The One

I am running

It's an Obamanation!

I must preface this by saying that I am in now way a huge fan of Juan McCain. If it were up to me, we'd have more qualified or more conservative candidates leading the parties. In any event, I think the following video has some information that provides valuable insight into the direction (or lack thereof) that Obama would take our nation.

Know your enemy

We are all warriors on the spiritual battlefront. At stake is salvation, the eternal welfare of our souls. If we are to succeed in defeating our enemy the devil, we must learn his tactics so we can avoid falling victim to his attacks.

Alma 47 has some great lessons that teach us about the nature of Satan. Amalickiah was most definitely skilled in the arts of the devil. Here's what he teaches us about how Satan will try to capture us.

Verse 4: He is very subtle. As Elder Uchtdorf says, only a matter of degrees can mean the difference between arriving at our destination and catastrophe.

Verse 4: He has a plan. Satan knows us better than we know ourselves. He does not have the limitation of the veil so he has full knowledge of our weaknesses.

Verse 8: He seeks to gain favor in our eyes. He will try to make evil seem desirable and pleasurable. His goal is to make us want what he offers.

Verse 10: He is most active at night. When we are tired and weak, Satan is at his busiest trying to catch us in his snares.

Verse 10: He operates in secret. He will work in a way so that others don't know how he is trying to get you. He wants to talk to you alone.

Verse 10: He literally wants you to come down from your position. He wants you to bring yourself down to his level.

Verse 11 & 12: He is very persistent and patient. He will continue to tempt you until you show signs of weakness.

Verse 12: He will get as close as he can to you without giving away his position to try and capture you.

Verse 12: He will try to lull you away by making you feel secure. He will do what he can to make you feel that you are in no danger.

Verse 13: He will promise you power, wealth, or whatever your currency is in order to trick you into giving up that which is of the most worth.

Verse 18: He will use others to do his dirty work. If he gets close enough, he will destroy you.

Verse 22: He tries to appear harmless. He gets close by not disclosing the danger that you are in.

Verse 24: He is ruthless. Once he gets close enough to you, he stabs you in the heart.

Verse 26: He is a complete liar. He will twist the truth in order to get you to believe what he wants.

Verse 27: He will use your love against you. He will try to manipulate something that is good to fit his purposes. If he can make you angry, he can blind you to his attack.

Verse 30: He is a total fraud.

Verse 34: He will work with others in secret combinations to keep the truth hidden.

Verse 35: He is cunning and will not stop until he has obtained what he desires.

Now that we know some of his tactics, we must formulate our battle plan. Just like GI Joe once said, "Now you know, and knowing is half the battle." Recognize how satan is trying to work on you. Build up your defenses, and when appropriate, even engage in an attack of your own in order to weaken his power over you (Alma 46:31).

Here are a few thoughts.

1. Recognize the subtle ways he tries to manipulate your thoughts during the day. Recognize that when you think that what you're doing isn't "all that bad" that it isn't "all that good" either. Small acts of disobedience only lead to greater acts of disobedience.

2. Recognize your weaknesses and anticipate the attack. We are promised that by acknowledging our weaknesses and trusting in the Lord that our weaknesses may become strengths (Ether 12:27). Don't be stupid and put yourself in a position that gives satan more power over you. If you have problems with drinking, stay as far away from bars as possible. If you have problems with pornography, don't leave your computer in the back room of the house and don't spend time "surfing" the net.

3. Don't fall for the lies that people that don't live the gospel are having a good time. Wickedness never was happiness. There is peace in laying your head on your pillow at night and knowing that you've tried your best to do what is right.

4. Recognize that satan works his hardest when we are physically drained. Keep your guard up, especially at night.

5. If you are facing what you feel is a private battle with sin, get others involved, and don't fight the battle in secret. Your bishop or priesthood leaders can offer help that will help you overcome your trials if you acknowledge your weakness before them. As agents of the Lord, Bishops have special insight and inspiration that allows them to help you form a better battle plan.

6. Recognize that what satan wants is for you to be miserable like himself. If you stumble, pick yourself back up and try to regain the ground that you lost.

