medic-hoss-blog

[medic-hoss-blog]

Changed

Changed my blog to hosstomkinson.blogspot.com

[medic-hoss-blog]

How Much is Our Cost?

I have had a thought as I have been studying the life of Jesus Christ in our Come Follow Me lessons, and my religion class. That thought has been, “what is my cost, my price, for the Atonement of Jesus Christ in my life?” I had an experience a month ago that really caused me to ponder the relevance of this question.  In mid January I responded with my crew to a female patient in cardiac arrest. Early intervention by her husband, law enforcement officers, and the benefits of modern medicine, we were able to bring her back from “clinical death”. A month later, I was standing in front of a room of people with my team members and the family of this woman, and her, as her husband recounted that day and how grateful they were for us.  She was not able to talk due to the emotions that were so close to the surface for her. After the crowd had dispersed, I went to her and thanked her for coming, and that I could count on one hand how many times in the last 25 years of being in EMS that I had had this opportunity to speak to someone I helped save.  What she said next had a profound impact on me, “I don’t know what to say, thank you is not enough”. As I have pondered this response over the past month, I have often thought as if I could hear my Savior say to me, “make the most of what you have been given, don’t waste this given opportunity”.   I have thought that my response to Him when I see him again would be the same, as thank you just isn’t enough for the price He paid for me. 

The cost for me then has already been laid out, if I am willing to pay.  We are taught in scriptures what those payments consist of as he taught those here in the America’s after He was resurrected. 3 Nephi 9:20 “And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.” The words of Jesus Christ himself let us know what payment was required to cover our cost of what He did for us. If we were to look at those definitions, “contrite” in its original Latin origin, means to rub together, or grind down. The modern translation means to have a “feeling or expressing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt.” To break is to change it from its original or chosen course or state. I know that if I put it in those terms, that it seems a pretty simple task to follow the payment plan and pay back the cost by using the plan of repentance, but at times easier said than done.  

How do we show that we are willing to make those payments, even if we are far behind? The beauty of the Lords gospel is that he will accept payment anytime we are willing to start.  Once we are willing he is willing to teach, love, and accept us as we are.  As we work towards conversion in the truthfulness of gospel he will magnify our efforts. Elder D. Todd Christofferson taught these steps in a talk “When Thou Art Converted” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2004/04/when-thou-art-converted?lang=eng 

I hope to be able to look my Savior in the eye and show my gratitude for what he did for me, by how I represented Him in my life. I am willing to pay the cost. 

Hoss Tomkinson 

[medic-hoss-blog]

Come Unto Christ; Ten Principles

I have been working on an assignment to put together 10 principles that I have learned from studying The Book of Mormon the past couple of months.  As I pondered this assignment, I realized how hard it was to just pick 10. I tried to focus on the ones that have helped me come closer to my Savior Jesus Christ. 

Principle #1 There is only one way to get back to our Father in Heaven. Alma 38: 9 And now, my son, I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness. Principle #2 We must meet as a church and people often to be  strengthened.  And invite all to come unto Christ. 3 Nephi 18: 22 And behold, ye shall meet together oft; and ye shall not forbid any man from coming unto you when ye shall meet together, but suffer them that they may come unto you and forbid them not;                                    Principle #3 We must make and keep covenants, as we are a covenant people.                                                                                                                  3 Nephi 20: 25 And behold, ye are the children of the prophets; and ye are of the house of Israel; and ye are of the covenant which the Father made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham: And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. 26 The Father having raised me up unto you first, and sent me to bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities; and this because ye are the children of the covenant—

Principle #4 Search the scriptures and follow the teachings and testimonies of the prophets. 3 Nephi 23: 5 And whosoever will hearken unto my words and repenteth and is baptized, the same shall be saved. Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things. Principle #5 We must pray always so that we can be protected from temptations. 3 Nephi 18: 15 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by him.

