Oranges!

Have you ever drawn a face on some boring, plain object? Maybe I'm just crazy, but once you draw a face on something and give it a name, you become attached. I'm sure everyone has made this mistake before in their life, whether it was a balloon or some other silly object. We always form some crazy relationship with these inanimate objects with faces. It's always heartbreaking when these new-found friends are eaten, popped, or lost. Why do we torment ourselves like this? I made this mistake the other day with my two oranges. My companion Elder Coles aptly named the first one Voltron, and the small one Voltret.

Aren't they cute? Now the problem is, how are we supposed to eat oranges with that much personality? The sad thing is, its been about a week and those silly oranges are still sitting on top of the fridge.

So why am I blogging about this? Who cares about old oranges with faces?

Our Heavenly Father feels the same way about us! Well almost, I guess we're more important than oranges. But our Heavenly Father has given us our bodies, our faces, and a name! We are His spiritual children. He is always going to take care of us, no matter how old and rotten we may become. Heavenly Father is far more attached to us than can be even described! He loves us so much that He places us on top of the fridge, or on this Earth, so that we can grow and learn things for ourselves. (Or ripen! See this analogy is getting better and better as it goes on!)

Despite how much we might stay off the path that our Heavenly Father has set for us (or begin to rot), He's always going to love us and do His best to keep us safe and on the path. (Like putting oranges back in the fridge to stay fresh!)

I know that our Heavenly Father loves us so much, and because He loves us He has given us our bodies so that we can experience things for ourselves. I know that He has given us the plan of salvation, so that we can reach our perfect "freshness" and live with Him again.

Testimony!

What is a testimony?? Its what you know to be true! Thats it! Do you know that chocolate cake is delicious? Then you have a testimony of it! Do you know that basketball is the greatest sport ever? Then you have a testimony of that as well!

All of the experiences we have can make our testimonies grow. If we go to church, and it makes us happy, then we have a testimony that church is awesome! Because you know it makes you happy it becomes part of your testimony! Cool huh?

There's great power that can be found when we bear our testimony. Alma chapter 4 talks about the prophet Alma going out to teach the gospel to the wicked people. Verse 19 says:

"19 And this he did that he himself might go forth among his people, or among the people of Nephi, that he might preach the word of God unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty, and that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the pride and craftiness and all the contentions which were among his people, seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them."

Its by pure testimony that Alma was able to teach these people. Alma was a great prophet, and all he had was bearing testimony! He was able to bring thousands unto Christ through his testimony.

We all have a testimony just like Alma. We may not be a prophet called by God to preach the gospel, but our testimonies can be just as powerful. Who can tell you what you don't know for yourself? There is no way that anybody can deny a "pure testimony". That is something we have for ourselves; that we can constantly rely on to keep us strong and help us bring others closer to Jesus Christ. I know that as we share our testimony with others, we can bless the lives of everyone around us. Every time we share our testimony, it becomes a little bit stronger. I invite everyone to share their testimony with those around you.

Word of Wisdom

I know I know, us Mormons are crazy. No coffee in the morning? Smoking isn't that bad, is it? Why do we have all these crazy eating and drinking rules? Becuase its fun? Nah. Why do we have the Word of Wisdom then?

Its because God told us so!

D&C 89 is the full revelation Joseph Smith recieved from our Heavenly Father after asking if they should use Tobacco. Verse 4 kinda talks about why we have the Word of Wisdom

"4 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation—"

Its a warning! God knows what can and will happen to us. He knows everything! Should we take such a warning lightly? Of course not!

There's 5 simple things that the Word of Wisdom says to stay away from:

Coffee, Tea, Tobacco, Alcohol, and Illegal Drugs

I know I know, it seems pretty hard. But with this simple commandment comes promised blessings! Verses 18-21 say:

"18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;

 19 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;

 20 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.

 21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen."

Doesn't that seem great? And totally worth it? I know it is! Our Heavenly Father promises to bless us! Everybody wants great treasures of knowledge, who wants to pass up on easy knowledge? As we keep the Word of Wisdom our bodies are clean of the things that might bring us down and distract the Holy Ghost from helping us in our lives. We can be more receptive and be able to receive even more blessings on top of that! Just because our bodies are cleaner!

I know that as we keep the Word of Wisdom we will feel closer to our Heavenly Father. He will bless us for doing what He has asked and for keeping our "temples", or our bodies, clean. As we keep His commandments and constantly strive to do what is right, we will continue to feel of our Heavenly Father's love and His happiness for us.