Beautiful Story of Love

A hospital nurse led a tired, anxious serviceman to a bedside in the emergency wing. “Your son is here,” she said to the old man lying on the bed. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient’s eyes opened.  

Heavily sedated due to his heart attack, the old man dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent.
He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man’s limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.


The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night, the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man’s hand and offering him words of love and strength.
Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile. But he refused.
Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital — the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients.
Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, and held tightly to his son all through the night.


Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding, and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited.
Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her. “Who was that man?” he asked.
The nurse was startled. “He was your father,” she answered.
“No, he wasn’t,” the Marine replied. “I never saw him before in my life.”
“Then why didn’t you say something when I took you to him?”



“I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn’t here. When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed."

A Careful Boy I want to Be

I recently heard a story about, "Please." In the story, one boy is extremely rude while his older brother is extremely polite. What ends up changing the younger brother's attitude is the example his older brother set. When the younger brother sees how polite his older brother is, he thinks "Hmm... I wonder what it would be like to be like that?" And then he changes.
The examples we set for our families are so important.
I love this poem:

A careful boy I want to be;

a little brother follows me.

I do not dare to go astray

for fear he'll go the self-same way

I cannot once escape his eyes;

what e'er he see me do, he tries.

Like me he says he's going to be-

that little brother following me.

He thinks that I am good and fine;

believes in every word of mine.

The bad in me he must not see-

that little brother following me.

I must remember as I go

through summer's sun and winter's snow

I'm building for the years to be

that little brother following me.

Finally, Elder Gene Cook from the Quorum of the Seventy shared the story of his brother's example:

When I was a boy, my family wasn’t very active in the Church. When my older brother, Ron, was turning 12, a man in the ward convinced him to become a deacon. ...When Ron was about 17 and I was about 12, his teacher told him that he needed to gain a testimony of his own. He said to me, “I intend to find out for myself if the Church is true. I’m going to pay any price to know for myself.”
Over the next few weeks, I watched him. I’d find him on his knees praying. I’d see him reading the Book of Mormon. I was amazed at how diligent he was.
... Later ..., Ron told me,  “...I now know for myself that the Church is true. ...Because of what has been happening to me in reading the Book of Mormon. I’ve got my testimony by reading and praying over every page. I know all that we’ve been taught in the Church is correct, and I am going on a mission.” I’d never heard Ron say that before. It was evident to me, even as a young boy, that he had really been impacted by something.
After Ron left me alone, I thought to myself, “If the Lord would tell my brother, then I’ll bet the Lord would tell me.” So I did what my brother did, reading and praying over every page of the Book of Mormon. Because I was still young, I didn’t understand a lot of the words, but it wasn’t long before I began to feel the Lord speak to me in my heart, telling me it was true. I read the whole book through and ended up with a strong testimony even at age 12. That really helped me through my youth and in preparation for a mission.
I have always been thankful for my good brother, who loved me enough to show me by example how to gain a testimony.

Heavenly Father has told us to "let your light so shine before men." I know that as we fearlessly and boldly testify of the truths we've learned to our family and friends they will be strengthened, and our example can lead them closer to Christ.

Your Eyes

I've been learning a lot recently about the eyes and what messages I'm sending people with my eye contact.

There's a phrase that says "The eye is the window to the soul." I thought that that was pretty cheesy and overrated, until one exercise.

We were paired together with the person we were sitting by. I was sitting by my friend's friend, a beautiful woman and mother.
Our challenge was to sit across from each other and one of us would gaze into the other's eyes. After thirty seconds, we would start to say everything (positive) that came to our minds about that person. It was an unforgettable, exhilarating experience. I felt like I caught a glimpse of the mother's pre-mortal experience with her Heavenly Mother. I saw a growing green in my mind, like healing and nurturing. As I was sharing these things with her, there was an amazing connection between us.

I was struck again with the knowledge that everyone is a child of God, and they all have a divine potential and mission. I know that if I looked into your eyes-- whether I know you or not-- I would see an amazing destiny and power. It's something that God has given to all of us.

Simple Missionary Moments

In case I didn't let y'all know, my family has moved across the country! Exciting, right? So I couldn't work for my dad anymore, because he had to get a new job :). Thus, I got a job here at a Health Care Manufacturing Facility.
It's pretty boring, but it brings in the bucks. (random tidbit, did you know that a dollar became known as a "buck" because a male deer's hide would be bought for $1 back in the day?)

