Allow your doubts to build your faith

I used to believe that having doubts was a horrible thing. Lately I have had a few questions about things that should already be written on my heart. I felt so guilty for questions coming up in my mind. I had this deep fear of sharing these doubts with anyone. What would they think of me if they knew I had questions like this? I couldn't even figure out why these questions were appearing, where were they coming from? I was living right, I was doing everything I should be doing, so why have such silly doubts?

I finally got the courage to bring up my question to a church leader that I have the utmost respect for and he shared something with me. He said that the question I had is the question he hears most often. He told me that this is the question he heard over and over again from missionaries as he was serving as a mission president. I couldn't believe it. There had been others that had been living a life devoted to the Lord and they were questioning the same things that I felt horrible for even doubting in the first place.

I not only learned the answer to my questions by being brave and asking, I also learned something as well through the outcome of this experience. The lesson I took away from this experience was doubts aren't always bad. Doubt and faith can't co-exist, this is a simple principle that we already know. But faith can't come to pass without first having a doubt. If you already know the answers, there's no need to have faith, so doubts are essential. 

It's what you do with your doubts and fears that can either destroy you or will take you to the top of the mountain you are climbing. 

Doubts make you think, when you recognize a doubt and you take care of it right away, you are allowing something that could eventually demolish all you have worked for to actually be a ladder that has the steps you need to be able to reach the destination Heavenly Father has in store for you. You start to realize when you fight your doubts, it's helping you climb to a higher destination than you thought was ever possible.

Every time doubt tries to sneak into your life, you have to make a decision about what you're going to do about it. You can keep doubting until you reach ultimate misery or you can do everything that is in your control to fight the doubt. I hate doubts, fear takes away my energy and it's depleting to my mind. I don't feel happy when I am full of doubt but I'm starting to realize why doubts come my way. Doubts make me think, they make me search for answers. Any time I have a question that won't leave my mind, it leads me to search, ponder, and pray which gives me a strong foundation of faith and anchors my testimony deeper and deeper.

The key to allowing doubts to become an anchor for your faith is to constantly

"Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith!" 

- Elder Uchtdorf

Every time I've ever been faced with doubt but chose to move forward with faith anyways, I came out stronger and my testimony has been renewed to a greater strength. Ask your questions, it demonstrates strength when you're trying to find answers to the questions you have. Questions are good! Ask away and then act in faith with the answers you receive. The greatest one to ask these questions to is our loving Heavenly Father, He will answer!

Never feel bad for the doubts that come your way, feel bad about what you do or don't do about them! Allow your doubts, your questions, your fears, and the lack of knowledge you have to become a tool and an anchor that will build your testimony. There will be opposition in all things (2 Nephi 2:11). This is expected and we can't do anything about it. Doubts often happen to be the opposition that we face.

Doubts are something that you can't avoid in this life, but do something about them!

Be patient as you search out answers to your doubts. Study, pray, and push through every voice in your head that is telling you to give up! You will find the truth, you will find the answers, and you will become a new person with a changed heart in the process. This I testify of in the name of Jesus Christ, amen!

If you want more on this subject, I suggest this talk.

Reach Out to Your Circle of Influence

Today I met with the nicest lady ever. 

She so kindly took me to lunch and we talked and talked.

Many tears were shed as we talked about some incredible experiences. 

My eyes were open to messages Heavenly Father needed me to hear. 

This woman is my role model, she is the person I would love to emulate my life after. She was so gracious, humble, and spiritual. She has so many Christ-like attributes and she is an excellent mother. She has prepared her heart to always be ready to listen to the messages Heavenly Father wants her to say and do. She is a noble woman.

If you ever find yourself lost or broken, reach out! 

Do you have any idea how many 

people would serve you in a heartbeat if only they

 knew you were in need of some love or wisdom? 

Millions!

It is my firm belief that we are put on this earth to help one another. 

I truly believe that people come into our lives for a reason. We are put into specific groups, classes, wards, jobs, and situations so we cross the paths of others. Everyone that comes into our life can teach us something and can bless us in a way that no one else can.

There are so many people that are in your circle of influence right now that can teach you and help you, but how will you ever know what you can learn from them if you don't reach out to them? I truly believe in mentors and role models, I believe they all come in many different forms. It is up to us to reach out and ask if they have a moment to talk with us and be our friend.

Have the courage today to send an email, a text, 

or a phone call to someone that is in your circle of influence or you 

could be missing out!

You will never know what lessons you could be learning or what example you

could have in your life until you take the opportunity to listen to those around you.

And just maybe the people you reach out to could learn from you too!