Principle #6 We must be strong in our Temple and Family History so that we can have our families together forever at the last days and not be lost. 3 Nephi 25: 1 For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. The Lord said He would send Elijah before the Second Coming to restore priesthood keys that would allow families to be complete—both roots and branches. In 1836 the sealing power was restored, and it provides the way for families to be eternally linked (see D&C 110:14–16; 128:18). However, the proud and the wicked will be burned up and left without either root (ancestors) or branch (posterity), leaving them cut off from their family and the sealing blessings. (Book of Mormon Study Manual) Principle #7 We can be happy, despite our circumstances, as long as we are keeping the commandments and living the laws of God.   Alma 50: 23 But behold there never was a happier time among the people of Nephi, since the days of Nephi, than in the days of Moroni, yea, even at this time, in the twenty and first year of the reign of the judges. This was even during times when they were having great wars and loss of property and life.

Principle #8 A sincere testimony born of the knowledge of something gained by faith, and born in honesty, can be more powerful than anything else. Alma 30: 39 Now Alma said unto him: Will ye deny again that there is a God, and also deny the Christ? For behold, I say unto you, I know there is a God, and also that Christ shall come.

Principle #9 Samuel, the Lamanite, taught us by example that, if we build upon the Rock of our Redeemer, and have a sure foundation, “we cannot fall”. I also see this in today’s society as our prophet and members stand against the world, we have stones and arrows cast at us as words, but nevertheless, they are angry to be called to judgment.  If we continue to build our testimonies, and be converted unto the Lord, building a strong foundation upon the rock of Christ, we will be strong and not fall. Helaman 5:12 and Helaman 16:1 Principle #10 Our Lord Jesus Christ set up his church on multiple continents during his time here on earth. Then he restored that gospel today.  This was taught us not only in 3 Nephi, but also in the Gospels of the New Testament.  Even today we learn from our modern day prophets and apostles. Elder Dale G Renlund shared today, March 14, 2019 “Why did God direct His prophet, President Russell M Nelson, to assemble all of the ordained Apostles (the First Presidency and the Twelve) to the Rome Italy Temple dedication? Many answers have been given.

But, as we posed in front of the Christus statue, with statues of the Apostles Christ called and commissioned during His mortal ministry, I recalled these words of Joseph Smith: “The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.”

This was the testimony of Apostles in Christ’s day; this is the testimony of Apostles in these latter days. We testify of the Living Christ and the Risen Lord, that resurrection is not metaphorical, that salvation is possible through Christ. The Savior directs the affairs of His living Church. As living Apostles stated in the year 2000, “God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.”

They testify now as they did then. God has not stopped giving guidance to his children on earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6G1CtoJqQU&feature=youtu.be

[medic-hoss-blog]

Search the Prophets

I am loving how learning how to search and study the scriptures, has deepened my understanding and insights to them.  Fully using all the recourses available to us through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, gives us such a greater depth in learning.  Here are some thoughts as I studied the direct teachings of Jesus Christ to the ancient America’s after his resurrection.  

3 Nephi:5 And whosoever will hearken unto my words and repenteth and is baptized, the same shall be saved. Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things. This scripture references the way, and means, that need to be followed to return to our Heavenly Father.  The last sentence in the verse is a direct commandment from Jesus Christ himself too, search the scriptures, the teachings of the prophets of old and of modern day, and to seek those teachings that testify of Him and the teachings of salvation and the plan of happiness to be able to return home to Him. Even though these people were being taught face to face, one by one, by the Savior himself, he exhorted them to search and study the prophets through scripture. I think when reading this verse, that if I apply the Book Of Mormon study skill Symbolism, which states “Symbols are helpful in understanding scripture. They teach with power, they are used to teach abstract ideas, they span time, culture and language, and they provide levels of understanding. Symbols more often suggest rather than represent.” We can bring this verse deep into our everyday life and attitude towards learning, following, and strengthening our testimony of Him.

One of my favorite testimonies of our Savior Jesus Christ was given by President Gordon B. Hinckley. After watching and hearing his voice there is no doubt in my mind that he personally knows his Savior. I hope you take a couple of minutes to watch it.

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-05-1510-testimony-of-gordon-b-hinckley?lang=eng&_r=1

[medic-hoss-blog]

How Near to God am I?

