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.

2 Nephi 4-- Becoming a Miracle

2 Nephi 4 is one of my favorite chapters about Nephi. Because in that chapter, it really seems like Nephi just opens up his soul and pours his heart out on the "paper" (it was plates of metal back then).
In chapter 3, his father Lehi dies. Soon after that his brothers and brothers-in-law plan to kill Nephi, his family, and his other supporters. His brothers are planning this!!
That is Nephi's life when chapter 4 begins. He just lost his dad, they're in a strange land, and his own brothers want him dead.
When the chapter starts Nephi cries unto God. But not about his trials. He begs God to take away his sins and his weaknesses. That's one thing I love about Nephi; when he is in a tough situation he's not afraid to tough it out.

One of my favorite quotes is this... "Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your power. Pray for power equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle." (~Phillips Brooks)

Then Nephi says "19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.
20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.
21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh."

After he's asked for forgiveness, God gives it to him. The rest of the chapter is a beautiful prayer of praise to God.
Nephi spends three verses lamenting his sins very sincerely, but then he spends fifteen verses praising the source of his redemption.

Then comes chapter 5, verse 2: But behold, (my brothers') anger did increase against me, insomuch that they did seek to take away my life.

Nothing changed! His dad was still dead, he was still in a new country, and his brothers were still trying to kill him!

But now he had peace. He had God on his side, and he knew it. He'd received forgiveness and felt God's love. And God had given him the strength to continue on.

Nick Vujicic is another inspirational man. Here is one of his messages:

Overwhelmed?

Oh my goodness. Talk about divine help. I just finished a long, exhausting day. Got onto my email, and what did I find? A list of more things to do :S.

Also in my email, I found this quote:

"My dear brothers and sisters, there will be days and nights when you feel overwhelmed, when your hearts are heavy and your heads hang down. Then, please remember, Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, is the Head of this Church. It is His gospel. He wants you to succeed. He gave His life for just this purpose. He is the Son of the living God. And He will help you.” —President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The very presence of the quote in my inbox was a manifestation of His awareness of me.
I'm so grateful for the Holy Spirit and inspired leaders who are able to send us comfort and guidance.

Just a quick thought...

“There is not one of us but what God’s love has been expended upon. There is not one of us that He has not cared for and caressed. There is not one of us that He has not desired to save, and that He has not devised means to save. There is not one of us that He has not given His angels charge concerning. We may be insignificant and contemptible in our own eyes, and in the eyes of others, but the truth remains that we are the children of God, and that He has actually given His angels—invisible beings of power and might—charge concerning us, and they watch over us and have us in their keeping.”
-- Pres George Q Cannon
(Click here to view the entire talk by Pres. Eyring)

Christmas-- Basic Beliefs

At http://mormon.org/christmas the Church talks about the reason for Christmas, and gives you links to more.

There are a couple "Mormon Messages" about this, I'll share both of them:
From last year:

From this year:

Christmas is so often commercialized, with Santa, presents, and Black Friday. People often forget that Jesus is the reason that we celebrate this holiday. (Interesting note: Holiday vs. Holy Day....)

One of my favorite poems EVER (especially at Christmas time) is "Jesus Shed a Tear"

At Christmas time there was a man,
who looked so out of place.
As people rushed about him,
at a hurried sort of pace.

He stared at all the Christmas lights,
the tinsel everywhere.
The shopping center Santa Claus,
with children gathered near.

The mall was packed with shoppers,
who were going to and fro.
Some with smiles, some with frowns,
and some too tired to go.

They rested on benches,
or they hurried on their way.
To fight the crowds for purchases,
to carry home that day.

The music from the stereo,
was playing loud and clear.
Of Santa Claus and snowmen,
and funny nosed reindeer.

He heard the people talk about,
the good times on the way.
Of parties, fun and food galore,
and gift exchange that day.

I'd like to know what's going on,
the man was heard to say.
There seems to be some sort,
of celebration on the way.

