His

Sometimes, we get so lost in the world, so caught up in what others want us to become, that we forget about ourselves.
And even more importantly, we forget about Heavenly Father, and what He wants us to become. Or rather, WHO he wants us to become.
Sure, we can be a doctor, or a lawyer, or an electrician. But that doesn't matter to Heavenly Father. What matters to Him is that we are healers, peacemakers, and examples. That we go out of our way to help those who are lost or hurt. Our Father commands us to be merciful and forgiving, not a judge of others. In Doctrine and Covenants section 64, verse 10, it says, "I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men." We are told to be spiritual electricians. The Lord wants us to shine our own light. "Let your light so shine before men,  that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16
We each have our own unique talents, and our own challenges. Our own family, friends, and peers. And it's for a reason. We all belong to a loving Father in Heaven, who knows us by name. "I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands." 1 Nephi 21:16. Our brother Jesus Christ chose to keep the nail prints in His hands and feet instead of receiving a perfect, unmarked body, for that purpose alone. So that we could be engraved on His hands. Because He loves us.
We are His. "We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him. We will stand as witnesses of God, at all times, and in all things, and in all places, as we strive to live the young women values." The Young Women theme that is stated each week reflects the desire we should each have to become closer to Christ.

"I am the daughter of a king who is not moved by the world, for my God is with me and goes before me. I do not fear because I am His."

I want to be like Christ. He has given me guidelines and qualities to develop. I know that I am His. My favorite scripture says, "Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me. And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost." Doctrine and Covenants 50:41. I have no reason to be afraid, because God is watching over all. He has given us to His Only Begotten Son, to watch over us and protect us. We will not be lost. Remember, our Shepherd is one who will leave the ninety and nine to bring the one back to the fold.

Beauty All Around

 

Where some see weeds, others see wishes.

Beauty is all around.

We go through our everyday lives,

And it's hard to see the good in things,

even the good in people.

But there is good in everything.

A dandelion may not be the prettiest plant, but it contains a wish.

Trials that we go through are

depressing,

dark,

stormy.

But after the dark, comes the light.

"Everybody wants happiness,

Nobody wants pain.

But there can't be a rainbow

Without a little rain."

After a trial, we see the progress we've made,

The lessons we've learned,

And the things we appreciate more deeply.

There is good in everything.

If we look for it,

It will be found.

 

My Heavenly Father Loves Me

Whenever I hear the song of a bird

Or look at the blue, blue sky

Whenever I feel the rain on my face

Or the wind as it rushes by

Whenever I touch a velvet rose

Or walk by our lilac tree

I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world

Heavenly Father created for me.

He gave me my eyes

 That I might see the color of butterfly wings

He gave me my ears that I might hear the magical sound of things

He gave me my life

My mind, my heart

I thank Him reverently
For all His creations of which I'm a part

Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me.

(My Heavenly Father Loves Me, by Clara W. McMaster, Children's Songbook)

Look Not Behind Thee (Genesis 19:17)

In the Rearview

"Oh, yes. The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or learn from it." -Rafiki (The Lion King)

Everyone has a past. We hear it over and over again. "Nobody's perfect." Then why do we have such a hard time forgiving ourselves, and moving on with our lives? We expect ourselves to be free of any stains, while in reality, we were born with stains. The Lord expects us to mess up. In fact, he wants us to, so that we can learn from our mistakes. He sent us to an imperfect world so that we can become better than it. So we can rise above the rest of the world by pressing forward.

"And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.

  Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."

2 Nephi 31:19-20

We need to "keep moving forward" (Meet the Robinson's) and forgive ourselves for what we've done in our past. We need to remember the story of Lot. When she was commanded not to look back, she turned around to her old home and was turned to a pillar of salt. We probably won't be turned to salt if we revert back to old habits or sins, but we will no longer be progressing.

So "look not behind thee" and forgive and forget what you may have done in the past.

Joy to the World

A couple of months ago, a friend of mine posted a video on Facebook entitled "The Christmas Scale." It was about a man whose mother taught him that the greatest news in all the world was contained in a single scale. What was she talking about? I continued watching. The man played an eight-note scale on the piano. His mother told him to play it backwards. He still didn't understand. Then she told him to add pauses on the first, second, fourth, sixth, seventh, and last notes.

It was then that he realized what she meant. 

"Joy to the world, the Lord is come." 

This is the greatest news that the world has ever known.

