{ In The Head of A l F o x }

Perfect Imperfections; My Prayer Experiment

2012-02-23T10:04:00.000-08:00

So I've actually been working on a different post, that is still sitting in my drafts folder for...I'm not quite sure why. And this post just sort of beat it to the punch I guess.

Yesterday I tried an experiment! (No surprise there, I feel like I always do) But that's the fun part, right! Seriously, the Gospel is so Fun! To see where your faith can get you, and to see what works and what doesn't.

I committed myself to this book that I bought at Seagull Book. Its called '365 Days Walking With The Savior' And it has daily challenges to do, or things to ponder, to draw yourself closer to Christ. Yesterday's challenge was to think of something to do to humble yourself. I made of list: Fasting... Gratitude...
Well, really that's as far as my list got before the idea came to my mind! Gratitude!

Now I know how powerful gratitude is. Prayers that are offered where you are only giving thanks are extremely powerful. Every time. When I think of the power of gratitude, I think of Christ. I think of the times He fed the multitude, and the time He rose Lazarus from the dead. What happened right before those miracles happened? He prayed. And He didn't pray for those things, but He prayed and gave thanks to Our Father in Heaven.

So, with an already strong testimony of gratitude, I wanted to see if I couldn't strengthen it even more. So, My Challenge: Every prayer that I say, all day long, will be a prayer of gratitude.

The first few prayers of the morning were good. It was neat to be able to search for things I often overlook and to be able to recognize and give thanks to. But-

It was harder than I thought it was going to be as the day progressed.

It just 'happened' to be one of those days where you feel like you need to ask Him for His help with everything! One of those days were you felt like you were just treading against the current. It was for sure a rough start. Work was tough to get through. I have this severe pain since I was 14 that sends me to the Emergency Room, that randomly kicked in. Just, I don't know, things were tough. Everything that could have happened-did. But I suppose it was the perfect day to try the experiment.

At first I became frustrated that I couldn't ask for help because I knew that would help. Every time I wanted to ask Him for something, every moment where I was struggling to push through the day, and every time the thought came into my mind of 'I wish I could pray and ask for this..." is when I immediately followed that thought with a prayer of gratitude. I prayed a lot.

And then, something truly trying-I had to give a fireside that night! Still faithful to keep going and that I would be blessed, but a bit nervous that I couldn't ask for the spirit to be with me. I couldn't ask to help those listening according to His will, or anything. Or maybe not nervous, but anxious to see the outcome.

My prayers quickly turned into very powerful testimonies. Instead of asking for the spirit, I found myself, just saying, Ya know, I really am SO grateful that I know thou will help me tonight. I'm grateful that I know that thou cares for thine children and will help them, because I know that thou loves them so much...

I really did know that though.
I really did feel it.
And I felt it so overwhelmingly when I said it too.
I was physically reconfirmed that that's exactly what would happen too.

About mid-day I finally learned what i was suppose to learn; that I don't need to be nervous, that I don't need to be anxious or apprehensive about a single thing. Then my prayers of gratitude turned into a powerful, powerful strength that I needed, excitement came.

And I mean it really came!
I felt unstoppable.
I couldn't stop smiling.
Not even for a second.

I started to pray more and more, and each time I did, my pain diminished little by little until it completely disappeared and never returned.

Things that I have been diligently worrying about and praying and fasting for, just "happened" to all come together finally!

New ideas and inspirations came to mind, that I had to spend over an hour in my journal to write them all down!

Things I needed to change in my life came to mind. New ideas to stay strong came to mind. Questions I had were answered. Testimony strengthen. His love, was physically felt.

What a sacred day it turned out to be.
I'm so glad I didn't give up. I'm so glad I didn't cheat.
I'm so glad..I followed my Savior's example.

And surely, my final prayer of the night, my prayer of gratitude just spilled right out of my mouth! The spirit that was with me was so abundant that I was overflowing with it! The spirit was spilling out of my mouth and my ears and my pockets and forming a puddle on the floor!

Surely those challenges I faced today, those imperfections of the day, were perfectly given to me. Those "imperfections" were perfectly there for me, to learn more of what Heavenly Father can do to help me. I couldn't imagine them not being there, now as I'm looking back. I wouldn't have changed a thing. I wouldn't have traded those moments, because what I feel now, and what I felt last night, what i learned, what I gained, is worth facing anything.

Don't you stop. Don't you give up. Not ever. Not even for a second.
Challenges are there so briefly. And that happiness and love, is there so consistently. It does not go away. It doesn't. I know this. I do.

Stay committed. Do not back down. You are taken care of. You are. He knows what you need. He will not let you fall. He will not leave you. He never has. All we need to do, is be there for Him. Trust. But trust always. Especially in the 'imperfections' in our life. Because they are there so perfectly, that we may feel His perfect love He has for us individually, and personally.

And it is perfectly incredible. And perfectly worth it. All of it.

{ I love comments/questions! The emails I receive inspire me to keep going.email, twitter, youtube -Be sure to watch some of my videos! My next one is all planned out-just waiting for good timing to film; I'll keep you all posted ! }

'Always There' Video Released!

2012-01-23T10:22:00.000-08:00

NEW VIDEO RELEASED! Be sure to watch it; Click here .
For a special (...more ridiculous then special) behind the scenes video, click here.

"I tried an experiment the other day. That for a wholeentire day straight, I decided to take Christ with me.

I had his pictureliterally with me with everything that I did. Not once -- not once -- did I setHim down. And not once was it inconvenient.

I found myselflooking to him more often. And every time I did, I couldn’t help but smile. Nomatter what I was doing that day, no matter how I felt, whether I was busy orif I was bored… I just knew that things were gunna be okay.

And that day, everyone that I saw- everyone that saw me, sawChrist.

But here’s the thing. Christ really is there. He IS - inreality - there for us.

Every day.

All day long.

In everything that we do. If we justlisten to what He’s been urging us to do this whole time, which is Come, Comeunto Him. If we trust Him and turn to Him, we will know that everything isokay, and we CAN be happy.

That He loves you SOmuch - individually and personally. He IS there, and CAN help you, comfort anddirect you.

Do NOT be afraid, or discouraged, or sad, because He isthere!

Because you are never alone.

Because you are NEVER forgotten. And you NEVER were. He isvery aware of you -- He IS!

He will not leave you. He will not fail thee.”

email / youtube / twitter

Coming Soon!

2012-01-18T12:26:00.000-08:00

email / youtube / twitter

Firesides

2012-01-11T12:52:00.000-08:00

I'm only posting this because it keeps coming to mind. The only way to get it out of my mind, is to just do it regardless of my own feelings towards it:

Because of the number of requests and questions, mind as well make it a post right?

Yes-I do firesides. That is, hands down, my favorite thing to do. It's extremely humbling and any chance to bare my testimony is an incredible blessing.

Please know-I'm truly not saying this as a way to advertise myself. Any request to have me speak-I please ask you to do so after some serious pondering and praying-and only when you feel inspired to do so. I do travel around Utah, but anything outside Utah Valley must be cleared with your Bishop or Stake President through my Bishop. I would ask you to please give me at least 2 week notice in advance, if you can.

All requests please send to my email.

Organizing The Spirit

2012-01-03T15:56:00.000-08:00

Here's the thing: You're more blessed than you realize & You are doing better than you think you are.

{ Priesthood Blessings }
This is probably my favorite journal I have started. This is where a lot of my comfort, motivation, and counsel comes from.
Every blessing I have ever received I have wrote down immediately after. This is a very easy way to quickly look through and see your promised blessings. To be brought back on track. To have hope restored and something to look forward to & work towards. To see the things you need to do better with. To see things you need to change. And to be reminded, In Heavenly Father's own words, that he loves you, He is aware of you, and knows what we are going through. Every time I look through this journal it becomes a very inspiring thing.

{ Testimony }
This is my testimony journal which I became very attached to. I have had this one for over two years now! I write in it once a month -on fast & testimony day- and I wrote how my testimony has strengthened this past month. It's perfect to reflect and see the hand of the Lord, and to keep track of your testimony. You should always know where your testimony is! Plus, the best way to strengthen your testimony, is to bare it. Even if it's just to yourself.

{ YouTube }

This journal is for all of my ideas that pop into my head for my Vlog on Youtube. If you flip through it, most of it is all scribbled out chicken scratch as I venture with the spirit through brainstorm mode.

{ Prophets & Apostles }

This is the journal I take with me to all General &Stake Conferences, and all Firesides.

