Something I've been thinking about lately is all the bad in the world. Specifically all the bad things that happen to children. Why do children have to go through such terrible things? Why do some kids get abused? It just breaks your heart when you hear those stories.
Some might ask, why would God let that happen?
I'm sure it breaks His heart just as much if not more than ours. I'm sure He hates every single bad thing that happens to His children. Just as any parent would.
Unfortunately on this earth there is good and there is bad. There has to be BOTH. How would we know if something was bad? How would we know if something was good? How would we know pain? How would we know heartbreak if we never had it happen? How would we know joy? Could you really know one without the other? How would we learn and grow? Should we just have a world full of good and nothing else?
I wish!! Wouldn't that be nice. Some day we will. But because of the fall of Adam and Eve we had to have opposition in ALL things. We do have bad things on this earth BUT there is soooo much good! SO much good!
It's too bad that the world/media tends to focus on all the bad. Those are the stories we hear all. the. time. No wonder we get down and depressed about the world.
Seek out the good! Seek out the volunteers of the world, people that go to other countries and serve, people that serve in their own community, hospitals, the food bank, the list is never ending... There are so many good people, good acts of service that go on every single day.
It is so unfortunate that some people go through bad things even terrible things on this earth but it's part of the plan. Every person on this earth has their agency to choose. It's sad and terrible that some choose to be bad, evil, and not be good people. If only every one would choose good and choose God.
One day He will come and He will rule and reign. There's not a doubt in my mind that all things will be made right. There's not a doubt in my mind that He won't take care of His children.
But until then I will choose good and I will choose God!
Thursday, January 19, 2017
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Same-Sex Marriage
The things you learn from Snapchat....
I had no idea until I saw the story on Snapchat about the Supreme Court's Same-Sex Marriage in all 50 states decision. It's been going around social media a bit but honestly not as much as I thought it would. People are changing their profile picture to a rainbow but I haven't seen much talk - maybe that's just my friends.
I wanted to post a status but I'm sure like everyone else... you have to be careful what you say... You don't want to say the wrong thing & you don't want to offend anyone.
I'm completely with God on this one (& I always will be.) I know His rules, laws, & commandments don't change. The church's stance will never change because His law of chastity will never change.
"Changes in the civil law do not, indeed cannot, change the moral law that God has established. God expects us to uphold and keep His commandments regardless of divergent opinions or trends in society. His law of chastity is clear: sexual relations are proper only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife. We invite all to review and understand the doctrine contained in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.”
And that's what it comes down to. Sexual relations are proper only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife. He never said husband and husband or wife and wife & He never will.
It can seem harsh, rude, or "judgmental". But it's not. It's none of those.
People are people & love is love. God is God & commandments are commandments.
Gay people are fantastic people & it's an interesting topic I look forward to hearing about from God one day.
But until then...
We need to love. We need to be Christlike in all we do & say. We need to stand up for what is right - only if it comes from a place of love.
Contention is of the devil.
The world is getting more gray... everything goes & everything's okay.
All I can say is Jesus is on His way...
Let's follow Him.
Let's be His disciples.
Let's love His children. Every single one of them.
Let's serve them.
Let's listen to them.
Let's love them.
And that's what it comes down to...
"Love one another as Jesus loves you. Try to show kindness in all that you do. Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought. For these are the things Jesus taught."
Love did win & it always will.
The following letter from the Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is being read in Church meetings across the United States and Canada beginning Sunday, July 5.
Monday, October 21, 2013
satan
Lately I've been thinking about how easy it is to let Satan creep his way into our lives.
Our whole lives we are told to: read your scriptures, pray individually and with your family, have family home evening, stand in holy places, etc.
Why?
First you say a swear word or two here and there, you watch a rated R movie - there's worse PG-13 movies out there you tell yourself, you go to a party where there's alcohol - it's fine you won't drink, your friends want to go gamble - it's just a night of entertainment, you hardly go to your own ward because you travel a lot - at least you go to church, you don't really read your scriptures because you're so busy with school, work, and life, you're lucky if you get a prayer in at night because you're so tired....
See how the trap begins...
See how Satan can creep his way into your life so slowly that you don't even notice...
See why you're told to read your scriptures, go to church, say your prayers, etc.
Because it makes all the difference!
If you want to stay strong, you need to be strong!
