He Is Risen! A message of Comfort.

The Resurrection of Christ became a source of both hope and comfort  for me during  a warm summer on March 4, 2010 when my father died unexpectedly. 

Although pain and grief come from temporal separation it was immediately replaced with comfort. How can anyone feel comfort when dealing with the lose of a loved one? Knowing that I can be reunited with my father gives me all the reason to feel comfort during a time of tragedy. The comfort I felt that day was because of what our Savior Jesus Christ did for us. Christ broke the bands of death. He was resurrected.  Christ made it possible for all the children of men to be reunited with family in the next life. 

"Because Jesus Christ Broke the bands of death, all of the children of heavenly father born into the world will be resurrected in a body that will never die. So my testimony and yours of that glorious truth can take away the sting of the loss of a beloved family member or a friend and replace it with joyful anticipation and firm determination." -President Henry B. Erying

This knowledge gives me strength to endure. Comfort in times of tragedy. Hope to one day see my father and loved ones again. I'm sure you know someone who has past away. You don't have to suffer in grief. 

You don't need to live in darkness and fear of the unknown. All are subject to receiving a witness from the Holy Ghost of the truthfulness of Christ's Resurrection. 

Because the Savior descended below all things He knew how to help me rise above my difficulties. When the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of the world lie littered at our feet in pieces, the Savior's power and assurance can still make it possible for us to feel joy. Christ is a real person who walked the earth and lives in the heavens today. People were influenced by his teachings while he was on the earth and are continuing to be influenced by Him now. He lives! I can walk through life without fear knowing that Jesus Christ has over come the world. If you have not experienced the joy and comfort of the Resurrection of Christ, I invite you to ponder what the Savior means to all humanity and to you personally. And then share the good news!

Death is not an exclamation point, but merely a comma.

      David John Vincent Guzik

Died March 4, 2010

This blog post is dedicated in remembrance of my father David John Guzik. One day we will be reunited. Video Tribute (see link)

Learn More. Watch Mormon Messages: 

He Is Risen (see link)

Repentance a Positive Perspective

 

When I was younger I viewed repentance (What is repentance? see link) as a long excruciating painful process of changing habits I don't want to change. I cringed when I heard the word. Repentance. I don't wanna! I had a negative perspective. I was not committing any grievous sins that would cause me to be unworthy in the sight of God but I understood that I was not perfect. 
      

     I was an immature teenager and every now and then finding myself in trouble. At that time in my life repentance was like getting in trouble with my parents. Whenever I did anything wrong my parents grounded me. Repentance meant I did something wrong so it brought the same feelings of when I was grounded by my parents. Of course I didn't like repentance. I didn't understand it. 

As I grew up and focused studying Jesus Christ's Gospel in the scriptures. I developed in understanding. Not that I became a genius. Well, only if your comparing me to my teenage-self then, yes, I am a genius. My perspective on repentance changed. I realized repentance is positive. 

 It is much more then acknowledging wrongdoings. It is a change of mind and heart that gives us a fresh view about God, about ourselves, and about the world. It includes turning away from sin and turning to God for forgiveness It is motivated by love for God and the sincere desire to obey His commandments. I am so grateful for repentance. I am able to sincerely and sufficiently repent for my shortcomings and mistakes and receive forgiveness  This is possible because of Jesus Christ. I can repent and be forgiven. President Packer in the General Conference October 2010 address gives some great advice on repentance.

(Doctrine and Covenants 58:42) "Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more." "Even after confession and paying penalty's the most difficult part of repentance is to forgive ones self. Please remember that forgiveness means forgiveness." (Mosiah 26:30) "Yea as often as my people repent will I forgive there trespasses against me."

 

       Today is the day for repentance. It is a day to take a hold of our crumbling situations and change our lives as necessary. It is a great opportunity to fell the peace of repentance and the joy of forgiveness.  Nowhere are the generosity and the kindness and mercy of God more manifest than in repentance. My heart is filled with joy. I am grateful for knowing that my Father in Heaven does forgive. Repentance is positive. I know that Jesus is the Savior of the world and through Him we can repent and live with God again.




Learn more about repentance!!!

Mormon Messages:
You Will Be Freed
Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, all can be transformed, cleansed, and freed from addiction.