{ Baptism }

This one is fairly empty. But as the years pass I can really see this one being one of my favorite things to look through! Anyone can do this one, not just converts-it's not too late to start, no matter how long ago it was!
I write in this every year, on the day I was baptized, and fill it with recent pictures of myself (I can just see myself now, looking back in this in 40 years thinking how young & wrinkle free I look).
I start it with an 'About Me': A brief overview of where I live, how old I am, how long I've been a member, where I'm working, my calling in church, etc.
Then, What I did that day.
And to end it, a write a "Note to Self", which so far it has been my testimony, and a stern reminder to never give up.

And last, but certainly not least, (and most frequent, for sure):

{ Gospel }

I'm on journal 3 now, and I write ( /decorate) in this as frequent as my life calls for it. It is all church/gospel related in some sense, and far from a Dear Diary.

Considering the first one I started was right after baptism, it started out as a cheat sheet to gospel principals: How to pray, definitions, and reminders. And it quickly became what I call, "My Book Of Firsts": First talk I gave in sacrament, first time praying out loud in front of people, getting my temple recommend, first temple trip, my first fast, first set a real scriptures, all of my trials since joining, all of my hardships, all of my growth, all of my faith, all of my blessings, etc. -overfilling with all of my thoughts, feelings, and concerns each step of the way.

This quickly turned into an amazing habit, to where I find myself jotting down my feelings and notes on anything around me so I wouldn't forget about them when I had time to write in my actual journal.

As more time passed, the more decorative it got, it made writing in my journal incredibly fun! I started adding pictures, stickers, fun paper, doodles-you name it.
And the thing about journals that makes it effective, is honesty. I think one of my hard things getting started was, why write a bad time down to be remembered, when I knew it would all blow over soon? But this is what makes my testimony strong! One page could be of you crying and have all of these uncertainties, or trials, and you flip the page and you see the hand of the Lord fill you with love and peace and comfort and understanding.

Learning about the church, and right after baptism are my most treasured times of my life. I give Firesides all over Utah on this quite frequently. And yet, I look back to my first church journal, (my book of firsts) and even as recent as yesterday, I read something and think "Oh my gosh! How on earth could I have forgotten that!!"

Often times I find my prayers being answered, and being more inspired to what the spirit has already told me in the past because I wrote it down. It's an incredible blessing. And I often think, how much more will Heavenly Father tell you through the spirit and through blessings and church meetings, etc..., when He knows you will write it down, remember it, treasure it, listen to it, and deem it as important.
When you write everything down, it allows you to reflect on blessings you might have missed. It allows you to see your growth, to look back and realize how much you've accomplished and that you are, in fact, doing better than you thought! That He is mindful of you at every emotion you feel! That He does love you with Great Detail.

{ just got an email with this quote, and I thought it fit perfectly: Knowledge carefully recorded is knowledge available in time of need. Spiritually sensitive information should be kept in a sacred place the communicates to the Lord how you treasure it. That practice enhances the likelihood of your receiving further light."--Richard G. Scott}

Side Note: I just got my idea for my next video! So, just a heads up that I will be working diligently on that and hopefully come sooner than later because I am extremely excited about this one! If you haven't seen any yet, please do, and please share! That's why I make them! Click here.

If you have any questions or comments, you can send me an email. And seriously, do. I LOVE them! You are who inspire me.

Wait For Your 'Manger'

2011-12-27T08:56:00.000-08:00

Here’s a new thought I had the other day. And it’s not about Christmas. It’s aboutopportunities that have passed. It’s about doubtless, faithful perseverance. It’sabout patience. Understanding. Perspective. It’s about knowing there is notsomething wrong with you. It’s about the ‘best’ rather than the good or better.

I was reading this month’s Ensign article by Elder Russell MNelson called The Savior Lives on pg 17. Something simple was said by him iswhat sparked all of these thoughts. He was talking about the birth of Christ.The story of Mary.

“…Perhaps they traveled even farther…They likely camped outseveral nights because their journey would have required 3 to 4 days…”

I don’t often think of what they went through as they traveled.I don’t often think of the discomfort Mary was in. I don’t often think of allthe opportunities that came up, that didn’t work out for her. How badly shewanted that Inn, but was denied. That seemed like such an amazing thing, andhow heartbreaking it was when it didn’t work out.

Was it because Mary was being punished? Did she do somethingwrong? No. Not at all.

But Heavenly Father had something else in mind. A manger. Itmay not have seemed perfect to Mary and Joseph, it may not have been what they had in mind. But it was all a part of Heavenly fathersplan.

Elder Russell M Nelson said, as soon as they got there,Christ was born. Jesus could have been born any one of those days traveling!But he wasn’t, he wasn’t born until the time and place Heavenly Father needed.

Could you imagine if Mary and Joseph didn’t keep going? Orif they were accepted into the Inn? Would the Sheppard’s find them? Would theyhave been there to bless others? Fulfill the plan, and prophesies?

Surely, the birth of Christ was perfect in every way. It wasthe best way, rather than a good, or a better. It was according to plan.

So look at what I titled this post. Wait for your “manger”. Wait for your something best, rather thansettling for something good, or something better. Wait for your something perfect according to Him. I know it can be hard andfull of discomfort, just like Mary, but when you see opportunities pass, keepgoing with faith knowing there is something else to come. That you are notbeing punished. And when it is His time, it will happen almost immediately. Thatit will not just bless you, but profoundly help and bless others because of it.Because you waited. Because you trust Him. Because you know that ‘He will notfail thee!’ (Deut. 31: 8)

You deserve it what He has in store for you. Do not get discouraged. It will come. And Itwill be perfect.

I love comments/questions! The emails I receive inspire me to keep going.email,twitter:@22alfox, youtube

Q & A

2011-12-17T15:08:00.000-08:00

Q: "I just got my mission call to Brazil and was wanting to ask you a question. If you could tell me anything that would help me on my mission as a missionary, what would you tell me?"

Me: " Have a testimony of you getting set apart as an elder. Because if you do, then you know that no matter what you do, or say, whatever happens, or doesn't happen, you will know it is all done in Lord. The way Heavenly Father has meant for it to be for you.
The biggest downfall is critiquing yourself and your efforts by how you think your mission should be. Just stay obedient and you will see He is using you every bit of it.

Q: "What told you that this church was a good thing?"

Me: "The spirit. I've never felt it before. And it is incredible. So, I promised to stay very very close to it now that I've found it"

Q: "Are you still in touch with the Elders that taught you?"

Me:" Of course! You never forget the person who saves your life."

Q:" what has kept you going/staying active/involved in the church? What I am trying to say is, why have you kept going and not given up and said "this is a bunch of crap" ?

Me:" Well, the gospel is like running up the downward escalator; The moment you pause, you start sliding back. Satan waits for those moments you slow down, or take a breath. so I look for more ways to keep going to stop that from happening-hence all the videos, and blogs, and making tshirts haha"

I would love to hear from you, or answer questions you may have, to anything! Email _ Youtube

List for Christ

2011-12-13T10:56:00.000-08:00

{This is a rough outline of my Relief Society lesson I taught a few weeks ago. Only, in blog form, and not in teaching form now.}

I mentioned briefly just a few points from a talk by Gordon B. Hinckley called, “What Shall I Do Then with Jesus Which Is Called Christ?”.
And I want to pose that exact question to you.
This season we are learning and talking of the birth and life of Christ. But now what? What do we do with that? What shall I do then with Jesus-which is called Christ?
I referenced my Christmas post from last year, “Christmas Is About Yourself”. If you haven’t read it yet, you should, and this will make more sense.

“…Why did he come here? What did he need to come here for? His plan was not like our plan. He didn't come here to work out his own salvation like us. His plan was to come here and help us with our plan. He came here for us. He came here for you. He lived for you. He suffered and He died for you. For us...."

"...So I do think that this is a time to remember why we are here. What is our plan and what do we need to do?...”

“…This is the season where we should evaluate ourselves and make sure we are keeping our end of the promise that we made to our Savior, because He did.”… (Christmas Is About Yourself, Dec 2010 blog post)

But I do not just teach in my lessons. I make them Act. I start some sort of follow through with the lesson we just had, because application is the most important part to the things we learn in church. And to this lesson, I had them reflect and make them see how that fits into their lives personally.

What do we give back as a Thank You? What do you get Christ for Christmas?
Our Father in Heaven gave His only begotten son, and His son, Jesus, gave His life. And so must we.

We give ourselves.

So I challenge you to do as my sisters in my ward did: Make a Christmas List for Christ.

