Strengthening Testimony ~ A New Member

I love the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and all the blessings that come with it.  As an entrepreneur I have the joy and privilege of meeting new people all the time, many of whom inspire me to become a better person.  I want to share an experience I recently had as I met one such sister who is a new friend, business colleague, and most importantly convert in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Mormon - GET a FREE COPY!

Each day I leave my home with a prayer in my heart to be led by the Holy Ghost and to strive to serve others around me.  I am a strong believer in the following scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1  1 To every thing there is a ^aseason, and a time to every purpose under the heaven... which leads to why I believe that we cross paths, connect and meet others for a reason.  It's not just happen stance.  Our lives are weaved and intertwined for a reason...God knows what each of us need all the time and therefore blesses us and answers our prayers.

DAY 1: On Wednesday afternoon I stopped at a popular restaurant that I frequent often to meet with prospective business clients and partners.  I noticed a vehicle with a business logo that I was somewhat familiar with on the back and a Texas license plate which piqued my curiosity.  I went inside and made some phone calls and then left to attend other meetings.  On my way home for the evening I passed by the restaurant noticing the same vehicle there and I had a feeling to turn around and return there.  As I pulled up a man and lady walked out the front door and proceeded to talk outside of the vehicle I had seen with the business logo.  I had seen them inside earlier and decided to get out, walk over, introduce myself and ask them for a business card.

Jill, the owner of the car, was slightly stunned but graciously gave me a card and product sample.  She and I exchanged business cards and agreed to connect soon to learn more about each other's businesses and to network.  The Book of Mormon - GET a FREE COPY!

DAY 2: The next day, Thursday afternoon, I phoned Jill and to my surprise she answered saying, "Christopher, I was just dialing your number, crazy!" I asked her if she was available to meet that afternoon and learn more about my business...she said, SURE, I can meet you in an hour back at the restaurant.

We met and she told me she had just moved to SLC from Houston two or three weeks ago after going through a divorce.  She then gave me a brief summary refresher about her business that she was involved in and then I proceeded to tell her about mine.  As we were talking she said, "I notice you're wearing a CTR (Choose the Right) ring; I actually just joined the church and got baptized a few months ago."  I was now anxious and excited to hear more about her conversion story to the gospel and listened intently as she told me how it came to be.

She explained how a girlfriend had been asking her to come to church in Houston for several years and how the missionaries stopped by asking if they could mow the lawn or serve her family in various ways. Through these series of events being exposed to members she also met a skydive instructor from Utah who gave her a copy of The Book of Mormon and also invited her to church.  She told me she loves The Book of Mormon and cannot go to sleep at night without reading from it.  (I agree with her...it is my favorite book to read from as well and brings much peace, hope, and understanding.)  She also showed me pics of her baptism on her phone and said how happy it made she and her children going to church together.

I was ecstatic as I listened to her story and so I shared with her how I had the feeling to turn around the night before and to meet her.  We were both joyed to know Heavenly Father had brought us together in that moment to share testimony of prayer, gratitude, and opportunity.  

I finished telling her about my company and she was impressed with her new found knowledge and made the decision to partner with my company and I that afternoon.  She explained how all these blessings keep coming to her and she knows she is suppose to be in Utah at this time.  She fasted and prayed to move here and opportunities and blessings have been poured out the past 2-3 weeks for her.

I am very happy today as I type this knowing that Heavenly Father does lead and guide us if we ask Him to.  My testimony of prayers being answered has been strengthened immensely through this experience I've had.  I am joyful looking ahead as I have gained a new friend, business colleague, and most importantly for the strengthening of my faith and testimony knowing another sister's conversion story to the Restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thank you for sharing your experiences with me Jill and may our Heavenly Father continue to lead, guide, and bless you daily...

Here are a few of my favorite verses from: The Book of Mormon - GET a FREE COPY!

2 NEPHI 32: 8-9 PRAY ALWAYS

 8 And now, my beloved brethren, I perceive that ye ponder still in your hearts; and it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing. For if ye would hearken unto the ^aSpirit which teacheth a man to ^bpray, ye would know that ye must ^cpray; for the ^devil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray.