And would you tell me who this is,
all dressed in red and white.
And why are children asking "him"
about a special night.

The answer came in disbelief,
I can't believe my ear.
I can't believe you do not know,
that Christmas time is here.

The time when Santa comes around,
with gifts for girls and boys.
When they are asleep on Christmas Eve,
he leaves them books and toys.

The man you see in red and white,
is Santa Claus so sly.
The children love his joyful laugh,
and twinkle in his eye.

His gift packed sleigh is pulled along,
by very small reindeer.
As he flies quickly through the air,
while darting here and there.

The children learn of Santa Claus,
while they are still quite small.
When Christmas comes "he" is the most,
"important" one of all.

The stranger hung His head in shame,
He closed a nail pierced hand.
His body shook in disbelief,
He did not understand.

A shadow crossed His stricken face,
His voice was low but clear.
"After all these years they still don't know."
And JESUS shed a tear.

 
 

The Path to Life

Have you ever heard the old saying that people who get lost tend to walk in circles?

Jan L. Souman, a German psychologist, wanted to determine scientifically if this was true. He took participants of an experiment to a large forest area and to the Sahara desert and used a global positioning system to track where they went. They had no compass or any other device. Instructions to them were simple: walk in a straight line in the direction indicated.

Dr. Souman later described what happened. “[Some] of them walked on a cloudy day, with the sun hidden behind the clouds [and with no reference points in view]. … [They] all walked in circles, with [several] of them repeatedly crossing their own path without noticing it.” Other participants walked while the sun was shining, with faraway reference points in view. “These … followed an almost perfectly straight course" 

Without visible landmarks, human beings tend to walk in circles.

(Quoted by Eder Uchtdorf, Jan L. Souman and others, “Walking Straight into Circles,” Current Biology vol. 19 [Sept. 29, 2009], 1538–42)

There is a story in the Book of Mormon about the Tree of Life. It is a story that gives you a metaphor. There is a dark wasteland, with a narrow path going through it. Along this path there is a rod that people can grab, like a railing. Both the path and the rod lead to a BEAUTIFUL Tree, with DELICIOUS Fruit! But, as people came walking down the path, they soon encountered a dark mist, that blinded them. There was also a river close by, a filthy river.

As the people are walking through the wasteland, some get onto the path and some of those on the path hold onto the rod. As they are walking on the path, (and those walking OFF the path, as well) they come into the mist of darkness. Many who are on the path lose their way and wander off, unless they're holding onto the rod. Some might stumble across the path, and grab onto the rod. Maybe some of the people holding the rod call out to friends, and strangers to come and join them. Some of the people wandering around drown in the river. 

The people holding the rod finally come to the Tree of Life, and eat the fruit. Some are happy there, and stay at the tree, forever happy with the fruit. Some look around, and see something that makes them ashamed to be at the tree. They see a HUGE building full of people. This building is floating in the air, and the people inside are dressed in very stylish clothes. They are also laughing, laughing at the people who are at the tree. The people who are ashamed leave the tree, and try to get to the building, but many are drowned in the process. 

What does this big metaphor mean? (there's this cool part int he Book of Mormon where Nephi asks the same thing, and an angel appears, and shows him different scenes from the future, and Nephi figures it out, but I'll just tell you :))

The dark wasteland is the world. I think that there are some beautiful parts of the world, but compared to heaven... I'm sure is seems to be a wasteland. 

As we travel through the world, some find the path, which is the way to happiness. The rod represents the Gospel ("The Iron Rod is the Word of God").  The people on the path had a better chance of staying on the path if they knew the gospel/held on to the rod. The river is worldliness. Some people get lost (or drowned) in it. The tree is the Love of God, and Eternal Life

The people who make it to the tree,who actually BELIEVE the gospel stay at the tree, and are happy there. But some people look into the building, which represents the pride of the world. They look at these popular people, and they want to be like them more than they want to be with God, and so they leave the tree (and maybe they gradually do it, just a little step at a time), but they will most likely just get drowned in worldliness. 