As you go through your lists of all the things you need to get done and the presents you need to give, make this list a project for this season as well. It could be anything. It could be things you need to do better - things you need to stop - to do more of, etc..

To evaluate ourselves, to see where we are, and to give back to Him that gave/gives us everything. After all, ‘tis the season of giving, right?

So, a few days after my lesson, I decided it was past due to actually start my own. I said a prayer and asked the things I need to put on that list, and followed by another one asking for help that I may be able to do those things which I came up with.

One of those things was bearing testimony of Christ to my family. Some of you may be thinking, oh yeah that’s a good simple thing to do. Keep in mind my family has varied feelings on, not just my religion, but religion in general. But, as most of you know, I am bold and not ashamed and was extremely excited to see how I came up with how I was going to do this!

Christmas cards! Yes! I was going to hand make a card for everyone in my family back home in NY. What’s a Christmas card without expressions of gratitude for that person, and gratitude of Christ! (Haha, I say that like I do that every year..I don’t. But I will from now on).

So last night I did exactly that. And the results were indescribable.

I started all my cards with expressions of gratitude - just as Christ started everything He did. And ended in testimony. Each just as blunt, and heartfelt and honest, but personalized to each member of my family.

By the time I got to my second card, I was in tears. Not just cute, happy tears streaming down my face- I was sobbing. It was not cute at all, actually. My make-up ran and I looked like Alice Cooper. I even stained some of the insides of my cards with my mascara tears.{And it didn't help I was listening to this song on repeat}
The power of gratitude, and the power of standing as a witness of Christ, no matter the circumstances, are one of the most rewarding things we could do. It was such a spiritual, moving experiment, that I could picture Christ himself smiling because of it. And I felt it. Not just because of what I wrote in the cards, but because I followed through with a promise I had made, and I know He was happy with me. I'd like to think I am close with my Savior, but it was one of those experiences where your love for Him becomes even more profound and extremely real.
But this isn't about me, and what I did. This is about you. I know that as you follow through with the commitments you have made, you will be blessed to know, and feel, that He is proud of you. That He is smiling. I know that as you think and follow through with the things to work on, and give to Christ as a gift, you will be blessed with an incredible spirit, and an experience worth writing down and to never be forgotten. That your relationship with Him will become more real. More profound. I promise.

And it wouldn't be a Christmas post if I didn't express my gratitude of Christ, right? {heh}
He lives. He really does. He is happy when we are happy, and sad when we are. He cares so much for us! Individually. This time of year, it is all about Christmas spirit, well the Christmas spirit, is the spirit saying "YES, the feeling of Christ is great! Following Christ, being full of gratitude, giving to others and talking of Christ is GREAT!" We really need to remember that now and be there for each other. And be there for Christ. To keep going. To never give up. To never be ashamed. To know that all will in fact be well. That because of Him, we may be happy - we may succeed - we may, too, live.

{c h r s i t m a s c a r d s}

" ...I'm trying an experiment: All my Christmas cards be full of gratitude. It has been an emotional experiment. I wanted to make your card extra pretty, but I saved a lot of room to write on your card for a reason..."

“…bemindful of what he has done for us out of love- to be reminded that we canovercome all trials-because He did. And know it will all work out for thebest-because it did for Him…”

“…Thoughwe are states apart now , I am grateful that because of Him I can live with youforever…”

“…Youare, seriously, the biggest blessing Heavenly Father has given me…”

“…Helived for us, and he died for us, so that we may be happy. And I know thatbecause I have gotten to know Him, and I really am a real kind of happiness,that I hope you will one day journey to learn more of too…”

“..Iknow that He loves me because he has blessed me with a sister like you…”

“Heis incredible. Stay close to Him…”

Please leave comments, or questions here or to my email. I love them. Take a peak at my church videos I make on youtube.

Out Of Request:

2011-12-08T09:27:00.001-08:00

I have received many emails expressing that they wish someone they knew could watch this video, but cannot because they are out on their mission currently.
So here is the audio from the video to copy and paste in an email to them, due to a high number of requests:

"Dear Elder,
Remember that one time I blew you off and told you I didn’t care what you had to say. Or that one time you gave me a Book of Mormon and I promised you I would NEVER read it. And the several weeks I told you, ‘what? Sunday? Oh yeah…Im busy.’ And I will never forget the time you asked me to pray and I laughed for 10 minutes straight and then called you silly.

Dear Elder,
Do you remember when I showed you my scriptures and it was covered in highlighter? And when I started to call you to make the appointments? Or that one phone call when i described my whole closet to you, upset I didn't own a single dress or skirt?
Elder, do you remember when you taught me how to talk to my father in heaven? And how I tried to describe this indescribable happiness I was feeling that has not gone away, and continues to grow. Remember all the times where I overcame- conquered- progressed. When I was doing things I NEVER thought I could do. or when I called you at 4 am telling you I wanted to get baptized-when you put your hands on my head to receive the greatest gift I could have ever gotten, ever!
Elder, Do you remember when you showed me a better way of living?
Do you Remember when I started to become the person heavenly Father has wanted me to be all along?

July 2009, I met two boys in suits riding bikes ont he street. they wanted to talk. I told them if they brought me a steak dinner to eat, I'd listen.
And they did! they actually did!
And that's how it all started.

My name is Al Fox. I am from Rochester, New York, and I got baptized to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints a month later.
And I have never been happier.

Dear Elder,
Thank You!!!! Thank you for what you are doing. Thank you for your example, and for the spirit you always have. Thank you for your prayers and for all of your sacrifices!
For pushing through any any insecurities or struggles you may have.
Someone just as scared as you may be, saved my life.
Do not give up.
Do not get discouraged.
keep Going.
What you are doing DOES make a difference.
This is SO real.
I am here because of it.
I am one of those rescued."

To watch my DEAR ELDER video click here. Mail2al_fox@yahoo.com

NEW VIDEO RELEASED: Dear Elder

2011-12-05T07:37:00.001-08:00

I am extremely grateful I was able to get this video out, finally! The support that I have already received from it as been indescribable and very humbling! To watch my Dear Elder video, Click Here.

I want to apologize for the wait. I have never received so much opposition for a video, as I did with this one. A whole month! Everything that could have gone wrong, did. It was really discouraging some days, and the thought comes into your head of "if its a good thing, why won't it just work out?!" But, the lesson we all have learned over and over again will answer that question. In it's own due time, it will.

Giving up is never an option.

And when you push through, you see that it turned out a lot better then you thought it could. You look back and think how worth it it all was, and how regretful you would have felt if you gave up.
Makes me think back to about a week ago. I was watching the Broncos vs. Chargers football game. Score, 13-13, overtime and chargers had the ball for a field kick. Someone I am very close with knew the chargers would make the kick and win the game. He's a broncos fan.
Something he wanted so bad didn't seem like it would work out. Something he was passionate about was not going in his favor. He got so mad, and frustrated and disappointed that he yelled at the tv and, defeated, started to leave the room. They missed the kick! The Broncos ended up winning.
He came running back into the room, screaming and shouting for joy this time! Jumping up and down!
I know how easy it would be to give up when things don't go how we want them to. Especially if they are good things.But I also know, that if we just stick it out until the end, we will see that it did in fact all work out, and we will be shouting and jumping for joy!
Giving up is never an option.

I love comments/questions! The emails I receive inspire me to keep going.email: mail2al_fox@yahoo.comtwitter: @22alfoxyoutube: .com/user/22alfox

New Video This Week!

2011-11-15T07:20:00.001-08:00

I love hearing from you! Mail2al_fox@yahoo.com

NEW VIDEO RELEASED

2011-10-10T08:05:00.000-07:00

I just released my newest video 'YOU BELONG' that I hope you will check out, and share it. This particular message is something I am very passionate about.

Im grateful for the opportunity I have to make these videos to tell more people that they do fit in, that the gospel is for them! To not be ashamed, because this is the greatest thing we could ever be apart of! Ever! To not Procrastinate, do not put it off or make excuses. That you CAN be happy, and NOW is the time. NOW is the time to receive all the blessings he has specifically for you.

I'll post what each sign says below, but also, before I do:
FUTURE VIDEO: is going to be a behind the scenes/making of the videos/bloopers/ and (this is where you come in) a Q&A.