 9 But behold, I say unto you that ye must ^apray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall ^bpray unto the Father in the ^cname of Christ, that he will ^dconsecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the ^ewelfare of thy soul.

Mosiah 3:19 BECOME A SAINT

19 For the ^anatural ^bman is an ^cenemy to God, and has been from the ^dfall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he ^eyieldsto the enticings of the Holy ^fSpirit, and ^gputteth off the ^hnaturalman and becometh a ⁱsaint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a ^jchild, ^ksubmissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

Alma 34:32-34 PURPOSE OF THIS LIFE

 32 For behold, this ^alife is the time for men to ^bprepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of ^cthis life is the day for men to perform their ^dlabors.

 33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many^awitnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not^bprocrastinate the day of your ^crepentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the^dnight of ^edarkness wherein there can be no labor performed.

 34 Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful ^acrisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth ^bpossess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.

Helaman 5:12  BUILD LIFE UPON FOUNDATION OF CHRIST

 12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the^arock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your ^bfoundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty ^cstorm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

Moroni 10: 3-5   COME TO KNOW TRUTH OF BOOK OF MORMON

3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how ^amerciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ^bponder it in your^chearts.

 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ^aask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not ^btrue; and if ye shall ask with a ^csincere heart, with ^dreal intent, having ^efaith in Christ, he will ^fmanifest the^gtruth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may ^aknow the ^btruth of all things.

~ C.J. Poulsen

Tis the Season of Christmas

A couple of my favorite musicians invite the spirit of the season as we each reflect the TRUE meaning of Christmas and all that our Savior, Jesus Christ has done for us... This inspiring rendition is a valuable piece to share with loved ones...Take a break and invest five minutes to reflect...  May you all have a GREAT week in your many endeavors!

Dare to Stand Alone

Sunday is my favorite day of the week for many reasons.  First of all, I love going to church with my family and seeing my two year old light up when he asks, "Do we get to go to church today, Daddy?"  His face beams with joy and excitement when I tell him yes!  He loves to go and see friends in nursery and learn about Jesus, the temple, and the Holy Ghost.  It brings joy and happiness to me as well when I pick him up from his nursery after our classes are over and he proceeds to tell me what he colored, drew, or made that day.  Today he made a little book about Jesus and the creation and he was super excited to show it to me and his mommy and sister when we got home...For me, church brings a lot of strength and peace to my heart.



I love partaking of the sacrament (bread and water) in remembrance of Jesus Christ and renewing the covenants I have made with my Heavenly Father at baptism and in the temple.  This brings great peace and reflection, allows for personal pondering and self evaluation.  Course corrections are brought to light and a new determination is planted to do a little 'better' this week than last.

I love having a day of rest and hanging out with my family in pj's; not worrying about emails or work-related stuff for a full day.  We love to watch church films as a family, read from the scriptures, and play games.  Today we got to watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional and hear the prophet, Thomas S. Monson speak and testify of Jesus Christ and His birth.  His two counselors spoke as well and wonderful messages were given regarding our Savior, Jesus Christ.  This time of year is a time to count all of our many blessings.

I love learning about and sharing the gospel.  The good news (gospel) brings a lot of hope and builds my faith as I learn about Christ and His Restored gospel and church for three hours at church meetings.  Once I get home, I try to carry that same spirit and to share my testimony and gospel principles I've learned here on my blog for others to discover and read.  I hope you've enjoyed today's post!

IN a darkening world, it can be tough to stand tall for what we believe in...Where are your roots planted?  What foundation have you built to withstand the storms of adversity?

The inspirational clip above teaches how important it is to stand firm in our faith, even if it means standing alone.  Watch our modern day prophet as a young man in Navy boot camp "stand alone" and learn a great lesson...Whatever your faith is, Dare to Stand Alone ~

~ C.J. Poulsen 

Testing Revelation

 

This video illustrates a great example of praying to God to receive answers or personal revelations to some of life's questions.  Finding out if something is TRUE or not isn't always easy, but going to the source of all truth with faith can be a wise decision.  I know that God is the source of all truth and if I'm troubled with something or have questions about something in particular, I can pray and ask for help and receive answers.

I know that God, our Heavenly Father, hears and answers our prayers through the power of the Holy Ghost.  As we exercise faith through prayer and commune with our Father, He is able to inspire us with promptings (feelings or impressions) from the Holy Ghost or teach/instruct us from the Holy Scriptures.

