It's true isn't it. Then what else matters?

    I wish too talk today of a situation that many people we meet face.  It is that of, fear of losing certain things for the gospels sake.  These fears go for many things:  Family rejection, broken friendships, activities not in harmony with the gospel.  Sometimes people even get to the point where they have a burning testimony of the Gospel and yet choose not to follow due to these reasons.  We as recently as last night talked with a man who faced this situation, his family did not approve of his decision to follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We talked for a long time with him, then upon returning home a story from one of our prophets came to my mind.

                                                     

Gordon B. Hinckley spoke of meeting a young naval officer from Asia. The officer had not been a Christian, but during training in the United States, he had learned about the Church and was baptized. He was now preparing to return to his native land.

President Hinckley asked the officer: "Your people are not Christians. What will happen when you return home a Christian, and, more particularly, a Mormon Christian?"

The officer's face clouded, and he replied: "My family will be disappointed. . . . As for my future and my career, all opportunity may be foreclosed against me."

President Hinckley asked, "Are you willing to pay so great a price for the gospel?"

With his dark eyes moistened by tears, he answered with a question: "It's true, isn't it?"

President Hinckley responded, "Yes, it is true."

To which the officer replied, "Then what else matters?"

      What else does matter?  We know that Jesus is the Christ. He is resurrected. In our day, through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the priesthood of God has been restored. We have the gift of the Holy Ghost.  We know that the promises of the Lord are certain and will all be fulfilled.

       We all have things that do matter to us, and these things are very important.  We must have trust though that the command our Savior to follow him will bring eternal blessings, and that the things we must do or give up to follow him will all be worth it.  

                                                 

      I love the example of Peter and Andrew when the savior invited them to "Follow me: and I will make you fishers of men."(Matt 4:19)  then after this simple invitation "they straightway left their nets and followed him."(Matt 4:20).  then after this the response of James and John when the Savior called them. "They Immediately left the ship and their father and followed him."(Matt 4:22)

       These men left their careers and even family members at the simple command of the Savior to follow him, he gives us this same simple invitation.  Will we be as obedient as Peter, Andrew, James and John? 

He and we

       Today I am letting Elder Hobson write my post for me, so enjoy!!

      Recently, I have been pondering on a certain principal I will start by using a scripture. In 2 Nephi 31:10 a prophet named Nephi explains why our Savior was baptized and why it is so important to follow his perfect example. Nephi actually had the privilege of envisioning an account of Christ's own baptism. During this same experience he also hears some of Christ's own words. "And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me." Many other times throughout the scriptures our Savior Jesus Christ asks us to follow Him. Now, why does he ask us to follow him? In every case it is because of His pure love for us. In every case it is for our benefit and for the benefit of those around us. He knows what we should do; He has done it all (3 Nephi 27:21). He knows perfectly how to succor us because he perfectly suffered for us (Alma 7:11-12). He is the perfect example.

                                                               

        I am going to somewhat change the pace now by using two other passages of scripture. In 1 Nephi 8, Lehi (Nephi's father) has a prophetic dream concerning mainly his own family and the world. In verses 5-9 Lehi is asked by a man in a white robe (Jesus Christ) to follow him. Later, he finds himself traveling in a dark and dreary wilderness while following Christ. Lehi then states he had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, he began to pray unto the Lord that He would have mercy on him. His prayer was answered and he was relieved from his discomfort. Now, hold this thought.
                                                    

        In Matthew 14:28-31 is the account of Peter walking on the water. 28. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him.
                                                           

        Ok, let's try to wrap this up now. Christ is the Lord and He has given His ALL for us. He invites us to follow him in every way. Is it hard? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes. Growth means growing pains. Lehi and Peter were both asked to follow Him. In both accounts they experienced "suffering" and "discomfort" and in both cases they asked for the Lords help. Their prayers were granted as our prayers can be granted during our life's trials. I receive comfort from knowing that whenever I am following in the footsteps of my Savior, He is right in front of me leading the way and when I feel like falling He will turn around and pick me back up every time I feel too weak to carry on. I testify that He has truly given his all for all of us. He can be with us always if we choose it, if we follow Him. How much closer could you get to anyone than by following them? I love Him, I want to be with Him.