Every time someone has ever reached out to me, I jump with joy that they believe

I have something to offer them. It is never, ever, ever a burden!

I believe everyone wants to feel wanted and needed.

I believe we go through experiences and trials because what we go through 

will help someone that will cross your path later down the road.

I don't want stories from my journey to be wasted.

I want to share them with others that can benefit from what I've 

been through.

Reach out to others! Ask them their stories!

Get to know others and dig deep to find the gems

that will bless your life!

I promise you this isn't selfish, I promise!!!

The other person will leave feeling uplifted and enlivened for

being able to be of some assistance.

Reach out! Reach out! Reach out!

12 Gifts to the Savior (12 days of Christmas)

#Heisthegift       #Sharethegift

I've seen this video about 10 times and each time I watch it, I'm touched in a different way. I think of how Jesus Christ has touched my heart and blessed my life. It's amazing how many different ways my life has been blessed because of him. Because my Savior Jesus Christ is the gift, the ultimate gift and he has given me everything I will ever want or need, I wanted to give my him something in return. 

What do you give to the one who has everything? What do you give to someone you can't possibly ever repay for all He has given you? I don't have the answer because it's a lifetime full of improvement, love and abiding by all of his commandments and teachings. That perfection will not be achieved in this lifetime, but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop trying. I want to be as prepared as possible for when Christ comes again. So my idea is to spend each of the 12 days we have left until Christmas doing something that will show my unconditional love and gratitude to him. 

Make the 12 days of Christmas devoted to Jesus Christ.
 Create your own rules and adapt any of these gifts to fit your personal life!

1. (Dec. 14th) - A Mighty Change of Heart 

Create a list of attributes that you would like to work on improving or attaining. Create a detailed plan of exactly what you need to change and how you plan to incorporate these attributes in your daily routine. 

What will you need to change? 
What challenges could you possibly face as you try to apply these Christ-like attributes? What will you do when one of these challenges arises? 
What would stop you from being able to hold true to the commitment you have made?

The reason I am asking you to answer such detailed questions is because every time I try to apply a goal or new attributes into my life, I get stuck. I start living my daily routine or handling situations in a way I am used to and then I find myself back to my habitual ways. You will need to plan if you want to change. Habits and changes don't just happen, they have to be planned for. You have to mold these new attributes into what you're used to and planning is the only way it will work. Plan, plan, plan! 

What changes do you need to make to have A Mighty Change of Heart?



2. (Dec. 15th) - Reflection

How has your life been touched by Christ? Reflect on the role Christ has played on your life and journal it out. How has Christ been a part of your life through grace, through his example, through his atonement, through the hope and comfort he has to offer? If you didn't know Christ, how might your life be different? Journal your heart out and you may find answers to questions you didn't even know you had! Writing and reflecting can lead to very spiritual moments.

How has Christ changed your life?



3. (Dec. 16th) - Scriptures: Power of the Word

Find a scripture that speaks to your heart before you start your day! Allow this scripture abide in your heart all day. Try to look for an opportunity to speak of this scripture to others in your daily conversations. Apply this scripture in your daily thoughts and daily routine! If possible memorize this scripture!

How often do the scriptures abide in your heart?




4. (Dec. 17th) - Heart of Prayer

Pray in the name of Jesus Christ, because he is the advocate to Heavenly Father. Pray constantly throughout the day. Pray about every thought, every action, every decision you have to make. Pray before you send a text, tweet a thought, or speak to anyone. Pray when you're in the car, pray when you get out of bed, pray when you come home from a long day. Make absolutely everything you do, big or small to be based upon prayer. 

How often do you have a prayer in your heart?




5. (Dec. 18th) - Sacrifice

What is something that you have been hanging onto that you now need to give up? 
Is there a habit you're hanging onto? 
A selfish desire? 
A fear? 
What would be a challenge for you to give up, but once you do it would bring greater peace and joy into your life?

that is the thing you should be giving up! Sacrifice that today and don't look back! Watch the blessings come flood into your life!

What are you hanging onto that can be sacrificed?




6. (Dec. 19th) - Gratitude 

Give gratitude in all that you do. Send out at least 10 gratitude notes. Thank everyone in sight, such as the grocery store clerk, a janitor in the hallway, the mail carrier, the bank teller. Give as much gratitude as you possibly can. Spend a long time on your knees giving sincere gratitude to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for all the good they have brought into your life. Thank them for the incredible blessings that have been bestowed upon you.

Who can you give gratitude to today?




7. (Dec. 20th) - A Written Testimony of Jesus Christ

Write out your testimony of Jesus Christ. Allow this testimony to abide in your heart all day long. Put it in a special place for your posterity to maybe read one day. If you're not married, save it for your future husband and children to read one day. If you want to go the extra mile, write your testimony of Jesus Christ in a Book of Mormon and give it to someone today!