But is that the end? Are there only a few who get to make it to the tree? 

No. 

Because there is a one-man rescue party that can go away from the path and rescue those who are lost. It's Christ, and he sacrificed himself to bring people back.

Here is a video showing people who were drowning in worldliness before they found the gospel.

This life can have purpose and can have joy, but it's sooo much easier to find lasting joy when you are on the path. 

After All We Can Do
By Robbie Pierce

I had been in that hole for a very long time-
In the dark and the damp, in the cold and the slime.
The shaft was above me; I saw it quite clear,
But there's no way I ever could reach it from here.
I could not remember the world way up there,
So I lost every hope and gave in to despair.


I knew nothing but darkness, the floor, and the wall.
Then from off in the distance I heard someone call:
"Get up! Get ready! There's nothing the matter!
Take rocks and take sticks and build up a fine ladder!"
This was a thought that had not crossed my mind,
I started to stack all the stones I could find.


When I ran out of stones, then old sticks were my goal,
For some way or another I'd climb from that hole.
I soon had a ladder that stood very tall,
And I thought, I'll soon leave this place once and for all!
I climbed up my ladder, a difficult chore,
For from lifting those boulders, my shoulders were sore.


I climbed up the ladder, but soon had to stop,
For my ladder stopped short, some ten feet from the top.
I went back down my ladder and felt all around,
But there were no more boulders, nor sticks to be found.
I sat down in the darkness and started to cry.
I'd done all I could do, and I gave my best try.
But in spite of my work, in this hole I must die.
And all I could do was to sit and think, Why?


Was my ladder too short? Was my hole much too deep?
Then from way up on high came a voice: "Do not weep."
And then faith, hope, and love entered into my chest
As the voice calmly told me that I'd done my best.


He said, You have worked hard, and your labor's been rough,
But the ladder you've built is at last tall enough.
So do not despair there is reason to hope,
Just climb up my ladder; I'll throw down my rope.
I climbed up my ladder, then climbed up the cored.
When I got to the top of it, there stood the Lord.


I've never been happier; my struggle was done.
I blinked in the brightness that came from the Son.
I fell to the ground as His feet I did kiss.
I cried, "Lord, can I ever repay Thee for this?"
He looked all about. There were holes in the ground.
They had people inside, and were seen all around.


There were thousands of holes that were damp dark and deep.
Then the Lord looked at me, and He said: "Feed my sheep,"
And He went on his way to save other lost souls.
So I got right to work, calling down to the holes,
"Get up! Get ready! There is nothing the matter!
Take rocks, and take sticks, and build up a fine ladder!"


It now was my calling to spread the good word,
The most glorious message that man ever heard:
That there's one who is coming to save one and all,
And we need to be ready when He gives the call.
He'll pull us all out of the holes that we're in
And save all our souls from cold, death, and from sin.

So do not lose faith; there is reason to hope:
Just climb up your ladder; He'll throw down His rope.

Our Merciful God

Our merciful and long-suffering Lord is ever ready to help. His “arm is lengthened out all the day long” (2 Ne. 28:32), and even if His arm goes ungrasped, it was unarguably there! -Neal A Maxwell

This is a cool video talking more about God, and His mercy and forgiveness towards us.

