What Does God Sound Like?

I have had many experiences that have helped me understand what God sounds like. From my experience, God makes me feel joyful and happy to do his will. In Galatians 5:22-23  it tells us what the fruits of the spirit are. They are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, and temperance.

God also tells us to repent. A lot of the time when God calls us to repentance it does not come peacefully if we do not really want to repent. Here are some examples of people who did not really want to repent, but were told to by God through a prophet.

In Mosiah 12-17 it tells us about King Noah and his priests and how they did not like the truth and how they killed Abinadi because they did not like the message. Alma repented though because he felt the power, and he knew he needed to change. He also taught the people and many of them repented. Mosiah 18 

Laman and Lemuel didn’t like the truth. The wicked think that the truth is hard. It cuts them to the center. 1 Nephi 16:2 The righteous want to repent and do what God wants them to do.

God gives us experiences to help us learn. God helped me understand what he sounds like through my experiences. God gave Nephi many experiences and tests to help him learn.

One of his experiences was to kill Laban. He had been taught that you should not kill, but because the Lord told him to, it was what he needed to do. Maybe that experience was to help him obey God, even if it was against what he would usually do. 1 Nephi 4:10-18 

But we also need to make sure that Satan is not telling us to do something and be tricked. Sherem was tricked by the Devil. He taught the people false things and tried to trick Jacob. When he was on his deathbed, he confessed that he had lied. He had taught things that were wrong. He feared he has committed the unpardonable sin. He had lied unto God and had denied God. He says that the scriptures truly testify of Christ. He died. Jacob7

In D&C 50:15, it tells us that we receive spirits that we don’t understand, and we judge them to be of God. In this are we justified? I had an experience where some spirits were confusing me.  They kept bossing me around, and I didn’t understand what I was supposed to be doing. I prayed many times for help. I have learned that Satan likes to depress us. I am glad I had these experiences. I understand God much better now.

By Rachel Willis - age 13

What Alma Did

Alma the younger was not a righteous man. He told people to come and follow him, and he taught bad things. He was not good at all. He was a walking along and an angel appeared. When it went away, his friends saw Alma on the ground and brought him home.  Alma rose up and talked about what he saw. And he said, “I saw Jesus.” Then, Alma taught good things. His friends were good too, but some people were still mean. Alma taught in the church with the sons of Mosiah. Mosiah 27  

By Crystalynne Willis - age 9

Greed

I was pitching some hay to the cows the other day, and I realized how greedy they are. We have a lot of power over the cows because of their greed. The other way to control them is by physical force. They will come in the barn because there is grain in there. We can pitch some hay in front of the manger and the cows will come, then we can lock them up to do whatever we need to do with them.

 

The same thing applies to us. Others can have power over greedy people. Think about money. Some people will devote their whole lives to earning a lot of money. It controls them. On the other hand, you could just get enough for your basic needs. Like in the story Harvard Gringo. I’m not saying that money is a bad thing; it is just that we should not have any worldly thing control our lives. 

Greed and desire are a little bit different. Greed has more of a selfish connotation while desire is just wanting more. You could have a strong desire for more knowledge without being greedy. If you had a strong desire for money then you’re most likely greedy. But it also depends on what you use the money for. I will admit that I’m pretty greedy at times, and it lets people have power over me. We don’t want people having power over us, so lets try not to be greedy.

 By Jared Willis – age 14

Jonathan’s Jungle Dream

Joshua and I were hiking; we found a little Jungle and a pond with a turtle. Joshua called me to pick up sticks. I found yarn in the ground.  I pulled on it, and it made a hole. There was a door. I opened it and saw a little kitchen and an old women sewing. I got back to Joshua. Then I saw a rope, and I pulled on it, and it made a hole. There was a door too. I saw a lady sleeping and a dog. The dog came and played with us. We went home and told Mom and Dad.

By Jonathan Willis – age 8

Rachel’s Apartment and House Plans

One of the things I have enjoyed doing over the past few months is drawing house plans. I like trying out different shapes and sizes of houses. I also like drawing apartments. As I continue to draw houses and apartments, I learn how to draw and make houses and apartments nicer.

