So I'll admit it. When I was little and I graduated from reading the Friend to reading the New Era, I was devastated. But I read the New Era anyway, and eventually I really came to love it. However, the Ensign in my mind was always a big, thick magazine, full of dry topics and long discourses on heavy, complicated doctrinal topics, with not enough pictures. The Ensign was, in fact, for adults.
So I'll admit that when I finally became an adult and moved out and started paying rent and all that fun adult-ish sort of stuff, I clung to macaroni and cheese and books from the teen and young adult section and tried to ignore the Ensign. Therefore, I was taken aback when I had a roommate who would sit and read Ensign articles to herself every morning over breakfast. I thought she must just be crazy and couldn't possibly be enjoying herself.
But deep down I figured I should probably read the Ensign. After all, it contains the words of our latter-day prophets and apostles, and it is a form of modern-day scripture.
So my 101 list seemed a good enough excuse to read the Ensign. I made a goal and bought a subscription.
And I discovered something.
The Ensign is awesome.
It's full of stories, testimonies, talks, topics that apply to me, good advice, information about life, and amazing insight.
I just renewed my subscription. My year is up, but I wouldn't stop reading the Ensign for anything!
Viva la Vida.
Showing posts with label Testimony. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Testimony. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Happy New Year
Today is the first day of a brand new year.
I know, you're confused. "New Year's isn't until January 1st! It's only September 27th!"
But, when you think about it, a new year starts every single day. Each day of our lives we're given the opportunity to start fresh, to set goals, to make resolutions, and to leave the past behind as we face forward with a new hope for the future.
Ryan likes to tell me I'm perfect. And when he does, it makes me smile. I think about how lucky I am to have such an amazing man think so highly of me. However, we've instead adopted the phrase "You're perfect for me" in lieu of calling each other perfect. Because, let's face it, as much as we'd all like to be perfect, none of us are. Only our Savior, Jesus Christ, came to earth and lived a perfect life. The rest of us struggle. We have failings and shortcomings. Sometimes our mistakes are small, and sometimes they're big. But we all have them. Myself included.
One of my favorite songs talks about how "the person who I've been lately isn't who I want to be." I think everyone sings these lyrics to themselves at one point or another in their life. I sometimes look back at a day or a week or even a month and think, "That's not who I am. That's not how I act. I'm better than that." And it can be incredibly disheartening to realize that I've spent so much time living far below my potential as a daughter of God.
I was thinking about that this morning, thinking about all the times I've been unkind, or judged harshly, and all the times I've made excuses for myself when I didn't do everything I knew I should. And I started feeling pretty down about it.
And then I remembered something my mission prep teacher said two years ago. He told us that repentance and forgiveness is literally becoming a new person. Just like starting a new year every day, repentance allows us to start over at the beginning - just as if it had never happened and we had been perfect all along. And once I repent, all of my frustration and shortness is gone, because that was the old me, and this is the new me.
I remember in class thinking that that was kind of weird, and I didn't quite get the concept of forgiving and forgetting - especially forgiving myself. But the more I come to understand about the Atonement, the more I know that it's true. "Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more." (Doctrine & Covenants 58:42) If the Lord forgives and forgets my sins and moves on, who am I to refuse to do so as well?
President Holland gave one of my all-time favorite talks at BYU one year - and it's one that still makes me cry every time I read it. As he said:
Forgive, and do that which is harder than to forgive. Forget. And when it comes to mind, forget it again.... Dismiss the destructive and keep dismissing it, until the beauty of the Atonement of Christ has revealed to you your bright future, and the bright future of your family and your friends and your neighbors. God doesn't care nearly as much about where you have been as He does about where you are, and with His help, where you are willing to go. That is the thing Lot's wife didn't get. This is an important matter to consider at the start of a new year ‐‐ and every day ought to be the start of a new year and a new life. Such is the wonder of faith and repentance and the miracles of the Gospel
of Jesus Christ.
So happy new year! I stand forever grateful for my Savior - who suffered so that I could have a clean slate, and when I mess up again, as I almost inevitably will, so that I could have another one. And one day we'll be able to stand with Him and see just how far we've come, all thanks to His infinite love and sacrifice.
Viva la Vida.
