Get Interested! It's for your own Benefit!

Over the past 17 months there has been one phrase I have heard often, as a missionary, that has always bugged me a little more than others. That phrase being, "No thanks, I'm not interested right now." When I first got out in the mission field I would leave the situation thinking, "How could you not be interested, it's Jesus Christ we're talking about!" But as I reflected on the statement I thought back on my life and how for years I "wasn't interested" in the Gospel, I wasn't worried about praying, I wasn't down on myself all the times I missed church. Life seemed fine, why should I give interest to something, when I am satisfied with where I am?

The phrase still troubles me today as I think of all the people who will not take the time to listen to the message of the Restored Gospel simply because they feel that life is adequate for their needs as it is. I think back to my life and all the years I wasn't interested, the main, and pretty much only, reason I wasn't interested was because I didn't know what the Gospel of Jesus Christ was. I didn't know all the peace, happiness, insight, direction, comfort, encouragement, and many of the other blessings associated with the message that flowed into my life. I had no clue that it would help define my character and put to use all the traits I had developed from youth up.

It is sad to think that so many people will only find interest in the Gospel when life is at its lowest point, when they are at the last of their list on the search for happiness. And moreover, it is sad that most people will follow the Gospel but as soon as life gets more manageable they will forsake the Christ that has lifted them through their trials and has blessed them with all that they have. I think of how our Heavenly Father must feel as he reaches out to his children to offer a path that will lead them through any trial and eventually back to dwell in His heavenly kingdom.

The challenge that I would give to all who "aren't interested at this time" is to give the message of the restoration a chance and do the things that so many people rely on to bring them peace and serenity in life, little things such as praying, scripture study and attending church. I would guaruntee that if you put forth the effort and put the Gospel to the test and see if it doens't enhance your life, if it doesn't bring greater meaning, if it doesn't paint a clearer picture of life. The Gospel is not just meant to help the lowly in heart or the poor in spirit, it is here to help us all, no matter what background or situation we come from, are currently in or planning to get to. This message is something that is meant for everyone and has the ability to benefit us in any aspect of our lives. I can bear a solid testimony of this truthful message in Chist's name.

The Battle of Good Vs. Evil: Tips to Win!

 I like comic books, not to the extent that I actually read them. Because honestly I rarely read any books besides the gospel. But just so everyone knows it's way better that way because someone else creates the characters and the super powers, their stregnths and weaknesses and their enemies, and I get to make up their story. So in the end it cuts out a lot of the work for me, which is always a benefit in my book.

But in my life of comic book people the battle between good and evil is always very different. One aspect I want to cover is the fact that bad guys always want the attention and good guys rarely take any glory personally. Mainly I'm going to focus on this because I can apply it to the gospel, and most of the people I know wouldn't pay attention if I didn't tie in something worldly.

First off we will look at the villains side of life. They usually come from some weird background where they weren't loved as a kid or they didn't like their boss or something "totally dramatic". They in turn decide that the world owes them something go crazy and decide to build octopus arms on themselves or make a mask that turns them psycho or whatever else they can come up with to help them take their revenge! They end up causing all this even more drama with everyone and taking lives or whatever it might be.

Villains are like the temptations of Satan. No one even likes them but for some reason they won't go away. They are loud and attention hogging. We've all come across one or another maybe a computer pop up shouting at us to click for some fast entertainment (or whatever), or a movie preview telling us "Watch me I'm crude, I can get you to laugh come watch me!", or maybe it's a little more subtle but just as destructive like, "Take this job you'll make tons of money! Money leads to happiness! Don't worry about the sacrifice you'll give up with not having time with your family!" All of these temptations are apparent, loud, attention grabbing, hard to ignore. Frankly, they are everywhere. But yet we are supposed to ignore them, brush them off, stay on the strait and narrow path to eternal life.

Now to the hero, hero's start out being hurt or affected in some way by some bad guy's action and they devote their life to helping those who are afflicted by the trials of evil. They for the most part are pretty humble and silent about their identity and task, for instance they will live in this cave in a side of a mountain when they are ridiculously rich, or they live in this ghetto apartment in New York City (no thanks). They usually only come out when they are needed, when the so to say "cry for help" is made. Most of their technology and skills have to be one step ahead of their villains so that they can effectively carry out their duty.