Straight to the Source. The Book of Mormon

I wanted to share with you my overwhelming gratitude for the Book of Mormon. I have read this book cover to cover 6 times in my life. What is in this book has changed my view on life.  It is not just a book of enjoyable stories but the words of God. The Book of Mormon has tremendously deepened my belief in God and Jesus Christ. A central purpose of the Book of Mormon is to convince all people that Jesus is the Christ. By reading the Book of Mormon I have grown in understanding of who my Redeemer truly is. What the Book of Mormon teaches is real.  The words in this book have healed my soul. Strengthened me. Helped me to press on in times of hard ship. The Book of Mormon uplifts. I am so grateful God still communicates to His children as I have learned from the Book of Mormon.

You may ask, How can just a book heal you?

It's not the Book that heals you, but how much closer the Book of Mormon brings you to your Savior. Your Savior heals you not the book. Have you read the Book of Mormon how it is intended to be read? Do you want to know if the Book of Mormon is true? If you do not have an answer, ask yourself if it's truth is a possibility. Is it possible the book is true? I suggest you read it. How can anyone form a trust worthy opinion for themselves if all they hear and believe is from a secondary source. The only way you can form a trust worthy opinion of the Book of Mormon is to read it for yourself. The early Mormon saints willingly gave up their beloved belongings and careers to follow the prophet Joseph Smith. Why would anyone put themselves through such hardship, unless they knew God was real. What is in the Book of Mormon is real. Joseph Smith was martyred because he testified of Jesus Christ. Why would Joseph Smith go to his grave over a made up story? All your questions will be answered if you just read it. There is a promise the prophet Moroni gives at the end of the Book of Mormon.

 Moroni's Promise:

3. Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
4. And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, if these things are not true; and if  ye shall ask with a sincere heart  with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

I know of the reality of Jesus Christ because I have read His words in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. I have felt the Holy Ghost testify truth to me as I have read. I have come to know the healing power of the Atonement Christ provides. All I want is for you to know likewise. Missionary's all over the world work tirelessly to persuade people to believe in Christ. 2 (Nephi 25:23) "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do."  I promise you that as you read the Book of Mormon you will better understand who your Savior Jesus Christ is. You will grow or even begin in your relationship with God. I know my Redeemer lives. Jesus is the Christ. I challenge you to do as Moroni says and ponder and pray in your hearts to know for yourself (whether you are a member of the Church or not) you can receive the same witness I have received.





The Book of Moron: An Introduction (see link)

The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and serves as a companion scripture to The Holy Bible. It draws people nearer to God.


Testimony From an Apostle of God:

• Elder Holland's Testimony of The Book of Mormon

Another Bloggers Testimony:

• Refocus, Al Fox

Awaken and Remember Your Duty to God.

(as Elder Hollend says, "Here I ask your indulgence as I take some nonscriptual liberty in my partial of this exchange." Bare with me as I summarize my studies with you.)

MAT 26:37-45 (to read verses see link)

I was reading in The Gospel of Mathew the other day where he writes about Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. After Jesus prays to God for the first time he comes back to find his disciples asleep. Jesus says to Peter, could you not stay awake with me for just one hour? If you look at the word "could", in the verse, under the Joseph Smith Translation it reads "are you so powerless that you could not stay awake with me." 

Peter falls into the mortal temptation of sleep deprivation. He is pulled from his duty, which is being with Christ, by falling victim to Satan's temptations and tricks. We are all victims. I'll admit it. It happens to me. What is holding you back from fulfilling your duty as a member of the Church?

How often do we "fall asleep" like Peter did? (meteorically fall asleep) How often are we distracted from our duty of building up Gods Kingdom? Satan works very hard to divert us from our purpose here on earth. If Satan can't fully divert us off course he uses other means to slow our effectiveness towards fulfilling our duty to God.  Today's message is about staying on course to fulfilling our duty's in the Church by not falling victim to Satan's tricks.

Strengthen Self-worth

Satan tries to destroy self-worth with negative thinking. Giving into negative thinking can cripple our self-worth and slow our effectiveness in fulfilling our duty to God. Satan attempts to have us focus on our own faults and short comings. Do not ever doubt your worth. Think positive. Be Positive. Remove from your mind how the world teaches you to think. (Proverbs 1:10) "...if sinners entice thee, consent thou not." Do not listen to those negative thoughts. Don't fall victim to this. Stay strong by praying to God for strength. I know it can be hard sometimes. I go through hard times but knowing that I can turn to the Lord through prayer for strength refuels my soul. Fight back!!!

