Flood the Earth - Book of Mormon Week

The Holy Bible is a compilation of scriptures and is separated by individual books from various authors/prophets.  In it we find the Old Testament and New Testament of the Old world.  In the following Old Testament scripture Ezekiel prophesied of The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ (3rd Testament/Witness) that would come at a future date.  It has now been on the earth for 187 years with over 145,000,000 copies published in 107 languages since 1980.

Ezekiel 37:15-17

 15 ¶The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying,

 16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:

 17 And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.

An Introduction to The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon flooding the earth was prophesied by the Prophet, Ezra Taft Benson in 1988.  Many Latter-day Saints are taking the challenge and admonition to share this sacred book of scripture with others using the World Wide Web and flooding social media outlets with the knowledge of its message.

TAKE THE CHALLENGE!  I recorded my testimony of The Book of Mormon!  You can too! Let's spread the message of The Restoration and coming forth of Another Testament of Jesus Christ...

Flood the Earth

- C.J. Poulsen

You Never Know

Thanks be to all the wonderful moms out there who are doing so much GOOD for our world.  I want to thank my wife for being such a great mother to our children. #moms #youneverknow #lds

Obedience and Faithfulness ~ The Hope of God's Light

 Today I had the opportunity to instruct our Elder's Quorum lesson.  I chose to discuss a talk given by Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles titled Obedience through our Faithfulness

SEE VIDEO AT BOTTOM ~ 

I began the lesson by sharing one of my favorite scriptures found in The Book of Mormon teaching us about the purpose of this earth life:
 

Alma 34:
32 
For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.

 33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance 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 night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.

 34 Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess 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.

I also drew this illustration below on the chalkboard showing the Plan of Salvation for each of us as God's children.

We have each been given gifts from our Heavenly Father.  The first of which is the gift of agency which we received prior to coming to this earth to receive a mortal body.  Because each of us chose to follow the Savior, Jesus Christ's plan in the pre-mortal existence, we have progressed spiritually and temporally to receive a mortal, physical body of flesh and bone.  That is our 2nd gift.  The third gift is the gift of the Holy Ghost once we enter in at the strait and narrow gate of baptism by immersion.  We then can receive the gift of endowment and sealing within one of God's Holy temples.  And the final gift, which is the greatest of all, is the gift of eternal life to return back to the presence of our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, to live forever after.

The talk that Elder Perry gave had many great points and takeaways to remind us to exercise faith unto obedience in this life and to listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.  I will share some excerpts from his talk:

Our third article of faith teaches us about the importance of obedience: “We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.”

The Apostle Paul taught, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Then Paul used the examples of Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham to teach about faith. He dwelled on the story of Abraham, for Abraham is the father of the faithful:

“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

“By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country. …

“Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised” (Hebrews 11:8–9, 11).

We know that through Abraham and Sarah’s son, Isaac, a promise was given to Abraham and Sarah—a promise of posterity “so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable” (see verse 12; see also Genesis 17:15–16). And then Abraham’s faith was tested in a way that many of us would consider unimaginable.

Too often we think of obedience as the passive and thoughtless following of the orders or dictates of a higher authority. Actually, at its best, obedience is an emblem of our faith in the wisdom and power of the highest authority, even God. When Abraham demonstrated his unwavering faithfulness and obedience to God, even when commanded to sacrifice his son, God rescued him. Similarly, when we demonstrate our faithfulness through obedience, God will ultimately rescue us.

We must certainly remain proactive in our Faith and path of progression.  Another favorite scripture of mine and great reminder to never be idle as a disciple of Christ is the following:

D&C 58:27

 27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;  

In closing, here is a powerful true story of a young man whose faith in fasting and prayer changed his "night to day..."   ENJOY this powerful message...

