The Plan of Salvation - El plan de salvación

After teaching someone about the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we invite them learn about God's plan for us, called the Plan of Salvation, or the Plan of Happiness. This plan answers three big questions:

Where did I come from?

What is my purpose in life?

Where will I go after this life?

These questions are ones a lot of people in society ask to find their life's meaning. I'd like to try and explain how these can be answered.

First- Where did we come from? Before we came to this earth, we lived with God as spirits. God presented His plan where we could come to earth, obtain a body, and be able to learn to choose between right and wrong. This ability is called agency, and is a gift we have from God.

As many know, the first people on the earth were Adam and Eve and they were given some commandments from God but, using their agency, those broke one of those and partook of the forbidden fruit. [For more on this story please see Genesis 1-3 (in the Bible) or Moses 2-5 (in the Pearl of Great Price)] Many view this as a horrible event but, it was actually something wonderful. Don't get me wrong, it is not good to disobey God but, because of "the Fall" (when Adam and Eve partook of the fruit) we are able to be. In The Book of Mormon we read in 2 Nephi 2:25, "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy." 2 Nephi 2:11&15 also say, "For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad... And to bring about his eternal purposes in the end of man, after he had created our first parents, and the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and in fine, all things which are created, it must needs be that  there was an opposition; even the forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life; the one being sweet and the other bitter." This fruit allowed for these opposites, along with death and sin.

Because of death and sin, we needed a Savior, Jesus Christ. Christ came and suffered and died for all our sins and temptations and pains. He did this because he loves us. He knew we could not make it back to heaven without this so he came to earth to help create a way for us to be able to be cleansed of our sins.

This leads to the second question, What is my purpose in life? The reason we are here is "obtaining a body, gaining experience, and learning to make right choices," (Plan of Salvation pamphlet). Through following Christ and listening to the guidance of the Holy Ghost, or the Comforter, we can learn to make the correct choices to follow God's will for each of us. There are a few simple steps that help us follow the example of Jesus Christ and these are: faith, repentance (stopping the wrong things we are doing and wanting to be better), baptism by proper authority, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost to help us make decisions, and enduring to the end by choosing the right.

Now the last question, Where will I go after this life? After our time is done on this earth, our spirits and bodies separate. Our bodies go into the ground and our spirits go to "The Spirit World" where those who were faithful have a time of rest and those who did not have the opportunity to follow Christ or learn of him, will have the opportunity to. [for more on this topic please see 1 Peter 3:19, 1 Peter 4:6, Alma 40:11-14 (Book of Mormon)]

After Christ comes again, there will be the Resurrection, or when the body and spirit are reunited. Then, according to our works, or what we did, during our time on earth and the Spirit World, we are judged. This judgment determines where we go after. There are three heavens, or degree of glory: Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial.

picture of the pamphlet

The Celestial is where we can life with God and Jesus Christ and our families forever. It is where we go if we are baptized and follow Jesus Christ. The Terrestrial is where people who do good but, do not follow Jesus Christ will go. The Telestial is where those who do not do good and do not follow Christ will go. [more on this please see 2 Corinthians 12:2, 1 Corinthians 15:40-42].

I know this is God's plan of us. Knowing these things has blessed me to have a focus for my life and know where I want to be. You can know if these things are true through prayer. God is the source of all truth and wants us to know how to follow Him. I would like to invite you to pray and ask God if this is true.

To read more you can read this pamphlet found at: https://www.lds.org/manual/the-plan-of-salvation/the-plan-of-salvation?lang=eng

Stand in Holy Places - Permaneced en lugares santos

It is important to stand where the holy ghost can be with us. When we continually try to follow Jesus Christ, we will be blessed greatly in this life, and the life to come. This video shows all the different holy places this young woman stood in and where our goals can be set on.

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https://www.lds.org/youth/video/standing-in-holy-places?lang=eng

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Chicago temple
http://www.lds.org/media-library/images
/temples/chicago-illinois?lang=eng#
chicago-illinois-lds-temple-82591

Es muy importante que permanecemos en lugares santos para que el Espíritu Santo pueda estar con nosotros. Cuando tratamos a seguir a Jesucristo, él nos bendecirá mucho en esta vida y la vida después. Este video mira lugares santos en que un mujer joven permanceció y dónde nuestras metas pueden ser.

