A few
weeks ago I did a post labeled“Miracle on Lime Street”.Well, today my companion and I were able to see the beautiful
couple be sealed for alltimeandeternityin the Palmyra, New YorkTemple.
My Niece Madison First day of school
It
was such a BLESSING to see this couple
make such a sacred covenant, or two way promise. Many people think that the
things that happen in the Temple are SECRET…I am here to tell
you that they are not… They are SACRED. I like to think about it this way… My niece Madison
recently started first grade. She did all
she needed to, to prepare for this big step. She was ready
because she had gone to kindergarten. If I was to drive her to school, and say
okay we are going to put you in 11th grade instead, she would not
have completed the grades to prepare her. Entering the Temple is all about being prepared spiritually.
God wants all of his children to enter His Holy House one
day. Now youth, always remember that this is what you are working towards, a
"You who are members of
this Church must have a loyalty to it. This is your church. You have as great a
responsibility in your sphere of action as I have in my sphere of action. It
belongs to you just as it belongs to me. You have embraced its gospel. You have
taken upon yourselves a covenant in the waters of baptism."
-President Hinckley
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints. I have learned the valuable lesson of being true to the church that I belong to. I remember one of my first weeks in High School, a boy had asked me about Mormon's. I decided to tell him all of the negative things that I thought about the people in it. Inside I could feel my heart drop, but was so angry at the people. Earlier that week, I had been greatly offended and as a 15 year old I took it pretty personal. So I decided to take it out on the church. I had easily forgotten that the people in the church are not perfect but the organization is and so was Heavenly Fathers love for me. I can tell you that to this day I regret not standing up for my beliefs. Now as I serve in the sacred sites of Palmyra New York, I get to bear testimony of the church and its organization. I get to stand in the top of the Peter Whitmer home where the first church meeting was held on April 6, 1830 and tell how I came to know that the church was true. At the end of every tour, I stop and say a prayer, thanking my Heavenly Father for letting me come here and testify of the truth, I know that I can not make up for the things of my past, but I can do my best now.
Through out my youth I found it very hard to get along with members of the church. It was stuck in my mind that Mormons, as a whole, were judgmentalpeople and that I did not fit into their category. As a teenager those are pretty common feelings. I decided to do whatever I wanted to do. This included not reading my scriptures. It was not until my second year at Utah State that I decided to read the scriptures. My best friend had started to meet with the missionaries and they asked her to read the Book of Mormon. So I decided to secretly accept that challenge, that I had never before conquered. I finished it for the first time on my 20th birthday. I knelt down and prayed, and received the perfect birthday present, an answer. It was true, and I was at peace. I had come to know for myself that the things in the Book of Mormon were for me. I could see within myself a change for the better. I realized it has nothing to do with people in the church but things I gain from the church. Now I get my second chance to be true. I get to share my testimony of the Book of Mormon and how it changed my life and saved me. I can tell you what it is like to not have it in your life as the corner stone, and it is something you do not need to experience. Last week I got to go to the Hill Cumorah where the plates were found, and as I stood in the middle of the Forrest, I heard a whisper just as I did on my 20th birthday, Its all true...
"Be true to your own convictions. You know what is right, and you know what is wrong. You know when you are doing the proper thing. You know when you are giving strength to the right cause. Be loyal. Be faithful. Be true, my beloved associates in this great kingdom"
“If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” (1 Cor. 3:16–17).”
I conducted a tattooexperiment. I will not lie, I have always wanted a tattoo. My companion drew this one on me, and I wore it for a day. It was SO distracting. I noticed it a lot! At first I thought it was so cute, and I loved it. As the day went on I realized how often I would see it and how it reminded me of the blessings I would be missing out on. Thank heavens it was just pen and I could rinse it all off, and it was not permanent.