A classic story about mercy is Jonah. He had a second chance to go to Nineveh, and the Ninevites had a chance to repent.
Here is a fun song from the "Jonah; Veggie Tales" movie:

GOSPEL, or How the LDS Church is Different from Other Churches

I had the chance to attend a "Best of EFY" meeting a year or so ago, and one of the speakers was Brad Wilcox. He talked about how the church is different from other churches. He help us remember by spelling the word GOSPEL, like so:

Godhead
Only True Church
Spirit
Priesthood
Everyone
Living Prophets

Godhead: We know that Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are separate beings. (examples of this in the Bible can be found in Acts 7:55-56, and Jesus' Baptism) We also know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have physical bodies.
This was revealed in the latterdays through Joseph Smith's 1st Vision.
Some people argue that Joseph Smith just lied about the first vision. Well, let me quote The Trickster's Queen "If I was going to lie to you, I'd want to to believe me." Back then, the idea that the godhead was made up of 3 SEPARATE beings was unheard of! So why would Joseph try to get people to believe him with something as outrageous as that?
Others say that he wasn't lying, he was just crazy, and having a hallucination. Bro. Wilcox shared that when people have hallucinations they are things that they know about. ie, If you've never seen an elephant you can't imagine you see one/have a hallucination about one, because you don't know what it looks like.

Only True Church: There can only be one true church. Because all of the churches say different things. Like it says in "Fiddler on the Roof": "You are also right"(-Tevye) "He's right? and he's right? They can't both be right." "You are also right" :)
How can you tell which church is true? That is what Joseph Smith wanted to know. That is why he went to the Sacred Grove and prayed to Heavenly Father to know. I'm sure he didn't expect to actually SEE God and Jesus Christ, but he did, and they told him that none of the churches on earth were true. Later, others appeared to Joseph Smith, and helped him organize Christ's church on the earth.
The way that YOU can find out is the same way: pray. I suggest that you read the Book of Mormon. It is really an amazing book. It has comforting words, it has battles, and people dying for the truth. If you read it and pray about it, I'm sure that you will feel the Spirit telling you that it is true.

Spirit: Soon after you are baptized a member of the church, you are Confirmed-- given the gift of the Holy Ghost (or the Holy Spirit, whatever you want to call it), who will guide you and comfort you through life. You can still feel it, even if you aren't a member. But this is how Brad Wilcox described the difference: When you feel the spirit, it's like blowing up a balloon, you feel full and happy. If you haven't been confirmed, the air just wooshes right back out. But if you HAVE been confirmed, then it's like tying th knot on the balloon.

Priesthood: The LDS church has the Priesthood authority. Think about this situation Bro Wilcox gave: Suppose you were driving down the road, and you saw a kid on a bike. The kid 'pulled you over' and said "You were speeding, here's a ticket." Would you think the kid was serious? (say "no") Why not? Because the kid doesn't have the authority to pull you over and give you a ticket! That's what it's like with the priesthood. The priesthood is the right for all worthy men on earth to act for Heavenly Father. In the church we have the Aaronic Priesthood, which is given to male members at 12 yrs. and the Melchezidek Priesthood, which is given when boys turn 18.
Here are a couple videos that have to do with the priesthood:

"The Power of God:

African-Americans/Africans are able to get the priesthood.

Everyone: Once there were a couple of missionaries. They were spreading the truth of the gospel. They met a woman one day, and started to talk to her. She asked them "So you claim that your church is for everyone?" "Yes" the missionaries said. "Well, what about the people who have died? How do you bring your gospel to them?" the woman asked "I've asked this question of many religious leaders, and not one has answered me. But when someone DOES answer it, I'll know their church is true." The missionaries were overjoyed "We do take our gospel to the dead!" and they explained how in our temples, we do saving ordinances (like baptism) for those who have died, and then the spirits of those people can choose whether or not to accept the gospel. This woman was sooooo happy to finally find the true gospel, and was baptized, and one day, she probably went herself into a temple to do some saving ordinances.


Living Prophets:  Here is a story that demonstrates the importance of having living prophets.

"In January of 1975, on a dark, rainy night in Tasmania, a 7,300–ton barge smashed into two piers of the Tasman Bridge, which connects Hobart, Tasmania, with its eastern suburbs across the bay. Three spans of the bridge collapsed. An Australian family by the name of Ling were driving across the bridge when suddenly the bridge lights went out. Just then a speeding car passed them and disappeared before their very eyes. Murray Ling 'slammed on his brakes and skidded to a stop, one yard from the edge of a black void' (Stephen Johnson, "Over the Edge!" Reader's Digest, Nov. 1977, 128).

