JSH

Today, in Sunday School we talked about Joseph Smith, reading Joseph Smith History 1:1-26. I love Joseph Smith History and Doctrine and Covenants. I love learning about the history of the church. It is such a testimony builder for me. And it just makes me shake my head when I think about the people who say Joseph Smith was a phony or something. When I read the Book of Mormon and think about how Joseph Smith translated it and that some people can say he made it up it just blows my mind. I don't think anyone who has really read the Book of Mormon can honestly say that it isn't true and that Joseph Smith even made up one word.
When we talked about the first vision today and how people didn't believe him when he told about his experience it just made me think. How could someone believe in Noah, Moses, and other prophets of old and then say that it wasn't possible for Joseph Smith to receive a vision. Where, in the Bible or any other place, does it say that God will no longer permit for people to have visions? Sure, Noah saw him and was told what he must do but Joseph Smith? Why wouldn't he have been able to be visited by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
We talked about "coincidence's" and how they weren't really coincidence at all. Joseph Smith's family moving to New York for one. I didn't know that they lived in Vermont and then there was a volcano causing ash to spread and crops to die making it so that Joseph Smith Sen. had to move to New York and his family later followed. They moved to New York not knowing they were only 3 miles from where the plates were buried. God knows what he is doing. There is a plan for everything.
It is amazing. Heavenly Father knows what is going on, knows what will happen, knows what we need and where we need to be and when. We just need to remember to trust him. Sure, that means not knowing a lot of the time and having to have faith that things will work out. That can sometimes be the hardest thing we can do; trust in the Lord. And maybe that is the biggest lesson we are here to learn. We are tested all the time but that is the biggest test, I think. He tests us in order to see how we react. Do we ask him for help? Do we put all our faith and trust in him? That's the real test. It's simple, just trust the Lord and ask for help, but that does not mean it is easy. It is never easy. But whoever said it would be?
When Joseph Smith was in the sacred grove and Satan came upon him that must have been the most horrible thing Joseph could have experienced. He could have just given up, surrendered to Satan and let the evil take over. But instead he prayed. And knowing how I am when I am in the middle of something scary, he probably prayed harder than he ever had before. I think that not only shows that yes, Satan knew what he was doing and was trying to stop him, but also that Heavenly Father was testing him. Would he cry out for help in that situation? And that's what we need to do. Maybe instead of saying, "why? Why would the Lord test me like this?" we need to say, "I trust you, Lord, I trust you to help me through this." It isn't fun and it won't be easy but with his help we can make it through anything.
"I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it."

Sweet California

If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

I thought this was a good blog to do today because lately all I do is complain about the weather. I am so sick of the snow and even more sick of the cold. I'm tired of waiting for my car to defrost in the morning. I'm tired of having to bundle up just to get the mail. I love Utah, I really do but this is a very bad winter. Sadly, I like the winter's where it snows once or twice and then it turns to spring. I know, that isn't good because then we have a drought in the summer but I am so sick of snow.
My birthday wish is for all the snow in my yard to be melted before my birthday. I need warmth. Which brings me to where I would live if I could live anywhere.
When asked this question in the past I have had the same answer, and still do.

Carmel, California

I swear it is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been to. Grated, the houses I admire there are priced in the millions, but they are gorgeous. Right on the rocky coast, surrounded by tall tree's and flowering foliage. Breath taking. And no snow.
Also, it is only about 30 min from my favorite vacation destination, Santa Cruz, California. When I was younger my family took a few vacation's there. Some of the best memories and most fun times I had. Santa Cruz beach boardwalk is all you need in a vacation. Shopping, food, arcades, rides and rollercoasters, the beach, the pier, ice cream, our hotel - right across the street from all of that, the pool. Heaven.
So, I figure living just half an hour away from the touristy city would be nice. More secluded. And the drive is amazing. The road takes you right along the shore line which is covered in rocks and trees. We have driven it at sunset and it is gorgeous.
And the best part of living in California, besides the ocean and beach....NO SNOW!! No freezing temperatures. No scraping ice off your windows. No wearing 10 layers of clothing. No sitting on the couch, next to the heater all day because you are too cold to move. No shoveling sidewalks. No slipping on ice.
It has been a very long time since I've been to California, over 2 years! That is just crazy for me, I used to go at least once a year. I guess that's what happens when you grow up and stop going on family vacations with your parents. Finding time and finding money is a lot harder now. I wish we could go this year but I am due to have a baby in June so I don't know how much vacationing we will be able to do.
Cheers to California and warm weather, may it soon be upon us here in Utah.