One armed Judo Fighter

  Sometimes your biggest weakness can become your strength. Take, for example, the story of one 10-year-old boy who who decided to study judo despite the fact that he lost his left arm in a car accident. This boy began lessons with a old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training, the master had taught him only one move.

 "Sensei." the boy finally said, "shouldn't I be learning more moves?"
"This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know." the sensei replied.
 Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.

 Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals.

  This time, the opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared over matched. Concerned the the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened.
  "No." the sensei insisted "let him continue."
Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his one move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion.

  On the way home, the boy and the sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind.
  "Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?"
  "You won for two reasons," the sensei answered, "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm."
The boys biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.*

  Jesus Christ once said "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." (Ether 12:27) Everyone has a weakness, but if we trust in our Master, or our Savior, that weakness can become a strength. Who knows what we can accomplish when our weak things become strong! I know that personal challenges have strengthened me, and made me better than I have ever been. And I know Jesus Christ loves all of you just as much as he loves me. Trust in him, and see what you can achieve!

*I got this story from Mike Alford

Jurassichastity!

  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
  And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it. (Gen 1:27-28)

  We have a powerful and sacred gift to create life, and it was entrusted to us by our loving Father in Heaven. In whose image we were created. One of the very first commandments given to us was to have children, to multiply and replenish the earth. This is a big deal, this is Gods very power of creation given to us. When used properly it can bring so much joy into our lives, but when used improperly it can lead to so much sorrow.

  In the movie Jurassic Park a group of scientists try to create their own life. They clone dinosaurs for a theme park they are making and try to play God. They abuse the power of creation and it quickly leads to a dangerous situation that they were not prepared for. As a result of their toying with things they did not fully understand several scientists were killed by the dinosaurs they themselves made. While our choices may not lead to velociraptors eating Samuel L, Jackson, they may have serious consequences of their own.

 "I was overwhelmed by the power of this place; but I made a mistake, too. I didn't have enough respect for that power and it's out now. The only thing that matters now are the people we love: Alan and Lex and Tim. John, they're out there where people are dying."  -Dr. Ellie Sattler

  This privilege that God gave to man is not something to be taken lightly, but that isn't to say that it's bad! Within the bonds of marriage and with a full understanding of the importance it has, the ability to bring souls into this life is a beautiful and holy thing. But outside the bonds of marriage and with no thought of the consequences of our actions it can ruin relationships and even lives.

   Just don't forget whose power it is, and to treat sacred things like sacred things. Be chaste, and have a nice valentines day.

Like a bridge over troubled water.

  

  There's a song that I love, by Simon and Garfunkel that always make me think of the Savior. These are it's lyrics.

I'll take your part

When darkness comes

And pain is all around

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down* 

  Jesus Christ is our bridge over troubled water. From the bridge we can see the water below us, and know that we have a safe way to cross. He suffered the pain of the world so that we didn't have to. He atoned, or paid, for everyone who will ever live on this earth. When he knelt in the garden of Gethsemane he took the punishment for every law we would ever break. Christ described how it felt to the prophet Joseph Smith "Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink— Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men." (Doctrine and Covenants 19:18-19)

See how they shine

If you need a friend

I'm sailing right behind

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will ease your mind

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will ease your mind*

  "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." (Alma 7:11-12)

  When Christ atoned for us he felt every pain we will ever feel, and did it so that he can understand what we are going through. He knows every bad thing we've done, every pain or sickness or trial we have. And because he knows where we've been, he can help us get over it. When we fully realize what the atonement is, all the guilt and shame and frustration are taken away. There is no reason to mourn the loss of a loved one, because he will live again. There is no such thing as too far gone, because Christ has been lowered beneath us all so that he can lift us up. He lay himself down so that we might have a bridge over troubled water. 

  I know that my Redeemer lives. I have felt the power of the atonement in my life. I know you can too.

*Excerpts taken from "Bridge Over Troubled Water" performed by Simon and Garfunkel.

It's Christmas that we're waiting for, but we can wait a little more.

On window panes, the icy frost
Leaves feathered patterns, crissed & crossed,
But in our house the Christmas tree
is decorated festively
With tiny dots of colored light
That cozy up this Winter night.
Christmas songs, familiar slow,
Play softly on the radio.
Pops and hisses from the fire
Whistle with the bells and choir.
My tiger is now fast asleep
On his back and dreaming deep.
When the fire makes him hot,
he turns to warm whatever’s not.
Propped against him on the rug,
I give my friend a gentle hug.
Tomorrow’s what I’m waiting for,
But I can wait a little more.

  I love Calvin and Hobbes. This poem has always been a favorite of mine, it reminds me that there's more to Christmas than gifts and money. This is the time to celebrate the birth of our Savior, and to show others the love that he showed us. How often do we stop to think of others in this time of the year? What does Christmas mean to you?

  The poem helps me to think of my family and my friends, to remember the small things that make them great. It reminds me of the fun times we've had and those that we can look forward to. To show them that I care about them in simple but significant ways. Everyone has a poem or a book or a song, that helps them to feel that special spirit that Christmas brings. The spirit of Christmas, or the spirit of Christ, is always around when we put those around us first and it leaves a feeling of warmth and joy.

  President Thomas S. Monson once said "As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always. We shall learn to forget ourselves. We shall turn our thoughts to the greater benefit of others." That feeling of comfort and happiness that comes with the season doesn't have to leave. We can always feel the spirit of Christ, as we try to be more like Him.