"Murray got his family out of the car and then began warning oncoming traffic of the disaster ahead. As he frantically waved his arms, to his horror, a car 'swerved around him and plummeted into the abyss' (p. 128). A second car barely stopped in time, but a third car showed no sign of slowing down and crashed into the Lings' car at the edge of the bridge.
"Suddenly a loaded bus headed toward Murray, ignoring his waving arms. In desperation, risking his very life, he 'ran alongside the driver's window. "There's a span missing," he yelled' (p. 129). The bus swerved just in time and came to a halt against the railing. Dozens of lives had been saved.
"I am grateful for these Brethren whom we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators who forewarn us of bridges not to be crossed" (Spencer J. Condie)
The scriptures tell us that God is unchangeable. To finish up with prophets, this is a poem Sophie wrote expressing appreciation to the prophets of today:

What have the prophets done for me?
They have spoken for God.
All of my questions they're answering
'Bout how to hold on the rod.

I wonder "What's truth? And how do I know?
When I find it what's it like?"
Why look, here's a talk that perfectly shows
Everything. Now I can hike.

But, I think I'm worthless. I'm not important.
Why should anybody like me.
But then I read stories, and words of a chant.
And now I know who I'm to be!

If you should ask what the prophets have done,
I will just smile and say.
They've spoken for God, and, with the sun
Have helped me to start a new day.
-Sophie 

 

Trust in Him

This is a story that my friend sent me a few months ago. Since them, I have read it multiple times, but it still gives me thrills whenever I read it!
 

A few years ago, a Japanese teenager lost his left arm in a car crash that killed his mother.  He was involved in a prestigious Martial Arts group at the time. Shortly after the crash, the Sensei of this "Prestigious"  group dismissed him because of this injury. He was crushed, he had loved his martial arts, now it seemed his career was over. His loving father, seeing that he was depressed, found an old retired Sensei that would be willing to teach him.
     This Sensei taught the young man one move, and had him practice it over, and over, and over. The young man questioned his father "Why is it, that this old man has only taught me this one move? And why does he insist on me learning it so well? I will never be great! I will never show my potential if I never learn other moves!" His father told him, that even though he was learning only this one move, he had a wise master, who knew what he was doing. So, this young man continued to take his martial arts from this old Sensei. A few months later, he asked the Sensei "why is it, that you have only taught me this one move? And why do you insist on me learning it so well? I will never be great! I will never show my potential if I never learn other moves!"
      His Sensei smiled. "Some things are not for us to know right now, or soon, sometimes we must trust in the wisdom of those that have gone before us. This move is all you will ever need."
     So, he continued on with his training, always practicing his one move, and hoping that his master was right. Soon the national martial arts competition would come, and this young man found that his Sensei had recommended him to the competition, and he had been accepted, he was thrilled! Now was his chance to learn something else, surely his master would agree, if he was going to compete, he would have to know something else.  He asked, his master responded "Trust, I know what is best for you, This move is all you will ever need."
     He continued to practice his move, trusting in his Sensei's wisdom. It seemed impossible that he would ever gain the championship he had always desired, with only one arm, and only one move, he felt that he could not do it.
     The competition came, he was placed in the ring, the buzzer sounded, and the match was on, he waited, waiting for the moment he could use his move. It came. he used his move, and had his opponent pinned, he had won his first match of the championship, with one arm. He continued in the competition, winning every time, with his one move, his move. It came to the semi-finals, then to the finals. He asked his Sensei one last time if he would teach him one last move, his Sensei responded.
    "This is the only move you will ever need" With that he pushed the young man toward the ring. He stepped in, blood pulsing though his stressed out veins. This was it, honor or disgrace. The buzzer sounded. he could feel the bruises forming on his face and body. He waited, and waited. Then the opening came! he pulled his move, his opponent pinned. He, a one armed young man, had one the Championship with one move.  He asked his Sensei, "why is it that I could win with only one arm? And that this move let me beat the best of the best in all of Japan?"
     His Sensei chuckled, "The only way to stop that move, is to grab the left arm."
 
