Week 83: I Am a Child of God

Well this week was great!! Saturday I completed 19 months in my mission how great it is to be a missionary, I have no idea what happened this month, yes conference but its a good thing I have a journal so I can be reminded the day to day things wow time goes fast!!. I love this gospel!!

My dear brothers and sisters, each day is a day of decision. President Thomas S. Monson has taught us that “decisions determine destiny.” The wise use of your freedom to make your own decisions is crucial to your spiritual growth, now and for eternity. You are never too young to learn, never too old to change. Recently I heard a chorus of children sing the beloved song “I Am a Child of God.” I wondered, “Why haven’t I heard that song rendered more often by singing mothers or faithful fathers?” Are we not all children of God? In truth, not one of us can ever stop being a child of God! (Elder Nelson) this week I have thought a lot about how I can teach this subject, Are we not all children of God? In truth, not one of us can ever stop being a child of God! its the truth we all are children of a living loving god. In Deuteronomy 14:1 it says "Ye are the children of the Lord your God", also in Job 33:4  “The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life." we are the children of god; he has made us in his image so we are like him. He is our father sure nobody is the same that might be why I stand out here, or why 2 high school girls Thursday asked where I was from, or why the immigration people ask me for my immigration card to make sure I’m not just passing by. Seriously a tall handsome white guy doesn't standout in Mexico or does he?  J anyways back to what i was saying. The spirit is the third member of the godhead and it has a special purpose it is to testify. As a missionary or anyone who has the Holy Ghost you receive revelation and well as a missionary I can’t teach the same thing to everyone because everyone is different and has different needs. I cant imagine being a missionary in my dads days wow a lot to memorize. i am so glad to have Preach my gospel it is a tool of power it allows us to follow the spirit a lot more and it says, You may alter the order of the lessons as you are inspired to adapt to the investigators’ interests and needs. You may use more than one meeting to teach the principles in one lesson, and occasionally you may teach the contents of two lessons in a single meeting. Heavenly Father knows His children, so rely on inspiration to make these decisions as you teach. Pray for the gift of discernment, and pay attention to thoughts that come to your mind or feelings you have about what to teach. It means we can change it up and well adapt it to the needs of the person. We follow the spirit because it is the Senior companion and well also he knows everything. We teach but the spirit teaches us in the lesson. The power of the spirit is the power Divine when we work together with the spirit we receive the power and the knowledge to speak to the heart. Its all because our Father in heaven loves us. With your body being such a vital part of God’s eternal plan, it is little wonder that the Apostle Paul described it as a “temple of God.” Each time you look in the mirror, see your body as your temple. The human body Created by God as a gift to you, it is absolutely amazing! Think of your eyes that see, ears that hear, and fingers that feel all the wondrous things around you. Your brain lets you learn, think, and reason. Your heart pumps tirelessly day and night, almost without your awareness. We really are gods greatest gift and his best creation. If you think about it god knows each of us personally, You were chosen not for your bodily characteristics but for your spiritual attributes, such as bravery, courage, integrity of heart, a thirst for truth, a hunger for wisdom, and a desire to serve others.

You developed some of these attributes premortally. Others you can develop here on earth as you persistently seek them. Our father in heaven knows our capability and he knows all! if you thought like I did as a kid that your parents know everything ha ha its nothing compared to god he knows it all "For your Father, who is in heaven, knoweth that you have need of all these things." (Doc. and Cov. 84:83) Controlling our appetites is not always easy. Not one of us manages them perfectly. Mistakes happen. Errors are made. Sins are committed. What can we do then? We can learn from them. And we can truly repent. we can ask forgiveness just like when i was a kid asking my mom to forgive me often, we can ask our father in heaven for forgiveness and just like my loving mother he will give it. But sometimes it will need a father’s touch or a talk with someone to explain it and that's where my dad comes in explaining the truth of forgiveness and the power of it. sometimes it might be something that "we weren't thinking" or something that you weren't using your head on. but sometimes its big. because god loves us he sent his son to comfort and forgive us and explain the way. Jesus saith unto him, I am the away, the Truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (john 14:6) sometimes I could only be forgiven by my mom thought my dad. just like that example we can find forgiveness thought the savior. He wants to forgive. and he will if we ask and if we come to his feet. he loves us and one day "the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life." (Alma 40:11) we will go "home" just like after a mission or after school there will always be a "home" for us. What a blessing it is to be a son of god!. God has created the grand plan of happiness now let us show we are glad we are part of it by smiling and remembering whose child we are. What a marvelous work and a Wonder we are we truly are the best our father can make we all are different but we are perfect just the way we are. Just like a Kenny Loggins song, Just think of your friends The ones who care They all will be waiting there With love to share And your heart will lead you home. Each day brings opportunity for decisions for eternity. Now let us make the best ones we can to make it home. 