Stand up for what you believe in!
You have better words to use then swear words - trust me, you don't need to see a rated R movie - even if it's only rated R because of swearing, you don't need to go to a party where there will be alcohol or drugs - it's not a good atmosphere nor does it make you feel good to be there, play 21 at a friends house using candy, set a time aside where you can read your scriptures for even just 10 minutes out of your whole day...
Taking inventory and seeing where we're at in life will help us resist temptation and also help us stay away from Satan's traps that he sets ever so slightly.
Christ is the way. The only way.
He is the truth, the light, and THE source for true lasting happiness.
What will you do to make sure Satan is not creeping his way into your life??
Our whole lives we are told to: read your scriptures, pray individually and with your family, have family home evening, stand in holy places, etc.
Why?
First you say a swear word or two here and there, you watch a rated R movie - there's worse PG-13 movies out there you tell yourself, you go to a party where there's alcohol - it's fine you won't drink, your friends want to go gamble - it's just a night of entertainment, you hardly go to your own ward because you travel a lot - at least you go to church, you don't really read your scriptures because you're so busy with school, work, and life, you're lucky if you get a prayer in at night because you're so tired....
See how the trap begins...
See how Satan can creep his way into your life so slowly that you don't even notice...
See why you're told to read your scriptures, go to church, say your prayers, etc.
Because it makes all the difference!
If you want to stay strong, you need to be strong!
Stand up for what you believe in!
You have better words to use then swear words - trust me, you don't need to see a rated R movie - even if it's only rated R because of swearing, you don't need to go to a party where there will be alcohol or drugs - it's not a good atmosphere nor does it make you feel good to be there, play 21 at a friends house using candy, set a time aside where you can read your scriptures for even just 10 minutes out of your whole day...
Taking inventory and seeing where we're at in life will help us resist temptation and also help us stay away from Satan's traps that he sets ever so slightly.
Christ is the way. The only way.
He is the truth, the light, and THE source for true lasting happiness.
What will you do to make sure Satan is not creeping his way into your life??
Sunday, July 7, 2013
testimony
Today being the first Sunday in July is Fast and Testimony Meeting at every single Mormon church. Pretty cool right?!
It's always been one of my favorite Sunday's. I love hearing from people. I love hearing what people believe and their experiences that have brought them to that point. I love testimony because it's something that everyone has or is working on. It's something that is yours and that no one can take from you.
It's what you know to be true.
A couple times on my mission in Alabama my testimony was questioned, but it doesn't change the fact I know what I know. And sometimes I wish I could give it to people!
My testimony is my conviction. It's what keeps me going. It's why I go to church every Sunday. It's why I try to be more Christlike in all I do. Because of the things I know to be true...
Most important I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that He lives and loves us. I know that He is my Savior. I know that He lived and died for me. And you. I know that He knows exactly how I feel and exactly what I go through. I know He is always there. No matter what. He is my doctor, my therapist, my friend, and my personal Savior! What a blessing to have that knowledge.
That keeps me going and makes me want to do better, every day, for Him!
I know that when Jesus was here on the Earth He established His church and He called twelve Apostles. When they died so did God's authority, putting the world in a state of Apostasy. But just like He always does, God called another Prophet to restore Christ's church back to the Earth.
I know that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God. He was called of God to do a mighty work and restore Christ's church back to the earth. So many true and precious truths were restored back to the earth for us; families can be sealed together forever in the house of the Lord, people can be baptized with God's authority, also known as the Priesthood, more scriptures were revealed - The Book of Mormon. I know that it is the word of God along with the Bible and it brings us closer to Christ.
The Heaven's are still open.
We still have a Prophet of God on the earth today and what a blessing that is!
I don't know about you but I think this world is getting crazier and crazier. So grateful to know that if I follow the Prophet I will not go astray. I love, love listening to their words and council on how I can live a happy, healthy life!
I'm so grateful for my faith, conviction, and testimony.
Grateful that every month I can reflect on it, sometimes share it with the congregation, and strengthen it.
Whatever testimony you have, hang out to it. Strengthen it. Just like a seed, it will grow. But will it grow without water? Without sunlight? Without attention? No... it won't.
Same with your testimony. In order for it to grow, you have to water it, go to church, read your scriptures, pray. You have to give it sunlight, ponder on it, reflect on it.
