God Bless This Great Nation!

Sorry that I didn't get this posted yesterday like I wanted to but this is an emotional and heart-wrenching video. I love it. I love all those who died for our country and most of all I love this country. Thank you to all those who uphold this great nation. May God bless you and be with everyone of you during this season.

Thank you to all of our troops throughout the world!

This seemed like the perfect way for me to end an amazing Memorial Week. This video shows what our troops go through and they do it so willingly. Because of our troops out there fighting for us I am allowed to have the freedom of religion and I am allowed to go and spread my feelings about this gospel. I know that this is the true church and that is the reason why I am out here. I want to share this wonderful news with all the world. Thank you to all  of our troops for keeping us free so that I can do this great work. God bless you and God bless America.

"Defensive fighting"

A couple-three days ago I was given the rare privelege (at least for me) of driving our Ford Fusion around Dillon. Elder Ives, the person I had to call for permission to drive, said "Make sure you drive defensively." I started thinking about the importance of defensive driving and I related it to defensive fighting. Countless times in the Book of Mormon and the Bible when one group takes up arms in defensie of their country and freedoms, with the Lord on their side they don't lose. Even more than that, there is a story where an army showed faith in the Lord  and every member of their army lived. My personal favorite story in the Book of Mormon is about a man named Captain Moroni. He takes an army into battle and before they leave he makes a flag that explains exactly why they are going to war. They call it the Title of Liberty. Alma 46:12-13 talks about this. It says: "And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land—" Could you imagine what our battles would be like if we all fought for truth and right? Could you imagine bowing down and praying before avery fight? I believe that we as a country would be unstoppable. No one would be able to harm us. I believe that if we involve God in things more often we would not be facing the problems and challenges that we are facing today. What do you think?
                                

God Bless America!

                  

It was the evening of Sunday, May 1st 2011, in Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies baseball team was playing the New York Mets. It was the 14th inning, the score tied at 1. Then phones lit up and the fans started chattering. Soon the chattering became chanting, starting out faint but growing till it enveloped the stadium. "USA, USA, USA" could be heard clearly throughout the ballpark. A sense of extreme patriotism an pride was felt among all those who were present. Once again, for at least a little while, the citizens of this great nation were united. Some opposed the war on terror and some supported it but for that night there was no arguement. The man responsible for stabbing the knife into our hearts almost 10 years ago was dead. We, as a nation, felt some sense of solace. Many athletes voiced their opinion via Twitter and reports to newspapers. Mariano Rivera, of the New York Yankees said, "You do something like that, somewhere along the way you're going to pay. This was the time." Five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion, Jimmie Johnson, said "Man, I went to bed early and missed the big news. What a way to wake up though. Thanks to all the men and women who serve our country." Dirk Hayhurst, of the Toronto Blue Jays said, "While I understand the God Bless America sentiment, how about God Bless every nation terrorism has caused senseless pain and suffering? May we all honor you by learning from our past and working hard for a future wherein your sacrifice is no longer required." My personal favorite was said by Daniel Hudson, starting pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He said, "Days like today make me proud to be an American! Got chills watching baseball tonight hearing fans chanting USA USA!! Awesome!" We came together again and that is what we needed. One of my favorite scriptures is found in the Book of Mormon, Mosiah 2:17. It says, "And now, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only on the service of your God." This means that when we serve others we are serving God. A verse that relates to that is found in Isaiah 60:12. It says: "For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted." I am greatful to the many men and women who served and currently serve our country and in doing so serve God. It is because of them that our nation has not perished. To all of you out there, I say Thank You. You are in my prayers daily. Your names are spoken in reverence by many, myself included. God Bless You and God Bless the USA!