I hope you each had a great Sabbath day and if you live in the United States, I encourage each of you to pray and seek divine direction as you cast your votes for our leaders of the future!

C. J. Poulsen

Understanding Mormonism

UNDERSTANDING MORMONISM

- Last week we were privileged to listen to our living prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as they spoke truth to the world about various topics that help us each live better, more fulfilled lives as families and individuals.  The 182nd Semi-Annual General Conference was recorded and archived HERE:

General Conference is perhaps my favorite time of year as it happens twice, in April and October each year.  IF you missed listening or watching the live sessions please go and watch a few of the recorded sermons that were given.  They are uplifting and inspire good.  IF you're not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka as Mormon Church), and are investigating the church I invite you to come and learn now from God's called servants.

I was born and raised as a Latter-day Saint and as I've grown and become an adult I have learned for myself that this church is God's only true and living church upon the face of the earth.  I have prayed to know if this church is God's restored church.  The spirit has testified to me over and over that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's restored church that was established anciently by Jesus Christ while He was here upon the earth.  I am so grateful for the testimony and knowledge I have of this and how the restored gospel leads me and my decisions day by day.

I know that Jesus Christ is the Head of this church and that Thomas S. Monson is the prophet called to be God's mouthpiece here upon the earth.  Again, I invite you to come and learn and pray to God to learn for yourself if this is not true...

God bless you and America ~

~ C.J. Poulsen

Come Listen to Living Prophets

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW~

Church was great today!  It was a primary program in our Sacrament meeting and I loved listening to the little children read their part and sing primary songs.  The spirit was very strong and I felt close to my Heavenly Father.  Several children read scriptures and snippets from our Latter-day prophets and apostles about keeping the commandments and having faith in Jesus Christ.

I am excited for General Conference which is coming up in two weeks from today.  Preparing our hearts now is important to learn from their counsel and wisdom.  I love General Conference and the Fall colors changing.

I hope you also had an awesome Sabbath day...

C.J. Poulsen

LDS Temples will Dot the Earth...

Today I am reflecting upon the many benefits of the temple.  As I was pondering the multiple blessings that come from a loving Heavenly Father I came across this beautiful music and illustration of what LDS temples mean to each of God's children.  These beautiful Houses of the Lord are being built for you and for me. We are so fortunate to have a loving Father in Heaven who teaches us and instructs us of His ways through the power of the Holy Ghost.

I invite you to ponder upon the "feelings" you have as you watch this beautiful short documentary.  Remembering always this scripture:  JOHN 14:26  26 But the ^aComforter, which is the ^bHoly Ghost, whom the Father will send in my ^cname, he shall ^dteach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Happy Easter

Jesus Christ is Risen ~ He has overcome death of the body and spirit by dying on the cross and atoning for the sins of all mankind in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Faith in Jesus Christ is a firm conviction that He is who He says He is and that He will help us when we seek Him. Faith in Christ means trusting in Him, remembering Him, and following His teachings. It is a conviction that He is the Son of God, “The way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6).

JESUS LIVES

Mormon Kansas City Missouri Temple Open House Begins

I also wanted to share the latest news of the Kansas City, Missouri temple. My family lived near this site last summer and we went to the grounds several times to see it being constructed...the spirit of that area is very strong as Joseph Smith was once there doing a mighty work leading the Saints ~ What a HUGE blessing for that area.
Kansas City Temple offers Healing Moment

The Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ - He is Risen!

I KNOW that Jesus Christ LIVES and is RISEN because I have prayed to find out for myself! Watch this touching documentary of His death and resurrection.




Ponder what the Savior means to all humanity—and to you personally. And then share the good news.

“He Is Risen”—a Prophet’s Testimony

“He Is Risen”

“The clarion call of Christendom,” President Thomas S. Monson has declared, is that Jesus of Nazareth rose from the dead. “The reality of the Resurrection provides to one and all the peace that surpasses understanding” (see Philippians 4:7).1

In the following excerpts, President Monson shares his testimony of and gratitude for the Savior’s Resurrection and declares that because the Son conquered death, all of the Father’s children who come to earth will live again.
Life beyond Mortality

“I believe that none of us can conceive the full import of what Christ did for us in Gethsemane, but I am grateful every day of my life for His atoning sacrifice in our behalf.

