tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149521053180950852024-03-13T10:54:46.990-06:00The Whole Armor Of GodHello, my name is Ian Cassaro. I'm a Mormon (LDS). My purpose in having this blog is to post messages that will uplift and edify our souls as to enlighten our minds and help us grow closer to our Heavenly Father. It is also here to help strengthen our testimonies in Jesus Christ and His Church.Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-29288900468510282392011-10-02T23:24:00.000-06:002011-10-02T23:24:29.945-06:00It All Starts With UsAs children of our Heavenly Father, we have certain expectations of us that are very important for us to accomplish. Our Armor of God can help us with that, but even before we put on our Armor of God to defend ourselves, it all starts with us: who we are, what we're about, and what our values are (both when we're around others and alone). The Armor of God can do nothing if we ourselves are not worthy to be wearing it.<br />
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Those expectations that I mentioned above are relatively small when you look at them at first. Take a look at <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/2.22?lang=eng#21">Mosiah 2:22</a> which says, "And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you." That doesn't sound too bad, now does it? You might say that, well, there sure are a lot of commandments, aren't there? Yes, there are a lot of them. But what many people do on a normal day-to-day basis involves keeping these commandments without them even realizing it. Let me give you a list of commandments that we have been told to do: pray, study the scriptures, get baptized, obey the laws of the land, don't steel, honor your parents, etc. Are these commandments possible to obey? OF COURSE they are. Look at what Nephi said to his father during a time where it seemed impossible to accomplish anything, "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, <i>for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them</i>" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/3.7?lang=eng#6">1 Nephi 3:7</a>, italics added).<br />
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So with the ease of knowing that we all can do these commandments, is it automatically easier? Unfortunately, not so much. Satan, the father of all lies, is going to try to trick us and deceive us and tell us other things. He is going to try to make a mockery of the commandments, and is going to tell you that you don't need to do them because they are silly and won't get you anywhere. This is where our values come in. Situation: are we going to give in to drinking alcohol if our friends offer it to us? Are we going to give in to drinking if we are alone and nobody will find out? Even with our Armor of God, if we're not ready/worthy to wear it, there is no chance that we are going to be able to defend Satan's attacks against our values. One way to help with that is to already have a decision made up about something. We will use the example above. If we commit ourselves to not drink right now, we will have an easier time making the decision to not drink later on. This is the same with any commandment that has been asked of us.<br />
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I now want to talk about who we are and what we're about. We are all children of our Heavenly Father. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/rom/8.16?lang=eng#15">Romans 8:16</a>). He loves us with an infinite love, more than we can fully comprehend, but we can comprehend some of it. If ever we feel alone, or hurt, or afraid, our Heavenly Father can comfort us in our time of need. We can ask Him specific questions if we have a hard question of "what is right and what is wrong," and the best part, in my opinion, is that He listens to us individually and answers us individually. We just have to be listening to His response.<br />
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"What we're about" is another way of saying, "What is the purpose of life? What am I supposed to be doing, if anything, to help me get closer to God?" <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/34.32?lang=eng#31">Alma 34:32</a> says in response to those questions, "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." So what labors are we to perform? THE COMMANDMENTS!!! Those are the labors. Let me list off a few more: rejoicing (yes, it's a real commandment; <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/5.12?lang=eng#11">Matthew 5:12</a>), the Golden Rule (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/7.12?lang=eng#11">Matthew 7:12</a>), be of good cheer (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/9.2?lang=eng#1">Matthew 9:2</a>), and have faith (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/mark/11.22?lang=eng#21">Mark 11:22</a>). As long as you do all these things, as well as just living a good, wholesome life, you will be happy with yourself and you will know that our Father in Heaven is happy with you too.<br />
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I know that following the commandments are all possible. I know that as children of God, we not only need to keep our Armor of God polished, but we need to keep our spirits polished as well. Knowing AND understanding who we are and what we're here to do is the beginning to all of that.Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-53345556558112831452011-07-20T11:20:00.001-06:002011-07-20T11:23:30.689-06:00A Little Insight Into Judgement Day<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0" height="349" id="flashObj" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=798298893001&linkBaseURL=http%3A%2F%2Flds.org%2Fmedia-library%2Fvideo%2Fbook-of-mormon-presentations%3Flang%3Deng%232010-06-04-can-you-imagine&playerID=710849472001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAApYNoccE~,xDmRWfqDlPhbhwoOkZ1F_TSoe20nAtRQ&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=798298893001&linkBaseURL=http%3A%2F%2Flds.org%2Fmedia-library%2Fvideo%2Fbook-of-mormon-presentations%3Flang%3Deng%232010-06-04-can-you-imagine&playerID=710849472001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAApYNoccE~,xDmRWfqDlPhbhwoOkZ1F_TSoe20nAtRQ&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="560" height="349" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object><br />
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All of us, whether we realize it now or later, will be judged according to two things: the actions we have done in this life, and the desires of our hearts. I love how this video portrays the same guy as all of the characters because I think, in a sense, that our own actions and our own desires will be our judge. This is where mercy will be very important. As long as we repent of the things which our actions and our desires have caused, those bad things will be "blotted out", or in other words, we won't be judged for them because they have been erased. I invite all who read this to repent, so that we can fully feel the weight of guilt and shame disappear.Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-87222708225670437162011-06-19T20:10:00.000-06:002011-06-19T20:10:49.269-06:00HAPPY DADDY'S DAY!!!Father’s Day is usually celebrated one day every June, but there can be other father’s days too. Fathers never stop being fathers, even when the holiday is over. To show that you remember your fathers on the other 364 days of the year, some ways to make them happy should be lasting things. Few things please a father more than having a son or daughter who is unselfish, helpful, pleasant, hard working, hard playing, and kind and loving to everyone. When a father’s family is happy, it helps him to become a better kind of person.<br />
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My dad is the kind of person who likes to get things done his own way. He likes to see things done right, and I think he's the perfect person to do it. My dad has taught me this way of working, which has helped me on my mission. As I have gone throughout my mission, I have been able to work in many different people's lives. As I have used these work ethics taught to me by my father, the lives with which I am working in seem to change a lot faster. My dad has been a great example to me.<br />
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This is not all that my father has done for me. Let me name off just a few events: showing up at music recitals, bringing his work truck home, helping with pinewood derby cars for years, providing me the way to go on a mission (as well as being the big provider in general), playing board games with me late into the night, going on motorcycle rides to get an ice cream at Dairy Queen, Coldstone, or Baskin Robbins, showing forth example after example of how to treat other people, allowing me to work next to him with whatever he's doing (and knowing that he trusts me to do so), along with many, many, many other things that I could talk for days about. He has done more for me than I will ever know.<br />
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If you show that you remember your fathers’ enduring love for you by the way you live (which is my big Father's Day gift this year), every day can truly be a Fathers' Day.<br />
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Dad, I. S. U. M. H. <3 I love you SO much. I'll see you soon!!!Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-37971205213391084042011-06-16T15:21:00.000-06:002011-06-16T15:21:41.011-06:00The Whole Armor of God: Part 2<object height="349" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zdPxYSsjbOI?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zdPxYSsjbOI?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="349" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
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This is a good illustration of what will happen when you let your guard down. The Armor of God is one of those things that you should never take off. It should always be firmly attached to you. It will stay attached to you based on the decisions you make throughout the day. When those troubling times get in your way, or when difficult decisions cross your path, keep on the Armor of God.Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-83839316048709715682011-06-10T17:57:00.000-06:002011-06-10T17:57:41.673-06:00Heavenly Father's Plan, Made Easy<object width="560" height="349"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vebIAyp0Z_4?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vebIAyp0Z_4?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="349" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
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I bear my testimony that Heavenly Father does have a plan already laid out for us. This "Plan of Salvation" is a wonderful way for us to utilize the Atonement of Jesus Christ, help us improve who we are, and help others along the way so that we all can make it back to live with Heavenly Father again.Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-77758785837709366822011-05-24T12:12:00.000-06:002011-05-24T12:12:33.497-06:00War Of TemptationsThere are many who will be reading this that have the problems of giving in to temptations. I want to preface this by saying that we have all been subject to temptations. Even Jesus Christ was put through some temptations. I feel I must say that without these temptations, there would've been very little point to coming to this earth to learn, because without temptations, it can be very hard for us to learn. There must be opposition to all things, from the yearnings of the Lord to do righteous works, to the temptations that so easily beset us from Satan. I take some of my sayings from prophets and apostles of the past and present, and hope that something I say will help put into perspective the way we all feel about these things and about how we can overcome them. I also don't say these things as a hypocrite, but as someone who has been through many temptations of all kinds, and have given in to some of them myself. I understand much about what is said below, which is why I feel so inclined to write these things.<br />