So please, post on here, or to my email, questions you would like me to answer. It can be anything from How I met the missionaries, how I get video ideas, how to prep for them, or anything you could come up with! It doesn't even have to be relevant.{ mail2al_fox@yahoo.com }

VIDEO SIGNS:
“Why-Why do you do this?”
It’s b/c I want everyone to know that You can be happy,
That There are great things in store for you.
Greater then you could ever imagine.
No matter who you are, YOU FIT IN.
You belong here. You belong apart of this.
You are good enough
You came here to be great and to succeed.
You Can do this.
Do not get discouraged.
We have a lot to look forward to
What are you waiting for?
NOW is the time
Press Forward
This is it!
This is real
Stand up
Do not be ashamed
This is the greatest thing you will ever be a part of. Ever.
Let your light so shine
Go to Christ and receive all the blessings he has specifically for you.
He needs you.
We are everything to God. He loves YOU. He wants to help. He wants to bless you.
Thank you for who you are.
Look To God and Live.

Thanks for all the support you give me, and your emails with your incredible stories and feelings. I am already looking forward to my next video-and it wont be done in signs, I promise! Don't forget to comment and email me some questions for it!
And I would feel guilty if I didn't mention and thank my new videographer,Arielle Vought, who is awesome! Check our not just her videos, but also her photography is breathtaking. Facebook

UPDATES

2011-09-19T06:40:00.000-07:00

I am so humbled from all the support and feedback I have received from my NEVER ALONE video. Just a heads up that this week I will be filming and releasing my new video! I have spent a lot of prayer and fasting on it and I am so excited to see how it turns out!
(*Had some trouble after spending the day filming. I will re film on 10/8/11!)

In the meantime, check out my older, written posts! Such as:
Strength In Change,
This is Not Our Home,
How My Standards Have strengthen My Testimony,
Do It Because,
Christmas Is About Yourself, and others!

www. BOOK OF MORMON BELIEVE .com

2011-09-15T15:29:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across this website through facebook, and it is really awesome. It is another way to get in touch with missionaries and ask questions, and post/share your testimony on Christ and the Book Of Mormon for others to read.

My video 'NEVER ALONE' is featured on it, and its so exciting! I love being able to share my testimony with as many people as I can.
Check out my post here.
and write your own here.

Christian Indie Music

2011-09-09T08:14:00.000-07:00

I think sometimes it's a little hard to find good church music. There are so many that are out there that bring the spirit, but sometimes I feel like I am not in the mood for "churchy" stuff.

Check this band out, Built Of The Architect, from Orem, Ut. He is a solo acoustic artist that has an incredible voice and an amazing testimony!

The two I recommend if you want to feel the spirit is "He Lives" and "Mother".
-"He Lives" I feel like I can still be singing while I'm asleep!
-"Mother" is a song dedicated to his friend who lost her 2 year old son a few months back and it is written as if her son was singing it to her. This will seriously make you cry, but it is SO uplifting. It is an INCREDIBLE testimony of where we go after this life and everything is alright!

I had the opportunity to listen to his other work that is not posted yet, and his testimony that comes through is so inspiring! Ill keep you all posted when new work is released. Or, add him on facebook, or follow him on Reverbnation.

Be sure to check out my Newest Church VIDEO blog on Youtube! I'm so grateful for all the support I have already received, and all of the really uplifting messages you have been sending me! Please repost and see how many more people we can try and motivate and uplift! Subscribe if you haven't already!

questions, comments, stories, love: mail2al_fox@yahoo.com

New Video: NEVER ALONE

2011-09-06T13:00:00.000-07:00

I Just Finished a new church video for my video blog on YouTube!
Word on the street is, if you liked my other one, you will Love my newest one!
Check it out. Subscribe. Repost.
Click here:
NEVER ALONE

My 2 Year Anniversary!

2011-08-22T08:01:00.001-07:00

AUGUST 22ND! I can't believe I have been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for 2 years! Here are some pictures of BEFORE I got baptized!
And I am pasting a letter I had to write to the Mission President after I got baptized of how it came to be. It was wrote in September 2009, just 2 or 3 weeks after being a member!
Also, a bunch of people are asking. Yes, I do guest speak at different wards. Just email me to set a date. Mail2al_fox@yahoo.com
I am resisting to write my story of how I met the missionaries here. Too funny. But I am saving it for my next video blog. So you're going to have to wait.

Heres my letter:

A L E X A N D R A F O X
29_S T R A T H A L L A N P A R K A P T_5
R O C H E S T E R _ N Y _ 1 4 6 1 6

S E P T E M B E R _ 2 0 0 9

President Hemingway,

How I became a convert really has quite an easy answer. It was the spirit. It was the spirit that the missionaries had with them every time we met. It was the spirit that I could see in their eyes and hearts when they would teach me, and it was the spirit that had prompted me to keep going, keep learning, keep praying and to keep being excited about it all.

I could tell the message the missionaries had was true before I even knew what their message was because of their obvious dedication and diligence.

My testimony is built around the fact that I was already really happy previous to meeting the missionaries. I didn’t want to change anything because finally things were going my way. I was trying to look for a sign that this is what I needed, that this was a good time to learn and continue what I was doing with the elders. When I realized that the missionaries finding me and coming to me was my sign-that right then was my chance-my time. It was my time to listen. It was my time to learn. It was my time to return to God.

I had some bad habits I knew I had to quit before I could progress. _is became the first time I learned to put trust into the gospel, and where I really got to try out what it is like to have faith.

Within losing those bad habits I thought I would be losing what made me, me; that I would be losing myself. It was the spirit that kept me motivated and to continue. It was the spirit that my missionaries had when they would call me-when they knew things would be tempting for me that kept me on the right track and reminded me that this will all be worth it. It was the spirit that made the transition easier.

I had tried to quit before but it was unbearable and could not succeed. But this time was different. This time I was getting something in return. This time I had faith. This time I was starting to work on my salvation. This time I was starting my eternal journey. This time I knew I was going to become who was meant to be all along. And this time, I knew, I could continue to put my trust in the spirit and in the Lord.

It was the spirit that had come to me so overwhelmingly one morning that prompted me to get baptized. It was so strong in my heart and in my mind that there was no room for second guessing or procrastination. I was so excited that first thing in the morning I called my missionaries and told them the rewarding news every missionary wants to hear-that I wanted to set a date.

That morning I was incredibly happy, a happiness I have never been before and didn’t even know existed. That happiness I had that morning has not gone away yet. Since then, and through my baptism, and through receiving the Holy Ghost, that happiness has only gotten stronger. Every day with all my energy I will testify that the Lord’s path is open to all those that are willing, and is the only eternal path to a never ending, overwhelming, indescribable happiness that continues to grow, (Elder Cox and Elder Despain-note the jump!)

As soon as I stepped out of the baptismal waters, I felt anxious more than anything else. Anxious to tell my story, anxious to talk about everything I learned, anxious to teach what I know from my experiences, anxious to motivate and inspire and get a calling.

And as I’m sitting here writing this, trying to filter all my emotions and excitement in a way that makes sense, I realize I have already received a calling. A calling I received the moment I rose out of the water on my baptism, the most important one, the calling to serve God. The calling to keep the covenants and commandments I make, and enduring to the end. The calling of being dedicated and diligent, just like my missionaries.

Still, I am anxious. Anxious to fulfill my calling; anxious to tell every soul that it is a soul that belongs to our Heavenly Father, and to tell every person the truth. Anxious to say that this is only the beginning and it will keep getting better, and that it will all be worth it. I am anxious for what is to come and will embrace it with a confidence that can never weaken. And I pray that I will have better patience.

Sincerely blessed, with never ending thanks to my missionaries,

A L E X A N D R A F O X
5 8 5 _ 4 8 9 _ 9 9 8 0
A F O X _ P H O T O G R A P H Y @ Y A H O O . C O M
T h e C h u r c h o f J e s u s C h r i s t o f L a t t e r - D a y S a i n t s

* And also, to see where I am now, make sure to subscribe to my church video blog on YouTube! http://www.youtube.com/user/22AlFox?feature=mhee
And check out my Christian Clothing Co on Facebook!

MY NEW VIDEO-"Keep Going"

2011-08-11T18:30:00.000-07:00

Please watch.
Please subscribe.
Please repost on facebook.
and Please let me know what you think :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhB20IKcK6g
:)

BELIEVER Clothing Co.

2011-08-05T10:18:00.000-07:00

I have a Clothing Company I just Launched on Facebook. I will be moving it to ETSY as soon as I photograph more of the shirts.

Its a way to put my Testimony on a Tee! Custom Shirts Are Available upon text Approval.
Spread the word :) Pricing listed on FB. Go "LIKE" Believer Clothing Co.

