I have been thinking a lot recently about the early pioneers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. What incredible love they had for what they believed in. I often think to myself do I have the same desire as they did? As we know, the Saints were driven from their homes and from their lives countless times, due to persecution from mobs and unbelievers which fortunately has ended today. They were often left with no option but to grab a covered wagon and head somewhere else with no real knowledge of what was to come. But with unexplainable persistence and faith the saints held strong to their beliefs and kept moving forward not backwards. 

What was it that motivated the saints? I am not going to talk about beliefs persay, for this is not a religious debate on what is true,  but more what did they have that made their beliefs so valuable as to be willing to loose everything they had including their lives, just to be able to practice their religion and find freedom and peace? I was greatly pondering this question when I came across a scripture in The Book of Mormon. I was reading in the 2nd Book of Nephi, Chapter 33 which reads:

"And now, my beloved brethren, all those who are of the house of Israel, and all ye ends of the earth, I speak unto you as the voice of one crying from the dust: Farewell until that great day shall come.

 And you that will not partake of the goodness of God, and respect the words of the Jews, and also my words, and the words which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of God, behold, I bid you an everlasting farewell, for these words shall condemn you at the last day.

 For what I seal on earth, shall be brought against you at the judgment bar; for thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must obey. Amen."

As I read this scripture, I was taken a back by the great prophet Nephi's powerful decleration. I found within my reading the most powerful expression of faith I have ever witnessed. Nephi knew exactly what he believed in with not a single ounce of doubt. He believed it. He knew what was true and he was not willing to back down or sugar coat or deny any part of truth as he knew it. This was it to him. To all else all he could hope for is that everyone else would come to know what he knew to be true as well. He would not excuse himself for anything.

I was struck hard within my heart as I realized this is the faith that we must have. The faith that the saints of old had. I read and watch various things that demonstrate the faith and trust The early pioneers had in what they believed. They knew it to be true. Isn't that worth fighting for? Isn't that worth dying for?

My plea to all who may hearken unto this post is to look within yourselves and find out if you truly have this same passion, this same faith, this same way of life that these brave men and women had, and do have today. I find it fasinating that the saints Faith was not another apendage to their lives, rather their faith was their lives and everything else was just added upon to support this mortal journey. I know what I believe. I make no excueses as Nehpi did not.

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Can A Leopard Change his spots?

I contemplated a lot about what I should write. Its only fair to say that I don't ponder so hard about a lot of things. But since I get the wonderful opportunity to blog then I figured I shouldn't just make these useless random messages but something I really wanna talk about.

Normally in life I am pretty much a slacker. I have always just put things off and very rarely do I ponder, prepare or think a ton about tests, or talks or anything that should really take some time and devotion. I usually will wait until the very last possible moment and then just lock n' Load and bang bang. Go with whatever comes out and hope for the best. Maybe say a little Prayer before hand and wait to see what would come. Usually I will get mediocre or fair results. I can't complain.

But I was thinking a lot about this and how I really don't wanna be that guy anymore. Ever since I have been on a mission I have realized that, that kind of attitude is not to helpful in life. If anyone knows me at all, they know I am just a laid back, easy going guy who occasionally likes some excitement. But Since I have been out here I have wanted to change who I am. Not everything about me but specifically this one attribute that I have that weighs me down. Why though? What Motivation did I have?

As I was reading in the Bible I found a great scripture in Malachi that says "I am the Lord, and I change not". Wow. It hit me. It clicked. My whole life is about becoming better. God Is perfect. He is the end result. He is the change. I Wanna be as best as I can be here in this life and I realize that the only way I can do that is by constant change. You must always be trying to be better. We all have things in our life we wish we could change. So why not? Change them. This time of year  is all about change. We all make those wonderful resolutions and then say "Dang, that's gonna require work". Of course it is!!! Life ain't that easy.

"Be ye therefore perfect." Said our savior Jesus Christ. Perfection can not be achieved in this life. But we can single handily change one aspect of our lives and perfect it!!! We can do it. I am like a totally different person then I use to be. Now hold on there partner. I am in no way saying that I am perfect. But I am in the Life or death battle with myself in trying to become better then ever before. I may never reach perfection but I can make perfect change if I choose too. That is what God expects. Perfect change.

In The Book of Mormon we read about a man known as The Brother Of Jared. he is a very righteous man who is leading his people to the promise land. He demonstrates great faith. But after letting making some mistakes he receives chastisement from the Lord and instead of just feeling like garbage. He decides to change. He acts. He is not acted upon. He then goes on to demonstrate perfect faith and the Lord reveals many great things to him. He was not perfect at that moment. But he Perfected an attribute he needed to work on and great things came about. We can do this as well. Act my brothers and sisters. Change what needs to change in order to become a better friend, a better son, a better daughter, mother, father neighbor. A leopard can change his spots.

Come, come ye christmas!!!! a christmas poem.

Christmas comes but once a year.
Do not worry but be of good cheer.
The Lights are hung, the snow is falling.
If you listen closely, santa is calling.

The day is one to which all can rejoice.
For our we must shout Merry Christmas with our loudest voice.
Be happy and full, for our day has come.
and the news of Christs birth, is for All, not just some.

I am forever grateful for this wonderful season.
I can Just start singing, with no apparent reason.
Build a Snowman, with your tounge catch a flake!
I love Christmas food, and smelling it bake!!!

This poem is rough, but it comes from the heart.
but to share the love of christmas, i must do my part.
So merry Christmas to you and to all who will read,
God bless us everyone, God bless us indeed.


                                                 -- Elder Kay

My thoughts on life.

Life is funny. I don't have much experience in it yet but from what I have seen its crazy. I am a firm believer in just letting go and enjoying yourself. Have you ever seen Ferris Buellers day off? At the very end he says "life is fast, and if you don't stop to take a look around, you might miss it" or something to that affect. I have seen a lot on my mission now and the one thing I notice is that so many people are so concerned with the tiniest of things in life. I was sharing a message about Jesus Christ with a wonderful man who gave me some awesome insight. He said "If you have a problem in life that in fifteen minutes you can't solve then its not even worth bothering with." I agree. I Love life. It is fun. Look how much we have to be grateful for. I was just walking out on the grass with my bare feet the other day and just the feeling of the grass under my feet was like the coolest thing ever!!! I mean come on, how lucky are we. Just take the time to savor all the little things in life. Look at everything that happens to you as just a great oppertunity to learn and appreciate. Its almost Christmas and I can remember watching my little cousins tearing open the wrapping paper and just loving it trying to get to their Christmas Gifts and then as soon as they would tear off all the paper, they would look at the gift, study if for a sec and then just go right back into playing with the wrapping paper!!! They saw the Little things in life, which are the best. That is totally the way we should look at life. The smallest of obstacles in our path are usually the things we love the most and appreciate more. Life is full of these things. I love life. I love the chaos!!!!!!!!! nothing could be better. Thanks for everything!!!!