During 11th grade in high school I had a football game against our school rivals. We dragged ourselves into the locker room after the 2nd quarter for halftime. The score board read 7-21. We had gotten our butts kicked all game long. The entire team sat in the locker room and not a word was said. We lost hope and doubted ourselves. I remember the coach got up in front of us and gave a speech. He asked us some questions that recharged our motivation and pierced our hearts. I'll never forget it. Our Coach said, Do you know what your capable of? Do you remember what we've achieved together before? After his speech we went on to win a come back victory 27-28.  



Imagine if the Savior was asking you these questions:

• Do you know what your capable of? 
• Do you remember what we've achieved together before? 

In the premortal life you choose to join Christ. (for more information see link) We have fought on the Saviors side before and won. You won the first battle and were given the opportunity to have a body here on earth. You are capable of so much. Start seeing yourself how the Savior views you.  "The greatest gift I could give you is for you to see yourself the way I do." "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." (D&C 18:10)  Do you know how much the Savior loves you? President Uchtdorf tells us why we matter to Christ in a talk published in the October 2011 General Conference, he says, 

"No matter where you live, no matter how humble your circumstances, how meager your employment, how limited your abilities, how ordinary your appearance, or how little your calling in the Church may appear to you, you are NOT invisible to your Heavenly Father. He loves you. He knows your humble heart and your acts of love and kindness. Together, they form a lasting testimony of your fidelity and faith." 

President Uchtdorf continues to encourage us,

"Please understand that what you see and experience now is not what forever will be. you will not feel loneliness, sorrow, pain or discouragement forever. We have the faithful promise of God that He will neither forget nor forsake those who incline their hearts to Him. Have hope and faith in that promise. Learn to love your Heavenly Father and become His disciple in word and in deed."

The  message  our  Church  brings  to  the  world  is  a  message  of  encouragement.  A  message  of  happiness.  A  message  of  hope.  A message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. As  members  of  the  Church  we  carry  this  message  with  us. Lift up you hearts. "Awake  and  arouse  your  faculties..."  (Alma 32:27)  Remember  who  you  are  and  who  you represent.  You  are  a  disciple  of  Jesus  Christ.  (3 Nephi 5:13)  I  wrote  this  post  so  that  you  may  awake  to  a  sense  of  your  duty  to  God. Do all you can in your power to magnify this mighty calling. Walk  blameless  before  Him  with  no regrets. You can receive all the Father has. I know this to be true.





A STRONG RECOMMENDATION

• You Matter To Him a talk given by President Uchtdorf 

Ways to Boost Self-worth:

• READ YOUR SCRIPTURES. Grow in knowledge to better understand your purpose.
• Live all the commandments of God
• Cast out negative thinking 
• Read some of Elder Callister's words on how to improve your self worth

Further Study: Alma chapter 4

"Thorn in the flesh"

Why does God allow suffering?

Personally, I have asked God this question many times myself. I would like to share a personal story of an experience I went through, hoping it may help you learn how to deal with trials you are currently going through. There are a couple of illnesses that I've been struggling with ever since senior year of high school. I have some liver and small intestine complications. It's an autoimmune (see link for definition of autoimmune disease) disorder in both organs. One of the illnesses is known as celiac disease.(see link for information on celiac)

The process for being diagnosed, finding the right medication and the correct dosage was quite the stressful process. During this time I went through a lot of physical and emotional pain. Dragging myself from doctor to doctor hoping for a cure. Never knowing if I could be "physically able" to eat gluten again. Not having answers to my questions killed my motivation and self confidence. Could I find the right medication? Will I be able to have a normal diet, or life? I did not know where to turn. I had hit a low point in my life. After realizing that God was the only thing holding me together, I began to study the scriptures more diligently, searching for the answer to my question.

Why does God allow suffering? I was reading in 2 Corinthians chapter 12 and received an answer to my prayers. The apostle Paul asked Jesus three times that a "thorn in the flesh" might depart from him. Jesus answers Paul in verse 9 and says,

"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."