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https://www.lds.org/youth/video/standing-in-holy-places?lang=spa

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The Love of our Savior - El amor de nuestro Salvador

One of my favorite scripture stories is found in 3 Nephi 17:21-24. This is during the time that Christ comes to the Americas and talks with the Nephites. After teaching them about prayer, baptism, and all people need to do to return to live with God, He asks the people to bring their children to Him. It then reads,

21. And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.
22. And when he had done this he wept again;

My favorite picture
Mi lámina favorita
http://www.lds.org/media-library/images/
gospel-art/book-of-mormon?lang=eng&start=
41&end=50#christ-and-the-nephite-children-83422

23. And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.
24. And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.

I love this story so much as I try to visualize being one of those little children and getting to spend time with Christ and to imagine the blessings received and being surrounded by angels. One of my favorite pictures depicts this scene and, actually, I have a mini one in a locket I have because this story is so close to my heart. Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father love us each so much, one by one. They know us individually, one by one. I pray we can all feel of their love for us.

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Una cuenta favorita de las escrituras está en 3 Nefi 17:21-24. Esta experiencia está durante el tiempo que Cristo vinó a las Americas y estaba hablando con los nefitas. Después de enseñó de oración, bautizmo, y otras cosas que las personas necesitan para regresar a vivir con Dios, él pregunó a la gente a llevar sus hijos a él. Después dice,

21. Y cuando hubo hicho estas palabras, lloró, y la multitud dio testimonio de ello; y tomó a sus niños pequeños, uno por uno, y los bendijo, y rogó al Padre por ellos.

22. Y cuando hubo hecho esto, lloró de nuevo;

23. y habló a la multitud, y les dijo: Mirad a vuestros pequeñitos.

24. Y he aquí, al levantar la vista para ver, dirigieron la mirada al cielo, y vieron abrirse los cielos, y vieron ángeles que descendían del cielo cual si fuera en medio de fuego; y bajaron y cercaron a aquellos pequeñitos, y fueron rodeados de fuego; y los ángeles les ministraron.

Me encanta esta cuenta mucha y trato a mirar en mi mente esta experiencia como yo estaba allí y estaba con Cristo y recibía bendiciónes y estaba con ángeles. Una lámina favorita de mi es de esta experiencia y también tengo en un locket porque esta experiencia es muy especial para mi. Jesucristo y Padre Celestial nos ama mucho, uno por uno. Nos conocemos individualmente, uno por uno. Oro que podemos sentir de su amor para nosotros. 

http://www.lds.org/media-library/images/gospel-art/book-of-mormon?lang=eng&start=11&end=20#christ-teaching-nephites-39665

My testimony - Mi testimonio

Nauvoo Temple

I know God lives. I know He knows each and every one of us personally. He knows our needs and our desires. He knows our struggles. He knows things before they happen. He loves each of us so much. Even though we are all sinners and not perfect, 

He loves us. 

He loves us so much. I know that His full gospel has been restored to the earth and I know that His words are given to mankind to help them return to live with Him after this life. I know that, through temples, families can be together forever, not just for this life, but, forever and all eternity. Families are from God and He wants us to be with them forever to grow and learn and have happiness. I know that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ and that he was called as a prophet in our day, as the prophets of old in the Bible. I know that blessings come from God when we do the things He commands. I know Thomas S. Monson is a living prophet today that leads and guides Christ's church on the earth. I know that the twelve apostles are also prophets, seers, and revelators of God's word to mankind. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's church on the earth. I love my Lord and my God. I share these things that all may know that I know these things to be true. 

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Yo sé que Dios vive. Sé que él conoce cada uno de nosotros personalmente. él sabe nuestras necesidades y nuestros deseos. Sabe nuestros desafíos. Sabe cosas antes de pasar. nos ama mucho. No somos perfects pero,

él nos ama.