With a little nourishment, it will grow....
It's always been one of my favorite Sunday's. I love hearing from people. I love hearing what people believe and their experiences that have brought them to that point. I love testimony because it's something that everyone has or is working on. It's something that is yours and that no one can take from you.
It's what you know to be true.
A couple times on my mission in Alabama my testimony was questioned, but it doesn't change the fact I know what I know. And sometimes I wish I could give it to people!
My testimony is my conviction. It's what keeps me going. It's why I go to church every Sunday. It's why I try to be more Christlike in all I do. Because of the things I know to be true...
Most important I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that He lives and loves us. I know that He is my Savior. I know that He lived and died for me. And you. I know that He knows exactly how I feel and exactly what I go through. I know He is always there. No matter what. He is my doctor, my therapist, my friend, and my personal Savior! What a blessing to have that knowledge.
That keeps me going and makes me want to do better, every day, for Him!
I know that when Jesus was here on the Earth He established His church and He called twelve Apostles. When they died so did God's authority, putting the world in a state of Apostasy. But just like He always does, God called another Prophet to restore Christ's church back to the Earth.
I know that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God. He was called of God to do a mighty work and restore Christ's church back to the earth. So many true and precious truths were restored back to the earth for us; families can be sealed together forever in the house of the Lord, people can be baptized with God's authority, also known as the Priesthood, more scriptures were revealed - The Book of Mormon. I know that it is the word of God along with the Bible and it brings us closer to Christ.
The Heaven's are still open.
We still have a Prophet of God on the earth today and what a blessing that is!
I don't know about you but I think this world is getting crazier and crazier. So grateful to know that if I follow the Prophet I will not go astray. I love, love listening to their words and council on how I can live a happy, healthy life!
I'm so grateful for my faith, conviction, and testimony.
Grateful that every month I can reflect on it, sometimes share it with the congregation, and strengthen it.
Whatever testimony you have, hang out to it. Strengthen it. Just like a seed, it will grow. But will it grow without water? Without sunlight? Without attention? No... it won't.
Same with your testimony. In order for it to grow, you have to water it, go to church, read your scriptures, pray. You have to give it sunlight, ponder on it, reflect on it.
With a little nourishment, it will grow....
Thanks for reading!
Saturday, June 29, 2013
mountains to climb
I watched this Mormon Message and was so touched. There were so many great quotes to offer peace, strength, and comfort to those who are going through a difficult time.
I have a couple people in my life who I know are going through trails. Lately it seems it's never ending and it's been quite the year...
What I do know is that holding on to the faith that you do have during this time is the single most important thing you can do! Staying close to the Lord and Savior is the only way to find true and lasting happiness and peace.
Some quotes from President Eyring's talk:
Read the whole thing here: Mountains to Climb:
-----------------------
"Many of you are now passing through physical, mental, and emotional trials that could cause you to cry out as did one great and faithful servant of God I knew well. His nurse heard him exclaim from his bed of pain, “When I have tried all my life to be good, why has this happened to me?”
“And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?
“Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.”
"There seems to me no better answer to the question of why trials come and what we are to do than the words of the Lord Himself, who passed through trials for us more terrible than we can imagine."
"You and I have faith that the way to rise through and above trials is to believe that there is a “balm in Gilead” and that the Lord has promised, “I will not … forsake thee.” That is what President Thomas S. Monson has taught us to help us and those we serve in what seem lonely and overwhelming trials."
"If the foundation of faith is not embedded in our hearts, the power to endure will crumble."
"...acting on even a twig of faith allows God to grow it."
------------------------------
We have to build a solid foundation of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Sometimes that takes days, weeks, months, and even years... We have to continually choose Him. Even if we start with faith as big as a seed, it will grow. But we have to water it, give it sunlight, and sometimes the lawn mower might run in to it and chop it down. So we give it more water and more sunlight.
Same thing with our faith. Sometimes we get knocked down but we have to continue building and letting our faith grow. Continue to pray, go to church, live as God wants you to live. You will find peace. You will find happiness. He is there waiting for you to turn to Him.
We have to know that everything we experience in this life is to help prepare us to return back to Him.
He's helping us learn and grow. He's making us into who He knows we can become.
When you're in the midst of a trial, it can be hard to realize this, but know that it's true. The Lord loves you and wants you to turn to Him always. He will give you peace and comfort. He will give you answers.
