Lately I have been thinking a lot about trust. Trust is such a huge part in any religion, and especially in the Christian religions. It says in Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not to thine own understanding." This is a powerful scripture that has helped me time and time again in my life, and I know it is the right thing to do. We are always blessed when we trust in the Lord, and act upon his will. We can be the happiest we can be, through keeping his commandments.
One thing that is often spoken of much less, but is equally important, is being loyal to God. God also has to be able to trust in US . Time and time again people ask me on my mission "why haven't I received an answer?" or "why don't I know what you know?" The reason is because in order to receive spiritual truth, guidance, or help from God, we must put in work. Now, this does not mean that God is not merciful, because He has perfect mercy. He only asks us to try, to have the desire, and to do what we can, then he will bless us with much more than we can imagine.
For example, I spent so much time trying to really know if this was the true church. Everyone told me it, and I wanted to believe, but I was never completely sure. Other people's doubts bothered me, so I sought answers. Time and time again I received small spiritual confirmations of this being God's only church. Yet, I still wanted more. This led me to my decision to serve a mission. I was strong, but about 6 months in we taught a lesson and the questions the person we taught asked bothered me. I did not have the answers, and wasn't sure. For one of the first times in my life, my testimony was slightly shaken. I wasn't sure anymore.
That night, I knelt down and pleaded to the Lord to help me know what to do. I needed to know if I was doing His will. If this was the truth, and if I was basing my whole life on truth, or a lie. I needed to know. I had never prayed like this before, as I importuned to my Heavenly Father to please guide me and let me do what he REALLY wanted me to do.
The Lord answered, as he does always. He answered me with the strongest spiritual manifestation ever given to me in my life. I laid in bed as my companion slept peacefully crying with joy, feeling so overcome with the Spirit that all I could do was cry. Since that day, I have never once doubted. The answer I received was from God, and just as Joseph Smith after the first vision, "I knew it, and I knew that God knew it." (JSH)
The question is why? Why did God give such a big answer to me and not to everyone else? The reason is because I had shown him that he could trust me. The Lord gives unto us "line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little" (2 Nep 28: 30) and I had accepted everything He had given me. I had been willing to act upon the things I did know, rather than what I didn't know. If someone rejects the small simple truths the Lord gives them, is the Lord likely to give them larger truths? No. The Lord will gave us what we want, and if we don't want it, he won't give it to us.
"Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you." (3 Ne 27:29)
Monday, November 25, 2013
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Kindness
A few years ago, for a Christmas vacation, we visited my Grandparents in Provo Utah. I always loved these trips to Utah, because it meant we got to see the cousins, our friends, and go skiing a few times. Many of my fondest memories growing up are from those trips to Utah. While I loved these trips, I often dreaded Sundays there. My parents would have us go to church to my Grandparents' ward, where I knew nobody. If we were lucky enough, my younger brother and I were able to convince our parents to let us leave after the first hour. Some years we weren't as lucky, and had to attend the following two hours where we actually had to interact with strangers of our own age.
This particular Christmas vacation was one of those times where we couldn't convince our parents to let us leave church after the first hour. Being the shy, timid kid that I was, I was so scared as I walked to the class that I would attend. Moments like this used to scare me so much, and I was less than excited. As I sat in the class, everyone noticed me and I did the usual introductions. I sat there anxiously looking at the clock hoping it would move much faster.
Well, things were different this time. The group of guys there, while I do not know their names, had a lasting effect on me. They made me feel welcome. Not only did they say nice things, they made me feel like I was part of their group of friends for that day. I left that day actually enjoying my experience at church, because I had felt comfortable and part of the group. By the end of the day, I actually felt like I was part of their friend group.
The kindness did not even stop there, that very night my grandparents received a call, and said it was for me. To my surprise, it was one of the guys from church that day inviting me to play basketball the next morning! While I did not attend because we had other plans, I was shocked at how far out of the way this kid had gone just to make me feel like his friend. These kids had no reason to really try and make me their friend. I wasn't moving there, and they knew that. I was only gonna be there for a couple of weeks. Other then the painful couple of hours I would have experienced at church, the rest of the vacation I would have been fine hanging out with family and friends.
So why did they do it? Because they understood something most people don't. They understood that kindness makes other people happy, whether or not they need that kindness. They understood that when we are kind to others, we help them feel God's love for them. Christ's Gospel is one that teaches that we should be kind to one another. He was the perfect example of kindness through his love and service to one another, and taught that we should love one another as he has loved us (John 13:34).
