Reflections - the opportunity to change (July 23, 2020)

So far this week has been good. I have been trying new things since I have been back out in the field.  In fact, there is a rap guy named NF and I was thinking of his song called "Change". It really hit me and then I prayed to open to a scripture I needed to hear for the day. It was Alma 37: 35-36 and wow! 

Now for all you that know me I have been through a lot growing up. Doing some bad things and getting into drugs and stuff. I speak now because I have a feeling that I need to speak up. I get now that it is hard when you forget the spirit. I know from my life it was easier to go back to what was easy and that was getting back into drugs for easy relief, but I can promise you that if you drop to your knees and pray for strength you will have strength to keep going. Remember though, salvation is not easy. It will never be easy. It was never easy for the Lord so why would it be easy for us. 

I would like to thank all my young men’s leaders and support from my old ward and to let you know that when you think someone is never going to listen to you because they are so hard-hearted like me that somewhere down the road they will change. It took me 2 times to go on a mission to finally find the glory of God and I will say this with my full testimony that I have never felt the power of God so strong in my life. I have never felt so confident in myself. I know the Book of Mormon heals lives.  

One thing I am doing is when I know I messed up or did something stupid I will go to my knees right away and pray for repentance and the help to understand why God put me in the trial. You can take my advice and try it. Listen to some conference talks instead of your fave songs you will feel the spirit so strong. I can promise you that. We go through trials because it is the way that God wants us to learn and to help us be more humble. That is why we go through hard trials. 

Be strong my friends remember we are here on earth to prepare for the next life. We fought so hard to come to this earth to be tested and to live with the Lord again. I know I'm only 21. I have not seen much, but never let yourself believe that there is no way to find the spirit. There is always a way. There is always something in your life that you can change, that you know you need to fix but can't or don't want to. I know that if you need help I would be there to hold your hand and help you through it. There is always a way out. 

This is the scripture referenced:

Alma:

35 O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.

36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.