How many choices does someone make a day?
It seems as though in everything we do, we have a choice. Agency is one of the greatest blessings that we have. Even though life is hard and it is sometimes difficult to make all these choices, it really is a blessing. We just have to use our agency for a righteous purpose.
One of the things that I believe we have constant control over is our attitude. In every situation we face we are able to choose to be sweet or sour! A great person in my life often told me, "You always have a choice... you can do it happy, or you can do it sad!" How true that is! With the trials and struggles that we face everyday we get to choose to be happy or let them effect us negatively, which leads to discouragement. Satan wants us to choose the negative, he wants us to be discouraged and miserable like himself. (see 2 Nephi 2:27) But that is not why we are here! We are on this earth "that [we] might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25) So "Find Joy in the Journey," "Come What May and Love it" and love life, no matter what is thrown at you!!
Sometimes it is hard to continue strong and steadfast with a positive attitude. So, allow me to share a personal experience. Lately, I have been stressed and the bad attitude has begun to kick in. I have wanted to kick it, but I just haven't had the will power. Yesterday I got a Priesthood Blessing from my Mission President. After the blessing and the encouragement to study from the Book of Mormon, and Preach My Gospel everyday, I set out. I was determined to kick this attitude of mine out of my life. Last night I did great and it was relatively easy, I didn't have any struggles. This morning, I studied from the Book of Mormon, and Preach My Gospel as suggested. The spirit was strong, and I felt great! Then the first struggle of my "new attitude" came. It was a simple thing, but I had to try hard to focus on the good and maintain a positive attitude. The study from this morning along with prayer in the time of need paid off. I was able to maintain the attitude that God wants me to have and to "Find Joy in the Journey."
My wish is that we will all be able to achieve and maintain a positive attitude.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
The Spirit of Revelation
We have the opportunity and privilege to talk to God, our Eternal Father in Heaven, through prayer! He talks back to us through revelation. "According to our faithfulness, we can receive revelation to help us with our specific personal needs, responsibilities, and questions and to help us strengthen our testimony." ("Revelation" LDS.org)
Revelation is a great blessing that God has given us. We are able to seek that revelation in many ways, such as through pondering, scripture study, prayer, and in Spirit filled environments such as Church or Church related meetings!
Today I had the great opportunity to go to a Leadership Training Meeting. There were 8 leaders with our mission President and his wife. They taught us about several things, but the most amazing part is that God taught me. They set up the environment through singing, prayer, the sharing of scriptures, the teaching of doctrine, and the bearing of testimonies. The Spirit was there strongly and taught us individually as leaders what we needed to know and do for ourselves and those we had influence over.
Today my testimony was built on revelation and the power of the Spirit in our lives to teach us and encourage us to do more and become better people and servants of Christ!!
I know that revelation is real and we are all able to receive it as we prepare ourselves, and put ourselves in places were the spirit can come (see my list above). As there are trials, questions and hard times in our lives we can seek revelation on how to improve our situation. God will give you an answer when you seek for it.(see 3 Nephi 27:29)
Read more about Revelation:
Revelation
The Spirit of Revelation
Revelation is a great blessing that God has given us. We are able to seek that revelation in many ways, such as through pondering, scripture study, prayer, and in Spirit filled environments such as Church or Church related meetings!
Today I had the great opportunity to go to a Leadership Training Meeting. There were 8 leaders with our mission President and his wife. They taught us about several things, but the most amazing part is that God taught me. They set up the environment through singing, prayer, the sharing of scriptures, the teaching of doctrine, and the bearing of testimonies. The Spirit was there strongly and taught us individually as leaders what we needed to know and do for ourselves and those we had influence over.
Today my testimony was built on revelation and the power of the Spirit in our lives to teach us and encourage us to do more and become better people and servants of Christ!!
I know that revelation is real and we are all able to receive it as we prepare ourselves, and put ourselves in places were the spirit can come (see my list above). As there are trials, questions and hard times in our lives we can seek revelation on how to improve our situation. God will give you an answer when you seek for it.(see 3 Nephi 27:29)
Read more about Revelation:
Revelation
The Spirit of Revelation
Saturday, March 5, 2011
"You Know Enough"
"Our spiritual journey is the process of a lifetime. We do not know everything in the beginning or even along the way. Our conversion comes step-by-step, line upon line. We first build a foundation of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We treasure the principles and ordinances of repentance, baptism, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. We include a continuing commitment to prayer, a willingness to be obedient, and an ongoing witness of the Book of Mormon. (The Book of Mormon is powerful spiritual nourishment.)
We then remain steady and patient as we progress through mortality. At times, the Lord’s answer will be, 'You don’t know everything, but you know enough'—enough to keep the commandments and to do what is right. Remember Nephi’s words: 'I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.' (1 Nephi 11:17)" (Elder Neil L. Andersen)
We can and do know enough as we put our Faith and Trust in God! He will bless us as we act in faith, even when it seems we don't know enough!
We then remain steady and patient as we progress through mortality. At times, the Lord’s answer will be, 'You don’t know everything, but you know enough'—enough to keep the commandments and to do what is right. Remember Nephi’s words: 'I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.' (1 Nephi 11:17)" (Elder Neil L. Andersen)
We can and do know enough as we put our Faith and Trust in God! He will bless us as we act in faith, even when it seems we don't know enough!
