Aha!

I started this blog because as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I am trying to teach people about His gospel. One of the ways I find is a good way to do that, is to share my "Aha" moments, or times I have felt that I have learned something. There is really no rhyme or reason to it. I learn best from others personal experiences, and so that is how I have decided to share and teach:) 

Recently in the mission that I am in, our mission President has put a major focus on the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon for those who are unfamiliar, is a sacred volume of scripture written around the same time as the Bible. It testifies of Christ, and tells the history and spiritual account of the people who dwelt in the Ancient Americas. What our mission President has asked us to do, is to read it in 90 days. I was already reading in it, so I started where I was and decided to go full circle.

 Elder Robert D. Hales said: “When we want to speak to God, we pray. And when we want Him to speak to us, we search the scriptures”(in Conference Report, Oct. 2006, 27)

So without further ado, Sister Allen's Aha Moment!

I was reading in the very first book of Nephi in chapter 14

The very first verse is so powerful!

"And it shall come to pass, that if the Gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word, and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks." -1 Nephi 14:1

What a powerful way to begin a scripture!  

If we will hearken unto God, He will take away our stumbling blocks. Stumbling blocks can be anything from not being able to read the scriptures to having a lack of Faith and belief in God. we all have different stumbling blocks. We all struggle with different things which pull us away from God. Trials we go through that are meant to hedge up the way. We are promised by our loving Heavenly Father, that if we will abide by his precepts, He will take away our stumbling blocks.

I have noticed in my own life, that as I struggle to do the things that God has asked me to do, go to church, read our scriptures, keep the commandments and so forth, that I am far from God. This is not where I want to be. It becomes a stumbling block. I have also come to realize that my stumbling blocks sometimes come from me, and stem from my pride. We know that sometimes God gives us trials to teach us something, and sometimes we create them ourselves by lack of obedience to the commandments He has given us. 

My Aha moment, was realizing that any stumbling block I am presented with, man made, or God made can be made my strength and turned to my good just by showing my faith in God with my actions, words and deeds. 

Even if I feel as though I am struggling, or something hard has been put in my way, as long as I am trying to follow God and continually turn to Him for his guidance, I am hearkening to Him. He will bless me, and turn my stumbling block into a strength.

That was just my little Aha moment, and I know some of you have probably already had this Aha moment and are reading this going, "well yeah." haha that is the great thing about Aha moments with the Book of Mormon. They are personal, and just for you. It is what the spirit of God tells you regardless of what you read. I know as we strive to have these moments, God will bless us with the knowledge and answers to questions we are seeking.

He always does for me.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Do We Recognize Our Answers?

"I invite you to consider two experiences most of us have had with light.

The first experience occurred as we entered a dark room and turned on a light switch. Remember how in an instant a bright flood of illumination filled the room and caused the darkness to disappear. What previously had been unseen and uncertain became clear and recognizable. This experience was characterized by immediate and intense recognition of light.

The second experience took place as we watched night turn into morning. Do you recall the slow and almost imperceptible increase in light on the horizon? In contrast to turning on a light in a dark room, the light from the rising sun did not immediately burst forth. Rather, gradually and steadily the intensity of the light increased, and the darkness of night was replaced by the radiance of morning. Eventually, the sun did dawn over the skyline. But the visual evidence of the sun’s impending arrival was apparent hours before the sun actually appeared over the horizon. This experience was characterized by subtle and gradual discernment of light" - Elder David A. Bednar 

What a beautiful experience it is, to watch the sun rise. It is something you have to be prepared for. You cannot wake up whenever you want; go outside, and expect the sun to rise. The sun rises on it's own time. We cannot make it go faster, nor slow it down. We have no control over the sun, but it will always rise regardless of what we do. 

God works in a way similar to this. He will always answer our prayers, though they may not be received when we want them to be, nor in the way we thought, he always answers. In a talk given by one of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Richard G. Scott talked about receiving answers through prayer. He discussed that our Father in Heaven, is much like a parent on Earth. He wants to answer our questions, but he also wants us to learn and grow. A teacher in school doesn't give you all the answers and let you copy them off the board. She teaches you, and through your own experience, you gain more knowledge. 