I know, you're confused. "New Year's isn't until January 1st! It's only September 27th!"
But, when you think about it, a new year starts every single day. Each day of our lives we're given the opportunity to start fresh, to set goals, to make resolutions, and to leave the past behind as we face forward with a new hope for the future.
Ryan likes to tell me I'm perfect. And when he does, it makes me smile. I think about how lucky I am to have such an amazing man think so highly of me. However, we've instead adopted the phrase "You're perfect for me" in lieu of calling each other perfect. Because, let's face it, as much as we'd all like to be perfect, none of us are. Only our Savior, Jesus Christ, came to earth and lived a perfect life. The rest of us struggle. We have failings and shortcomings. Sometimes our mistakes are small, and sometimes they're big. But we all have them. Myself included.
One of my favorite songs talks about how "the person who I've been lately isn't who I want to be." I think everyone sings these lyrics to themselves at one point or another in their life. I sometimes look back at a day or a week or even a month and think, "That's not who I am. That's not how I act. I'm better than that." And it can be incredibly disheartening to realize that I've spent so much time living far below my potential as a daughter of God.
I was thinking about that this morning, thinking about all the times I've been unkind, or judged harshly, and all the times I've made excuses for myself when I didn't do everything I knew I should. And I started feeling pretty down about it.
And then I remembered something my mission prep teacher said two years ago. He told us that repentance and forgiveness is literally becoming a new person. Just like starting a new year every day, repentance allows us to start over at the beginning - just as if it had never happened and we had been perfect all along. And once I repent, all of my frustration and shortness is gone, because that was the old me, and this is the new me.
I remember in class thinking that that was kind of weird, and I didn't quite get the concept of forgiving and forgetting - especially forgiving myself. But the more I come to understand about the Atonement, the more I know that it's true. "Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more." (Doctrine & Covenants 58:42) If the Lord forgives and forgets my sins and moves on, who am I to refuse to do so as well?
President Holland gave one of my all-time favorite talks at BYU one year - and it's one that still makes me cry every time I read it. As he said:
Forgive, and do that which is harder than to forgive. Forget. And when it comes to mind, forget it again.... Dismiss the destructive and keep dismissing it, until the beauty of the Atonement of Christ has revealed to you your bright future, and the bright future of your family and your friends and your neighbors. God doesn't care nearly as much about where you have been as He does about where you are, and with His help, where you are willing to go. That is the thing Lot's wife didn't get. This is an important matter to consider at the start of a new year ‐‐ and every day ought to be the start of a new year and a new life. Such is the wonder of faith and repentance and the miracles of the Gospel
of Jesus Christ.
So happy new year! I stand forever grateful for my Savior - who suffered so that I could have a clean slate, and when I mess up again, as I almost inevitably will, so that I could have another one. And one day we'll be able to stand with Him and see just how far we've come, all thanks to His infinite love and sacrifice.
Viva la Vida.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world
The phrase "Be of good cheer" has occasionally stuck out to me in various contexts, and I've often wondered just what exactly Christ meant when He told us to "be of good cheer." Surely, I've thought, there are times when He can't possibly expect us to be cheerful - the world is filled with trials and problems that touch each of our lives in personal and painful ways. But the more I learn about the gospel, the more I realize that yes, it is possible to be of good cheer, even in the midst of a whirlwind of pain and affliction.
I read an amazing article in the Ensign today that talked about this very subject. I highly recommend it, it can be found online here or on page 57 of the July 2011 Ensign. I think the adversary didn't want me to read it, because I literally started to read it six times before I was finally able to finish the whole thing uninterrupted. And when I finally did, I was really glad. The author pointed out a number of things that really stood out to me.
First, "Obedience to God is not insurance against pain and sadness." It's a false assumption to think that if we're perfect, life will be perfect. To quote a favorite movie, "Life IS pain, Princess. Anyone who says differently is selling something." (Princess Bride).
Challenges, trials, and tests of faith are an inherent part of life, and they are no respecter of persons. Everyone suffers, even those who strive daily to keep all the commandments. Therefore, we can be of good cheer even in the midst of the trial, knowing that pain and suffering doesn't mean God is punishing us, or that we're bad people.