“At the last moment, He could have turned back. But He did not. He passed beneath all things that He might save all things. In doing so, He gave us life beyond this mortal existence. He reclaimed us from the Fall of Adam.

“To the depths of my very soul, I am grateful to Him. He taught us how to live. He taught us how to die. He secured our salvation.”2

READ the REST of President Monson's testimony of the SAVIOR here: "He is Risen"

Come Listen to Living Prophets

Imagine living on the earth amongst Noah or Moses and having them warn you of calamities to come. Well, we DO live during a time when a living prophet and 12 apostles are on the earth with all the same priesthood power and authority as Noah and Moses...

I am looking forward to General Conference and love this event every six months. As spirit sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father we are very blessed to live on the Earth during a time when He speaks to living prophets who live amongst us.

I invite each of you to calendar this event on (Sunday April 1, 10am mst) and come and listen for yourself and be taught from living prophets and apostles of Jesus Christ. It is a life changing experience and very powerful!

~ C. Poulsen

A Special Witness of Christ~

General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is quickly approaching and I am inviting you to watch this short clip above to get a taste of what type of sermons are given during conference from living prophets and apostles. It is a very unique experience and all are invited to attend and watch via internet or at a local church building. You do not have to be a member of the LDS or Mormon church to watch this.

If you believe in God and Jesus Christ this is for you! I can promise you it is well worth your time to schedule it in. Click to the right of this blog to find the viewing time and link. Thanks!

~ C. Poulsen

Jesus Christ is the only way for Salvation ~

Today was fast and testimony meeting at church. The first Sunday of each month, members from each Latter-day Saint ward (congregation) around the world are encouraged to fast for two meals and asked to bear their testimony in Sacrament meeting if prompted by the spirit to do so. Fasting means to go without food or drink for two meals or a 24 hour period and donate an offering equivalent to the cost of the two meals. This helps provide for those less fortunate who need welfare assistance. During this time we focus on the Lord and study and ponder the scriptures. By focusing on spiritual things and showing our faith in God in humility by putting off the natural man of hunger cravings, we are better able to clear our minds and draw nearer unto God.

The video above is a great example of how each of us can come to know Jesus Christ as we diligently seek to learn of Him. I am very grateful for my knowledge and testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that He lives and loves each of us. I know that He died for you and me and atoned for our sins. I know that He leads His church through a living prophet today and am so thankful for this knowledge.

To read more about prophets and why they are necessary to God's plan please click HERE.

~ C. Poulsen

Restoration of Christ's gospel

My Sabbath day has been rich in spirit and I have learned much today. I was reminded of and learned many things that will assist me in my path of spiritual progression. The particular message I want to share on my weekly blog update today is the message of the Restoration of Christ's gospel and priesthood to the earth. The video above illustrates clearly the vision that young Joseph Smith had to open this last dispensation and bring the fullness of the truth back to the earth.

In the Holy Bible we learn that an apostasy (falling away from truth) must occur and that a restitution of all things would happen.

19 ¶^aRepent ye therefore, and be ^bconverted, that your sins may be ^cblotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the ^dpresence of the Lord;

20 And he shall send ^aJesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:^b

21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of ^arestitution of all things, which God hath ^bspoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

ACTS 3:19-21

I am grateful for the restoration of Christ's gospel and priesthood that enable all people everywhere to come unto Christ and partake of His many blessings. Through the restored gospel we learn about the plan of salvation and what each of us must do to return to live with our Heavenly Father some day.

---

When Jesus Christ was on the earth, He established His Church among His followers. After His Crucifixion and the deaths of His Apostles, the fulness of the gospel was taken from the earth because of widespread apostasy. Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ restored the fulness of the gospel. The true Church of Jesus Christ is on the earth again. Because of the Restoration, the teachings and ordinances necessary for salvation are available to all people. ~ lds.org

To learn more for yourself about Christ's Church being restored please read one of my favorite sermons on the restoration. It was given by an apostle of Jesus Christ, Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: THE WONDROUS RESTORATION

~ C. Poulsen

Sabbath Day and Service

Ever had a fork in the road?

