Q&A

Hello there world!! I know it has been a long time since I have put up my last post but I wanted to just mention that these were the topics that I wanted to cover for my blog and now I wanted to turn to you. So now, I wanted to ask, what questions do you have? What would you like me to write more about? What things do you want me to clarify? What would you like to know more about?

I know it is sometimes hard to put ourselves out there but I know these questions you have are important. So ask. Remember my Disclaimer? I will try my hardest to be respectful to your questions and beliefs as I know they are as important to you as mine are important to me, so with out further ado, I hope to hear from you all soon!
Thanks again for all of your views!! I wouldn't have been able to do it with out your help!!!

-Elder Sheets

The Power of Communication

       Today I wanted to talk a little about the Power of Communication. I hope that by reading this that you can find ways to better communicate with others and to be more respectful as you converse with others in your every day life. As we talk about these things I want you to remember some of the things I have talked about in recent posts. One of which is that we should always be respectful of others, these are a few ideas that i have mentioned before that I think can really help improve our communication skills and our respect for others:

1. "Seek to understand, then to be understood." (The Seven Habits for Highly Effective People. By Stephen R. Covey)  Simply put. When talking to those of other faiths, (and ethnicity), seek to understand the other person before trying to be understood. This can help strengthen friendships and mutual understanding.
2. Be accurate in your statements and make sure that what you are saying is backed up by solid, true evidence.

       So these two things are pretty cool and if you look at why these two suggestions are so powerful then it will help you to understand the benefits and good that can come from these.

       So why are they so powerful? Well there are several different reasons that can really show the power of good communication skills. One of which is what Stephen R. Covey talked about in his book. That we can be understanding and listen to others as they speak, with intent and attention. As we do these people feel understood and tend to feel good that the opinions and feelings that they have could be easily expressed to someone else, who is really listening. It seems silly but if you really try to listen to others, without getting distracted or sidetracked, you can listen and learn what they might have to say, even if it may not apply to you, and learn something that may have never known. Sometimes we may not realize the power that someone's opinion has and if we never allow it to be shared, we may never know the true feelings someone has and thus potentially endanger a precious relationship. 

       Many times I have heard and read snippets of books and articles talking about the communication between Husband and Wife and Parents and siblings, and they almost all talk about respect and confidence in communication. But I want to talk a little more about something else that I feel can really improve the relationships of Husband and Wife, Parents and Children and Siblings to Siblings. So then why are these principles so important? Why do they need to be used? Why should they be used? Well let's look opposite of good communication:
Conversation would be laced with vulgarity, degradation and disrespect, the way we would communicate would never be gentle or merciful, but instead would be filled with hate, judgement, and would decay away any relationships we have whilst separating the sacred bonds of family unity and love.

       Sounds pretty dreadful, doesn't it? Well let's look at the good this time: Communication would be respectful, polite and with grace. We would communicate in ways that God would expect of us, and we would speak with love and mercy, with those we interact with. We would respect each other and never speak ill of someone and we would love rather than hate. there would be peace and joy within the world and many of the problems we have today would be gone. 

       These principles can change lives and help us feel unity in our families and with our loved ones. Not only can they unite but they can change the way we think about others and the way that we respect others as well.
       
       So now let's talk about the Language and communication that God would want us to use.   So what does that include? Well there are several things that God has asked us to do as we live here on earth. So then what does He ask us to do? Well let's take a look into the scriptures: 

-Alma 42: 31- "...And now, my son, go thy way, declare the word with truth and soberness..."

-Zechariah 8:16- "These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:"

       So think about these scriptures for a moment. (You can even pull your scriptures out and read them in context if you want.)

       What did you learn, what did you get from reading and thinking about those? Well let's look at some answers and if you would like to give some input you can always comment down below, and any questions or comments you might have don't hesitate putting them down there.

       Alright so some answers and tips on good education and these are my opinions, so this is not the perfect answer for all situations, this is just a perspective that I have on the topic so:

1. Take the time to listen and to pay attention to those who you are listening to.

2. Take the time to get to know your loved ones. Listen to their story, they have something to say and I can say personally that when someone really listens to my story and my life, it is one of the best feelings that I have had knowing that someone truly cares about me and what I have to say.