 Christmas isn't about the presents. It's about giving to others in honor of what Christ gave to us. He gave us life and resurrection. He gave us the ability to return to live with Him again.Along with giving, we should also receive. I don't mean gifts--although that's included in Christmas. I'm talking about Christ. :We should receive Him, and allow Him to change us and make us better people.

"But perhaps most of all, let it be a season of seeking the Lamb of God, the King of Glory, the Everlasting Light of the World, the Great Hope of Mankind, the Savior and Redeemer of our souls."

-Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"How to See the Christ in Christmas"

Dec. 2013 New Era

Christmas Tree in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building

Salt Lake Temple

The Spirit of Thanksgiving

"In all things give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

As Thanksgiving approaches, I just want to express my gratitude for everything that I have and love.

• My Family--Without them, I would have nothing, and I'd be nothing. I'm grateful that I have parents who teach me the gospel by word and by deed. I'm grateful for my siblings, and that I'm so close to them. I'm also grateful for my grandparents, and all they do for me.
• Friends--I'm a bit of an introvert. I don't always like to spend time with my friends. But I'm glad that when I want to, they're there for me. I can talk to them about anything, and they'll listen.
• Education--I'm so grateful that I have the ability and the means to learn. School is taken for granted, and teachers are under-appreciated.
• Myself--I'm just grateful that I am who I am. I'm glad that I was born into this family, with these friends, in this home. I wouldn't want to be anyone but me.
• Chocolate and Ice Cream--For the bad days.
• The Atonement--Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I know that I am not alone. I will never be left to suffer by myself. I can turn to the Savior for the big things and the little things. If I ask for forgiveness, it will be given to me.
• America--Sometimes, I look at pictures of third world countries from National Geographic or other sources. I look at their worn out and weathered faces, and my heart goes out to them. I'm grateful that I have the freedom that I do, and that I have everything that I need to live a successful, healthy life that I choose to live.
• The Gospel--I can't even imagine a world where the Gospel of Jesus Christ isn't a part of my life. I don't want to know the person I'd be if that were the case. I'm thankful that I was born into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I love this gospel, and as Sister Dibb said, "I know it, I live it, I love it!" I'm so glad that I have opportunities to be a light and to share my happiness with others.
• The Scriptures--Where would I be without The Book of Mormon? There are countless times when I've opened up the scriptures after praying, and my prayer has been answered. There are many times when I've had a bad day, or just need to feel the Spirit, and Heavenly Father leads me to the right verse. He knows which one will help me at the time, which I'm so thankful for.
• Technology--In our day, technology is taken for granted by the younger generations. There are so many things that are available to us, and we have access right at home. Sometimes right in your pocket. It's amazing.
• Seminary--Having the opportunity to attend seminary every other day during school has really helped me. I've learned so much, and it's strengthened my testimony so much. I'm grateful for the wonderful teachers I've had, and the people I've met through seminary.

• The Temple--I cannot express how grateful I am that I have so many temples close to home. I can always just drive a few miles and go to the temple. I can take a break from the world, and feel the Holy Ghost.

Alma 26: 35, 37 " Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.

 37 Now my brethren, we see that God is ^amindful of every ^bpeople, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.

Be Not Afraid, Only Believe (Mark 5:36)

One of my favorite scriptures is Doctrine and Covenants 50:41-42. It says, "Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me; and none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost."

Fear is a hard thing to overcome. It's a weakness that everyone has at some time or another, and it makes us avoid having to do something at all costs. When we are supposed to do something, fear has the power to stop us from doing that. But it shouldn't.

We have to believe that Heavenly Father will provide the way for us to accomplish the thing which He commanded us. "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." 1 Nephi 3:7

We cannot let fear stop us from doing what is right. It is hard to stand up to someone who is asking you to do something that you don't believe. But you have to stand up. Faith is what gives us the courage and power to stand up for what's right, or to do what we've always been too scared to do. "Faith and fear cannot coexist" (Elder Kevin W. Pearson). Faith pushes fears away, and gives us the power to succeed and to overcome the world as Christ did. In D&C 50:41-42, Christ promises that none of them that His Father has given Him will be lost. If we follow Christ, we can in no way, shape, or form be lost. If we don't let our fears stop us from obeying, then we won't be lost in this mortal life.

Another scripture that talks about fear is Moroni 8:16: "Perfect love casteth out all fear."

I know that faith is what pushes our fears away. It is what makes us courageous and powerful. The Spirit tells us what we need to do, and having faith instead of fear is what allows us to do the things that we are most afraid of.