"I promise you that the time will come, if you have
tattoos, that you will regret your actions. They cannot
be washed off. They are permanent. Only by an expensive and painful process can they be removed. If you are tattooed, then probably for the remainder of
your life you will carry it with you. I believe the time
will come when it will be an embarrassment to you.
Avoid it. We, as your Brethren who love you, plead
with you not to become so disrespectful of the body
which the Lord has given you"
-President Hinckley
My Brother and I...Bling Night
"May I mention earrings and rings placed in other parts of the body. These are not manly. They are not attractive. You young men look better without them, and I believe you will feel better without them. As for the young women, you do not need to drape rings up and down your ears. One modest pair of earrings is sufficient."
-President Hinckley
Palmyra New York Temple :]
All I can tell you is that we do NOT need these things to look beautiful. What we want is to enter the House of the Lord or the Temple. It is in there that we can make promises that are everlasting. The Temple is something beautiful and we are instructed to keep ourselves pretty like a temple. It always comes down to the bigger picture. A tattoo or earring might look good while you are young, but in 30 years...think again. If you have tattoo's already that is okay, but you can start now and commit to not get anymore. Take out the extra earrings, show the faith and receive blessings. Remember it is a principle with promise, when we do what we have been asked to we WILL BE BLESSED :]
President Hinckley's next B is..."BE CLEAN"... his segment on being clean covers many different things. So I decided to break it down into a few different posts. I can tell you that being CLEAN is so important because when you are not, not only can people tell but God can. As you can tell I have not always been the cleanest person, and I know I am still working at it. However President Hinckley was a Prophet called of God. If he says we need to do, then we need to do it!
WE DID IT! We made it through the whole FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE YOUTH PAMPHLET I hope that you have been able to read and enjoy these posts. I know that I have learned A LOT! Now that you are prepared to go out into that scary world, you must GO FORWARD WITH FAITH.
My Freshman year of college, I decided I wanted to do something I had never done before and by myself. I wanted to test the "waters" as an adult. So I decided to ask for a plane ticket for my birthday. I picked to go to Seattle to see my sister LauriAnn and her family. I was pretty nervous, it would be my first plane ride by myself and to a pretty big place. I tried to do all my research before I left so that I was ready! I got onto the plane and felt a rush of adrenaline.
My Nehpew and I
As I got off the plane, I could still feel that adrenaline pumping in my veins as I stepped out into this new city for the weekend. As we started to go places, I realized that adults had to pay for themselves, you needed a GPS to get around, a car, and a plan. It was not something I could just walk blindly into...I mean I totaly could, but it would not be easy.Thank Heavens my Sister had a plan. We had a LOT of fun, there were times when the kids would get grouchy and things wouldn't work out, but in the end we had a great time and I went back to college with great memories.
That is how life is, we need to have a plan, when we know what we want there will be tools that help us on the way to greatness. The FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE YOUTH pamphlet is one of those tools. Read what the First Presidency has said, and then add it to your lives.... Its a principle with promise...
My first Ferry Boat :]
The standards presented in this pamphlet will help you make correct choices. Review them often and ask yourself, “Am I living the way the Lord wants me to live?”
To help you become all that the Lord wants you to become, get on your knees each day and express to Him the desires of your heart. He is the source of all wisdom, and you need His help. He will hear and answer you. Read the scriptures daily. They are a powerful source of personal revelation and a constant strength to your testimony.
Remember and keep the covenants you made when you were baptized and that you renew each week when you partake of the sacrament. You young men should keep the covenants you made when you received the priesthood. Keeping these covenants now will help you prepare for the temple covenants you will make in the future.
Be true to the Lord and to His Church in all circumstances. The authorities of the Church will lead you in paths of happiness. Be grateful for your membership in God’s great kingdom.
Be humble and willing to listen to the whisperings of the Spirit. Place the wisdom of the Lord above your own wisdom.
When you do these things, the Lord will make much more out of your life than you can by yourself. He will increase your opportunities, expand your vision, and strengthen you. He will give you the help you need to meet your trials and challenges. You will find true joy as you come to know your Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, and feel their love for you.
