The Lord always sends us battle buddies

When we left the presence of our Heavenly Father, He never wanted us to journey through this world alone. We need support, encouragement, and often times guidance from those around us. That is, in part, why Eve was given to Adam. "It is not good that the man should be alone." (Genesis 2:18)
For those times that I get a wild hair and want to exercise, I need a workout buddy. Someone to push me and keep me from dropping the bar and darn near killing myself.
In the military, a soldier will have a battle buddy to watch his back and give him the strength that he needs. Well, throughout our lives, the Lord gives us battle buddies.
The Book of Mormon gives an account of a man named Amulek. Amulek tells us, "I am also a man of no small reputation among all those who know me; yea, and behold, I have many kindreds and friends, and I have also acquired much riches by the hand of my industry." (Alma 10:4) In other words, he was a pretty popular guy! Not only that, but he grew up as a follower of Jesus Christ. His father was a "believer," so consequently that is what he was familiar with. Nevertheless, he wasn't a righteous man. One day, an angel appeared to him and said, "Amulek, return to thine own house, for thou shalt feed a prophet of the Lord; yea, a holy man, who is a chosen man of God." (vs.7) This man, was Alma, a prophet. Amulek obeyed the angel's command, and so began the history of these two amazing missionaries.
Alma was sent to Amulek, among other reasons, to save him from his wicked ways. The Lord knew what Amulek was capable of, and sent one who could help him reach it. These two men of God proved to be the dynamic duo of the Book of Mormon.
I can think of a few "Alma's" in my life that the Lord has sent to me. One of which is my best friend, who is on a mission in Russia. He has saved me on more than one occasion, and has been a huge strength to me. He is a man of God. And I will be eternally grateful for him.
On the other side of the coin, the Lord will call upon you to be an "Alma" for someone else. We must respond to the call without hesitation. So I will end where I began. Our Heavenly Father never intended for us to do this alone. We all need a battle buddy. And there will always be someone who needs us to be their "Alma." That is what the Savior of the world would do. I love you all. Stay classy.
Elder Hill

Parents: a light to the world

I absolutely love my family! They are awesome and I will be forever grateful for them! On earth, family associations can be the source of some of our greatest joy. Mine most certainly is! Satan is attacking the family on many fronts, and too many families are being destroyed by his efforts. We believe that families are ordained of God. And as such, they have a vital role in our Heavenly Father's plan.
The Book of Mormon contains so many stories about the influence of parents on their children. A Prophet named Nephi stated, "having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father." (1 Nephi 1:1) Nephi was an incredible man who was a vital instrument in the hands of the Lord, many times. Another man named Enos, stated that his father was a just man, who taught him in the 'nurture and admonition of the Lord.' (Enos 1:1) Enos had an incredible trust in the Lord, and did so much good for his people.
Parents, if you think we, your children, don't remember the things you have said to us countless times, consider this example: "And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world." (Alma 36:17) Remembering the things his father, Alma, had taught him about Christ, he was able to pull through the dispair he was in. He clung to the words his father had said to him. Parents, we need your counsel and your testimonies. There will be days where we have nowhere else to fall, but on your faith.
Now moms, you have a huge impact too! Consider this example: "Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them." (Alma 56:47)

God has established families to bring happiness to His children, allow them to learn correct principles in a loving atmosphere, and prepare them for eternal life. We are here, together, for a reason. The Gospel of Jesus Christ enables us to understand the roll we have in this divine social unit. Parents truly are a light to the world. At least, to their family. The world needs more parents who will not put their light 'under a bushel, but on a candlestick.' So that it may give 'light unto all that are in the house.' (Matthew 5:15) I love you all. Stay classy.

Elder Hill 

It rains on the just and the unjust alike

So there I was, semi-reclined back in a magnificent sofa, it was about 8:00 o'clock, and I had a box of crackers at my side (Special K to make me feel good about myself.) In this blissful moment, I found myself reading the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew chapter 7. I've read it countless times, but this time something stood out to me that never really has before.
The Savior gives a short allegory about two men: a wise man, and a foolish man. So who are these fellas and what happens to them? "Whoso heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock." (Matt 7:24-25) The wise man here, built his life on Jesus Christ and His teachings. The foolish man didn't harken to the Savior's counsel, and he 'built his house upon the sand.' Well, "the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it." (verse 27)
What stood out to me this morning, that I guess never has before, was this: both of them were battered by the elements! Even the wise man had to face the intense adversities! The Spirit then wispered to me, we can't control the elements, but we can choose where we build. He, "sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matt 5:45)
I have a firm testimony of the promise given by Helaman, a Book of Mormon prophet, to his sons: "when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." (Helaman 5:12)
This topic is something I have discussed before, but I have never looked at in this light. Even when we are closer to the Lord than we have ever been before, these trials come. Be patient, and stand firm on that foundation. He will deliver you. We must learn to dance in the rain. Have a great day and stay classy my friends.
Elder Hill

In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

I wanna pose a question to all of you, that I have been asked SO many times. If we have the Bible, why do we need the Book of Mormon? Well, I wanna give you one of the many answers that I know for this question. I will do so by an illustration given by Elder Tad R. Callister.
"How many straight lines can you draw through a single point on a piece of paper? The answer is infinite. For a moment, suppose that single point represents the Bible and that hundreds of those straight lines drawn through that point represent different interpretations of the Bible and that each of those interpretations represents a different church.

What happens, however, if on that piece of paper there is a second point representing the Book of Mormon? How many straight lines could you draw between these two reference points: the Bible and the Book of Mormon? Only one. Only one interpretation of Christ’s doctrines survives the testimony of these two witnesses."

My friends, God doesn't want us to be confused about what is expected of us. There is but one way we follow the Son of the Living God. Only one Gospel of Jesus Christ. If God was casual or lenient about the scripture's interpretation, how easy would it be for the enemy of us all to carefully lead us away and grasp us with his everlasting chains?

"In the mouth of two or three witnesses (The Bible and the Book of Mormon) shall every word be established." (2 Cor. 13:1) The path has been marked. Marked, by the feet of Him who has trodden the wine press. With this duo, there are no questions as to where He walked.

I wanna hear some feedback so please, let me know what you think or if you have any questions!

Stay classy.

Elder Hill

For the full adress see http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-book-of-mormon-a-book-from-god?lang=eng