A BOM for a Hero

Okay, I didn’t know this, but apparently the “famous Book of Mormon” that Tolstoy had… you have all heard the story, right?  ANYways, it was send to him by a farmer from Idaho!

He sent a letter with a book of mormon to Russia!  From Idaho to Russia! In like the 1900s With it he sent a really nice letter praising Tolstoy and his work.  He stated that Tolstoy was a representation of all that was good in humanity.

I just thought it was cool that he had enough GUTS to send a Book of Mormon to his hero.   I tried to picture my self sending a Book of Mormon to my hero… or my idols.  (first of all I had to think of who that would be…)  But man, that is pretty gutsy!  And you know, I think it is cool!  I may try it myself!  haha!  I think I am going to send a Book of Mormon to some of the people that have influenced my life (outside the church).  Maybe Jon Stewart??  hahaha   

Anyways, I thought it was another cool thing from Idaho.  Let’s be brave like that when it comes to sharing the gospel.  Love you guys!

Billy's Temple Prep

So - my wife is out of town.  I hate going to our ward (even though I shouldn't) without her.  So I went to Billy's ward!  Turns out he had the temple prep lesson today!  Lucky draw!  I decided to share my notes with you guys on his killer lesson.  He doesn't know in posting this, so hopefully he doesn't get mad.  Also, I recorded the whole thing.  I haven't even listened to it - so it may not be that good of quality.  Take it for what it's worth.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-bGd24M6J0OaUZucm56TVZyRG8

Blessings from the Temple:

Lesson 3

Exodus chapter 40

38 For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

The temple was the place of the Lord since the beginning of time

Mathew 21:12-15

Jesus flipping tables - RAGER.

The purpose of the temple was changed - it was no longer for the fulfillment of covenants and the enriching of the children of God

He was pissed - shows the importance of the temple in God's plan

2 nephi somewhere...

(Chap5-16)

16 And I, Nephi, did build a temple; and I did construct it after the manner of the temple of Solomon save it were not built of so many precious things; for they were not to be found upon the land, wherefore, it could not be built like unto Solomon’s temple. But the manner of the construction was like unto the temple of Solomon; and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine.

Nephi built a temple - so what?

Where people are - temples need to be

PURPOSE OF THE TEMPLE

---Preparing for exaltation---

That's what it's all about!

D and C 97

16 Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God.

17 But if it be defiled I will not come into it, and my glory shall not be there; for I will not come into unholy temples.

       18 And, now, behold, if Zion do these things she shall prosper, and spread herself and become very glorious, very great, and very terrible.

19 And the nations of the earth shall honor her, and shall say: Surely Zion is the city of our God, and surely Zion cannot fall, neither be moved out of her place, for God is there, and the hand of the Lord is there;

20 And he hath sworn by the power of his might to be her salvation and her high tower

Check out these blessings!!!

YOU DONT HAVE TO BE PERFECT TO GO TO THE TEMPLE!!!!

'Pure of heart' does not mean "oh, you haven't sinned in two weeks, you're good to go." 

If your heart is in the right place in your heart, and you're doing your best, you're in!  You're golden!  You can see God.

I really recommend listening to the recording - there's a good story about James Franco that you WONT want to miss!  (Around 25 minutes)

Guilt or shame can keep us from going to the temple

Guilt - I've done something bad

Shame - I am bad

We can't equate things we've done with who we are

If you don't listen to the whole thing - or even to the James Franci story - listen to the last minute  - Billy throws down a great testimony of the temple.  

Here is the link again:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-bGd24M6J0OaUZucm56TVZyRG8

Ken Caminitti - For Your Health

Here is a reminder of our boy's STATS.  

And here is the scripture that he landed on today:

Psalms 3:3

"But Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my Glory, and the Lifter up of mine head"

Don't go into battle without your shield!!!  What are you, NUTS?!  You have to get in your daily prayers!  It's your protection.  Plus, if you are feeling down, God can lift you.  He can help you be happy. 

Dostoyevsky and the Atonement

"If anyone could prove to me that Christ is outside the truth, and if the truth really did exclude Christ, I should prefer to stay with Christ and not with truth."

-Dostoyevsky

This quote was in one of my books when I started the mission.  I read this my first day in the MTC and haven't been able to forget it since.  I strive for this level of devotion to Christ.

Okay, so I know that I talk about my Russian Literature class a lot.  I just can't help but share what I learn in this class!  I love Russia.  I love Russian literature.  I love all of you guys, so it just makes sense to share.

ANYWAY - 

The lecture today was EPIC.  Here is picture I took of my professor (Raissa Volfovna) throwing down:

Today we were talking about Dostoyevsky.  If you have never heard about Dostoyevsky, read about him here.  He is the author of Crime and Punishment, The Brothers Karamazov, and Poor Folk... to name a few of his novels.

In short, he was a genius and a believer.  

But what is interesting is that his life, and the testimony that I quoted in the beginning, didn't come without a struggle.  He lived through some scary stuff.  

At one point in his life, he was on Red Square with a death sentence from the Tsar.  He was saved only after watching group after group of his friends get shot in front of him.  It was after this, that he promised to never waste another minute of his life.

After telling us this story, our Professor went on to describe how Dostoyevsky became an avid gambler.  At one point he had lost everything down to his wives earrings.  He was LOW. 

At this point, a few of my fellow students started "bagging" on Dostoyevsky.  They commented on how he didn't hold to his promise of never wasting a moment of his life again.  They commented on how his work is too dark and how they felt that he was a "hypocrite".

Thats when my professor LOST IT.  She went OFF on this student!  haha

She explained that after he hit his low point with his gambling, that he swore again to his wife that he would never gamble.  And that after that day, thanks to his love for his wife and for his daughter (and to his Savior), he never gambled again.  

My professor went on to explain that this is how Dostoyevsky teaches us in his novels as well.  His themes are dark and scary.  They are full of murder, theft, temptation, and sin.  But he, through his characters, always shows us a way out of the dark times.  He shows us the path back to the light!

And then to translate the poem that is on the board in the picture (I was actually taking a picture of what she pulled up, but I happened to catch her in one of her passionate moments... haha):

Don't say that there is no salvation,

That you are in sorrow inescapable:

The darker the night, the brighter the stars,

The deeper the mourning, the closer God is...

 - Apollon Maykov (another Russian poet)

And that is what is beautiful about this life and about the atonement!  There is always a way back.  This earth is mired in sin, evil, and sadness.  At times is can seem REALLY DARK.  Sometimes your sorrow is so deep, you feel you can't escape!  BUT WE CAN.

I want to add my testimony to that of Dostoyevsky's.  I know that Christ is the way.  I have a testimony of the efficacy of the atonement.  IT WORKS.  We can be clean!  The dark and scary parts of life have an escape!  If our challenge is gambling, the death of a loved one, pornography, same sex attraction, or just doubts in general - the way out is through Him.

John 14:6

 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.