Seek, and ye shall Find

He is always Calling! Do we come?

There is truly nothing greater then declaring the Gospel of our Lord, and savior Jesus Christ. What greater way is their to find Peace, Happiness, Salvation, Eternal Families, Hope, Faith, and Love. A prophet in the Book of Mormon named King Benjamin stated the following "And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent. (Mosiah 3:17) He has truly done everything for us so that we can return to live with our Father in Heaven, and all we need to do is follow his perfect plan. As I have gone around from place to place while serving in the Florida I have noticed that there are many yet that still haven't found the fullness of the gospel. So many individuals are so very close, but they are missing simple truths (Its like having a puzzle and missing one piece) .  There has always been one puzzle or there has always only been one true Church, the quest we are on is where is the full and complete puzzle (or Church)?

From the beginning of time there was one Puzzle, or one way and a path set that we must follow to come unto Christ. There has always been One God, One Faith, One Baptism (Ephesians 4:5) so we know that the our Father and Heaven made it simple ONE WAY not millions.Now the question is are we on the right path, and does that path we are on have the proper authority from God. We know from the scriptures that one needed to be ordained of God to establish and preach his gospel. You can't just go to school or wake up one morning and say that God called you to be a prophet it doesn't work that way. The same goes with wanting to be a police officer if you weren't called by the state our country you reside in to be an Authorized officer, then you have no power to arrest or take control of any situation. See the following scriptures that speak of receiving proper authoritarian (-I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations, Jer. 1:5 - he ordained twelve, Mark 3:14 -I have chosen you, and ordained you, John 15:16 -fasted and prayed, and laid their hands, Acts 13:3 -ordained them elders in every church, Acts 14:23 -with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery, 1 Tim. 4:14) We can see that when Christ was here he established a system of authority and organization. I know that today that same orginization has once again been reestablished on the earth. I know that the truthfulness of the gospel has been restored, and that no person, people, or nation can stop the work of the Lord. The Prophet Joseph Smith stated the Following: “The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; … the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”
I know that this work is sweeping the earth, and I implore all to come and find for themselves. Come and hear and see the Gospel (Good news), and when you hear and see it don't blindly believe ask God the Father in the name of Christ; and he will tell you if it true!!!
P.S. Sorry I got all preachy but sometimes you just wake up and want to go on the corner of a street and scream the message to the world. I wouldn't suggest doing that because most people look at you like your crazy, and to be honest you probably are if you are doing that.

Together Forever

       There is nothing better then seeing two individuals make the steps to enter into a covenant with the Lord. I was very honored to have the opportunity to see the marriage of two individuals that are very important to me. It has been so much fun to watch them grow and change to become closer with the Lord. You begin to see everything in their very personality, and outward appearance change. It is as if someone has not only polished them and turned on the all glowing awesomeness of life, but you see the happiness illuminating from them. On the Other hand it is sad to see how the world treats the sanctity of marriage. I have seen the world treats marriage more as an inconvience then anything else, and its easier to be single and living together then married. We know that marriage is fundamental in a relationship between a man and a women. The Lord has told us today through his Prophet, and Apostles that "The First commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We Further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between a man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife." (The Family: A Proclamation to the world) How grateful I am that the Lord has given such incredible advice on the importance of marriage, and the relationship between a man and a woman. I have been given the great privilege to have been raised in a Family where both my Mother and my Father honored, and cherished the covenant that they made with each other. It is because of their great example that I want to raise my children in the same environment. Marriages are not something that is just a requirement, it is a sacred responsibility that is to last for time and all eternity. It is only within the walls of the Lords Holy house that we can receive the sealing powers of Heaven. I love the primary song that says:
"I have a family here on earth. They are so good for me. I want to live my life with them for all eternity. Families can be together forever through heavenly fathers Plan. I always want to be with my own family, and the Lord has shown me how I can. The Lord has shown me how  I can. While I am in my early years, I'll prepare most carefully, So I can marry in God's temple for eternity. Families can be together forever through heavenly fathers Plan. I always want to be with my own family, and the Lord has shown me how I can. The Lord has shown me how  I can." (Families can Be together Forever)