I saw this not a long ago, when I was trying to decide what college to apply for. I had some very interesting options. There were pro's and con's to each. For those of you who know me well, you know decision-making is not my strong point. I agonized over this decision for months. I made it a matter of prayer, I consulted my mom and dad, they gave ideas and discussed their opinions,but I just felt flat rejected from God. I was getting nothing. I thought to myself constantly, "This is one of the most important decisions of my life, why wont God tell me where to go?" 

As I agonized over my decision, I remember talking with many people, and having them tell me that I have to make a decision first. Then I would receive help from God. So here I was with this problem. I needed to know what college to go to, and I was waiting God to tell me. While God was going to help after I had made my own decision. All this, and graduation was right around the corner. 

After some time, I realized that I needed to just make a decision, and let the chips fall where they may. So I picked my college, I put in my application, and I waited for some peace or comfort to come. I waited for some inclination that I had made the right decision to come, and I got....nothing, still. By this time, I was fed up because I wasn't being answered, nervous because I may have picked the wrong college, and frustrated because I might have messed everything up. (I tend to get overwhelmed and blow things out of proportion.) 

At last, in the mail, I got a letter from my school of choice. I gathered my family together to read whether or not I got accepted. I remember the feeling of anxiety as I opened up my letter, and the complete peace and love that filled my soul as I read the words, You have been Accepted. 

After the storm, Peace comes. 

I realize that college is a small prospect compared to that of losing a loved one, or being let go from a job, or even not being able to have children. There are many more questions and problems we have that are much bigger than where to go to college. Yet it mattered to me, and God answered my prayer. 

I know God answers prayers. I know it takes work on our part, and I know most times it is not easy. But I also know it is worth it, and we will be able to see light of truth in our lives enter as does the Sun rise over the sky. He will always answer.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-spirit-of-revelation?lang=eng

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1989/10/learning-to-recognize-answers-to-prayer?lang=eng

I Lived in Heaven a Long Time Ago It Is True...

            Imagine a beautiful, peaceful scene of heavenly wonder. All around is calm. We are all waiting. Today is the day that has long been awaited. It's something completely new. Father is going to come and tell us the Divine Plan. There have been some whispers, and others who are older have been talking about their own ideas, but now is the time. We all gather with our brothers and sisters, as Father calls us to him. He tells us that we have learned so much, and He is so proud of us. We have progressed and learned so much from when we were just little intelligence's of matter. Then Father formed us into spirits, and we were able begin learning knowledge. Now the time has come for the next step in the plan. He tells us to look at his glorified body and how it is flesh and bone. The time has come, He tells us, for us to go to a place He and our elder brother Jesus have created. It is called Earth, and we will receive bodies just like Father. Your bodies will not look like mine, he says, they will be subject to pain and death and many other things. He tells us that when we receive our bodies, all sorts of new experiences will be available to us, things that aren't now because we don't have bodies. He tells us that we will go down in families, and that we will be able to learn and grow in these families. He tells us that the Plan is almost complete, but he needs someone, to go down to earth and receive a body, so that they can experience all the sorrows, sadness, and sins that this new life will have to offer. He needs someone to suffer all these things, and pay the price so that we can all return back to him.
           One of our brothers named Lucifer steps forward, and states "I will go, and I will make everyone do the right thing, so that everyone can come and return and live with you again Father, Then I will have the glory of bringing all your children back to you." The place is still and silence creeps over all of us. No one says anything. Then Jesus steps forward and says, "Father I will go down to Earth and suffer these things, that man may have the choice to accept Thy will and return to Thee if they will but repent." All of us anxiously wait for the Father to pick one of the two plans. Father then speaks, "I will allow my children to choose what they wish to do, if you wish to follow Lucifer, you may do so, but you cannot ever receive a body, for only those who to choose to go to Earth and experience life will receive a body." There is silence. We watch as Father casts Lucifer out, his own beloved Son of the Morning who is now a fallen angel. Many of our brothers and sisters chose to follow him, but those who did not were able to come to Earth and receive bodies and expereince life.
            We do not remember any of this anymore. Father told us that when we came to the Earth, we would pass through the Veil, and live by faith instead of sight. We would not remember our life in the Pre-mortal existence, or our beloved Father in Heaven, but we would still be able to learn of Him and rely on our faith and repentance and He would show us the way back to him.