Provo Temple

Nos ama mucho. Yo sé que su evangelio plenitud ha restaurado a la tierra y sé que sus palabras son dado a la gente para ayudarnos para que podamos regresar a vivir con él después de esta vida. Sé que mediante los templos, familias pueden ser eterna, no sólo por esta vida pero toda la eternidad. Familias son de Dios y él quiere que estemos con nuestras families para aprender y tener felicidad. Sé que José Smith vio Padre Celestial y Jesucristo y fue llamado para ser un profeta como los profetas de la Biblia. Sé que bendiciónes son de Dios cuando guardamos sus mandamientos. Sé que Thomas S. Monson es un profeta hoy en día que guía la iglesia de Cristo en la tierra. Sé que los doce apóstoles son profetas, videntes, y reveladores de las palabras de Dios a la gente. Sé que la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los últimos días y la iglesia de Cristo en la tierra. Le amo a mi Senor y mi Dios. Comparto estas cosas que todos pueden saber que yo sé que estas cosas son verdaderas. 

Basics of What I Believe - Básicos de lo que creo

As a missionary, our purpose is to, "invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end," (Preach my Gospel).

In order to help others to receive the restored gospel, we teach about three lessons, the first being about the Restoration of the church. We believe that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the same church that Christ established when He was on the earth. We believe the same priesthood authority has been restored to the earth through apostles of Jesus Christ to Joseph Smith. This link is to the pamphlet that explains these basic principles. It talks about how God is our loving Heavenly Father and, for this reason, He has given us families and the gospel. It talks about prophets and the church of Jesus Christ. Then, it talks about the spring of 1820, when a young boy named Joseph Smith wanted to know which church was true so that he could be baptized and follow the example of Jesus Christ. He read James 1:15 which says, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." Young Joseph decided to pray and ask God and, in his own words, he related this experience:

http://www.lds.org/media-library/images/
gospel-art/church-history?lang=eng#the-first-vision-82823

"I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, about the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me... When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other- This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" (Joseph Smith-History 1:16-17).  

Joseph Smith was called as a modern day prophet and, through the priesthood authority and help of God, he translated The Book of Mormon. About the Book, Joseph said that the angel Moroni, "said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants." (Joseph Smith-History 1:34).

I know that Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet and that he translated The Book of Mormon. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is fully restored to the earth again. I also know that you can know for yourself through reading and studying this book and through prayer to our Heavenly Father if these things are true. I invite you all to do so. This book has changed my life and my relationship with my Heavenly Father and Savior means more to me than anything else. This is why I am serving a mission, because I know these things to be true.

https://www.lds.org/manual/the-restoration?lang=eng

Mini Miracles - Milagritos

Yo sé que Dios vive y mediante él, podemos ver milagritos en nuestras vidas y mediante Jesucristo, podemos regresara a vivir con Dios otra vez. 

I know God lives and that, through him, we can see the mini miracles in our lives and that we can, through Jesus Christ, return to live with God again. 

All around us, there are mini miracles. Many people view them as coincidences. I believe they are something else. How could someone know exactly what I needed to hear or know exactly where to be? That just seems unreal. There are so many moments that are completely perfect and we feel peace. These moments are when the Holy Ghost speaks to us. He testifies of Christ and God, the Father. The Bible teaches, in Galations 5:22-23,

"But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

http://www.lds.org/media-library/images/gospel-art

In the Book of Mormon, in Moroni 7:16-17, it says, "For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him."

When we have those moment where we experience these things, we can know it, "is inspired of God," (Moroni 7:13). God loves each of us so much and, for this reason, He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to the earth to save us from our sins if we turn to Him.