It is truly amazing what inspiration you can get from listening to and reading talks from past years, some older than I am.  I love being able to rub shoulders with others that are seeking the same path as I am, and learning from their experiences and thoughts.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ has had much more meaning to me since I have put in a greater effort to learn and apply His principles in my life.  I write this post not in the least to condemn others, but to put forth observations that have paralleled my journey in life.  I have noted as of late that there are more and more people that are in opposition to the stand that is being made by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on certain topics.  What I have found more interesting is what I have learned while reading council given by former leaders of the church, that mirror what we are doing now.  One of those talks was from 1958 by Elder Eldred G. Smith, Patriarch to the Church, titled “How Near to God Are You?”.  This is one reason why I chose the title I did for this post.   

In Job 38:4-5 we read; “4. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. 5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?”  Sister Wendy Nelson said “But, just for a moment, imagine the effect on your life right now if you were permitted to watch 10 minutes of your premortal life. I believe if you could see yourself living with your Heavenly Parents and with Jesus Christ; if you could observe what you did premortally and see yourself making commitments--even covenants--with others, including your mentors and teachers; if you could see yourself courageously responding to attacks on truth and valiantly standing up for Jesus Christ, I believe that every one of you would have the increased power, increased commitment, and eternal perspective to help you overcome any and all of your confusion, doubts, struggles, and problems. All of them!” 

What a wonderful thought.  So if we believed and fought for it then, and we claim to be followers now, then why aren’t we? These are the questions that Elder Smith asked of us, and I also asked of myself when I read it; 

I wonder how many of us who are members of the Church draw near to him with our lips, but our hearts are far from him. Are we near enough to pay a full tithing? Are we near enough to keep the Word of Wisdom? Do we attend our Sacrament meetings? Do we do our ward teaching? Do we partake of the Sacrament and covenant to keep his commandments, and then keep them? Do we go to the temple to be sealed as husband and wife for time and eternity? Do we have peace, love, and harmony in our homes? Or are we like the ten virgins the Lord referred to of whom only fifty percent would measure up to come into his presence?

I try not to read comments on news articles, one because they are not very nice, and second it saddens me at the comments made in anger and ignorance, as people claim to be strong followers of the church, but at the same time oppose the church. A more recent talk given by Elder Bruce R. McConkie in October 1984 said;  “On every issue it behooves us to determine what the Lord would have us do and what counsel he has given through the appointed officers of his kingdom on earth. No true Latter-day Saint will ever take a stand that is in opposition to what the Lord has revealed to those who direct the affairs of his earthly kingdom. No Latter-day Saint who is true and faithful in all things will ever pursue a course, or espouse a cause, or publish an article or book that weakens or destroys faith. There is, in fact, no such thing as neutrality where the gospel is concerned.Jesus said: “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathered not with me scattereth abroad.” (Matt. 12:30.)

I think that if we haven’t, we need to start now, to follow the guidance of our prophets, and the warnings of past prophets as recorded in the scriptures.   I just hope that I can continue to be humble enough to re-evaluate where I am at on a spiritual level, and as long as I believe that the church is true, I will be true to the church.  If we believed and fought for it then, we should not stop now. 

Hoss Tomkinson

[medic-hoss-blog]

Are We As Salt?

Studying in 3 Nephi 12:13 this week I became interested in looking at how salt and its properties relates to me. That verse states,“Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the salt of the earth; but if the salt shall lose its savor, wherewith shall the earth be salted? The salt shall be thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men” (3 Ne. 12:13).

Elder Carlos E. Asay wrote in a talk called According to the Historians; “Salt at one time had religious significance, and was a symbol of purity. … Among many peoples, salt is still used as a sign of honor, friendship and hospitality. The Arabs say ‘there is salt between us,’ meaning ‘we have eaten together, and are friends’” (The World Book Encyclopedia, 1978, 17:69). He continued on to say, “A world-renowned chemist told me that salt will not lose its savor with age. Savor is lost through mixture and contamination.”

