To be? Or not to be?

  I think a lot about the choices I have made throughout my life, I think we all do.  More recently I have due to the end of this phase of my life, and the beginning of another.  I haven't always been who I am today.  I have become who I am through the choices I have made.  I am realizing more and more that I still have so much to work on.  I wont be done progressing just because I have fulfilled my mission and returned honorable.  Life is not a "to do list".  We should always think of our lives as a "to be list".  "To be or not to be that is surely a good question." (What manner of men ought ye to be? LYNN G. ROBBINS April 2011 General conference) 
   Since my mission is coming to an end, and I have so much I want to become I decided to make my own "To Be" list for my last mission newsletter article.  In the same talk Elder Robbins said, "Many of us create to do lists to remind us of things we want to accomplish. But people rarely have to be lists. Why? To do’s are activities or events that can be checked off the list when done. To be, however, is never done. You can’t earn checkmarks with to be’s. I can take my wife out for a lovely evening this Friday, which is a to do. But being a good husband is not an event; it needs to be part of my nature—my character, or who I am."  So this is my plan, to make these things part of my nature.

  My To Be List

Be the kind of man who honors his covenants.  Be who I am, but even better tomorrow.  Be a missionary.  Be someone who sets goals to accomplish them.  Be the man who isn't afraid of things that are tough.  Be humble, yet confident.  Be a prayerful man.  Be a man who feasts upon the scriptures daily.  Be a man who overcomes, and achieves.  Be a man who never forgets the things he's been taught.  Be an honorable priesthood holder.  Be a good man.  Be happy.  Be the kind of husband and father you know you should be.  Be energetic.  Be the man who remembers his roots.  Be the man who loves his family, no matter the decisions they make.  Be kind.  Be a man who does not judge.  Be a servant.  Be a man who works hard.  Be strong.  Be the man who remembers with fondness his mission.  Be a man who is in the world, but not of the world.  Be a man who gives what he can to help.  Be a man who keeps the sabbath day holy.  Be a man who goes to the temple regularly.  Be a man who is an example to the youth.  Be the man who always shares his testimony with others. Be Patient.  Be Diligent.  Be like Captain Moroni, and shake the very powers of hell.  Be like Ammon and glory in the Lord.  Be like the Brother of Jared and have great faith.  Be like Nephi and never question the commandments, but go and do.  Be like King Benjamin and serve to the end.  Be like Abinadi and never deny your testimony.  Be like Jesus Christ and be perfect.  To Be?  Or Not to Be?  That is surely a good question.  This is the kind of person I want to BE.

Hear, Remember, Understand, Apply and BECOME.

I hope I will be able to make these things part of my nature and less of a to do list.

Online Missionary work.

Prophecy about the Future of Missionary Work

In 1974, President Spencer W. Kimball issued an amazing prophecy about the technology driving the gospel message.

Technology will help spread the gospel. We need to enlarge our field of operation.… The Lord will lay in our hand inventions which we can scarcely conceive whereby we will be able to bring the gospel to the peoples of the world…. I have faith that the Lord will open doors when we have done everything in our power. I believe that the Lord is anxious to put into our hands inventions of which we laymen have hardly had a glimpse….We shall use the inventions the Lord has given us to awaken interest and acquaint people of the world with the truths, to ease their prejudices and give them a general knowledge. We shall need to answer specific questions, and perhaps that can be done by two-way radio and TV perfected to a point beyond our present imagination. It is conceivable that such a program greatly perfected could be multiplied ten thousand times in ten thousand tongues and dialects in ten thousand places far and near…. Tens of thousands of young missionaries endowed with the power from on high will follow up the proselyting."

It's amazing to me that I get to be a part of this Prophecy.  I'm glad to be able to do it and Hope that we can get more members involved.

