The New Year

As the New Year approaches we have a chance to look forward, a chance to learn from the past and put it behind us. A chance to set new goals for our selves and to look forward to becoming a better more Christ-like person one year at a time. Elder Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave a great talk on exactly this. I would encourage you to read the talk and apply some of its principles in your life this year as you strive to look to the future.

The Best Is Yet To Be    ~ Jeffery R. Holland




The Best is yet to Be! All we need to do is work on getting there.

Christmas in Montana

It's Christmas in Montana,
Or so the saying goes,
When everything is white,
And the wind she really blows.

When temperatures are chilly,
Often way below the mark,
Anytime it's north of zero,
Seems like summer in the park.

When frost's upon the windows,
And the ice's upon the ground;
When breath looks like a summer cloud,
Waiting for thunder's sound.

When the snow is in the Rockies,
And glaciers start to grow,
And all the grain is hidden,
On the plains below.

When rivers they are frozen,
And the lakes are thick with ice,
And the dogs out on the Res,
Are anything but nice.

When the geese are in the stubble,
And the cattle are fed hay,
And the grizzlies hibernating,
For a cold long winter's stay.

When the missionaries are a working,
In the middle of this cold,
They are still out there sharing,
The message told of old.

But mostly all the people,
Put on their happy face,
And hurry 'bout the country,
At such a rapid pace.

They shout a friendly greeting,
As they hurry on their way,
They are way too busy,
No time for us to stay.

So we share a hurried thought,
As they trot along the path.
They'd slow a might and listen,
If we'd off them some cash.

But what we have is priceless,
Worth more than solid gold.
It's about the restoration,
Gospel truths that were foretold.

We hope that they will listen,
To us at Christmas time,
It's worth a whole lot more,
Than a nickel and a dime.

To us no present's better,
Than a pair of listening ears,
For if they truly listen,
It will bless them through the years.

And we will then bear witness,
Of the message that we share;
It's of the promised Savior,
His truth we do declare.

To watch a mighty change of heart,
There is no better sight,
Than standing in the water,
Humbly dressed in white.

So thank you for your efforts,
Throughout 2010,
Because of your commitment,
The miracle began.

We trust you all are happy,
As happy as can be,
As you dream of many wishes,
Beneath your Christmas tree.

So Merry Christmas to you all,
We bid you lots of cheer.
It's an honor to serve with you,
All throughout the year.

~President Larry H. Gardner

The True Meaning of Christmas

This is why we celebrate Christmas! This is why people seem to be happier when this season rolls around. Everyone feels a sense of this spirit that the season holds. Because we were given this Great Gift we feel happen during the Christmas season because even though we may not know Christ, he knows us and he loves us and lets us know in numerous ways.
Let us remember the true meaning of Christmas and celebrate appropriately.
Merry Christmas to all!

The Christmas Story

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

The Greatest Gift

As the holidays approach we all begin to think of putting up the decorations, getting the right tree, shopping for the right gifts, and making sure we have everything for the Christmas feast. These are all good things to make sure we have prepared so we can have a wonderful Christmas, but do we take time to stop and remember the gift that we have all been given?

"Heavenly Father gave this gift to all of us, young or old, rich or poor. We did not have to search the shops for it. It did not cost us a single penny. It did not come wrapped in shiny wrapping paper. The most treasured gift of all was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. It was sent to all of us with love from our Heavenly Father."  ~Joan M. Olenycz

Jesus Christ is the greatest gift given to us all from our loving Heavenly Father. So remember this season the reason we celebrate Christmas.

Our Purpose as an Online Missionary

As a missionary for the lord Jesus Christ our purpose is to invite everyone to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel. Every day we go around and try to share the gospel with everyone we meet. We talk with them and teach them about Jesus Christ and how he has again called a prophet to the Earth today, Joseph Smith. And how through him Jesus Christ restored his church to the Earth. The same church that he set up when he was here.
In order for us to truly invite everyone to hear our message we have began to use the Internet as well as a medium to spread our message. Everyone has access to the Internet and has the opportunity now to talk with us missionaries on there. As a missionary we are called to certain missions throughout the world and have been limited to that area when it comes to sharing the message we have. I have been called to serve in the Montana Billings Mission which covers most of Montana and the Big Horn Basin of Wyoming, and until now have been confined to those borders to share the gospel. Now that we are using the Internet as well I have the opportunity to share the gospel with anyone, any where in the world.
Another reason for us being online is to help people have a source of truth. There are many groups who would try to destroy what we are doing by publishing and distributing falsehoods about the church. We now have the ability to share our story the way it really happened. We can teach people the truth and flood the Internet with it. We can finally take back this tool that has been given to us from the adversary who has been using it to destroy the human mind with all the vulgar things that he has placed on here.
I love my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and know that he has called us to spread his word. Through a Prophet of God I have been commissioned to spread the good news that he has given to his children. I hope that all of you can find this same happiness, it only comes through the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Elder Tabor (Montana Billings Mission)