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We have some wonderful prophets who have given us some amazing counsel. I often think of these prophets as Counselors of God. These men can provide insights into how we can overcome these spiritual dangers. However, the Lord speaks of those who refuse counsel and who “stumble and fall when the storms descend, and the winds blow, and the rains descend, and beat upon their house” (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/90.5?lang=eng#4">D&C 90:5</a>). Remember, our Counselors of God are not here to beat us down and tell us what we're doing wrong. They are here to remind us of what not to do, as well as how to escape these awful situations if you are in them.<br />
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<div class="">C.S. Lewis, a very wonderful Christian writer, once said, "No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good. A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is. After all, you find out the strength of the German army by fighting against it, not by giving in. You find out the strength of a wind by trying to walk against it, not by lying down. A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in. We never find out the strength of the evil impulse inside us until we try to fight it: and Christ, because he was the only man who never yielded to temptation, is also the only man who knows to the full what temptation means--the only realist." I will add on to what C.S. Lewis said by also saying that Heavenly Father "will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear <span class="clarityWord">it (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/1-cor/10.13?lang=eng#12">1 Corinthians 10:13</a>).</span> Never assume that you can make it out of the temptation alone. You need the help of the Lord. Never hesitate to get on your knees in some private place and speak with Him. What a marvelous and wonderful thing prayer is. Think of it. We can actually speak with our Father in Heaven. He will hear and respond, but we need to listen to that response. Nothing is too serious and nothing too unimportant to share with Him. He has said, Come unto me, all <span class="clarityWord">ye</span> that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke <span class="clarityWord">is</span> easy, and my burden is light" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/11.28-30?lang=eng#27">Mathew 11:28-30</a>). Keep in mind that a yoke is not meant to hold just one, but two. In this case, you would be right next to your Savior from your temptations.</div><br />
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On many days, fighting temptations will not be easy. It is not supposed to be. God’s purpose in creation was to let us prove ourselves. The plan was explained to us in the spirit world before we were born. We were valiant enough there to qualify for the opportunity to choose against temptation here to prepare for eternal life, the greatest of all the gifts of God. We rejoiced to know the test would be one of faithful obedience, even when it would not be easy.<br />
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Several prophets in the past have said that the Law of Chastity, or the law by which we should remain sexually pure in the sight of the Lord, is the law by which Satan is destroying families the quickest. It is so prevalent in today's world that very few people ever consider it uncommon. A Book of Mormon prophet, Alma, said to his son, "Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/39.5?lang=eng#4">Alma 39:5</a>). To everyone who has thought of breaking this law of chastity, please remember that it is the third most serious sin/trap that Satan has waiting for us.<br />
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To those who have fallen in this trap of sexual immorality, but who also want to escape, know that Heavenly Father knows who you are. For many of us, chastity is mainly the only thing that besets us. It can weigh us down, and make us feel as though we have let everyone down. To these people I say that you are a very trustworthy person. God has given all of us, His children, some vice(s) that weighs us down. In my opinion, He has given his more serious vices, like chastity, to His children who he feels he can trust with them. He knows that you can overcome these things, though they be very hard. He wouldn't trust you with this "thorn in the flesh" as Paul said, if he didn't trust you with it. Father knows you can do it.<br />
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Now for some steps on how you can do it. First, we'll use some scriptures as our instructions on how to start overcoming these temptations. “For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, 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" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/3.19?lang=eng#18">Mosiah 3:19</a>). Look at that list of attributes: submissive (to God), meek (people who are willing to follow Gospel teachings), humble (teachable), patient (in all things, including in temptations), full of love (towards everybody, including your "enemies"), and willing to submit to the Lord. It will be these things that get us close to the Spirit, and away from the influences and enticings of Satan. “And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm 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” (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/hel/5.12?lang=eng#11">Helaman 5:12</a>). Christ is my best friend because He is one of the few who can get me out of these temptations fast, even when nobody else knows I'm going through them. Having Him be your "go-to Guy" will help you have Him be your Foundation, or your Rock.<br />
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Many of us, including myself have wondered, what is going to happen during our time of judgement? What am I going to be judged for exactly? Will I ever be forgiven? Can I not be judged for the sins which have stained who I am? Are there unforgivable sins? These are just a few of the troubling questions that seem to plague our minds as we contemplate our final day of judgement. Thankfully, we have all of these answers and more. We are going to be judged according to the works that we have done in this life (see <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-cor/5.10?lang=eng#9">2 Corinthians 5:10</a>, <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/15.32?lang=eng#31">1 Ne. 15:32</a>, <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/25.23?lang=eng#22">2 Ne. 25:23</a>, <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/3.24?lang=eng#23">Mosiah 3:24</a>). We will also be judged according to the desires of our hearts as well (see <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/12.14?lang=eng#13">Alma 12:14</a>, <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/137.9?lang=eng#8">D&C 137:9</a>). You can be forgiven of your sins through repentance (see <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/58.42?lang=eng#41">D&C 58:42</a>). There are sins that are more serious than others (see <a class="scriptureRef" href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/12.31?lang=eng#30">Matt. 12:31</a>, <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/39.5?lang=eng#5">Alma 39:5</a>) but 99% of sins can be repented of and forgotten of the Lord.<br />
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So now the question arises of, how can know if I am forgiven? That is a question that is not asked very much, but thankfully we have the answer to that as well. I have a few charts I wanted to add to help illustrate these points. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l6OjMGUgebs/Tdf3pxLo_KI/AAAAAAAAAFM/bGyl5ttl_1Y/s1600/How+To+Be+Forgiven+Chart.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l6OjMGUgebs/Tdf3pxLo_KI/AAAAAAAAAFM/bGyl5ttl_1Y/s200/How+To+Be+Forgiven+Chart.bmp" width="200" /></a> </div>Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are one in purpose. They are linked together in such a way that they never disagree with one another.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o1wbZhfqwGA/Tdf6KXL31-I/AAAAAAAAAFY/tGYkyutczvQ/s1600/How+To+Be+Forgiven+Chart+1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o1wbZhfqwGA/Tdf6KXL31-I/AAAAAAAAAFY/tGYkyutczvQ/s200/How+To+Be+Forgiven+Chart+1.bmp" width="200" /></a></div>When we ask for forgiveness, or when we pray in general, our message gets sent up by the Holy Ghost, through Jesus Christ, to Heavenly Father. Our pleas for forgiveness will reach His ears every time.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O7utVMXdisA/Tdf7c2JJmrI/AAAAAAAAAFc/OuoKj7O1mXo/s1600/How+To+Be+Forgiven+Chart+2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O7utVMXdisA/Tdf7c2JJmrI/AAAAAAAAAFc/OuoKj7O1mXo/s200/How+To+Be+Forgiven+Chart+2.bmp" width="200" /></a></div>Heavenly Father's response, which we have to be listening for, will come back through Jesus Christ, our mediator, and the Holy Ghost will deliver the message to us, saying whether we are forgiven or not.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IpwjvhJqA2M/Tdf8i6KNHPI/AAAAAAAAAFg/BvINRcuqH5M/s1600/How+To+Be+Forgiven+Chart+3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IpwjvhJqA2M/Tdf8i6KNHPI/AAAAAAAAAFg/BvINRcuqH5M/s200/How+To+Be+Forgiven+Chart+3.bmp" width="200" /></a></div>When you are forgiven, you will have the companionship of the Holy Ghost with you. Since he will be willing to be around you, and since those Three don't disagree, both Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ would also be willing to be around you. You will know that you are forgiven.<br />
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What will the Holy Ghost feel like when He's around you? You will feel one or any combinations of these feelings: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=914952105318095085&postID=7775878583770936682" name="23"> </a><span class="verse"></span>meekness, temperance, or any other kind of related feelings (see <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/gal/5.22-23?lang=eng#21">Galatians 5:22-23</a>).<br />
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I hope this has helped you out on how to seek forgiveness, and how to avoid temptation. I know that as we look to Heavenly Father, He will help us out with anything that we need. "... for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask Him" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/13.8?lang=eng#7">3 Nephi 13:8</a>), so "ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/11.9-10?lang=eng">Luke 11:9-10</a>).Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-29665367253752268642011-05-19T11:45:00.001-06:002011-05-19T11:46:35.280-06:00My Best Friend, JesusWhen Christ was resurrected, He came over to the Americas and visited, comforted, healed, and taught the people there. Put yourself in this movie. How will you react when you see your Savior, your Redeemer, your friend?<br />
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Jesus Christ is my best friend. I have come to know that He is full of joy and love that no other friend can give. Jesus has done more for the salvation of men, than any other man that has or will ever live in it. But despite all of that, I know that even if only one soul was going to be saved, Jesus, because of His never ending love for each of us, would have died just to save that one. Live in such a way as to make Him your friend, and when we all see Him again, He will say with the most love in His heart, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter thou into my joy."Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-73237067859738241542011-05-17T14:13:00.000-06:002011-05-17T14:13:01.770-06:00Cloud 9<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MvPZ63E8hvY/TdLJ_CmOQ5I/AAAAAAAAAFI/4Y_RGuERyHA/s1600/Cloud+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MvPZ63E8hvY/TdLJ_CmOQ5I/AAAAAAAAAFI/4Y_RGuERyHA/s200/Cloud+9.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Like many of the questions we have as people here on earth (like why are we here, where did we come from, where are we going, etc.) I ask you, how do we get to a "Cloud 9" state of happiness? This is every person's search in life. How do we get there? Well, that's what this blog is for. This blog teaches us how to be happy. Keeping our Whole Armor Of God on ourselves is a big part of how to be happy. Let me give you a few examples.<br />