I love you all! We all are sons and daughters of a living god!! have a great Week!!! and don't forget to smile!!

Elder Jaymes Monson

Week 82: Forgiveness and Obedience

Happy Easter!

this week has been very slow the truth is its spring break at home and here its semana santa the last week of the life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But they don't really remember the reality of these last few days they just say wow no work no school lets go and get baked in the scorching sun at the beach. I am not quite sure what this has to do with the HOLY WEEK (semana santa) but its another one of those wicked traditions of our for fathers as it says in the book of Mormon. But I want to tell you the Savior wants to forgive. Our loving Savior Jesus Christ wants to forgive us from the Labors we have the truth is those labors are lots of things. in this past week and well through out my whole mission i have seen the fact that because of the mercy the lord has for us we can be saved. but the truth is why? i don't know why or how or when he just wants to forgive. he says

I say ntil seventy times seven. (Mat.18:22) but why? why not? the lord knows our weakness and well he wants us to be healed. the truth is the devil the son of the morning as he is called knows our weakness he knows us but why would our loving Father in heaven want us to be tempted. why would he let satin come in and destroy our lives? well let me tell you. he loves us. it explains it in the simple verse, For God so beloved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) it says that god SO loved the world i can tell you god SO loves the world. this Easter season we are remember the love god has for us. because god hasn't stopped loving but he has stopped dwelling. the Holy ghost the third member of the god head is sent to dwell within us. but he leaves when we choose to do wrong. so god does love us but the spirit doesn't dwell in unholy temples. Throughout your life there may be times when you have gone places you never should have gone and done things you never should have done. If you will turn away from sin, you will be able one day to know the peace that comes from following the pathway of complete repentance.

No matter what our transgressions have been, no matter how much our actions may have hurt others, that guilt can all be wiped out. To me, perhaps the most beautiful phrase in all scripture is when the Lord said, “Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more." we can repent we can turn back to the only one who can heal we can do lots of things if we want to or if we have the will power to do it. but if we don't think the good that will come from it we cant do anything about it. the lord wants to forgive. In April 2013 Elder CRAIG A. CARDON gave a powerful talk on the fact that god wants to forgive. he says, Our Heavenly Father knows what we are facing, that we all sin and “come short of the glory of God” again and again. He sent His Son, who “knoweth the weakness of man and how to succor them who are tempted.” His Son teaches us to “pray always that [we] enter not into temptation.” We are told to “cry unto [God] for mercy; for he is mighty to save.” The Savior commands us to repent and to forgive. And although repentance is not easy, as we strive with all our hearts to obey His gospel, He gives this promise: “Verily I say unto you, notwithstanding [your] sins, my bowels are filled with compassion towards [you]. I will not utterly cast [you] off; and in the day of wrath I will remember mercy.” The Savior wants to forgive. Yesterday I taught the class in principals of the gospel and the class was on a topic i sort of know a lot of. the obedience I sort of love the topic. i shared a story of the savior. it sort of fit in the day i said. today we are celebrating the death of the only man who was obedient in all things. he knew what he was sent to do. the thing is he knew what he was sent to do but its us that don't know what we are meant to do sometimes so we are disobedient and we fall. there will be stumbling blocks in our way but the truth is we can jump over them if we have the lord on our side. it was a very spiritual lesson and well we all felt it. but the lord is here to forgive. i know it he loves each one of us. i have seen what his love can do and let me tell you the lord wants to forgive like he did for this person (http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=3446112587001)

he does it for each of us. he is love he suffered for us because he was obediently and he knew the importance of this simple sacrifice. I know he lives!!