So if we are to be good salt and not loose our savor, we need to try and stay uncontaminated.  I look at things in my life that have caused me at times to lose my savor, then reflected on how difficult it was to try and get those contaminates back out of my life.  Like we are taught time and again, that it is easier to avoid and not get contaminated in the first place, than trying to clean it up later.  I look at the constant stream of entertainment, news, candy crush, and voices that are constantly trying to dilute my spiritual salt.  

I have come to realize, that life itself, can lose its savor or flavor, if we forget the things that are truly important to us. God, Family, and Service must come first. We must work overtime these days to keep our supply of salt within us pure and uncontaminated.  I do this by reading scriptures, listing to our modern day Prophets and Apostles everywhere I go, a constant prayer in my heart and on my tongue, and applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ every day, sometimes every minute. 

There were so many other great parallels that Elder Asay brought to his talk and hope that you will take time to listen and ponder its meanings and how it can improve your life. 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1980/04/salt-of-the-earth-savor-of-men-and-saviors-of-men?lang=eng

Hoss Tomkinson

[medic-hoss-blog]

The Seven Stages of Grief

In my profession I have become very acquainted with the stages of grief when it comes to losing lives and property.  In fact, I have been a personal witness to all 7 stages in the matter of minutes, and in a constant loop. For those unaware of the stages, I have included them with a brief description, that you can also find in any psychology book.              Stage 1 – Shock, An emotional paralysis on receiving the bad or unwanted news.   Stage 2 – Denial, Avoiding the truth and instead seeking out a false alternate, preferred reality. Stage 3 – Anger, Emotions previously under control, boil over, in part due to lack of control.                                                                                                              Stage 4 – Bargaining, A desperate plea for a resolution, even reversal, to the bad news.                                                                                                                    Stage 5 – Depression, Realizing the inevitable truth of the bad news and thus feeling hopeless.                                                                                                  Stage 6 – Testing, Trying to seek out realistic solutions to the bad news.        Stage 7 – Acceptance, Emotionally accepting the bad news and finally moving forward with a plan. Although these stages are mostly associated with extreme events in our temporal lives, I would like to explore them as they have also had a part in my spiritual life.  As you looked through the stages, could you imagine your feelings or thoughts when you have had a spiritual or temporal event that has tested your testimony? I look at the story of Jonah in the Old Testament, when he was called of the Lord to go to Nineveh. Can you look at that story, and apply those seven stages, and how many times he went through them in those 4 chapters of Jonah? How many times have we been called of the Lord to serve, repent, or be humbled, and instead went through those seven stages as if we were grieving? I know for me it is when I realize that I was wrong and don’t like to admit it. Do you think that Alma went through those stages as he was rejected in Ammonihah? In Alma 8:13-14 we read, “13 Now when the people had said this, and withstood all his words, and reviled him, and spit upon him, and caused that he should be cast out of their city, he departed thence and took his journey towards the city which was called Aaron. 14 And it came to pass that while he was journeying thither, being weighed down with sorrow, wading through much tribulation and anguish of soul,” I know that each one of us at one time or another has been rejected or turned away and hurt, thus going through the stages of grief, trying to come to grips with reality and pain.  I love how Jonah and Alma teach us that even though at times we may doubt and have questions of why and what we are doing, in the end they did as the Lord directed. I think we need to be more like Alma though and after we gone through stage 6 and tested different solutions through prayer, scripture study, and receiving personal revelation through the Holy Ghost, and then we reach stage 7. Alma 8:18 “Now it came to pass that after Alma had received his message from the angel of the Lord he returned speedily”. I hope that all of us can use that example and “return speedily” to a healthier and more spiritual place.

