Charity….

                                                                                            

 

Charity:  “The highest, noblest, strongest kind of love, not merely affection; the pure love of Christ.”   (bible dictionary)

 

 

THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE
CORINTHIANS

CHAPTER 13

Paul extols the high status of charity—Charity, a pure love, excels and exceeds almost all else.

  1 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

  2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

  3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

  4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

  5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

  6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

  7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

  8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

  9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

  10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

  11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

  12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

  13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”

     

This is one of the most powerful scriptures I have ever read.  Sometimes it is not easy to be charitable to those who hate, despise, and are cruel to us.  But Heavenly Father knows us, He knows what is in our hearts.  As difficult as it may be to love those that hate us, when we do as God commands, our hearts will be filled, our knowledge will increase, and we will be blessed with a glimpse of how much our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ love US. 

Small Miracles?

This weekend I went to visit some good friends who live about an hour away.  We spent the day, grilling out, talking and playing games.  I did not realize until my son started to get whiny that it was 11:30 pm, and I still had to drive an hour to get home.  So I started my van up, and let it run and get warm (it was 15 degrees outside) and loaded the kids up.  As I drove down the hill my gas light went on.  So I drove to the nearest gas station, which (of course!) was closed.  I did not know this town well enough to venture off the path to find another gas station, so I decided to keep going and pull off at the next one I came across. 

 There were NONE, (this area I was driving through is newer, and not quite developed) so I kept going, as I drove I went through the BIG scary city, and was afraid to get off in this area, so I kept going and figured I had enough to make it through the bad part. 

***ok side note.  This van I’m driving is new, I had just traded my durango in for it, and had not yet reached empty.  My durango could make it 2 days on empty so I thought I had plenty to get me to a better area)

So i’m sure you guessed it by now, as I’m getting to the exit I want to take to get gas, the car shuts down.  So I PRAY and I put it in neutral and coast as far as I can.  I made it about a 1/2 a mile UPHILL which was weird.  And I ended up at the stop light which thank heavens had a very large shoulder.  I could see the gas station across the bridge about a half a mile away.  By now it was 12am, and I was so scared to have to walk this with my kids in the freezing cold dark dangerous road. 

I started to panic, and so I prayed and I asked for help because I was so scared and I did not know what to do. 

*** oh another side note, I have no cell phone!

So I start to get out of the car, and a guy in a large truck is stopped at the light and asks me if i’m ok.  I look at him, and I just trust that God will keep me and the kids safe, so I yell back that I have run out of gas. 

So he backs up and pulls behind me.  He gets out of the truck and I was SO relieved!  He was an under cover cop.  He had a bullet proof vest on that read “POLICE” across his chest.  I about fell over. 

He told me to get back in the car and he would go get me a gas can and some gas.

I title this post “Small Miracles?” with a question mark, because I believe all miracles are equally HUGE.  There is no such thing as a small one! 

I realize that I was totally at fault for this, that I should not have let my tank get so low.  Even so, my Heavenly Father was looking out for us, keeping us safe. 

I cannot even begin to express my gratitude and love to my Father in Heaven.  He amazes me constantly, even when, no, ESPECIALLY when, I do not deserve it!  

Why Mormons ARE Christian, AND why I love them so stinkin much.

Let’s define Christian.  It’s simple, and so many people try to complicate it. 

A Christian is a believer and a follower of Jesus Christ.  A Christian is loving, kind, humble, charitable, or in other words Christ like. 

I have been having the most interesting (which is the nicest word I can come up with) conversation on another blog.  http://healtheland.wordpress.com/2007/12/13/the-purpose-driven-campaign-mike-huckabee-shows-his-true-colors-by-apologizing-to-mormon-mitt-romney/ 

There are a few good people on the blog, and then there are the most hateful folks I have ever encountered.  And I have met some pretty awful people.  They call themselves “Christian” and yet they lack the qualities of true Christians.  They twist LDS beliefs, and then when an LDS person comes to defend their faith they call us liars.   They judge, and then justify their actions by saying it’s ok to judge NON Christians. 

This is why I LOVE Mormons.  I have never heard hateful things about any other person or religion come from ANYBODY’S mouth.  They are the kindest most loving people I have ever met.  They even love those who hate them.  You Mormons out there are such amazing examples.  Thank you all for being so flippin wonderful. 

So many people try to bring up the “you joined because you felt accepted and they befriended you”.  Which is not true, I did not know ONE member when I joined.  I joined because I prayed, and my prayer was answered.  BUT, the LDS people have shown me a glimpse of My Heavenly Father, and His Son because of their loving examples!

The intent of these hateful people is to tear us down and deceive others.  But the only thing they have succeeded in, is reminding me how grateful I am for the Gospel, and how grateful I am for the awesome Mormons in my life, and those that I will meet in the future.

To all those who are hateful and judgemental, I feel so sorry for you, my heart goes out to you, I hope one day you open your heart and see the truth, and you will be blessed with happiness, peace, and love!

My love to you all!  YOU MORMONS ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Three Degrees of Glory, and the Plan of Salvation

planofsalvation21.jpg                         

Should Heaven and Hell be so black and white?  Is there no gray area?  What about those people who do not know about Christ?  There are too many “what if’s” to mention here. 

