The Chicken or the Egg?

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?  The question that has puzzled so many minds.  Many reasonable arguments can be made for both cases.  The egg first, because that is how the chicken was born.  Chicken first, because someone had to lay the egg.  It is an endless cycle of which one actually came first.

 

This whole cycle thinking happens a LOT in the world.  One such example of this endless circular thinking was brought up between my companion and I; faith and works, which one comes first?

Constantly we are taught that we need faith.  Faith is confidence.  Faith leads us to action.  As it says in James, "1Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."  A-ha, so faith before action.  Right?

Well, later in that same chapter it says "Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?"  So, works perfect our faith.

As my companion and I pondered all of this.  We kept thinking "okay, so we need faith to take action.  But our actions can lead us to faith."  We then thought of another scripture in James that says: "1If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."  Action that helps us to have faith. 

So much confusion!  Which is it!

Well, we came to a conclusion.  Simple and true.  The two are so inseparable that you cannot distinguish between them.  Just as Elder Lynn G. Robbins said in his talk this last conference, "to be and to do are inseparable."  As we work on both, we are strengthened.  Whichever one comes first doesn't matter too much.  Both are great! 

But, I would love to hear your thoughts on which came first for you.  Post a comment!

Can you move Mountains?

In the past week I have made it a goal to study about the Savior daily.  Ergo, I have done a lot of reading in the New Testament.  The phrase "O ye of little faith" is said multiple times in Matthew and has been on my mind.  Here is an example in Matthew 14, when Christ walks on water to his disciples:  

 25 And ^ain the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good ^acheer; it is I; be not afraid.

 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was ^aafraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little ^afaith, wherefore didst thou ^bdoubt?

  (emphasis added)

Peter, when focused on Christ, was able to do the "impossible" and walk on water.  There was nothing he wanted more than to be with Christ.  We too, can do the "impossible", if we have faith.  There just has to be nothing we want more.  Being with Christ should be the only thing on our minds.  The distractions around us can be hard to ignore.  Like for Peter, the wind can throw us off course and distract us.

A little later in Matthew it says "...If ye have ^bfaith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this ^cmountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be ^dimpossible unto you."  Have you ever seen a mustard seed?  It is tiny!  Starts off as this small seed and then grows into a large tree.  Such a small thing can become something great.  Our faith can be the same. 

 
 Even if we have "faith as a grain of mustard seed" we can move a mountain!  Now, not all of us have physical mountains that we need to move.  Our mountains may be a struggle within.  Something that blocks our sight and hinders our focus.  It may even be a physical temptation.  Whatever the struggle may be,  I know that having faith in Jesus Christ can help you.  Can you move mountains?  With the Lord, YES!

Life of a Sister Missionary part 8: Feed His Sheep

At 10 a.m. we head out.  But, before we leave the house, we say a prayer.  Then, we leave the house and begin sharing the Gospel.  As missionaries, we go out into the world to share the gospel with everyone.  Young or old, male or female, black, white, or purple, we are called to share the gospel to all the world.  We invite everyone to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.  That is our purpose.  Everything we do is centered around that purpose. 

Throughout the day we do various things that help us fulfill our purpose such as tracting, proselyting on the street, visiting referrals, and teaching.  It is exhausting work sometimes (or all the time), but it is the most rewarding thing in the world!  Seeing the change in a person's heart as they hear the message of the restored Gospel is one of the greatest experiences I have ever had.  It is very humbling to go out each day wearing the name of Christ on my chest.  To be a representative of Him.  We serve the Lord and find His sheep that are searching for truth.  John 21:17 "He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, ^aFeed my ^bsheep."  I love my Savior.  That is why I go out each day.  Rain or shine, tired or wired, we serve Him.