Hoss Tomkinson

[medic-hoss-blog]

The Litmus Test

Most of you may be aware of what a Litmus Test is.  It is a test done with litmus paper to determine whether something is acidic, or alkaline. In the dictionary it also has a definition of, “a decisively indicative test”.  A great teacher once referred this to a test we can do on ourselves to ask any question we might have and need a true answer. He taught that we can lie to anyone but ourselves, so we should look at ourselves in the mirror and ask honest questions that we can only be truthful in answering to ourselves.  Like a litmus test, this is a decisive test there is no other answer than it is one, or the other. Are we truthful with ourselves?  As I listened to a talk given in church today, the speaker asked if we see people as who they are, or who they could be? As I pondered this, when we look in the mirror, do we see ourselves as who we are or who we could be? Does our reflection show us that we are a son or daughter of God? Do we reflect back the Light of Christ that is within each of us? If not, then what do we need to change in our lives, in our habits, and in our commitments. 

At the end of 3 Nephi 12 the Lord taught as he did at the end Mathew 5 that we should be perfect even as God and Jesus Christ are perfect. Does that mean that we can never do anything wrong”? If we look up some definitions of perfection we might find that it also means to “become whole”, and we become whole by being in a constant state of repentance, putting off the natural man.  Also Jesus put those verses at the end of those chapters, because he taught us the patterns of how to be and become like him. In Moroni 10: 32-33 we are taught that if we come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can become “holy, without spot”.  Elder Holland also taught that perfection most likely won’t come in this life, in his talk from October 2017 “Be Ye Therefore Perfect-Eventually”.  He also stated “To put this issue in context, may I remind all of us that we live in a fallen world and for now we are a fallen people. We are in the telestial kingdom; that is spelled with a t, not a c. As President Russell M. Nelson has taught, here in mortality perfection is still “pending.””

So when you are performing your personal litmus test, remember that even in an imperfect state, we can still have the light of Christ in us, and must be willing to let it shine. Mathew 5:14 -16 states“14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  When you see your reflection remember, YOU are a Son or Daughter of God. You have his light in you. Be honest with yourself first, and let His light warm your soul, then give that light to the world. 

Hoss Tomkinson

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/10/be-ye-therefore-perfect-eventually?lang=eng

[medic-hoss-blog]

Dealing with a Spiritual Crisis?

I have been thinking a while on how I have gotten through life with its many ups and downs, and still be able to feel somewhat in control.  I wished that I could say that I have always been a strong, valiant, and unwavering disciple of Christ. Or do I? I raise that as a question, because I don’t believe that I could be where I am at today, if I had not had the challenges, questions, and Spiritual Crisis’s that I have. Recently a dear friend of mine shared a talk by Elder Neal A Maxwell that was given at BYU-I when I believe it was still Ricks College back in 1981. A version of this talk would be given by him at BYU as a devotional also.  As he talks about what we must do to remain upright, we need to be grounded, rooted, and established.  

As I have pondered this, I had been feeling the pressures in my life mounting as I have put more emphasis on becoming a better disciple of Christ, and feeling that as many new changes have come to the Church lately, that Satan has also increased his attacks. Then in this talk, a prophecy was quoted from Brigham Young where he said “that the Church would spread, prosper, grow and extend, and that in proportion to the spread of the Gospel among the nations of the earth, so would the power of Satan rise.” So what I have been feeling was not only prophesied by a Prophet of God at the beginning of the Restored Church of Jesus Christ, but continues to be taught and prophesied by modern day prophets and apostles. In a talk given in April 2017 called “The War Goes On” by Elder Larry R. Lawrence, he quoted the same prophesy along with other revelatory insight. Elder Lawrence taught “The premortal war was fought with words, ideas, debate, and persuasion (see Revelation 12:7–9, 11). Satan’s strategy was to frighten people.” Elder Lawrence also taught why we fought, saying “Why did you and I fight against the devil? We fought out of loyalty. We loved and supported our Father in Heaven. We wanted to become like Him. Lucifer had a different goal. He wanted to replace the Father (see Isaiah 14:12–14; 2 Nephi 24:12–14). Imagine how Satan’s betrayal hurt our Heavenly Parents. In the scriptures, we read that “the heavens wept over him” (D&C 76:26).

