Our call to duty

How many of us would love to be a superhero?  Recognize this? Batman's sign when he is called to action and called for duty. He responds instantly and is there somehow right when he needs to be that's because he is a super hero so he is in the right place at the right time. You know we can be at the right place at the right time with the help of the Holy Ghost. God knows what he wants us to do each day and he places us, many times, in the right place at the right time. He calls us to action and duty everyday. We just need to recognize that we have been. I would ask what is my duty as a missionary and many of you will ask what is my duty as someone with the light of Christ. Batman gets the sign that calls him to duty. We get our call to duty from these men:
This is the prophet and his 2 counselors that help him out. These are the men that call us to our duty for the Lord. They call us to action because God himself can't just come straight down and tell everyone what he wants them to do so he has his prophets and apostles do it for him.  So what is our "Bat Symbol"  so to speak?
The Ensign which comes out each month, this is our "Bat Symbol" and all are invited to read them. They are the words of those men above and more. They call us to duty and action through these. Now that we know when are called to duty. What do we do to fulfill our duty?
"As men and women and boys and girls do their duty to God, they feel impelled to do their duty to one another, to their family, to their church and nation, to all things entrusted to their care. They are duty bound to magnify their talents and to be a law-abiding, good people. They become humble, submissive, and easily entreated. Temperance conquers indulgence; obedience guides their diligence. Peace distills upon them. Citizens become loyal, communities become benevolent, and neighbors become friends. The God of heaven is pleased, the earth is pacified, and this world becomes a better place."  quote from Keith B.  McMullin.  So as Batman strives to make his city a better place, if we are reminded of our duty, we can help the world receive peace.
"Duty does not require perfection, but it does require diligence. It is not simply what is legal [or what is in the world]; it is what is virtuous." Also a quote from  Keith B.  McMullin.

Scriptures vs. Cell Phones

THE CELLPHONE VS. THE SCRIPTURES

 I wonder what would happen if we treated our scriptures like we treat our cell phones? What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we spent an hour or more using it every day?
What if we used it to receive messages?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to other kids as gifts?
What if we used it as we traveled? What if we used it in case of an emergency?
This is something to make you go...."Hmmm..Dude.. where are my scriptures?"

Unlike our cell phones:
One Plan does fit all.
Unlimited usage. No roaming charges.
You always have reception.
You can use it in the mountains and in a tunnel.
It's free with no hidden costs,
AND you don't ever have to worry your scriptures being disconnected because CHRIST has already paid the bill!

What is the Atonement of Christ

The Atonement is broken down as Christ conquering 2 deaths. One the spiritual death or sinning and drawing away from Heavenly Father. The other is physical death and We know what that is. And the entire act of the Atonement is organized in 3 parts.  First his suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane where he payed the price for one all of our sins and 2 for all of our temptations and our pains, afflictions, sicknesses, guilt, and sorrow throughout our entire life so that he can be the perfect judge of us and know exactly what we have been through in our lives. This is where Christ conquered spiritual death. Then the next step was the dying on the cross where the prophecies of old could be fulfilled that say he will die for the sins of the world this part of the atonement is so very necessary for the reason being that all mortals have to face death therefore he did the same and seal his sacrifice and suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane. And aslo he needed to be raised onto that cross so that he could rise again in 3 days time. Then the last part of the Atonement is covered in Jesus Christs Resurrection. The next best gift that he can offer us next to Eternal life. Because he was risen again he conquered that physical death and he has made it possible for us to be resurrected with perfect bodies as well. He was risen to complete the Atonement and allow us to follow in his footsteps and return to our Father in Heaven.

Come What May & Love It

Come What May & Love It

The Trials

How do we deal with these trials? Why do we have them? When will they end? And lastly what am I supposed to learn from them?
      I often ask these questions when the trials come into my life as I am sure many of us do. I want to answer each question above with answers that I have learned in my life.
1)There isnt much to do when dealing with them. By living our lives while we recieve the trials that is the way we deal with them. But there is always more we can do. By reading the word of God in the scriptures we gain an understanding of these trials and it helps give us the strength to face them. Along with this scripture study we can continue and go and pray to our Father in Heaven and ask to lighten the burden. As Jesus Christ said... "come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest" (Matt 11:28). Although we may not see his hand in all things we can know that he is there and ready and willing to help.
2)When we get the trials in our lives we wonder why me why now. Well the thing I have learned is that when we recieve our trials it lets us know that the Lord feels we are ready to learn and grow and become a stronger person. So we should feel that the trials we have are an honor from the Lord. It shows that we are stronger than we think and that the Lord is letting us know that we have more potential than before.
3)Well we dont know when the end of our trials is and there isnt really a way to know when it ends. Many times I ask when will you stop hitting me with these trials Lord what will make them stop and the simplicity of the answer comes to me often in this form, I am here with you till they end and we can do it. To me that is the Lord saying I cant tell you the answer to your problem because that would defeat the purpose of the trial.
4)Then lastly, What am I supposed to learn? Man I ask that question very often during the trial. Because in my mind I think OK if I can learn my lesson now and faster then the trial will end. Well the answer comes to me well Elder Brown you wont know what the lesson is until the trial ends. Then many times I wont recognize the lesson I was supposed to learn until the next wave of trials hit then I understand.

The life of a missionary

The life as a missionary though difficult at times is the most rewarding of tasks. We gain insight on the scriptures. Develope Friendships in many places. Learn patience and diligence that will pay off in the job feild. And see many people come closer to christ in however way they can. The mission is one of the best choices to make. And those who talk to the missionaries, make the missionaries' challenges less and easier to bear thank you all who come as close to christ as they can.