~ C. J. Poulsen 

James Poulsen: A Faithful Dane

 Picture from: James Poulsen: A Faithful Dane

  

 Alma 34:32 Purpose of this Life:

  32 For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.

As we commemorate 167 years from the time the early Mormon Pioneers crossed the United States to settle in Salt Lake City, Utah and surrounding areas my heart is full as I ponder their dedication, faith, sacrifice, and endurance to reach their final destination.   For the past two weeks I have had the privilege and opportunity of preparing a talk on Pioneer Heritage for our Sacrament Meeting at church today.  This has been a great delight and I have learned so much.

I would like to share a few things I discovered that has helped strengthen my faith and commitment to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

First of all I accepted the Family Search indexing challenge last Sunday and had fun participating in that event.  As 67, 419 volunteers invested their time in a 24 hour period to help index family records, HISTORY was made beating the previous record of just under 50,000.  I helped index several obituary records in Pennsylvania and Texas.  It was very exciting to be of service and feel the Spirit of Elijah in my heart.

As I studied our Pioneer Heritage I found many resources regarding this throughout the Church and its websites including www.lds.org and www.familysearch.com  In particular, I researched and studied my own ancestors and family history.  I found several great connections and stories regarding my progenitors.  

My great, great grandfather, James Poulsen, pictured above, has a fascinating story converting to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after being raised in the Lutheran church in Soro County, Denmark in the mid 1800's.  Missionaries were sent to Denmark and eventually the message of the restored gospel reached my grandfather in a cottage meeting.  He accepted and he and his wife were baptized.  Soon after joining the church he was called to be a missionary in his native land of Denmark for two years.

Soon after that they emigrated to America where James lost his three children and wife to measles and other disease that hit their ship.  All four had to be buried at sea.  My grandfather remarried the woman who nursed him back to health on that voyage once arriving in the States.   They then crossed the United States plains in the Joseph Horne company to arrive in Salt Lake valley.  From there they migrated northward into Cache Valley, Utah.  After a time, they were encouraged to move up further north into Bear Lake and Liberty, Idaho.  They settled this area and started another farm.  After years of raising crops and children my grandfather was called on another mission back home to his native land.  While there he helped over 20 relatives convert and join the church and then come back to America with him.

His life was one of sacrifice, faith, and endurance.  I loved learning about he and several other ancestors of mine who showed the same dedication to the gospel and the sacrifices of moving west to a new promised land.

One of my favorite scriptures is found here: 

2 Nephi 1: 5-6

 

 5 But, said he, notwithstanding our afflictions, we have obtained a land of promise, a land which is choice above all other lands; a land which the Lord God hath covenanted with me should be a land for the inheritance of my seed. Yea, the Lord hath covenanted this land unto me, and to my children forever, and also all those who should be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord.

 6 Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord.

The above scripture teaches us that nobody is brought unto the land of Liberty, America, unless by the hand of the Lord.

The Book of Mormon's introductory chapters speak on the account of Lehi and his family leaving Jerusalem, heading into the wilderness, facing trials and challenges, but proceeding forward in faith to arrive in the promised land of America.

The two examples of faith and trust in the Lord that I've written about today are powerful stories that help strengthen my testimony and faith in our Heavenly Father's plan for each of us. 

From a recent address given by Elder L. Whitney Clayton:

God will bless those who live today in their challenges as He did the Mormon pioneers in their effort to create an oasis in the desert, a General Authority said in his speech at the annual Days of ’47 Sunrise Service that began the Pioneer Day observance July 24 in Salt Lake City.

“As we move forward in our own lives, with faith in our own footsteps, we too can cross the sun-baked, barren, and treacherous terrain that lies figuratively before us and, with vision and faith, overcome our own overwhelming adversities and subdue and beautify the world around us,” said Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy.

“There is a promised land for all of us, which, with faith and obedience and hard work we can help create for ourselves in this life, just like the pioneers did 167 years ago,” Elder Clayton declared.