God loves us and he knows each one of us and he wants to forgive us.

I love you all.

Elder Jaymes Monson

Lunch!

Matching Elders!

  

      

Week 81: Testifying of Jesus Christ

Well Hello Family!!!

This week was a pretty all right. It was full of testifying and helping and learning and well all the works!! As a missionary you usually have the opportunity to testify. And it’s not just a cool thing but as a Representative of Jesus Christ we testify of him often. Its more like our duty to testify "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins”. (2 Nephi 25:26) There is another part I would like to add in, We Love Christ.  It can be part of any of these but the truth is we love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But why? What do you think?

I think its because he atoned for our sins the scriptures say he bled from every pour (Luke 22:44) so you and I can be free "or to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living." (Romans 14:9) "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."(1 John 1:7) no greater love hath a man than this that he lath down his life for his friends. Jesus really was "the savior of the world" as he is called "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."(Acts 4:12) he is the savior of the all man kind. "For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the saviour of all men, specially of those that believe." (1 Tim 4:10) "And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the onto be the Saviour of the world."(1 John 4:14)

 I with the Disciples of Christ do testify that he is the Savior of the world. Jesus asked his apostles "When Jesus came into the coasts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?  And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.  He saith unto them, But whom say aye that I am?  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon aBar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 16:13-17)

He is the Christ the very son of God. How did they become to know? How did they know…with an invitation, "And he saith unto them, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men”. (Matthew 4:19) and what did they do? They didn't just sit and think about it, they "straightway left their nets, and followed him." (Matthew 4:20) They straightway knew that he was the Christ. They knew it and felt it in their hearts. But then why did they leave the whole work of salvation behind when the unthinkable happened? The unbelievable was true didn't they have a testimony?  We know they did, but why? Was the fishing really the bigger part of their lives? Why didn’t they ask the lord why all of it happened? Lots of whys, but lets go into the shoes of Peter for a second here. He was with the very Son of God he testified that he was the Christ what happened? Elder Holland explains it like this, “Brethren, it has been a glorious three years. None of us could have imagined such a few short months ago the miracles we have seen and the divinity we have enjoyed. We have talked with, prayed with, and labored with the very Son of God Himself. We have walked with Him and wept with Him, and on the night of that horrible ending, no one wept more bitterly than I. But that is over. He has finished His work, and He has risen from the tomb. He has worked out His salvation and ours. So you ask, ‘What do we do now?’ I don’t know more to tell you than to return to your former life, rejoicing. I intend to ‘go a fishing.’”

But what happened? Why did they leave the work of salvation? Was the fishing really that good? (I know some fishermen here and they say its not the best way of life maybe back then it was but not now) anyways they knew the Son of God. They had walked and talked, they cried they labored beside, and they watched the very Son of God in action. Did they really think,  (Elder Holland continues) "After an encounter with the living Son of the living God, nothing is ever again to be as it was before. The Crucifixion, Atonement, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ mark the beginning of a Christian life, not the end of it." or did they think other wise as they entered into a ship immediately (john 21:5) of course they didn't know that the fishing wasn't going to be good. but they as they see the Christ and rejoice in his visit. Christ asks Peter 3 times "do you love me?" (John 21:15-17) "My beloved brothers and sisters, I am not certain just what our experience will be on Judgment Day, but I will be very surprised if at some point in that conversation, God does not ask us exactly what Christ asked Peter: “Did you love me?” I think He will want to know if in our very mortal, very inadequate, and sometimes childish grasp of things, did we at least understand one commandment, the first and greatest commandment of them all—“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind.” And if at such a moment we can stammer out, “Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee,” then He may remind us that the crowning characteristic of love is always loyalty. “If ye love me, keep my commandments,” Jesus said. So we have neighbors to bless, children to protect, the poor to lift up, and the truth to defend. We have wrongs to make right, truths to share, and good to do. In short, we have a life of devoted discipleship to give in demonstrating our love of the Lord, It was this truth, this reality, that allowed a handful of Galilean fishermen-turned-again-Apostles without “a single synagogue or sword” to leave those nets a second time and go on to shape the history of the world in which we now live,  We can’t quit and we can’t go back" the apostles learned a very important lesson that day on the shores of Galali that Jesus lives and his work never stops, now we have lives to dedicate the the ministry. I Know as the apostles then and the apostles now (https://www.lds.org/liahona/2014/04/special-witnesses-testify-of-the-living-christ?lang=eng)

