up and took him to the hospital where they patched him up and life was good again. But they learned a lesson. Even though something looks fun, it doesnt always have the best outcome.
You are probly wondering... why is he telling this story?? What does this have to do with helping others come unto Christ?? Well... lets tie this to a story in the book of mormon. In 1 Nephi chapters 11-14 Nephi is recieving insight on a vision that his father recently had, known as the vision of the tree of life. In this vision Lehi beheld a tree "that was desirable to make one happy... and it is the love of God" and a straight and narrow path led to this tree, along with a rod of iron. In 1 Nephi 11:22-23, talking about the tree, it says "yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the childeren of men; wherefore it is the most desirable above all things... Yea, and most joyous to the soul." The love of God is something that everyone desires, but people do not know where to find it. So, they go and do things that look fun and that bring them happiness for a time, but end up hurting them in the end. Did you make the connection?? We need to stay on the straight and narrow path that leads to the tree of life, and not deviate by doing things that bring us short term happiness, like drinking and smoking, and sledding down hills that look fun, but to search for the long term happiness, and that is Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Being Phat
This... Is Elder Coles. I often ask myself... why are missionaries so fat?? Statistics say that 74% of all missionaries gain at least 40 pounds on their mission, and that only 32% of all missionaries who go home lose that weight. (Statistics also say that 94% of all statistics are made up on the spot... just like those ones were.) I have been out three months and I have gained 10 pounds, and that is alot of weight gain for me, who has weighed 155 pounds for the last 3 years of my life. If I keep at this pace... I should be about... 240 pounds when I get home. My gosh. I hope I dont keep at this pace. Food is something we like as missionaries. Why? I dont really know it must just come with the name tag.
There are alot of ways that you can get fat. There is a way though that you can get PHat. See there is a big difference between being fat and being phat, and who doesnt want to be phat?? Because being phat just means that you are the coolest ever. Let me explain how you can become phat...
1. In 2 Nephi 32:3 it says:
"Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore I said unto you, feast upon the words for Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do."
2. In 2 Nephi 9:51 it says:
"... and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness."
Yes, to become phat we must feast on the words of Christ. Studying the words of Christ help us to be more like Christ, and that is when we become the coolest ever. I feel like I am getting phatter and phatter each day (maybe a little fatter to) because I study the Book of Mormon each day (and I eat lots). So this is my invitation to you all, to join with me in becoming phat, and to read the Book of Mormon.
There are alot of ways that you can get fat. There is a way though that you can get PHat. See there is a big difference between being fat and being phat, and who doesnt want to be phat?? Because being phat just means that you are the coolest ever. Let me explain how you can become phat...
1. In 2 Nephi 32:3 it says:
"Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore I said unto you, feast upon the words for Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do."
2. In 2 Nephi 9:51 it says:
"... and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness."
Yes, to become phat we must feast on the words of Christ. Studying the words of Christ help us to be more like Christ, and that is when we become the coolest ever. I feel like I am getting phatter and phatter each day (maybe a little fatter to) because I study the Book of Mormon each day (and I eat lots). So this is my invitation to you all, to join with me in becoming phat, and to read the Book of Mormon.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Serving a Mission
This... Is Elder Coles. Some people have asked me... "Why are you serving a mission?? Why give up TWO years of your life? You could be going to school... playing with your friends... working... getting married... and you put all that off to serve a mission?? Why??"
Then I say "I dont know" and then I want to go home.....
JOKES!
I know exactly why I'm out here.
1. The prophet of our church has commanded that every able young man should serve a mission. I want to be obedient to the man who was called by God to lead the restored church of Jesus Christ today. Simple as that.
2. I know how much happiness this gospel can bring, and I want to share that with others. The message of the restoration of the gospel improves the quality of peoples lives. I know that to be true because I have seen it. In others lives as well as in my own life. Knowing that Heavenly Father loves me enough to restore his church, the church that Jesus Christ established, built upon apostles and prophets, while he was on the earth, is very comforting. I want to do everything I can to be obedient to what I know to be true, and as I have done so and as others have done so, nothing but blessings come from it. True, it is impossible to escape the hardships of day to day life, and no one is exempt from the challenges that life has to offer, but God loves us... and his Gospel has been restored back on the earth... and we have a Prophet to lead and guide us... and we can be with our families forever... how great is that?? I'll tell you how great its super great and I am happy knowing these things, and I want others to know about it as well.