"Surely God expects that there be something more than ease, pleasure, and comfort in our lives. Surely He expects that we also should move forward with faith manifested in our own footsteps, emulating all that we have learned from those early pioneers.” —Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy

And lastly, the Savior, Jesus Christ is our ultimate exemplar and pioneer to follow.  From our living prophet, Thomas S. Monson:

Inspiring Faith

“We each can learn much from our early pioneer ancestors, whose struggles and heartaches were met with resolute courage and an abiding faith in a living God. … Youth and children were among the thousands who pulled and pushed handcarts or walked along that pioneer trail, just as they are among the Saints today who are pioneering in their own areas throughout the world. I think that there is not a member of this Church today who has not been touched by the accounts of the early pioneers. Those who did so much for the good of all surely had as their objective to inspire faith. They met the goal in a magnificent manner.”²

The Ultimate Pioneer

“Turning the pages of scriptural history from beginning to end, we learn of the ultimate pioneer—even Jesus Christ. His birth was foretold by the prophets of old; His entry upon the stage of life was announced by an angel. His life and His ministry have transformed the world. …

“One sentence from the book of Acts speaks volumes: Jesus ‘went about doing good … for God was with him’ (Acts 10:38). …

“His mission, His ministry among men, His teachings of truth, His acts of mercy, His unwavering love for us prompts our gratitude and warms our hearts. Jesus Christ, Savior of the world—even the Son of God—was and is the ultimate pioneer, for He has gone before, showing all others the way to follow. May we ever follow Him.”⁵

-C.J. Poulsen

Meet Today's Prophets and Apostles

 Meet Today's Prophets and Apostles

 Today I wanted to share my deep gratitude with you, my readers, for the knowledge I've gained about living prophets and apostles.  This knowledge gives me much peace and direction in my life.  As I ponder upon their words it gives me hope of a better day.  We all face tribulations and challenges in this life.  That is part of our journey and experience here upon the earth.  We were sent here to gain a mortal body and be tested according to our faith.

As we learn, grow, and progress in life we each face daily choices.  The gift of agency was given to each of us so we may learn for ourselves between truth and error.  I love learning and discovering new truths for myself.

One truth I'm especially grateful for is the righteous examples of faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ we have to follow in the scriptures and in our day.  Our Heavenly Father has appointed prophets and apostles throughout each dispensation (time period) to lead and guide us, as His children here on earth.  God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Prophets are called and chosen to be special witnesses of Jesus Christ and testify of Him throughout all the world.  I realize that many do not yet have this knowledge.  Perhaps, this is the first time you've heard anything like this.  My challenge to you is to seek for answers from the source of all truth, God our Heavenly Father through prayer.  He has answered my prayers and as I read and listen to the living prophets and apostles words, the holy spirit teaches, testifies, uplifts, and edifies me.  This is a great blessing indeed!  One I am in deep gratitude of this day.

Amos 3:7
 7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

A QUOTE from our living prophet, Thomas S. Monson ~

"In a world where peace is such a universal quest, we sometimes wonder why violence walks our streets, accounts of murder and senseless killings fill the columns of our newspapers, and family quarrels and disputes mar the sanctity of the home and smother the tranquility of so many lives.

"Perhaps we stray from the path which leads to peace and find it necessary to pause, to ponder, and to reflect on the teachings of the Prince of Peace and determine to incorporate them in our thoughts and actions and to live a higher law, walk a more elevated road, and be a better disciple of Christ" ("Finding Peace," Ensign, March 2004).

 

 ~ C. J. Poulsen

To This End Was I Born - BECAUSE OF HIM

BECAUSE OF HIM

EASTER CHALLENGE

I am very thankful for Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection.  During this Easter season we celebrate life.  Spring has sprung and new life is all around us!  My heart is full as I ponder upon the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  He took upon Him the sins of the world and then died for all mankind.  The ultimate sacrifice!  We are given life and then will live again thanks to His great sacrifice.  