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En todos partes, hay milagritos. Muchas personas dicen que son coincidencias. Creo que no son coincidencias. Cómo una persona sabía las cosas que necesitemos o estaba en el lugar que necesitemos? No es posible. Hay muchos momentos que son perfectos y sentimos paz. Estos momentos son del Espíritu Santo. El testifica de Cristo y Dios, nuestro Padre Celestial. La Biblia dice en Gálatas 5:22-23,

"Pero el fruto del Espíritu es: amor, gozo, paz, longanimidad, benignidad, bondad, fe, mansedumbre, templanza; contra tales cosas no hay ley." 

http://www.lds.org/media-library/images/gospel-art

En el Libro de Mormón, en Moroni 7:16-17, dice, "Pues he aquí, a todo hombre se da el Espíritu de Cristo para que sepa discernir el bien del mal; por tanto, os muestro la manera de juzgar; porque toda cosa que invita a hacer lo bueno, y persuade a creer en Cristo, es enviada por el poder y el don de Cristo, por lo que sabrés, con un conocimiento perfect, que es de Dios. Pero cualquier cosa que persuade a los hombres a hacer lo malo, y a no creer en Cristo, y a negarlo, y a no servir a Dios, entonces sabréis, con un conocimiento perfecto, que es del diablo; porque de este modo obra el diablo, porque él no persuade a ningún hombre a hacer lo bueno, no, ni a uno solo; ni lo hacen sus ángeles; ni los que a él se sujetan."

Cuando tenemos estos momentos podemos saber si, "es inspirado por Dios," (Moroni 7:13). Dios nos maa mucho y por este razón y envió a su hijo, Jesucristo, a la tierra para salvarnos de nuestros pecados si regresar a él.

I Believe - Creo

When we have trials we sometimes question things we have believed for a long time. This talk by Jeffery R. Holland talks about believing and how we need to trust in God.

I have an experience I'd like to share. A few months ago my aunt passed away from cancer and, similar to the man in the parable Jeffrey R. Holland shares, I questioned my faith and my belief in God. Did I really believe all I had said I did? Did I really believe in a God and an after life? Without realizing it, I did the very things Elder Holland councils us to do: I desired to believe and moved forward in that way. I know that if we trust in God we can have faith and end up overcoming our trials, or at least helping make them easier to bare.

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http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/lord-i-believe?lang=eng

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A veces cuando tenemos desafíos nos preguntamos acerca de las cosas que creíamos por mucho tiempo. Este discurso por Jeffrey R. Holland habla acerca de creencías y cómo necesitamos tener confianza en Dios.

Tengo una experiencia que me gustaría compartir. Hace unos meses mi tía murió de cancer y, como el hombre en la parabola que Jeffrey R. Holland habla acerca, me preguntaba si tenía suficiente fe en Dios. Si realmente creí hacer todo lo que dije? Si en realmente yo creía en Dios y en una vida después de la muerte? Sin saber, yo hice las cosas que Elder Holland nos aconsejó a hacer: mi deseo es creer y hacer estas cosas. Sé que si tenemos confianza en Dios podemos tener fe y superar nuestros desafíos o hacer nuestros desafíos más facil para sobre llevar.

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http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/lord-i-believe?lang=spa

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Reclaimed - Recuperado

Many times we feel guilty for doing something wrong and want to take back our sins. We need to remember that, through God, we can be cleansed when we turn to Him and really want to change. This video talks about this and helps us turn closer to Christ. Also, in Alma 7:11-16, we also learn more of what Christ has done for us to help us.

11. And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. 

13. Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

14. Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.

15. Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism.

16. And whosoever doeth this, and keepeth the commandments of God from thenceforth, the same will remember that I say unto him, yea, he will remember that I have said unto him, he shall have eternal life, according to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, which testifieth in me.

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https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-08-008-reclaimed?category=mormon-messages/mormon-messages-2012

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Muchas veces sentimos mal porque hicimos cosas malas y queremos ser limpios. Necesitamos recordar que, mediante Dios, podemos ser limpios cuando dependamos a él y queremos cambiar. Este video habla de esta y nos ayuda a regresar a Cristo. Tambien en Alma 7:11-16 aprendemos más de lo que Cristo hizo para nosotros.

11. Y él saldrá, sufriendo dolores, aflicciones y tentaciones de todas clases; y esto para que se cumpla la palabra que dice: Tomará sobre sí los dolores y las enfermedades de su pueblo.

