Hope

Every one of us has times when we need to know things will get better. My declaration is that that is precisely what the gospel of Jesus Christ offers us, especially in times of need.
Thirty years ago last month, a little family set out to cross the United States, every earthly possession they owned packed into the smallest trailer available. No money, an old car, they drove exactly 34 miles up the highway, at which point their beleaguered car erupted.
The young father surveyed the steam, matched it with his own, then left his trusting wife and two innocent children—the youngest just three months old—to wait in the car while he walked the three miles or so to the southern Utah metropolis of Kanarraville, population then, I suppose, 65. Some water was secured at the edge of town, and a very kind citizen offered to drive back to the stranded family. The car was attended to and slowly—very slowly—driven back to St. George for inspection.
After more than two hours of checking and rechecking, no immediate problem could be detected, so once again the journey was begun. In exactly the same amount of elapsed time at exactly the same location on that highway with exactly the same pyrotechnics from under the hood, the car exploded again. Now feeling more foolish than angry, the chagrined young father once more left his trusting loved ones and started the long walk for help once again. This time the man providing the water said, “Either you or that fellow who looks just like you ought to get a new radiator for that car.” He didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry at the plight of this young family.
“How far have you come?” he said. “Thirty-four miles,” I answered. “How much farther do you have to go?” “Twenty-six hundred miles,” I said. “Well, you might make that trip, and your wife and those two little kiddies might make that trip, but none of you are going to make that trip in that car.” He proved to be prophetic on all counts.
Just two weeks ago, I drove by that exact spot. For just an instant I thought perhaps I saw on that side road an old car with a devoted young wife and two little children. Just ahead of them I imagined that I saw a young fellow walking toward Kanarraville, the weight of a young father’s fear evident in his pace.
In that imaginary instant, I couldn’t help calling out to him: “Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead.” Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven. But for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.

Always have hope, if we do we will be able to have that faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

Miracles

 Mormon 9: 15-21.

15 And now, O all ye that have imagined up unto yourselves a god who can do no miracles, I would ask of you, have all these things passed, of which I have spoken? Has the end come yet? Behold I say unto you, Nay; and God has not ceased to be a God of miracles.

 16 Behold, are not the things that God hath wrought marvelous in our eyes? Yea, and who can comprehend the marvelous works of God?

 17 Who shall say that it was not a miracle that by his word the heaven and the earth should be; and by the power of his word man was created of the dust of the earth; and by the power of his word have miracles been wrought?

 18 And who shall say that Jesus Christ did not do many mighty miracles? And there were many mighty miracles wrought by the hands of the apostles.

 19 And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles.

 20 And the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should trust.

 21 Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth.

  

I add my testimony to Mormon's testimony of miracles.  They exist, they do happen, but we need to have faith that they can and will happen in our lives.  A lot of the time we have miracles happen in our lives day after day, however, we don't acknowledge or recognize them as miracles.  In the bible dictionary is says that,  "Miracles should not be regarded as deviations from the ordinary course of nature so much as manifestations of divine or spiritual power.  Some lower law was in each case superseded by the action of a higher."  Miracles are Divine or spiritual power.  God is in our lives everyday!  Sounds like a miracle to me.  We are able to see a being greater than we are help and protect us.  Plus he gives us what we need.  I know that miracles were never wrought without prayer, felt need, and faith.  I hope that we all can notice the miracles in our lives.  Not just the incredible, almost unbelievable miracles; but the little miracles that we receive each and everyday.  As we notice those miracles I can promise you all that our faith in miracles and the power of he who is mightier than we will increase.  I know that miracles have not, and will not cease.  For God is the same yesterday, today and forever.  He was a God of miracles in the past.  He is a God of miracles now and he will be in the future as well.  Take these things into your heart and pray earnestly unto God to help you notice those miracles.  If you do so he will help you.  Have a happy Thanksgiving family and friends back home and in my recent homes, and also to those in Worland, Wyoming.  God Bless.

"Lost and Found"

By: Greg Olsen

My Blog

Having this blog has been good for me.  I have been able to write some of my feelings.  My thoughts, and been able to actually know about people reading it.  I hope that as I share my thoughts and feelings that everyone who reads it will be able to get something out of it.  I had someone tell me they had read some of my blogs, and it made me really think.  Am I writing things that will help others, or am I writing things that will help me.  If there is a particular subject you would like me to write about feel free to ask.  I'll try to write about it.  I am on here to help other people.  Not to just write because I was asked to.  I want it to be good for everyone.  Love, Elder Goff

Football and the Gospel.