Jesus's answer helps Paul realize at the end of the verse,

"Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

The Holy Ghost entered into my heart as I read and taught me that I may never be fully healed from my "thorn in the flesh", but if I have faith in Christ and rely on His Atonement He would give me the strength to endure my infirmities. Enduring with faith in Christ is what gave me strength to go on. 

So again the question, Why does God allow us to suffer? 

So we can learn to rely on the Savior, which enables us to grow spiritually and physically.  I realized if I exercise faith in Christ He could bless me with the ability to perform admirably with my mortal infirmities. I found a better doctor and he was able to get me on correct medication so I could live a normal life. I was able to do the sports and activities I loved once again. My prayers were answered. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second counselor in the First Presidency, tells us how to access the Atonement. He says,

"Having faith in Jesus Christ and in His Atonement means relying completely on Him-trusting in His infinite power, intelligence, and love. When we have faith in Christ, we trust the Lord enough to follow His commandments even when we do not completely understand the reason for them. In seeking to become more like the savior, we need to rely, through the path of true repentance, upon the merits of Jesus Christ and the blessings of His Atonement."

I was given infirmities so that I may learn to rely on the Savior's atonement and through the atonement I can grow spiritually. How great will be your reward in the eternities if you learn this doctrine in this life? This blessing is available to all people.

During my experience exercising faith in Jesus Christ, I have come to know that the Savior's atonement is real. We all must go through pain and affliction in this life on earth so we can grow.  I'm not telling you this story just to make you feel sorry for me. I'm only writing this article so that others can understand that there is always hope through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Through the power of the Atonement we can overcome whatever trial that entangles us. I invite you to exercising faith in Christ and be obedient to God's commandments. If you do so you'll access the incredible healing powers of the atonement that Christ has made possible for you.

Please watch and be uplifted by President Eyring's words.

MORMON MESSAGES:

Mountains to Climb

"Have ye inquired of the Lord?"

To advance spirituality and temporally we need to inquire of the Lord. Pray! There is a great example of how we need to inquire of the Lord in The Book of Mormon. (1 Nephi 15)  Nephi's brothers were gathered around talking with one another about their fathers vision. Nephi's older brother's didn't understand what their father had taught them concerning the gathering of Israel. Nephi walks up to them while their talking and says, "Have ye inquired of the Lord?" (see 1 Nephi 15:7) In order for Nephi's brothers to progress in understanding they needed to ask God in prayer. "knock and it shall be opened unto you." (see 3 Nephi 14:7) Prayer opens that door for revelation (see link for understanding revelation). When we receive revelation we can better understand our question to God. No matter what question we have we need to inquire to someone who knows more then us. I have an experience when I inquired to my boxing coach, who had more knowledge then me, for an answer to my question.

There was a time in my life when I was focused on improving my skills as a boxer. I would constantly push myself to improve by training and sparring with boxers who were better and more experienced then me. I remember a specific sparring session that helped me improve dramatically. I was sparring with a southpaw. A southpaw is a boxing term that designates the stance where the boxer has his right hand and right foot forward, leading with right jabs, and following with a left cross. It was my first time fighting up against a southpaw so I was not use to reacting to the acquired punches he threw. My opponent was punching me with a left cross. This punch I caught with my face. I didn't see the punch coming and it landed on my nose and knocked me backwards onto my back. With my stubbornness and competitive nature I would quickly get back up on my feet and continue fighting. And again he would hit me with the same punch landing me on my back. This continued three times in a row. My face was looking beat up with black and blue bruises surfacing on my cheek. After the third time I realized I could not beat him without some further guidance and instruction from my trainer. I inquired of my trainer. He gave me some coaching on how to counter my attacker. I returned to the sparring session with confidence and hope knowing I had a plan of attack. My opponent sticking with what was working threw the same left cross. I duct under the punch and countered with a punch of my own. My punch landed right on the side of his ear causing him to fall to the canvas. 
           