3. Hold your tongue! In this life there are many times when we bump into each other and have fights, quarrels and mis-communications (hold the pun) where we get mad and find ourselves acting a little like animals, making grunting noises and getting ready to charge with a comeback or insult. We may say things that are disrespectful and downright mean. Well just like I said before, Hold your tongue! It may be so hard to not retort and get back at someone and it may even get worse if you don't keep adding to it, but I promise you that if you think about what you are saying and doing in that moment, and try to be respectful in what you say and do, things will get better, it may take time but it will get better. The power of Love and Respect is so much more powerful than we really can comprehend, it can change people, thoughts, actions and relationships. Imagine what a little love and respect could do in your life.

4. Forgive. Simply said, even if someone continues to be rude and you are being as respectful as possible. Remember it is your responsibility to forgive and forget the actions of others. Don't take it personally and remember that we are all imperfect and make mistakes. When we understand that we can forgive those who hurt our spirits and feelings. Now, sometimes we may have done something to someone else and they have forgiven us, but we have never forgiven ourselves. This is so important for progression, because Satan can pull us down by our feelings of guilt and pain from things that have been resolved. Forgive yourself and realize that you aren't perfect either.

5. Love. love and care for your family and friends, do something each day for someone you care about and do your best to show that you love your family, through your actions, thoughts and words. The Savior taught "Love one another as I have loved you." There is no greater example that compares to the Savior and His example of true love. Follow His example.

       The Atonement was given to us that we might live if we repent of our sins and do our part to do these things. It is through faith and works that the Lord can find us worthy of the gift of the Atonement. Let us do our part to love others and be the example. I promise that these tips will help and it will take time, it doesn't just happen over night, it takes constant effort and faith to do what the Lord requires of us.

       Imagine if the world as a whole would use good communication skills. What would it be like, how would people change? I invite you to think on this and think of how the world would be different and how we can use these tips to help change our lives and influence the lives of others.
       To conclude I want to quote Nephi of old: 1 Nephi 3:7- 7 “…I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.”

       It is my prayer that we may follow these things and do what the Lord has commanded of us and I do so humbly in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Brother, Amen.

      



  

Jesus Christ, our light.

       Hello there everyone! Thanks again for viewing my blog! I have had so many views and I really appreciate the amazing publicity of my page, thanks again! So today I wanted to talk a little about the Savior and His role in our lives. I have wanted to talk about this for a while but unfortunately I have been a little busy with family matters and other things, but now I have a moment to think about things and talk with you all about the Savior. And I want to mention that I will really try to post more in the upcoming weeks. Also if you have any questions or comments about my posts please don't hesitate commenting or leaving a question below! Thanks again!

       I first want to talk about Christ and His amazing role! The Savior once said (Luke 18:16) "...Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." Christ invited the little children to come unto Him, little children in complete similitude, to come unto Him that they might be comforted, healed and blessed by His everlasting power. This I feel is a call to us as well. That we might come unto him in complete similitude, that we might be blessed and comforted.

       As I have studied the scriptures it refers to Christ is the Light or the Life. Also other prophets have referred Him as a beacon or anchor. So I want to talk about the first analogy. I want to share a quote that I feel can start us off on the right foot, by Robert D. Hales: "The Lord is our light and, literally, our salvation. Like the sacred fire that encircled the children in 3 Nephi, His light will form a protective shield between you and the darkness of the adversary as you live worthy of it. You need that light. We need that light." (Out of Darkness into His marvelous Light By: Robert D. Hales, referencing 3 Nephi 17:24)

       (By the way this talk describes more about the light of Christ and about the Light that Christ gives us through direction and through His love for us and even though it is geared toward a more young audience I recommend that you take a few minutes to listen to or read this amazing talk.)

       So there are a couple things I want to look at a little more closely in what Elder Hales talked about. His statement "You need that light. We need that light.", is an interesting topic and phrase. So what does he mean by, "We need that light."? Well let's look at the Light of Christ and what it means, Doctrine and Covenants 88:13, "The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the claw by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things." So it is a pretty amazing power. It gives life to all things and is the light in all things. So with that in mind, let's get back to the statement, so why do we need the Light of Christ?
       Well let's look a little closer. Elder Hales mentions before this above statement that "...If it were not for the Light of Jesus Christ and His gospel, we would be doomed to the destruction of darkness..." This is pretty deep stuff! He says that if we didn't have the influence of the Light of Christ we would be "...doomed to the destruction of darkness." That is a little scary to think about. So then what keeps us from this darkness? Well let's go back to another blog post that I have put up a while ago, I think it will better explain this.  So remember when I talked about opposition in all things? Well here is my post to clarify the understanding about that. Why Me and Why Now?