So the other day I thought back to my high school times.  More specifically,  about the Football team I was able to be a part of my senior year.  I remember long before we were actually together when I was a senior we all started playing together in 7th grade.  We all loved the game, we loved playing as a team.  Seeing the things that could happen when we would play as a team.  Seeing the great things we could accomplish individually when we would listen to what the coach told us to do, and what we had practiced all week before we went out Friday under the lights.  I remember having an English class my freshman year.  We had a writing assignment and I remember myself and Casimiro Zarate our great running back and line backer writing about taking state someday.  So, as you can see this is something we wanted for yourselves.  A goal we wanted to accomplish.  It was only through working as a team and listening to what our coaches taught us.  Then going out on the field and fulfilling the assignments we had practiced all week that we would ever be able to meet that goal.  We eventually met that goal.  It wasn't easy, we never expected it would be.  We truly had to work hard, study our defensive scheme for the week, listen to our coaches.  There were so many things we had to do to make it happen.  One of the best coaches I had would ask us often as we watched game film when we made a mistake because we didn't fulfill our job, "How did that work for you?"  We would usually then say, "It didn't coach."  And he would then say, "All right, well how about we do it my way next time."  To which we would agree and do it the way we had been coached.
All of these things I learned playing football can apply to the Gospel as well.  We know what we need to do to reach our goal of living with God and Jesus Christ again.  We know when we do it our way it doesn't work.  We have to work at it everyday.  We have to study, pray, go to church.  There are things that God tells us to do and we disregard it.  Which doesn't bring us happiness.  When we get it right is when we feel joy.  I hope that when we see others down we will help them up, and be a team.  We are all in this together.  I am grateful for the great friends and coaches that helped teach me about these things.  We must fulfill our jobs, and make our goals happen.  READY...BREAK.

Elder Austin Gene Goff #3

A lot of thinking, and thanking.

Elder House got his appendix out on Tuesday night. I had to leave him with 2 other Elders that night to go to a meeting in Billings on Wednesday. Since then I have sat here in his room, and thought a lot about Missionaries. What a missionary does and becomes. I believe I have wrote somewhat about this subject before, but the things I have both seen and heard on my mission concerning other missionaries' struggles never cease to amaze me. As I drove with Elder Merrell and Elder Horspool to Billings on Tuesday night we talked about missionaries. I specifically talked about how amazing missionaries are. Everyone has personal struggles and trials. Missionaries are not exempt from that, I have both seen and heard about Missionaries who have had things go on during their missions that would be tough for anyone. Things that I would guess would be harder for someone away from all family. And yet they take these hard things and put them on the back burners and try to help anyone they can to feel happiness. That's what it is all about. Sharing what we know to be true with others. It has brought us happiness even through the hard things in life. Why wouldn't it be able to bring them happiness as well?

I know that this Gospel is a Gospel of change. Change for the better, change for lasting happiness. This Gospel changes so many people, and missionaries. Why not live the Gopsel of Jesus Christ? It will only bless those who do, and in turn it allows us to bless the lives of many more who have not yet found the Gospel. I am so grateful for strong people. My Companion, Elder House, President Gardner, My family, My sister Tiff. Tiff is so strong. With all the pain and medical things plaguing her she still trusts in our lord. She understands that this is happiness. No matter the cost, this is the way to be happy and to spread happiness. At this time of Thanksgiving I pray that we will be more sensitive to the small things people do for us everyday. I don't believe this time should be the only time we notice those things. We need to be more sensitive to the service others provide. All the time, thank those who help you, acknowledge those whom you admire, and be the person who helps others be happy. Notice the things be believe are "little things."