I have found great joy as I have learned to do this in my life. I'm still not perfect, I still get grumpy some days, but I try to show my kindness to everyone through loving them and serving them. People have stories, experiences, feelings, and emotions, and often times they want to let people in. They put up walls of defense because of past negative experiences in life. Through loving and serving others, they open up, and I am often able to help them. This brings both joy in my life, and in the life of many others. As I do this, all I am doing is spreading what those kids in Provo, Utah taught me several years ago, and what the Master Teacher taught us all 2000 years ago. Everyone wants to be loved, and will accept your kindness.
This particular Christmas vacation was one of those times where we couldn't convince our parents to let us leave church after the first hour. Being the shy, timid kid that I was, I was so scared as I walked to the class that I would attend. Moments like this used to scare me so much, and I was less than excited. As I sat in the class, everyone noticed me and I did the usual introductions. I sat there anxiously looking at the clock hoping it would move much faster.
Well, things were different this time. The group of guys there, while I do not know their names, had a lasting effect on me. They made me feel welcome. Not only did they say nice things, they made me feel like I was part of their group of friends for that day. I left that day actually enjoying my experience at church, because I had felt comfortable and part of the group. By the end of the day, I actually felt like I was part of their friend group.
The kindness did not even stop there, that very night my grandparents received a call, and said it was for me. To my surprise, it was one of the guys from church that day inviting me to play basketball the next morning! While I did not attend because we had other plans, I was shocked at how far out of the way this kid had gone just to make me feel like his friend. These kids had no reason to really try and make me their friend. I wasn't moving there, and they knew that. I was only gonna be there for a couple of weeks. Other then the painful couple of hours I would have experienced at church, the rest of the vacation I would have been fine hanging out with family and friends.
So why did they do it? Because they understood something most people don't. They understood that kindness makes other people happy, whether or not they need that kindness. They understood that when we are kind to others, we help them feel God's love for them. Christ's Gospel is one that teaches that we should be kind to one another. He was the perfect example of kindness through his love and service to one another, and taught that we should love one another as he has loved us (John 13:34).
I have found great joy as I have learned to do this in my life. I'm still not perfect, I still get grumpy some days, but I try to show my kindness to everyone through loving them and serving them. People have stories, experiences, feelings, and emotions, and often times they want to let people in. They put up walls of defense because of past negative experiences in life. Through loving and serving others, they open up, and I am often able to help them. This brings both joy in my life, and in the life of many others. As I do this, all I am doing is spreading what those kids in Provo, Utah taught me several years ago, and what the Master Teacher taught us all 2000 years ago. Everyone wants to be loved, and will accept your kindness.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Mormons: Who Are We?
I'm sure there are many people that wonder what us Mormons believe. They just know we are "different" then the rest. I remember once in High School a girl came up to me and said "hey, I heard Mormons aren't allowed to eat peanut butter. Why not?" So, I explained to her about how peanut butter makes us all loopy, so we don't eat it. Just kidding. I eat peanut butter almost every day.
Probably one of the more common questions I have heard about us "Mormons" is whether or not we are Christian. That's a great question. I want to specifically address this question in this blog post, and pray the Holy Ghost guides me as I do so.
The short answer is yes. Yes we are Christian. We are known as Mormons, but this is just a nickname. Our church is called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We are referred to as "Mormons" because of the Book of Mormon. People say we aren't Christian because we believe in a book that isn't the Bible. This is not true, because, the Book of Mormon is "Another Testament of Jesus Christ". Therefore, if the definition of being Christian is "believing in Christ," then we are some of the most Christian people you can meet. We speak of Christ, and rejoice in him.
Christ means everything to me. He is my Savior, Redeemer, and Friend. He died for you, and for me. He came to this world, descending below everything, just because He loved us. He performed miracles and was baptized by John the Baptist. He taught the truth, established his church, and was our perfect example. He raised Lazarus from the dead, changed water into wine, and was resurrected. He suffered in Gethsemane for every pain, affliction, sickness, and sin. He is Jesus the Christ. I know I am a Christian, because of my belief in Christ. There are also millions of other strong believers in Christ in the "Mormon" church.
