Lots of pics!

Week 20

18th May 2015

This Morning I was reading the Liahona Magazine as part of my studies. I read a talk by Mathew S. Holland, he spoke about the Prophet Joseph Smith and spoke about some of Joseph Smiths trials on the road to Palmyra where he would have the first vision and see God the Father and the Begotten Son Jesus Christ.

Joseph Smith went through many trials and hard times growing up... Including a Typhoid sickness which caused Joseph Smith to become very ill and sick for weeks. He developed a infection in his shoulder, which doctors assumed was just a sprain until a second analysis was given and realizing it was a serious infection which then spread to his knee bone. Young Joseph Smith only 7yrs old encountered an excruciating pain as the surgeons operated on his leg. Anesthetic was not available to the people of that time and so young Joseph said he would bear the pain with the request that his father hold him down and his mother leave the room. The surgery was a success but Joseph was on crutches for 3 years. Joseph suffered many others things and a great number of trials before and after the First vision. His family was poor and labored hard.

But Brother Hollands' quote is true indeed "Yes, he surely could have, but he didn't" ... God, yes surely could have removed the trial and done many other miracles and blessed Joseph and the family greatly but he didn't? Why? because that is the purpose of mortal life "To learn, Grow and experience." If we don't than how do we know how to defer right and wrong, good and bad. If not for these experiences and knowledge how can we make daily decisions in this world called LIFE. How do we fulfill the purpose of mortal life if we do not first experience suffering and heartache so that we may know and understand true happiness and joy. Adam and Eve realized this principle once they had come in to mortal life after partaking of the forbidden fruit.

Think of trials and hardships that you suffer and have come into your life and you have asked God a similar questions such as "Heavenly Father, why? why me? can you please take this burden away. I don't need this right now, please forgive me and help me to be better. Take this away from me."

Many times God wont take the burden away but as I have learned from reading the Book of Isaiah, the lord God will not take trial from you, but he will help and aid you. "His hand is still stretched out" His hand is always there to AID you, he will always deliver you from trial by giving you assurances from the aid he gives to you. Such as promptings and impressions from the Holy Ghost, loving feelings or signs, and strength. The trick though to these promised blessings of rescue are turning to him and asking for the help and then striving to move forward with his promises of help to you.

We may sometimes say to ourselves that our lives can never live up to or be as good as the Prophet Joseph Smith, or Thomas S. Monson, other people, Jesus Christ or even God. But that is what mortal life is for, to learn, grow and experience so that we may prepare to return to God and be like him through his son Jesus Christ's promised blessings and covenants we make with him. We may come to a point in our lives once or twice or even multiple times when we feel "Beaten, battered, bruised and bland from Life and Happiness seems like it was only made for the enjoyment of others lives except our own" But through God and His son Jesus Christ, through the Holy Ghost and the gospel we can and also be"Reclaimed, remade, recommitted and re-do things in our lives which we want to change"

I testify of it because it has happen to me and is still happening to me, because life is a process.

Much like the Prophet Joseph Smith we will endure many pains, afflictions and hardships. Maybe not as similar as his but it is guaranteed we will endure some of the pain brought in this life because of mortality. And yet it is a most wonderful thing also, without how would we know the true happiness and joy in Life is from the family, the gospel and the Godhead. The Prophet John Taylor said (paraphrasing) that there is no other man than Jesus Christ that has done more for the work of salvation, the progression of the gospel for the children of God than Joseph Smith. I believe that and know that he restored the church we have in this day.

Hope you have enjoyed my small message and apply it to your life :D

Another river crossing and doing some fishing ..lol.. jokes

Selfie :)

Service with Trai, Mela and Nila

Taught these guys how to make Ula Lole for the departing missionaries this transfer (my companion Elder Thomas on the right and my uso from Brisbane, Logan stake, Marsden ward Elder Fiso)