3. The growth that takes place as I live the Gospel everyday for two years. Not everyone gets the opportunity to have personal study and study the scriptures for an hour each morning, then have companionship study for an hour each morning, then go out and try to find people who are looking for the truth and who are ready to hear the message we share for the next 10 hours, and then go home and sleep and then do it again the next day for two years. Not to mention the many trainings that we do to help us become better teachers, and throw in about 14 prayers each day. Like I said, not everyone is able to do these things, but luckily I have the opportunity to do so, and the growth and development has been nuts. It has been said "The study of the gospel will change behavior, better than a study of behavior will change behavior." I know this to be true as well, and I know that these two years will help me grow and become a man better than anything else I could be doing right now.
4. It has been said the more you walk around in the rain and snow looking for people to teach the hotter your wife will be when you get home?? I dont know this to be true but I sure am hoping.
5. Developing a relationship with the Savior. I have gotten to know him more in these last 3 months than I have ever in my life. And I still have 21 months to get to know him even better. Holy cow. I am looking forward to these next 21 months. Gaining a knowledge of what the savior really has done for me and for everyone is pretty tough. The atonement is so complex, I probably wont ever understand it. But I can try. And as I do so I come closer to the savior and life is better because of it.
These are the reasons why I am out here on a mission. I know that I will be blessed for my service and I am able to be a blessing to others as well. I know that this church is true and the work we do as missionaries is a sacred thing and I am greatful for the opportunity I have to serve a mission!
Then I say "I dont know" and then I want to go home.....
JOKES!
I know exactly why I'm out here.
1. The prophet of our church has commanded that every able young man should serve a mission. I want to be obedient to the man who was called by God to lead the restored church of Jesus Christ today. Simple as that.
2. I know how much happiness this gospel can bring, and I want to share that with others. The message of the restoration of the gospel improves the quality of peoples lives. I know that to be true because I have seen it. In others lives as well as in my own life. Knowing that Heavenly Father loves me enough to restore his church, the church that Jesus Christ established, built upon apostles and prophets, while he was on the earth, is very comforting. I want to do everything I can to be obedient to what I know to be true, and as I have done so and as others have done so, nothing but blessings come from it. True, it is impossible to escape the hardships of day to day life, and no one is exempt from the challenges that life has to offer, but God loves us... and his Gospel has been restored back on the earth... and we have a Prophet to lead and guide us... and we can be with our families forever... how great is that?? I'll tell you how great its super great and I am happy knowing these things, and I want others to know about it as well.
3. The growth that takes place as I live the Gospel everyday for two years. Not everyone gets the opportunity to have personal study and study the scriptures for an hour each morning, then have companionship study for an hour each morning, then go out and try to find people who are looking for the truth and who are ready to hear the message we share for the next 10 hours, and then go home and sleep and then do it again the next day for two years. Not to mention the many trainings that we do to help us become better teachers, and throw in about 14 prayers each day. Like I said, not everyone is able to do these things, but luckily I have the opportunity to do so, and the growth and development has been nuts. It has been said "The study of the gospel will change behavior, better than a study of behavior will change behavior." I know this to be true as well, and I know that these two years will help me grow and become a man better than anything else I could be doing right now.
4. It has been said the more you walk around in the rain and snow looking for people to teach the hotter your wife will be when you get home?? I dont know this to be true but I sure am hoping.
5. Developing a relationship with the Savior. I have gotten to know him more in these last 3 months than I have ever in my life. And I still have 21 months to get to know him even better. Holy cow. I am looking forward to these next 21 months. Gaining a knowledge of what the savior really has done for me and for everyone is pretty tough. The atonement is so complex, I probably wont ever understand it. But I can try. And as I do so I come closer to the savior and life is better because of it.
These are the reasons why I am out here on a mission. I know that I will be blessed for my service and I am able to be a blessing to others as well. I know that this church is true and the work we do as missionaries is a sacred thing and I am greatful for the opportunity I have to serve a mission!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
The Plan Of Salvation
This... Is Elder Coles. I was sitting here trying to decide what to blog about and I kept on staring at the title of my last blog and about how true it is. He WILL give you help. That video was great. I think it really captured how Darren was feeling after Bean's death and how he got through that hard time. I testify that knowing the plan of salvation and the atonement, along with praying and asking for the Lord to comfort him through this hard time was the only way that he got through it. I know this to be true, because I was also Bean's best friend and that is the only way I got through it. Beans had a tonne of best friends, who knew about the plan of salvation and thats how they got through it. Death is not an easy thing to deal with. Believe me, even with this knowledge, it still wasn't easy. Its never easy to deal with. But knowing where he was going and that life does not end after we depart from this life and that our spirits live on, that is where the comfort lies. In the book of Alma in the Book of Mormon, it sheds a little more light on what happens to our spirits after we die. I am so greatful for the plan of salvation and how perfect the plan is. I am greatful for our loving Heavenly Father who in his infinate wisdom and mercy reaveals these things to us through his prophets. I can testify of the reality of the power of prayer, and how he is always there to lift me up when I am feeling down. I know that He WILL give you help!