Nephi prays for guidance.
(see 1 Nephi 16:23  )

In my experience, I inquired of someone who knew more then me to help me improve in my boxing technique. Its a basic principal that if we ask someone who knows more then us we will learn from them. "O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it." (see 2 Nephi 9:20) God knows and understands everything. Imagine how much we can learn if we continually ask God for understanding. God can help us through anything. All we need to do is "knock". We all go through trials in life and God can help us but its our job to ask. Satan has "left crosses" that he throws at us causing us pain and affliction. We may have limitations like an illness that limits us from doing normal activities, the loss of a loved one, the burden of sin or any other trial we're going through. Sometimes we are in the mitts of a trial and don't have answers or understanding on how to over come it. There is always hope. If we ask God in humble prayer with all the sincerity and energy of our heart the Holy Ghost can provide coaching and guidance during our trials. Giving us strength to help us endure and answers to help us over come. With the Holy Ghost as our coach we can learn how to counter our opponent.

How do I recognize answers to my prayers? (see link below)

The Voice of the Lord
By: President Henery B. Eyring
First Counselor in the First Presidency

Thank you for Reading,

Elder Guzik

Connect with me on Facebook

Recognizing the Holy Ghost

         This holiday season I went caroling with about ten other missionary from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Our plan was to go out and bring the love of Christ to people by caroling and then offer them a copy of the Book of Mormon. The majority of people we caroled to that night kindly listened to us and gently took the book we offered. There was this one family that gave a different reaction and taught me something that night.

         

           All the missionary's and I went up to the door step. We knocked on the big wooden door. The sound of curious little feet scurried over to the entry way. The young girl cupped her hands and pushed her forehead against the glass to see who was at the door. At her excitement, she recognized us as Christmas carolers. The little girl began to yell, "Carolers! Carolers!" to inform everyone in the house that we where here to sing. The wife came to the door, her daughter begging to let us sing to them. The mother said, "well it is just about your bed time." "Please let them sing to us mom!" the daughter begged. The mother invited us in their home. We all stood in the front entry way preparing to sing. The family sat on the stairs by the Christmas tree facing us; a husband, wife and  their daughter. We then sang "Away in a Manger" and "Silent Night". As we sang you could feel the Holy Ghost fill the room. Their smiles where wide and bright as they all huddled together enjoying the delightful feeling. I know they felt the Holy Ghost, especially the little girl, buy they didn't recognize it as so. After we finished we introduced ourselves as missionary from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints then gave a copy of the Book of Mormon to the little girl. The daughter accepted the book with excitement in her eyes and thanked us for sing to her family. We then left and proceeded to the next house.

I learned something from Caroling that night. I need to better learn how to recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost in my life. It's such a great blessing to feel the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost can be with us all the time. The Holy Ghost is a gift from God and a companion to help guide us in the trials of life. How do I recognize the holy ghost? Doctrine and Covenants 8:2 tells us "Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart." Boyd K. Packer talks about recognizing the Holy Ghost in the Ensign magazine an article titled"Counsel to Youth", "The gift of the Holy Ghost, if you consent, will guide and protect you and even correct your actions. It is a spiritual voice that comes into the mind as a thought or a feeling put into your heart. It is not expected that you go through life without making mistakes, but you will not make a major mistake without first being warned by the promptings of the Spirit."  Recognizing the Holy Ghost comes more easily once we receive the Gift by the laying on of hands. Joseph Smith said, "There is a difference between the Holy Ghost and the gift of the Holy Ghost." The Holy Ghost can become a companion only through "proper and authorized baptism and is conferred by the laying on of hands. The gift of the Holy Ghost is the right to have, when ever one is worthy, the companionship of the Holy Ghost." As members we have received this gift through proper priesthood authority. It then becomes our duty to remain worthy of it, invite the Holy Ghost into our lives by reading the words of God in the scriptures and praying to God through Jesus Christ and then listen and follow the promptings we receive. Elder Richard G. Scott, an Apostle from the quorum of the twelve gives advice, "The more closely you follow divine guidance, the greater will be your happiness here and for eternity moreover, the more abundant your progress and capacity to serve." 

         Constantly striving to recognize the holy ghost is of great importance in my life. I know, through experience, understanding the promptings of the holy ghost can bless your life. Acting upon the promptings of the holy ghost has blessed myself more then I know or recognize. We will not receive blessings unless we act. I would like to invite all to constantly strive for companionship of the Holy Ghost recognize righteous promptings and act upon the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Doing so, god is bound and promises us blessings that will help you throughout your life.

Constantly Strive for Companionship
                    RECOGNIZE
                            Then
                          ACT

LEARN MORE:
Love, Joy and Insperation
by President Thomas S. Monson