So now that we're not in Utah, and I'm working with a bunch of people that aren't LDS, I get a lot more missionary opportunities than I used to. Here are a few of them:

I was working at a machine with another person (say his name was Aaron), and he needed to remember something later. So Aaron turned to me and said, "Hey, if I forget this later, will you call me a *******." I said, "I won't say that word, but I can remind you."
"Oh," he replied, "Then you can just call me a *****." (word that was basically the swear word)
I smiled at him and said, "But then I'd think of the word that I wasn't saying."
He looked a little confused, and asked me, "Then you've never come close to swearing?"
I thought about it for a moment, and then realized I could say, "Nope, never."
"Hm." Then we both went back to work.
It was nice to not only share my language standards, but to be able to realize that I'd never broken them. There are a lot of four-letter words floating around at my work and I sometimes think them, but as I try to block out the thoughts the words never seem to come to my mouth.
My brothers are nice, and have stopped "fake cussing" around me as well.

At my work, when people finish with jobs at their station, they'll come over to my station and help out. One of these people was making small talk with me, and relationships were brought up.
"Do you have any kids?" he asked me.
"No, I'm not married."
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
"Nope, I haven't found the right guy yet."
"Oh, so you have standards?"
That threw me. I thought that everyone had things that they wanted in their partner.
So I responded, "Yeah." Then I thought, what the heck! I'll share a brief testimony! "That's what my parents did, and they're happy together, so I guess it works."
"Oh." Then we both went back to work.
It's been really eyeopening to see how people outside of Utah view relationships and marriage. A lot of people say things like. "You're married? That's too bad. Then you'll need a divorce when you want out." I'm so happy I wasn't raised with those ideals. I hope that through sharing my testimony with that one person they'll realize that there's something more they can get. (
(side note: Pres. Packer's talk and the movie "The War Room" go very well together and talk a lot about the heavenly part of marriage.)

Finally, a couple weeks ago our ward (or local congregation) had a fast for less active members to feel the spirit again, for strong families to move in, and for missionary experiences. The next Monday, at work, the second thing anyone said to me was "So what exactly is a Mormon?"
It was AWESOME!
I basically said that Mormon's are Christians, but here are some things that make us different... . Then I outlined the Apostasy, Restoration, and Book of Mormon. It was short and I don't think they understood what I was saying (I need to work on that :S) but it was cool!

So if you want to share your belief of Christ or your standards, just think, "Tova can do it, so I can definitely do it!" :D. It's been such an amazing feeling to be able to be an instrument in God's hands. I get the feeling described in the blog description-- "This is the joy of truly penitent seeker of happiness."

Building Homes

Wow, doesn't time fly :). Since I last posted I've moved across the United States to upstate New York into a house that isn't a "fixer-upper." It's a "tear her down, then fix 'er up."
In honor of my new house, I'd like to share this parable by C. S. Lewis from his book Mere Christianity.

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace."

My little sister shared another amazing analogy illustrating our divine nature. When you  cut an apple through the middle, you'll find a star formed by seeds. Inside each of us is an amazing destiny, formed by the seeds of our potential.

I know that God has shown me my greatness. I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. And He strengthens YOU. YOU are amazing, you have a powerful potential for good.

Unlock that potential, and you will change the world. God can help you. Let Him in. Let Him build you.

Modesty: More than Clothes

I realized that I haven't posted very much (if at all) about modesty and what it means in the LDS Church.

Despite worldly views, many boys appreciate it when girls dress modestly. An example of this was the survey done by Alex and Brett Harris (teen authors of "Do Hard Things"--an amazing book!)
http://therebelution.com/blog/category/modesty-survey/#.VO0XM033-iw

They asked boys what they thought about modesty and if they were comfortable around girls who were immodest. Most of them (I believe nearly all of them) answered that they were uncomfortable when girls were not dressed modestly. 

My brothers and I have a song we enjoy that teaches this principle very well, and it's super funny :D

So what does "Modesty" mean? A dictionary defintion is: behavior, manner, or appearance intended to avoid impropriety or indecency. Isn't that cool? It said "behavior" and "manner" in addition to just your appearance.

Here are the specific standards that the LDS Church encourages:"Immodest clothing is any clothing that is tight, sheer, or revealing in any other manner. Young women should avoid short shorts and short skirts, shirts that do not cover the stomach, and clothing that does not cover the shoulders or is low-cut in the front or the back. Young men should also maintain modesty in their appearance. Young men and young women should be neat and clean and avoid being extreme or inappropriately casual in clothing, hairstyle, and behavior. They should choose appropriately modest apparel when participating in sports. The fashions of the world will change, but the Lord’s standards will not change."