So let’s get into what the LDS view of  What Heaven and Hell is.  And something we call the “Plan of Salvation”.  It’s VERY exciting stuff!  (click on the link above to get a full picture)

Here is a great definition of the “Degrees of Glory” found here http://scriptures.lds.org/gs/d/19

“Differing kingdoms in heaven. At the final judgment, each person will be assigned to an eternal dwelling place in a specific kingdom of glory, except those who are sons of Perdition.

Jesus said, In my Father’s house are many mansions, John 14: 2 (Ether 12: 32). There is one glory of the sun, and another of the moon, and another of the stars, 1 Cor. 15: 40-41. Paul was caught up to the third heaven, 2 Cor. 12: 2. There is a place of no glory and everlasting punishment, D&C 76: 30-38, 43-45. There are three degrees of glory, D&C 76: 50-113; 88: 20-32.”

I hope this helps you understand the basics. 

I love this plan, because it makes sense and it shows that our Father in Heaven loves us. 

He does not want ANY of His children to be lost, so He has prepared a way to return to Him!   

I just love Him XOXO

Who is Jesus Christ!?!

How many times do we hear this statement…”but Mormons believe in a DIFFERENT Jesus”.  It’s frustrating and very very sad.  My hope is that this post will clear up any confusion, and that those who think this will see that we believe in Jesus Christ, the one and only, the Son of God, the Savior of the world!

This is what I know about Him. 

I know that He is God’s Son.  He was choosen to be the Savior of the world.   He taught us how to live, and He suffered and died for each and every one of us.  He sits at the right hand of the Father, and He will come again, and I look forward to that day! 

 I know the love of Christ.  When I met my missionaries I could see His love shining in their eyes.  I know that, because of Him, I have been forgiven and my sins and my burdens have been lifted from me.  I could never express my love and gratitude towards Him.  He is my Savior and I look forward to the day that I meet Him.  People can say all day long that I do not know Him, but what THEY say means nothing, because HE knows that I know Him.  HE knows that I love Him.  My heart has been healed and it is because of my Heavenly Father and because of His Son Jesus Christ!!!!!!  

And I will end by quoting my favorite verse of my FAVORITE song

“I believe in Christ—my Lord, my God!
My feet he plants on gospel sod.
I’ll worship him with all my might;
He is the source of truth and light.
I believe in Christ; he ransoms me.
From Satan’s grasp he sets me free,
And I shall live with joy and love
In his eternal courts above.”

I BELIEVE IN CHRIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tell us your story!

So many of you have read my conversion story, now I want to read yours! 

Please share your conversion here, make it as long (or short) as you want.  To hear others stories is so inspiring whether you have always been a member or whether you are a convert (I know we are all converts   )

 I can’t wait to read them!

* oh and one more thing, this is for LDS stories only, I’m sorry to restrict this post but I want to keep this subject on topic ! (thanks)

RON IS GETTING BAPTIZED!!!!!!

This Youtube was dedicated to a different person, but now I have found it and I dedicate it to RON!

I just had to make a post for Ron, he is amazing, and I am so excited for him and his family!  He will be getting baptized tommorrow, and I will so be there for him in spirit

And Ron remember, tommorrow you will be able to leave all the yucky ol sins behind, you will rise from the waters clean and new! 

Ron, I just know that Heavenly Father is jumping for joy because of the decision you have made (and so am I   )

 Here is a link to his blog, and anti’s are NOT welcome!  http://ronsjourney.wordpress.com/

RON YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To ALL you super awesome Mormons!!!!!!

I have had so many amazing mormons comment on my blog.  There have been so many comments that I am so behind in my reading and I have not been able to respond to even 1/4 of your comments!  I apologize, and I want each and everyone of you to know how very thankful I am!  The name of my blog is “Mormons Rock” and you have all just proven it!

I’m a bit overwhelmed (in a GOOD way) Your comments have brought me so much comfort and joy. 

People can say what they wish about the people and the religion, but I know that Mormons are the kindest, most loving, most amazing people in the world!

Knowing the Gospel is true is the most amazing gift I could ever be given.   I would not trade it for all the book smarts in the world     :) 

Thank you all for comming here, thank you for your comments, thank you for sharing your stories, and thank you for going at it with Brad and EJ      :) 

(I actually feel a bit sorry for them! ) 

 To all non Mormons out there, My purpose in my blog is to share with you what I have found.   I have peace in my heart, and a knowledge that my Father in Heaven LOVES ME!  My wish is for EVERYONE to have what I have! 

So to all my Mormon friends, and to all my Non Mormon friends, I love you all SO very much!!!!!!!!

The Straight and narrow path

…”Straight is the gate and narrow the path that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:14

Not everyone will accept the gospel, not everyone will take the straight and narrow path.  Although I wish everyone could have the happiness that the gospel brings and the joy that taking the straight path will bring you. 

The gospel WILL be taught to all the world, it does not mean everyone will accept it, but it will be taught. 

Rainbows or water falls…..

“You don’t have the power to make rainbows or waterfalls, sunsets or roses, but you do have the power to bless people by your words and smiles… You carry within you the power to make the world better…”
 
          –Sharon G. Larsen, “Standing with God,” Ensign, May 2000, 88

Mathew 25:40 Mosiah 2:17

Scatter Sunshine, Hymn # 230 Listen | Text | Interactive | About

What else needs to be said?

 Here is the link to LDS Nuggets

http://www.ldsnuggets.com/index.html