It wasn't convenient for Chirst, Why should it be convenient for us?

When Christ had fasted for 40 days Satan came to him tempting him.  I'd like to focus on the first temptation.  Turning the stone into bread.  I will use parts of a talk given by Elder Jeffery R. Holland.

“If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.”

"Whatever else Satan may do, he will certainly appeal to our appetites. Far better to play on natural, acknowledged needs than struggle to plant in us artificial ones. Here Jesus experiences the real and very understandable hunger for food by which he must sustain his mortal life. We would not deny anyone this relief, certainly we would not deny the Son of Man. Israel had its manna in the wilderness. This is Israel’s God. He has fasted for forty days and forty nights. Why not eat? He seems ready to break his fast, or surely must soon. Why not simply turn the stones to bread and eat?

The temptation is not in the eating. He has eaten before, he will soon eat again, he must eat for the rest of his mortal life. The temptation, at least the part I wish to focus on, is to do it this way, to get his bread—his physical satisfaction, relief for his human appetite—the easy way, by abuse of power and without a willingness to wait for the right time and the right way. It is the temptation to be the convenient Messiah. Why do things the hard way? Why walk to the shop—or bakery? Why travel all the way home? Why deny yourself satisfaction when with ever such a slight compromise you might enjoy this much-needed nourishment? But Christ will not ask selfishly for unearned bread. He will postpone gratification, indefinitely if necessary, rather than appease appetite—even ravenous appetite—with what is not his."

"A disciple of Christ must be willing to say, “Yes, but not this way.”

  There are many things in this world to be tempted by, and yet if we do our best to follow Jesus Christ we will find ourselves saying, "yes, but not this way."  By following Jesus Christ the best we can the temptations which do so easily beset us become something much easier.  I know that if we live within the bounds the Lord has set we will be able to be truly happy.  Not happiness for a second or for a day or two, but forever.  The bread that Satan offers is "BOGUS BREAD".  It's fake, it's lame, it's garbage, it's a load of bologna.  Jesus Christ offers the real deal, and he offers it the way it's supposed.  He offers freshly baked bread that is never ending.  It will always be fresh, warm and constantly, and consistently coming out of the oven. 

   Sometimes as a missionary at the end of the day I am so tired and beat that we plan, fill out the area book, get ready for bed, and while waiting for my companion I lie on my bed.  We have companion prayer and I lie down again...then I realize that I never said my personal prayer.  I think about praying as I lie down..I have even started praying at times and thanking him for the day...Then I always get a voice saying...PROVE IT!  Prove that you are thankful for the day by kneeling in prayer.  It may be easier to not kneel because I am so tired.  However, I get out of bed and kneel in prayer.  I don't make it a short prayer so I can go to sleep.  I do by best to talk to God.  To thank him for all the thing he has given me. 

   The talk I pulled this from is called "The Inconvenient Messiah"  It talks a lot about how life for Christ was not convenient, so why should it be convenient for us?  It's not convenient for me to get out of bed when I am dead tired to pray, but I know that I am indebted to God forever.  So why not make life inconvenient and Follow Jesus Christ.  It may be inconvenient at times, but it's much less inconvenient than the consequences of sin.   So follow Christ and be happy.  That's my blog for the day.  Loves.

Mission Newsletter Article

O how great is the nothingness of the children of men; yea, even they are less than the dust of the earth.

   For behold, the dust of the earth moveth hither and thither, to the dividing asunder, at the command of our great and everlasting God. (Helaman 12:7-8)

   In recent times I have thought a lot about things I have heard at church, in the temple, and read during studies.  Why are we less than the dust of the earth?  Why was Adam made from the dust of the earth?  This scripture makes me think that maybe we were made from the dust of the earth so we could maybe see it symbolically.  The dust of the earth is more obedient than we are.  Maybe God truly does want us to be like that dust in a sense.  He wants us to obey without question.  God commands and it moves hither and thither.  Perfect and exact obedience.

   What can we do to be more obedient like the dust of the earth?  I could go through all of the regular, and often over quoted things for different missionary meetings, but I think they have been mentioned so many times that it’s about time we fix those things.  Step up and BECOME. We have heard it hundreds of times.  We have remembered it apparently because they are still brought up.  We understand what it can do for us as missionaries or we wouldn’t continue to bring it up in every meeting we have.  So what’s keeping us from making the next steps?  Ourselves right?  We are the ones who keep ourselves from progressing.  We must apply those things we mention so often.  Then we will become. Elder Richard G. Scott stated in our last general conference, “We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day.”  We will reach the potential God knows we can.  I know we can do better. 

   I love being able to look at the transfer board with President and Elder Heywood.  I love talking about each of you, and talking about your spiritual gifts.  There are many in our mission, and  it’s time to use them all and prove trustworthy.  Love you all.

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.

A Firm Foundation and The Mighty Oak

There is a story in the Book of Mormon that I love,  Nephi and Lehi who are the son's of Helaman remember cousel their father had given them when he said, "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."  It says when these things happen,  It doesn't say they might happen, or they maybe could happen.  It says that WHEN THE DEVIL SHALL SEND FORTH THESE THINGS.  It gives us a great promise as well though,  It that if we build our foundation on Jesus Christ we wont fall.  It's impossible.  He will not let us fall if we put our trust in him.  He can't lie, he is a perfect God.  A life built on The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the sure foundation we need to have in these times.  With the devil's tools all around beating upon us.  Sickness, sin, temptation, television, movies, politics, and families being torn.  There is a Prophecy in 2 Timothy 3:1-7 that talks about what the people will be like in the last days that you could look up and read as well.  http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-tim/3.2?lang=eng#  

   Now I'd like to move on to a great poem that I have had memorized for some time, and it always gives me hope.  It too is about having a firm foundation.  It's called "The Mighty Oak"  by, Jonny Ray Ryder.

