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