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.

Skies and Signals!

I'm not sure, but how many of you get the chance to go outside, and look up at the night sky? I had the great opportunity to look up at the stars last night, and only because we couldn't get cell phone service in our apartment. So to the outside we went on a search for a signal! I learned two things from this wonderful event; The first you almost always miss all the wonders around you, and second are we willing to find god when we lose service. Yes its funny how God can tell you things when you aren't even looking for answers. When we were sitting outside (and yes I felt like I was eight years old laying on the grass) a wonderful scripture came into my mind "All things denote there is a God" Alma 30:44. I know that scripture is true, and it was made known unto me only by looking into the vaulted heavens. If you get the chance go outside, and simply look up. Once you look up I know you will see one of the most beautiful paintings ever painted, but you can't help to feel that your Father created all of it for you. As for the second "Epiphany" it had to deal with simply finding service in our Yard. I can't imagine what the neighbors were thinking as they saw two young adults running around the yard holding a phone to the air. Yes it was most definitely a sight for sore eyes. As we were running around looking like chickens with our heads cut off I thought, are we willing to do the same for the Lord? As soon as we lost connection would we start running around looking for him? I hope my answer would be; Most Definitely, but sadly we lose signal and don't even realize it. I believe our "cell signal" with God is Faith, and when our faith gets low our signal with Heavenly Father drops. But as our faith gets stronger our way is made more clear, and we can truly find the path that leads to happiness. There is a great story that relates this exact point. As the family of Lehi was traveling in the wilderness towards the promised land they were given an instrument called the Liahona (compass), or as we are going to refer to it as a"cell phone signal". As the family went along the device pointed the way, but as they sinned or disbelieved (lost faith) the Liahona did not direct their path. They would lose their cell signal, and could not reconnect. It was only after they repented and gained their faith that the Liahona reconnected, and pointed the way.(see Alma 37:38-42) How fast are we to reconnect and find service? I know that our Father is always sending out signals, but are we willing to stand in the receiving areas? How grateful I am that the Lord is willing to guide our paths, and light our way. He is always around us, we are part of his miraculous creation. This earth is his masterpiece, and I am grateful I was able to take the time, and look into the night sky. Just Look Up!!!

A Trip to the Dentist and a Hope for Perfection!

Well I must apologize for not posting for the past few days. It always seems like one minute you are on top of the world, and the next your to busy to remember your name. But no fear I am living, and the next day always comes regardless of how hard the last day was or challenging. I'm not sure if any of you have wonderd if any of the young men walking down your street with the name tags, the white shirts, and dark slacks have no problems. All they do all day is knock doors, and talk to people about Jesus Christ, and the Church. But unknown to many we still have our everyday challenges. For example how hot the shower water is going to be in the morning. When do I need to get a hair cut, how long can I go until I absolutely need to wash my Laundry (yes on a mission you still have all of the small trivial task to do). So one of the small and annoying things is the health of the Body, sadly the lord did not make us invincible when we placed that accepted the call, and left our homes. We still get sick, and we still need to treat or bodies with the up most respect as the Lord said your body is a temple see (John 2:21). Sadly I made the mistake of not treating my teeth with a Prophetic Warning. Let me translate in a more simple term, I didn't brush and floss as my "wise and Learned" Dentist had directed me to do. So as everyone that has as much metal in their teeth as I have, will most likely be able to relate to the following event. While serving on this great two year adventure I woke up with a very sharp pain in one of my back teeth. Long story short it turned into a very painful event, and I had the great opportunity to have a Root Canal. In the Long run I learned two very Important things. First always listen to your parents, and take great head to their advice. Second I cannot wait for the time when our bodies will be reunited with our spirits, and we shall have perfected bodies (I will for once have the great joy of having no fillings or crowns.) see Alma 40:23.  I am so grateful for my knowledge that the Lord has provided a perfect plan for all of us. I know it is only through the gospel of Christ that we can all one day live with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and truly have peace both Spiritually and Physically (I cant wait for the day!!!!). Well there is another day coming tomorrow, and a new challnge to over come, but I know we can overcome.

Who Am I?

Starting new things is always a challenge, and I think what I like most about it is the ability we have to learn from our mistakes. So as with all things this "Blog" is the beginning of a new adventure, and I'm sure I will make plenty of mistakes (so please forgive). At the begging of all things is taking the first step. So "Step" one: Who am I? This is a very good question, I often find myself reflecting on it time, and time again. Simply I am who I am, or you make your self what you want to be. I was born in a small town (well I think you would consider it a town) in Utah. It was there that I took my first step you could say. I grew up doing just about anything an average young man would do, yes I know I just said average (who can define average?). I was raised by two amazing parents, and I know I am in huge part of who I am today because of their amazing influence. I was raised in a large part on the subject of Religion. I was raised to be, and live as a good member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Yes MORMON) and no we are not a cult. You might have seen that I said I was raised as a member, but like all things you personally need to find the truth. I want to make it perfectly clear that I know for myself that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the restored Church of Jesus Christ. And I found that for myself completely separate of any other influences, beside the influence of the Holy Ghost. And thus the reason that I am currently serving a mission in Jacksonville, Florida. I also for no reason that I can trace love movies if there is anything that distracts me, and drives me to waste my time, talent, and money its movies. I am almost positive that if I didn't have any self mastery you would find me on a couch watching movies all day. But fear not I am not a movieholic and I do love to do many other things. One of the most amazing and rewarding things I love to do is Rock Climbing. I hope that everyone will someday have the chance to walk up to a mountain, and stand at the base and look up in AWE. But looking at that great wonder is just the begging. Now is the fun part taking the challenge of climbing step by step, and griping finger reach by griping finger reach to get to the top. And just to top it all off you get to feel the air rush by, and the smell of sweet pines swaying in the summer breeze. Yes I must declare that I believe that rock climbing may be close to paradise. So most of my youth was spent inside on my little bum watching some movie, or setting off to find the next great climb. You might find this next comment cheese and lame, but its ture. There is a song that is called "The Climbe" it is wirrten by Miley Cyrus. Yes I just mentioned a young pop disney singer, and I am going to make refernce to one of her songs. In the Song she says "Its the Climbe" catchy beucase thats the titel. But Longs story already for to long. Life is truly a climb, but luckily we dont have to do it alone. And I hope from this blog you can see how God and his son Jesus Christ can hlep not only in my life, but in yours. On To STEP TWO!!!! My daily life.