Discover the Book!

When I was little my parents would read to me from the Book of Mormon every night. We had the picture version back then. They would point to different characters and I would tell my parents if they were righteous and followed God or if they were wicked and followed Satan. My parents would always teach me how important it is to follow after righteousness. When we do, we are blessed.

My family has taught me these things and I am grateful for the many, many hours teaching me the gospel of Jesus Christ through the Bible and the Book of Mormon. 

I love the Book of Mormon with all of my heart and I am very grateful for the many sacrifices that have been made to bring this book to this earth. It's message is powerful and inspired because it comes from God. The Book of Mormon has given me many answers in my life. I have prayed and prayed to my Heavenly Father for guidance and I often have found my answers by reading the Book of Mormon. I know that this book is true. How? I read it then I asked God and He gave me an answer through the feelings and thoughts in my heart and mind that the Book of Mormon is true. I, and many others have discovered the book. Now it's your turn. Or if you have already discovered the book- do it again. My testimony grows and grows each time I read it. I love to discover it again adn again! If you would like to have a FREE copy of the Book of Mormon there is a link on the right hand side that says "Free Copy of the Book of Mormon." This book has changed my life and it will change yours too. That's a promise!

Strength from a Scripture

A few days ago I was in quite a bit of pain for no apparent reason. My back hurt- a lot. This was really unusual because I've never had back problems before. 

I was struggling to find out the reason behind the pain. What did physically do for this? Too much lifting? Sleeping on my back? I'm still not sure quite what I did but I know that I learned something.

I am nothing without God. I knew this but this experience gave me a new meaning to me. He is truly the one that gives me strength. He is the one that helps me get out of the bed in the morning. The one that helps me walk. Too often I think I take it all for granted. 

That day I could not do too much. But I did spend time in thought and prayer. And I thanked my Heavenly Father for all the strength He has given me in the past. For all the love that He has willingly given to me. I became much more grateful for everything that He has blessed me with. 

Book of Mormon

I know that this scipture is true. I feel better, still sore, but much better. I could never have done it without my Savior and I will never be able to do anything without Him. 

I love my Savior and I am SO grateful for His love for me and when He sends me gentle reminders that He is the one that is gives me everything. In his strength I can do all things. 

Happy Easter!

I love this time of year! It is so special because this is the time that we pay special attention to the atonement (or sacrifice) of Jesus Christ.  

Jesus Christ is the center of my faith and I would be absolutely nothing without Him and the sacrifice that He made for me so many years ago. Even though it was so long ago, it still applies to me. I still feel of the love and the influence that it has for me. 

One of my favorite scriptures about the atonement is found in The Book of Mormon (Another Testament of Jesus Christ).

It was written by a prophet named Alma and he says,

"And [Jesus Christ] shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 And he will take upon him death, that he may bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." (Alma 7:11-12)

I know that this scripture is true. One time I was having a rough moment on my life. I was given this scripture by a friend and I read it and did not pay too much attention to it at first. Later, at night I was praying and I was thinking of that scripture and I started to pour out my heart to God. I felt so much comfort at that moment. 

My Savior was with me. He always has been. Through my different struggles he's been there every step of the way. He leads me and He guides me. 

I love my Savior with all of my heart! And if you had not had the chance go to this awesome Easter website and watch a video called Because of Him. 

Trust in God

Sometimes trusting in God is the hardest. I don't know why, but I guess it's because we can't see with his eyes. The scripture that immediately came to my mind was Proverbs 3:5-6 which says, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." We can't lean on our understanding, it's not going to work. I know personally when I have trusted in the Lord, my life turns out better. One of the biggest examples that I can think of is when I decided to go on a mission. It was a hard decision for me to make but it's been the best decision of my life. Is it also one of the hardest? Yes. I left behind my friends (and one of my best friends was getting married), my family who I love more than anything, my schooling, earning money for school and later life; but I have learned so much and my mission is preparing me for so much. It's the perfect place to learn. I do not regret it one bit. I would do it again! I wonder why I was so stubborn about not going in the first place. The Lord totally knows better than I do!

Just like with Aladdin asking Jasmine if she trusted him to go on that magic carpet ride, we need to trust our Savior with our lives. Jasmine did not fully understand about how the carpet was safe and how it actually could fly. In the end that did not matter. She trusted Aladdin and she had a wonderful time. It does not matter if we understand what the Lord wants us to do, we just need to trust in Him and do what He asks. I promise we will understand later.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." -Isaiah 55:8-9

Our Savior sees everything- He sees the whole field, while we only see what's in front of us. Trust in Him and I know that your life will be enriched and very blessed!

More scriptures on trusting in the Lord:

• Psalms 28:7 (Bible- Old Testament) "The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him." 
• Psalms 62: 7-8(Bible- Old Testament) "In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."
• Mosiah 29:20 (Book of Mormon) "But behold, he did deliver them because they did humble themselves before himl and because they cried mightily into him he did deliver them out of bondage; and thus doth the Lord work with his power in all cases anib the children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him." 
• Alma 36: 3 (Book of Mormon) "For  do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day."

Many Are Called But Few Are Obedient

Hello Amigas! 

One time back in October my companion at the time showed be this scripture. 

It's in Doctrine and Covenants  121:34&35. It says, "Many are called but few are chosen? And why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of the world, and aspire to the honors of men that they do not learn this one lesson."

We replaced the world chosen with the word obedient, so it now reads like this, "Many are called but few are obedient. And why are they not obedient? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of the world, and aspire to the honors of men that they do not learn this one lesson." 

It's so true. The reason why missionaries are not obedient (or anyone for that matter) is because they love the world more than God. From a missionaries view- Why would we watch TV? -it's something from the world. Why would we go swimming? -it's something of the world. This is the Lord's time. This is the Lord's work. We need to be obedient. So true. 

And from a non-missionary point of view. Why would we not study our scriptures, pray to our Heavenly Father, go to church, etc... If we don't do these things it's because we love the things of the world more than God. 

In John 15:19 it says, "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."

I know that sometimes it's hard to be obedient. My companion, Sister Killian and I were talking this morning about obedience and we were saying how we know it's hard sometimes. God knows that but we came to the conclusion that if it was easy it would not be worth it. 

We need to continually be obedient to the Lord and the commandments that He has set for us. I know that as we do this we will be blessed because I know that when I have followed the way of the Lord my life has been enriched so much! Going on a mission was a really hard decision for me to make. And while it's not necessary for girls to go, my Heavenly Father was telling me that this would be the best thing for my life. It took me a long time to listen but I am so glad that I finally did and because I listened I have literally been able to see and feel the blessings that the Lord has given me that I would have missed if I stayed home. 

I am so blessed to serve a mission. I have literally felt my testimony of this gospel, and the Book of Mormon. It is a huge blessing in my life and the more I learn and the more my understanding deepens the more I want to share the news of the restoration with others. There are so many hard days out here but honestly there is no place that I would rather be. Seeing the changes that the gospel makes in people's lives is amazing!

I know that as we strive to be obedient to the commandments our lives will be so blessed! In ways that we can't even imagine. The Lord has SOOOO many blessings for us but we need to be obedient to receive them. Be obedient! It will bless you!

When I got my mission call. Huge blessing! 

Love,

Sister Clifton