12. Y tomará sobre sí la muerte, para soltar las ligaduras de la muerte que sujetan a su pueblo; y sus enfermedades tomará él sobre sí, para que sus entrañas sean llenas de misericordia, según la carne, a fin de que según la carne sepa cómo socorrer a los de su pueblo, de acuerdo con las enfermedades de ellos.

13. Ahora bien, el Espíritu sabe todas las cosas; sin embargo, el Hijo de Dios padece según la carne, a fin de tomar sobre sí los pecados de su pueblo, para borrar sus transgresiones según el poder de su redención; y he aquí, éste es el testimonio que hay en mí. 

14. Ahora os digo que debéis arrepentiros y nacer de nuevo; pues el Espíritu dice que si no nacéis otra vez, no podéis heredar el reino de los cielos. Venid, pues, y sed bautizados para arrepentimiento, a fin de que seáis lavados de vuestros pecados, para que tengáis fe en el Cordero de Dios, que quita los pecados del mundo, que es poderoso para salvar y para limpiar de toda iniquidad.

15. Sí, os digo, venid y no temáis, y deschad todo pecado, pecado que fácilmente os envuelve, que os liga hasta la destrucción; sí, venid y adelantaos, y manifestad a vuestro Dios que estáis dispuestos a arrepentiros de vuestros pecados y a concertar un convenio con él de guardar sus mandamientos, y testificádselo hoy, yendo a las aguas del bautismo.

16. Y el hiciere esto y guardare los mandamientos de Dios de allí en adelante, se acordará que le digo, sí, se acordará que le he dicho, según el testimonio del Santo Espíritu que testifica en mí, que tendrá la vida eterna.

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https://www.lds.org/youth/video/reclaimed?lang=spa

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Share your testimony - Comparta su testimonio

This video encourages sharing our testimony and the gospel online. I would like to encourage all of you to do the same. Even if it is something simple as a scripture or a quote or a short testimony. I would like to share part of my testimony:

I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that, through Him,

 I can be made clean and can live with God again. 

I know that this church is true. I know because I have felt 

the Holy Ghost testify to me of its truth. 

I know that families can be together through 

temple covenants if we follow God's commandments. 

I know that God knows each of us personally 

and loves each of us more than we know. 

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

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Este video nos invita a compartir nuestros testimonies y el evangelio por el internet. Me gustaría invitar a Ustedes a hacer lo mismo. Si es una escritura o cita o testimonio corto. Me gustaría compartir un poco de mi testimonio:

Yo sé que Jesucristo es me Salvador y mediante él 

puedo ser limpia y puedo vivir con Dios otra vez. 

Sé que esta iglesia es verdadera. Sé porque he sentado 

el Espíritu Santo testificando a mi de la verdad.

 Sé que familias pueden ser eternas mediante 

convenios en el temple si sigamos los mandamientos de Dios. 

Sé que Dios conoce cada uno de nosotros personalmente 

y nos ama más que sabemos. 

Digo estas cosas en el nombre de Jesucristo, amen.

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https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-01-013-sharing-your-beliefs?category=mormon-messages/mormon-messages-2012

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We are Not Alone - No somos sólo

There are many moments in my life when I have felt alone. I know many other people have felt the same way. We cannot see God and sometimes friends are far away but, I know we are never alone. Even though we cannot see them, there are always people behind us. When we do what is right, we always have our Savior, Jesus Christ, right next to us to help and guide us. The following video is of Thomas S. Monson when he felt alone in standing for what was right but, he realizes he is not the only one.

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Hay muchos tiempos in mi vida cuando he sentido sola. Yo conozco muchas personas que han sentido lo mismo. No podemos ver Dios y a veces amigos son lejos pero, yo sé que nunca estamos solos. No les podemos ver a estas personas, siempre hay personas con nosotros. Cuando hacemos las cosas buenas siempre tenemos nuestro Salvador, Jesucristo, cerca de nosotros para ayudarnos y guíarnos. Este video es de Thomas S. Monson cuando él sentió solo cuando estaba haciendo las cosas buenas pero vio que él no estaba solo.

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-05-005-dare-to-stand-alone?category=mormon-messages/mormon-messages-2012