But you have to act! Faith is an action word.
I know that Heavenly Father knows you personally. I know that He sent His only begotten Son to the Earth just for you. I know that Christ lived and died for you. So that when you are suffering, when you hurt, when you feel like you want to give up... You can turn to Him and He knows exactly how to help you because He's been there before. I know that He loves you and He's waiting for you to turn to Him. Turn to Him. Have faith and don't give up!
Thanks for reading!
Thursday, June 27, 2013
praise to the man
"...who communed with Jehovah!
Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer.
Blessed to open the last dispensation,
Kings shall extol him, and nations revere."
Today marks the 169th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
I watched this clip...
Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer.
Blessed to open the last dispensation,
Kings shall extol him, and nations revere."
Today marks the 169th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
I watched this clip...
...and reflected on; my testimony, how much Emma and Joseph sacrificed, watching her watch her husband ride away knowing he wouldn't come back broke my heart... I can't imagine....I thought about what it means to me to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life.
I'm forever grateful that a young man with a lot of questions did as James directs and he asked of God. I'm forever grateful that Christ restored His church back to the Earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Giving us that proper authority to perform saving ordinances. He was ridiculed, beat, and hated.... still is. But he went on. He never once denied anything. Neither did the witnesses. He lived and died for truth! I'm forever grateful for his sacrifice that would bring millions the peace and happiness that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings.
I know he was a true Prophet of God and because of that I have more tools to bring me closer to my Savior Jesus Christ. More scriptures to read, the fullness of the gospel, the Priesthood of God in my home, the plan of salvation, and so much more...
The gospel of Jesus Christ has given me so much peace, happiness, faith, hope, and assurance in my life. Life changes, a lot sometimes, but the gospel never does... it's always been there for me! My Savior's always been there for me! It fills my heart and soul with joy.
It makes me want to be a better person. It makes me want to love as Christ loves and forgive as Christ forgives. It makes me want to live life to the fullest. It makes me want to learn new things and grow. It makes me want to travel the world and see all different walks of life and serve. It makes me want to be successful. It makes me want to have a beautiful family that knows and loves the Lord.
Thank you Heavenly Father for giving us a Savior, an example and friend. Thank you for restoring His gospel and giving us all the tools we need to live a happy and successful life. Thank you for paving the way so that I can return to You.
Thank you Facebook for reminding me of this anniversary and giving me the chance to reflect and fill my heart with the spirit, joy, and gratitude.
See, Facebook is good! :)
Thanks for reading!
Monday, June 24, 2013
"Lord, I believe".
Yesterday I taught Relief Society! Maybe I'm a little weird... but I love teaching & talking in sacrament meeting. It gives me an opportunity to share what I know to be true & I love that!
Well here is my outline for my lesson... Enjoy!
Does
anyone remember this talk? What stood out to you?
READ
STORY
‘On one occasion Jesus came upon a group arguing vehemently with His disciples. When the Savior inquired as to the cause of this contention, the father of an afflicted child stepped forward, saying he had approached Jesus’s disciples for a blessing for his son, but they were not able to provide it.’
‘On one occasion Jesus came upon a group arguing vehemently with His disciples. When the Savior inquired as to the cause of this contention, the father of an afflicted child stepped forward, saying he had approached Jesus’s disciples for a blessing for his son, but they were not able to provide it.’
Why
is that? Why weren't the disciples able to provide a blessing for his son?
·
Turn
to MATTHEW 17:19-21
19 “Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
21 “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”
19 “Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
21 “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”
So
why couldn’t the disciples provide a blessing for his son?
Because of their unbelief.
Because of their unbelief.
What
does this tell us about believing?
‘If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed.’ Is a
mustard seed big?
FINISH STORY
‘With the boy still gnashing his teeth, foaming from the mouth, and thrashing on the ground in front of them, the father appealed to Jesus with what must have been last-resort desperation in his voice:
“If thou canst do any thing,” he said, “have compassion on us, and help us.
“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
“And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”
‘With no other hope remaining, this father asserts what faith he has and pleads with the Savior of the world, “If thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.” I can hardly read those words without weeping. The plural pronoun us is obviously used intentionally. This man is saying in effect, “Our whole family is pleading. Our struggle never ceases. We are exhausted. Our son falls into the water. He falls into the fire. He is continually in danger, and we are continually afraid. We don’t know where else to turn?’