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).
As a missionary we GET to do service once a week, at least. It is personally my favorite activity on a mission. The Sisters and the Elders in our area go to help at a place called Cameron's! I have honestly learned how to serve and to enjoy it. This particular Friday we got to help out at the KIDS CARNIVAL. We were so excited we could not sleep the night before. We had rearranged our whole schedule so that we could come to the carnival, not to have fun but to SERVE inner city Rochester!
I have been very humbled by serving in a big city. I have been able to see how hard lives really can be. I remember complaining if my mom made broccoli soup, and how awful it tasted. After realizing that half of these kids get one meal a day, if that, I don't think I can complain ever again.
I have learned that doing service is the way to peoples hearts, when done with the right attitude. I never realized how service could be FUN! Through our weekly service I have been able to develop lasting relationships with the people we have served. We have been able to find people to teach and bring unto Christ.
As many of you know, I love to golf. This was the perfect way for me to contribute my talents. I was able to help little kids golf for HUGE TEDDY BEARS!It was something that I loved, and was able to share. To the youth, all I can say is that service can be uber boring...Only if you make it that way! Go out and find someone who needs your help. I promise as you do you will learn more about others, the world and mostly yourself!
Sis. Carver and I enjoying heaven,
I can tell you from experience that as a youth and even now, I think a lot about myself and my problems and how awful they are. However I have learned as I serve, I forget about my problems and they become less, I learn new things and I am blessed for my service!
4th City District
"Service to others is one of the most important characteristics of a disciple of Jesus Christ. A disciple is willing to bear other people’s burdens and to comfort those who need comfort (see Mosiah 18:8–9). Often Heavenly Father will meet the needs of others through you."
"The Lord has commanded you to take good care of your body. To do this, observe the Word of Wisdom, found in Doctrine and Covenants 89. Eat nutritious food, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. When you do all these things, you remain free from harmful addictions and have control over your life. You gain the blessings of a healthy body, an alert mind, and the guidance of the Holy Ghost."
Something that I find bittersweet are bonfires. Ilove them and I hate them. For some weird reason every time you go to a campfire you come back smelling like smoke. There is just no getting away from it. Even when you try your hardest, and stay 5 feet away from the fire, you still smell like fire. The only way to cure the smoke problem is to not go. Its hard to not go and be part of the party, but in the end it is worth all the "stink."
It is the same thing when it comes down to drugs and alcohol. To my beloved YOUTH, I know how it goes, I was once in High School, believe it or not. Pretty much every party you go to there is going to be things that are harmful. Youhave the choice to go to these parties just to hang out and not drink and smoke, but its like the fire. Even if you go to the bonfire and stand 5 feet away, your still going to have smoke on you. The Holy Ghost CANNOT be with you there. It is a hard decision, but it all comes down to do you want the blessing of the Holy Ghost or not.....?
If have had any alcoholic beverage or smoked cigarettes, cigars, hookah, weed, or participated in even worse drugs.....ITS NOT TO LATE. Turn to your parents and your Bishops, they love you and will help you. Know that Heavenly Father has not asked us to stay away from these things because he does not want us to have ANY fun... It is the opposite! He wants us to enjoy life to the fullest, but how can we if our minds are not clear....Think about it, pray about it, then live it. Its a principle with promise. www.mormon.org
How to blow fire:
-great date idea :)
First get either corn starch or powdered sugar. Get some matches, a pitcher of water, and some fun people Then put a decent amount of either corn startch or powdered sugar in your mouth Light the Match, and BLOW!!! You might have to try a few times to perfect, but it is fun and messy!!!