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi0tqhedHIU

Neither am I Mighty in Writing

   Ever since we started this online proselyting work I have been thinking about how hard it is to express myself through written words.  I have had the chance of teaching some friends online through Facebook, and have been updating this blog site.  As I have done both I have decided that I am better at expressing my thoughts and feelings through my spoken words,  rather than written.  As I read from The Book of Mormon today I read Nephi's words at the end of the book of 2 Nephi.  Nephi seems to have felt the same way I have. So I will use his words from 2 Nephi 33 and insert my name.
   1.  And now I, Elder Goff, cannot write all the things that were taught to me today; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the children of men. ( I don't feel that I am mighty in speaking either, but I feel like I can speak better than I can write.)
   2.  But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught.
   I hope that something in what I write on my blog will touch the hearts of those who read it.  I do not proclaim to be a writing genius or to have the spirit at all times.  However I do feel like these things I write mean a lot to me, so I hope that they could mean something to others as well.  If only because I know them to be true.  I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am trying so hard to be someone different than who I used to be.  I know it's only through Jesus Christ that that can happen.  I feel that he has helped me change things already.  I'm still constantly trying to improve. There are many areas I need to work on, and I am doing my best.  The past is the past.  I hope it can stay there.  I know where I stand with God and that's what matters.  I hope all who read this can realize that we can always be better than we were yesterday. 
   4.  And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people.  And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and presuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal.
   10.  And now, my beloved bretheren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ.  And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach men that they should do good.
   It is my prayer that as I use this as a means of helping others that Christ will help me to write the words he would have me write.  That he will bless you to feel of the Love and Effort I try to put into these entries.  I love Jesus Christ, I love my Father in Heaven, they love me.  I hope I can help you to all feel of their love for you as well, and that you can grow to love them. And see the happiness that can be found through them.

He invites All men, Everywhere.

     Today during my Personal study I was reading from The Book of Mormon.  I came across some scripture in 2 Nephi 26 that I have read time and time again, but it always hits me different.  Today as I read it I thought about non-members and less actives who believe that if they set foot in a church building it will fall into a heap of flaming rubble on top of them.  Why would God do that?  We all have things that are keeping us from being the "perfect person."  That's why we go to church right?  To better ourselves.  "For he doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation." (2 Nephi 26:24) He died to draw all men unto him.  Not to keep them away.  He desires for all to partake of Salvation.
    "Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price.

     Behold, hath he commanded any that they should depart out of the synagogues, or out of the houses of worship? Behold, I say unto you, Nay.

     Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance.

     Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden.

wherefore, the Lord God hath given a commandment that all men should have charity, which charity is

love. And except they should have charity they were nothing. Wherefore, if they should have charity they would not suffer the laborer in Zion to perish.

     For he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile." (2 Nephi 26:25-28, 30, 33)

   We are all worth just as much as the next person.  God will never esteem one above another.  No one can read these scriptures and say that God will not accept them.  God will accept all who accept Him, and do the best they can to keep His commandments. 

A Friend From Home

“This cause will roll on in majesty and power to fill the earth. Doors now closed to the preaching of the gospel will be opened. The Almighty, if necessary, may have to shake the nations to humble them and cause them to listen to the servants of the living God. Whatever is needed will come to pass.”
( “Look to the Future,” Ensign, Nov. 1997, 68.)

“The Standard of Truth has been erected. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing. Persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame. But the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and dependent till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, until the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the Great Jehovah will say, ‘The work is done.'” -The Prophet Joseph Smith

   As I think about these two quotes, a friend from home comes to my mind.  I do not know or understand the whole story of her conversion, because I have been on my mission since she started investigating and decided to be baptized.  However,  I do know that these two statements are true.  God will do whatever it takes to help his children find the answers they seek.  Whether it be through a friend, neighbor, complete strangers in a white shirt and tie, or through online proselyting. 
  Ever since we found out about this new online proselyting opportunity it has rolled forth.  I have had many chances to share the Gospel with old friends from home.  I have been able to fellowship people I have taught in past areas, and been able to share the gospel through this blog page as well. 
   Now back to my Friend From Home.  She was baptized last night.  Being able to answer questions, and encourage her has been a great thing for me.  A great testimony builder.  I don't feel like I have done much of anything.  I did not get to teach her,  I did not get to be in attendance for her baptism, and yet I feel as much joy for her being baptized as I have for anyone on my mission.  Sharing the Gospel can and will roll forth.  Even if it needs to be done through the Internet.  There is a talk by Elder M. Russell Ballard I would like to share with you all.

Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet

By Elder M. Russell Ballard

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

  

The Internet: A Modern Printing Press

Today we have a modern equivalent of the printing press in the Internet. The Internet allows everyone to be a publisher, to have his or her voice heard, and it is revolutionizing society. Before the Internet there were great barriers to printing. It took money, power, influence, and a great amount of time to publish. But today, because of the emergence of what some call “new media,” made possible by the Internet, many of those barriers have been removed. New media consists of tools on the Internet that make it possible for nearly anyone to publish or broadcast to either a large or a niche audience. I have mentioned some of these tools already. The emergence of new media is facilitating a worldwide conversation on almost every subject, including religion, and nearly everyone can participate. This modern equivalent of the printing press is not reserved only for the elite.