  Show someone you care this Christmas. Perform a small act of kindness, and see the happiness you can bring to someone who needs it. Don't be so quick to chase away the feelings of this wonderful time of the year. Bring that spirit of Christ with you, and keep it. You will notice the difference in yourself and the ones you help, as you love them like our Savior does. It's Christmas that we're waiting for, but we can wait a little more.

  Merry Christmas!

The Hope of the Universe

"I am the hope of the Universe. I am the answer to all living things that cry out for peace. I am protector of the innocent. I am the Light to the Darkness. I am truth. Ally to good! Nightmare to you!" - Son Goku

  That is one of my favorite quotes, its powerful and positive and gets me pumped to go and do some good! It makes me want to help someone, save someone in distress, make a difference. It comes from a character in a show called Dragon Ball Z named Goku who has a pure heart and fights for people who can't defend themselves. Goku is always doing the right thing even when its hard, he stands up to villains who are much stronger than he is and never gives up.

  When I felt like giving up that quote from Goku has always motivated me, but I realized the other day that my favorite quote had a deeper meaning too. I noticed that the beginning of every sentence began with "I am", and that was the name that Jesus Christ told Moses when Israel asked what the name of God was.

Exodus 3:14
And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.

  If Christ is the Great I Am then the quote has a whole new meaning. If we replace I am with Jesus Christ it becomes:

  Jesus Christ is the hope of the Universe. Jesus Christ is the answer to all living things that cry out for peace. Jesus Christ is protector of the innocent. Jesus Christ is the Light to the Darkness. Christ is truth. Ally to good! Nightmare to you!

  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6) Jesus Christ is our everything. He fought for us when we could not defend ourselves, He suffered all the pains and sorrow of the world so that we can be saved. He is the hope of the universe, the ally of good and the nightmare of evil. There is nothing we cannot overcome with the help of Christ. I know this is true, I know that through our Savior and Redeemer we can do anything, and I testify of these things in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Gospel! Defender of your Universe!

GOSPEL!

DEFENDER OF YOUR UNIVERSE!

  When the universe is in danger, 5 heroic pilots go to battle in giant robotic lions. Each lion is powerful and capable of doing great things, but when the enemy is too strong the pilots combine their forces to form a fighting robot more powerful than any evil force. Voltron! The Defender of the universe!

 
  When we are in danger, when we are confused or depressed or afraid, when our universe is in peril we have our own way to conquer evil. There are 5 spritual protectors who we can rely on when we need to be saved from the problems that we face everyday. Each one is strong but together they form a defense from the world that no evil can defeat. These are the first 5 principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

  Faith! - Faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement is our first line of defense, it gives us hope for better things. Its something that comforts and strengthens us. With faith we can do and be better all the time.

  Repentance! - When we act on faith and turn ourselves toward God, and away from sin, we are forgiven. This is repenting and it relieves us of feelings of guilt and shame that keep us tied down.

  Baptism! - Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins washes us completly clean. It gives us a fresh start and shows our willingness to follow our Heavenly Father and keep his commandments. After Baptism we can renew these promises by taking the sacrament every week at church, which is taking bread and water in rememberance of Jesus Christ.

  The Holy Ghost! - Then Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38) The Holy Ghost guides us through life, and helps us to feel the love that God has for us. The Holy Ghost tells us in our hearts what is true and good, and helps us search for those things that will make us happy.

  Enduring to the end! -  Once we have had faith and repented so that we can be baptised and recieve the Holy Ghost its not over. We will still face trials and have challenges, but by using the first 4 principles we can live the 5th.

  These first five principles are the spiritual protecters that we can all make our own. They are here to fight the evil in our lives, and together they form! Gospel! Defender of your universe! With Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Recieving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the end, there is no evil that can stand against you. You will still be tempted, but there will always be a way to conquer it.

  I know this works, because I have tried it. I know that we have a loving Father in Heaven who wants us to be the best we can be. And He has shown us how. I challenge everyone who reads this to pray to know if this is true, and you'll get an answer.

Don't think Back, think To The Future!

  Back To The Future is one of the best movies of all time, at least I think so. But something Thats always bothered me is how nobody but Doc Brown and Marty Mcfly remember all the things that they do. Noboby knows all the ways they mess up but them. I was thinking about all the mistakes they made and how it afffected their futures and realized that it didn't matter that nobody else could remember what they had done, because they could.

  Just because Marty and Doc Brown were the only ones who knew about it doesn't mean it didn't happen. All the things they did were still real, they just had the chance to go back and fix them. They were able to see the results of their choices and make the right ones. They could improve their lives because of it. This is something that anybody can do, and it doesn't take a Flux Capaciter to do it.

  We have been provided with a way to go back and make up for things that we've done wrong, this process is called repentance. The reason we have the opportunity to repent is because nobody is perfect, everyone will make mistakes. When we do something wrong we have feelings of guilt over that thing, and repentance is the process of feeling real sorrow over what we've done. We then do all we can to make it right. After we have done all we can to fix our mistakes, we turn to our Father in Heaven. The last part of repenting is confessing to God what we have done and then forsaking it, or never do it again.

  Repentance may not be easy, but it will always be worth it. "Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more." (Doctorine and Covenants 58:42) It's like it never happened. Its almost as if you jumped into a Delorian, went back in time, and stopped yourself from doing that thing. But though God will not remember, you always will, so that you will never do it again. We need to think about whats happening right now, once your forgiven your free to move on and be happy. Don't think Back, think To The Future!