       Alright, with that under our belts. I want to talk about the biggest reason why we have the Light of Christ. When I think of Christ and all that He did for me, I try to imagine how much love He must have for me. And after so many trials and tribulations I have recognized His love for me and know now that it is infinite and eternal! And part of God's plan was so that Jesus Christ could sacrifice His life for us so that we might live again with our Heavenly Father. And so Heavenly Father wanted us to remember Him and His son, Jesus Christ and so when we came to earth as part of Heavenly Father's Plan we were given a very sacred and special gift from God. And that is the Light Of Christ. This light reminds us of our true home in heaven and helps us know that we are Children of our Heavenly Father.

       Christ is our light, He is our beacon. And with what He has done for us we can surely trust Him that He will lead us back home through the Darkness. Trust in Him and follow His light back to Heavenly Father. I pray that we might have the courage to step forward in the Darkness and follow the Light of Christ and His example. I promise that as you do you can feel peace in your heart and surety in you mind. As I have gone through my life I have traveled many dark and rough trails to find the Light of Christ and I bear witness that the Light of Christ can shine through the darkness and lead you to Him.
       Just as in Lehi's Dream, we can follow the path and hold to the iron rod to find Christ and His many blessings that have been promised us with in the Gospel.

       I plead with you to hold to the rod and continue forward no matter how hard the trail and how thick the Darkness is. It is worth it! And as you do these things, God will bless you and help you along the way! I promise it!
Doctrine and Covenants 88: 67-  "And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things."

       I know these things are true and can change your life for the better. Follow the Light of Christ and follow the promptings that you receive and you can find peace and happiness and you follow the Savior and our Heavenly Father. I testify of these things and know that they are true and I say this in the name of my beloved brother and savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

-Elder Sheets

Sharing really is caring!

       Hello there one and all! Today I wanted to share something with you that I hope you in turn will share with others. And yes I know it is hard to get on the computer and do a simple thing like sharing a post. :) But I feel that it is something important enough that I should share it with you.
       So to get to the point, I wanted to first share a brief article talking a little about sharing the Gospel and yes for those of you who are not of the L.D.S. faith, you can take part in this, too. In fact anyone can take part in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 
       How can we share the Gospel light? Well in the next several links you will see a few ways of how to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And with these links have come several major changes that can lead to better spread of God's love for those around you. The first link is: Centering on Christ. This better explains how to center your faith and trust in Christ and in His atonement. With this explanation I wanted to briefly talk about the Role of the atonement in my life and how it has given me a new sense of love and of gratitude for the Gospel. And then I will talk more about how to share the Gospel.
       So, in my life I have experienced many things, like my cancer, hardships in my family, suffering, death of loved ones and many other things. Now although the Atonement may seem solely for repenting of our sins. It is meant for much more than just mistakes or sin. If you remember, Christ suffered for all (Doctrine and Covenants 19:16+17), now that means two things. 1. meaning He suffered for everyone and 2. meaning He suffered all things, (which I believe includes all sin and any pain we experience.)
       So it makes the atonement a little more personal and can help with much more than we may realize. So an example from my life, I feel, best explains how the Atonement has helped heal my pain and sorrow: When I was about 14 years old, my eyes were really bad and since my Chemo and Radiation therapy, my eyes developed cataracts that caused my eyesight to become horribly unclear and cloudy. So I decided to do an operation for my eyes so that they could get better.
       Now I knew it would be tough and that there were risks to doing the surgery but I knew that if I had faith, and did my part to get better, then God could help restore my eyesight. So I went through with the surgery and although it was hard my eyesight got better. Bu it did take some time and effort on my part to improve my sight and it still takes time and attention, but it is much better than it once was. Now I know that God helped improve my eyesight and I know it was no coincidence that I was able to get better.
       But how does it relate to the Atonement? Well think of it like this: Let's say I stubbed my toe and it caused me some pretty bad pain. Well in reality Christ suffered for that exact pain, now it may seem funny but it's true. That whatever pain, emotion, trial, tribulation, stumbling block, etc., that we go through, Christ can relate to and with that He can give us comfort and love through the Atonement. So how does this apply? Well, if you know that Christ has experienced the same pain, the same agony, the same exact thing, then you can realize that He can succor your pain and can help you through any problem, including repenting of our sins. Through repentance and forgiveness of our sins we can become closer to our Heavenly Father. And any pain or heartache that we might have had from that sin or from the sins of others can be swallowed up in Christ and we can then feel peace and joy in our hearts knowing that we have become clean and pure through Christ.. 