Why is modesty important? The Lord gave us our bodies, didn't He? Why does it matter if they're modestly portrayed?

The temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.  

(1 Corinthians 3:17)

If you had something sacred, something that you cherished, say a locket with a picture. Would you give that locket to anyone? No.

For the Strength of Youth says this: 

Through your dress and appearance, you can show that you know how precious your body is. You can show that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ and that you love Him.
Prophets of God have continually counseled His children to dress modestly. When you are well groomed and modestly dressed, you invite the companionship of the Spirit and you can be a good influence on others. Your dress and grooming influence the way you and others act.

Here are a couple of articles that you can listen to or read that can improve your understanding of modesty:
 Modesty: Reverence for the Lord
Modesty: A Timeless Principle for All

I know that as I am modest I feel sooooo much more comfortable than when I know that what I'm wearing is too short or too tight. I also feel the Spirit more easily, not only when I am modest, but when those around me are modest and act in a modest manner.
I am grateful for the guidance of prophets and other church leaders. Without it, I'm sure I'd have a hard time knowing about dress standards and how much they can affect my life.

Missionary Work-- Sacrificing our Music, or Sharing our Music?

I've heard it said that it's not a sacrifice unless it's hard.
I was very touched by this story of a young man sacrificing one of his greatest treasures in order to answer his call to serve.

"In Search of Treasure" (Thomas S Monson)
Benjamin Landart ..., in 1888, was 15 years old and an accomplished violinist. Living on a farm in northern Utah with his mother and seven brothers and sisters was sometimes a challenge to Benjamin, as he had less time than he would have liked to play his violin. Occasionally his mother would lock up the violin until he had his farm chores done, so great was the temptation for Benjamin to play it.

In late 1892 Benjamin was asked to travel to Salt Lake to audition for a place with the territorial orchestra. For him, this was a dream come true. After several weeks of practicing and prayers, he went to Salt Lake in March of 1893 for the much anticipated audition. When he heard Benjamin play, the conductor, a Mr. Dean, told Benjamin he was the most accomplished violinist he had heard west of Denver. He was told to report to Denver for rehearsals in the fall and learned that he would be earning enough to keep himself, with some left over to send home.

A week after Benjamin received the good news, however, his bishop called him into his office and asked if he couldn’t put off playing with the orchestra for a couple of years. He told Benjamin that before he started earning money there was something he owed the Lord. He then asked Benjamin to accept a mission call.

Benjamin felt that giving up his chance to play in the territorial orchestra would be almost more than he could bear, but he also knew what his decision should be. He promised the bishop that if there were any way to raise the money for him to serve, he would accept the call.

When Benjamin told his mother about the call, she was overjoyed. She told him that his father had always wanted to serve a mission but had been killed before that opportunity had come to him. However, when they discussed the financing of the mission, her face clouded over. Benjamin told her he would not allow her to sell any more of their land. She studied his face for a moment and then said, “Ben, there is a way we can raise the money. This family [has] one thing that is of great enough value to send you on your mission. You will have to sell your violin.”

Ten days later, on March 23, 1893, Benjamin wrote in his journal: “I awoke this morning and took my violin from its case. All day long I played the music I love. In the evening when the light grew dim and I could see to play no longer, I placed the instrument in its case. It will be enough. Tomorrow I leave [for my mission].”

Forty-five years later, on June 23, 1938, Benjamin wrote in his journal: “The greatest decision I ever made in my life was to give up something I dearly loved to the God I loved even more. He has never forgotten me for it.”

(David Archuleta's experience on his mission (1 hour long Live Q&A))

I'm so excited for my own mission. I don't have a brilliant career I'm leaving behind. However, I hope that I will be able to leave a legacy behind me.

No Regrets-- How your Decisions Determine your Destiny

There was a beautiful lesson today in Young Women's. "Why do the Choices I make Matter?" Why do they matter? If there is no tomorrow-- no life after death-- they don't really matter, do they?
Well let's assume that there is life after death*. Now do your choices matter? Well, only if there is a rule for happiness in the next life.
There's a great scripture about people who think that way:
2 Nephi 28:7 Yea, and there shall be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us.

 8 And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God.

 9 Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord; and their works shall be in the dark."

Now here's the response to that line of thinking:

"2 Nephi 2:13 And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not there is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away."