Second, if we believe that we have to be perfect before the Atonement will cover us - we're wrong. It's easy to think that we have to be perfect in all things and then Christ's atonement will kick in and relieve us of the heavy burdens we bear.
I have come to know that our Heavenly Father does not leave anyone to struggle alone, trying to lift the burden of perfection without His help. The only catch is simply that we have to turn to Him. Sometimes that involves acknowledging personal weakness. Sometimes it takes repentance, or humility. No matter what it requires, the promise is that the weight will lift from our shoulders, and we can find joy through Him.
"Cheerfulness in the scriptural context connotes a divinely assured optimism, "a deep trust in God's unfolding purposes," a grounded conviction that God will always keep His promises.... True happiness and satisfaction are found only by turning away from the world and coming to Christ." He has promised His help, His love, and His forgiveness when we come to Him in humility. "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
I can think of no better reason to be of good cheer.
Viva la Vida.
I read an amazing article in the Ensign today that talked about this very subject. I highly recommend it, it can be found online here or on page 57 of the July 2011 Ensign. I think the adversary didn't want me to read it, because I literally started to read it six times before I was finally able to finish the whole thing uninterrupted. And when I finally did, I was really glad. The author pointed out a number of things that really stood out to me.
First, "Obedience to God is not insurance against pain and sadness." It's a false assumption to think that if we're perfect, life will be perfect. To quote a favorite movie, "Life IS pain, Princess. Anyone who says differently is selling something." (Princess Bride).
Challenges, trials, and tests of faith are an inherent part of life, and they are no respecter of persons. Everyone suffers, even those who strive daily to keep all the commandments. Therefore, we can be of good cheer even in the midst of the trial, knowing that pain and suffering doesn't mean God is punishing us, or that we're bad people.
Second, if we believe that we have to be perfect before the Atonement will cover us - we're wrong. It's easy to think that we have to be perfect in all things and then Christ's atonement will kick in and relieve us of the heavy burdens we bear.
I have come to know that our Heavenly Father does not leave anyone to struggle alone, trying to lift the burden of perfection without His help. The only catch is simply that we have to turn to Him. Sometimes that involves acknowledging personal weakness. Sometimes it takes repentance, or humility. No matter what it requires, the promise is that the weight will lift from our shoulders, and we can find joy through Him.
"Cheerfulness in the scriptural context connotes a divinely assured optimism, "a deep trust in God's unfolding purposes," a grounded conviction that God will always keep His promises.... True happiness and satisfaction are found only by turning away from the world and coming to Christ." He has promised His help, His love, and His forgiveness when we come to Him in humility. "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
I can think of no better reason to be of good cheer.
Viva la Vida.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Why yes, I am on vacation
And yes, it is going fabulously. I'm having a blast. Life is good, although my feet are getting darn tired of being so USED all the time.
But that is not the purpose of this blog post. The vacation news will come at a later time. Maybe. If I feel like it.
The purpose of this post is simply to declare to all the world that missionary work is true. I don't think I've ever really thought about missionary work as much as I have in the past few days. At least, not in the way that I have. There are a number of things we could attribute that to, but we're simply going to attribute it to the time I've spent recently out in the missionary field.
For example. At church in Daytona Beach, a girl about my age, ish, got up and spoke in sacrament meeting. She told the story of her conversion two years previous, and the wonderful miracle it was that the missionaries arrived at her home at just the right time. She talked about the way she felt when she joined the church, the way that she feels now, and she shared her testimony.
And to me, it was the most beautiful thing.
Later, we had the opportunity to hear from the Orlando Mission President, who encouraged all of us to be member missionaries. I've heard a lot about this, yet I somehow seem to go glassy-eyed when they talk about it, thinking to myself, I don't need to do that - I live in Utah. Not so. It suddenly struck me, sitting there in that ward, that I might not live in Utah forever. Someday I might live in a ward that covers a huge land area, or in a branch, waiting anxiously to become a ward. I might live right out in the mission field, and when or if that day comes, I want to be ready.
And suddenly, missionary work means more to me and has become more personal to me than ever before. I love the Gospel with all my heart. It truly forms the core of my life, bringing meaning and color into everything I experience. I can't imagine my life without it, or without my relationship with my Savior.
Viva missionaries. All of them, all over the world - the ones I know, and the ones I don't know. They truly carry on the work of the Lord.