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Towards the end of the time of Joseph Smith being in prison for six months in a pit, he was told "Therefore, dearly beloved brethren,<i> let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power</i>; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/123.17?lang=eng#16">D&C 123:17</a>, italics added). This is extremely important because this emphasizes something that many of us do all the time. We worry about things we can't control. Think about it, many people here in America are really concerned about the economy crashing and gas prices, which is a legitimate concern, but we can't control what happens with it. As long as we can control what we can control, we will be happy. That's what needs to happen with all of us on a more personal level. Focus on the things you <b>can </b>control, not on the things you can't.<br />
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Another way to be happy is to keep the commandments. Many people, both inside and outside the LDS church, have complained and said that there are too many "rules" or "restrictions" that we have to follow in keeping God's commandments. The commandments that God has given for us to follow may seem like He is a power-hungry person, but in reality, the commandments keep us happy because by following them, we are both free and blessed. Let me give you an example. If you keep the commandment to not drink alcoholic substances, then you will be free from addictions of that, AND you'll receive blessings from God because he has asked you to keep this commandment. With every commandment you will receive blessings. Another example is with tithing. The Lord said, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, <i>and prove me now herewith</i>, saith the <span class="deitySmallCaps">Lord</span> of hosts, <i>if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that <span class="clarityWord">there shall</span> not <span class="clarityWord">be room</span> enough <span class="clarityWord">to receive it</span></i>" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/ot/mal/3.10?lang=eng#9">Malachi 3:10</a>, italics added). <br />
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We have to remember that our physical desires for pleasure do not always give us gratification. Pleasure is often confused with <span class="highlight">happiness</span> but is by no means synonymous with it. The poet Robert Burns wrote an excellent definition of pleasure in these lines: <br />
<div class="stanza" id=""> <div class="line" id=""> <span class="emphasis"> </span></div><div class="line" id="" style="text-align: center;"><span class="emphasis">But pleasures are like poppies spread:</span> </div><div> </div><div class="line" id="" style="text-align: center;"> <span class="emphasis">You seize the flow’r, its bloom is shed;</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="line" id="" style="text-align: center;"> <span class="emphasis">Or like the snow falls in the river,</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="line" id="" style="text-align: center;"> <span class="emphasis">A moment white—then melts for ever;</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="line" id="" style="text-align: center;"> <span class="emphasis">Or like the borealis race,</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="line" id="" style="text-align: center;"> <span class="emphasis">That flit ere you can point their place;</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="line" id="" style="text-align: center;"> <span class="emphasis">Or like the rainbow’s lovely form</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="line" id=""><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="emphasis">Evanishing amid the storm.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="emphasis"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="highlight">"Happiness</span> is found only along that well beaten track, narrow as it is, though straight, which leads to life eternal” (David O. McKay, Conference Report, October 1919, 180). I can testify that by keeping the commandments and by cheerfully doing all things that lie in our power, we can obtain that "cloud 9" feeling because we're always going to be blessed while doing so. We can feel happiness every day in our lives through little things we do, and we are fully happy as we keep the commandments of a loving God. I promise you that this happiness is the lasting kind. It will not fade away, ever, because our loving Savior has said so, "And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/2.41?lang=eng#40">Mosiah 2:41</a>).<span class="emphasis"></span></div></div></div>Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-79924297086815594092011-05-07T10:48:00.002-06:002011-05-07T11:17:26.280-06:00I Love My Mommy!!!Perhaps the reason we respond so universally to our mothers’ love is because it typifies the love of our Savior.<br />
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Amen. I would also like to bear my testimony that if it wasn't for my wonderful mother, who in my opinion knows the Savior, I would not be on my mission today, I would not be who I am as a person, and I would not love others like she has taught me through her example that emanates from her every single day. I love you, Mom.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LYK7HMS7wZ0/TcV-l-WpQQI/AAAAAAAAAEs/OShrSk2Q_1A/s1600/God+Puts+On+This+Earth....JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LYK7HMS7wZ0/TcV-l-WpQQI/AAAAAAAAAEs/OShrSk2Q_1A/s640/God+Puts+On+This+Earth....JPG" width="496" /></a></div>Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-47046811502258952432011-05-05T15:21:00.001-06:002011-05-05T15:23:00.446-06:00Lasting Marriages #2<object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553360000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=10,0,0,0" height="349" id="ldsUniversalPlayer" width="560"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="FlashVars" value="xmlSource=http%3A%2F%2Fold.mormon.org%2Fmormonorg%2Fvideo%2FvideoXml.html%3Fvgnextoid%3Dad1fcf6cdfeac110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD%26channelId%3Dad1fcf6cdfeac110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD%26locale%3D0%26sourceId%3D8cedce66e83a2210VgnVCM100000176f620a____%26%3Dtrue&pageLocation=http://old.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/videos/blockbuster&startTime=0&endTime=65.82402402402403"/><param name="movie" value="http://old.mormon.org/Static%20Files/ldsUniversalPlayer.swf"/><param name="menu" value="false"/><param name="quality" value="high"/><param name="scale" value="noscale"/><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"/><param name="mode" value="window"/><embed src="http://old.mormon.org/Static%20Files/ldsUniversalPlayer.swf" menu="false" mode="window" quality="high" FlashVars="xmlSource=http%3A%2F%2Fold.mormon.org%2Fmormonorg%2Fvideo%2FvideoXml.html%3Fvgnextoid%3Dad1fcf6cdfeac110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD%26channelId%3Dad1fcf6cdfeac110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD%26locale%3D0%26sourceId%3D8cedce66e83a2210VgnVCM100000176f620a____%26%3Dtrue&pageLocation=http://old.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/videos/blockbuster&startTime=0&endTime=65.82402402402403" scale="noscale" bgcolor="#000000" width="560" height="349" name="ldsUniversalPlayer" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed> </object><br />
My mom told me recently that a happy marriage requires patience and tolerance. Like this "TV couple," if we are having these kinds of problems, we need to fall in love again. You got married because of love before, and you can fall in love with each other again.<br />
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In the recent general conference, President Thomas S. Monson spoke of a couple who was having some serious issues. He told his story in saying, <br />
<a name='more'></a>"Many years ago in the ward over which I presided as the bishop, there lived a couple who often had very serious, heated disagreements. I mean real disagreements. Each of the two was certain of his or her position. Neither one would yield to the other. When they weren’t arguing, they maintained what I would call an uneasy truce. One morning at 2:00 a.m. I had a telephone call from the couple. They wanted to talk to me, and they wanted to talk right then. I dragged myself from bed, dressed, and went to their home. They sat on opposite sides of the room, not speaking to each other. The wife communicated with her husband by talking to me. He replied to her by talking to me. I thought, “How in the world are we going to get this couple together?” I prayed for inspiration, and the thought came to me to ask them a question. I said, “How long has it been since you have been to the temple and witnessed a temple sealing?” They admitted it had been a very long time. They were otherwise worthy people who held temple recommends and who went to the temple and did ordinance work for others. I said to them, 'Will you come with me to the temple on Wednesday morning at 8:00? We will witness a sealing ceremony there.' On the following Wednesday at the appointed hour, we met at the Salt Lake Temple. The three of us went into one of the beautiful sealing rooms, not knowing a soul in the room except Elder ElRay L. Christiansen, then an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve, a General Authority position which existed at that time. Elder Christiansen was scheduled to perform a sealing ceremony for a bride and groom in that very room that morning. My couple were seated on a little bench with about a full two feet of space between them. Elder Christiansen began by providing counsel to the couple who were being married, and he did so in a beautiful fashion. He mentioned how a husband should love his wife, how he should treat her with respect and courtesy, honoring her as the heart of the home. Then he talked to the bride about how she should honor her husband as the head of the home and be of support to him in every way. I noticed that as Elder Christiansen spoke to the bride and the groom, my couple moved a little closer together. Soon they were seated right next to one another. What pleased me is that they had both moved at about the same rate. By the end of the ceremony, my couple were sitting as close to each other as though <i>they</i> were the newlyweds. Each was smiling. If any of you are having difficulty in your marriage, I urge you to do all that you can to make whatever repairs are necessary, that you might be as happy as you were when your marriage started out."<br />
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I will echo President Monson's words by bearing my own testimony. His words are so true. You can fall in love again by remembering/reminiscing/and sharing your marriage with each other. I know the Gospel can heal any marriage having any problem.Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com1Lolo, Mt, USA46.74693350492705 -114.0866450245056346.546172004927051 -114.40680102450563 46.947695004927049 -113.76648902450563tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-32796684097311877152011-05-03T11:18:00.001-06:002011-05-03T11:19:31.181-06:00Listen With Love<object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553360000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=10,0,0,0" height="349" id="ldsUniversalPlayer" width="550"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="FlashVars" value="xmlSource=http%3A%2F%2Fold.mormon.org%2Fmormonorg%2Fvideo%2FvideoXml.html%3Fvgnextoid%3Dad1fcf6cdfeac110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD%26channelId%3Dad1fcf6cdfeac110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD%26locale%3D0%26sourceId%3D615ece66e83a2210VgnVCM100000176f620a____%26%3Dtrue&pageLocation=http://old.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/videos/just-what-to-say&startTime=0&endTime=39.71201201201201"/><param name="movie" value="http://old.mormon.org/Static%20Files/ldsUniversalPlayer.swf"/><param name="menu" value="false"/><param name="quality" value="high"/><param name="scale" value="noscale"/><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"/><param name="mode" value="window"/><embed src="http://old.mormon.org/Static%20Files/ldsUniversalPlayer.swf" menu="false" mode="window" quality="high" FlashVars="xmlSource=http%3A%2F%2Fold.mormon.org%2Fmormonorg%2Fvideo%2FvideoXml.html%3Fvgnextoid%3Dad1fcf6cdfeac110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD%26channelId%3Dad1fcf6cdfeac110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD%26locale%3D0%26sourceId%3D615ece66e83a2210VgnVCM100000176f620a____%26%3Dtrue&pageLocation=http://old.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/videos/just-what-to-say&startTime=0&endTime=39.71201201201201" scale="noscale" bgcolor="#000000" width="550" height="349" name="ldsUniversalPlayer" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed> </object><br />