When we are driving, I often look at houses and say in my head what I think about the different houses. I use some of my dad’s house plan books to see different styles and shapes of houses. I think drawing house plans is fun.       

By Rachel Willis - age 13

My Dream Going up the Mountain

We were going on a hike up the mountain to the Jesus rock. We were going so fast that I almost fell off the steep hill, and it was scary. I did not want to go any further, so we went home. I did not to go there any more. Then, I was going to go with Mom, but my Dad woke me up from my dream saying rise and shine.     

By Crystalynne Willis - age 9

God Has Time For Us

I was thinking how small I am compared to everything in the universe. There are billions of planets and galaxies. I am just one small person. It is amazing that God cares for every person and everything. It would be very difficult to get an appointment with some big important guy. God is the ruler over everything, yet he still has time to talk to you whenever you want to talk to him. Isn’t it nice that we have such a great God?

By Jared Willis – age 14

We are the Gentiles

Many people do not think that they are Gentiles because a lot of bad things are prophesied about the Gentiles.  Some think they are too good to be a Gentile. They want proof showing that they are the Gentiles.

You should ask them if they believe the Book of Mormon is true. If they say yes, then turn to 1 Nephi13:12-15. The man in verse 12 is Christopher Columbus. He was the man led by the spirit of God. He came across the ocean and was led by God to the Promised Land, also known as the Americas where the Indians lived.

In verse 13, Columbus and the other people were brought out of the hands of Great Britain and other European countries. Verse 14 is when the US Army scattered the Indians and killed many. Verse 15 means that the Gentiles were white like Nephi’s people.

All these verses help prove that we are the Gentiles because first Columbus and those people who came with him were Gentiles. I got that from verse 14. It reads “and it came to pass that I beheld many multitudes of Gentiles upon the land of promise and I beheld the wrath of God that it was upon the seed of my brethren and they were scattered before the Gentiles and were smitten.” We know those multitudes of Gentiles in that verse as the pilgrims. Columbus is a Gentile. So that means that we are Gentiles because we are also descendents of the Europeans.

Then read 1 Nephi 13:30. This is when Columbus and the pilgrims came out of captivity from Europe by the power of Lord. They became the most powerful nation more than any other nation. God will not let the Gentiles totally kill all the Indians because the Lord promised Lehi that his seed would have this land for their inheritance.

Then read 1 Nephi 13:3-29. That is all about when Columbus, who is a Gentile, came out of Europe with some other Gentiles and came to America.  They were led by God to come out of captivity and be free.

The Gentiles brought a book with them that proceeded out of the mouth of a Jew, also known as the Bible. The Gentiles stumble because of the plain and precious things that were taken out of the book. 1 Nephi 13:19-23 

The British are the mother gentiles who came against the Gentiles, who were living in the Americas, to battle. The Gentiles were blessed upon this land and the British could not take this land. If you are wondering where I got this information go to 2 Nephi 10:10. 

If this does not satisfy you, then turn to 1 Nephi 13:35. This verse basically means that the Nephite record will come to the Gentiles. The Nephite record is the Book of Mormon that you and I believe in, remember. The one who translated it is a Gentile. Where I got that information is from D&C 109:60. That is when Joseph Smith said he was a Gentile.

It also talks about it in the title page in the front of the Book of Mormon. Lets turn there and read the first part of it, “Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites—Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile—Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation—Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed—To come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof—Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile—The interpretation thereof by the gift of God.”

That means that a Gentile will translate the book of the Nephites with a gift from God. Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, and he is a Gentile. Many Mormons do not believe they are Gentiles. Well, if the translator of the Book of Mormon is a Gentile, then the rest Mormons whose ancestors came from Europe are also Gentiles. 

Turn to 2 Nephi 10:18. It is about the Gentiles scattering the Indians. Guess who scattered them? Us. So that is another reason that we are the Gentiles.