The other way to define a Christian in my mind is trying to live life in a way that reflects what he taught. I am far from being perfect, and have a lot to do, but I live my faith by serving him. I believe that we should love and serve EVERYONE in the world. I try to do that daily, even though I'm not perfect at it. I also believe in humility, patience, charity, diligence, obedience, hope, faith, and knowledge. I believe in second chances. I believe family life is one of the most important things. I show I am a Christian, by trying to be better every day. I also see many other amazing people in this church trying to live to be Christ-like. As it says in the Bible "by their fruits ye shall know them," and the fruits of Mormonism is the way millions of people live their lives in a Christian way.
I recognize that some of these rumors are true, like the fact that there are a lot of Mormons with big families. I would like to take the time to clarify everything to the best of my ability. My prayer is that through these posts, more people can understand what we believe and why we do what we do.
Probably one of the more common questions I have heard about us "Mormons" is whether or not we are Christian. That's a great question. I want to specifically address this question in this blog post, and pray the Holy Ghost guides me as I do so.
The short answer is yes. Yes we are Christian. We are known as Mormons, but this is just a nickname. Our church is called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We are referred to as "Mormons" because of the Book of Mormon. People say we aren't Christian because we believe in a book that isn't the Bible. This is not true, because, the Book of Mormon is "Another Testament of Jesus Christ". Therefore, if the definition of being Christian is "believing in Christ," then we are some of the most Christian people you can meet. We speak of Christ, and rejoice in him.
Christ means everything to me. He is my Savior, Redeemer, and Friend. He died for you, and for me. He came to this world, descending below everything, just because He loved us. He performed miracles and was baptized by John the Baptist. He taught the truth, established his church, and was our perfect example. He raised Lazarus from the dead, changed water into wine, and was resurrected. He suffered in Gethsemane for every pain, affliction, sickness, and sin. He is Jesus the Christ. I know I am a Christian, because of my belief in Christ. There are also millions of other strong believers in Christ in the "Mormon" church.
The other way to define a Christian in my mind is trying to live life in a way that reflects what he taught. I am far from being perfect, and have a lot to do, but I live my faith by serving him. I believe that we should love and serve EVERYONE in the world. I try to do that daily, even though I'm not perfect at it. I also believe in humility, patience, charity, diligence, obedience, hope, faith, and knowledge. I believe in second chances. I believe family life is one of the most important things. I show I am a Christian, by trying to be better every day. I also see many other amazing people in this church trying to live to be Christ-like. As it says in the Bible "by their fruits ye shall know them," and the fruits of Mormonism is the way millions of people live their lives in a Christian way.
Friday, October 4, 2013
Knowing Who You Are
I am Chase Plowman, the middle child of Jeff and Alyson Plowman. I have an older sister, Chelsy, and a younger brother, Tyler. I am pretty athletic, and played a lot of tennis. I also have the ability to play the piano. I am a quiet, shy, a calm person, and a people-pleaser. I am smart, and get good grades in school. I'm tall, and skinny, and definitely don't belong on the football field. I have my place in the world, and it's where the world has always put me.
At least that's what I have been told my whole life. I have spent my whole life looking for who I am, and a lot of these things that are true about me, but it is not who I am. In High School, I acted very differently than I do now. I had a small group of friends, but I had a big lack of confidence in who I was. I was scared and uncomfortable, feeling inadequate in every way. When away from this group of friends, I struggled to carry on a conversation with others. Then when with this group of friends, I acted hyper and tried to be funny to hide this lack of confidence. I also had a strong desire to please everyone, causing me to get extremely stressed and have anxiety attacks over the impossible nature of that task.
A change has been brought about in me, one that was found by discovering who I am. Since being on my mission, I have left my comfort zone. I had entered into a world where all I did was talk to people I didn't know, about a Gospel and religion they might not even want. Pleasing everyone and being shy were no longer options. This caused me to have anxiety attacks, and forced me to try and find a solution to the problem.
I talked to my Mission President about it, and he helped me get some professional help. I thought that only crazy people went to counseling, but decided I would give it a try. What I learned during a few short sessions with my counselor, Travis, is knowledge that has changed my life. He helped me learn who I really was.
I have really found out that I am a child of God. He is my Father in heaven. He loves me, and did not send me on this earth to fail. He gave me all my strengths for a reason, and does not want me to change to conform to the world. He also gave me weaknesses for a reason, so that I may be humble and trust in Him. This is a piece of knowledge that I hope everyone I know can come to find out. Through this knowledge, we learn that it does not matter what others think of you, it only matters what He thinks of you.