7. Recognize that satan will continue to pester over and over and over again. He has all the time in the world to tempt you. Keep your guard up at all times. No wonder we are commanded to pray always that we may come off conqueror.

8. Stand in holy places. Satan can not get as close as he would like if we are striving to keep the spirit with us. Darkness has to leave when it is consumed by the light of the gospel.

9. Don't get over-confident in your abilities to withstand satan's temptations. Recognize that he's been at this game a lot longer than you have, so stay as far away as possible. The ONLY person on this earth who has been able to overcome all that satan put before Him is the Lord Jesus Christ. Anyone else who trusts in their own abilities to overcome satan will fail.

10. Don't fall into the trap of coveting, pride, or worldliness. The only thing any of us take with us when we leave this world is our knowledge.

11. Recognize when others might be doing the work of the devil and do your best to avoid them.

12. Control your anger and emotions. If satan can get you to act out in anger, he can get you to do things that you would normally consider irrational. Anger separates us from the Lord because we can not feel the Spirit and be angry at the same time. Do everything you can to keep the love of the Lord in your heart at all times.

We can win the battle, if we trust in our General, the Lord Jesus Christ. He has already won the victory. It is up to us to determine if we are on the Lord's side or if we will choose damnation by falling captive to the devil. Hopefully by recognizing how the devil attacks you, you can fortify your defenses and leverage a powerful offense when directed by the Lord.

Open the Door

"With all the strength of my soul I testify that our Heavenly Father loves each one of us. He hears the prayers of humble hearts; He hears our cries for help. . . . His Son, our Savior and Redeemer, speaks to each of us today: 'Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him' (Revelation 3:20)."Will we listen for that knock? Will we hear that voice? Will we open that door to the Lord, that we may receive the help He is so ready to provide? I pray that we will."

Thomas S. Monson, "Mrs. Patton--the Story Continues," Ensign, Nov. 2007, 24

As I take a look at my life, I realize that the times when I've felt that I didn't have the relationship with the Lord that I wanted were due entirely to me. The Lord has always been there waiting for me to "open the door" and let Him into my life. Opening the door is accomplished by obedience.

I feel that most of us have opened the door, but the challenge is to open it up a little wider. Sometimes we're only willing to obey up to a certain point, until it becomes inconvenient. How many blessings are we denying ourselves by not fully opening up our door to the Lord?

That's something I need to work on. I will strive to do better tomorrow than I have done today...

Character

"I testify that neither Satan nor any other power can weaken or destroy your growing character. Only you can do that through disobedience. "Understand and apply this vital principle to your life: Your exercise of faith builds character. Fortified character expands your capacity to exercise greater faith. Thus, your confidence in making correct decisions is enhanced. And the strengthening cycle continues. The more your character is fortified, the more enabled you are to exercise the power of faith for yet stronger character."

Richard G. Scott, "Truth: The Foundation of Correct Decisions," Ensign, Nov. 2007, 92

"We . . . must be careful not to hinder, disregard, or quench the Spirit in our lives."The beckoning invitations of the world attempt to divert our attention from the strait and narrow path. The adversary labors to dull our sensitivity to the promptings of the Spirit, whether we are teenagers, young adults, or mature men and women. The role of the Spirit, the Holy Ghost, is essential in every season of our mortal lives."

Keith K. Hilbig, "Quench Not the Spirit Which Quickens the Inner Man," Ensign, Nov. 2007, 37

I like these comments because they reveal the importance of obedience. If we are obedient to the spirit that leads us to pray, we are much less likely to succumb to temptation. It's up to us to be ever vigilant and watchful of our thoughts, words, and deeds.

This little piggy goes to the market ...

D&C 84:109-110 "Therefore, let every man stand in his own office, and labor in his own calling; and let not the head say unto the feet it hath no need of the feet; for without the feet how shall the body be able to stand? Also the body hath need of every member, that all may be edified together, that the system may be kept perfect."

I had always appreciated the value of this metaphor as it pertained to priesthood callings. I recognize that every calling, whether its the ward magazine chairperson or the Bishop plays a part in keep the church running properly. But I had never considered the implications of this metaphor breaking into the realm of reality until yesterday.