       Now back to sharing the Gospel. So how can we share this message? How can we spread it forth? well here are a few more links that I think can help answer those questions: Social Media , Blogs :) and Mormon Profiles.

Now in addition to those resources there are a couple things I think we can also do to share the Gospel, namely:

1. Share your testimony where ever you go. This may be through example, word, deed or action.
2. Share any inspirational messages that have touched your life and feel that can touch the lives of others.
3. Share personal experiences. When helping or supporting others who are in need, these special experiences can help others relate the things you have learned to their own lives and situations, giving them a foundation to rely on when facing difficulties in life.
4. Be an example. Live what you teach and do your best, which is your personal best, to be Christ-like and loving to those around you. 
5. "Seek to understand, then to be understood." (The Seven Habits for Highly Effective People. By Stephen R. Covey)  Simply put. When talking to those of other faiths, seek to understand the other person before trying to be understood. This can help strengthen friendships and mutual understanding.
6. Be accurate in your statements and make sure that what you are saying is backed up by solid, true evidence. 
7. Go to the Source for knowledge. Whenever you share the gospel, the best thing to do is to use quotes and statements that come from a solid, foundation of knowledge i.e. a talk from Conference, a Prophet of God, or from the Bible and Book of Mormon. These sources are immutable and have the power to teach and testify of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

       So, what can we learn from all of this? Well, if you want to share the Gospel, you can. And not only can you share the Gospel but you can share your witness of it and what you believe about. As I mentioned before, be an example and do your best to reflect what you believe. As you do, you can become "...an example of the believers." 1 Timothy 4:12

      I encourage all to be an example and to share the gospel via the web, by example and by word. I promise that you will be blessed for your efforts and can inspire and encourage others to come unto Christ through your example. I know this work is of God and know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church upon the earth today and I am grateful to be a part of this Glorious work, and do so humbly testify of these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.  

   

And then there was ten!

       Hello there! It has been a long time since I have last posted and I apologize for not updating my blog in the longest time! So.... (Drum roll Please)....This is my Tenth Post!!
       Thank you, thank you! Thank you! You've been a wonderful audience! :) No really, thank you for continually visiting my Blog it means a lot to me and it means that the more views I get the more people can be inspired by the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! So please tell your friends about my Blog on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, etc. And also subscribe to my page. It will be worth it!

So without further delay, let's get to it!

       Today I wanted to talk about some things that I feel have really influenced my life and also my scripture study. Now, no offense to the scriptures, because they are great and really good to read and to study, but sometimes they can be really boring and sometimes really hard to read. So in aid of this boredom of the scriptures, there are three big things that I like to do that can really help aid my study of the scriptures and I feel that they can help you too.
       Now these three things can be applicable to the Book of Mormon and The Holy Bible, so whichever one you are reading, this can apply. NOTE: these three things are ways to do a good scripture study and get more out of reading the scriptures. They are meant to be done separately but can be done in steps as well.

1. Evaluate your life and things you can do to be a better Disciple of Christ. And along with that, evaluate you relationships with family, friends and if your married, with your spouse. And find what you can do to be better within the scriptures.
2. Ask a question that you are interested about and try to find as much as you can to answer that question. Some questions that I have asked are: What is Charity? How can I have more faith? What does it mean to be Christ-like?, etc. The more interested you are in the question the more you can get out of your scripture study.
3. Keep a study notebook or Study Journal and when you study record any inspiration or thought that comes as you read. When you highlight something or find something interesting, take the time to record it in your study journal so you know that there is a record of it, remember that it can be something that can later be found to give inspiration and guidance when in times of need. Many a time have I found something that I recorded in my study journal, that has been a reminder of a promise or covenant I made with the Lord and has given me strength in times of challenges or hardship. Or it was a reminder of when I learned something special and precious to me that I really wanted to remember. Regardless, record as much as you can as you study. It will be worth IT when you look back, years later, at your old study journal and remember something that may have changed your life.   
4. Lastly (and yes I did say three but there are four), if you put a footnote by something you have highlighted or underlined and put your notes in your study journal with that same footnote next to what you wrote, it can be a reference for when you are studying a similar topic or when you want to study the same topic again. And it can be something you go back to and study and reflect upon again.