From these scriptures, I have obtained a testimony that YES, there is life after death; YES, there is a judgement; and YES, we do need to meet up to the Lord's standards through our choices.
These are some boys who followed their standards, and were blessed exceedingly for their choice:

A big danger in today's society is this philosophy: "There is no right or wrong. What's wrong for you can be right for me, and I don't think it's wrong to get drunk every weekend." Relative morality is dangerous, and it is a false philosophy.
In the Screwtape Letters by C.S.Lewis, Screwtape tells Wormwood (the devil he is training) that one of the greatest tools the devil has is to tell people that there is no devil. Once they get someone to accept that idea, they can whisper whatever they want to that person, and the person will act on it; never choosing to believe that they are following an evil influence. However, even if they choose to believe it (or rather, to not believe it), that doesn't mean that they don't feel the negative effects in their heart. That is, unless they've numbed themselves.
My dad describes your conscience in this way: it's like a triangle. When you do something wrong, it will give a little turn, and prick you, to tell you that it's wrong. But if you keep on turning that triangle, the edges will wear, until you end up with a circle. It continues to whirl around, trying to warn you of the danger you've stumbled into, but you can't feel it anymore. 

As you make decisions, try to make them so that you can live life with no regrets.

When you watch this video, try to think of ways that the Devil is trying to "lead you carefully down to hell." (For me, it's watching action movies that have swearing and immoral references. That is a standard I have set for myself.)

I know that our decisions really will determine where we go. Where we go in this life, and where we'll go after. It is completely worth it to live with "no regrets." It truly will be easier in the long run to set standards for themselves. We can make it, we can stand up for ourselves!

*https://www.lds.org/manual/preparing-for-exaltation-teachers-manual/lesson-7-what-happens-after-death?lang=eng
http://www.mormon.org/faq/life-after-death

Standing Firm! (Joan of Arc)

Do you have any pet peeves? Things that pick at you like popcorn caught in your teeth? One of my met peeves is personality tests. I have taken at least 5 different types of personality tests, and every time, the response is the same: for the color test, I'm tested "White," I'm peace loving. "Now for those who are white, remember that you can still stand up for yourselves." Animal test: Golden Retriever, loyal. "Now, for those who are Golden Retrievers, remember that you can still stand up for yourselves." Introvert, shy. "Now, for those of you who are introverts, remember that you can still  stand up for yourselves." Instead of "Golden Retriever" I should have been "Camel," because I can be very contrary. So when I have all these tests telling me that I don't like sharing my opinion, or that I enjoy going along with what everyone else says, I'll fight against that. It probably turned out to be a good thing, but it was still annoying.  

This pet peeve of mine could be called a 1st-World Problem. But I believe that on a bigger level, it's a universal problem. Not my irritability whenever a new personality test is brought forth, but rather, the problem of people not standing up for themselves. 

While it's perfectly fine to not care which game you play or what your going to do that night, it's not acceptable to be wishy-washy when your taking a stand about principles, family, or religion.  

We face a lot of pressure today: with gay marriage,  bad music, taking prayers out of schools, and pressure to take drugs, smoke, or drink-- it's hard. 

There's a song that goes, "I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything." Another song, by Fun, talks about this man giving in to all the wrong things, and how terrible his life is, and the refrains goes like this: "What do I stand for? What do I stand for?" 

I believe there are three basic things that everyone should stand for, no matter what race, religion, or background they may have. As the personality test coordinators stressed to me, You need to stand up for yourself! If you're just going along with what everyone says, how can you stand up for anything? Along with that, you need to stand up for other people. That is the basic first thing you need to stand up for-- other people, including yourself.  

You should stand up for your country, and your freedom. As people today just 'go with the flow' on elections, our country is falling apart. Love of their country and freedom is a driving factor in almost all revolutions. Many soldiers show that love through the sacrifice of their lives. 

Finally, you need to stand up for your beliefs, what makes you you. Your religion, or you morals, should help to guide you in different situations, when you're deciding whether or not to take a stand. 

Once upon a time, there peasant girl who, during each of the three stages of her life, exemplified each of these aspect of standing firm in one form or another. 

This girl was born in Domremy, a small village in English-occupied France. She grew up learning how to knit, sew, tend sheep, and cook meals just like any other farm girl. But unlike other farm girls, she had a light in her eyes, a fire in her heart, and a foundation that she was standing on. This girl's name was Joan of Arc. 

