Savior, Redeemer of My Soul

Savior, Redeemer of my soul,
Whose mighty hand, hath made me whole,
Whose wondrous power hath raised me up
And filled with sweet my bitter cup!
What tongue my gratitude can tell,

Oh gracious God of Israel.

Never can I repay thee, Lord,
But I can love thee. Thy pure word

Hath it not been my one delight,

My joy by day, my dream by night?
Then let my lips proclaim it still,
And all my life, reflect thy will.

O'er rule mine acts to serve thine ends.

Change frowning foes to smiling friends.
Chasten my soul till I shall be
In perfect harmony with thee.
Make me more worthy of thy love,
And fit me for the life above.

If I had to describe how I feel about Jesus Christ and the Atonement, it would be in the form of this beautiful, and most sacred hymn. I testify of the purifying, and enabling, power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Test it out in your own life. Turn to the Lord, and he shall heal you. Jesus Christ is my joy, and my song. I know that He lives. I know he will come again.

To Bless the Life of Another

Last night I was on my knees. I've been worried and concerned about a few things, and last night it became all too overwhelming for me, and I had to take it to the Lord. While praying, a feeling of peace came and I was filled with gratitude for a loving Heavenly Father who provides us with the Gift of the Holy Ghost. While talking with my Heavenly Father, the thought came to read Alma 17. Great. Love that chapter. It's when Ammon and the Sons of Mosiah begin their missions. I thought that was an appropriate reading assignment.

"Except a man be born again..."

I have recently had the occasion to reflect on the concept of being "Born Again." Indeed, as a missionary I have been asked on numerous occasions if we, as member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint believe in being born again. In response to this question, I pose a question of my own. Are we not Christians? Do our beliefs not all center in our Savior, our Redeemer, the Prince of Peace, the Holy one of Israel, the Son of God, even Jesus the Christ?

Come and Fear Not

I believe in miracles. Maybe you do also. I've seen enough of them in my life to know that they exist, and they remind us of God.

"And who shall say that Jesus Christ did not do many mighty miracles? And there were many mighty miracles wrought by the hands of the apostles. And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles." (Mormon 9: 18-19)

5th Grade Hero

One of my most important lessons was taught to me in the 5th Grade by a fellow classmate named Katie Kellog. I have never, nor will I ever forget who she was or what she taught me. This is a lesson on forgiveness.

The Atonement 2

Jesus Christ was not forced to perform the Atonement and offer his life as a ransom for many. Rather, through exact obedience, charity, love and humility, he perfectly aligned His will with the Fathers, thereby securing our salvation as well as our hope for the future. In order to qualify for the most precious gift, we too must follow in the footsteps of our sinless older brother and align our will with that of our Father in Heaven. Each child of God has the potential to take advantage of the Atonement and therefore partake in all that the Father has- but we will use our agency to get there.

The Atonement 1

124 years before the birth of Christ, there lived a man named Benjamin. This man was a king, as well as a prophet. He was "a just man before the Lord." (Omni 1:25) He knew that he was about to die, and being filled with a great love and concern for his people, he commanded them to gather together so he could address them one final time. King Benjamin built a tower so that all who were there could hear him speak, even the little children.

Jeremie Flanigan

There once was a place called Kalispell, Montana. In fact, if you travel about 450 miles north west from Billings you may still find it. In that little town lived a man; his name is Jeremie Flanigan.

Testimony

This is not going to be profound. If you are looking for something life changing, or earth shattering, I can direct you to somewhere else. But once again like Nephi, here I write the things of my soul.


Recently, I have been thinking a lot about a testimony. By definition, a testimony is a witness that we gain through the power of the Holy Ghost of spiritual truths. It can come in many ways. I've been thinking of the different ways that my own testimony has been strengthened.

 And he [took] upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he [took] upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." (Alma 7:11-12)

It really happened. Jesus Christ atoned for the sins of the world. Because of this, he perfectly knows how to comfort, and succor each of us, because he experienced it first. I testify that through Jesus Christ we can be cleansed from sin. He has the power and the capacity to heal whatever ails us. I have felt the reality of that power in my life time and time again. Christ lives.

Each and every child of God can know this as well. It comes through the power of the Holy Ghost. I invite all to study the Book of Mormon, and with real intent, as God the Eternal Father in the name of Christ whether it is not true. By the power of the Holy Ghost, I testify and promise that you will receive a witness. It may not come all at once; it may come in a variety of different ways. But it will come, and you will come to know that Jesus is the Christ, and that his church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is on the earth today. It was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith, and God still speaks to us today. I add my witness and testimony that these things are true. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Lifting Burdens

This is my favorite Mormon message. It is so powerful, and I testify to the truthfulness of it. No matter what our burden is, I add my witness that He can and does heal us. There is nothing that we cannot overcome; no burden to heavy to bear. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is real. I will shout it from the housetops. He lives, and because this an eternal truth, we can live forever in peace and happiness because of His sacrifice. Jesus is the Christ. He is the son of God. He did come the the world in the Meridian of time to redeem His people from their lost and fallen state. He gave is life, and bore all of our sins, pains, and infirmities. I testify to His merciful power. I have felt it abundantly in my life. I know He lives. I know He loves us. Let Him heal you. In the sacred name, of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Restless Nights

Last night was the worst nights sleep I've had in a long time. I tossed and turned all night, could never get comfortable, and could never seem to shut my brain off long enough to allow sleep to overcome me. I rolled over, and bright red numbers reading 3:02 stared back at me from my alarm clock. Laughing a little bit, I thought to myself, "Well... I must be a princess..." as the memory of the childhood fairytale The Princess and the Pea filled my mind.

A young prince was looking for a fair princess to wed. He searched high and low all throughout the kingdom looking for his royal bride. Yet, he could never find a maiden of royal birth. One night, while a terrible tempest was raging outside, there was a knock at the castle door.

Choose This Day

This is one of my favorite mormon messages. I always have good intentions to serve others, and make the most of what the Lord has blessed me with, but often times I fall short. How grateful I am for the reminder of living prophets that it is up to us to choose to serve God today. I testify that as we serve with all of our heart, might, mind and strength, we will be so blessed. We will come to feel the redeeming love and power of our Savior's Atonement. Truly, He lives!

My Brother, My Hero

Meet my brother, Recruit Cooper Buchanan. Currently, my hero. In October of 2010 Cooper entered boot camp for the US Marine Corps. Growing up, I remember telling my brother specifically, "Don't you ever join the military!!" I loved my brother, and didn't want anything to happen to him. The military meant battles, war, guns, fighting, and fatalities. 13 years later, Cooper was signing a contract and planning a future career with our country's finest.

Epic Adventures

Preparation Day. Monday. P-Day. Day of Rest. However you look at it, Mondays are blessed days in the life of a missionary. As missionaries we devote all of our time and attention to serving the Lord, and in return, find no greater joy. However, it's nice to have 8 hours each Monday to take care of the necessary things. Such as shopping, cleaning, and dodge ball. Essentials.

When I was serving in Kalispell this past summer, Sister Ivie and I got a phone call saying that next P-Day we were going to take a little field trip. We would be heading to Big Fork to go hike Mt. Aeneas. We were so excited to embark on this adventure of all adventures. We traveled to the base of the mountain with 10 other missionaries where we would begin our climb. I was ready to prove to all of those Elders that I wasn't a wimpy girl; that I could climb a mountain with the best of them.