Saturday, March 31, 2012

The Plan

I was thinking today about that feeling, when the last thing you want to do is get out of bed. Facing the world seems like the worst thing ever and running from it is what our soul's desire is at that moment. Just sinking into the floor would really be the greatest ideal.
I think we all face those days, and honestly, it stinks. It's the worst and sometimes I wonder how each person deals with that situation. I mean, what do you do?
Then there is the other side, where all is well and it's cheerful and life is wonderful! But there's is still someone else, somewhere else, who wakes up with that knot in their stomach. How can so much happen, everywhere all at one time. And really, why on earth are we here! Why so much pain, why so much joy? WHY?
Is there even a purpose?


On those days, those days where I'm stopped in my blissful carefree tracks and I see something awful, or hear of someone else's utter heartache, I become full of compassion. My body feels too small to do all that I wish I could do. In my little girl heart and mind, I tried to come up with so many different ideas on how I as one person, could organize or solve or triumph against the horrors in life.
I've realized since then, that it's not my job, and I can really hardly do anything at all. All the programs, genius and strength in the world can't heal a broken heart or a scarred soul.


I can't save anyone. But I know there is one who can. The answer isn't to stop life and wallow in the disasters of life. The answer is to be of good cheer, turn to the one that can heal and bind the broken hearted. Lift up the hands which hang helplessly down and serve those around you. We can only do so much, but leading others who are in despair to the Savior and finding that strength to seek Him ourselves, is truly the anti-dote to life's troubles. I know that is true. It may sound trite, but Christ overcame the world, and I've felt that myself.


I've compiled a few videos of people who have over come the world in some small sense in their own lives. Choose a couple. People are so phenomenal in what they can do; so I hope it helps.
It's something I was thinking about, and I've come to know that it is real!


http://mormon.org/patrice/


http://mormon.org/paora/


http://mormon.org/lori/


http://mormon.org/frank/


http://mormon.org/deborah/


http://mormon.org/helmut/

Friday, March 16, 2012

The Joseph Smith Papers

Well this blog post is for my new friend Michael, the pastor, whom my companion and I met today when we were out knocking on doors. Of course, anyone who is interested in learning more about Joseph Smith is definitely free to check it out. 
I offer my testimony that I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. With a sincere heart, he reached out to our Father in Heaven with the intent to find truth. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ did appear to him in answer to his heartfelt question of which church is right? They replied that none on the earth had all of the truth, but through him They restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in its fulness to the earth. The Spirit has witnessed that many times to my heart and I invite everyone to find out for themselves. The Savior and His Gospel are the source of true happiness!

http://josephsmithpapers.org/

Also another Favorite, which I definitely encourage:
Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration movie

http://www.mormonchannel.org/joseph 

Thursday, March 8, 2012

"No monster of the sea could break them"


You now stand on the shore of a vast expanse. There is nothing but the deep ocean before you. Can you imagine traveling hundreds of miles from home, deserting the society you knew and the life you had? Can you imagine being broken down from the wilderness and lawlessness of the forest and desert wastelands? Now the time has come for you to embark on a journey along the merciless waves and the crushing tides of the sea. Your small band emerges into the wide open.

 "...they got aboard of their vessels or barges, and set forth into the sea, commending themselves unto the Lord their God. And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind.
And it came to pass that they were many times buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind.
And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry into the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters.
And it came to pass that the wind never did cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind.
And they did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord.
And thus they were driven forth; and no monster of the sea could break them, neither whale that could mar them; and they did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under the water."

 I've been so moved by this exciting tale of this family on the waves of the treacherous waters. I've seen people around me, who are seemingly in their own sea storm, with the crashing ocean and monsters threatening to wreck their sails. I've also been in a few of my own, but I know that what this story teaches us is true. I know that the each of us are being guided by the Lord, whether we recognize His hand or not. He won't stop the journey because without it we would have no progression. We would never reach the promised land, we would never have the greatest joy of overcoming trials and becoming our greatest potential. The journey can be difficult and more trying then we would like, but our choice is truly to be stagnant and safe, or to brave the ocean storms with courage and faith and to reach for a greater prize.

There is that familiar phrase that says something to the effect that God doesn't always calm the storm, sometimes He lets it rage on and He calms the child. Such is the nature of life that the storm rages on and we are left to wade through it on our own or to cry to Him that He may bring us to the surface again. 
I don't know what the exact outcome of every trial may be, but I do know that whether He will part the sea or calm it, or simply console our hearts, I know that He will be there. The same Lord that brought this family across the ocean, will take us across the ocean of our lives, and If we trust Him, all will be well. We will be able to do as this family did, "And they did land upon the shore of the Promised land. And when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of tender mercies over them." So cheer up your hearts!

*Taken from Ether 6:4-12
http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/ether/6?lang=eng

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Dirty Windows

Sometimes, especially in this culture, we try to pin the blame on others. Why did they do such a bad parking job, don't they know how to keep their kids quiet, what is their problem?!?!
But I guess the tougher question is, what is our problem?
One of my favorite President Bunker quotes is this, "When Christ was at the 'Last Supper' with the 12 apostles and He told them that one of them would betray him, what did they say? Was Peter thinking, 'I bet it's Judas, he is such a jerk.' No! They responded by saying, 'Lord, is it I?'"
When faced with a difficult circumstance, it can be natural to take the approach of satisfying our pride and ego to say, it's their fault. But it takes true humility to realize our own inadequacies.

http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng#looking-through-windows