I love this story! It illustrates so beautifully how God knows how we can get ahead and find true happiness. Even if it looks like He's pulling us back, or slowing us down. 
There was a quote I read a while ago that goes something like this: "You need to draw an arrow back in order to shoot it forward, so if you feel like God is holding you back, be brave! He's preparing to shoot you forward"
CS Lewis gave another great analogy. Imagine yourself living in a house. God comes 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 were not surprised. But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts and does not seem to make 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 the towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage; but he is building a palace.

Ether 12:27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their ^aweakness. I ^bgive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my ^cgrace is sufficient for all men that ^dhumble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make ^eweak things become strong unto them [emphasis added] 

I know that we can have strength and make it through hard times. Even if we don't find happiness until after death, we can at least feel peace in doing what's right, and then we will have eternity to live with God, and to feel His love for us. We will be able to look back and see the reason for everything that has happened to us. The method to our madness :).
So we just need to trust in Him, and do our best. He will take care of the rest.
 

We are Eagles!

Yep. You heard me :).

Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us ^acheerfully ^bdo all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the ^csalvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.
But they that ^await upon the Lord shall ^brenew their ^cstrength; they shall mount up with wings as ^deagles; they shall ^erun, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
(D&C 123:17/ Isaiah 40:31)

Why would we have wings like eagles? Here is a connection someone shared with me:

Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks?
The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it. The eagle does not escape the storm, it simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm. When the storms of life come upon us – and all of us will experience them – we can rise above them by setting our minds and belief toward God. The storms of life do not have to overpower us. We can allow God’s power to lift us above them. God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that brings sickness, tragedy, failure, and disappointment in our lives. We CAN soar above the storm. Remember it’s not the burdens of life that weigh us down – it’s how we handle them.

There is a little video about this called "Mountains to Climb":

There is also a song called "Mountains to Climb", it is an awesome song! Here is a link to the Youth Music where is is found. (to find it more easily, narrow the search to 2013 Strength of Youth Album, it should be in the middle).

Here a couple of thoughts I found on a friend's blog:







Just keep on going!! You'll be happy in the end:)

Self Worth-- You have it, too :)

I don't know about eveyone else out there, but sometimes I have a hard time feeling like I'm important, and that I matter.
One quote that always helps boost my self-confidence, is this one, from Elder Holland (Oct, 2005 "To the Young Women"):  

"You can’t live your life worrying that the world is staring at you. When you let people’s opinions make you self-conscious you give away your power. … The key to feeling [confident] is to always listen to your inner self—[the real you.]” And in the kingdom of God, the real you is “more precious than rubies."

 (note: rubies are among the 4 most precious stones)

Here's another one, talking about how we are ALL important to God:

While we may look at the vast expanse of the universe and say, ‘What is man in comparison to the glory of creation?’ God Himself said we are the reason He created the universe! His work and glory—the purpose for this magnificent universe—is to save and exalt mankind (see Moses 1:38–39). … Our Heavenly Father created the universe that we might reach our potential as His sons and daughters.
“This is a paradox of man: compared to God, man is nothing; yet we are everything to God. While against the backdrop of infinite creation we may appear to be nothing, we have a spark of eternal fire burning within our breast. We have the incomprehensible promise of exaltation—worlds without end—within our grasp. And it is God’s great desire to help us reach it.

There is another quote that says "Be yourself, everyone else is taken" :)

I think that people really want to know what you're like. They don't want you to pretend. Of course, some people just want you to be what they want you to be, but those people aren't worth being around, unless you can still be strong, and be yourself.