Al Fox goes YouTube

2011-07-29T15:25:00.000-07:00

http://youtu.be/GcxMMXVlRK8
I've decided to put my thoughts and insights on video to be more interactive! Please subscribe and follow me there. I will still update this when I have a new video or pictures or whatnot. I am excited about this though! Thanks for your interest, you guys are seriously so great :)

Do It Because

2011-06-20T15:03:00.000-07:00

A month ago I get a text message from my Branch President saying he wanted to meet with me that day. I knew what it was about already. I had previously met with him about something in particular I was working towards. My stomach immediately flipped upside down and my heart started going so fast and I became nervous. My mind stared racing of all the different possibilities and I started to reflect on everything I did to prepare.

My very first thought was "OH NO! It's time! Right Now! Today! " This was something I have been anticipating for a few weeks now - but I was preparing for a lesson I had to give in church, I was busy and distracted, this COULDN'T be right time, I wasn't expecting it!

And my very next thought, "...uh-oh, did I do everything I could to prove to him I am ready and I deserve this?" Sure, I fasted and prayed and studied extra hard and prayed even more and all of that, but could I have done even more? Was I as diligent as I am capable of? I started to critique everything I did and the way I did it. The next thing I know, I was scared to see him; I was scared of his answer. I thought, how strange, someone I know so well and am very close with and all of a sudden I am afraid to see them; something I have been waiting for so long and all of a sudden I didn't want to go. Something I wanted so badly was in the hands over someone else's judgment, and what a terrifying thing!

I remember waiting outside of his office nervous almost to the point of tears and realizing this is exactly how I will feel when Christ returns. This will be exactly how I feel judgment day: Now? Today? Oh no! Did I do everything I could to prove to Him I am worthy and ready and deserving? That something I really want, to be exalted and live with Him forever, is in His hands, and suddenly even though I know my Savior so well and am so close with, I am afraid to see Him. Sure, I prayed and read scriptures, but I did as much as I could have? Did I do everything to my full potential?

This makes me think back to this past General Conference- the Sunday session I watched alone, having no one else in the whole church building. This wasn't because I had nowhere to go and no one to watch it with.
My branch President called me saying he set up a screen for me at our church building and I could go and grab a key to let myself in. I did my hair and my make-up and dressed up in my Sunday's best. I stood up and I sang extra loud during the congregational hymns.

Did I do that because someone else was there who would see if I did or did not do that? No. No one would see if I wore church clothes to just sit in the Relief Society room. No one else was there to see if I stood up to sing, or even sang at all.
But I did.
and I did it for My Heavenly Father, because I knew He was watching.
I did it because I Love Him.
and because I Respect Him.

Now, I am not saying that everyone needs to watch Conference by themselves. The reason I thought of that experience because that was an eye opener to me that I needed to do that and have that time to strengthen myself spiritually and become closer to my Father and Savior. It was just something I personally needed to make my relationship stronger.

It makes me think of all the others times and opportunities, and if I was doing everything I needed to do for my salvation. It makes me think how my relationship with my Heavenly Father is the most important relationship I can ever have with anyone else. This is the relationship I need to be constantly mindful of and constantly nurturing it. That only through this relationship can all other relationships be strengthened as well.

When I kneel each night before my last prayer of the day, I think to myself, is what I did today represent how I feel about my Savior? Is anything I did today help me to become closer to my top priority of following Him.

What’s your top priority?
Are you doing what you need to better yourself and be prepared?

Don’t forget why we are here.

Don’t forget what we need to do and work towards.

Don’t forget we will all stand face to face with Jesus Christ.

Don’t forget that everything we do-or don’t do-is a testimony to God. That He is always watching.

And most importantly, don’t forget Christ. Don’t forget how merciful He is. Don’t forget how much He loves us and wants us back so badly. Don’t forget He will never abandon us; He will never make us do this on our own. He is always there and He will not fail us. We have everything we need to be successful-because we have Him. Everything starts and ends with Christ. Everything.

So don't do it for anyone else. Do it for yourself, and for Him. Do it out of Love, and out of Respect. Do it because of what He did for us. Do it because He knows us best, because He is the perfect provider. Do it because it will be the happiest you will ever be. Do it because of all of the blessings. Do it because you deserve it. Do it because it’s worth it. Do it because there is no other way. Do it because this is true. Because it is real. This is so real, and it is so great.
Do it and don’t ever stop.

If it wont' let you leave a comment and you have questions or comments email me at mail2al_fox@yahoo.com or look up Al Fox on Facebook!

This Is Not Our Home

2011-02-17T14:24:00.000-08:00

Before I knew about the church I thought I had a pretty good idea of the direction my life was going, and what I wanted to do with it. When I joined the church my life took a 180 degree shift and my priorities changed and the way I envisioned my future was completely different. There were more options now-better ones, and I had a different outlook on things and knowledge on the meaning eternity. The stronger and smarter I became in the church I figured the more I would be sure in what exactly I wanted to do.

About a year ago, back in New York, I found myself praying to Heavenly father about this exact thought-I figured things would be a lot easier to figure out with the help and direction of Him. But I received an answer I didn’t expect and did not want to follow through with.

Move to Utah?
Heavenly Father you have got to be kidding me.

I tried so hard to convince myself I heard wrong or maybe if I asked differently I would get a different answer, or perhaps even change His mind or make a deal with Him for something else. I couldn’t get around it. What it came down to was: follow the spirit, or not - follow the answer I had been diligently wanting, or not - trust in Heavenly Father, or not.

I realized something very important and very crucial that I am consciously aware of everyday: That it is not about picking what we want to do and just asking for Heavenly Fathers help with it, it is about doing what he asks of us and receiving those blessings and help and comfort to follow through. I figured it would be disrespectful to ask and ask for an answer and when finally getting one I disagree, or don’t do anything about it.

So, with a lot of work (understatement) and countless, HUGE setbacks and obstacles, I quit my full time job, got rid of my apartment, fit my life into an Allero Oldsmobile, said goodbye to my family and the only way of living that I knew of, and drove across the country- by myself- to a place I had never been before.

But it’s not up to me.

I never thought I could do something like that. Ever. But what a feeling it was to follow through with the spirit! To do something you never thought you could ever do and ending up in a place you never thought you would and to see the blessings and the hand of the Lord in every step of it! With the blessings and outcomes aside, the feeling of satisfaction and approval from our Father in Heaven would have made every sacrifice and the whole thing worth it. I felt unstoppable.

So here I am, in Utah, still not knowing exactly what to do-still following the spirit-and still feeling that amazing satisfaction and approval with amazing blessings. “And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do. Nevertheless I went forth” (1 Nephi 4:6-7).

I am reminded of 2 Nephi 12:20- “we have been driven out of the land of our inheritance; but we have been led to a better land.” I love this verse because in it is a promise. That sometimes we are asked to sacrifice a great amount and leave things we love, but if we do, things will always be better. That Heavenly Father will always make it all worth it.

Back in NY I was a booth attendant in a hospital parking garage. I would ask about 600 people a day if they were coming back to the hospital and if they needed a return pass. This one lady in particular made an impression on me that put things into perspective.
I asked, “Are you coming back?”
-No.
“Did you need a receipt?”
-No.
Then she looked up at me with tears down her face and slowly said, “I just want to go home.”

The look on her face was so worn out, and the way that she said it-her exhausted tone-just sat in me so heavily.

I saw so many people leaving the hospital every day, and so I saw a lot of different emotions and I think how hectic it is in there. How tiring and draining it is. How the thought of going home is the one thing that can help. Going home where you feel comfortable- the one place where we can finally rest, catch our breath and escape from our problems. Where we can feel so safe and secure. Where we can let go and unwind. Where we can regain and rebuild.

I thought much on her response and made a connection as I thought, “…me too.”

I was thinking in Relief Society last week when the teacher asked for a volunteer to go up to the front, and hardly anyone raised their hand. How often that has happened in school or work, etc.? You don’t raise your hand in fear of being asked to do something you don’t know how to do. But afterwards, you see that it wasn’t bad at all and you could have done that had you have known what it was beforehand. Or a test-after we take it we realize you could have done so much more to study, or we see our mistakes and think ‘How could I have missed that, I knew that!”

I realized that after this life how I would not want that to happen-to look back and think how you could have done so much more, or kick myself in the butt for screwing up things I knew - How I don’t want to sit back and afterwards, realize that I could have done that!

Yea…it takes work-it takes effort…courage, sacrifice, fear and faith even…

But this is it.

This is what we have.

This is what we were given.

And this is what we can do.

I have to. We have to. We have everything to lose if we don’t.

I may still be asking where I am going and what to do next, but one direction in my life that I am sure of is the most important one-returning to my Father in Heaven.