There are challenges about family and friend that are hard to face because of problems involving listening. Our own pride can cause this, thinking, "I am right and there is no other solution than my own!" Whether it's parents talking with kids, a husband talking to his wife, or just friend to friend, listening is a huge part of communication. Think of it in this way: You are on the phone calling someone and as soon as they say, "Hello! How are you?" you hang up the phone. If you're not willing to listen, nothing will go right. In solving these problems, we can then offer guidance that will bring about a close relationship. If we listen with love, we won’t need to wonder what to say. It will be given to us by the Spirit. I know this principle is true because I have recently experienced it with a friend that I am teaching. As I listened to his concerns, I wondered what to say, but immediately after I wondered, I started to say things that weren't from me. I was saying things that I knew very little about, but after I had said it, I knew what I said was right. I don't even remember what I said. All I know is that it wasn't me saying those things. The same can apply to you. I know that if you listen with love, you <b>will</b> know what to say, how to say it, and say it with love.Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-87504170584482802572011-04-30T12:53:00.000-06:002011-04-30T12:53:50.640-06:00The Gospel: REJECTED<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BfaF84-hRUI/Tbm1s-XIeEI/AAAAAAAAAEc/MwQ90S4II7s/s1600/Lehi%2527s+Prophecy+is+Rejected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BfaF84-hRUI/Tbm1s-XIeEI/AAAAAAAAAEc/MwQ90S4II7s/s200/Lehi%2527s+Prophecy+is+Rejected.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="highlight" style="color: white;">Long ago, prophets, the spokesmen of God, were called to warn the people of dangers that would come upon them if they did not change their ways. There would be some that would listen, but over time, most would not. The prophet would then be killed, the city of people would be destroyed and/or would suffer in unusual ways. This pattern was set from the beginning of the world. God would call a prophet, the people wouldn't listen after a while, and they would reject the words of the prophet. This rejecting of the words of God is called an Apostasy.<br />
</div><div class="highlight"><div style="color: white;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i7l6OELRFZ0/Tbm6Pjuke0I/AAAAAAAAAEg/qioCRe2whkg/s1600/Jesus+Being+Tried.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i7l6OELRFZ0/Tbm6Pjuke0I/AAAAAAAAAEg/qioCRe2whkg/s200/Jesus+Being+Tried.bmp" width="200" /></a>During Jesus Christ's ministry, He told His apostles about the signs that would happen from that time, until end of the world. He said, "Then shall they deliver you up" (the apostles) "to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/24.9-11?lang=eng#8">Matthew 24:9-11</a>). This took place not too long after He said this. Jesus Christ was rejected and put on trial on false charges, then crucified and killed. The apostles from Peter on down the line to Paul were killed in many different and gruesome ways: upside-down crucifixion, beheaded, stoned, lanced, burned, hanged, etc. The apostles couldn't pass on their authority quick enough because of heavy persecution. The Great Apostasy begun.</div><div style="color: white;"><br />
</div><div style="color: white;">It's called the Great Apostasy because it was the greatest period of time when the gospel wasn't on the earth. The some of the apostles had talked about his when they wrote their epistles. Concerning the second coming of Jesus Christ, Paul said, "Let no man deceive you by any means: for <span class="clarityWord">that day shall not come,</span> except there come, a falling away first" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-thes/2.3?lang=eng#2">2 Thessalonians 2:3</a>). That "falling away," or apostasy, did happen. It is no coincidence that this time in our world's history is known as the Dark Ages. There was no light of the Gospel to bring people closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.</div><div style="color: white;"><br />
</div><div style="color: white;">"For [Christ] is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him" (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/10.18?lang=eng#17">1 Nephi 10:18</a>).</div><div style="color: white;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: white; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2jXByZZjRxM/TbxadoVJl9I/AAAAAAAAAEo/H4raUZ-N360/s1600/Restoration+Of+The+Gospel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2jXByZZjRxM/TbxadoVJl9I/AAAAAAAAAEo/H4raUZ-N360/s200/Restoration+Of+The+Gospel.jpg" width="121" /></a></div><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Just as prophets were called by the Lord in time's past, he has again called another prophet to the earth. He has again brought back the authority to say, "Thus saith the Lord..." because he speaks with Him. I know that a restoration (not a reformation) had to happen in order to come closer to Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. We have the authority again, we have continuing revelation again, we have the truth again.</span></span></div>Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-81369272182615294632011-04-26T11:24:00.002-06:002011-04-30T13:12:13.343-06:00Following Jesus' Life On Twitter (Or What It Would've Been Like)<object width="560" height="349"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hDZU5wZydBo?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hDZU5wZydBo?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="349" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
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There is a lot of buzz (or fluttering) about Twitter and all the information that gets passed around the world in blazing fast speeds. This "Twitter Episode" of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is a good way to get some of the feelings that were portrayed by those around Jesus, in a short period of time. I know that Jesus is our Savior. I know that He lived a perfect life, but through the ignorance of those around Him, He suffered, was beaten, and was crucified. I also know that because He was divine, He had power over death, and He rose from the tomb, which is still empty today. I love this Gospel. It turns people who are unhappy and who don't know about their purpose in life, into people who have hope and who have joy that doesn't ebb and flow with the patterns of life around us.Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-874277553715044492011-04-22T14:22:00.001-06:002011-04-22T15:47:03.346-06:00But DAD...!!!<object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553360000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=10,0,0,0" height="349" id="ldsUniversalPlayer" width="560"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="FlashVars" value="xmlSource=http%3A%2F%2Fold.mormon.org%2Fmormonorg%2Fvideo%2FvideoXml.html%3Fvgnextoid%3Dad1fcf6cdfeac110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD%26channelId%3Dad1fcf6cdfeac110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD%26locale%3D0%26sourceId%3D969ece66e83a2210VgnVCM100000176f620a____%26%3Dtrue&pageLocation=http://old.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/videos/you-said&startTime=0&endTime=66.432"/><param name="movie" value="http://old.mormon.org/Static%20Files/ldsUniversalPlayer.swf"/><param name="menu" value="false"/><param name="quality" value="high"/><param name="scale" value="noscale"/><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"/><param name="mode" value="window"/><embed src="http://old.mormon.org/Static%20Files/ldsUniversalPlayer.swf" menu="false" mode="window" quality="high" FlashVars="xmlSource=http%3A%2F%2Fold.mormon.org%2Fmormonorg%2Fvideo%2FvideoXml.html%3Fvgnextoid%3Dad1fcf6cdfeac110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD%26channelId%3Dad1fcf6cdfeac110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD%26locale%3D0%26sourceId%3D969ece66e83a2210VgnVCM100000176f620a____%26%3Dtrue&pageLocation=http://old.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/videos/you-said&startTime=0&endTime=66.432" scale="noscale" bgcolor="#000000" width="560" height="349" name="ldsUniversalPlayer" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed> </object><br />
I remember doing the same thing to my dad about his awesome muffins. I'm sure I wasn't as hyper as this child, but I was excited, nonetheless. I love this video because it reminds me of how we should keep the promises we make. This father made the promise to go get his son some pancakes. I can only imagine the anticipation that child had, waiting all night for the fulfillment of his dad's promise to him (and I would feel the same way; pancakes are my favorite food!). That is how we should be to our <i>Heavenly</i> Father. Though the promises made to us shouldn't be our prime motivator, we should wait for the blessings awaiting us as we keep the commandments. Also, the scriptures tell us that we should be as perfect as we can. Jesus Christ, who is our example of a perfect person, always kept, and always will keep, His promises. If He is our example, shouldn't we keep our promises too, both to mankind, and to Him?Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-46616279853013155712011-04-19T14:45:00.001-06:002011-04-19T14:46:52.602-06:00Lasting Marriages<object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553360000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=10,0,0,0" height="349" id="ldsUniversalPlayer" width="560"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="FlashVars" value="xmlSource=http%3A%2F%2Fold.mormon.org%2Fmormonorg%2Fvideo%2FvideoXml.html%3Fvgnextoid%3Dad1fcf6cdfeac110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD%26channelId%3Dad1fcf6cdfeac110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD%26locale%3D0%26sourceId%3D655ece66e83a2210VgnVCM100000176f620a____%26%3Dtrue&pageLocation=http://old.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/videos/lasting-marriage&startTime=0&endTime=51.04000667334001"/><param name="movie" value="http://old.mormon.org/Static%20Files/ldsUniversalPlayer.swf"/><param name="menu" value="false"/><param name="quality" value="high"/><param name="scale" value="noscale"/><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"/><param name="mode" value="window"/><embed src="http://old.mormon.org/Static%20Files/ldsUniversalPlayer.swf" menu="false" mode="window" quality="high" FlashVars="xmlSource=http%3A%2F%2Fold.mormon.org%2Fmormonorg%2Fvideo%2FvideoXml.html%3Fvgnextoid%3Dad1fcf6cdfeac110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD%26channelId%3Dad1fcf6cdfeac110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD%26locale%3D0%26sourceId%3D655ece66e83a2210VgnVCM100000176f620a____%26%3Dtrue&pageLocation=http://old.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/videos/lasting-marriage&startTime=0&endTime=51.04000667334001" scale="noscale" bgcolor="#000000" width="560" height="349" name="ldsUniversalPlayer" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed> </object><br />