       As I have studied and have had opportunities to do study projects and research within the scriptures, I have often prayed before my study time so that I can have the spirit with me and also so I can learn more about the things I am reading about.
       So, now that I have explained a little bit abut how to better study the scriptures, I want to share a little about some things that I have studied that have touched my life. And I hope that they can touch yours as well.

       So I wanted to share a document that I created during some study that I did and I want to share it with you. And it all started with the Question, "What is Guile?" So I then researched it in the Bible and the Book of Mormon and created this document to talk a little more about Guile and what we can do to be without Guile. So here it is:
Now once again this is my opinion and will be different from what others may think so if you do have questions or comments about this document just comment below. And  I will get back with you as soon as I can:

Being without Guile:

• 3 Nephi 11:38- “And again I say unto you, you must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the Kingdom of God.

• Doctrine and Covenants 121:42-“By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile.”

• Psalms 32:2- “Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.”

• John 1:47- “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!”

So what is the Opposite of Guile?

I feel that Charity is the absolute opposite of Guile, Charity is the first, utmost characteristic of Jesus Christ and Charity is a natural attribute that I believe Christ had on the earth and has now.  “…Charity is the pure love of Christ…” Moroni 7:47 (Paraphrasing)

 So what scriptures can I find that describe a man without guile?

• Moroni 7:47- “But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.”

• Doctrine and Covenants 4: 5-6- “And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work."

• “Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.”

• 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7- “4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,”
• 5 “Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;”
• 6 “Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;”
• 7 “Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

• Alma 7:24- “And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works."

(Note:The answer below with and without bullet points, is my personal feeling about being without guile and how it applies with my own life. So as a challenge I ask that you take some time and research more about this and how it can apply it to your own life. The scriptures listed above are some good resources that I have used to find out more about being without guile and you are more than welcome to use them with your own research and study.) 

What can we do to be men without Guile?

Well there are several things that I feel that I can do and most of those come from the Scriptures. I also feel that this is a continual process that takes a lifetime to perfect and to practice. And I feel that my best is something that can change and that with progress that I can make my best into to something better. But for now I know that the Lord will be pleased with my best. As a missionary I feel that it is important to do good things and do better things and to the best things that will help us to be better people after our missions. And so looking at these scriptures I feel that there are several things that I can do to be the best missionary I can be:

• Become familiar with those of Other Faiths and learn to respect and love those around me by applying Christ-like Attributes.

• Pray at least three times a day and find answers through scripture study, pondering, and thoughtful study of the words of the Prophets.

• “Do a good turn daily” Do something nice for someone else or perform an act of service for someone in need of love. It doesn’t need to be large or over the top but it can be a small act of kindness. Even a simple smile can lift the day of another.

• Keep yourself in the right or in the light. By continual repentance we come closer to our Heavenly Father. And through this relationship my ability to receive inspiration or personal revelation will grow and we will be more susceptible to the promptings and tugging of the Spirit as we go about our days. As in verse 7 of 1 Corinthians 13 Charity: “Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, (and) endureth all things.” So I should thus strive to have charity in all that I do.

       I hope that this has helped you to find more in the scriptures and that your studies will become more meaningful, more guiding and more exciting. As I have studied the Scriptures with this new sense of study, great things have come forth and I have learned things that I wouldn't regularly have learned. things have opened up to me and the gospel has become more real and exciting to me. I know that knowledge and learning will come to you as well if you will apply effort and diligence to your study and research in the scriptures.

       I hope that as you study that you can feel the spirit and find good things that can guide your life to better things, better thoughts and ultimately to better actions. I bear testimony of the Bible and the Book of Mormon and know that they are the Word of God and that they have been given to us to testify of Christ and of His great sacrifice and Atonement. I am so grateful to have the Bible and the Book of Mormon as they have both given me valuable guidance throughout my life. I know they are true and know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and I do so in the name of my beloved Redeemer and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

       "The scriptures aren't meant to be downloaded and forgotten in your list of apps or purchased and then set on a shelf to look pretty, they are meant to be read and to be studied to the bare bones! So get up and go read 'em!"

       -Elder Sheets 
     

Why me? Why now?

       Hi there everyone! Thank you again so much for viewing my page! Today I wanted to talk about these two questions: Why Me? Why Now? They are some pretty serious questions and they go right along with the other questions that I have included in my last post. So first of all before I do talk about that. I invite you to read my intro page (if haven't done so already) so you can learn a little more about my story and how it applies to these questions and how these questions can apply to your life as well.