"The Fellowship of the Unashamed" an AWESOME poem

This poem was supposedly written by an African Paster before he was martyred.
I memorized it once, and it is AMAZING!

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made; I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, Colorless dreams, tinted visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, positions, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.
I now live by Faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience. I am uplifted by prayer, and labor with power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table with the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, and paid up for the cause of Christ.
I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me.  And when He returns for His Own, He will have no problem recognizing me.  My Banner will be clear.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of GOD unto Salvation to every one that believeth…” Romans 1:16.

Jesus Loves You

I know Jesus loves you.
Ask "Really? How do you?"
I say, I feel Him by me
I feel His love inside me
Always here to guide me
Sending love to you.

Jesus suffered for you.
He sweat blood just for you.
As He kneeled, crying
Loving you, and buying
Your soul, I'm not lying,
From Satan, who wants you.

Jesus. Now He haves you.
But, He doesn't cage you
The devil. He would cage me.
He would try to change me
Make me a deranged me.
But Jesus will free you.

That is why I told you
I know Jesus loves you.
Because He really does.
He wants you. Why? Because
He knows how it was
To be a sinner, too.

He knows to be happy
You have to go the right way
You just have to find
And keep the place in mind
Of where you want to bind.
In cage? or on wings of light?

Quotes and a Poem about the Atonement

Here are some quotes that I LOVE about the Atonement.

“The Father briefly withdrew from Jesus the comfort of His Spirit, the support of His personal presence. It was required, indeed it was central to the significance of the Atonement, that this perfect Son who had never spoken ill nor done wrong nor touched an unclean thing had to know how the rest of humankind—us, all of us—would feel when we did commit such sins. For His Atonement to be infinite and eternal, He had to feel what it was like to die not only physically but spiritually, to sense what it was like to have the divine Spirit withdraw, leaving one feeling totally, abjectly, hopelessly alone. . . . Because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so” -Elder Holland

 

We cannot imagine the anguish of a loving Father, who, knowing what had to be done, accepted His Beloved Son’s willingness to suffer for all mankind. In this agony Christ was not left alone. As if the Father were saying, ‘I cannot take it from you, but I can and will send you strength and peace,’ ‘there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.’ -Elder Rex D. Pinegar

 

What weight is thrown on the scales of pain when calculating the hurt of innumerable patients in countless hospitals? Now, add to that the loneliness of the elderly who are forgotten in the rest homes of society, desperately yearning for a card, a visit, a call—just some recognition from the outside world. Keep on adding the hurt of hungry children, the suffering caused by famine, drought, and pestilence. Pile on the heartache of parents who tearfully plead on a daily basis for a wayward son or daughter to come back home. Factor in the trauma of every divorce and the tragedy of every abortion. Add the remorse that comes with each child lost in the dawn of life, each spouse taken in the prime of marriage. Compound that with the misery of overflowing prisons, bulging halfway houses and institutions for the mentally disadvantaged. Multiply all this by century after century of history, and creation after creation without end. Such is but an awful glimpse of the Savior’s load. Who can bear such a burden or scale such a mountain as this? No one, absolutely no one, save Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of us all -Callister

 

“For many years I thought of the Savior’s experience in the garden and on the cross as places where a large mass of sin was heaped upon Him. Through the words of Alma, Abinadi, Isaiah, and other prophets, however, my view has changed. Instead of an impersonal mass of sin, there was a long line of people, as Jesus felt “our infirmities” (Heb. 4:15), “[bore] our griefs, … carried our sorrows … [and] was bruised for our iniquities” (Isa. 53:4–5).
The Atonement was an intimate, personal experience in which Jesus came to know how to help each of us.” -Merril J. Bateman 

 