Because I am in a companionship with another person 24/7, there are some portions to marriage that I can understand and relate to. There are going to be hard times. Anybody that tells you otherwise is foolish. Like the end of that video clip stated, "Patience - use it before you lose it." It is an answer that you never, ever, EVER, want to hear, but it's better than suffering. Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated, "I strongly urge you and those who advise you to face up to the reality that for most marriage problems, the remedy is not divorce but repentance. Often the cause is not incompatibility but selfishness. The first step is not separation but reformation. Divorce is not an all-purpose solution, and it often creates long-term heartache." (<a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/2007/04/divorce?lang=eng&query=divorce">See His Talk Here</a>) I have a strong testimony that is only growing stronger on the need for patience in any and all relationships. I know these values are needed in our society because without them, misery is inevitable, and anger will triumph over joy.Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-342753873895623652011-04-13T11:09:00.000-06:002011-04-13T11:09:54.513-06:00Giant Problems<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OQICi0qGB1c/TZ95BPjDqBI/AAAAAAAAAEU/j3qHDDIBqfI/s1600/Giant+Problems.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OQICi0qGB1c/TZ95BPjDqBI/AAAAAAAAAEU/j3qHDDIBqfI/s320/Giant+Problems.jpg" width="252" /></a>Many of the trials that come in our lives are able to be solved by thinking, planning, and enduring, so that we can come out the other side with just a few scratches. Sometimes, though, we face giant problems which slow down our progress: divorce, debt, death, family anxieties, etc. (Just in case you don't know what this picture could be depicting,) A David and Goliath situation is what I call these giant problems. We have all had them, and there is no way to avoid having them in your life. As we get plopped into the world of depressing thoughts and little motivation (or as keeping with the theme of this blog, you might say you have a nick in your armor), we need to know how to get out of it. Think of David's situation mentioned above. He, a young man at the time with no armor and equipped with only a sling, was faced with a nine foot giant who was equipped with a lot of armor and a rather large spear. He was able to kill the Goliath with only a sling and a stone. He had a giant problem, literally, but he overcame his, just as we can overcome ours.<br />
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Enduring through any trial can be one of the most difficult things to ever do. One of the reasons we go through trials is to learn from them. We, of course, hardly ever see it as a learning experience, but they can be if we want them to. To learn from these trials, we must understand that it is not just about enduring, it is about enduring well.<br />
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Sometimes, we go through trials when we pray for something specific. In the past, I have prayed for more patience, expecting that I would just get blessed with it. Unfortunately for me, I had to figure out that shortly after I prayed for patience, I encountered a situation in which I had to exercise it. This can happen with anybody and with anything. This is not to discourage anyone from praying, but it is showing a example when we pray for something we want. We're not fans of being put in a situation in which we can't control it, but when we're in those situations, learn from it.<br />
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There are some trials that the Lord lets us go through. He wants us to learn very particular lessons. He doesn't put these trials in our way most of the time, but he doesn't warn us what we're coming up against, either. These trials are specifically for our learning, growing, and progression in this life. The apostle, Paul, in the New Testament, wrote about this very thing. He said, "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous," (and he's absolutely right. But look at what he says next...) "...but <b>grievous</b>: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/heb/12.11?lang=eng#10">Hebrews 12:11</a>) In this verse, we are the ones getting exercised. The peaceable fruits of righteousness are the things that we learn from our trials. Here's a good example from President Kimball in a 1959 Relief Society Magazine, "Remember how Nephi was confronted with an impossible situation and could not get the plates. His brothers could not. They were unable to buy them. They could not bribe them out of the hands of Laban. They could not force their way in, and their lives were hanging on a thread. In spite of all of that, here comes one unarmed boy who walks into a city through a wall that could not be penetrated, into gates that could not be opened, into a garden that was impenetrable, into a vault that was locked, among soldiers who could not be bypassed, and he came out with his arms full of records to keep his posterity and others from perishing in unbelief. He did what was humanly impossible. But nothing is impossible to the Lord. Anytime we have him on our side, when he has called us and given us a commandment, then, if our energy and our efforts and our planning and our prayers are equal to the size of the calling, the work, of course, will be successfully completed." Nephi did not know what he was getting himself into. "And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do," Nephi later writes (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/4.6?lang=eng#5">1 Nephi 4:6</a>). This was a great lesson for him. His testimony grew stronger because of it.<br />
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These seemingly ridiculous trials that we go through from time to time are the things that help us grow the most and help us become the best people we all want to become. I know these lessons to be learned can be hard, but I can promise that they can be worth it. I rejoice in my trials because I have learned that it is through them that I grow the most. I know it will be the same for you, if you endure well.<br />
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Remember these two things: the words of President Hinckley, "In all of living have much of fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured," and the scripture, "For with God nothing shall be impossible." (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/1.37?lang=eng#36">Luke 1:37</a>)Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-49369412746907287272011-04-05T14:05:00.002-06:002011-04-05T14:09:15.967-06:00Family - Isn't It About Time? #2<object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553360000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=10,0,0,0" height="349" id="ldsUniversalPlayer" width="560"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="FlashVars" value="xmlSource=http%3A%2F%2Fold.mormon.org%2Fmormonorg%2Fvideo%2FvideoXml.html%3Fvgnextoid%3Dad1fcf6cdfeac110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD%26channelId%3Dad1fcf6cdfeac110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD%26locale%3D0%26sourceId%3D695ece66e83a2210VgnVCM100000176f620a____%26%3Dtrue&pageLocation=http://old.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/videos/miss-the-bus&startTime=0&endTime=65.6"/><param name="movie" value="http://old.mormon.org/Static%20Files/ldsUniversalPlayer.swf"/><param name="menu" value="false"/><param name="quality" value="high"/><param name="scale" value="noscale"/><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"/><param name="mode" value="window"/><embed src="http://old.mormon.org/Static%20Files/ldsUniversalPlayer.swf" menu="false" mode="window" quality="high" FlashVars="xmlSource=http%3A%2F%2Fold.mormon.org%2Fmormonorg%2Fvideo%2FvideoXml.html%3Fvgnextoid%3Dad1fcf6cdfeac110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD%26channelId%3Dad1fcf6cdfeac110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD%26locale%3D0%26sourceId%3D695ece66e83a2210VgnVCM100000176f620a____%26%3Dtrue&pageLocation=http://old.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/videos/miss-the-bus&startTime=0&endTime=65.6" scale="noscale" bgcolor="#000000" width="560" height="349" name="ldsUniversalPlayer" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed> </object><br />
Every once in a long while, when I was in elementary school, I would get the opportunity to have my dad drive me to school. I lived only a few minutes away from the school, so it was a big disappointment we didn't have more time to talk and have fun in the car. I look at this movie and it reminds me of how much I miss that "car talk" with my family. I know that as we try to get close with our family, our lives, as a general whole, will not only improve the quality of your family relationships, but it will also improve the overall quality of your life. I know this to be true.Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-7743718362357901762011-03-30T15:39:00.004-06:002011-04-05T14:08:42.605-06:00Family, Isn't It About - Time?<object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553360000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=10,0,0,0" height="349" id="ldsUniversalPlayer" width="560"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="FlashVars" value="xmlSource=http%3A%2F%2Fold.mormon.org%2Fmormonorg%2Fvideo%2FvideoXml.html%3Fvgnextoid%3Dad1fcf6cdfeac110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD%26channelId%3Dad1fcf6cdfeac110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD%26locale%3D0%26sourceId%3Da70bce66e83a2210VgnVCM100000176f620a____%26%3Dtrue&pageLocation=http://old.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/videos/dinner-conversation&startTime=0&endTime=66.11201201201202"/><param name="movie" value="http://old.mormon.org/Static%20Files/ldsUniversalPlayer.swf"/><param name="menu" value="false"/><param name="quality" value="high"/><param name="scale" value="noscale"/><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"/><param name="mode" value="window"/><embed src="http://old.mormon.org/Static%20Files/ldsUniversalPlayer.swf" menu="false" mode="window" quality="high" FlashVars="xmlSource=http%3A%2F%2Fold.mormon.org%2Fmormonorg%2Fvideo%2FvideoXml.html%3Fvgnextoid%3Dad1fcf6cdfeac110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD%26channelId%3Dad1fcf6cdfeac110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD%26locale%3D0%26sourceId%3Da70bce66e83a2210VgnVCM100000176f620a____%26%3Dtrue&pageLocation=http://old.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/videos/dinner-conversation&startTime=0&endTime=66.11201201201202" scale="noscale" bgcolor="#000000" width="560" height="349" name="ldsUniversalPlayer" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed> </object><br />
I love this video because it shows that no matter what situation we're in, whether it be serious, or even fun, we should always be there for our family. It really is all about time. There have been many people who have said that time moves too fast. Take the opportunity to tell a family member you love them. In the words of Shakespeare,"They do not love that do not show their love." It is my testimony that more family time will increase the happiness in your home. I know this because it's been proven in my own home as well as in broken homes that have been fixed. I <b>know</b> this is true.Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-91174110267786896192011-03-22T11:50:00.003-06:002011-03-22T12:07:00.738-06:00How To Receive Blessings: 101Occasionally, people will ask me how to receive the blessings of the Lord, and how we know about the blessings that are there. I answered as plain and simple as I could, hoping that it would answer their questions. Well, in a recent Zone Conference we had, Sister Gardner, our Mission President's wife, told us a story/poem that will hopefully get the message through clearer. It goes something like this:<br />
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Said the little red rooster,<br />
"My but things are tough.<br />
Seems that the worms are scarcer,<br />
cannot find enough.<br />
What's become of all those fat ones<br />
is a mystery to me.<br />
There were thousands through that rainy spell,<br />
but now where can they be?"<br />
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Then the old black hen who heard him<br />
didn't grumble and complain.<br />
She'd gone through lots of dry spells,<br />
and lived through floods of rain;<br />
So she flew up on the grindstone<br />
and gave her claws a whet as she said,<br />
"I've never seen the time<br />
there weren't worms to get!"<br />