Friday, February 25, 2011
He will give you help
The person who stars in this video is one of my best friends from back home Darren Haslam!! He is a stud! He is serving in the mexico city east mission right now. He has been a great example to me through the death of our best friend beans. Enjoy! (also my voice is in it close to the begining!)
Thursday, February 24, 2011
"Oh You Silly Elder"
This... is Elder Coles. I can be a silly Elder sometimes. And when I say silly I mean stupid. Let me share a story with you all (the names used in this story are not the actual names of the people, except for me and my companions, but are fictional. The story itself is true)
It was February 22 2011. Elder Marsh, Elder Olsen and I had just finished having supper at a members house. It was quite delicious. We were full and satisfied and were ready to go out and preach the gospel. It was 6:04 and we had an appointment with Aladin in a nearby town about 20 minutes away called Portland at 6:30. We had about 84 reasons not to go to this appointment. First off the appointment had been set up about 9 days prior to the actual day and we doubted Aladin even remembered our arranged meeting time. Also when we were talking with him trying to set up a return appointment he told us he had been drinking a little bit too. We didnt want to waste our precious miles to go see someone who probly didnt remember us. That night we also had an awesome referal who we wanted to go see and we thought she would be more solid and would be a good use of our time. She was closer too. Like I said, we had a tonne of reasons not to go to this appointment. But there was something telling me we needed to go. I had no idea why, but I felt like we had to go to Portland that night. When it came down to everything, we decided it was more logical to not waste our miles and go see someone who would be more receptive to our message and we ignored that feeling we had to go to Portland. As soon as we missed the turn off to go to Portland, I knew we had made the wrong decision. We all knew it. Needless to say that was one of the worst 10 minute drives of my life to an investigators house. Nothing was said. We knew we made the wrong choice but we didnt want to acknowledge it. When we got to the persons house, she of course was not there. By this time we were even more dissapointed. When we got back to the car, we all looked in our planners to figure out what we were going to do for the rest of the night, seeing as how two of our people we wanted to see fell through, and there was only one name that stood out to us, Jafar, who just so happened to live in Portland. Now we knew for a fact that we should go to Portland. Something said to me "Oh you silly Elder, why did you not listen the first time? Why did you not trust the spirit to lead you and guide you to go where you needed to go the first time? Aladin was not the person you needed to see tonight, but Jafar was. You should have listened, I should not have to spell things out to you, and you should not question me. Just do it." We went to Aladins house, just to make sure he forgot our appointment, and sure enough he wasn't even home. We then went to Jafars house, and we tought an amazing lesson with him, and commited him to baptism. I testify that the spirit is real. I testify that as missionaries we are entitled to have the spirit with us and to recieve revelation for who we need to visit. And I now have a even stronger testimony that the spirit will never lead anyone astray. If we are obedient, and read and study the scriptures each day, we will have the spirit with us to lead us and guide us, if you are a missionary or not a missionary. I know that this church is true and the Heavenly Father loves everyone of his childeren equally, and will not with hold his gospel from anyone who is looking for it, even though sometimes his servants can be a little silly.