Today was a neat day for me. We woke up to 2-3 inches of fresh snow and the sun glimmering through the window which was beautiful...but it did take a few minutes longer to roll out of bed. I tweaked my lower back playing church basketball yesterday and have been in stiff pain for the past 24 hours. After many phone calls yesterday in search of a chiropractor who works on Saturdays I found someone who could meet and adjust me last evening around 5:30. I was thankful for the relief the treatment gave me and the stretches/exercises he gave me to get healed back to normal quicker.

OK, so today was a neat day because I had the opportunity to go to the Legacy Retirement Home here in Logan and bless and pass the sacrament and speak to a roomful of elderly people whose highlight each week is church and Utah Jazz basketball games on television.

As I prepared my thoughts to share with them, I spoke about my testimony of The Book of Mormon and the gifts that Heavenly Father has given us to endure through the challenges that arise in this mortal life by relying on the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

I shared bits and pieces of a talk given by Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the October 2010 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints titled, Agency: Essential to the Plan of Life

I also outlined the five main gifts that we are privileged to as followers of Jesus Christ and a few of my favorite scriptures. The five gifts I outlined were as follows and are essential to aid us in progressing to return and live with our Father in Heaven:

1. Gift of Agency - 27 Wherefore, men are ^afree according to the ^bflesh; and ^call things are ^dgiven them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to ^echoose ^fliberty and eternal ^glife, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be ^hmiserable like unto himself.

2. Gift of mortal body - 9 In the ^aimage of his own ^bbody, male and female, ^ccreated he them, and blessed them, and called their ^dname Adam, in the day when they were created and became living ^esouls in the land upon the ^ffootstool of God.

3. Gift of baptism/Holy Ghost -4 We believe that the first principles and ^aordinances of the Gospel are: first, ^bFaith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, ^cRepentance; third, ^dBaptism by ^eimmersion for the ^fremission of sins; fourth, Laying on of ^ghands for the ^hgift of the Holy Ghost.

4. Gift of Temple ordinances - Whenever the Lord has had a people on the earth who will obey his word, they have been commanded to build temples in which the ordinances of the gospel and other spiritual manifestations that pertain to exaltation and eternal life may be administered. In cases of extreme poverty or emergency, these ordinances may sometimes be done on a mountaintop (see D&C 124:37–55). This may be the case with Mount Sinai and the Mount of Transfiguration. The tabernacle erected by Moses was a type of portable temple, since the Israelites were traveling in the wilderness.

5. Gift of Eternal Life - 25 And this is the ^apromise that he hath promised us, even ^beternal life.

I also shared a few of my favorite scriptures from the Book of Mormon and how we should build our lives upon the foundation of Christ and endure to the end. This life literally is a time to prepare to meet God.

Helaman 5:12 - Build your life upon the Rock of Salvation
2 Nephi 31:20 - Press forward and endure to the end
Alma 34:32-34 - This life is a time for man to prepare to meet God

Church was great today and I loved mingling with the older folks...and, my lower back pain caused me to be more sympathetic for those in my presence as many suggested they were in pain.

This evening I had two sick members in my ward call and ask if I could come by and administer a priesthood blessing. I agreed and it has ended my day with my heart full of much gratitude. The service has made me happy and I feel very blessed for the opportunities to learn and grow today.

~C. Poulsen

The beauty of MUSIC ~

*Please turn off music player on right column to view music videos in this post!

I love to hear good music and have many favorite songs and hymns. Music is very powerful and has the ability to lift us up and touch our lives for good. . . But, it can also be degrading and tear down one's peace of mind, thus leading us farther away from the spirit of the Lord.

I am grateful, however, for good, wholesome music that is uplifting and inspires the soul. I appreciate all 'good' music and the talent behind the composer and/or artist. My focus today will be on good gospel music that is centered around Jesus Christ and has the power to heal one's soul. Music can turn the night to day and lift an individual who is feeling down.

Each week that I attend church I am so thankful for the hymns that we sing in praise to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, our elder brother. Many hymns move me in a positive way and I am humbled when I sing or listen to them. Often I get a bit teary-eyed and choked up while singing. It makes me feel closer to my Heavenly Father. There is so much power and emotion behind a beautiful hymn or song.