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<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kU5eZUdRhV4/TYjkR97iW3I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/Icxt6M9Awmk/s1600/Old+Black+Hen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kU5eZUdRhV4/TYjkR97iW3I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/Icxt6M9Awmk/s200/Old+Black+Hen.jpg" width="200" /></a>She picked a new and undug spot;<br />
the earth was hard and firm.<br />
The little red rooster jeered, "New ground--<br />
that's no place to find a worm."<br />
The old black hen just spread her feet,<br />
she dug both fast and free,<br />
"I must go to the worms," she said,<br />
"The worms won't come to me."<br />
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The rooster vainly spent his day,<br />
through habit, by the ways,<br />
where fat worms had passed in squads<br />
back in the rainy days.<br />
When nightfall found him supperless,<br />
he growled in accents rough,<br />
"I'm hungry as a fowl can be;<br />
conditions sure are tough."<br />
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He turned to the old black hen and said,<br />
"It's worse with you;<br />
for you're not only hungry,<br />
but must be tired, too.<br />
I rested while I watched for worms,<br />
so I feel fairly pert,<br />
but how are you, without worms too,<br />
and after all that work?"<br />
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The old black hen hopped up to her perch<br />
and dropped her eyes to sleep,<br />
and murmured in a drowsy tone,<br />
"Young man, bear this and weep.<br />
I'm full of worms and happy,<br />
for I've eaten like a pig.<br />
The worms were there as always,<br />
but boy, I had to dig!"<br />
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The blessing of the old black hen actually trying to find the worms, was that she found what she was looking for, but only after she did the work. She received the blessings when she was willing to dig in her claws and go find them. That's what we have to do. We can't just sit back and hopefully catch a worm (or blessing) as it shows up. If we really want the Lord to bless us, we have to be willing to go out and snatch those blessing for ourselves. Some are easier to receive than others, but with diligence, you can get those individual, God-sent blessings by: reading scriptures, going to church, praying several times daily, obeying the commandments, paying tithing, having a focused mind on the good things in life, fasting, getting baptized, enduring through hard trials, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, having faith, repenting, etc. As you do these things, and do them all the time, you will start to see the Lord blessing you. You will literally feel Him in your life and feel as though everything was alright. That is how you receive the approval of the Lord, and receive of the fullness of His blessings He has in store for us.Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-74825481417719039742011-03-19T13:09:00.034-06:002011-05-14T14:45:52.678-06:00Reverse ThinkingEven the most unlikely people can change...<br />
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I really love this video because it shows us that people really can change, that they really can find that light that they are looking for in this life. I couldn't imagine to know where I would be without the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. I know I wouldn't be as happy as I am. I know that I would have no hope in this life, or the life hereafter. I can only pray that those who have the ideals in the first part of this video will come to an understanding that there is more to life than hopeless dreams, bigger scenes, and pointless things, and that they will come to a <b>knowledge</b>, not just a belief, that Jesus Christ is <u>very</u> real, and that He is there for us whenever and wherever we need Him. I <b>know</b> that what I say is true. I <b>know</b> that we are here in this earth for a specific reason, not just by happenstance. I <b>know</b> that we are the children of our Father who is in heaven. I<b> know</b> that this Gospel with which I live by is true and correct.Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-21119268056444467812011-03-10T12:45:00.000-07:002011-03-10T12:45:13.065-07:00The Football FieldFootball is one of America's favorite sports, so for all you sports fans, this one is for you. I want to answer the question of why we sometimes don't receive answers to prayer. There are times in our lives when we feel as though we really need Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in our lives, more than usual. This happens to everyone at some point. When we ask for those things that we think we need, and then don't get an answer, we get discouraged. Hopefully, this will help answer and resolve that concern.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LqCbA9-f9HA/TXkfhWbpRNI/AAAAAAAAAEI/n1nJYvRZMNM/s1600/Lone+Man+On+Football+Field.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LqCbA9-f9HA/TXkfhWbpRNI/AAAAAAAAAEI/n1nJYvRZMNM/s200/Lone+Man+On+Football+Field.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>Imagine you are on a football field in the middle of a stadium. There is nobody in the stands and no distractions or loud noises. You are in one end-zone and Heavenly Father is in the other end-zone. When you shout to Him the concern or question you have, He answers in a still small voice (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/ot/1-kgs/19.11-12?lang=eng#10">1 Kings 19:11-12</a>). Since you are on the other side of the field, you can't hear Him, and from the distance, it looks like He's not doing anything. As you continue to shout at Him these questions, you still can't hear anything, which causes you to get upset. This is really bothering you. You deserve an answer about these things. The only answer to this dilemma, is to get closer to Him, so you can hear what He has to say.<br />
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In order to get closer to Heavenly Father, we have to start living as He would want us to live. Here are a few examples: if we aren't reading our scriptures, read; if we aren't saying our prayers as faithfully as we know we should, pray; if we are angry at something or someone, forgive; etc. We have to start living Christlike lives. Here are some Christlike attributes that we need to live so we can get closer to Heavenly Father, here on this football field of life: have <a href="http://lds.org/languages/additionalmanuals/preachgospel/PreachMyGospel___13_06_ChristlikeAttributes__36617_eng_013.pdf">faith in Jesus Christ</a> and in having your prayers answered, have <a href="http://lds.org/languages/additionalmanuals/preachgospel/PreachMyGospel___13_06_ChristlikeAttributes__36617_eng_013.pdf">hope</a> that this will all come out fine in the end, have <a href="http://lds.org/languages/additionalmanuals/preachgospel/PreachMyGospel___13_06_ChristlikeAttributes__36617_eng_013.pdf">charity and love</a> for your fellow man and for God, be <a href="http://lds.org/languages/additionalmanuals/preachgospel/PreachMyGospel___13_06_ChristlikeAttributes__36617_eng_013.pdf">virtuous</a> in all your thoughts and deeds, study out your answer and gain <a href="http://lds.org/languages/additionalmanuals/preachgospel/PreachMyGospel___13_06_ChristlikeAttributes__36617_eng_013.pdf">knowledge</a> you need, be <a href="http://lds.org/languages/additionalmanuals/preachgospel/PreachMyGospel___13_06_ChristlikeAttributes__36617_eng_013.pdf">patient</a>, be <a href="http://lds.org/languages/additionalmanuals/preachgospel/PreachMyGospel___13_06_ChristlikeAttributes__36617_eng_013.pdf">humble</a> enough to receive any answer, even if it's not the answer you may want, be <a href="http://lds.org/languages/additionalmanuals/preachgospel/PreachMyGospel___13_06_ChristlikeAttributes__36617_eng_013.pdf">diligent</a> in asking and in doing all these things, and last, but not least, be <a href="http://lds.org/languages/additionalmanuals/preachgospel/PreachMyGospel___13_06_ChristlikeAttributes__36617_eng_013.pdf">obedient</a> to Heavenly Father's commandments (He has more than just ten of them). As you do these things, it will get you closer and closer to Heavenly Father, so that when He does speak in that still small voice, you can hear Him more clearly than you have ever heard Him before.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iLar0xm_X7A/TXkj2Jm9uII/AAAAAAAAAEM/8FahevpEjHI/s1600/Full+Football+Stadium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iLar0xm_X7A/TXkj2Jm9uII/AAAAAAAAAEM/8FahevpEjHI/s200/Full+Football+Stadium.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Unfortunately, there are always going to be other influences around us, who are going to try to confuse us. At the beginning of this parable, I mentioned that you were alone in this stadium. That was to demonstrate what we need to focus on. Now that we have our focus, let's fill in those empty seats. This represents every influence around us. There are people in the crowd who are going to cheer for you, telling you to move forward and to not give up, and there are people in the crowd who are going to be jeering at you, making you feel like there is no hope, telling you that you will never make it to the other side of the field. Never fall into that trap.<br />
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I want to make you this promise: as you start living a more Christlike life, you will start to be guided by the Holy Ghost and will be more sensitive to His promptings. As you do good, your want to do good will multiply, and it won't matter how many times people jeer at you, you will have a straight and sure course, straight into Heavenly Father and your answer.Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-85590794511755461332011-03-08T15:49:00.002-07:002011-03-08T16:24:23.630-07:00The Jaws Of LifeI would like to share with you a parable that was told to me (by Bro. Ron Gordy) when I was in Billings. I have modified it slightly and called it The Parable Of The Jaws Of Life. This parable has been in both my life and in every person who has ever lived, including Jesus Christ. We'll get to more about that later.<br />
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The Jaws of Life are a powerful tool that firefighters use to help people get out of their vehicles when they're trapped inside. They can be extremely useful because, when in an accident, firefighters want you to move as little as possible, in case you have serious injuries. With the Jaws of Life, it allows those firefighters to get you out of the car, with as little movement from you as possible. This is quite the handy tool. How the Jaws of Life is so effective is those two big forks in the front. When those are brought together, you can fit them into some small cracks or seams in the car. The hydraulic system allows those forks to separate, moving anything that's around it out of the way. The Jaws Of Life won't work that well if there are no seams in the car.<br />
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In the same way, our life, who we are spiritually, is like a car. We always have our "bumps in the road" and those things which sometimes really make us mad (traffic, low mileage, no gas, oil leaks, flat tires, squeaky fan belt, etc.). As we drive through this life, we come across spiritual dangers that can make us vulnerable to attacks from all sides. There will be other cars (people) that try to influence us to put sand in our gas tank (drugs, alcohol, etc.). There will be cars that drive us to the destruction derby to look at all of the beat up cars (pornography), and there will be other cars that lead you to the junk yard. This is a tough world to live in, and there is one tougher enemy that will want to get inside your car, Satan. He has his own plans to turn you into those "other cars," the cars who try to influence you to do bad. The way Satan is going to do that is with <b>his</b> Jaws of Life. Even Jesus Christ was tempted to do things that, from the outside, looked like it would have helped Him. Satan tried to find and get into Christ's cracks and seams, but Christ didn't have any. Jesus Christ is our example.<br />
