The Bro Code: An Eternal Truth

The most important rule of the Bro Code; bros first. I'm not speaking
to solely the brothers, this standard is applicable to everyone :) In
any instance, your bro or your girlfriend have your back and you have
theirs; validating each other's awesomeness! Just imagine being at
that party wanting to go up and introduce yourself to someone you see
across the room, don't you want a wingman? Whether trying to impress
or defend, it always goes better as a duo.

A bro is someone that you can constantly lean on, someone to trust.
How can you know? Knowing the right people is always a challenge, but
there are always two bros who have each other's backs, because two are
better than one right? You couldn't ask for a better combo, KJV Holy
Bible and the Book of Mormon.

The Bros...

THE KJV BIBLE:
A record of Jesus Christ's coming, ministry, and gospel to the Jews.
We learn so much about how Jesus Christ came to save each and everyone
of us, from the vilest of sinner to the self proclaimed perfectionist.
Christ knows you. As he said in the book of John, He came to fulfill
all righteousness. If we read the Bible closely, we get a first hand
account of the great sacrifice that Christ made for us so we can live
again.

THE BOOK OF MORMON: ANOTHER TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST
Ever wonder who the "other sheep that I have that are not of this
fold" that John 10 :16 talks about? The Book of Mormon holds the
answer! Learn more about Jesus Christ's love extended throughout the
entire world. No matter where you are, there you stand in life, or
where life's journey leads: you can know that you loved by our
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. What would you do to know that God
loves you unconditionally?

We know how things are: people may diss the truth. Through everything
though, you and I can't deny that Jesus Christ is our Savior. He died
for you. Whenever there is a doubt that Christ wasn't our savior,
crack open the scriptures.  You won't be disappointed. Bros have each
other's backs. You can't go wrong when talking about Christ,
especially when you have the Bible and The Book of Mormon.

Only the BEST! You and Your Car.

Pre-rinse, suds, scrub, rinse, clear coat, and wax. There’s no better feeling to pull out of the car wash with your baby looking its finest. Look out world! Only the best for the Maserati’s we all drive. Well okay, I guess I’ll have my trusty bike and city bus for now. Everyone knows that guys love cars, it’s a bro thing. My last mission companion, Elder Openshaw, came up with an awesome analogy for baptism and confirmation after four weeks being out in the mission field that anyone, especially car enthusiasts like myself can appreciate and relate to. 

I’ll try to paraphrase my brilliant mission companion’s parable.

Baptism and Confirmation is the works option at the car wash. Baptism literally washes all of our mistakes away the same the pre-soak, suds, undercarriage wash, and rinse removes all the dirt, bugs, and road film. Confirmation (receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost or as many know him as the Holy Spirit), compares to waxing your prized possession. No way would you want all of that effort in cleaning the car go to waste! 

Genius! When I heard this I knew that there was a way to understand Baptism and Confirmation the way that our Heavenly Father intended it.

Baptism: To try to add my own two cents into this analogy, I decided to image my future Farrari. You wouldn’t want just any Junior High soccer team car wash fundraiser laying hands on that beast of a machine, now would you? Only the most qualified hands are going to wash that! Same thing works with baptism. There are people who hold the authority (what’s known as the priesthood), to wash you clean of all your mistakes. Only the finest for your four wheeled baby and you!

Confirmation: Now time to seal the deal. Status symbol and you are now completely clean. We now need to keep all that illustrious paint that money can buy and your spirit protected from the elements. Heck no to those little bugs and road film! Confirmation works the same way. Skilled white gloved  hands, lovingly apply wax to keep the car’s showroom gleam. Heavenly Father provided the Holy Ghost (sometimes referred to as the Holy Spirit), as a constant companion to help us know which roads to take and which to detour.

So what are you waiting for? Throw the cover off your prized coup and hit the streets. Elder Openshaw couldn’t have said it better. Baptism and confirmation are as simple as getting the works done to your car.

From the Beak of a Penguin

So we dashed through the snow in a one horse open sleigh, fa-la-laing all the way to grandmother’s house. Christmas season brought so much joy and wonder as we celebrated the savior’s birth. The Christmas trees have been taken out to the curb, the twinkling lights turned off, and the ugly Christmas sweater rests in the closet, waiting to wreak havoc next holiday season. With the past year behind us and the new one still entering the horizon, I start to think about penguins. Penguins? What the heck do penguins have to do with anything? A good friend recently described penguins to me as searchers on a quest. I think we can all emulate the penguin at times. We (myself included), tend to wander or as missionaries refer to it as “Wanda,”  the search for artificial happiness, a temporary fix. I definitely don’t want to be a penguin.