So what does He think of you? Or me? Or any of us? He thinks you are worth the investment. Each and everyone one of us have our own worth, and it cannot be changed. In John 3:16 it says "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son," meaning God sent his Son to die for us because he loved each and every one of us. A quote from C.S. Lewis says "He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, he would have done no less." God knows you personally, and thinks about you personally, just as earthly parents think about and love all their children individually.
I know this to be true. I know that God is our father, and Christ is our brother. Through them and the power of the Atonement we may know who we are, and live in peace and happiness. I now boldly preach the truth to the world, and invite all to come unto it. I have no more anxiety attacks, and live at peace knowing that God is my Heavenly Father and I am his son. This knowledge is the only solution to heartache and pain that we feel in this life.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
My Peace I Give Unto You
Peace is something that we have all heard of. It is everywhere, everyone is always talking about peace. You can hardly watch ten minutes of the news now-a-days without hearing them talk about "how to solve contentions in (blank)". It is a subject that people have been talking about for thousands of years, and yet no one seems to find the solution to this question. No matter what happens, this world continues in conflict and contention.
Jesus Christ himself taught much about peace, and in one of my favorite scriptures he says "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you." (John 14: 27) This peace he was teaching about was a different peace, not one that would solve world contentions, but a personal peace. One that I have seen in my life as I have lived the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I remember the months right before my mission. Never before in my life had I been more scared. Everything in my life was about to change. Everything I was comfortable with, my family, my girlfriend, my hobbies, everything. I was leaving my comfort zone completely, and I was scared. During the weeks leading up to my mission, I spent much time in supplication to my Heavenly Father asking for help. I spent hours in prayer pleading help from my Him during this scary time. Each time I went to my Father in Heaven, I felt an overwhelming sense of joy, peace, and comfort. It was as if someone said "It's okay, I understand. Everything will be okay." While I he did not appear to me and say this, this was the feeling that he gave me, one that I had never before felt.
This was the first time in my life where I began to understand what "peace" is. This peace was a new peace, one from Christ through his Atonement and suffering. It did not give me the answer to know how to stop wars in the Middle East, but I was at peace. This peace is not the peace the "world" can give you, but one straight from our Creator. It was a sense of comfort and internal peace that is irreplaceable and can only come through Him. Now that I have found this peace, it protects me from all of the pain in this world. No matter the sorrow, pain, trial, or affliction, I am at peace knowing that He is there and understands.
This is the peace Christ teaches about. There will always be contention on this earth, because "it must needs be, that there be an opposition in all things," (2 Nephi 2) but EVERYONE can have personal peace from our Savior Jesus Christ. That is why I am serving a mission, to offer this personal peace to everyone. I have been blessed to be the instrument in helping many people find this personal peace, and they too can testify of the peace the Savior offers. It is the most beautiful thing in my life to know that He is in charge, and that He has a plan for me. No matter the trials, challenges, and pains that come in my life, I can be at comfort knowing that He is in charge. This is what Christ offers to us, and why I am serving a mission. To help others have that peace that I have.
Jesus Christ himself taught much about peace, and in one of my favorite scriptures he says "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you." (John 14: 27) This peace he was teaching about was a different peace, not one that would solve world contentions, but a personal peace. One that I have seen in my life as I have lived the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I remember the months right before my mission. Never before in my life had I been more scared. Everything in my life was about to change. Everything I was comfortable with, my family, my girlfriend, my hobbies, everything. I was leaving my comfort zone completely, and I was scared. During the weeks leading up to my mission, I spent much time in supplication to my Heavenly Father asking for help. I spent hours in prayer pleading help from my Him during this scary time. Each time I went to my Father in Heaven, I felt an overwhelming sense of joy, peace, and comfort. It was as if someone said "It's okay, I understand. Everything will be okay." While I he did not appear to me and say this, this was the feeling that he gave me, one that I had never before felt.
 |
| My Comfort |
This was the first time in my life where I began to understand what "peace" is. This peace was a new peace, one from Christ through his Atonement and suffering. It did not give me the answer to know how to stop wars in the Middle East, but I was at peace. This peace is not the peace the "world" can give you, but one straight from our Creator. It was a sense of comfort and internal peace that is irreplaceable and can only come through Him. Now that I have found this peace, it protects me from all of the pain in this world. No matter the sorrow, pain, trial, or affliction, I am at peace knowing that He is there and understands.