New Experiences/Uncomfortable Situations

  Many people in this world have a hard time stepping out of their comfortable lives in to new experiences and uncomfortable situations.  I believe there is no one that can step into a new situation or experience without being a little nervous, anxious or apprehensive.  So I think it's important to understand we have all been there.  I can think of many situations where I felt scared to step out of my comfort zone to do something, but as I have done it I have felt myself grow.
  My first experience with this was my very first day of kindergarten.  I'm sure many of you can remember your first day like I do.  I remember my Mom dropping me off and standing outside of the car.  Then I remember starting my journey across the what seemed to be a mile wide grass field to get to my class.  I remember being nervous and really not knowing what to expect.  All I knew was my Mom was behind me and was not coming in with me.  So I walked to where I needed to be with my snazzy Snoopy backpack strapped to my back.  I still remember the apprehension I felt, and yet it soon became a fun thing.  I liked going to kindergarten.  I liked the things I learned and I especially liked recess when I could run and play with the kids from my class who before that time had been strangers.  Now many of those same kids I went to kindergarten with are some of my best friends.  Had I not gone to kindergarten and stayed at home playing Super Mario Bros. 3 on regular nintendo and drinking Kool Aid all day I wouldn't have made any of those friends or learned the things I had.  So in other words it was through that first uncomfortable and new experience that I was able to gain so many great friends and learn so much.
    The next experience comes from a recent conversation I had with a friend on Facebook.  She hasn't been to church in quite sometime, but she feels the desire to go back.  She has even gone to an activity with the singles ward, but is still a little apprehensive about going back to church.  I think it's because it's an uncomfortable situation and she will be surround by people she doesn't know.  I gave her an example of a cliff diver.  I have dove off of a few cliffs into water, and the first time is always so scary.  I always have the hardest time jumping the first time.  Nervousness is more the cause than anything else for me.  However, at long last when I leap with all that I have away from the cliff, and I fall through the air and go into the water, then back out.  I feel satisfaction and I go back up for another and another.  It's ll about getting enough courage to do it the first time, and after that it's a piece of cake.  After a while you will be like a friend of mine and do backflips and gainers and flippididoos off of the cliff. 
   If we gain courage and step into a new experience and uncomfortable situations I can promise that it will only do us good.  If we are follow the commandments God has given us, and ask for that courage and strength he will give it to us.  I share in closing my favorite scripture from the Book of Mormon that has helped me more than most.  Ammon is speaking about where his strength comes from and says, "I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God. Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things." (Alma 26:11-12)
   "For with God, Nothing shall be impossible." (Luke 1:37)  We can do it, and God will help us.  We have nothing to lose, but much to gain.  Take the leap of faith and God will bless you.
 

 

Charity is the "PURE LOVE of CHRIST"

I recently was given a district meeting assignment to give a discussion on a Christlike attribute.  I was told I could pick any one of them.  I went to one of my favorite resources for teaching missionaries, missionary things; Preach my Gospel manual.  It is a great training tool for anyone about how to be a missionary, and also how to become more like Jesus Christ.  I started by reading through the Attributes section, Faith, Hope, Charity and Love, Patience, Virtue, Knowledge, Humility, Diligence and Obedience.  As I read through them my mind kept going back to Charity and Love.  So that's what I chose to do a discussion on.  I'll share a little about what I read from Preach my Gospel and about the discussion I gave as well.  In Preach my Gospel it says, "Charity is “the pure love of Christ” (Moroni 7:47). It includes God’s eternal love for all His children. We are to seek to develop that kind of love. When you are filled with charity, you obey God’s commandments and do all you can to serve others and help them receive the restored gospel."  Charity includes God's eternal love for all of his children.  That is a lot of love considering he will love us no matter what, and will love us forever.  If I were to ask you to think of the most important things to you in your life many of you would name two things, God and Family.  So my next question is,  Why do you think it is that most people would name those two things first, above any earthly possetions?  As I asked that question in district meeting there were many answers.  God and Family are eternal,  possetions are not.  God blesses us, and so do families. 

   My thoughts as I studied this topic went to those questions and the answer I came up with was we answer with God and Family because of Love.  Love is something eternal.  We love God and We love our family.  Imagine if all people felt the kind of love they feel for God and Family for everyone!  What a difference that would make.  Chariy and Love is the way to do that.  In 1 Corinthians 13 is says, " 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.

 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.

 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.

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

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

BUT THE GREATEST IS CHARITY!!!  If we love we will see amazing things happen.  We will see people change and we will see them love as we have loved them.  As God and our family have loved us, even so let us love one another.  Love you all. -Elder Austin Gene Goff

http://lds.org/study/topics/charity?lang=eng  feel free to click on this link to read more about Charity.

Everything Denotes That There is a God

There is a story in the Book of Mormon that I love.  I'd like to share it with anyone who take the time to read my blog.  This story takes place many years before the coming of Christ.  The story is about a man named Korihor.  Korihor was an anti-Christ, which means he did not believe in Jesus Christ, or of the coming of Jesus Christ.  He went about the land of Zerehemla teaching his false doctrine to the people of the church of God. He taught things like people could not truly believe in something they had never seen.  He would preach that there would be no Christ. He said, "Oh ye that are bound down under a foolish and a vain hope, why do ye yoke yourselves with such foolish things? Why do ye look for a Christ? For no man can know of anything which is to come.

  Behold, these things which ye call prophecies, which ye say are handed down by holy prophets, behold, they are foolish traditions of your fathers.
   How do ye know of their surety? Behold, ye can not know of things which ye do not see; therefore ye cannot know that there shall be a Christ.

   Ye look forward and say that ye see a remission of your sins. But behold, it is the effect of a frenzied mind; and this derangement of your minds comes because of the traditions of your fathers, which lead you away into a belief of things which are not so."