I just want to take a time of from the FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE YOUTH posts to inform you I met an Albanian. I prayed for two weeks straight that I would meet at least once. I am here to tell you that prayer works. That the VERY last night of pageant at 9:05 p.m. right before it started my Site Director came up to me and asked me if I would like to meet an Albanian. I replied with "OF COURSE I DO!!!!" I was able to talk to him for about 10 minuets in Albanian. Seriously, it was a great lesson of prayer. That when we do ask we receive, when we do everything in our power! I know that this church is true, and that
I will be the first admit, this is my least favorite commandment. I am someone who LOVES to spend money. For some reason spending moeny makes me feel so good! I think its because I feel like I have worked so hard and so I should be rewarded. I am the child that always had "incentives" growing up.
We all caught pop flys!
Catch a pop fly then you get a Gatorade.
Get %100 percent on your spelling test then you get to go to a movie.
Go without television for a week and get a swim pass.
Make your bed for a month and you can have a new comforter.
Now, DO NOT think that incentives are bad. They are actually a great tool to motivate people, espeically me! I have realized while writing this that the law of tithing is is an INCENTIVE. I have honestly never picked up on it. When we are willing to give up ten percent of what we earn, then Heavenly Father is willing to give us blessings. Even though tithing has been something that I have struggled with, I have done my best in faking it untill I was making it. I always paid it, but with a BAD attitude. After reading the FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE YOUTH and realizing it is how we show our Heavenly Father how grateful we are. I decided to start paying it with a willing heart, because I am truly greatful for the things he has given me. Tithing is a great way to show our Heavenly Father our gratitude. I have realized how selfish I am when I would choose to buy a new movie over paying tithing.
Passed all of my spelling tests, even with a mullet!
As a missionary, I receive lots of letters about peoples spiritual experiences. Someone from my home ward sent me a letter as I was leaving the MTC. She said her family had really been struggling with money, and they were almost out. She only had two twenties left, and so she decided to pay their tithing, having faith things would work out. I know that because she had this faith, her husband was able to receive work the next day, and they were able to pay the bills for the month. She might have found a way to provide without paying her tithing, but I KNOW, that it was because of her willingness....She has strengthened my testimony of tithing, and has taught me you pay it always, not when you can, but always.
When you do what the Lord asks he will provide a way.
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8).
"The Lord has given the Sabbath day for your benefit and has commanded you to keep it holy. Observing the Sabbath will bring you closer to the Lord and to your family. It will give you needed rest and rejuvenation. Many uplifting activities are appropriate for the Sabbath. Worship the Lord, attend church, spend quiet time with your family, study the gospel, write letters, write in your journal, do family history work, and visit the sick or home bound. Your dress before, during, and after church meetings should show respect for the Sabbath."
My Stallion like parents who taught us to take family walks on the Sabbath
Sundays are the perfect days to have that "quality family time." Growing up my parents were very good at teaching us to keep the Sabbath day holy. Even when we went on vacations or trips we would try and do our best. I am not going to lie to you, I still think it is hard to keep the Sabbath day holy, but remember we can do hard things.
I remember one Sunday we went over to our family friends house for dessert and to watch the Christmas Devotional. I was with my little brother Max. They had gotten out this HUGE thing of ice cream. We started to dig in. Then we added in the toppings. I put my favorites of chocolate, caramel, and Oreo cookies. Max started to do the same things. However he had mixed up the barbecue sauce with the chocolate sauce on poured it all over his ice cream. He did not realized until he took his first bite, boy was that a face to see. To make him feel a little better, I told him I would try it....bad choice... I started to think about this particular "sundae." I thought I just had this barbecue sauce on some chicken and it tasted great, but on ice cream it was just NO GOOD! It all comes back to what we do on "SUNDAES." The sauce was good just not on the ice cream, lots of the activities are good, but not on the Sabbath. I know it is hard to come up with ideas for the Sabbath but I know as you do your lives will be blessed. I know for the youth it is hard to take a day out of our social lives, but I can tell you, in the end its worth it!
Don't Make it this complicated....
What are some ideas of things to do on the Sabbath??? Comment them to give others ideas! www.mormon.org
