Working in the Garden

Remember, when we were little and were told to "Stay out of our Grandmas garden"? There is a reason that grandma or our parents would say this, and that is so we wouldn't trample the plants or pick something we weren't supposed to. I was studying  about the Lord and his Vinyard and I found that the Vinyard is the world, the Lord however does want us to be in the Garden,( Jacob 5:15)And it came to pass that a long time passed away, and the Lord of the vineyard said unto his servant: Come, let us go down into the vineyard, that we may ^alabor in the vineyard.) He wants to be with us Just like our parents or Grandma, it is ok to go in the Garden with them, they will show us around, they will help us see the Beauty of it, but if we go into the Garden alone we start picking things we shouldn't and stomp on plants. The Lord had a Great purpose for the Garden, he used Olive Trees in His Garden, they all started out good, some not in the best of ground,but he gave all of the trees a fair chance. We might not think that we have a fair Chance, but the Lord gives us the opportunity to grow just like a plant would, it is up to us whether we allow him to "Dig about, Graft, Prune and Nourish" us.

 Jacob 5:29 And it came to pass that a ^along time had passed away, and the Lord of the vineyard said unto his ^bservant: Come, let us go down into the vineyard, that we may labor again in the vineyard. For behold, the time draweth near, and the ^cend soon cometh; wherefore, I must lay up fruit against the season, unto mine own self.

 The wondeful thing is the Lord wants all of his Trees in his Vinyard to bare "Good" fruit.  He Weeps, when he does all that he can and still the Tree has to be cast off.  What can we do to be the Tree that grows  good Fruit ?  Help, one another, Trees grow stronger when they are surrounded by each other, surround yourself with good, strong trees,  and allow the Master of the Vinyard to give you more strength. He knows what is best for all of us, pray and hear the words that he speaks to you personally.

First Descent

I am a Snowboarding Fanatic! Those who understand me, would agree that the Biography/ Movie First Descent   is one of the greatest movies to show extreme snowboarding. It starts out with Terje Haakonsen, Shaun White, Hannah Teter, and Shawn Farmer, in the peaks of Valdez Alaska. The title Definitely Fits the Movie, The peaks are so Jagged and steep, that as they are flown by Helicopter to their Destination, they have to Make "Their First Descent"

 My favorite is when they decide to ride the famous 7,601 vertical ft peak. When they get up there the wind is so strong, that the Helicopter can't stay around too long. At First the five of them are sitting on this peak, and they chicken out.

Throughout the movie, Terje Haakonsen has 7,601 on his mind, he knows that his trip wont be complete until he conquers this mountain.

  

All of us have a "First Descent", for some it may be a career choice, Lifestyle change, beliefs, or starting a Family. Much like Terje and the rest of the crew we are at our "personal peaks", we don't know which way to go , or what it is going to look like when we make that Descent. Terje was very smart about this, yes he did have guts, but he also had lots of resources They mapped out where he was going , in the movie they call it "Picking Lines". We also have to pick our lines in life. It can be as scary as standing on a peak and not being able to look over the edge, I know that we are not alone, we have many resources! No matter who you are, or where you are at,you can always pray. I'm sure Terje was praying for guidance, and it's great that he did because why not ask the person who created the mountain ? The same goes for us, God knows everyone of our "personal peaks", he has given us the opportunity to ride them out. Yes Terje did have to jump, and yes their were some pretty sketchy situations but as he picked his line, he knew where he wanted to go. He took his time through some of it and we will need to do that in our life, patience and prayer are the keys. I promise you that when you have made it through, you will have enjoyed the ride, maybe not all of it but as a whole.

Doctrine and Covenants 98:3

 Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant(promise) that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name’s glory, saith the Lord.

A Fathers Blessing

While serving my Father in Heaven, I have realized how grateful I am for Loving Parents, who taught me many life lessons. I recall back to past experiences of my life and I realize how many of those lessons were taught by my parents. Personally, both of my parents taught me how to be a hard worker. My father is a great role model, because of his example of hard work. If he wasn't in the Coal Mines, he was in the Garden,Car port fixing an Engine, or chopping wood.

Not only did i learn from his example, but from personal experience working side by side with him, regardless of how old, or what my capabilites were. Some of my favorite times were working on Vehicles, and Chopping wood. Those were the times, where I knew my Father knew me, and I knew him. We could confide in each other, and enjoy one anothers company while we were getting the Job done!

I realize now, that as I was doing my Father's work, I came to know him, his work became "our work". We had a great purpose, whether that was heating our house for another winter or allowing one of my Family members to have more transportation.

Life, for me is about having relationships, with Family, friends and especially My Father in Heaven and his son Jesus Christ, they are my Family! I know that just like my Earthly Father, My Heavenly Father has a work for me to do. In fact our Heavenly Father has a work for all of his children to do. We can know what that work is, by getting engaged in it! More importantly it will be the time that we know our Father in Heaven Knows us and we will know him. (John 7:17)

For those of you, who haven't had these experiences, or don't feel that you have a Father. I say that God is our loving Heavenly Father. He wants you to have experience, learn life lessons, confide in him, and get the Job done! (Moses 1:39)

What is our Heavenly Fathers work ? What is it that we should be Engaged in ? What is the greatest Commandment?

Jesus Taught "Love the Lord thy God with all thine Heart"and "Love one another". This past week we were able to hear the Prophet and the apostles speak of how we can help and "Love one another". Brothers and Sisters this is God's work, to Love one another! I know that as we go out of our way to help someone in need, share God's wonderful Plan of Happiness, or just talk to someone, we are in some small way doing a portion of our Father's work. I know because, I have been Fortunate enough to assist in my Heavenly Father's work and I invite all of you to assist as well.  King Benjamin  in the Book of Mormon invites us to do so.(  and now, if you ^dbelieve all these things see that ye ^edo them. (Mosiah 4:10) Brothers and Sisters the world will be a better place as we "Love one another".






http://lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2011/04?lang=eng