I tripped on a blanket in the hallway, and stumbled forward into the doorway of my bedroom. The door was wide open, so only the 1.5 inch wide section of the door was exposed to the hallway. As I lunged forward, my fourth and fifth toes jammed into the door, separating the first two "piggies" from their loving compatriots. The end result was a pair of toes that pointed east instead of north.

These two toes probably represent less than .1% of my body's mass, yet I am unable to walk properly without their aide. I now have taped toes, a wooden shoe, and a cane to help me perform my daily labors. I look forward to tomorrow morning when I will attempt to drive to work.

The moral of the story is that every calling in the church is important, and you're life will be immensely more difficult if you slam your toes into a doorway!

The Quickening

I have noticed a change in a number of my brothers in the gospel lately. More of us seem to be doing our home teaching. I know of many of you who diligently attend the temple every week as a group of brethren. Topics of a spiritual nature are creeping into conversations regarding football and pop culture. It feels like the level of spirituality is increasing in many members of our ward.

Why is this the case? Nephi prophesied of a time when the power of the Lamb of God "descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory." Robert Millet, author of "Men of Valor", suggests that that day and time prophesied by Nephi are upon us.

The recent changes I've noticed are evidence of that fact. As we become converted to the Lord, we naturally desire to be in his temples. As we become converted, we desire to serve the Lord and gain a relationship with Him. We can't afford to be complacent. The stakes are too high for us and for our families.

It is not enough to merely have a testimony of the gospel. A testimony is a necessary but insufficient condition for salvation. Even the devils "believe and tremble" (James 2:19). It is time for us to "awake from a deep sleep, arise from the dust and be men." It is time for us to "put on the armor of righteousness", for we are truly at war against the adversary and his minions.

"We have a world to awaken, a society to save, an ensign to erect, a message to deliver - a message containing glad tidings of great joy." (Men of Valor)

If you have not felt the Spirit working on your heart, I ask you if you can feel it now? It is time to ask yourself, "What kind of man have I become." Even more important, it is time to ask yourself, "What kind of man do I want to be?" Perhaps most important, "What kind of the man does Heavenly Father and the Savior need me to be?"

Truly, as the revelations attest, "the enemy is combined" (D&C 38:12), and modern Israel's righteous force will be successful in deflecting the fiery darts of the adversary only to the extent that the men of God take their rightful place as "mighty men of valor."

The priesthood is the power and authority of God, delegated to men on earth, to act in all things pertaining to the salvation of the human family. It is God's power, loaned for a season to you and me, to make a difference in a world that desperately needs it. It is the Almighty's authorization, a divine investiture of authority, to bless people and preserve goodness and decency in our society.

If ever there was a time, if ever there was a season, if ever there was a cause that cried out for men of purpose and men of purity to step forward and draw upon the powers of heaven, it is today.

The God of us all expects those who have been ordained to stand in the office to which they have been called; to take up their cross daily - to deny themselves of ungodliness and every worldly lust; to occupy their minds with uplifting thoughts, to ponder upon that which is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and worthy of praise; to avoid places and influences and even people that would degrade or dilute the power of the priesthood; to rise up and reach out to make a difference; and to allow the holy priesthood to be felt and enjoyed by every member of the family, thereby creating within the home a bit of heaven on earth.

It is time for us to awake, to nudge our consciences, to educate our desires, to call us to higher ground, and to provoke us to glimpse and grasp the power with which we have been endowed.

If we will let Him, Jesus Christ will shine his kindly and Kingly light upon us and through us. The time to step forward and be counted is now.

It is my hope that each of us can strive to follow the counsel of President Hinckley and strive to "Stand a little taller" each and every day. Thank you for your examples and inspiration that you have provided me. I highly encourage everyone to read "Men of Valor" by Robert Millet. It will surely inspire you and help you on your quest to become more like the Savior. I look forward to His glorious Second Coming and pray that we all might be ready.

Owen Mecham

The Peacegiver

I have to thank Jason Christensen for a great book recommendation. "The Peacegiver" provides a totally unique view of the Atonement and the power it has in our lives. The story is compelling and the examples from the scriptures shed a perspective on the Atonement that I had not read before. Without giving it all away, here is a summary of some of the insights I gleaned from this book.