He also taught that the leaders of the church would teach people these things to gain favor and wealth.
  Because of the things that Korihor taught he led away the hearts of many.  Korihor was brought before the High Priest Alma.  Alma tells Korihor that Korihor knows that he and the other leaders of the church labored with their ownto support themselves and their families.  That he never abused his leadershipe postion.  Then Alma asks Korihor a couple of great questions. "Believest thou that there is a God?"  Korihor said, "nay".  Then Alma asks, "What evidence do ye have that there is no God, or that Christ cometh not? I say unto you that ye have none, save it be your word only.
   But, behold, I have all things which are a testimony unto you that they are true."
   Korihor tell Alma that if God showed him a sign he would believe.  To which Alma replies, "Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all the holy prophets?  The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote that there is a God; yea, even the Earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and it's motion, yea, and also all the planets which do move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator."
   I like Alma know that there is a God.  I do believe that Jesus Christ came and that he was the Son of God.  He took upon himself the mistakes, pains, sicknesses and all other things.  So that we can return to live with God.  For no unclean things can dwell in the presence of God.  There had to be a way for us to become clean.  That can only be done through Jesus Christ.  Gaining Faith in Jesus Christ can be done in many ways.  My faith in Jesus Christ was first gained through the Book of Mormon.  That's how I came to know that he was not only a man, but my savior, my redeemer, my way to live with God and my family forever.  I hope this touches your hearts and helps you to know that there is a God, who knows your situation and Loves and truly cares about you.  He is waiting for you to doubt not, but to be believing.  In the Sacred named on Jesus Christ, Amen.

 
 

Baptism, My Purpose.

  My Purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the Restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ, and his atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy ghost and enduring to the end. 
   I feel like I need to do more to fulfill that purpose online.  So as I read from the scriptures this morning I decided to try to find something to write about and I found my topic; Baptism.  Baptism is essential to our salvation. In John 3:5 in the New Testament is says, "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."  Being born of the water means to be baptized, and of the spirit means to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  This Scripture I quoted has a story behind it.  Christ is talking to a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews named Nicodemus.  Now Nicodemus comes to Christ in the night and says, " Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him."  Then Jesus says what I quoted earlier.  So he tells Nicodemus that he needs to be Born of Water and of the Spirit or he wont be able to live with God.  And Nicodemus asks a classic question, "How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?"  He thinks logically and says, "how in the world can I be born again, I can't enter my mothers womb again!"  To which Jesus responds, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."
The answer of course is Baptism.  Christ set the PERFECT example.  It is always amazing to me people who believe that baptism is not necessary.  Of course it is necessary, Jesus Christ was perfect, and he was baptized...hmm sounds like we should be baptized, as imperfect as we are.  In the Book of Mormon it says, "And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!"  Christ was baptized.  "And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them.  And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?  And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son."
Follow the perfect example, Jesus Christ.  Find the path for you and be baptized.  Baptism is the gate by which ye should enter.  Then stay on the straight and narrow path which leads to eternal life.  If you have questions please look me up of facebook by searching, "Elder Austin Goff".  Ask any questions you may have.

I second the voice of Alma to the people of Nephi when he says,
"And now I say unto you that this is the order after which I am called, yea, to preach unto my beloved brethren, yea, and every one that dwelleth in the land; yea, to preach unto all, both old and young, both bond and free; yea, I say unto you the aged, and also the middle aged, and the rising generation; yea, to cry unto them that they must repent and be born again.

  Yea, thus saith the Spirit: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand; yea, the Son of God cometh in his glory, in his might, majesty, power, and dominion. Yea, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, that the Spirit saith: Behold the glory of the King of all the earth; and also the King of heaven shall very soon shine forth among all the children of men.

  And also the Spirit saith unto me, yea, crieth unto me with a mighty voice, saying: Go forth and say unto this people—Repent, for except ye repent ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of heaven."

Christ being baptized by John

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

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

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.

Faith.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).  It all starts with that faith Paul is talking about.  Faith is the first principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  In order to gain a greater faith in Jesus Christ, we must follow his teachings.  We can look at a cake all day long, however, until we experiment, or in other words, we try the cake we wont know if it tastes good.  The same concept applies to Jesus Chirst.  Until we actually try keeping the commandments and see the great things that come from it, we wont be able to gain a great faith in him.  We can do it through keeping any commandment he has given us.  For each and every commandment we follow we are promised by God certain blessings. "There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated (Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21)."
  So Faith is something that needs to be acted upon to see the results.  If we keep the commandements we will be able to see the blessings those decisions have brought.  Faith is gained through actively seeking it.  I testify of these things.  I know these things are true.  I have tried the experiment and Planted the seed of Faith in my heart.  I try to nurture it, and give it things that will help it grow.  Reading my Scriptures, Praying, going to church, boy these things sound like things God commands us to do don't they?  Keep the commandments and your faith will grow.  I Promise you that. I love you all.  Gain that Faith!!! 

                                    http://new.lds.org/study/topics/faith?lang=eng