Granted, this portrayal is not exactly how it happened. This is just how I think it played out, or how I picture it. However, we do know, that these things did happen. We know we were able to come to Earth and receive bodies. We know two plans were presented, and we know that Jesus Christ died for our sins so that we can return to live with God again if we will repent and come unto him. We do not remember the Pre-mortal existence, because we are expected to live by faith. If we could remember how glorious the Pre-mortal existence was, we would never want to sin for fear of never making it back because we KNEW exactly what awaited after we pass on from this life. Instead we must believe, and have FAITH. This is the test of life, and the way back to our Father in Heaven.

We lived there a long time ago, I know it is true.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1983/10/the-mystery-of-life?lang=eng&query=premortal+existence

"Mercy cannot rob Justice"

As y'all might know, I am a missionary, and in one of the lessons that we teach, called the Plan of Salvation, we talk about something called the Atonement. Recently the people we have been talking to and teaching have had questions concerning what is taught in this particular lesson. To demonstrate this point, we use an analogy found in the Bible.

The story is that of a man who wishes with all his heart to own something which is very much out of his reach. In wanting it so badly, he goes into debt, promising to pay off his debt to the creditor when the date comes that the money will be due. The days go by, and the debtor relishes in his newly owned possession, forgetting the about the day in which the money will be due. Yet the day does come, when the creditor comes to collect what is rightfully owed to him. The debtor must admit that he has not paid in full what he said he would when he signed the contract. The creditor tells him he will be sent to debtor's prison, and his possessions will seized. In anguish the debtor cries out, "Will you not extend mercy?" The creditor replies, "I do not believe in mercy, for it robs justice."

So here we are, with the two sides: On the one hand, the creditor should get what was promised in the contract, yet mercy should be extended to the debtor. How can both sides receive what they want?

The Mediator.

A friend of the debtor comes and explains to the creditor, that he will pay in full what the debtor owns, if he will in return release the debtor from prison. The creditor agrees, and the debtor is released. The friend then says to the debtor, "Your possessions now belong to me, I will allow you to work off the debt and retain possession of your items again. I will set the terms of the agreement, it will not be easy, but it will be possible."

What a wonderful blessing to be able to have a mediator. Christ is our mediator with the Father. When we sin and we do things wrong, we cannot enter into God's kingdom, but with the help of Christ, we can be forgiven of our sins as we turn our hearts to him and repent. Christ has set the terms of the agreement, and he has said, "It will not be easy, but it will be possible."

I want to bear my testimony, that I know of a surety, that because of the Atonement of the Savior in which he suffered for the sins of the world, I can be forgiven of my sins. I know that if I do my part and turn my heart to him and repent, my debt can be forgiven. It may not be easy, but it is possible.

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1977/04/the-mediator?lang=eng

Her Journey to the Truth

I have just recently become a Facebook missionary, and as part of that, I chose a picture for my profile. In my picture I am pointing to a picture of the Savior. A couple days later, a lady named Teena White messaged me on Facebook, and told me how much it meant to her to see a picture of the Savior. We got to talking and she related to me her story of how she found the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Days Saints. It was so wonderful, I asked if with her permission if I could post it to my blog so others could see it. She said that she would be happy to. :) So without further ado here is miss Teena White's story!


"Hello my name is Teena White, I'm From Alabama, I have been a member since August 1990. I had been searching for a church home for about 12-13 years and had been affiliated with so many of the sects. I studied with the Jehovah Witness's for 4 years in my Home couldn't commit to that, TV evangelist radio Tent revivals, Catholic, and I was a southern Baptist. Simply put, I was tired of the fluff and wanted to find my Friend I knew he was not in any of the other places nor could I feel his love, as reverence was not a known practiced word in many of the concert entertainment and more places I had attended for religion. I finally became livid, and said a prayer the best way I knew how, saying "I know the Bible says seek and ye shall find I have been looking for you all over the place, where are you?."