Now some of these tools—like any tool in an unpracticed or undisciplined hand—can be dangerous. The Internet can be used to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and can just as easily be used to market the filth and sleaze of pornography. Computer applications like iTunes can be used to download uplifting and stirring music or the worst kind of antisocial lyrics full of profanity. Social networks on the Web can be used to expand healthy friendships as easily as they can be used by predators trying to trap the unwary. That is no different from how people choose to use television or movies or even a library. Satan is always quick to exploit the negative power of new inventions, to spoil and degrade, and to neutralize any effect for good. Make sure that the choices you make in the use of new media are choices that expand your mind, increase your opportunities, and feed your soul.

As you know, the new media has already profoundly impacted the old world of newspapers and other traditional media. Once upon a time, as a Church leader I might give a newspaper interview, then wait a day or two for it to appear somewhere deep inside the newspaper. Then that newspaper was thrown away, and whatever impact it might have had dissipated rather quickly.

Now, as I am leaving one appointment to go to the next, the report of my visit or interview begins almost immediately to appear on the newspaper’s Web site or on blogs, where it can be copied and distributed all over the Web. You can see how important the right words are today. Words recorded on the Internet do not disappear. Any Google or Yahoo! search is going to find one’s words, probably for a very long time.

A case in point: In 2007, NBC television came to Salt Lake for an interview with me as part of a piece they were producing on the Church. Reporter Ron Allen and I spent an hour together in the chapel in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. We discussed the Church at length. A few days later the story appeared, and in the four-minute segment that aired, there was one short quote of about six seconds from the one-hour interview. That was just enough time for me to testify of our faith in Jesus Christ as the center of all we believe. I repeat, just six seconds were used from a 60-minute interview. Those six seconds are quite typical, actually, for members of the traditional TV media, who think and air in sound bites. The big difference from the old days to today is that the reporter also ran 15 minutes of our interview on the NBC Nightly News Web site. And those 15 minutes are still there. What we say is no longer on and off the screen in a flash, but it remains as part of a permanent archive and can appear on other sites that reuse the content. People using Internet search engines to hunt for topics about the Church will come across that interview and many others.

These tools allow organizations and individuals to completely bypass the news media and publish or broadcast their messages in their entirety to the intended audiences. For instance, last year the Church Public Affairs Department conducted an interview with Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder Lance B. Wickman of the Seventy regarding the Church’s position on same-gender attraction. In the old days, to communicate our message to the public on an issue like this we would have had to rely on the news media. But this probing interview was conducted by Church Public Affairs staff and posted in its entirety on the Church’s Web site, unfiltered by the news media.

Joining the Conversation

There are conversations going on about the Church constantly. Those conversations will continue whether or not we choose to participate in them. But we cannot stand on the sidelines while others, including our critics, attempt to define what the Church teaches. While some conversations have audiences in the thousands or even millions, most are much, much smaller. But all conversations have an impact on those who participate in them. Perceptions of the Church are established one conversation at a time.

The challenge is that there are too many people participating in conversations about the Church for our Church personnel to converse with and respond to individually. We cannot answer every question, satisfy every inquiry, and respond to every inaccuracy that exists. We need to remember that there is a difference between interest and mere curiosity. Sometimes people just want to know what the Church is. And some who seek answers want them to come directly from a member of the Church. They appreciate one-on-one conversation.

All of you know that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are reminded and encouraged continually to share the gospel with others. The Church is always looking for the most effective ways to declare its message. Preaching the gospel of the Restoration has always been special to me. I loved being a missionary in England. I loved being a mission president in Canada. And I love my present calling, which allows me opportunities to share the message of the Restoration of the gospel to the world and to testify that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1820. Through Joseph, the gospel that Jesus established in New Testament times was brought back. It had been lost with the deaths of the Apostles of old. I can share with the world the knowledge that priesthood authority, the doctrine, and the ordinances of the New Testament Church are once again on the earth. This is the most important work that we can participate in.

Now, may I ask that you join the conversation by participating on the Internet to share the gospel and to explain in simple and clear terms the message of the Restoration. Most of you already know that if you have access to the Internet you can start a blog in minutes and begin sharing what you know to be true. You can download videos from Church and other appropriate sites, including newsroom.lds.org, and send them to your friends. You can write to media sites on the Internet that report on the Church and voice your views as to the accuracy of the reports. This, of course, requires that you understand the basic principles of the gospel. It is essential that you are able to offer a clear and correct witness of gospel truths. It is also important that you and the people to whom you testify understand that you do not speak for the Church as a whole. You speak as one member—but you testify of the truths you have come to know.