It was February 22 2011. Elder Marsh, Elder Olsen and I had just finished having supper at a members house. It was quite delicious. We were full and satisfied and were ready to go out and preach the gospel. It was 6:04 and we had an appointment with Aladin in a nearby town about 20 minutes away called Portland at 6:30. We had about 84 reasons not to go to this appointment. First off the appointment had been set up about 9 days prior to the actual day and we doubted Aladin even remembered our arranged meeting time. Also when we were talking with him trying to set up a return appointment he told us he had been drinking a little bit too. We didnt want to waste our precious miles to go see someone who probly didnt remember us. That night we also had an awesome referal who we wanted to go see and we thought she would be more solid and would be a good use of our time. She was closer too. Like I said, we had a tonne of reasons not to go to this appointment. But there was something telling me we needed to go. I had no idea why, but I felt like we had to go to Portland that night. When it came down to everything, we decided it was more logical to not waste our miles and go see someone who would be more receptive to our message and we ignored that feeling we had to go to Portland. As soon as we missed the turn off to go to Portland, I knew we had made the wrong decision. We all knew it. Needless to say that was one of the worst 10 minute drives of my life to an investigators house. Nothing was said. We knew we made the wrong choice but we didnt want to acknowledge it. When we got to the persons house, she of course was not there. By this time we were even more dissapointed. When we got back to the car, we all looked in our planners to figure out what we were going to do for the rest of the night, seeing as how two of our people we wanted to see fell through, and there was only one name that stood out to us, Jafar, who just so happened to live in Portland. Now we knew for a fact that we should go to Portland. Something said to me "Oh you silly Elder, why did you not listen the first time? Why did you not trust the spirit to lead you and guide you to go where you needed to go the first time? Aladin was not the person you needed to see tonight, but Jafar was. You should have listened, I should not have to spell things out to you, and you should not question me. Just do it." We went to Aladins house, just to make sure he forgot our appointment, and sure enough he wasn't even home. We then went to Jafars house, and we tought an amazing lesson with him, and commited him to baptism. I testify that the spirit is real. I testify that as missionaries we are entitled to have the spirit with us and to recieve revelation for who we need to visit. And I now have a even stronger testimony that the spirit will never lead anyone astray. If we are obedient, and read and study the scriptures each day, we will have the spirit with us to lead us and guide us, if you are a missionary or not a missionary. I know that this church is true and the Heavenly Father loves everyone of his childeren equally, and will not with hold his gospel from anyone who is looking for it, even though sometimes his servants can be a little silly.
Friday, February 18, 2011
My First Blog Ever
This... Is Elder Coles. I want to share my thoughts and feelings as a missionary with everyone! President Hutchings (president of the Tennessee Nashville Mission) wants to experiment with something they call "online prosyliting." I have been chosen to take part in this new form of misisonary work and I am super excited to get started with this blog! This blog is being created for the purpose of... doing missionary work of course! If you are reading this... first off you are reading the coolest blog ever. Second if you have any questions about anything relating to the gospel or this blog feel free to ask me! I am a people pleaser. My only goal in life is to please people. I will do my best to answer any questions that you have... gospel questions of course. And my only goal for this blog... well actually I have two goals... the first being this will be the most read blog in the whole world... second is that this blog will bring people closer to Christ. The way I will start off by attaining this goal is by bearing my testimony of the Book of Mormon.
Sigh... The Book of Mormon. I LOVE the book of Mormon. I love everything about it. All the stories... All the great examples the people are in them... All the truths contained in the Book of Mormon... The peace and happiness it brings to me when I read it... I could go on forever. Joseph Smith said "I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book." That my friends is a true statement. On my mission I have the opportunity to study the Book of Mormon everyday and as I have done so my relationship with God has grown so much, because it "puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come." I know that this is exactly what the Book of Mormon does. I want to share that with everyone. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that it is the word of God and that it was translated through the prophet Joseph Smith. I know that if you are reading this and you havent read the Book of Mormon yet... You should read it. Not for me. But read it for yourself because I know it will make you happy. That is my testimony. Pretty simple but hopefully powerful. Feel free to ask me any questions about the Book of Mormon and how it will be able to bless your life and I will do my best to answer them! Also feel free to comment on any of my posts... actually feel free to do what ever you want. Just know that I know that the Book of Mormon is true!
Sigh... The Book of Mormon. I LOVE the book of Mormon. I love everything about it. All the stories... All the great examples the people are in them... All the truths contained in the Book of Mormon... The peace and happiness it brings to me when I read it... I could go on forever. Joseph Smith said "I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book." That my friends is a true statement. On my mission I have the opportunity to study the Book of Mormon everyday and as I have done so my relationship with God has grown so much, because it "puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come." I know that this is exactly what the Book of Mormon does. I want to share that with everyone. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that it is the word of God and that it was translated through the prophet Joseph Smith. I know that if you are reading this and you havent read the Book of Mormon yet... You should read it. Not for me. But read it for yourself because I know it will make you happy. That is my testimony. Pretty simple but hopefully powerful. Feel free to ask me any questions about the Book of Mormon and how it will be able to bless your life and I will do my best to answer them! Also feel free to comment on any of my posts... actually feel free to do what ever you want. Just know that I know that the Book of Mormon is true!
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