Friday, March 4, 2011
"The Healing Power of Forgiveness"
"To forgive is a divine attribute. It is to pardon or excuse someone from blame for an offense or misdeed. The scriptures refer to forgiveness in two ways. The Lord commands us to repent of our sins and seek His forgiveness. He also commands us to forgive those who offend or hurt us." (LDS.org)
Why is it Important to Forgive?
Forgiveness is a great gift from God that will change and bless our lives and lives of those around us. I remember times when i was younger and was teased or hurt in some way, I would begin to hold grudges and personal vendettas against the offender. The anger and frustration would build with in me and the hatred would began to seek deep into my body. I then realized that the vengeful thought and feelings I was having were from the devil, the great deceiver. I learned that I could quickly avoid such feelings, and the associated pain and guilt that came with them, by simply forgiving those who offended me. The blessings that came into my life were amazing! I was happy and peaceful again! I know that sometimes forgiveness is hard to give, but I can promise you that it is worth it. You will see "The Miracle of Forgiveness" work in your life, and the hand of our Savior reach into your life and bless it immensely.
Watch a touching story of a man who learns forgiveness and therefore blesses his life as well as the life of his offender.
Also view other resources on Forgiveness:
"The Healing Power of Forgiveness" James E. Faust
LDS.org "Gospel Study: Forgiveness"
Additional Resources
Why is it Important to Forgive?
Forgiveness is a great gift from God that will change and bless our lives and lives of those around us. I remember times when i was younger and was teased or hurt in some way, I would begin to hold grudges and personal vendettas against the offender. The anger and frustration would build with in me and the hatred would began to seek deep into my body. I then realized that the vengeful thought and feelings I was having were from the devil, the great deceiver. I learned that I could quickly avoid such feelings, and the associated pain and guilt that came with them, by simply forgiving those who offended me. The blessings that came into my life were amazing! I was happy and peaceful again! I know that sometimes forgiveness is hard to give, but I can promise you that it is worth it. You will see "The Miracle of Forgiveness" work in your life, and the hand of our Savior reach into your life and bless it immensely.
Watch a touching story of a man who learns forgiveness and therefore blesses his life as well as the life of his offender.
Also view other resources on Forgiveness:
"The Healing Power of Forgiveness" James E. Faust
LDS.org "Gospel Study: Forgiveness"
Additional Resources
Thursday, March 3, 2011
"Make a Joyful Noise"
Music has enormous power for good or evil, we need to choose the music we allow in our lives according to the spirit it brings with it.
The First Presidency of the church has said, "Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns. Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end." They also continue to counsel, "Hymns can also help us withstand the temptations of the adversary. We encourage you to memorize your favorite hymns and study the scriptures that relate to them. Then, if unworthy thoughts enter your mind, sing a hymn to yourself, crowding out the evil with the good" (First Presidency Preface to Hymns)
As we apply the wonders of righteous music in our lives and see the miracles that come!!!
Find some Hymns.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
The Holy Ghost Will Verify Your Words
“A testimony is what we know to be true in our minds and in our hearts by the witness of the Holy Ghost (see D&C 8:2). As we profess truth rather than admonish, exhort, or simply share interesting experiences, we invite the Holy Ghost to confirm the verity of our words. The power of pure testimony (see Alma 4:19) does not come from sophisticated language or effective presentation; rather, it is the result of revelation conveyed by the third member of the Godhead, even the Holy Ghost.”
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Let's Talk to God!
Ever had a time in your life, where you feel alone, and you just want to talk to someone but it seems like no one is listening?
I know that I have, and there someone we can turn to who will always listen to us... GOD!
Prayer is one of the greatest blessing we have in this life; the ability to directly communicate to the Father of all things!! He is always there and willing to listen to our prayers as we take the time to talk to him.
I love the way that the Bible Dictionary in the LDS version of the Scriptures puts it, "Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings."
As we pray we are able to feel the Spirit influence our lives and overwhelm us with love and peace! In prayer we can even ask for the simple things that are struggles in life, such as lost keys. I can't count the number of times growing up that we would be on our knees as a family asking God to help us find my Dad's keys that had been misplaced. Without fail, within minutes of saying the prayer we would find the keys, often in a place we had never before thought to look.
I know that God loves us and wants to bless us, with the simple and large trials in our lives. I know that the power of prayer is real!!!
Check out this video from Mormon Messages about Prayer!
I know that I have, and there someone we can turn to who will always listen to us... GOD!
Prayer is one of the greatest blessing we have in this life; the ability to directly communicate to the Father of all things!! He is always there and willing to listen to our prayers as we take the time to talk to him.
I love the way that the Bible Dictionary in the LDS version of the Scriptures puts it, "Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings."
As we pray we are able to feel the Spirit influence our lives and overwhelm us with love and peace! In prayer we can even ask for the simple things that are struggles in life, such as lost keys. I can't count the number of times growing up that we would be on our knees as a family asking God to help us find my Dad's keys that had been misplaced. Without fail, within minutes of saying the prayer we would find the keys, often in a place we had never before thought to look.
I know that God loves us and wants to bless us, with the simple and large trials in our lives. I know that the power of prayer is real!!!
Check out this video from Mormon Messages about Prayer!
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