Hero's are like the spirit, the Holy Ghost. In all the scriptures the instances of the Holy Ghost reaching out to man it is through subtle, humble, quiet ways. Almost never (I say that cause it might be in there somewhere but I can't think of an instance) is it described as shouting at an individual, unless its accompanied by a divine visitation or something like that (which I'm still waiting for my personal one). It touches our inner most feelings, something that if we aren't in tune with, the loud temptations can easily drown out.

So what are we supposed to do to come out triumphant when the battle seems so outweighed? Well let me mention a couple things, first off remember, no one really likes Satan and his temptations, so don't be afraid to step up when you feel something is bad. Secondly, Umm I dunno maybe try to make your life more spiritual so its easier to recognize those signs given to us. Stay one step ahead of the game, that's what Batman does and he's successful. Thirdly don't be intimidated, what would've happened if some hero came up against a bad guy and got scared? "Well that's easy Elder Trujillo", you say "The vilian would end up getting away with murder, quite literally, and who knows when his havoc would've stopped!" That's what I was thinking too! So don't hesitate! If you are hesitating to make the changes in your life whatever it may be to quit an addiction, to learn about the gospel or whatever! Take Nike's advice and "Just Do It"!

I promise you if you heed to the teachings of Jesus Christ and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost, getting rid of all evil, bad and even the "not so good" stuff, your life WILL be blessed. I know this because of two reasons. One, because I did it and am continuing to do it and I love it, it makes me happy, it keeps me safe! Secondly, because Jesus Christ asked us

Faith; Its Easy... Like Building a Puzzle

I was recently reading a 2011 April General Conference talk, by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, titled "Waiting on the Road to Damascus". The talks subject is centered on not waiting for a miraculous experience to clear up any questions or doubts we may have in regards to our faith. Many may know that as a missionary I rely heavily on analogies to portray the workings of the Gospel. I'd like to spend some time focusing on the powerful analogy that President Uchtdorf presents in his talk, comparing our steps of faith to the construction of a puzzle.

When starting a puzzle you most always start with the border or edge pieces, its almost essential to the overall accomplishment. You could compare this first step, the starting of our faith with a scripture in Alma 32:27, "But behold if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words (the words of Christ), and excersise a particle of faith, yea even if ye can no more that desire to believe (starting our puzzle), let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that you can give place for a portion of my words (our border is completed)."

While working on our puzzle we know that some pieces come right after the other, and some often stump us (If your like me it's way often) at where or what piece goes where. Our Testimony (a spiritual witness given by the Holy Ghost) of the Gospel can like wise at times come easily or can take time and effort. I dunno about you but when attempting a puzzle an overall result (picture on the box) is too often required to guide me through this task. Likewise after we may have started our journey ,by desiring faith and experimenting on the words of Christ, it comes to a point where we need to take the steps necessary for baptism by immersion, by the Priesthood of God, to continue adding pieces of faith to our masterpiece. When we are baptized we receive the Holy Ghost (our picture of the puzzle) to help lead us to further finding and placing our spiritual experiences to the growth of our knowledge of the Savior.

This is essential, the Holy Ghost knows perfectly the workings of God and Jesus Christ (3 Nephi 28:10-11). With his constant companionship we can endure life's trials, doubts, and temptations and can be lead to our overall joy of completing our puzzle.

I would like to end with a portion of the talk I have been inspired by,"The truth is, those who diligently seek to learn of Christ eventually will come to know Him. They will personally receive a divine portrait of the Master, although it most often comes in the form of a puzzle- one piece at a time. Each individual piece may not be easily recognizable by itself; it may not be clear how it relates to the whole. Each piece helps us to see the big picture a little more clearly. Eventually, after enough pieces have been put together, we recognize the grand beauty of it all. Then, looking back on our experience, we see that the Savior had indeed come to be with us- not all at once but quietly, gently, almost unnoticed.
This can be our experience if we move forward with faith and do not wait too long on the Road to Damascus."