I KNOWthat Jesus Lives that he is the Christ the Son of the Everlasting Father and the head of this Church. I feel honored to have his name on my chest everyday. He lives for all of us live in him. He died and rose again I know it.  

1.They heard His voice, a voice so mild.

It pierced them through and made their souls to quake.

They saw Him come, a man in white,

The Savior, who had suffered for their sake.

They felt the wounds in hands and side,

And each could testify:

2. I read His words, the words He prayed

While bearing sorrow in Gethsemane.

I feel His love, the price He paid.

How many drops of blood were spilled for me?

With Saints of old in joyful cry

I too can testify:

Chorus:

This is the Christ.

This is the Christ, the holy Son of God,

Our Savior, Lord, Redeemer of mankind.

This is the Christ, the Healer of our souls,

Who ransomed us with love divine." (James E Faust)

He through his prophets are inviting us to come, to leave our "boats and fish" and come unto him. "I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved." (Omni 1.26) Now do you see the importance of testifying everyday? I hope so. "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!" (Doctrine and Covenants 76:22)

All I can say is my never ending friend lives, our example and our Savior. I know that my Redeemer lives what comfort this sweet sentence gives.

This week is Easter weekend and Holiday all wee, spring break and all the fun around here. Now let us remember the reason we celebrate Easter. I love you all!!

Elder Jaymes Monson

atop a bridge

crazy Elders

peeling mangos for mango juice

Mangos

Week 80: STAND FOR SOMETHING GOOD, STAND WITH GOD!

What a great conference!!! I was really spiritually fed and I will probably be a better person if I follow the things I learned the past two days!!! I really loved all of the talks and well during the priesthood session I was in aw because every click matters and it made me feel good that not having a smart phone doesn't make me dumber haha. Its super hard to write things in English when in my notes its all Spanish and I have to translate it but wow it was good!! I know my savior lives after elder christofferson's talk!!!

This week I have been thinking a lot and I heard it a bit in conference especially by Pres. Monson Saturday night. I have been thinking about diligence President Ezra Taft Benson said, “I have often said one of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work! If a missionary works, he will get the Spirit; if he gets the Spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; and if he teaches by the Spirit, he will touch the hearts of the people and he will be happy. There will be no homesickness, no worrying about families, for all time and talents and interests are centered on the work of the ministry. Work, work, work—there is no satisfactory substitute, especially in missionary work.” I can tell you how happy I am as a missionary, yes I have had some things happen like the sister in Elder Holland’s talk but I am still happy because I am thinking of others not myself. For me diligence is courage “May we ever be courageous and prepared to stand for what we believe, and if we must stand alone in the process, may we do so courageously, strengthened by the knowledge that in reality we are never alone when we stand with our Father in Heaven,” President Thomas S. Monson says it may be a small thing but the truth is its a big thing in the eyes of God. Bishop Gary Stevenson told this story of a young man named John. He says, "A friend of mine, John, shared with me one of those moments in his life.

Some years ago, John was accepted at a prestigious Japanese university. He would be part of the international student program with many other top students from around the world. Some enrolled with a hope to deepen their understanding of the culture and language, others viewed it as a stepping-stone to an eventual profession and employment in Japan, but all had left home to study in a foreign country.

Soon after John’s arrival, word of a party to be held on the rooftop of a private residence spread among the foreign student population. That evening, John and two friends made their way to the advertised address.