We do not know, we cannot tell, no mortal mind can conceive the full import of what Christ did in Gethsemane. We know he sweat great gouts of blood from every pore as he drained the dregs of that bitter cup his Father had given him. We know he suffered, both body and spirit, more than it is possible for man to suffer, except it be unto death. We know that in some way, incomprehensible to us, his suffering satisfied the demands of justice, ransomed penitent souls from the pains and penalties of sin, and made mercy available to those who believe in his holy name. We know that he lay prostrate upon the ground as the pains and agonies of an infinite burden caused him to tremble and would that he might not drink the bitter cup. We know that an angel came from the courts of glory to strengthen him in his ordeal, and we suppose it was mighty Michael, who foremost fell that mortal man might be. As near as we can judge, these infinite agonies—this suffering beyond compare—continued for some three or four hours. -Bruce R McConkie

 

This one is for those who don't know if they can use the Atonement:

"I repeat, save for the exception of the very few who defect to perdition, there is no habit, no addiction, no rebellion, no transgression, no apostasy, no crime exempted from the promise of complete forgiveness. That is the promise of the atonement of Christ" -Packer 

 

Well, first of all, I have the capability to repent. I can now repent of all of my sins, no matter the size, and be forgiven of them.
I can learn to be willing to say "Not my will, but Thine be done" without fear. Christ said it with extreme faith in Heavenly Father. He knew that God had a plan for Him, and without His submitting to God's will, He would never had been able to follow through with the Plan. Don't let Christ's influence on you fade away! -Anonymous

 

This is a very powerful poem that was sent to me: 

After All We Can Do By Robbie Pierce

I had been in that hole for a very long time—
In the dark and the damp, in the cold and the slime.
The shaft was above me; I saw it quite clear,
But there’s no way I ever could reach it from here.
I could not remember the world way up there,
So I lost every hope and gave in to despair.

I knew nothing but darkness, the floor, and the wall.
Then from off in the distance I heard someone call:
“Get up! Get ready! There’s nothing the matter!
Take rocks and take sticks and build up a fine ladder!”
This was a thought that had not crossed my mind,
But I started to stack all the stones I could find.

When I ran out of stones, then old sticks were my goal,
For some way or another I’d climb from that hole.
I soon had a ladder that stood very tall,
And I thought, “I’ll soon leave this place once and for all!”
I climbed up my ladder, a difficult chore,
For from lifting those boulders, my shoulders were sore.

I climbed up the ladder, but soon had to stop,
For my ladder stopped short, some ten feet from the top.
I went back down my ladder and felt all around,
But there were no more boulders nor sticks to be found.
I sat down in the darkness and started to cry.
I’d done all I could do and I gave my best try.

But in spite of my work, in this hole I must die.
And all I could do was to sit and think, “Why?”
Was my ladder to short? Was my hole much too deep?
Then from way up on high came a voice: “Do not weep.”
And then faith, hope, and love entered into my chest
As the voice calmly told me that I’d done my best.

He said, “You have worked hard, and your labor’s been rough,
But the ladder you’ve built is at last tall enough.
So do not despair; there is reason to hope,
Just climb up your ladder; I’ll throw down my rope.”
I climbed up my ladder, then climbed up the cord.
When I got to the top of it, there stood the Lord.

I’ve never been happier; my struggle was done.
I blinked in the brightness that came from the Son.
I fell to the ground as His feet I did kiss.
I cried, “Lord, can I ever repay Thee for this?”
He looked all about. There were holes in the ground.
They had people inside, and were seen all around.

There were thousands of holes that were damp, dark and deep.
Then the Lord looked at me, and He said, “Feed My sheep.”
And he went on his way to save other lost souls,
So I got right to work, calling down to the holes,
“Get up! Get ready! There is nothing the matter!
Take rocks, and take sticks, and build up a fine ladder!”

It now was my calling to spread the good word,
The most glorious message that man ever heard:
That there’s one who is coming to save one and all,
And we need to be ready when he gives the call.
He’ll pull us all out of the holes that we’re in
And save all our souls from cold death and from sin.

So do not lose faith; there is reason to hope:
Just climb up your ladder; he’ll throw down his rope.