Turn to 2 Nephi 10:11. That is very true. There have not been any kings on this land of these Gentiles, which are the Americas.

Go to Ether 8:23. We fit those characteristics so well. We build up to get gain and power, so it looks like we are ready for destruction. 

“And the time cometh that he shall manifest himself unto all nations, both unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles; and after he has manifested himself unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles, then he shall manifest himself unto the Gentiles and also unto the Jews, and the last shall be first, and the first shall be last.” 1 Nephi 13:42 This means that gospel was given to the Jews first, and then they rejected it.  Then the Gentiles got it, and they will reject it in the last days. Then it will go back to the Jews.

Next read 3 Nephi 16:10, which reads “And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings and how the, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priest crafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them.”

The reason I chose this scripture is because that is what we are doing in our society today. We, as Gentiles, are doing all these things the Book of Mormon prophesied we would do.

By April Willis – Age 11

Can God and Angels Visit Us?

Do you ever wonder if it is possible to see and visit with God and angels? I believe we can, and it is necessary to see God in this lifetime. God promises us that if we give up our sins, come unto him, call on his name, obey his voice, and keep his commandments, we will see him and know that he is real. D&C 93:1 Many of the people in the scriptures saw God. Most of them were not high up men. Here are some examples of ordinary people who saw God.

While Lehi was praying for his people with his whole heart, a pillar of fire came and dwelt on a rock. I think Jesus was in that fire. Joseph Smith explained Jesus and Heavenly Father as coming in a pillar of light. Joseph Smith—History 1:16. Lehi saw and heard much and because of the things he saw and heard, he quaked and trembled exceedingly. After his vision, he went home and laid on his bed. While he was overcome in the spirit, he saw the Heavens open and he thought he saw God sitting on his thrown surrounded with many angels that were singing and praising him. He saw other things too. 1Nephi 1:5-15 

Enos also wanted to see God. He prayed to God. God forgave Enos and came to Enos. Enos had a vision and was redeemed from the fall. Enos also prayed for his people. Enos 1:1-19 

The brother of Jared saw God. When he saw God’s finger he was struck with fear and fell down. The Lord told him to stand up. The brother of Jared thought God was going to smite him. He did not know God had flesh and bones. He had seen God’s finger because of his faith. The Lord asked the brother of Jared if he believes the words he would tell him. The brother of Jared believes God because he knows God cannot lie. God shows himself to the brother of Jared, and he is redeemed. Ether 3 

Moses also saw God. Moses talked to God face to face. God’s glory was on Moses, and he could endure God’s presence. Moses 1:1-2 

When Jesus and Heavenly Father came to Joseph, he was delivered from Satan. He saw Jesus and Heavenly Father Joseph Smith—History 1:17. When Joseph told a Methodist preacher about his vision, he said that it was of the Devil and that those kind of things stopped with the Apostles. He also treated it lightly.

I believe visions and revelations did not stop with the apostles or Joseph. Moroni tells us all to seek Christ so that the Grace of God, Heavenly Father, and the Holy Ghost may be upon us. Ether 12:41 (When you are seeking for someone while your playing hide-and-go-seek you are looking for him or her. You do not just believe they are there, but you are finding them.)

We need to seek and find Jesus. God tells us that he is the same yesterday, today, and forever Mormon 9:9. If just ordinary people in the scriptures saw God, then that means we can too!   

By Rachel Willis Age 13

Hiking and Hot Lava Dream

At the beginning of my dream all the cousins were over at our house having a party. Everybody cleaned up the yard. We found some wood and put it in the scrap yard.

Jared, Joshua, and I wanted to go on a hike to the Jesus rock. We got a backpack and partway up the mountain there was a booth with drinks. We got to Jesus rock and decided that we wanted to go to the top. Along the way, there was another booth that had drinks and sandwiches, which we took off their hands.