Viva la Vida.
But that is not the purpose of this blog post. The vacation news will come at a later time. Maybe. If I feel like it.
The purpose of this post is simply to declare to all the world that missionary work is true. I don't think I've ever really thought about missionary work as much as I have in the past few days. At least, not in the way that I have. There are a number of things we could attribute that to, but we're simply going to attribute it to the time I've spent recently out in the missionary field.
For example. At church in Daytona Beach, a girl about my age, ish, got up and spoke in sacrament meeting. She told the story of her conversion two years previous, and the wonderful miracle it was that the missionaries arrived at her home at just the right time. She talked about the way she felt when she joined the church, the way that she feels now, and she shared her testimony.
And to me, it was the most beautiful thing.
Later, we had the opportunity to hear from the Orlando Mission President, who encouraged all of us to be member missionaries. I've heard a lot about this, yet I somehow seem to go glassy-eyed when they talk about it, thinking to myself, I don't need to do that - I live in Utah. Not so. It suddenly struck me, sitting there in that ward, that I might not live in Utah forever. Someday I might live in a ward that covers a huge land area, or in a branch, waiting anxiously to become a ward. I might live right out in the mission field, and when or if that day comes, I want to be ready.
And suddenly, missionary work means more to me and has become more personal to me than ever before. I love the Gospel with all my heart. It truly forms the core of my life, bringing meaning and color into everything I experience. I can't imagine my life without it, or without my relationship with my Savior.
Viva missionaries. All of them, all over the world - the ones I know, and the ones I don't know. They truly carry on the work of the Lord.
Viva la Vida.
Monday, February 7, 2011
My source of power
I've been thinking a lot about my last post. And then I read this quote that goes right along with it:
"Recognize that there is a power greater than ours, that no matter how good a man is, he is not good enough, that no matter how wise he is, he is not wise enough, that no matter how strong he is, he is not strong enough for all of the things which he will face in life, and that there is a source of power to which he can go with the assurance that he will be listened to and that there will be a response." - President Gordon B. Hinckley
There you have it. Hold your head high, because somebody stronger is there on your side.
"Recognize that there is a power greater than ours, that no matter how good a man is, he is not good enough, that no matter how wise he is, he is not wise enough, that no matter how strong he is, he is not strong enough for all of the things which he will face in life, and that there is a source of power to which he can go with the assurance that he will be listened to and that there will be a response." - President Gordon B. Hinckley
There you have it. Hold your head high, because somebody stronger is there on your side.
Friday, February 4, 2011
In His Hands
We always say that the Lord will never place upon us any trial or challenge that we are unable to bear.
That's not true. Sometimes He does. Sometimes we aren't strong enough to make it through the trial.
Not alone, anyway.
Ether 12:27: "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."
Sometimes when it looks like there isn't any light at the end of the tunnel, it's because there isn't. Sometimes when we think we'll never make it through a particular trial, it's because we won't. Sometimes when it seems things will never get better, it's because they aren't going to. Not unless we accept the fact that we can't do it on our own, and turn to the Lord for help, submitting ourselves to His will and allowing Him to show us the way.
Sometimes that's hard, because it requires letting go of a lot of stubborn pride. Sometimes things still don't work out the way we expect them to. But they will work out; if we place our faith in Him and His power.
D&C 84:88: "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."
That's not true. Sometimes He does. Sometimes we aren't strong enough to make it through the trial.
Not alone, anyway.
Ether 12:27: "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."
Sometimes when it looks like there isn't any light at the end of the tunnel, it's because there isn't. Sometimes when we think we'll never make it through a particular trial, it's because we won't. Sometimes when it seems things will never get better, it's because they aren't going to. Not unless we accept the fact that we can't do it on our own, and turn to the Lord for help, submitting ourselves to His will and allowing Him to show us the way.
Sometimes that's hard, because it requires letting go of a lot of stubborn pride. Sometimes things still don't work out the way we expect them to. But they will work out; if we place our faith in Him and His power.
D&C 84:88: "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."