Far too many people have a poor understanding of the Church because most of the information they hear about us is from news media reports that are often driven by controversies. Too much attention to controversy has a negative impact on peoples’ perceptions of what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints really is.

Recently a columnist writing in a major U.S. newspaper was irresponsibly inaccurate in his description of the Church and our beliefs and practices. Dozens, perhaps even hundreds, of Church members and others who understand our beliefs commented on the newspaper’s Web site, correcting the misconceptions he was spreading and calling for accuracy.

Examples of What You Can Do

Let me give you a few other examples of how Church members are using the new media.

A Church member living in the Midwest of the United States makes a concerted effort to share the gospel every day, in person. He then writes a blog about his daily endeavors to share the teachings of the Book of Mormon and to give pass-along cards to all he meets. His effort to share the gospel so diligently is admirable, and his further effort to write about it no doubt inspires many others to do the same.

Others have recorded and posted their testimonies of the Restoration, the teachings of the Book of Mormon, and other gospel subjects on popular video-sharing sites. You too can tell your story to nonmembers in this way. Use stories and words that they will understand. Talk honestly and sincerely about the impact the gospel has had in your life, about how it has helped you overcome weaknesses or challenges and helped define your values. The audiences for these and other new media tools may often be small, but the cumulative effect of thousands of such stories can be great. The combined effort is certainly worth the outcome if but a few are influenced by your words of faith and love of God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

The Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ has no doubt had a powerful impact on your life. It has, in part, shaped who you are and what your future will be. Do not be afraid to share with others your experiences as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. We all have interesting stories that have influenced our identity. Sharing those stories is a nonthreatening way to talk to others. Telling those stories can help demystify the Church. You could help overcome misperceptions through your own sphere of influence, which ought to include the Internet.

   I add my witness, as insignificant as it is compared to this Special Witness of Jesus Christ.  Internet Missionary work WORKS!  Do your part to take the Internet back, to use it for what it was intended for, To Preach the Gospel.

http://new.lds.org/church/share/share-your-testimony-with-the-world?lang=eng

Worland, WY. 6 more weeks.

Well,  Transfer calls are always a nerve racking time.  It seems as though all the people you have talked to come to your mind.  You think of the members, and the good times you have had with them.  You think of the companions.  You think of what might come.  Where you might go, and what your next adventure will be.
   Elder House and I found out that we will both be staying which will be great, while at the same time we will be getting new faces in our zone. 3 missionaries will be taking 3 others places as they leave to embark on a new adventure.  I always hate seeing great Elders leave too, but I love getting to know new ones.  There are pros and cons to each situation. 
   When these times come I always think of a particular hymn many of you have heard lots of times. "God Be With You."  I have always been a huge fan of this hymn, but since I came on my mission it has continued to grow on me.  I remember the Sunday before I left Helena, The Bishop's Wife, Sister Mangum played that hymn as the closing song for Sacrament.  The words imply so much Love.  I'm grateful to have experienced it.  Once again this Hymn has come into my mind.  God be with You til we meet again.  Think of those you love who have gone away.  To them your mind may wander, and when it does remember, we shall all meet again.

Team ups and learning from everyone.

Hello again.
   It's been interesting having the opportunity to be a District Leader and then Zone Leader.  I never thought in one day I could learn so much from another missionary.  I remember when I was pretty new in the mission, and the Zone Leaders came on team ups with my trainer and I.  I looked up to them and what they had to say.  I think about myself in that position now and it seems like once again I am learning from the others around me.  Just as I did when I was brand new.  I don't think it matters whot the person is that is near you, there is something worth while to learn from them.  I think about it as a missionary,  every Elder or Sister I have had the chance of hearing talk about gospel related things I learn something.
   I believe that could be applied to any of us.  No matter what moment in time we are dealing with.  Whether we are in college, have kids, empty nesters, or in any situation.  If we open our minds and hearts to the people around us we will be completely suprised by the amount of knowledge people actually have.  Plus the fact that we can learn things from EVERYONE!
  As a missionary I have learned to love people.  Love watching how they act in certain situations.  Loving to watch how they respond.  Will we respond as the world would respond or will we respond as God would want us to.  Will we take the great opportunities around us and learn from the people in our lives.  I hope and pray I will always be able to react the way God wants me to and to also learn from others.  We can Learn from everyone.
   Love, Elder Austin Gene Goff.