We believe God. What does that mean?

What is the difference between believing in God, and believing God? Well, I'm gonna put what I believe up on the shelf. You can take it down if you want to.
An article of our faith states, "We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God." In essence, we believe that what He says, is true. So when He says, "my works are without end, and also my words, for they never cease," He means it. His words never cease. That is why we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
The Apostle Paul taught the Hebrews, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." A prophet in the Book of Mormon adds his testimony of this eternal verity by saying, "And again I speak unto you who deny the revelations of God, and say that they are done away, that there are no revelations, nor prophecies... do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?" The Old and New Testaments are proof of God's revelatory pattern to His children. He spoke to people in days of old, and He continues to do so through His servants the prophets. He never changes, and His words never cease. This is why we believe in modern-day prophets. And we believe God. In my next blog, I'm going to talk about what I mean by modern-day prophets. So, stay tuned folks. Have an awesome day! And stay classy.
Elder Hill

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

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