This is not our home. I need to return, I need to go back, and I may be tired when I do, maybe exhausted and out of breathe when I do, but there is no greater feeling of joy and happiness and rest than going back to Home Sweet Home.

If it wont let you leave a comment and you have questions or comments email me at mail2al_fox@yahoo.com or look up Al Fox on facebook!

Christmas is about Yourself

2010-12-15T13:44:00.000-08:00

I'll explain the title, I promise. This was my first Sacrament talk I gave last year back in NY. Keep in mind when I gave this I have only been a member for a few months and was my first LDS Christmas.

"I don't have internet at my apartment. I wasn't able to go the LDS website to look up talks, or firesides-everything I am about to say is purely two weeks of just praying.

So going back to basics, which at this point is all I know, I do know Christmas is about families, love, charity, ham dinners, and traditions... -which is all apart of it- But what is December 25th? Well, it's a celebration and it's a remembrance of our Savior. It's when we remember Heavenly Father sending His only begotten son to us. And having said that, I kind of feel that Christmas is about ourselves.

And I know you're thinking, "Al Fox, this is obviously you first LDS Christmas if you're going to stand up there and tell us it's about ourselves."

But I really started to think about this-Why did he come here? What did he need to come here for? His plan was not like our plan. He didn't come here to work out his own salvation like us. His plan was to come here and help us with our plan. He came here for us. He came here for you. He lived for you. He suffered and He died for you. For us.

So I do think that this is a time to remember why we are here. What is our plan and what do we need to do?

I am reminded of 3 Nephi, in the first chapter, where the Nephites are really relying on Christ to be born. They were going to die if they didn't see the sign of Christ being born. They needed Christ to live. And that goes for us as well. We need Christ for us to live and follow through with our plan.

I do know that we came here to experience and to learn and to return to our Heavenly Father. God's whole purpose is to make it so we can all enjoy every one of His blessings. We all understood this plan, and we all fought for it. We fought to be here. We knew we were going to be separated from our Father, we already accepted Christ as our Savior and that this was going to be hard.

But we are all blessed to know that we are not alone, we are really blessed to have what we have. Being Latter-Day Saints we really do have everything we need to fulfill our plan and return to our Father. Through the Atonement, Baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost, praying, help from each other and help from our Savior, we can really do what we are suppose to do.

So I feel like this time, this season, we really need to remember Christ and what he taught us, and to trust Him. He came here, and while He lived he set up this church. He was here and lived for us and showed us first hand what we need to do. That we need to follow in His example. I do feel like this season should be a personal reminder to become like Christ and lay down our eternal foundation.

This is the season where we should evaluate ourselves and make sure we are keeping our end of the promise that we made to our Savior, because He did.

It's the season that we need to remind ourselves that as long as were trying and doing what we know to be right and of God, that we're in good hands! We're in the hands of God. The hands that will help and support us.

It's the season to not get distracted by our trials, to trust the spirit and that all is well. And that our Lord still loves us today as much as He did when we lived with Him. That as long as we're doing our part, He is going to do His. That as long as you draw closer to Him, He will draw closer to you. That the more you understand Him, the more you will understand yourself, your direction and your plan.

This season, we can not lose sight of why we are here. We can't lose sight of what we need to do.

I know what you're thinking now, "Alright Al Fox, if Christmas is about yourself, why do we spend so much time doing charity and giving to others during the season?"

When Christ was here He cared for everyone else and went out of His way for everyone else. Thats what he did. It is all about following Christ. He showed us what we need to do and as we celebrate Him and His life we need to work on our Christlike attributes.

I was reading the other part of my talk to my sister in the car last night and realized I didn't want to say any of it anymore. It dawned on me that it didn't matter that I spent 2 weeks on this, but its not what I should say. The rest of my talk I will just rely on the spirit, but what it always should come down to is the spirit and to trust in the spirit...

The other night I was getting off of work, and I work the gross evening shift so I do not get off until 12:30 am. It was freezing and it was snowing, and I had to park at the other end of my street because all the spots were taken. I see this guy walking and I get out of my car right as he was walking by. I should have waited until he had gone past to get out of my car, somehow knowing he needed help, because I didn't want to help him. It was late and I was cold and tired.

Sure enough he had asked me if I had a gas can. I didn't. He said that we was parked on the other end of the street with his daughter in the car and she was so cold. He told me that he was a good guy and just wants to get her home, that he is stuck and no one else is around to help because it is so late. He asked if I had any money to help him out. But I didn't. I only had one $1bill and a bunch of 20's, and I was not going to give him a 20.

I was looking at this man for 5 minutes without saying anything, in the freezing snow, just standing there listening to him talk. I looked down and I saw the sticker on my car. If you have ever seen my car, it has a sticker that says "Mormon Girl" that my sister had gotten me, its so cheesy, but great, and I looked down in my hands and I had an ensign and another church book. And Im looking down at these things in my hand and then back up at this man.

I didn't want to give him money. I didn't trust him. I told him i couldn't help and I was sorry, but I couldn't walk away and he couldn't walk away, and we were just starring at each other.

I told him to stay there and I drove away. And I didn't come back.

I'm just kidding, I did come back.

I went a few miles down the road to a gas station and asked them to brake a 20 for me. The lady behind the counter, out of a conversation builder asked what for, and I told her it was for a man who needed gas.

She responded, "You know thats a scam, right?"

and I said, "Yeah. I do."

And the whole time I am thinking how I didn't want to help him, how I didn't trust him and how I would never really know what he needed that money for. But when she said it so bluntly, so obviously, I felt so good hearing it and I smiled and said "I know."

As I was driving back I was really happy, and I didn't understand why I was so happy. I was giving money to someone who I thought didn't need it. I really wanted to give him a pass along card. I have so many, but they all happen to be on my fridge, which defeats the whole purpose. So I am going through my bag before I drive up closer to this man who is still waiting for me and I find the Restoration pamphlet.

I remembered as I was driving away on my way to get change, he yelled "Thank you, Jesus!" and he even had his hands up in the air when he said it, and as I was sitting there in my car I kept thinking of him saying that..."Thank you, Jesus!"

I feel like, this is the season where we need to put aside our differences. We need to put aside the fact that the majority of people are not with our religion, and put aside the fact that most people aren't with a religion at all. We need to put aside the fact that some people are really rude. Some are liars. Some people like to cheat others. What we need to remember is that we are all in this together. We all fought to be here. And we need to be there for people when we can.

I gave him the pamphlet with the money hiding inside of it. He just saw a picture of Jesus with the words, "The Restoration" across it, and he said to me, "God bless you." He looked me right in the eye and didn't blink and said it so firm, "God bless you, thank you so much."

And I was thinking, he didn't even see how much money I gave him...he didn't even see that I gave him any money at all. He was so happy and when he walked away I promise you he even jumped.

And as I was walking away I was thinking, if I didn't help him for whatever he needed help for, I would have felt horrible. The fact that you could help someone and you choose not to, that would have killed me.

It really touched me to feel the spirit, especially now when it's all about Christmas spirit. Well the Christmas spirit is the spirit. It is there for us mainly around Christmas time saying, Yes! The feeling of Christ is good! We need to remember Christ.

And I feel like, whatever he needed that money for, it doesn't even matter. He knows that good comes from Christ now. He knows that people who follow Christ, there is still good in their hearts. That good is still there, and whatever you need help with, help will be there.

I feel like we all need to just remember that we need to be there for everybody. Around this time, we need to be there for our families. We need to be there for those who don't have someone to be there for them all the time.

I testify that if you follow that spirit, no matter how out of the way it seems, no matter how inconvenient it seems, it's going to be great. The spirit is great. What we have is so great! It doesn't matter how long you spend on a talk and last minute you feel like you shouldn't share any of it. It doesn't matter what you put in, it's what comes out of it. We really need to remember that now and be there for each other. And be there for Christ. And I leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." (2009 Rochester, NY: My First Sacrament Talk; My First LDS Christmas).

If it wont let you leave a comment and you have questions or comments email me at mail2al_fox@yahoo.com or look up Al Fox on facebook!

Strength in Change

2010-11-12T09:35:00.000-08:00

This is a response I sent to a friend of mine who told me they didn't know how to get back to the iron rod. Wanted some sort of comfort in knowing she had to change but didn't know how.