A mighty wind blew night and day
It stole the oak tree's leaves away
Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark
Until the oak was tired and stark

But still the oak tree held its ground
While other trees fell all around
The weary wind gave up and spoke.
How can you still be standing Oak?

The oak tree said, I know that you
Can break each branch of mine in two
Carry every leaf away
Shake my limbs, and make me sway

But I have roots stretched in the earth
Growing stronger since my birth
You'll never touch them, for you see
They are the deepest part of me

Until today, I wasn't sure
Of just how much I could endure
But now I've found, with thanks to you
I'm stronger than I ever knew

This poem always puts a very clear picture of a big old oak tree that has been beaten and battered.  Leaves are gone, branches broken, bark torn away, and yet the tree is still standing. The Gospel can and will do the same thing for us if we accept and live it the best we can.  No one is except from trials and the devils awful winds, but with the foundation of Christ we will always remain standing.  I hope all of you who read this will memorize this poem as well.  It is something that can help you through dark times.  I know that if we live what we proclaim to believe that God will  bless our lives.  Love you all.  -Elder Austin Gene Goff

2011 Entrusted by Heaven

Our new theme for 2011 is: 2011 Entrusted by Heaven.  Of course it is vital we remember to trust in God, but many missionaries mentioned the trust we have been given to teach the Gospel. Online and in houses and on the streets.  As I have thought about the trust God has in each of us I went to the scriptures to study about the Trust God has in us.  In 1 Thessalonians 2 :4 it states, : As we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts."  So it is through God we have been given this sacred and glorious Gospel.  Why?  Because he trusts us with it.  Will we prove ourselves trustworthy?  It goes on to say, " So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. For ye remember, brethern, our labour and travail; for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. Ye are witnesses, and God also how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe.  That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory."  We want to use Facebook and Blogs as a way to help people.  We are laboring in all ways we can.  We hope to help God bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. (Moses 1:37)  We understand the trust God has put in us.  We hope to continue to understand it, and to understand it even more.
   I hope that we can keep the trust of God that he has in us.  That we will walk uprightly before him.  That we will share the gospel and share it through the ways we have been given and use it righteously. I hope and pray that we will Trust God, and remember that He Trusts Us. 

Watch...And Learn

Many people are visual learners, meaning they learn by seeing.  I believe to a degree we all learn visually.  We can "watch and learn" from the people around us.  It's interesting to me how by just watching someone we can learn things.  We can learn things from them, and we can learn things about them. 
In the last week I have been able to work closely with some great people who I love and adore.  People who I have associated with for my entire mission, but have never been able to be around for long periods of time.  I have learned so much about them and from them, just by simply watching, listening and trying to duplicate their actions to become a better person.

We do that with the life of Jesus Christ all the time right?  We visualize his life and his mission.  We can see his perfect example for exactly what it is; Perfect.  We want to be able to help others, and we of course would like to become more like him as well.  So we do out best to follow his teachings.  To become better.  As Christmas day approaches much quicker than I had anticipated and I'm sure many of you feel the same, I pray that we will be able to learn from our Great Master, even Jesus Chirst.  He has truely carried our griefs and sorrow.  We are forever indebted to him.  We have much to be thankful for this Chirstmas season.  Be joyful and know that God is with you and he listens.  Learn from him, learn from those around you..BECOME.  Watch and Learn.

My Dream two Nights Ago

Two nights ago I had dream that I can't seem to get out of my mind.  I had been in some sort of an accident, and had been hospitalized.  Something had happened to my head, and I needed surgery right away.  I was not conscious, but I was watching everything happen from above.  I heard a voice and was told that through this procedure I would lose part of my memory.  I had the choice of what I would get to remember.  The decision I would make would effect me the rest of my life.  I was asked to choose between the two things I love more than anything else in this life.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ, or my Family.  I can still feel the confusion, sadness and pure distaste for the idea of forgetting one of them.  Then I would have to start over, with my family, or with my testimony of this gospel.  As I looked down from above as different nurses and doctors worked to begin surgery.  I contemplated the seriousness of the decision I needed to make.  I thought of my amazing family, the blessing and help they have been to me; known and unknown.  I also thought of the time and effort I have put into gaining a strong testimony of the things I have come to believe so deeply.  Through all of this thinking and contemplating my decision, I could not make one.  I was not trying to be defiant to the voice that asked me to make that decision, but I merely could not come up with an answer to give. 
As I woke up without a decision made I still have thought over and over again the decision I would make.  I cannot make the choice.  I would rather have one mightier then I make that decision.  I love this Gospel, I love who I have become and continue to become because of it.  I love my family.  They have helped me to gain this testimony.  They have helped me to become who I am.  I believe that Family and the Gospel of Jesus Christ are inseparably connected.  The family is the basic social unit of time and all eternity.  I do believe that if I did "forget my testimony"  my family would be at my side helping me to gain it once again.  I believe that if I forgot my family the Gospel of Jesus Christ would lead me to them.  I hope I will never have to make that decision, but I am glad that God has given me this time to think more deeply about what those two things mean to me.  How truly important they are to me.  I hope that we all can notice the way we REALLY feel about our families and the Gospel.  Just a little food for thought.  Hope you enjoy.

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

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

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.