       Well, let's get down to it! First question is: “Why Me?”

       Now this is a great question and my interpretation of this question is: why is bad stuff happening to me or my family or my friends? And to answer that question I want to first address something that is really important: GOD LOVES YOU! Now I know the all caps was a little much but in order to get that across I want you to see it plain as day that He loves you soo much! And He will never stop loving you. Now, why do things happen why do we have to suffer or have hard times of loss or depression? Well that is something that I faced almost daily for several months in a hospital room. I had a brain tumor and had multiple diseases from it and so I had reason to be bitter and curse God for what He had done and I wanted to just die because everything was SO hard!! I asked Why me God!?! Why me?! But after tears and crying out in pain and long lonesome nights, I found out why. Because of the love that God has for me and because of that knowledge, I came to realize that everything I went through was so that I could live my life with a different point of view and with a new sense of life and of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I realized that God gave me one day more to live, to breathe, to enjoy life and to experience a new perspective! 

       Now, I know life isn't just peachy and that you just sit there all day drinking Pina Coladas, but I believe that through the tough stuff, through the hard times and through our darkest hour, we grow closer to Heavenly Father and we more fully feel His love for us. I also feel that my greatest Joy has come from times that have been the hardest and from times that were the most challenging. So why does bad stuff happen if the Lord loves us so much? Well it isn't out of anger or whether He likes someone better than someone else, or if He is cursing us for doing something wrong and I want to make it clear that that all of those ideas in entirety are not true, but the truth is that there is opposition in all things. There HAS to be good and evil or God would cease to exist. And God knew that we would go through these things because of this. So he gave us a way to learn from our mistakes and through the power of the Atonement, increase our relationship with our Father in Heaven.

       I realize now that it was through the darkest hour that I came to realize that the question I should be asking is not: Why me? But: Why not me? And that is where service comes in. For it is through lifting others that the Lord lifts us.

       Second, Why Now?

        So this question is like the last one but in a different light. Why Now? Well there are several answers that I believe help answer this important and serious question. So first is: Plain and simple, it is God's will. He is in control and knows all things. As our Father in Heaven, He knows what’s best for us and even though it may seem like the wrong time and place for something to happen it is what the Lord wants because He knows better than you or I. Sometimes we face challenges like death of a loved one, disease, tragedy, natural disasters, war, and the list goes on. These may seem really inopportune and really hard to deal with. But one of the reasons we may go through these things is so we can learn to take on challenges with a new sense of direction and experience. A fabulous quote and example of this is given by one of my favorite inspirational speakers, John G. Bytheway and yes it is pronounced just the way it sounds, "by the way". He is an amazing speaker and as given some great advice about this and about learning from hard times and I quote: "Wise people learn from their own experience. Super Wise people learn from Others' experience." So when we take on these challenges with our own experience and the experience of others', we can more easily take the challenge with a positive attitude and outlook. Another answer to this question is that each of us is uniquely different from everybody else and that isn't a bad thing but it means that each of us has a different plan or even a different path to take. The goal is ultimately the same but getting there is unique to each of us. Just like with my cancer I lead a different life and walk a different path then most of my friends, I realize that each of us have different feelings and emotions and with those characteristics comes a different path. That is why sometimes things may happen and sometimes it may seem like bad timing but in the big scheme of things it can make a world of difference. I want to share an experience that is specific to missionary work and before I talk about this I want you to know that we can all be a kind of missionary if we set the example and follow the example of Jesus Christ. 

                      So, back to the experience, as I was being treated for my cancer, many of my friends, who were being treated alongside me, had a rough go at cancer and some had been at it for years!! One friend in particular who was very special to me was Ronell Ragbir. I met Ronell as I was being treated. She was a tough girl and had been battling cancer in her leg far longer than I was battling. She was always a shining example and she never gave up her fight against cancer. As we became friends I taught her about the Gospel of Jesus Christ through example and through quiet acts of kindness. She was a wonderful friend who shared with me that anyone can change and no matter what we have done that Jesus Christ is there for us. I am so grateful to have been her friend and when she died, from her horrible disease I felt unhappy and felt that I had failed as an example. But I prayed for her and asked that she might find the truth and might feel of God's love for her as she was in the Spirit world. Some years later after my treatment and after Ronell's Death, I was sitting, studying in my scriptures. As i did, I felt a strong impression that Ronell was okay and that things would be okay with her and that I shouldn't worry. 

