Follow The Leader

At the Sand Dunes some people ride by themselves, but most ride in groups. Some are small, and some are big. I know when my family and our group would go to the dunes we would try to organize big rides. When we go to the dunes our camp usually makes some sort of large circle (or at least some sort of circle) with all the trailers, trucks, and vehicles. In the middle of the circle is usually where the fire and everyone meets. Now back to riding. I would always love it when the whole camp would come together to go on a ride. On some trips it could be over 20-30 rigs following one after another. At the dunes, during a ride there is one leader, and he leads the way. Then one after the other people follow behind taking the same path he takes. It kind of looks like a snake winding its way through mountains of sand. Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow. I would love to watch a big train of sand rails whip through the dunes one right after the other.

On one occasion my friend, my little brother, and myself (a small group) were going on a ride. I was leading out and we were cruising along. Well at one point my friend right behind me decided to take another line, or path, then the one I chose. Well he went off a little ledge right down into what we call a ‘Witch’s Eye’. It is kind of like a trap in the dunes, an indent or small random hole, and sometimes, they are hard to see unless you have experience at leading in the dunes (not anyone can lead, most people can follow). My friend, who at that time did not have as much experience at the dunes as I, thought his path would be better. It was not. He hit a wall of sand, threw himself over the handle bars and pretty much knocked himself loopy (he was wearing a helmet of course). But other than that he as fine.

So what does this have to do with the Gospel of Jesus Christ? In life we can have many different leaders. Our parents can be great leaders to us. They have much more experience and wisdom than us. We should follow their counsel 0r other people who have spent more time in the “Dunes” of life than ourselves. They probably know where those ‘Witch’s Eyes’ of life are hidden. Now we shouldn’t follow just anyone older than us. When the blind lead the blind both are likely to fall into a ditch (Matt 5:14). Let us choose carefully who we choose to follow. Often times we should be the leader, and lead our friends in doing what is right. We can follow Prophets, both modern and ancient ones. They represent someone who knows the way. Of course we can, and should, always follow the ultimate leader, that is Jesus Christ himself. He has set the way, He invites all to “Come follow me”(Matt 16:24). If ever we get lost in the dunes of life, let us look to our savior; He knows the way home. I know if we follow Him with full purpose of heart we will be never led astray.

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We Believe in Christ, We Want Everyone to Come Unto Him

The other day my companion and I were visiting a member of the church. When we were visiting with him a friend came over. We started talking and she actually had some good questions for us. She wanted to know what we talked to people about, what we taught people. We told her briefly about some things we believe. We told her about the uniqueness of our message. However, whenever we started to teach or talk about things such as modern day prophets or the book of Mormon she would stop us. She felt that we did not teach or testify of Jesus Christ enough. When trying to help her understand we would always wind up back on the topic of the book of Mormon. Eventually the conversation came to a close with her telling us that we do not need other things because we have Jesus Christ. And that, to her, that was all that mattered and that is the only thing we should teach and talk about. Reflecting afterwards I found myself thinking, “Well maybe we don’t focus on Christ enough”. But soon the answer flowed into my mind. We do focus on Christ. We do belive in Christ. He is everything to us. He is central to our message. What we may have failed to explain is that we are so happy to tell people that we have more. We have another book completely filled with Christ’s teachings. We have a prophet on the earth at this time; this very moment! He teaches us what Jesus Christ wants us to hear. We have His priesthood that allows us to perform sacred ordinances in His name. We do not mean to talk about other things or draw attention away from Jesus Christ. In fact, we want the world to know that He lives. That he has restored his church to the earth once again. We want the world to know that the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored, and that there is so much more. Though we love the bible we offer even more revelations from Christ, Even more of His dealings with other people of the world. And we want everyone to know it and cherish it for themselves. That is why I am out here; to invite others to come unto Jesus Christ.