One night, when she was still young, a fierce blizzard was raging outside her parent's small hut. Suddenly,  a stranger burst in. He was a poor man, and had a sad, hungry look on his face. As Joan was about to offer him her bowl of porridge, her father stopped her. "You must not feed that man," he told her. "He is a mischief-maker who will only cause trouble." Joan argued back, "Well father, if his hands caused trouble, should his stomach suffer for it?" A neighbor who had been visiting took up the argument from there, and eventually persuaded Jacques (Joan's father) to relent, and let Joan share her porridge. When she was given permission to share with the stranger, Joan blushed, and responded that she had already given the stranger her bowl, and that he was fast asleep by the fire.  

Later in her life, Joan had a much different example of helping others.  

In the village of Domremy, a mad-man was kept locked up in a cage. One day, as Joan was walking with her friends, someone came running, screaming out at them that the mad-man had broken lose, and was terrorizing the village. As the friends hurried along, they heard a crashing in the bushes behind them, and out came the madman, with an ax raised above his head. Most of the youth fled in panic, but Joan did not. Instead, she walked firmly up to the madman, and held out her hand for the ax. For a brief moment, the madman held the ax above her small figure, but then, the surprise of all watching, he smiled, handed Joan the ax, and was lead docilely along back to his cage. When her friends caught up with her they naturally reprimanded her for her bold behavior. Joan explained to them that she would have been reckless if she had not made friends with the madman before that day, by feeding him, and talking to him outside his cage, and tending his wounds when the village boys threw rocks at him.  

Joan showed throughout her early life that she could and would stand up for people-- for the poor strangers, for her attacked friends, and for the abused madman.  

When she was 13, Joan was visited by Voices. It is disputed whether or not the voices were in fact physical, or simply in Joan's head, and you are free to believe what you will about that. I personally feel that she was led by the Holy Spirit, and that God knew the best way to reach her.  

These voices revealed to Joan that she was responsible for raising the siege of Orleans and crowning the Dauphin. Joan undertook her charge at once. When she was 16, Joan was instructed to begin her mission by visiting Robert de Baudricourt, requesting an armed escort to the Dauphin at Chinon. At first, she sent back home with insults and shame. But after more than a year, her request was granted, and through many more trials, Joan of Arc finally had a private conference with the Dauphin In which he was convinced about her mission. Weeks after this conference, the Charles the Dauphin named Joan the commander in chief of the French Armies.  

As she was fighting to regain a French fort (either Jargau or Patay) Joan was struck in the arm with a arrow. She fainted, and fell of her horse. When the soldiers couldn’t see her, they began to be fearful as they had been so often before. They started to retreat. When she came to herself, someone had taken the arrow out of her arm. Joan lept back onto her horse, and raced forwards, regardless of the fleeing host around her. When her friends and the generals saw her going to fight, they followed her to bring her back. But their forward motion drew the attention of the army, who, when they saw Joan back up and fighting, gained strength of heart once more, and went back to take the victory. 

Throughout this time of war and triumph, Joan shows everyone she meets that she is there to honor King Charles, and that she believes in France as it can be. To many people, she was  France, personified to them. She showed them the remarkable strength and power that came from patriotism, and standing by your country.   

After many victories, she led the Dauphin to Reims, where he was crowned, and her mission was completed. 

After her many services, she wished to go home, but that was not to be. King Charles wanted her to go on leading the armies, and so she did. During an unexpected skirmish, Joan of Arc was captured by the Burgundians. 

The Burgundians were the French who had sided with the English. They held Joan prisoner for almost a year to hear from King Charles, even though the English offered to buy her straight off. The Burgundians were waiting for the French to make their offer.  

And this is where the depth of King Charles’s weakness shows itself. King Charles was as wishy-washy as Joan was firm. Throughout her relationship with him, she was always trying to convince him, and to get him to hold an opinion for more than a day. Without her there to try to push him into taking a stand, he didn’t know how. King Charles never offered anything to save Joan of Arc. When she had plunged into battle to save France for him, and when she fought her way to Reims so he could be crowned, he promised her anything. But now, when she really needed something, he remained silent. 

For me, this weakness puts him lower than the low. I think more of Hitler than I think of this King Charles. Because Hitler fought for something, although it was a very terrible, sick, and wrong something. King Charles, however, sat on his behind, and watched his Commander-in-Chief, the Savior of France, be sold to the English. 

The reason we know so much about Joan of Arc, is because of her trial in Rouen, which was headed by Pierre Cauchon, the bishop of that city. The trial lasted for two months, during which time Joan was badgered, lied to, heard her words twisted, and was even threatened with torture. Once, a lawyer dressed up as a priest, and went to Joan for her confession, and then used her confession against her in the trial. 