This is the peace Christ teaches about. There will always be contention on this earth, because "it must needs be, that there be an opposition in all things," (2 Nephi 2) but EVERYONE can have personal peace from our Savior Jesus Christ. That is why I am serving a mission, to offer this personal peace to everyone. I have been blessed to be the instrument in helping many people find this personal peace, and they too can testify of the peace the Savior offers. It is the most beautiful thing in my life to know that He is in charge, and that He has a plan for me. No matter the trials, challenges, and pains that come in my life, I can be at comfort knowing that He is in charge. This is what Christ offers to us, and why I am serving a mission. To help others have that peace that I have.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Sacrifice
With the recent update that we are able to use the Internet for our proselyting, I have pondered and prayed much about how to use it effectively. It can be hard. Often I feel like I am wasting time while on Facebook rather than out talking to people. As I prayed about it, my answer from the Lord was "you know not what good things might come of this." I am remembering just to trust him. We have been commanded to use the Internet as a way to spread good and truth across the world, by a prophet called by Jesus Christ himself. I hope to use it effectively, that everyone who reads what I post might feel the Spirit of truth. I pray that everyone might enjoy the posts, that they might be able to be uplifted and learn both spiritually and intellectually. In order to expand spreading my experiences I have had in my life, I wanted to start this blog called "Serving Him." After all, to sum up the biggest thing I have learned it is that Serving the Lord always makes your life better. We are always the happiest when we serve Him, no matter what the situation. One of the biggest parts about serving the Lord is sacrifice.
Sacrifice is something we have all heard of. I grew up playing tennis, at a very competitive level. I traveled all over the State of Texas to play tournaments. I played both on my High School Tennis team, and outside of High School in personal tournaments where we were ranked both in the State and Nationally. I played for hours on end, in high school I would often have a 2 hour tennis practice at school daily, and then played another 2-3 hours after school in private lessons and practices. I also played 2-3 tournaments a month on the weekends, which involved up to 5 matches. I spent many hours on the tennis courts, sacrificing in order to reach my goal. After years of this, I was able to finish my senior year as a State Finalist in Mixed Doubles.
I have often thought about my life as a young tennis player. I no longer continued playing competitively after high school, but I have thought much about those days. What separated me and the people I beat? What about the people who beat me? Many things come to mind, such as a strong serve, or a better forehand. Maybe they were quicker or stronger, or maybe just more talented athletes. While all these things are true, the main answer is sacrifice. I was willing to sacrifice much in order to compete at such a high level, and I reaped the rewards. Those who were better than me, normally had spent even more time on the tennis court. They had spent more time sacrificing with weight lifting, running, and diets. Sacrifices I was less willing to do. Sacrifice is always what separated the best from the rest.
Now my life is very different. I am serving a 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Many people have asked me why. Why am I willing to give up 2 years of my life? My family, girlfriend, school, all of it. Everything I love in the world is on stop for 2 years. Why would I do it?
Sacrifice. Sacrifice is an eternal law that has existed since ancient times. In the Old Testament, God commanded the people to give sacrifices through burnt offerings of animals. The people had to go and find the perfect animals that they had, that didn't have a "blemish." This was a metaphor, a type, of things to come. These sacrifices were part of the Law of Moses, and existed until the last and great sacrifice.
This last and great sacrifice was the sacrifice Jesus Christ himself made. It was the last and great sacrifice, the infinite and everlasting sacrifice of a man who was half-man, half-God. This act was called the Atonement (Alma 34: 8-16). Christ suffered for us, for our pains, afflictions, infirmities, and sins. He suffered for us in the Garden of Gethsemane up until his death on the Cross at Calvary. He suffered for it all, and was willing to suffer and die for me, and for you. He sacrificed his life, and proved that "greater love hath no man, then he who layeth down his life for another." The Father as well sacrificed, by giving us his only Begotten Son.
Today, Christ asks us that we give him "an open heart and a contrite spirit." This means that we are willing to keep his commandments, and serve him for the duration of our lives. He promises us in return happiness, peace, and blessings in this world and in the next. Everything that I have worried about on my mission has taken care of itself as I put the Lord first. Everyone in my family is okay, and I have seen the people I care about most also grow with me. I was very worried about leaving Madison for 2 years, because while at BYU I often helped her during her sickness. Throughout this time we did not know what she had, but we made several visits to the hospital and doctor that year. Since being on my mission, she has been able to find out the health issue and learn how to prevent further problems. My prayers were answered as I served the Lord and put him first.