       I knew and know now that she has found the Truth and has found peace beyond this life. It brought me great peace and knew that Heavenly Father had helped me to feel peace. Now this experience was hard and at times I really wish I had got to know Ronell better and better befriend her, but I understand that God had a plan for her and that although things did not work out like I expected, I know that things will be okay. This is how it is with this question that sometimes we ask "Why Now?", “Why Me?" And sometimes life is unfair and sometimes seems cruel and I know it is hard but if you have faith in God and in what He wants for us, then He will guide us and help us through experiences that can change our lives for the better and will lead us to times of peace and Joy! It is hard, it is tough but God can help you know why these things are happening and how they can change your perspective, life and heart. It will be alright in the end. The Promise that God gives is that we will have Eternal Life if we follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

       One last thing, you may experience some hard stuff in your life or you may have experienced things already, but if you wonder why or find yourself asking these questions, I plead with you to pray to Heavenly Father. Your answer will come if you have faith and do your part to be ready for that answer by reading the scriptures and by repenting of your sins. It may take time and you may not receive your answer but know that God will help you in some way known or unknown and that he will come to your aid if you are ready and worthy to receive it. I know it and have seen God answer my own prayers and know that He will answer your own in one way or another. Take a leap of faith! I promise it will be worth it!

-Elder Sheets     

The 3 questions

       Today I want to talk about three questions that I have thought of in my life. Also I want to talk about how they and also how they can be answered. Now at one time or another in your life you may have thought of these questions and wondered what the answer was to them and so for today I am going to focus on those three questions. What are those questions? Well they are:

1. Where did I come from?
2. Why am I here or what is my purpose?
3. Where am I going after I die? 

       So with those outlined I want to talk about the answers and how we can apply them to our lives and our understanding.
1. Where did I(we) come from ?
     
Answer:  We believe that we came from a place called the Premortal World or Preexistence. Where with lived with God. This is a place where we decided to follow God's plan for us. When we came to earth we were born into this world and given a body from God.

2. Why am I here or what is my purpose?
     
Answer: When we come to earth we are given a physical body. Why? Well, God wants us to be     happy  and find joy and peace in our lives amidst the confusion and evil of today's world. This is important  because, without knowledge or experience of this world we can never become like our father in Heaven.
       As we become more clean and pure and do good and righteous things the more we can be closer to our Heavenly Father. As I have gone through my life I realize more and more that my purpose here on earth is to share the gospel and to become more like Heavenly Father.
       I know that our purpose is definitely individual but for the most part our purpose is the same and it is: to learn and grow and to find joy in doing what God asks of us. as we live our lives and try to center ourselves on God and Jesus Christ we can find more joy and love in our lives.                                                                                                                                                  

3. Where am I going after I die?

Answer: Death is a hefty thing. It will come to all of us and is a natural part of life. It is hard to have family or friends die and I know how you feel if you have experienced this feeling. It is hard. But we believe that Death is not the end of life but the beginning of a second life. As we die our bodies are separated from our spirit and through the atonement of Jesus Christ we can be again reunited or resurrected with a perfected and pure body never to be separated again.
       Moses 1: 39- "For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

       So after hearing all of these things I want to talk about something that I feel is really important. It is this: That Heavenly Father loves you and really cares for you and as I have said before, I wouldn't be sharing this with you if He didn't love you, but He does and He always will. Now your probably thinking, why did He send us down here? Well if you read the link above about God's plan for us then you understand that God gave us this opportunity so we can learn and grow and become more like Him. He just didn't send us down with out any directions or instructions. He sent us down to earth when the Bible and the Book of Mormon are here for us and when living Prophets called of God are here to give us guidance and direction. No matter what we things we may have done or have seen or heard, we can be cleansed and have our sins washed away through repentance. And yeah sometimes it will be really rough, and sometimes it may be hard to see our true purpose through all of the other stuff. But the closer we are to God, the more clear our purpose becomes. It's true and I know it with all of my heart! I love the Lord and feel His love for me and know that He is reaching out to you and I and all we have to do is give our lives to Him and do our best to follow Him.

       I bear witness that Christ lives and the God is our Father and Creator and the He lives and I know that we are His children. I know this gospel is true, and I can't say it enough! Because I know it is true! And I do testify of these things in the Name of Jesus Christ, our dear Brother and Savior, Amen.