When I first joined the church, everything in my life changed. Whether it was because of bad habits I had and bad decisions I had before made, or because my surroundings did not compliment my new way of living. It was weird more than hard to try and change because it was what I was used to-it was just how I was. It actually surprised me that it wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be. I think its because this time I was getting something in return. I had a goal to work towards and a constant reminder of it and how bad I wanted it-which for me was the missionaries, I wanted to have what they had and every time I saw them the desire grew bigger, and the change or sacrifice meant that I would have that happiness and the blessings and the direction.

Before I knew I wanted to change I was just seeing the missionaries because they made me feel good to be around them. All I did was pray, about nothing it seems, because they told me to, and I was changing little things unconsciously because of it. Just praying builds up that relationship with Heavenly Father, one which I have never had before. Going to him even if it’s not about anything specific shows that you trust Him enough to where you would take that minute or so to pray in the first place. Your desires, whether you say them aloud to him or not, in the beginning at least, he will be aware of and will help you and he will bless you.

For me, having those little blessings come to me made me consciously make the bigger more significant changes-for selfish reasons I think, because I wanted more blessings haha. The change is the easy part when you are praying daily and when you’re consistently thinking of how great the things in the future are going to be-it’s the sacrifices that are attached to them that might be the tricky part. It was fine that I didn’t drink or smoke anymore, but I lost my dad over it because that’s how he thought we bonded…same with all of my friends.

In the beginning I didn’t want the church to be true, because if it was that would mean I would have to change so much in my life-if I changed, I was afraid I wouldn’t be me anymore…I liked me. But as I was selfishly going after that happiness and those blessings I changed into someone so much better; I turned into who I was meant to be all along, who Heavenly Father always wanted me to be, and what a satisfying feeling that is! A feeling that is so powerful and strong, to where you can physically feel it, to where it will be motivation to never turn back. Think of running up an escalator going down-what happens when you stop running up and stand idle? You start moving backwards and you end up at the bottom. To progress, and to even stay where you are, you have to continue to work at it.

But that’s what faith is. Faith is not something you have; faith is something you constantly have to work towards. Faith is not a feeling, it is a decision, and it’s a decision you have to make everyday-several times a day in each situation. Being new to all of this at first, that meant a lot of experimenting on my part. I didn’t have friends or my families support, and I didn’t any know members of the church yet. It was up to me and all I had was a promise from my missionaries, and church pamphlets. My only options that I knew of to continue to build up that happiness were in church pamphlets and the Book of Mormon, but how great that was to have it just be between me and the Lord, and this way I was able to leave the worldly things out of it.

But whether you have to change your whole life around, or just a few small things-whether you have to lose friends and do it on your own, or to take advantage of those around you-whether you have to experiment, or to just finally follow through with the things you know that work-whether it is easy, or hard-you will be happy and it will be great. It will be the greatest thing that you do and it will be the happiest that you have ever been. No matter how far away you are from being where you should be, those steps you take closer to that point will be the most important and the most rewarding. That no sacrifice isn’t worth the blessing we will be getting in return-that we can do it and our Lord will not let us do it on our own. Perhaps if we know we need to change, but don’t know anything else other than that-to know that we can ask Him. Ask Him who he wants you to be, ask Him to show you what to do next. To know that no good thing will be denied us as long as we ask, and we ask in spirit-when we pray, to know we can ask Him to help us with our prayer so that what we ask will be for sure in spirit and in accordance to His will for us individually.

I was thinking for several weeks on the question “What makes people want to change?” I asked many people and they all told me amazing stories of themselves on how they came to realize they needed to be doing something different. They all gave me different responses to that question. After praying about this question many times I realize that with all the different ways to respond, there is only one answer: That the church is true. That this is all real. That Heavenly Father loves us and misses us when we are not there. It is the spirit that makes us want to change and it is the Savior that makes it possible for us to change.

This is His work. This is His glory. He works hard to help us, and he loves it. He wants us back, and there is no way that he is going to prevent that from happening.

In His strength I can do all things __Alma 26:12
And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me__John 16:32
I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it__Rev. 3:8
Let not your minds turn back__D&C 7:14
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord__Romans 8:37-39
Boyd K Packer CES Fireside Video

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How have my standards strengthened my testimony

2010-08-17T15:52:00.000-07:00

Sacrament talk I gave 8/8/10 Lindon 22nd Ward-Please tell me your thoughts!
How Have My Standards Strengthened My Testimony:

One of the missionaries that found me went home after two weeks; this was even before I had had my first lesson. I remember making him a goodbye card saying. “if I don’t get baptized, I’m going to marry a mormon.”

The life they led was unheard of to me. It wasn’t that it seemed unattainable, but non existant. Me, like every non member, asked many questions on the standard living of their life and was hung up on the fact people actually live this way. But my missionaries glowed every time I saw them. I craved their presence so that whatever they had, I could have too.

They became my role models before I even knew what their message was because of their obvious obedience and diligence, that just by looking at them I felt safe. I didn’t know I was missing anything in my life, but meeting these 2 boys, just by glance, I knew they had something I didn’t. Something greater…something real.

But I didn’t want to learn, I just wanted to see them and hope it would rub off on me somehow.

Well, it did. But it wasn’t until someone else pointed it out to me did I notice. I saw my friend Gilly for the first time in a month-I wasn’t baptized yet, and the idea of getting baptized wasn’t even close to being an option. He said to me, “Wow…Al…you look good”

I replied, “Thanks…I’m wearing a new shirt?”

He said, “That’s not what I mean…whatever you’re doing, DO NOT STOP…”

It wasn’t that I started to change because I knew I had to, but once the spirit enters your life, your souls can never be the same. I made changes without even realizing I did, I made changes before the thought of the church being true entered into my mind.

The happiness was obvious and undeniable. Then I started to consciously make changes in my life just to feel that happiness more and more.

It was noticeable to others what was happening to me, and I felt like I was the last person to know.

According to my missionaries, I was a prime investigator making progress. According to my friends and my family, I was in the process of being brainwashed. And According to me, I was simply following that happiness that kept getting stronger and stronger.

That’s what happens when Christ becomes a reality in your life. You change-not because you’re told to, but because then, you want to.

Living these ‘standards’ that the missionaries had and taught allowed me to then receive my testimony. My standards are my testimony.

My greatest blessing from living those standards; the commandments, is one of the greatest of all-being worthy of baptism. To me, being baptized was a new commitment, to a new way of living with the eternal promise of happiness-that happiness that has yet to stop growing. The blessing of receiving the Holy Ghost-that when I did, I physically felt it. I physically felt my whole body receiving nothing but a sacred, personalized, gift from God that is mine to have, mine to use, and mine to maintain.

And OH the immediate and drastic change that was! How great that felt! And the happiness I had attained then, still growing beyond what I thought was possible.

And I knew if I wanted to feel this way again, I must continue to do the only thing I knew how to do-continue to work hard, push forward with a brightness of hope, keep the commandments and maintain living the Gospel standards.

Brothers and sisters, as members of the church we do not have to figure out what our standards are. When we were baptized we agreed to follow the standards of God, to follow Christ and do what he has done-to come unto to him and hearken unto all his teachings, his guidelines and commandments, that which make up this true church that we are all a part of.

Our standards are our testimony, but it is sticking to them in all circumstances is what strengthens it.

With all the talking I have done in the ward already, I don’t think I need to bring up what happened after baptism, but needless to say with my new life and happiness, it seemed as though I was enjoying it by myself.

President Hinkley once said, “It is not always easy to live in a world, and not be a part of it.”

But I had to remember that when you stand alone, you’re standing with our Lord and Savior. I already received my answer that the church was true, and I already knew that following these standards, my now new promises, that that is when I am the happiest. I could not deny, ignore, or turn back.

I made the decision to put God first. I chose who I wanted to follow. That through those sacrifices and holding on to what I knew to be true, and living those standards that Christ personally gave to us to follow, makes enduring to the end not only possible, but enjoyable.

Now that my standards have changed and New York didn’t, I ended up becoming close with several sets of missionaries. I seemed to be free a lot of the time now and was able to go and help teach investigators and OH! what a blessing that was. The knowledge I gained, the miracles I witnessed, and that happiness that is still growing even stronger.

I started hanging out with a boy named Andrew. We grew up together but were never friends outside of the classroom. It was the first time I saw him since High School, four years ago, and the first time I saw him I told him about the church, and how awkward that must have been for him to listen to. He invited me to play with him and his brother on an indoor soccer league. I told him I would only play if I could teach him a lesson about the church before each game. I remember giving them a Book of Mormon, and their reaction was unforgettable and uncomfortable. But Andrew started taking lessons shortly after by the missionaries and quickly attained this glow, and glow that got brighter and brighter each time I saw him.

