Pacha!

I just thought of something. Perhaps I could be Pacha from the Emporer's New Groove. He's a very un-opposing guy. He feels guilty for not doing what's right and he's just and all around nice guy. I think I am more like Pacha.

Toby Turtle

If it's not to late, I have decided on a Disney Character. I thought I was Toby Turtle from Robin Hood. I think he comes closesist of all Disney characters to matching my personality. Both of us at times can be rather quiet and fearful of breaking rules, but we both enjoy participating in adventures and having a good times with friends.

Disney Character

If you asked me which Disney character I am like, I couldn't tell you. I have no idea. I will try to make some comparisons to a few, but I really don't think I am really that similar with any Disney Character. I will think about it and tell you what I come up with.

Roomates

This year I have really lucked out. My roommate, Jimmy, is awesome. We talk, hangout, discuss spiritual things, have fun, and do lots of stuff together. I am really grateful that we are good friends. I didn't know him before this year. We were randomly put together. I was originally going to room with some friends from high school, but that fell apart. It fell apart because the bed in the apartment was 6 inches to short. No kidding that's the reason why I left that apartment. After I left, I had to find new housing. Fortunately for me I managed to get into Helaman Halls and have an awesome roommate. It makes me really grateful when I see others who have bad roommates that I have a good roommate. That sounds really bad, but its true.

Redwoods

Adam On Di Amon

Redwoods

My brother in the white shirt is 6 feet tall!

I don't know if you have been to the Red Woods, but it is one of my favorite places on Earth. It is so beautiful. I have thousands of landscape and nature photos, but many of my favorites are of the Red Woods. I am no good describing with words, so I will leave it up to my pictures to show you.

The Tetons

The Redwoods

Yellow Stone I think Lower Falls, but don't quote me!

I have new pictures, but my computer is being unhappy so they will be up soon.

I am glad you are enjoying my pictures. I enjoy them very much. I did take them all. The sunrise picture is one of my favorites. My family and I went looking for bears really early in the morning. We didn't find bears till the next day, but I did get this awesome picture.

Teton National Park

Early Morning Yellow Stone National Park

Zions National Park

My Book of Mormon teacher Brother Huntsman told us at the end of class, "That its okay to be excited about the gospel." I asked myself, "am I truly excited about the gospel?" What does it mean to be "excited about the gospel." It means that we live our lives with a focus on doing good. We take delight in doing what's right and obeying the will of our Heavenly Father. We seek opportunities to learn and grow. We want to live the gospel and we are focused on living it. I believe that a person who lives their life in this manner is focused on the Savior and his will. What do you think?

Oregon Coast

South Dakota Badlands

This picture was taken on the way up to Lake Blanche.

Alma 31: 37-38

37 And after that they did separate themselves one from another, taking no thought for themselves what they should eat, or what they should drink, or what they should put on.
38 And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith.

There are so many things we can get out of this an apply in our own lives. In v. 37, it talks about how Alma and his brethren take "no thought for themselves." Their focus was completely on others. They were serving the Zoramites and they valued their salvation more than their own lives. I think one of the major lessons we need to learn in this life is that we are here to serve others not ourselves.

The other thing I really liked was in v. 38, "yea and he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ." I believe that when we let Christ in to our lives we can be like they were "Swallowed up in the joy of Christ." I don't know how exactly to explain what I mean. I think that when your life has become focused on the Savior and that you are willing to follow him, you lose yourself in the work and Christ is more able to bear your pains for you.

1 Nephi 15:28-29

28 And I said unto them that it was an awful gulf, which separated the wicked from the tree of life, and also from the saints of God.
29 And I said unto them that it was a representation of that awful hell, which the angel said unto me was prepared for the wicked.

The thought that occurred to me after reading these scriptures is that we can be living in a state of hell here on Earth. If the way we are living our lives isn't in harmony with the gospel we will be divided from the spirit and from our Heavenly Father. Being separated from our Heavenly Father's influence is the definition of Hell. As we make daily decisions that separate us from the Savior we can also be placing ourselves in Hell daily.