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Satan's Jaws of Life are powerful, but luckily for you, you have a very strong frame (continuing with the car analogy). You have a powerful engine that can let you go anywhere and do anything, and tires that can take you off-roading anywhere you need to go. However, when we develop the attitude of, "I have a perfect frame!", Nothing can hurt this car!" etc., that's when Satan's Jaws of Life will start digging into that crack you've just made. He wants to get inside you to do even more damage to you. Remember, all he needs is a small crack, not a large one, to do his work.<br />
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As we start to feel his influence in our life, and as we start to feel as though we're not the ones "taking the wheel," we need to go to the ultimate repair man, Jesus Christ. He can fix our cracks, seal our seams, give us a realignment, and even pop out our dents that could cause problems later. As we go to our Savior, He will repair our souls, and even change us, turning us from:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dfd_1lLzMv8/TXakv6AIGYI/AAAAAAAAAEA/aKtr4uFaVmM/s1600/Jaws+Of+Life+Car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dfd_1lLzMv8/TXakv6AIGYI/AAAAAAAAAEA/aKtr4uFaVmM/s200/Jaws+Of+Life+Car.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bIflQhnlXb4/TXawJiH1fOI/AAAAAAAAAEE/FkGBLUMFF8w/s1600/lotus-exige-blue-sports-car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bIflQhnlXb4/TXawJiH1fOI/AAAAAAAAAEE/FkGBLUMFF8w/s200/lotus-exige-blue-sports-car.jpg" width="200" /></a>this - to this.Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-32753665634757373522011-03-05T12:52:00.003-07:002011-03-05T13:01:38.882-07:00Does God Exist?<object width="480" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HvhGeNzdRZA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HvhGeNzdRZA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="390"></embed></object><br />
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Albert Einstein even knew from such a young age that God did and does exist. Not only did he point out that our Heavenly Father exists, but that he loves us as well. I, like Einstein, bear witness that God DOES exist. I know that (not just believe it, but know it) because I have received guidance and direction from him multiple times, and I have felt him as he has protected me in multiple ways since I've been out on my mission. I know he is there and that he loves each and every one of us.Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-40235627020405960322011-02-24T12:21:00.001-07:002011-02-24T12:29:07.985-07:00The Song Of The Righteous...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rv3RHGrOwcY/TWaxc4zIfeI/AAAAAAAAAD4/DutZMXNBw_w/s1600/LDS-Hymnbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rv3RHGrOwcY/TWaxc4zIfeI/AAAAAAAAAD4/DutZMXNBw_w/s1600/LDS-Hymnbook.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-78Wz_oTaZ4I/TWaw94sU2FI/AAAAAAAAAD0/fz1v8kK52Us/s1600/songbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-78Wz_oTaZ4I/TWaw94sU2FI/AAAAAAAAAD0/fz1v8kK52Us/s200/songbook.jpg" width="164" /></a>I would like to dedicate this post to my favorite church songs, both in the main Hymn Book we use, and in the Children's Songbook. In the Doctrine and Covenants 25:12 it says, "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads." There are several songs/hymns that I wanted to go over because of the power in their messages. Hopefully, I can catch some of the full meaning that some of these songs/hymns have.<br />
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We'll start off with the Children's Songbook. I have been playing the songs out of this book recently and have discovered a few hidden meanings in some of the songs. "'Give,' Said The Little Stream" is a popular favorite among primary kids. Of course, even by the title, you can tell it is about giving, but one of the lines in there says "I'm small, I know, but wherever I go, the grass grows greener still." What a positive attitude that song portrays. I think it's great that within that simple Primary song, there is a deeper meaning that tells us all that we need to see the better side of things.<br />
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Another song is called "Dare To Do Right" in which the first line says, "Dare to do right! Dare to be true!" I listened to a talk by John Bytheway recently and he talked about a newspaper comic that had a thousand sheep running one way, with only one sheep trying to run through them, going the opposite way. He said that that is what the youth of our church is doing today. The world is going one way, and we, as individuals, are fighting the world, going another way, a "more excellent way" you might say.<br />
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Going to the main Hymn Book we use, we can look at the hymn "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy." The first verse says "Brightly beams our Father's mercy from his lighthouse evermore. But to us he gives the keeping of the lights along the shore. Let the lower lights be burning; send a gleam across the wave. Some poor fainting, struggling seaman, you may rescue, you may save." Think of the imagery that this creates. We have our Heavenly Father as our main lighthouse, the big light we need to be guided by. He gives us the responsibility to use the light that all of us have inside ourselves, to point others who are out there, to Him. With our "lower lights," we're sending a gleam, or a shimmer, of the Spirit and truth, their way to help guide them to their safe destination.<br />
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There are many more hymns that have a deeper message behind them. I encourage everyone to look at a hymn for yourself and find the deeper message. I have a testimony that, like the scripture mentioned above, those hymns, if you sing them in a congregation or in your heart, will be answered just like a normal prayer.Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914952105318095085.post-75309286108455504852011-02-11T15:48:00.015-07:002011-04-08T14:23:58.172-06:00Why 1820?There are several people that come across our path who ask us, "If a restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was necessary, why did the Lord wait until the year 1820 to do it?" I’d like to build a historical case for why I believe why 1820 was the only time the Gospel of Jesus Christ could have been restored and survive on the earth. This is going to be a little quick, but it will be accurate nonetheless. I want to first preface this by referencing John 6:66-69. It says, "From that <span class="clarityWord">time</span> many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him." There was an apostasy, or rejecting of the truth. "Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?" That's a very pointed question. I think Peter, the chief apostle, was a little shocked by this question. "Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." We learn from this that the apostles were not going to abandon Jesus, but that everybody else did because there was heavy persecution going on at this time.<br />
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I got this from a man named Hyrum W. Smith. You may never see a time line like this again:<br />
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Year 0: the Savior was born. It wasn’t really the year 0. Five centuries later, they decided it ought to be the year 0 because that was a significant event, so it is now, in our calendars, the year 0.<br />
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30 A.D.: The Savior is now a grown man. We don’t know a great deal about His first thirty years. We have a scripture in Hebrews that says He grew in stature and wisdom and that sort of thing, but we don’t know a lot about His first thirty years.<br />
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33 A.D.: Three years after His ministry He had established a church. He called and established a specific form for that church. Rejected by the people and He was crucified. At that point, it was the charge of the apostles and the organization of the church at that point to go throughout the world to strengthen and build the church.<br />
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42 A.D.: Peter went to Rome and established the Church in Rome. He ordained a <b>bishop</b> in Rome by the name of Linus. <b>Bishop</b> Linus is the man to whom the Catholics retrace their historical lineage.<br />
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43 A.D.: Paul, performing the function that apostles still perform, went back to Rome to see how the church was doing. He discovered that in one short year, the church under the <b>Bishop</b> Linus had completely apostatized from what Peter had established. Read the first chapter of Romans in the New Testament, understanding that that chapter was written upon Paul’s return from Rome and described what he found there. As a result of this apostasy that had taken place in Rome, Paul established a <u>new leader</u> of the church in Rome, a <b>deacon</b> by the name of Linus as well. History kind of gets messed up here between the two Linuses but understand that <b>Deacon</b> Linus was the authorized leader of the Church of Jesus Christ in Rome. <b>Bishop </b>Linus was an aberrant church already.<br />
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64 A.D.: Nero, then in charge in Rome, had Linus the <b>deacon</b> killed. When Linus the deacon was killed, the Church of Jesus Christ – the authorized, sanctioned Church of Jesus Christ – disappeared from Rome. The Christian church under the <b>Bishop</b> Linus was still there and surviving.<br />
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70 A.D.: The Roman Tenth Legion came down through the Armageddon Valley under the direction of General Silva. They destroyed the city of Jerusalem. Between 70 A.D. and 1948, the Jewish people had no place to call home. They were spread throughout the world. No homeland for the Jews until 1948.<br />
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About 78 A.D.: I say about because we’re not sure of the actual date – it was about 7 or 8 years after the destruction of Jerusalem. The Bishop Linus – at that point, the church was called the Church of Rome – received a letter from one of his people, and in this letter the person said, “You know, we really are a universal church.” And Linus thought about that and said, “You know, we really are a universal church. We are trying to appeal to everyone in Rome. Why don’t we call ourselves the universal church?” At that point, they became known as the Roman Catholic Church.<br />
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96 A.D.: John, the Revelator, was banished to the isle of Patmos. Understand that up to that point it was the role of the apostles to go out through the world and build the church. They had some success but not a lot. All of the apostles, save John, were killed, many of them in ugly ways. Peter, for example, was crucified in Rome. He didn’t feel worthy to be crucified the same way the Savior was so he asked if they would mind turning him upside down. They graciously accommodated him and he died on his head on a cross. In 96 A.D., John is the last one left. He goes to the isle of Patmos. Between 96 and 101, the books of Revelation, 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John are written and John disappears. Until latter-day revelation, no one ever knew what happened to John. But in 101 A.D., the apostasy was complete. No one on the earth now authoritatively capable of saying, “Thus saith the Lord” because no one on the earth was speaking to the Lord. The apostasy now complete.<br />
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Nicea and the first Nicene council was held. The charter was given to these people by Constantine, and it was, “I want you to describe God. Define God. You tell me what God is all about and that’s the way everybody will believe.” They went away for several weeks and came back and presented Constantine with a document that is known as the Nicene Creed. That document is the basic document now that is accepted by most of the Christian faiths in the world as a description of God.<br />
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We find now, in the beginnings, the Roman Catholic church now becomes the formal church of state. Up until this time, it was just trying to survive. Now it becomes the church and this is the way people are going to believe. A period of history begins now called the Reign of the Popes. This was not this a religiously tolerant time. The popes were not just ecclesiastical leaders. They became emperors and kings as well.<br />