I had the choice 14 months ago to serve the Lord and let him take care of my life, or try and do it all by myself. I'm happy to say I made the right choice. I am here, and I am just a way to show the infinite grace and love God has for his children. I am imperfect, but through Him, I may one day reach perfection.
I know that this is the true Church. That God lives, and that He loves us. He wants to help you, and all you have to do is accept. Every person I have taught on my mission has made sacrifices as well. They must sacrifice time, family traditions, their comfort zone, and much more for Christ. I promise everyone one, that if they follow Christ and make sacrifices towards him He will bless them. God will help them reach all they want in their lives, and they will be happier in this life and in the next. We must think about our lives, and what is missing in them. Then after, kneel down in prayer and ask for the Lord's help to sacrifice. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it.
Sacrifice is something we have all heard of. I grew up playing tennis, at a very competitive level. I traveled all over the State of Texas to play tournaments. I played both on my High School Tennis team, and outside of High School in personal tournaments where we were ranked both in the State and Nationally. I played for hours on end, in high school I would often have a 2 hour tennis practice at school daily, and then played another 2-3 hours after school in private lessons and practices. I also played 2-3 tournaments a month on the weekends, which involved up to 5 matches. I spent many hours on the tennis courts, sacrificing in order to reach my goal. After years of this, I was able to finish my senior year as a State Finalist in Mixed Doubles.
I have often thought about my life as a young tennis player. I no longer continued playing competitively after high school, but I have thought much about those days. What separated me and the people I beat? What about the people who beat me? Many things come to mind, such as a strong serve, or a better forehand. Maybe they were quicker or stronger, or maybe just more talented athletes. While all these things are true, the main answer is sacrifice. I was willing to sacrifice much in order to compete at such a high level, and I reaped the rewards. Those who were better than me, normally had spent even more time on the tennis court. They had spent more time sacrificing with weight lifting, running, and diets. Sacrifices I was less willing to do. Sacrifice is always what separated the best from the rest.
Now my life is very different. I am serving a 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Many people have asked me why. Why am I willing to give up 2 years of my life? My family, girlfriend, school, all of it. Everything I love in the world is on stop for 2 years. Why would I do it?
Sacrifice. Sacrifice is an eternal law that has existed since ancient times. In the Old Testament, God commanded the people to give sacrifices through burnt offerings of animals. The people had to go and find the perfect animals that they had, that didn't have a "blemish." This was a metaphor, a type, of things to come. These sacrifices were part of the Law of Moses, and existed until the last and great sacrifice.
This last and great sacrifice was the sacrifice Jesus Christ himself made. It was the last and great sacrifice, the infinite and everlasting sacrifice of a man who was half-man, half-God. This act was called the Atonement (Alma 34: 8-16). Christ suffered for us, for our pains, afflictions, infirmities, and sins. He suffered for us in the Garden of Gethsemane up until his death on the Cross at Calvary. He suffered for it all, and was willing to suffer and die for me, and for you. He sacrificed his life, and proved that "greater love hath no man, then he who layeth down his life for another." The Father as well sacrificed, by giving us his only Begotten Son.
Today, Christ asks us that we give him "an open heart and a contrite spirit." This means that we are willing to keep his commandments, and serve him for the duration of our lives. He promises us in return happiness, peace, and blessings in this world and in the next. Everything that I have worried about on my mission has taken care of itself as I put the Lord first. Everyone in my family is okay, and I have seen the people I care about most also grow with me. I was very worried about leaving Madison for 2 years, because while at BYU I often helped her during her sickness. Throughout this time we did not know what she had, but we made several visits to the hospital and doctor that year. Since being on my mission, she has been able to find out the health issue and learn how to prevent further problems. My prayers were answered as I served the Lord and put him first.
I had the choice 14 months ago to serve the Lord and let him take care of my life, or try and do it all by myself. I'm happy to say I made the right choice. I am here, and I am just a way to show the infinite grace and love God has for his children. I am imperfect, but through Him, I may one day reach perfection.
I know that this is the true Church. That God lives, and that He loves us. He wants to help you, and all you have to do is accept. Every person I have taught on my mission has made sacrifices as well. They must sacrifice time, family traditions, their comfort zone, and much more for Christ. I promise everyone one, that if they follow Christ and make sacrifices towards him He will bless them. God will help them reach all they want in their lives, and they will be happier in this life and in the next. We must think about our lives, and what is missing in them. Then after, kneel down in prayer and ask for the Lord's help to sacrifice. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it.
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