"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me". (Philippians 4:13)

I got a new electronic device for Christmas that is amazing. It is called a "Kindle". It is this device that can hold books that are down loaded electronically and can hold many books at once. It can also surf the internet and I can shop for more books online. It also contains a dictionary (I love looking up definitions!). I was, and still am amazed at these electronic devices that give me instant information with a click of a button partly because I grew up in a home with no TV, and no computer; yes, we had a radio- I am not that old; I am only 42. Things have significantly changed since I was a kid. Information at the touch of a button is...good and must be used for good. 

I believe most things are invented with the intent to do good. I like to believe that people are and have the desire to do good and be good because we are all sons and daughters of God (see Acts 17:28-29). But we are sent here to be tempted and tried and allowed to choose for ourselves whether we will "know good from evil"; and God has given to us that we "might choose life or death" (Helaman 14:31). We get to choose whether or not we want a spiritual life or live spiritually dead lives and have no relationship with our Father in Heaven. We choose whether or not we connect to the "internet" of heaven. This takes an effort on our part. We must open the door and let Him in (see Revelations 3:20). We must also have a "good connection". And in order to have a good connection, we must make good choices.

When I got my Kindle I had to hook up to the internet. It wasn't done for me. I had to choose to do it. I also get to choose what kind of books I want on this device; they weren't put on there for me. It is the same with our relationship with God. He will never force us to come to Him. He will only invite us and then lets us choose whether or not we want to attend. What is so wonderful is that He will always invite us to "Come unto [Him]" (Matthew 11:28). Being invited to come to a wedding (see Matthew 22:1-10) or a "great supper" (see Luke 14:16-24) is much more delightful than being forced to go. It leaves the choice to us. And that is exactly what it is, our choice.

"Choose ye this day, whom ye will serve" (Alma 30:8; Joshua 24:15). There are so many choices to make every day; choices about what to wear, how to spend our time, what to say, how to behave, how to treat other people. We can be as Joshua of old and reply, "but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15). It is a challenge every day to make good choices. We make mistakes. "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41). We waste our time, we say the wrong things, we behave badly at times, and sometimes, we treat others poorly. But we need not give up or feel all is wasted because it is not. We can make things right and look forward with hope and faith, because faith is about the future. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, "...Remember that faith is always pointed toward the future. Faith always has to do with blessings and truths and events that will yet be efficacious in our lives" (Remember Lot's Wife). The Savior helps us with our desires to "come unto Him and partake of His goodness; and He denieth none that come unto Him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and He remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile" (2 Nephi 26:33).

We can choose to use all that is given to us for good, and connect with God every day. We can learn from our mistakes. As hard as it is for some of us to not repeat those mistakes, we can learn from them because we "have stopped rhapsodizing about 'the good old days' and now eagerly look toward the future 'that [we] may apprehend that for which Christ apprehended [us]'" (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland). We go forward with our faith in Christ, because He can do all things, and "[we] can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth [us]" (Philippians 4:13). 

Using that which is given to us, our time, talents, our money, and our education, everything...we get to choose how we will use it, for good or not. If it helps us draw closer to God it is good. "And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth men to all good" (Ether 4:12). We can look to the future, with all its electronic devices, the internet, and ‘touch of a button’ information with great hope and faith because we get to do the choosing. When we choose to follow Christ in faith, He will always lead us safely along life's path (see Alma 37:45) as we decide what information we want in our lives. This I testify.