Following an elevator ride to the top floor of the building, John and his friends navigated the single narrow stairway leading to the rooftop and began mingling with the others. As the night wore on, the atmosphere changed. The noise, music volume, and alcohol amplified, as did John’s uneasiness. Then suddenly someone began organizing the students into a large circle with the intent of sharing marijuana cigarettes. John grimaced and quickly informed his two friends that it was time to leave. Almost in ridicule, one of them replied, “John, this is easy—we’ll just stand in the circle, and when it is our turn, we’ll just pass it along rather than smoke it. That way we won’t have to embarrass ourselves in front of everyone by leaving.” This sounded easy to John, but it did not sound right. He knew he had to announce his intention and act. In a moment he mustered his courage and told them that they could do as they wished, but he was leaving. One friend decided to stay and joined the circle; the other reluctantly followed John down the stairs to board the elevator. Much to their surprise, when the elevator doors opened, Japanese police officers poured out and hurried to ascend the stairs to the rooftop. John and his friend boarded the elevator and departed.

When the police appeared at the top of the stairs, the students quickly threw the illegal drugs off the roof so they wouldn’t be caught. After securing the stairway, however, the officers lined up everyone on the roof and asked each student to extend both hands. The officers then walked down the line, carefully smelling each student’s thumbs and index fingers. All who had held the marijuana, whether they had smoked it or not, were presumed guilty, and there were huge consequences. Almost without exception, the students who had remained on the rooftop were expelled from their respective universities, and those convicted of a crime were likely deported from Japan. Dreams of an education, years of preparation, and the possibility of future employment in Japan were dashed in a moment.

Now let me tell you what happened to these three friends. The friend who stayed on the roof was expelled from the university in Japan to which he had worked so hard to be accepted and was required to return home. The friend who left the party that night with John finished school in Japan and went on to earn degrees from two top-tier universities in the United States. His career took him back to Asia, where he has enjoyed immense professional success. He remains grateful to this day for John’s courageous example. As for John, the consequences in his life have been immeasurable. His time in Japan that year led him to a happy marriage and the subsequent birth of two sons. He has been a very successful businessman and recently became a professor at a Japanese university. Imagine how different his life would have been had he not had the courage to leave the party on that important evening in Japan"

John had the courage to stand with god and he was blessed for it. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power.” (1 TIM: 1:7) diligence to the will of god is working with all our heart might mind and strength and keep our eye single to his glory. President N. Eldon Tanner stated: “One young boy on the school ground can wield a mighty influence for good. One young man on the football team, or the campus, or among his fellow workers can, by living the gospel, honoring his priesthood, and taking a stand for the right, do untold good. Often you will experience much criticism and ridicule even by those who believe as you do, even though they may respect you for doing right. But remember that the Savior himself was tormented, ridiculed, spat upon, and finally crucified because he would not waver in his conviction. Have you ever stopped to think what would have happened had he weakened and said, ‘Oh, what’s the use?’ and abandoned his mission?" I had really never thought that way Christ really could have "thrown in the towel" and say its too hard I wont do it. BUT he didn't he took it upon himself to do it all and well he kept on suffering because HE KNEW his mission. HE KNEW the importance of it and each on of us. Do we want to be quitters, or do we want to be valiant servants in spite of all the opposition and evil in the world? Let us have the courage to stand up and be counted as true, devoted followers of Christ. I love this line, "Let us have the courage to STAND UP and BE COUNTED AS TRUE DEVOTED FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST" WE HAVE A LOT AHEAD! But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage. (MOSIAH 7:33) we can diligently follow and he will give us blessing, “Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory!” (D&C 128:22) ON to victory!! Onward and Onward!!

It is with the talks we just herd that we can be a more obedient people i say Onward and Upward we must go to DEFEAT the devil "To make [decisions] wisely, courage is needed—the courage to say no, the courage to say yes. …

“I plead with you to make a determination … right now, not to deviate from the path which will lead to our goal: eternal life with our Father in Heaven." PRES. Monson.

STAND FOR SOMETHING GOOD STAND WITH GOD! Now that we have heard it let us DO IT!

I love you all!!! hope you have a great week!!

Elder Jaymes Monson

blown away

watching conference

sunset