So how do we survive this Spiritual battle that we are faced with each day? I think that these two talks along with teachings in the scriptures give us the answers. Satan has NOT changed his tactics from the beginning battle in the premortal life. He is using words, ideas, debate, and persuasion to pull us away from the Fathers plan and go for His.  I also now, relate different to the word Contention, since we are taught that Satan is the Father of contention.  I used to just think of it as arguing, and fighting, but now also look at it as, confusion, questioning to the point of disbelieving, stirring us up to anger rather than leading us to find correct answers. 

So back to my first question of “Or do I”? A lifetime of questioning, searching, doubting, stumbling, and believing has brought me where I am today.  Looking in, some might see a polished easy going ‘no trouble’ life, but on the inside has been strengthened with screws, scare tissue, baling wire, and still some open healing wounds. I wouldn’t have the strength I have today if I hadn’t been tried and tested.  Like a story by President Gordon B. Hinckley about the tree he planted and left, only coming back years later to find that it had bent to the wind. He then had to make some radical changes to save it, likewise we might need to do the same. We also need to be aware of the warning signs that we are seeing today, and not be as those that ignored the signs that they knew to be true in 3 Nephi. 

Hoss Tomkinson

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2017/04/the-war-goes-on?lang=eng&_r=1#note3

https://byui-media.ldscdn.org/byui_ft/devo_audio/1981_04_07_ADV_Maxwell.mp3

[medic-hoss-blog]

Being Prepared

In my readings this week, it was amazing to see all of the parallels with our day as we are preparing for the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It is amazing to be able to look and study the playbook of the Adversary. But how often, do we recognize his attacks in our lives? Some times it is obvious when he makes a play right up the middle, but once in a while we miss the quarterback sneak, or the reverse around the opposite side. The caveat to this is that Satan also knows our playbook, so we need to make sure we have studied and know our plays so well that they come to us without thinking.  We need a strong front line of defense as Lachoneus taught in 3 Nephi 3:14, and had his people built fortifications around and about them.  This is our first line of defense, strengthened with prayer, scripture study, studying the old and modern teachings of prophets, and as President Nelson said, “learning how to receive personal revelations”. We then need our secondary supports to guard against the hell-mary pass, these are our family, friends, and local church family and leaders.  If we are prepared, we can also be as those great righteous leaders that we read about in the Book of Mormon, where it states in 3 Nephi 3:12, that if we are just and true, we "cannot be frightened".  

Hoss Tomkinson

[medic-hoss-blog]

Where we are built brings us strength

It seems I am tested every day, sometimes every minute, and mostly in my mind where I stand. As I have studied the Book of Mormon lately I have been able to draw many parallels to my life. When I read this verse last week it gave me a great visual on the power of standing strong and being protected.

Helaman 16:2 But as many as there were who did not believe in the words of Samuel were angry with him; and they cast stones at him upon the wall, and also many shot arrows at him as he stood upon the wall; but the Spirit of the Lord was with him, insomuch that they could not hit him with their stones neither with their arrows.

I believe that this is visual proof of Helaman 5:12 where it states that if we build upon the Rock of our Redeemer, and have a sure foundation, “we cannot fall”. I also see this in today’s society as our prophet and members stand against the world, we have stones and arrows cast at us as words, but nevertheless, they are angry to be called to judgment. If we continue to build our testimonies, and be converted unto the Lord, building a strong foundation upon the rock of Christ, we will be strong and not fall.

Hoss Tomkinson

[medic-hoss-blog]

Not As it Seems

Well here it goes, starting off my first blog attempt. We will see how it goes.  This isn’t an up for debate blog, just a this is how I lift myself back off the ground blog.  I have strong belief in God, and in his Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. I firmly believe that without each one of them in my life, I would not be where I am, let alone get through each day.  Part of my posts will be some things that I am sharing in my religion class, and some will be just a what I have learned today sort of things. For my first post I am referring to 3rd Nephi in The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ. This is one of my favorite places in the Book of Mormon, because it deals directly with the coming of Jesus Christ and the correlations to our time today and getting ready for his Second Coming.  At that time there were robbers throughout the land killing and stealing and just not being good. As today Satan is on of those robbers that is working on killing and stealing our spiritual peace.  Here is what I wrote in my exercise this week.  

Hoss Tomkinson