It was obvious to me and the missionaries what was happening-a prime investigator making great progress. According to his friends and family, he was in the process of being brainwashed, and, I’m sure, according to him, he was simply following that happiness that kept getting stronger and stronger.

He got baptized this past December, and being two 21 year old converts in New York was quite an interesting combination. We lived only a few blocks away from each other right in the heart of the city bar scene, where bars were connected in all 4 directions all the way down the streets. Friday and Saturday nights we would spend in my apartment putting together church talks for fun. When the streets were extra noisy we would call each other and read the Ensign on the phone, and we would text each other scriptures throughout the day, every day, even until now, to get us through.

We didn’t know what else to do except follow that now familiar, still growing happiness we were introduced to when we first met the missionaries.

We became strong by doing that, and confident, and every day by living those standards we had built up, what we felt, were finally ourselves-who we were meant to be all along. And OH! What a feeling that is! To know what you are doing is right. To know that your efforts are that of the Lord. To know that this is how the Savior wants it to be.

That when I would cry when things were hard and close my eyes in prayer, I could picture Him standing behind me, smiling. I just want to make him proud. I often think of the question, “When I see him, will he smile?” and to remember why I am here, why we are here, and to not lose sight of that.

In 2 Tim 1:18 it says, “Be thou not ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.” Do not let others alter the truth to what we should be doing. That this is our own salvation we need to work through and we need to remember what we have and that it is real. All of this is real! And all of this is so great!

Mosiah 2:41 says, “And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.”

Brothers and sisters, figure out who want to be, but more importantly figure out who your Heavenly Father wants you to be. Ask him. He will tell you. We are all children of God and we must act like it! Follow through with the covenants and standards of Him that we agreed to when we got baptized. That the more you understand Him, the more you will understand yourself-the closer you bring yourself to Him, the closer he is to you. And we must follow through with the promise I made to my friend Gilly, to DO NOT STOP.

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Put on the Armour of God

2010-06-30T17:11:00.000-07:00

To really know me, you must know that I am strict about my scripture study. I have to set a big chunk of time out of my day to read or else bad,weird,strange things happen and I can't seem to function all that well. I even actually challenged myself to see how many times I can fit scriptures into my day just as sort of a fun thing to be conscious of too.

Back in New York I worked full time in a parking garage and I sat in a booth for nine hours everyday. I would have to wear suit pants and a button up shirt with a tie..it was not flattering in the least bit. However, since they were boy pants they gave me to wear, they were big and I would hide my scriptures in my pants and sneak them into my booth just so I could read more.

If you have ever hung out with me, you know first hand that I randomly like to pull out my scriptures at really un coordinated times for a 'spiritual thought' all the time.

Here in Utah I'm an account executive full time. I leave my office door open so I can see my boss and me and him yell scriptures back and forth to each other in between business calls to see if we can guess where the verse is from for fun....all day long...everyday haha.

I really love the scriptures, and I really love taking advantage of being able to have scriptures as proof of the Love our Heavenly father has for us; our cheat sheet back home- and Oh how blessed we are to have such answers and direction

Once we realize how the Lord feels about this book, it should not surprise us that He also gives us solemn warnings about how we receive it. After indicating that those who receive the Book of Mormon with faith, working righteousness, will receive a crown of eternal glory (see D&C 20:14), the Lord follows with this warning: “But those who harden their hearts in unbelief, and reject it, it shall turn to their own condemnation” (D&C 20:15).

In 1829, the Lord warned the Saints that they are not to trifle with sacred things (see D&C 6:12). Surely the Book of Mormon is a sacred thing, and yet many trifle with it, or in other words, take it lightly, treat it as though it is of little importance.
But today my boss quoted D&C 27 to me and verses 15-18 stuck in my head for the rest of the day.Ezra Taft Benson, “The Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion,” Ensign, Nov 1986

But today my boss quoted D&C 27 to me and verses 15-18 stuck in my head for the rest of the day. The imagery that it left in my mind gave me such comfort and so much motivation. I physically felt the intense truths behind the gospel as I pictured word for word these verses- I physically felt the power and strength that comes from following Christ- I physically felt the protection we have within reading scriptures and faithfully pushing forward- and I physically felt the love our Lord and Savior has for us...and how they have given us all we need to conquer absolutely everything.

How perhaps, if we don't think we can over come everything that comes our way, are not using our resources properly or as much as each one of us individually can make time for, or with an accepting amount of faith. How when I read this, it really hit me that Heavenly Father wouldn't allow us to come here un prepared-how our scriptures and our commandments and covenants are our life jacket so we will never drown.

The motivation to know I will never be faced with something I can't handle, ever. I always knew that but it seems as though when you catch yourself in those rough times its not the very first thing you remember, although hopefully it comes shortly after. That hearing this...and picturing this..and feeling confirmation of this-how it just makes makes me want to run against the wind and see how far I can go and where I end up-to never be discouraged, or scared-to never underestimate what you can do, and most importantly-to NEVER under estimate what our Lord and Savior can do.

I can rant all day on what this means to me, and the symbolism behind it.

But this post isnt for me, or for you to know more about me.

This is for you.

Read it for yourself. Slowly. Line by line. More then once?
Find motivation and I want you, too, to physically feel the power behind it more personally.

D&C 27:15-18

15 Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand.

16 Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you;

17 Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked;

18 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me, and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also. Amen.

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Blessings from Baptism

2010-06-17T17:43:00.001-07:00

One of the missionaries that first found me just asked the blessings that come from baptism covenants-now that I have been a member just shy of a year...
and then I went on a ramble:

Well, the baptismal covenant is the most important! You cant get far at all without being baptized-the eternal blessings start as soon as this happens. The big blessings/promises are obvious and you can fill in the blanks, jeff, big stuff like celestrial- gift of the holy ghost, and what not.
But I think, the smaller blessing we get are important too, the ones that are immediate that we don't have to 'endure to the end' to get. And the only way to get these blessings is to remember exactly what everything was that we agreed to at baptism and diligently and daily need to remember to work at. It not just about getting baptized and then enduring to the end to get the blessings promised-its about actively taking upon the name of Christ, daily -mourn with those that mourn, daily- etc etc...
Its by continuously striving to keep our covenants where we get daily, almost immediate blessings to help us keep going. Its through work, and sacrifice, and a steady mindfulness of our covenants back from baptism that we are blessed and rewarded and when we do we are MOST IMPORTANTLY more in tune with the spirit -when we get all of our guidance and help and comfort and warnings (which is a blessing in itself) to lead up to the big blessings of exaltation.

He then asked me he blessing I personally received from being baptized:
(ramble #2)

Well....by keeping them...working hard (key point) to keep them, the best blessing is to have the spirit with you more because thats how I got through all of my trials.

As soon as i got baptized..I lost all of my friends, my amazing relationship with my dad and other family drama and the only way of living that I knew of. I had to change everything in my life! literally...but with the gift of the holy ghost when you get baptized, and being obedient to those covenants you made to have the spirit with you as much as you can -is the only thing that allowed me to push through all of that. Not just barely get by dealing with it, but I confidently and strongly dealt with everything that I faced because of the guidance and comfort I received from the covenants and sacrifice and trust.

And by that, I am the happiest I have ever been and I am in a completely different spot in life that I could ever imagine-one that is a million times better then I could have thought of on my own. But when you lose yourself in the work/covenants and put our lord and savior first he will take care of everything else in your life. "but seek first the kingdom of god and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" 3nephi 13:33.

It makes enduring to the end, not only possible, but enjoyable. Makes me think of mosiah 2:41 "...ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of god. For behold, they are blessed in ALL things, both temperal and spiritual..."

So when all of these trials and changes were happening since I got baptized, all I did was keep the commandments and remember the covenants I made, and I was blessed with happiness, direction, confidence, comfort, love , knowledge and understanding.

I was blessed with my sister joining the church, her inactive boyfriend of 9 years coming back and getting endowed, my mom coming to church and meeting with the missionaries, a great job, a lot of progress in building my relationship with my dad back up, and a really great conversion story that has inspired and helped both investigators and those who have been members their whole life.

By keep these covenants and commandments I'm blessed with staying worthy to go to the temple and doing the lords work; the most rewarding work there is.

I am blessed with daily guidance, help, support, warning, and comfort.
Blessed because I know that I am never alone, that there is ALWAYS someone who is listening and ALWAYS knows how to help,and ALWAYS knows what I need. I will ALWAYS be loved- and that I will always have a best friend....a father in heaven, and savior.

The blessings are endless and eternal.

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