When we were almost to the top, lava started to come out of the mountain. We rode down the mountain on metal sleds keeping ahead of the lava. We made it down to the house, and the lava went around the fence of our property. When I got up on the barn, I saw most houses on fire, but ours wasn’t.

by Jonathan Willis Age 8

My Work

I enjoy working. Without working hard you can’t get anywhere in life. I get to milk dairy cows as my job. When we milk the cows, there’s more than just milking. You need to feed the cows and the 0-3 month old calves. There are a lot of other things too, but we won't go into detail. 

Cows have a will of their own, and sometimes they get on my nerves. I’m trying to work on my patience. This job is one that I prefer over a lot of others. In the summer time I move sprinkler pipes, and help some neighbors with yard work. 

My dad has taught me since I was little that slacking doesn’t work. If we don’t do a good job on the work that he has given us, then he will give us an extra job in addition of our old job. As you can imagine, people start doing their job right the first time. 

My favorite part of my job is finishing. It makes me feel good when I can look and see that everything is complete and done right. I think that is what motivates me to work. 

In Proverbs 6:6 it tells the lazy people to follow the example of ant. We need to work hard. When we work hard, we will get rewards. An attribute of ants is that they work together. They are small but together they can do a lot. That applies to us. It is a lot harder to do something on your own, then with help.

by Jared Willis - age 14

Heaven’s Help with the Ants

A dream as told by Joseph age 5

Me and Marianne was digging in the flower garden. You know there by the rose bush in the corner. Little ants was on the inside of the dirt and big ants was on the outside of the dirt crawling up the steps. The big ants are this big (showing with his hands 6” long, 2” tall with 1” long legs). I was scared.

About 5 ants was on Marianne. I grabbed them off of her with my hand. They was big to grab. They are scary. I prayed by myself, and heaven came down. It was a little light when it was coming, and a big light when it got down. He picked us up on his back. Me on one side and Marianne on the other. He carried us up the stairs. The ants fell off and the ants was gone. He squished ants on the top of his shoes and on the bottom of his shoes.

After he left, me and Marianne buried the ants. Ants all gone.

Quilting, Part One

I have been working on developing my talents. One of which is sewing. I have done bits and pieces since I was little because my mom and oldest sister, Jaylee, like to sew. I think I have improved a lot. When I used to serge cloth I would cut off half of my “square”.

My sister Rachel has really got into sewing lately. I decided that I wanted to make a blanket too. On Sunday afternoon I picked out some cloth my mom had and then came up with a pattern. I started to cut it out and sew it together. After I got it all sewed together, I tied it. I took it off the quilting frame and pinned the edges so I could bind it. It’s all done. I think it is pretty good for my second blanket.

This winter around Christmas I made my first blanket, which was a patchwork quilt. I just used some scrap material to make it. I used stretchy cloth for the back, but it doesn’t work very well when you are trying to bind it. It turned out pretty good.

These are my first two blankets worth keeping.

By Jared Willis Age 14

Be Thankful for God’s Love

I walked out the door this morning, and it felt good to get a nice, big breath of fresh air. When I looked around and saw all the beautiful things that said spring is coming, it was just another reminder of how great God is. I went walking around, and I saw trees budding, flowers blooming, everything turning green and looking alive. I am very grateful that God gave me such a beautiful world to live in.

When I try to think of all the effort that it would take to make the earth, it helps me realize how much he loves me. In Genesis 2:2 it says that God needed to rest because of the work that he did. In Psalms 145:9 it says that his actions show how much he cares. If he is willing to do all that for me, then I think that I should be willing to follow him, because without him I am nothing.

I love my baby sister Emma. When she looks at me I can’t help but love her. God loves me more than I can love her. That’s a lot of love given to one person. In John 3:16 it says that God loves us so much that he gave his own son. I don’t know many people, if any, who would give their son so a lot of people could be saved, but the majority won’t even take notice of it. If God is willing to make that big of sacrifice, then I should be able to make sacrifices in order to follow him.

In Alma 37:37 it says to thank the Lord in all things. I am not very good at that. I should make time in the day to thank God for big and small things. One thing that I am thankful for is that God loves me.

By Jared Willis – 14 years old