As the trial opened, they tried to make her swear an oath to answer them truthfully on everything. Joan refused, telling them that she was forbidden to reveal certain things, but that she would answer them truthfully in everything she could. They eventually agreed to accept that oath, but had used up all of their time, so they adjourned until the next day. The next day they gave her the same oath that she had refused the previous day, and ordered her to swear to it. They repeated this over and over again, sporadically throughout the trial, but each time, she stood her ground, and would not answer those questions that she’d been forbidden to answer.  

Finally, a month later, after she had been deprived of sleep, of light, of fresh air, and of friendly company, she was convicted and taken to the stake. At the sight of it, she shrank, and for a moment, she lost her footing. She recanted everything she’d said. She’d been promised that if she did so, she’d be set free, or at least allowed a cell above ground, and some women for company.  

However, these promises were not fulfilled, even though the English had gotten what they wanted. A few days later, in her dark cell,  Joan recanted her recantation. She knew she’d done wrong, and that she’d stumbled. But she was on her foundation again, and she would not step down. On May 30th, 1431, Joan was led out of the prison to a cart, and driven to the stake. On her way there, a man ran up to her—the man who’d disguised himself as a priest and lied to her. Weeping, he begged her forgiveness. And Joan forgave him. On her way to her death that he had helped to plan, she forgave him.  

Then they arrived at the square. There, Joan was tied to the stake, and burned.  

Throughout her short life, Joan had stood tall. She had kept her fire in her heart, and had kept her feet on firm ground.  

We can keep our own fire in our hearts. Though the world may reach to drag us down, we can climb higher.   

Remember the words of Robert Service’s poem: 

Carry on! Carry on!---Fight the good fight and true; 

Believe in your mission, greet life with a cheer; 

There’s big work to do, and that’s why you are here. 

      Carry on! Carry on!--- Let the world be the better for you; 

And at last when you die, let this be your cry! 

      Carry on, my soul! Carry on 

Depression-- This Post is Important to EVERYONE

Elder Jeffery R Holland spoke multiple times about depression, and finding a way out.
Here is his most recent talk (Like a Broken Vessel), with specifically addresses MDD, but offers comfort to everyone.
These two are similar in their comforting words, but may better help you, or those you know.
"Look to God and Live"
Broken Things to Mend

Please send at least this video to anyone you know or feel may be suffering. Please know that people love you and are praying for you. I know that angels are looking down at you, and cheering you on. It may seem bleak and hopeless, but as you open your heart, God will pour light into your life, and you can make it out of your dark places.

Absolute Truth

Tova Biesinger 

Sep. 16th, 2014 

Absolute Truth 

What is two plus two?  

"Four," would be the average response. But about all the unknowns? Two of what plus two of what? What type of equal are we looking for?  

For example, what if the equation was asking for the amount of apples on two apple trees plus two acres of apple trees?  

The world today is confusing, and it's hard to find absolute truth. But there are absolute truths out there. How do we find them? I thought you'd never ask... 

The first method is using your intuition; also known as your conscience or the Light of Christ. Although you can be trained to ignore this voice, it will always be there if you have the desire to listen. Deep within us we have a burning will to do what's right, we have a yearning for the truth. As long as we are humble enough to hear and heed that whisper, it will guide us. 

Another guide is the word of prophets, or spiritual leaders. Forms of scripture fall under this category. Scriptures assist you in fine-tuning your conscience. They offer experiences of those who've gone before, and words of God. That is another way to find truth. If it is the word of God, it is true. (Titus 1:2)  

The final way to discern truth, is to look at the results. The scriptures say that "… by their fruits ye shall know them." (Matt 7:20) Hitler is a fine example. He came forward telling the Germans how wonderful he could make Germany. Did he use true principles? The "fruit" of his work was Germany in smolders, and millions of Jews and others inhumanely killed. One the other hand, Joan of Arc promised the same thing: to save France. Did she  use true principles? Her "fruit" was a free France, a stronger king, and an inspiring death.  

And there you have it: use the Light of Christ, the word of God, and try to see the results. By using those three tools, we can disperse the darkness that Satan is trying to pull over our eyes. We can see through the lies of the world, and find those precious truths that our souls desire so much. Not only that, we can search for our real selves. We can dig past the lies that we and others tell us, and become the royal child of God we were made to be.