Sunday, September 12, 2010
A Marvelous Work and a Wonder
Thursday - Sept 9, 2010
We met at the train station and took the train to Madrid, minus a slight detour where we forgot to get off the train and had to get off, get on the train going the other way, and then get off at the correct location. We then took the Metro to the Pavones station, came out of the metro and walked down the street, turned the corner, and this is what we saw:
It is even more beautiful in real life than it is in pictures. I felt like crying just looking at it. I think the temple plaza is the cleanest place in Madrid, even though Madrid is a pretty clean city, at least, as far as I have seen.
We then went into the CCM - (MTC) and took a brief tour. The president, President Earl, told us the CCM takes all the missionaries going to Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, aaaannnd... somewhere else, all go through the CCM. They usually have between 12 and 20 elders and sisters there at the same time. The Russian missionaries also come down and stay there every so often while they get their Visas renewed.
The CCM is housed in an apartment building, which also contains apartments for members who travel to the temple. It takes up several floors, includes classrooms, bedrooms (which we didn't see... haha), a cafeteria, and an absolutely beautiful view of the temple:
After the tour, we watched Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration. In Spanish. I understood most of it, and it was really amazing. Then we were able to go practice with the missionaries! We split into groups of 2-4, and the missionaries practiced giving us discussions. It was amazing. The elder and sister who were teaching my group had only been in the CCM for one day. The elder was from Barcelona, and the sister was from Manti.
I was really touched by this sister, though she struggled a lot with expressing herself in Spanish, she bore a very simple and sincere testimony of how the Gospel blesses her life, and even though it was just a practice session, it brought tears to my eyes. I don't know her or her story, but I know she loves the gospel, and I am so excited for the lives she's going to touch. I love missionary work. It's the work of God, and it is so amazing. I'm so proud of all my missionary friends! :)
We met at the train station and took the train to Madrid, minus a slight detour where we forgot to get off the train and had to get off, get on the train going the other way, and then get off at the correct location. We then took the Metro to the Pavones station, came out of the metro and walked down the street, turned the corner, and this is what we saw:
It is even more beautiful in real life than it is in pictures. I felt like crying just looking at it. I think the temple plaza is the cleanest place in Madrid, even though Madrid is a pretty clean city, at least, as far as I have seen.
We then went into the CCM - (MTC) and took a brief tour. The president, President Earl, told us the CCM takes all the missionaries going to Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, aaaannnd... somewhere else, all go through the CCM. They usually have between 12 and 20 elders and sisters there at the same time. The Russian missionaries also come down and stay there every so often while they get their Visas renewed.
The CCM is housed in an apartment building, which also contains apartments for members who travel to the temple. It takes up several floors, includes classrooms, bedrooms (which we didn't see... haha), a cafeteria, and an absolutely beautiful view of the temple:
After the tour, we watched Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration. In Spanish. I understood most of it, and it was really amazing. Then we were able to go practice with the missionaries! We split into groups of 2-4, and the missionaries practiced giving us discussions. It was amazing. The elder and sister who were teaching my group had only been in the CCM for one day. The elder was from Barcelona, and the sister was from Manti.
I was really touched by this sister, though she struggled a lot with expressing herself in Spanish, she bore a very simple and sincere testimony of how the Gospel blesses her life, and even though it was just a practice session, it brought tears to my eyes. I don't know her or her story, but I know she loves the gospel, and I am so excited for the lives she's going to touch. I love missionary work. It's the work of God, and it is so amazing. I'm so proud of all my missionary friends! :)
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Live like you believe
Today I wrote a letter to a really good friend of mine. It's nice. I'm better with writing than with actual spoken conversation. But in this particular letter, I was reminiscing on different parts of my life and the way different people had influenced it. And I ended up writing about the day when I gained my sure testimony of who I am and that God loves me.
It came during a Seminary presentation by Jenny Phillips. I was late, and I was in the back, and I was feeling more alone and unwanted than I had ever felt in my entire life. I was so hurt and so upset that I just didn't know where to turn anymore.
And then she sang this song. And somewhere in the middle of it, I found what I was looking for.
And it changed my life.
It came during a Seminary presentation by Jenny Phillips. I was late, and I was in the back, and I was feeling more alone and unwanted than I had ever felt in my entire life. I was so hurt and so upset that I just didn't know where to turn anymore.
And then she sang this song. And somewhere in the middle of it, I found what I was looking for.
And it changed my life.
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