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