‘With the boy still gnashing his teeth, foaming from the mouth, and thrashing on the ground in front of them, the father appealed to Jesus with what must have been last-resort desperation in his voice:
“If thou canst do any thing,” he said, “have compassion on us, and help us.
“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
“And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”
‘With no other hope remaining, this father asserts what faith he has and pleads with the Savior of the world, “If thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.” I can hardly read those words without weeping. The plural pronoun us is obviously used intentionally. This man is saying in effect, “Our whole family is pleading. Our struggle never ceases. We are exhausted. Our son falls into the water. He falls into the fire. He is continually in danger, and we are continually afraid. We don’t know where else to turn?’
Have
you ever felt like that? Have you ever felt like you don’t know where else to
turn?
It continues: ‘Can you help us? We will be grateful for anything – a partial blessing, a glimmer of hope, some small lifting of the burden carried by this boy’s mother every day of her life.’
“If thou canst do any thing,” spoken by the father, comes back to him, “If thou canst believe,” spoken by the master.’
“Straightway,” the scripture says – not slowly nor skeptically nor cynically but “straightway” – the father cries out in his unvarnished parental pain, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” In response to new and still partial faith, Jesus heals the boy, almost literally raising him from the dead, as Mark describes the incident.’
I
love how it says, ‘in response to new and still partial faith, Jesus heals the
boy.’ I know that as we have faith no matter how new or how big or small, Jesus will be there for us.
What does that mean to you?
Elder
Holland gives us 3 observations from this story: who has #1?
#1
“When facing the challenge of faith, the father asserts his strength first and
only then acknowledges his limitation. His initial declaration is affirmative
and without hesitation: “Lord, I believe.”
What
does that mean to you? How can we apply this in our life?
Elder Holland also says: who has #2?
#2 “In
moments of fear or doubt or troubling times, hold the ground you have already
won, even if that ground is limited.”
“When those [hard] moments come and issues surface, the
resolution of which is not immediately forthcoming, hold fast to what you
already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes.”
Why
is that important to ‘hold fast to what you already know and stand strong until
additional knowledge comes’?
The
second observation that Elder Holland makes is: who has #3?
#3
“When problems come and questions arise, do not start your quest for faith by
saying how much you do not have,
leading as it were with your “unbelief”. That is like trying to stuff a turkey
through the beak! Let me be clear on this point: I am not asking you to pretend to faith you do not have. I am asking
you to be true to the faith you do
have.”
Why
is that important? How can we be true to the faith we do have?
And
then he says: who has #4?
#4 “So
let us all remember the clear message of this scriptural account: Be as candid
about your questions as you need to; life is full of them on one subject or
another. But if you and your family want to be healed, don’t let those
questions stand in the way of faith working its miracle.”
IPAD – SHOW CLIP OF TALK
What stood out to you?
“In this church, what we know will always trump what we
do not know. And remember, in this world, everyone is to walk by faith.”
“Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son,
imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly
frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we.”
The last observation Elder Holland makes is: who has #5?
#5
“When doubt or difficulty come, do not be afraid to ask for help.”
Why?
#6 “If
we want it as humbly and honestly as this father did, we can get it. The
scriptures phrase such earnest desire as being of “real intent”, pursued “with
full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God.” I
testify that in response to that kind of importuning, God will send help from
both sides of the veil to strengthen our belief.”
I
love the message of this talk. Jesus said, “If ye have faith as a grain of
mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place;
and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
He didn't say, ‘If ye have faith as big as a mountain…’
He didn't say, ‘If ye have faith as big as a mountain…’
It’s
not the size of our faith that matters or how much we know. It’s having faith
and believing.
Elder
Holland says: “It is the integrity you demonstrate toward the faith you do have
and the truth you already know.”
I
know that as we show our faith and we believe miracles can and will happen.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Lord's kingdom once again established on the earth. What a blessing to have that knowledge!
“Jesus
said, “If ye have faith as a grain of
mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place;
and it shall remove; and…
Nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
The
size of your faith or the degree of your knowledge is not the issue – it is the
integrity you demonstrate toward the faith you do have and the truth you already know.”
–
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “Lord, I Believe”
Thanks for reading!
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