More Reasons to Smile!

Here are some more pictures of the index cards that we have decided to dub Kindnesskards!
(Remember, we didn't tell anyone to write anything specific, just what they would say to someone who was going through a rough time. This is just what people in New York thought to write!)

 It's a wonderful way to involve others in service and help us all to feel the spirit that comes with doing good! Let's all go and make someone's day brighter! Stay tuned for more good experiences we've had with these!

 

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

The Atonement can be studied for decades and still be a difficult concept to grasp. Understanding will come over time as you sincerely study and seek to apply the Atonement in your life. This can be done through living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which can be found in the scriptures. For now, the Atonement is most simply shared in the words of the primary hymn "He Sent His Son". 

1. How could the Father tell the world of love and tenderness?
   He sent his Son, a newborn babe, with peace and holiness.
   How could the Father show the world the pathway we should go?
   He sent his Son to walk with men on earth, that we may know.
   How could the Father tell the world of sacrifice, of death?
   He sent his Son to die for us and rise with living breath.
   What does the Father ask of us? What do the scriptures say?
   Have faith, have hope, live like his Son, help others on their way.
   What does he ask? Live like his Son.

Where Did You Come From?

What would it mean to you if you knew that you once lived in the presence of God?

Knowing that God is my Father in Heaven (See Romans 8:16), and that I lived with Him before I came to Earth opens my eyes to help me see what God sees in me. It helps me understand how God knows us all individually, as we all lived with Him for a very long time prior to our existence on earth.

Think of that. God knows you, better than you might know yourself. (See Jeremiah 1:5)

More than that, He loves you, and wants to help you  become the best person you can become. That is precisely why he has given us commandments, to lead us in the right way that will help us be happiest.

Knowledge of the pre-mortal existence has helped me grasp what kind of God our Father in Heaven is. He has a physical body, and when we lived with Him, we only had spiritual bodies. Since He is benevolent and loving, He has provided us with this mortal experience to enable us to ennoble ourselves through the application of the atonement of His son Jesus Christ. He did this so that we could gain a body of our own, and learn to choose good over evil.

Now, it is our opportunity to choose the good and come closer to our Father in Heaven with each choice that we make. As His children, let us do what we can so that we might be children He would be proud of. Then, we may truly be "Joint heirs with Christ," (Romans 8:17) and be able to return to live with God again.

Eternal Families

We believe that a major part of God's plan for our Happiness lies in the eternity of Families.

Since God is our Father in Heaven, we are all brothers and sisters. That is why you will often hear people at our church refer to each other as brother or sister. All of us here on the earth are children in the family of God!

We also have our earthly families, which we believe will not end at death. We may have our families sealed together for time and all eternity! For us, it is not "until death do us part" because we believe marriages last forever! We know that through obedience to God's laws, we can have the blessings that He wants to give us, one of which is eternal family ties.

It has been said that the family that prays together stays together. This is very true. Will you make it a point to pray with your family daily if possible? This will help you and your family feel more of God's spirit in your lives and help you see how families can be forever!

This doctrine of our church has influenced our lives deeply, and we know it can do the same for yours.
Please share a comment on how your family has influenced your life.

What Is The Plan of Salvation?

God's plan of Salvation is His plan for our eternal happiness.

God loves us, and He is our Father. We lived with Him before we came here and will return to Him after this life. He has given us His way to find true peace and happiness through His Gospel. He sent His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to live as an example for us to follow. When we follow the example of Jesus Christ, we can have all of the blessings that God wants to give us. This includes the opportunity to return to live with God after we die and are resurrected.

Most Importantly- God is our Father, and He loves us (: Ask Him yourself, and find out for sure!

There is so much more that can be said about this wonderful plan, and this is just the very basis of it. Here is a link to a 4 minute movie that can give a little bit more depth!
http://www.mormonchannel.org/our-heavenly-fathers-plan?v=1838710831001