 I began to have reoccurring Dreams in which I could see the missionaries as plain as day. I was so excited. I happened to be Home alone in a town house apartment when I awakened to a voice telling me to get up there is someone I want you to meet, and before I could form a rational thought I was at my front door in no time; as if I had been placed there. I had 24 stairs to this day I do not recall coming down them at that time, I didn't have my key in my two dead bolt lock so I had to go out my back door. I went around the front of the apartments looked up and down the sidewalk both ways in search of someone after not seeing anyone I began to walk back to my back door and my rational thought was I must be loosing my mind. how do I call people to tell them I went outside to meet someone and no one was there,but before I could complete the thought the voice spoke again to me saying its okay, and that it was me who lead you.

 I went into the apartment and slept with great peace.  I'm guessing about the next day or so I was coming out of my u-rental office in the process of putting my about 8 -9 month infant on my hip, with my 6 year old son at my side when I looked up and saw the elders. At the time I didn't know what missionaries were so in my natural rational mind I thought, "what are they doing here and what are they selling?" I wasn't allowed to finish the rational thought as I was prompted to hurry, as my arm reached out in motion for them to come to me. They were in the process of putting their kick stands down. I got to them and asked them to follow me to my apartment they did. I unlocked my door placed my sons inside, and  turned to let them in. Their faces were radiating as if someone had taking the Sun out of the Sky and placed inside of them. The Savoir himself was standing behind them in the center letting me know this is we're I needed to Be. 

So in answer to my prayer ,"where are you, or seek and ye shall Find", He Does appear to his Children. They taught me in Two weeks and Baptized me. I know this Gospel is True, I know the Book of Mormon is True and will Bless the lives of all those who faithfully and Diligently read and search it, with a pure language and bring them closer to the Savior and keep them firmly planted in the Gospel. I know Joseph Smith was a True Prophet, I know Thomas S Monson is a True and Living Prophet I do have a perfect knowledge of the Savior his Love I know he has a Body and that He Lives, this Gospel is True the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only True and living Church on this Earth, the Gospel has Blessed my Life in many ways."

Thanks Teena for sharing your story!

Patience is a virtue, seek it if you can, always found in ...who? :)

Patience is an easy word to say, and easy attribute to afford to others, and an incredibly difficult to cultivate for oneself. At least for me. Throughout my life I have thought that I was patient, but then I would hit a trial or an affliction, and my "patience" would run out the back door. :) It seems to me that patience is like a step ladder. There are levels to it, and we all start at the bottom. Once you hit a trial, you go through different steps to overcome it, trying to figure it out ourselves is one way, very popular one for me. Another way would be to ask people for advice, I also like this one.:) Sometimes prayer is the first thing that comes to mind for people. We all have different ways of dealing with our problems, and through this process we learn a little bit of patience. Solutions don't usually happen all at once. :) Then once we have come through our trial and the victory flag is up, we rejoice and move on. My mistake here is that I tend to think, "I've done it! I've gained patience! I am a patient person!" However, I am incorrect. Patience is an on-going battle, and I find that I am always given more opportunities to gain more:) For instance, I am the oldest of four children, and I grew up with them and we had to learn how to get along, and I thought I knew how to be patient with people. Then, I went to college, and I met these people called roommates. ;) Throughout my two years of college, I was constantly developing, and being given opportunities to learn some patience.I have learned that  Heavenly Father knows me so well. Something else I have learned however, is that even though I am never all the way there, I am getting closer each time (well hopefully...) We are so lucky that Heavenly Father is so loving and patient. Our end goal is to become like him, and he teaches us how to do so little steps at a time. I am grateful for the wonderful opportunity I have to be on this Earth and learn and grow. I know someday I will be able to live with my Father in Heaven again, and hopefully, I will have gained some patience. :)