1. We are each of us sinners, entitled to nothing but hell and therefore utterly and equally dependent upon the mercies of the Lord.



2. I can receive of the Lord's mercy - and the happiness, healing, and peace that attend it - only to the extent I extend the same to others.



3. The Lord mercifully removes any justification for failing to extend mercy to others. For the Lord has taken the sins of others upon his own head and personally atoned for them. What possible justification could there be for demanding more for others' sins than the Lord has given?



4. I can recover mercy by remembering Abigail's offering, the Lord's question to Jonah, and my own sins, the memory of which brings me to the Lord and invites me to rediscover his mercy and peace.

This book is a quick read but I promise that it will provide insights into the Atonement that will make you think more about the Lord's sacrifice on your behalf.

Our Beloved Prophet

I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the impact that President Hinckley has had on my life. When I heard the news, my first reaction was sadness, because I had lost such a great leader. Those feelings quickly turned to joy as I imagined the sweet reunion of the Prophet and his eternal companion. I have no doubt where our prophet is and who he is with.

One of my favorite things about President Hinckley is his upbeat and positive attitude. He was always the optimist amidst a world of chaos and turmoil. His message was always one of encouragement, to "stand a little taller". That's what I want to focus on this year. To do a little bit better tomorrow than I did today.

I had the opportunity to teach in Elder's quorum today, and the discussion centered on President Hinckley and on the restoration of the gospel. During the prophet's funeral services, I couldn't help but notice that the first thing that was mentioned in the opening prayer was thankfulness for the restoration. The restoration was mentioned numerous times throughout the service. Having a testimony of the first vision and the prophet Joseph Smith is central to being a member of this faith.

In his last two addresses, the prophet bore strong testimony of the restoration. The prophet said "To you, this day, I affirm my witness of the calling of the Prophet Joseph, of his works, of the sealing of his testimony with his blood as a martyr to the eternal truth. Each of you can bear witness of the same thing. You and I are faced with the stark question of accepting the truth of the First Vision and that which followed it. On the question of its reality lies the very validity of this Church. If it is the truth, and I testify that it is, then the work in which we are engaged is the most important work on the earth."

Thank you President Hinckley for your life, for your tireless work in building the kingdom of God. I have come to know more of the Savior by listening to your council and applying it to my life. God be with you til we meet again!

Testimony of Joseph Smith

After Sunday's lesson, I have not been able to stop thinking about Joseph Smith and his mission here on earth. It was suggested that if Joseph Smith had not restored the gospel, that the Lord would have had someone else fill that void. At the time, I couldn't think of any reason why that would not be the case, but I have since come to the realization the only Joseph Smith could have brought to pass the restoration of the gospel. This is because he was foreordained in the great council in heaven to be the prophet of the restoration. He was very specifically mentioned in 2 Nephi, chapter 3. His name would be Joseph and his father's name would also be Joseph. Just as Christ was the only one capable of performing the Atonement on our behalf, Joseph Smith was the only person able to bring to pass the restoration of the gospel, as he was foreordained to do so by the Lord.

The Lord Jesus Christ called Joseph Smith as a prophet to prepare the way for His coming in glory. Joseph Smith's life is a testimony to the reality of that calling. "I was called of my Heavenly Father to lay the foundation of this great work and kingdom in this dispensation, and testify of His revealed will to scattered Israel."

"This 'dispensation'" is our time—the time prophesied when God will "gather . . . all things in Christ." Ancient prophets foretold a final gospel dispensation and prophesied of Joseph Smith, who would lead it. Jesus Christ and His prophets Moses, Moroni, and Joseph of Egypt are just a few that spoke of a great prophet to come.

Joseph Smith was foreordained by God to restore His work from all previous dispensations. "Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world," taught Joseph Smith, "was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this world was. I suppose that I was ordained to this very office in that Grand Council."

I invite anyone who is doubting their testimony of the prophet Joseph to read 2 Nephi 3 and the testimony of the prophet and pray for a witness of the divinity of the prophet's calling. You can also visit http://josephsmith.net to learn more information about the life of the prophet. I testify that Joseph Smith is the prophet of the restoration and that without his sacrifice and labor on our behalf, we would not have the opportunity to live the gospel today.