How do we keep ourselves from becoming as the penguin? How do we set a course to prevent “wanda?” I know that I have a terrible sense of direction; luckily, Heavenly Father is there every step of the way to help us on our spiritual journey. Thankfully he inspired someone to invent the GPS, for our geographical journey. Heavenly Father’s directions trump any Garmin or Tom-Tom though; he gives us commandments to help set our end route to eternal happiness, a forever fix.

Rules? Why do I want something that is going to hold me back? Isn’t life better with less boundaries? Unlike the rules that society places on us, commandments are God’s way of showing that He loves us. Imagine if mom didn’t tell you to keep your hands off the nice warm stove or didn’t mention not to play in the street with all of the bright and shiny cars? What if everyone else was doing it? It might seem tempting for the kid has never experienced the aftermath of a burnt finger or putting a dent in someone’s bumper. Mom and dad wouldn’t want you to go through the pains of not knowing these small, but important things. God works the same way. He gives us the commandments, and then it’s our turn to decide to listen or go play in traffic

After we get past the council of a two year old of not playing in the street or touching the stove, what comes next? It’d be pretty important to learn more than that, right? Times are way different than in the Bible or Book of Mormon: wouldn’t God still speak to us? Just like playing in traffic holds true at any age, our Heavenly Father provides more council and commandments when we are ready. There is so much more in the world today that didn’t even exist ten years ago. Living by modern commandments such as the Word of Wisdom, and the Law of Chasity go such a long way!

Never feel alone or that you have to roam searching for direction. Heavenly Father has your back; no matter what struggles we face or the obstacles still to climb. Always rest assured that if we follow the commandments God provides, nothing proves impossible. Even though those difficult days may come, in the end it will be alright because we have God on our side. You never have to feel like a wandering penguin when you have the commandments.

Snowflakes That Keep

This time of year, the days go from crisp to icy; leaves fall and the world prepares for a new year and a new beginning. While all of this happens snowflakes start drifting from the clouds, blanketing the city with Christmas snow. You think to yourself in awe and could wonder, “it takes all of these individual snowflakes to cover the city.” Snowflakes are a lot like people, it takes all personality types, interests, and occupations to makeup this world.

Snowflakes come down individually, just as different personalities grace us with their presence. Snowflakes though different have much in common just like people; no matter who or what a person is, we all need love, attention, and the knowledge that God is there. It truly takes all types to make up this world, and each individual benefits society in their own way. Just imagine a world full of Jo Shmo’s wearing nothing but grey suits and driving black Ford Focuses. How lame would that be? Diversity means everything! Don’t forget it. You have the ability to shine wherever you stand. Whether you are the most talented contract signing athlete, if music is your gig, or even if you just like math, everything is needed for the world to mesh together. Truly it’s all up to one person whether you shine or not; go look in the mirror and give that person a smile. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise, choose to be you. Doing so enables you to do so much more while achieving greater happiness.

Why am I the way I am? We missionaries get this question constantly. There are many true answers that we could give, but one stands above the rest, we are children of God. He knows us personally from the other side. Heavenly Father knew about your likes, dislikes, and life’s ambitions. God knows you every step of the way.

How can I reach my fullest potential? Right at the start, look within. Ask yourself questions like: “am I being true to myself,” “do I sacrifice my standards and morals to fit in,” “how can I avoid temptation, from doing things I know I will regret down the road?” We will not always provide ourselves with perfect answers every time (I certainly don’t), but always try your hardest. Faith in Jesus Christ empowers us to strive more diligently and eventually conquer our dragons! 

 

Look at yourself and realize where you will stand with faith in Jesus Christ and a renewed sense of self purpose. In a world of ever changing social acceptances and ever shifting moral standpoints, we cannot let up. Occasionally we may slip up, but Jesus Christ’s always has his hand extended to help us up. We choose whether we let him or not. It is by Him that all points of self-confidence and self-worth come into play. Now is the perfect time to start the journey; starting the journey for me proved to be a challenge, but now provides lasting peace. No two identical snowflakes fall from the sky, and no two individuals ever prove exactly alike. It takes all designs of snowflakes to cover a city at Christmas time, the same way it takes all types of personalities to make up this world. This Christmas shine as the snowflakes, know who you are and embrace it!

Think Gratitude!