       How awesome is that! Families can be forever I know thats true, and I am going to do everything I can to enter into the Holy Temple so I can be married to my wife (whoever that may be) for time and all Eternity!!! Thank you to my dear friends that were a great example to me to be married so that they can receive the blessings the Lord wants to offer them. Marriage is not supposed to be until death till you part, but its supposed to be for time and all eternity.

-Family Forever-

Prayers Change the World

I have always heard growing up that you can have a better day, and have more joy as you pray to your Father in heaven. I want to add my two cents that this is true statement, and its not about how long you pray, or how detailed your prayers are. All you need to worry about when your praying is why your praying. I sometimes have the problem of making my prayers to my Father in Heaven like a shopping list, and it usually turns out that the shopping carts has more temporal items (Like Donuts, Disney World (Go FLORIDA), and becoming like Batman)  then spiritual items (Like becoming more like Jesus, having a stronger testimony, and all that good heavenly stuff). All it turns into is "Father in Heaven I need the following things please make it happen, your son Elder James Graham P.S and bless the world". Now I'm not sure about you but if I was a Father and my son gave me that letter, and asked for something like that I might turn around and smack that child right back into the other world (Not really I'm not that mean, and Elder Graham wouldn't hurt a fly). On the other hand  I hope that we will remember that there is real power in prayer. We are not just talking to our friend at school, or making chit chat at the mall. We are talking to our Father in heaven, and we don't just call him Father in heaven for no reason. He is the one that created us even before we came to this world. He know us better then we know ourselves. So why in the world would we make a shopping list when instead we can talk to him about our life. We can ask him anything and he will answer as it says in the scriptures " Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." See (Matthew 7:7, and 3 Nephi 14:7) I love the fact that the Lord tells us that we will receive, and I know that he is always going to answer our questions and prayers. 

       I have two favorite prayers that changed the world, the first is the payer that Jesus Christ afford for us in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the second is when a young boy named Joseph Smith went into a Garden of trees and asked what church he should join. Both Prayers are very different and both had profound effects, but they were answered. Our prayers are what allow God to help us, and give us the need encouragement, and strength to over come this world. Payers are how we communicate with our Father at any time, and and in any place. The Lord is listening, and he will answer your prayers! Pray unto the Father with all energy of heart, and I know he will listen.

Are we on the Winning Side

Though the waves of despair and hopelessness descend upon us they will have no effect to bring us down. I can't count the number of times in my life where I wanted to give up, or when it seemed like I couldn't take one more step. While we were as we call it "trackt" or going door to do we meet some interesting individuals, pluse you add the stress of working in the heat you get a small but bad storm. But I know that I have the Lord to back me up. One of my favorite scriptures is Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" How powerful are these words "Not Ashamed, and Power" because of Jesus Christ we can look forward with the up most confidence that the storms will cease, and the winds will subside. We can conquer the storms of the world, and I know this life was not meant to be a piece of cake. It was a time set apart to prove to the Lord that we can weather the storms of life. It is up to us to fight to the End no matter how hard, or disparaging the storm may become.We will press on! There is a hymnal called "Come, Come, Ye Saints" It is a song that encourages us all to move on and continue towards the end. It was written in a time of both Spiritual, and Literal Storms. "Come, come ye saints, No toil nor labor fear, but with joy, wend your way. Though hard to you this journey may appear, grace shall be as your day. Tis better far for us to strive, "Our useless cares from us to drive. Do this and joy, your hearts will swell. All is Well! All is Well!" I am grateful that I can remember and head the counsel form this song, it reminds me that I cant give up, and that even though the storm is coming All will be well. Be not afraid for the Lord God is on your side! (Be of Good Courage Scriptures) Let us all Press on!