May we all remember our bounteous blessings #Because of Him!  We can each be (At-one-ment) with Christ as we apply the atonement in our spiritual lives.  Death of the body has been conquered and is a FREE gift to all.  To overcome spiritual death we must follow the Savior's example, be baptized in His name, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, apply the atonement, and endure to the end with FAITH.

C.J. Poulsen

Join Us for General Conference

This is one of my favorite weekends of the year!  Please join us and hear living prophets speak words of inspiration...

Lifting Burdens: The Atonement of Jesus Christ

This is a powerful message about the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  Christ took upon Him the sins of the world so we might be cleansed and purified from our wrongdoings.  I am very grateful for the atonement in my life and the chance it gives me daily to strive to be better and put off the natural man.  Life is not easy and we can easily be weighed down but through Christ we are lifted.

President Thomas S. Monson, our beloved prophet, along with living apostles testify in the video above how Christ's atonement will transform our lives if we exercise faith and allow the Savior into our life.                        
 ~ C.J. Poulsen

I am so thankful we have the guidance of living prophets and apostles as well as a road map (scriptures) given to us in these last days.  The Book of Mormon clearly speaks of the Atonement and teaches us how Christ atoned and died for each of us.  Their is true POWER from studying this sacred book.

• Alma 34:9 
• 9 For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement
  made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are
  hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be
  through the atonement which it is expedient should be made.

Bullying - Stop It

This seems to be happening more and more and we must help inform those doing it to stop.  Although bullying has always been around in some form or another the media has brought it to our attention more as of late it seems.

 I recall a personal experience as a young boy in 5th grade when a group of sixth graders would tease and make fun of myself and a couple of my friends I hung out with at recess.  Because we were short and on the heavy side, they would taunt us and call us "the chub club."  I remember how bad it made me feel.  I would cry in private often wondering why?  Why were they so mean?  Why the names and the teasing?  Why was I chubby?  I soon grew out of that stage of life but had resentment towards them throughout the high school years.


Despite the anger and resentment I felt towards my older peers during that time in my life, I am thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who has guided me throughout my life and brought me to where I am now.  With the strength of good family and friends and the gospel of Jesus Christ as an anchor, I learned to pray for those who were mean and belittling to me.

Now as a father of two young children, I hope to continue teaching them Christlike principles to love others and to be kind to everyone.  To not judge and criticize others for their imperfections but to be accepting and kind regardless of their situation in life.  We all have different challenges in life and we all need friends who uplift us and do not tear us down.  It is my hope and prayer that this video will touch your heart and you will share it with others.  Have a great week and keep Christ in your heart...

~ C. J. Poulsen

Unto All the World: Hastening the Work in Europe

I love missionary work and get excited every time I see the Elders or sisters out working in the field. I have seen them a lot more often since moving to Southern California.  The work is hastening everywhere since the missionary age requirement dropped to 18.  It's fun to watch and be a part of!

“When you are involved in the work of the Lord, the power behind you is always greater than the obstacles before you,” testifies Elder Dallin H. Oaks in this video about missionary work in Europe.

In September of 2013, Elder Oaks and Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles visited five countries in Europe: England, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy. They learned about the challenges missions had in absorbing the large influx of missionaries and wanted to ensure that the increased number of missionaries will be put to work.

“It puts a great responsibility now upon the membership of the Church,” Elder Ballard said.“ Everywhere we go in the world we are challenging the ward councils and the local priesthood leaders to use those missionaries to build the kingdom, and they are pushing the work forward in the Europe area in a very impressive way.”  “We all have to rally around this great work now, and we all have to be missionaries. We have to reach out and talk to our friends and our neighbors and assist the missionaries to keep them busy teaching.“

“There is a lot of work to do,” said Elder Oaks. “The Lord has need of everyone.”  - www.lds.org 


Doctrine and Covenants 4

 1 Now behold, a ^amarvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.

 2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the ^aservice of God, see that ye^bserve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand ^cblameless before God at the last day.