Although I have many favorites, these are a few of my top picks:

I Stand All Amazed: I truly do each day!


The Holy scriptures teach us to praise the Lord with music:
28 If thou art ^amerry, ^bpraise the Lord with singing, with music, with ^cdancing, and with a ^dprayer of praise and ^ethanksgiving. D&C 136:28

In honor and recognition of the talent portrayed by many in the Grammy music awards:
Grammy-Nominated Artist Shares Testimony through Music


I Need Thee Every Hour - We ALL DO!


How Great Thou Art - One of my favorite renditions...

Freedom and Liberty in America?

*Jon McNaughton is a great artist in the Utah area.

Happy Sunday! I hope you are enjoying your Sabbath day and trying to focus on our Savior, Jesus Christ and all He has done for us. Thank you for stopping by to read my blog!

Today my thoughts are turned to this great land of America. My great, great grandfather came to the United States from Denmark in the late 1800's and my family has been here ever since. I am so grateful for he and his family and sacrifices to come here and settle.
As we study the history both inside and outside of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints it is easy to recognize that all people that live here, in America, have roots that originated in another country. We all have connections (ancestors) of first, second, third, or more generations who immigrated to this nation from another land.

Recently I have been following the Republican GOP candidates campaign and debate throughout the country in different states. It's interesting to watch them claim to be conservative and by the "Constitution." The GOP nominee is hoping to win during the voting and election process this Fall to overturn our current President from the Democratic side. Politics are politics so may the best man to lead our country WIN!

My thoughts are not to support or side with one person over another but rather to discuss the importance of this great nation that was founded by enduring principles and the Constitution. Our Founding Fathers most definitely were inspired of God and led by His guiding hand to establish the laws and governing principles of the United States of America.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD

This is some of my favorite artwork. The artist lives next to my wife's grandparents.

A companion book of scripture to the Holy Bible also speaks of these latter-days and what to watch for within our society...

The Book of Mormon speaks of the "promised land" and how anyone brought here shall be brought by the hand of the Lord. There is a promise that if we, the people of this land, obey and keep His commandments it shall be a FREE land unto us. Unfortunately there are those who are trying to destroy our freedoms and liberties.

6 Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall ^anone come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord.

7 Wherefore, this ^aland is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of ^bliberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound ^ccursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.

8 And behold, it is wisdom that this land should be ^akept as yet from the knowledge of other ^bnations; for behold, many nations would overrun the land, that there would be no place for an inheritance.

9 Wherefore, I, Lehi, have obtained a ^apromise, that ^binasmuch as those whom the Lord God shall bring out of the land of Jerusalem shall keep his commandments, they shall ^cprosper upon the face of this land; and they shall be kept from all other nations, that they may possess this land unto themselves. And if it so be that they shall ^dkeep his commandments they shall be blessed upon the face of this land, and there shall be none to molest them, nor to take away the land of their ^einheritance; and they shall dwell safely forever.

~ 2 Nephi 1:6-9

~ PEACE IS COMING ~

To view who the people are in these illustrations, simply click on the photo!

I am so grateful for The Book of Mormon that was brought forth in the early 1800's by the young Prophet, Joseph Smith. IT is a guide and road map for all who will read and study from its pages. I have read from it numerous times and am always filled with the spirit of God when I read from it. My life seems more easy to navigate day-by-day and I feel an added strength and protection from our Heavenly Father.
I am also grateful for our Founding Fathers who were inspired to write the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America as a guide for the governing laws and enduring principles to protect the people and our rights and freedoms of this great nation under God.

In 1776, the United States Declaration of Independence declared that all men are endowed with certain inalienable rights, and that "among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness".

As we move forward in 2012 and will be electing new government officials and a President of the United States, my challenge to you is to vote for the best candidates that will uphold our moral values, freedoms, and liberties of this great country so that God may continue to bless and prosper us as a people. Our country is too great to become corrupted by people of 'power.'

May you have a great Sunday and week ahead of you!

~ C. Poulsen

*The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not have a political agenda and stands neutral on this topic. Each individual member of the church is encouraged to support and vote for those they feel will best represent our country, its people, and our freedoms. The above is my thoughts and opinions. Thanks for reading!