To Far to Talk



While on our mission we have the very unique opportunity to talk to our families only twice a year on Mother’s Day, and Christmas. It is a very special time to get caught up on new events that have transpired, and hear how everyone is doing. On the other had it is strange to talk with your family after so long. You realize how close and familiar their voices really are, and how much you remember them. It so happened to be Mother’s Day yesterday and I was able to share a few minutes on the phone with my family. It was so much fun to hear everyone gathered laughing and having a good time. I am grateful that the Lord has given me such an amazing family her on earth (Families can be together forever). But what about our family that is not here on earth? I think we underestimate how much we miss hearing from our Heavenly Family. I am sure that when we go back (Alma 40:11) to our father in Heaven we will be shocked how well we recognize his voice. But we don’t need to wait that long we have the opportunity to call upon God at any time, place, or situation. We don’t have the restriction of only calling them twice a year or only on sever situations we have an amazing ability to call upon him at anytime. I love the Scripture in 3 Nephi 18: 15-21 it talks about  praying to the Father alwasy that we come off conquer. It also tells us that we should pray for our wives and our childern that they are safe. I know that Heavenly Father wants to hear from us, but do we want to hear from him and if so what are we going to do to start. I know my parents taught me to talk to my Heavenly Father from the moment I woke up in the morning to the moment I layed my head back down. We all can talk with him at anytime moment or situation. It was a great oppotunity to talk with my family, but I know it is much more important to talk with our Heavenly father every day! I know he listens and I know he answers our Prayers (Enos 1) all we need to do is go to him. As Christ Says "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.) (Luke 11:9) We might not always get the answer righ away, but i know the Lord always answers, and he always has a clear signal (Skies and Signals).

More then a women, A Mother!

The greatest and most important influence in a young persons life is the Mother! How much we are all indebted to our Mothers, and the love they have shown to us as we grew. From the day we first opened our eyes to the fist step we took they were always their to guide. I look back on my life and see one constant roll of a charitable Mother. I am so grateful for the dedication, and respect of women who truly devote themselves to raising the youth of today. At the beginning of any great nation there is always faithful, and valiant mothers who cared in raising their children. So where would our world be if we didn't have the divine roll of mothers? Nations would fall, Society would vanish, and the world as we know it would cease to be. How grateful we are for the mothers of the world, and I am constantly amazed that everyone has a mother weather you love them at this moment or not. You have a mother. Even with one as key as Jesus Christ there was a mother. The Scriptures talk about her as being a precious, and chosen vessel. (Alma 7:10) I pray that this mothers day we will show the proper, and needed respect for our Mothers. We are a reflection of them, and I pray that we will honor, and respect them, and their charity toward us. There is a Story that I love it speaks of a young man that truly learned to honor his mother. The story goes something like this. "A famed officer from the Civil War period, Colonel Higginson, when asked to name the incident of the Civil War that he considered the most remarkable for bravery, said that there was in his regiment a man whom everybody liked, a man who was brave and noble, who was pure in his daily life, absolutely free from dissipations in which most of the other men indulged.

One night at a champagne supper, when many were becoming intoxicated, someone in jest called for a toast from this young man. Colonel Higginson said that he arose, pale but with perfect self-control, and declared: “Gentlemen, I will give you a toast which you may drink as you will, but which I will drink in water. The toast that I have to give is, ‘Our Mothers.’” (Behold Thy Mother) What respect the young man had for his mothers and the effect it had on the men he served with. I pray that others can see in me the respect I have for my mother, and see that I honor my Mom. The best way to show your love for the ones you love is to honor them. Thank You Mom for all that you have given me! I know I am who I am today because of you. I know that my family can be together forever, and I know it is only because of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and because my mother was so willing to be faithful to raising up my family in the Gospel. Families are supposed to be together, and with out you amazing mothers it wouldn't be possible.