 3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are ^acalled to the work;

 4 For behold the ^afield is white already to ^bharvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in^cstore that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;

 5 And ^afaith, ^bhope, ^ccharity and ^dlove, with an ^eeye single to the^fglory of God, ^gqualify him for the work.

 6 Remember faith, ^avirtue, knowledge, ^btemperance, ^cpatience,^dbrotherly ^ekindness, ^fgodliness, charity, ^ghumility, ^hdiligence.

 7 ^aAsk, and ye shall receive; ^bknock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.

~C.J. Poulsen

Alex Boye - I Will Rise - Christ is our ROCK!

Happy Sabbath Day!

Today has been a day of music and inspiration at our household.  I wanted to feature one of my favorite LDS artists on the blog today with this inspiring peace of music about our Savior, Jesus Christ.  I love listening to Alex Boye and all of his music.

I know that Christ LIVES and that He has truly overcome death.  I love the lyrics here about "RISING when He calls my name." I have faith in Christ and will continue following His perfect example...
Below is a very beautiful rendition of the song "I Will Rise." 

Please share this post and help LIFT others!

~ C.J. Poulsen

Fort Lauderdale Florida LDS Temple Open House and Dedication

I LOVE TO SEE THE TEMPLE!

Hello natives of Florida...IF you've ever wanted to tour an LDS temple and you live in the area, now is your chance.  SAVE the DATE!

My grandmother served an LDS mission to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 1978.  I'm certain she is smiling down now to see this beautiful temple being completed for the Saints to enjoy in that region.

NEWS RELEASE - 13 JANUARY 2014

Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple
Open House and Dedication Dates
Announced

SALT LAKE CITY -- The First Presidency has announced open house and dedication dates for the Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The public is invited to visit the temple during an open house from Saturday, 29 March, through 19 April 2014, excluding Sundays.  Free reservations for the open house can be made through the fortlauderdalemormontemple.org website in the coming weeks.

The Temple has been a great blessing in my life.  I grew up watching my parents go on Friday nights to the temple as their date night.  It always intrigued me as a child why they would go here and what they would do there.  I've always loved seeing the temple and especially at nighttime when they light up so beautifully white.

I was taught from a young age that we go to the temples to learn more about the creation, this life and its purpose, and where we're going after we die.  I also learned that we serve others here, particularly those who have passed on before us and may not have had a chance to accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and finally to worship our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ in humility and reverence.  

As a young man, at the age of twelve, I was ordained a Deacon of the Aaronic Priesthood and had my first trip to the temple.  I was amazed at the peacefulness and beauty of the temple grounds and going inside for the first time to do *baptisms for the dead.  This was an experience I cherished and loved returning often with other youth and leaders of my ward congregation.
* 29 Else what shall they do which are ^abaptized ^bfor the dead, if the dead ^crise not at all? why are they then baptized for the^ddead?  1 Corinthians 15:29 

And now as an adult, I have had the privilege of entering several temples around the country and partaking of the blessings from our Heavenly Father.  My wife and I were married and sealed for time and eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple a few years ago.  This was a day never to be forgotten and one of the best days of my life! 

When I see or think of the holy temple, I think of light, I think of Christ.  I think of an anchor in a raging storm. I think peace and serenity.  I think of a sanctuary of purity and safety.  I think of angels.  I think of heaven and charity.  I think of faith from our pioneer history.  I think of happiness and families being together forever.   

I would love to hear your comments and thoughts about the temple below!  What do you think of when you see the temple? 

~C.J. Poulsen 

Mormonism, A Christ-Centered Global Faith

"Did you know that 40 percent of the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints live in Latin America? Or that the Church has more than 29,000 congregations worldwide? Or that Mormons are guided by basic tenets, such as a belief in Jesus Christ and a focus on family? This new video from the Church lists these facts and more for those not familiar with the faith." #mormonnewsroom #mormon #lds