What is the real reason for this time of year? What comes to your mind when autumn rolls around? This time of year has always been my favorite; not just because of my birthday, the holidays, nor the food. Every year as long warm summer days turn icy and short, I like to think about the all of the things I am grateful for. I reflect on this question: how can we show our gratitude for His undying love? Gratitude goes into three parts: recognition, demonstration, and finally, passing it on. All of these things come back to one person though, you.

Becoming gratuitous begins with the recognition of a blessing. We can’t do anything without knowing a blessing exists! Take just a moment to reflect on all of the blessings the Lord has given you. Sometimes the world makes us feel like we don’t have enough, yearnings for speed boats and new cars creep into our minds if we don’t keep ourselves in check. These desires for material objects prove trivial. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ teaches us in Mosiah 2:20-21

I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another—

 I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.

The words of the prophets given to us by our Heavenly Father teach us how to recognize His gifts and apply them into our own lives.

New horizons open up with just the simple recognition of blessings. We in our good fortune need to radiate gratitude in different ways other than simply remaining in a state of inward thanks. A smile extends further than you could ever imagine. Start a domino effect in a positive way, gratitude is one act that reciprocates itself. You could be the one to change it all!

In addition to radiating happiness, think about how we can show our benefactor our gratitude. Your Heavenly Father loves you past comprehension, and yearns to see your success come in leaps and bounds. He provides us with the necessary skills and abilities that aid us on life’s fantastic journey. Wouldn’t you want to show the man who made it all possible your thanks? The climax of the bible story of Christ healing the ten lepers remains vivid in my mind because of the outcome. Only one leper out of ten returned to pay due thanks. We need to be as the one leper; always in memory as to the origin of our blessings. Without Jesus Christ we are nothing; with Him we are everything. This principle becomes ever increasingly vivid as we read ponder and pray to know that the scriptures are true: both the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon.

The admonition of Christ empowers us. When we act as him by passing it on, we bring all aspects of recognition and radiation into an ever-expanding scheme. I simply phrase it, “If something good happens to you, pass it on and keep it going.” A one liner proves so much in so little. How has someone’s generosity blessed your life? How have, or can you bless others?

The Lord offers us so many blessings! One blessing trumps everything though; Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, stands supreme. Christ’s eternal message proves even more important today as we face societal and cultural deviations from time honored traditions and standards. Our Heavenly Father loves you so much that He sent His Son to atone, or pay for all of the mistakes you and I will ever make. He felt unimaginable agony wrack his body as he suffered in the garden of Gethsemane. Christ after preserving through unimaginable pain, endured crucifixion on Calvary’s cross for you. Why? Why wouldn’t he save himself? Jesus Christ knew that His sacrifice was the only way we could ever live together again on the other side.

Christ knew the value of eternal families. He wants you to live with Him and God again. I think to myself in awe and amazement at the realization that someone would suffer himself through insurmountable pain, torment, and finally die for me. How does this make you feel knowing that Christ cares so much for you?

When times become strenuous, when relationships seem on the brink of crumbling: think of the savior. When you get the dream job, when a new baby comes into the world, or when even it is a nice day outside: think of the savior. Setting our thoughts, words, and actions towards Christ puts everything into a greater perspective when we get the bigger picture. I know this to be true. Faith and gratitude in Jesus Christ pull us out of some of life’s biggest challenges. May God bless you and your family this holiday season, as you remember the real reason for the season.

-Elder Grant Callahan

What Happens After This Life: God’s Eternal Reward for You

You want the best for your children or future children. I think of my parents working so hard to provide, “the best.” They always wanted to reward us for listening and making correct decisions. Mom always liked to see a smile from a reward, rather than the opposite. God, our Heavenly Father works and feels the same way; He loves you and wants to reward you for making correct choices. He provided us with the proper tools and equipment for you to succeed in becoming like Him. We go through trials and tribulations that define us as individuals and mold us into more capable people. We choose whether to say in line with God’s teachings or go astray. We, through our Heavenly Father reach our grandest potential or the contrary. Heavenly Father is there, the only variable in the choice making equation is you.

At the conclusion of a race or competitive event come the awards to the top performers, each individual preformed to their fullest potential and excelled. God’s plan is no different: except, there is no limit to the number of first place finishers. Mainstream Christianity teaches that our final destinations after this life rest in either Heaven or Hell. We know that more destinations await us on the other side; are all people considered exemplary or the opposite, is there any middle ground? To start things out, when an individual passes on, they rest temporarily in a place called the spirit world. The spirit world consists of two sub-destinations: spirit paradise or spirit prison. This is where the misconception of Heaven or Hell comes into play. One waits in either location until the second coming of Jesus Christ. Once Christ comes again our Father in Heaven judges our deeds. Judgment is an opportunity to reflect on our lives and to see firsthand the atonement of Jesus Christ (He suffering for our sins and dying on the cross). We are saved in Christ. “Being saved” entitles us the opportunity to rise as Christ rose: a perfected being. We will be judged. Judgment analyses how we applied Christ’s sacrifice in our lives.