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785 A.D.: Empress Irene was in charge. She had another council in the same place. She sent her learned people off to Nicea. In the Second Nicene Council, the canonization of saints takes place. Idol worship enters into the Catholic Church. (Understand that you cannot read European history and Catholic history as two separate histories. They are the same. Who wrote history back then? The only ones who could read and write were primarily the clergy, and a few wealthy.)<br />
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About 900 A.D.: The exact date is not pinpointed, but there was a woman pope. The Catholic Church denies this; the Lutheran Church has detailed documentation. There was a pope in charge. Four years into that reign as pope, this pope became pregnant. This was very embarrassing to the Catholic Church and she is known as Pope Joanna. She just disappeared.<br />
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1100 A.D.: There were three popes. They broke off from each other, three different European cities. They all excommunicated each other and then went to war to prove who was the only true and living pope.<br />
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NOTE: I’m not here making fun of Catholic history. I’m here helping us understand. We need to understand the fact that the Apostasy was <b>very</b> real.<br />
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1200 A.D.: Two significant events took place. First, the advent of the printing press. Up until 1200 A.D., not many people could read. The printing press surfaces and has a major impact on the culture in Europe in the next hundred years. We’ll talk about that in a moment. The next event, the man in charge in Rome: Pope Innocent III. Pope Innocent III was known in history as The Boss Pope. He was fighting wars all the time. He was fighting on three fronts. Started to run out of money. Decided he needed a creative way of raising money for his wars. And so he initiated in the church a money-making program called the Sale of Indulgences. This was a significant event 300 years later; we’ll discover why in a moment. The Sale of Indulgences simply means you can pay to have your sins remitted. It even got to the point where you could prepay sins.<br />
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1300 A.D.: A revolution begins in Europe, not a revolution of knives and swords, but a cultural revolution. That revolution is known and we refer to it now as The Renaissance. European culture turns upside down. One of the reasons was the advent of the printing press. More people had more information. Questions started to be asked that never had been asked before and the culture turns upside down.<br />
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1492 A.D.: Columbus, a product of the Renaissance, was part of a growing number that said, “You know, this is not a flat world. It’s round.” And so he conned the queen out of three boats and he finds the New World.<br />
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1515 A.D.: Martin Luther surfaces. Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk, one of the highest orders in the Catholic Church, a product of the Renaissance, had access to many of the ancient documents. He had a major problem. His problem was the Sale of Indulgences. He said, “I don’t think that’s right. I can’t find anything in the ancient writings that the Savior said anything about the Sale of Indulgences.” Ultimately, he developed 95 questions that bothered him a lot. He nailed these questions to the door of the cathedral in Wuttenburg, Germany. That’s how he communicated. Took several weeks for people to wander by and see the questions. It bugged the church a lot. He was then pulled before several church courts and told, “Back off with your questions or you’ll be excommunicated.” Understand that excommunication in the 14th, 15th centuries was tantamount to death. Martin Luther did not want to destroy the Catholic Church. He loved the Catholic Church. He wanted to get back to what was being taught at the time of Christ. The next several<br />
years were not a good experience for Martin Luther. He would not back off from is questions. The Reformation starts as well.<br />
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1523 A.D.: Martin Luther was excommunicated from the church and the church put out a proclamation, saying, “We will not consider it murder to kill Martin Luther.” They put out a papal hit on Martin Luther. He had to go into hiding. He was protected by a group of wealthy German princes. The German princes, I don’t believe, were particularly interested in his theology, but they were not interested in paying tribute to Rome any more. And so they created a church. Finally they talked Martin Luther into heading that church. He didn’t want to at first, but when they started trying to kill him, he decided he would. He became the head of the Lutheran Church. If there is a people on the planet today that have a testimony of the Apostasy, it’s the Lutheran Church. That’s why they exist. They have documented it very carefully.<br />
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1534 A.D.: King Henry VIII in England had a problem with his wife. He wanted to divorce her. And so he went to the pope and said, “I want to divorce my wife.” The pope said, “You can’t do that. There is no divorcing in the church.” He looked over at Germany and said, “You know, Luther’s doing all right. I think I’ll create my own church.” And so he created the Church of England and it breaks from the Catholic Church. Was that a popular decision in England? Really wasn’t. Many wars resulted. There ugly, terrible battles as a result of that decision. He was able then to get rid of his wife. No revelation. No saying, “I talked to somebody in heaven.” But he said, “I want to get rid of my wife.” A church starts. What church in America today is the Church of England? The Episcopal Church.<br />
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1540 A.D.: I’m just mentioning a couple of the major reformers. There had been some earlier reformers but the major beginning of the Reformation really goes through Martin Luther. A man by the name of John Calvin in Switzerland and France starts an organization called the Huguenots. He was a disciple of Martin Luther. He didn’t agree with everything that Luther was doing, but he said, “I think he’s on the right track, but something’s wrong.” The Huguenots begin. Presbyterians in America today.<br />
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1560 A.D.: In England, John Knox, a disciple of both Calvin and Luther, says “You know, I think they’re on the right track but they’re not totally on the right track. I think I’ll start my own church.” And the Puritans begin.<br />
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1575 A.D.: An event took place in Paris, France, called Bartholomew Day. This was not an isolated incident, but I plug this in here to give you an idea as to how the Reformation was being received in Europe. Bartholomew Day, a holocaust took place in Paris, France. The Catholics rose up and destroyed every Protestant they could find. There was a bloodbath in Paris. Bartholomew Day. The Reformation was not a popular movement.<br />
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1620 A.D.: The Puritans come to America. Fed up with the lack of the freedoms that they wanted, they came to America. 1620, a nation is invented. It was discovered by Columbus. It was invented by the Puritans. The United States of America has its humble beginnings. Between 1620 and 1776, a nation is born.<br />
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1776 A.D.: We’d had enough. We wrote a letter to King George. It said something like this: “We’re tired of your taxes. We don’t like your troops over here. In fact, we don’t like you. Will you take them home. We’re going to be our own group.” Now that paraphrases the Declaration of Independence a little bit, but that’s basically what it said. The Revolutionary War begins.<br />
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1781 A.D.: The war ends.<br />
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1785 A.D.: A meeting begins in Philadelphia. They discover the Articles of Confederation are not working. We need another document. It took two more years, until 1787, to finish the Constitution. For the first time, in the incorporating papers of any nation on the earth, a guarantee of the freedom of religion was written into the constitution. In 1787, it is signed at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.<br />
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1805 A.D. Now, maybe, the Church can survive again on the planet. The Prophet Joseph Smith is born in upstate New York.<br />
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1812 A.D.: The War of 1812. That’s a significant war. Why? This time, we beat the British with some definite win. We had our own navy now. The US Constitution had been commissioned in 1797. We had a major win. They came up the Potomac River, leveled the White House, we didn’t like that very much and we won soundly this time. We threw them off and we said, “No one will ever fight a war against us again on our own land.”<br />
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1820 A.D.: Joseph Smith, goes into a grove of trees, wanting to know: “Something’s wrong. There are a lot of people teaching different things. Which church should I join?” And God and Jesus Christ appear to him and the <b>Restoration</b> (not Reformation) begins.<br />
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1830 A.D.: The Church is formally established on the earth. You might be interested to know that in 1830, in Washington, DC, the US Patent Office was closed. You can read in the congressional record for that year, “We’ve decided to close the patent office because everything has been invented that could possibly be invented.” It’s been opened since. There has been more progress on this planet since 1830, than in all 5,000 years past. I wonder why...<br />
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This is the basic outline for why the Lord didn't restore His church until 1820. Why was the Gospel restored in 1820? Why didn’t the Lord appear to a young man in a grove of trees in Europe in 1512? If Martin Luther had come out of a grove of trees and said, “I just talked to God and Jesus Christ and you know that they said? We don't have it right!” How long would he have survived? Twenty minutes, maybe? Not very long. I would suggest to you that the reason the Lord restored His Church in 1820 is because that is the only time that it could possibly have survived on the planet. And it almost didn’t survive then. Was there religious freedom in America in 1830? No. Was Joseph Smith welcomed with, “You talked to God and Jesus Christ? Boy, that’s exciting! Tell us what they had to say.” No, they weren’t excited about that. Ultimately, they had to leave the confines of the United States and go to Salt Lake City to survive.<br />
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There is another date we need to superimpose, Go back to 1817 A.D.: Karl Marx is born. You know who Karl Marx was, I trust. Is there any coincidence that the opposition raised up its leader the same time the Lord raised up His? I don’t think there was a coincidence. Who’s winning? How many LDS people are there today? Over 14 million. About There are about 1,576,068,749 communists today. Is there a work for us to do?<br />
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I would like to suggest to you today that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored in 1820 because that’s the only time it could have survived. I know that this Gospel, and by implication, this Church and ministry, is the only true and living Church that has the authority to say "Thus saith the Lord" because we have a prophet who speaks with Him. This is just another testimony to me that everything I believe and know to be true, really is true.Elder Cassarohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09314727930409674248noreply@blogger.com1