To get the full image of the judgment of God, think of rewarding a small child’s proactive behavior. The parent has the top reward for doing what, “mom asks.” If the child doesn’t pay full heed to the first request, but does as “mom told you:” a lesser reward follows.  Think of the child who simply chooses to do nothing. He or she receives no special reward, but mom still allows them to live under the roof she provided for all of her children. God wants to rewards he children in the same fashion. Like any parent, He wants to give us the top reward. It is our choice if we earn it or not.

There are three destinations, or “kingdoms” constituting God’s reward system. The bible explains in 1 Corinthians 15:40-43 KJV

40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

Verse forty one lists the three kingdoms in regards to the sun, mood, and stars. What are the qualifications for each?

Celestial Kingdom (Sun): Accepting fully the Gospel of Jesus Christ and making necessary covenants (a two way promise between you and God). Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ reside here. This is the kingdom where families live together forever; there is no limit on the number of people  who can live here.

Terrestrial Kingdom: A place for those who love Jesus Christ and lived honorable lives. They did not accept His full gospel.

Telestral Kingdom: A place for those children who did not do as the Father asks, by remaining voluntarily in sins and inappropriate action.

Despite varying individual/ cultural circumstances, all individuals will have the opportunity to learn of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel before judgment and have an equal chance to accept or decline.

To receive the magnitude of blessings Heavenly Father has in store for you comes sacrifice, dedication, prayer, and action. God has us do difficult tasks, and we see miracles as a result. His tasks pose more difficultly than Mom’s request to “clean your room,” or “take out the garbage.” God’s tasks have more reward than temporary gratification; God’s rewards are eternal. What would you do to receive all of his blessings? Are there some things to change? We pose as our only variable; God stands constant. What will you do?

What comes next? Life Continues After Death

“What comes next?” “I don’t know what to do?” Many of us find ourselves questioning in situations of tumult and distress, such as the passing of a loved one. At the moment may feel alone, as we all would.  In any situation God always has a plan for you, your family, and the loved one. Heavenly Father wants those tender moments of going on late summer bike rides and playing catch in the park to stay vivid in your mind. Why? The good moments never have to end. What would you do knowing that these old memories and ones yet to come continue into eternity? Death does not prevail; families can be together forever.

The moment you see a dear friend or relative slip from one side to the other side truly tries one’s faith. I know how you feel; I have been there. Temporarily, all of your earthly activities and pursuits with that individual go on hold; this may seem like the end, but it is not. When one passes on, their body will rest peacefully on the earth. In contrast to what happens to one’s body: the spirit of the individual (often referred to as the soul), continues to live on in full glory. When one passes on, they bring with them the knowledge accumulated and refined in this life, over to the next side. An end result, they never forget you: the same way you will never forget them.

We still ask, “Why must all things end?” Before delving deeper into this difficult question, think of an apprenticeship or an internship.  What is the purpose of both? The result that comes from shadowing a master ends with both personal refinement and real world experience. If you have ventured down either one of these pathways, you know how strenuous and arduous the position poses. After going through the ordeal, do you want to be the intern or apprentice forever?  Wouldn’t you want to be endowed with knowledge in your desired field when it ends? God takes the same stance on our earthly lives; He does not want you to struggle forever! He does want you to go through a refiner’s fire and develop Godly attributes that will aid you later on.

We know all things must end, where our end route? Mainstream Christianity teaches that our final destination is Heaven or Hell. We know that more than these two destinations await us on the other side. Wouldn’t you think that there would be more places for all of the people on the earth rather than just two places? God has a reward system set up for His children to reward them for their use of Jesus Christ’s atonement, versus simply than giving eternal happiness or eternal sorrow. God is equal and just in His dealings. He knows everything; everything will be sorted out by him.

 The tragedy that death poses will not prevail forever. More await you as you center your lives on Christ and refine yourself. Emulating Godly attributes as simple as faith in Jesus Christ, hope, virtue, and humility prepare you to meet your maker. Do all that you can to receive your fullest reward. He never judges where you begin; judgment is based on where we end. Live up to your fullest potential; there is more after death.