What is your testimony of Jesus Christ?





8. (Dec. 21st) - Kindness

Jesus Christ is the most humble and charitable individual to ever step foot on this Earth. He loved and continues to love every individual. Because he was the perfect example and we should have the desire to emulate him, this day choose to allow your heart to be focused on everyone else. Have the desire to loose yourself and just love others. Try to forget about what your needs are or how you are feeling this day. Make it a day to give kindness in the most outpouring ways possible. 

Kindness starts with thoughts of others that are up-worthy and appraising. Do absolutely everything you can to control your thoughts and not have one ill thought of another individual. Choose to lift your mind higher and see others as Christ sees them. Do everything you can to share the love Heavenly Father has for each and every one of His sons and daughters.

How can you show kindness?





9. (Dec. 22nd) - Christ Devoted Thoughts

Try to make every single thought that you have to be based on Jesus Christ. I am going to put pictures of Christ in my car. I will add to the 10 pictures of Christ I already have in my room. I will put a picture of Christ in my wallet. Every choice I have to make, I will reflect and ponder about what Christ would do in my situation. 

Sister Hinckley once said she doesn't spend enough time thinking about the Savior, well if that was true, don't we all have some room for improvement?

How often is Christ in your thoughts?





10. (Dec. 23rd) - Share my Testimony with an Individual

Find someone to share your testimony of Jesus Christ with. Whether this be a non-member, someone who is inactive or even an active member, allow your heart to be guided by the spirit to know exactly who you should share it with.

When was the last time you shared your testimony of the Savior?





11. (Dec. 24th) - Give my Talents and Gifts

Your gifts and talents were given to you not for your own benefit, but to be used to bless and strengthen the lives of others. Make this day a day to devote everything that you have to offer, to bless others that need your talents to be shared with them. Pray to be guided by the spirit to know exactly who needs you and what specific gifts and talents you can share.

Spend some time strengthening and fine tuning your gifts and talents so they can be used in bigger ways the next time.

If this day is busy for you, spend some time planning and preparing more than you ever have before so you can be prepared and ready and it will fit with your schedule. You have time for what you make time for.

What talents and gifts can you give to others?





12. (Dec. 25th) - Spend an Hour studying stories and Teachings of Jesus Christ

Christmas is a day when you will most likely be spending lots my time with your family. Choose to make this day a day where you remember the reason of the season. Prepare to keep the purpose of the celebration in your heart by waking up an hour earlier than your family to prepare your mind for the spirit of Jesus Christ to abide in your heart all day long. Spend this hour reading the Christmas story in the scriptures and reading stories and teachings about his life so you won't get distracted by the gifts and the glitter and you will remember the true meaning of Christmas.

This would also be the perfect family activity. Before opening any stockings or presents, spend some time reading the scriptures and focusing your heart on Jesus Christ so your mind is in the right mindset for such a beautiful and special day. 

How do you prepare your heart and mind to remember that #Heisthegift?

I am a Mormon!

I am over here today being featured on Diary of a Brown Eyed Girl. Come Visit me!

Today I dare you to take a stand and let the world know who you are! If you wore a sign defining who you were, what would it say? Go be that! Don't step down, stay consistent no matter where you are or who you are talking to. That's what integrity is all about!

7 Ways to Make a Difference on Facebook

1. Like a post that has a positive message

The more likes a post has, the more it will be seen by others as the highest liked posts rise to the top. If it's a good post, be sure to like it so it can rise, influencing more people! Your like really makes a difference in the way Facebook organizes posts.

2. Use pictures

 Facebook is very heavily based on images. If you have something important to say and want to make sure it is seen, always add an image! Images rise to the top of Facebook, that's why images always get more likes than just words.

3. Wish every friend a happy birthday on their day

If you're going to be friends with a person on Facebook, say "Happy Birthday"! In my personal opinion, if you don't feel comfortable saying happy birthday, should you really be friends with them? It could mean the world to someone when you take two seconds out of your day to wish them a happy birthday. Others just want to know that they crossed your mind on their special day.

4. Write kind notes on others walls

Remember when writing on the walls of others used to be a thing? Yeah? Well let's make that come back! Instead of just these silly comics or links to the latest celebrity news that seems to be all that gets shared, what if we used Facebook to inspire and build others instead? Receiving a note on your Facebook wall feels like you're receiving a beautifully wrapped gift that can be read over and over again. Make others feel important!

5. Share Goodness 

You don't have to use the #sharegoodness to do this (although that won't hurt). But write things that are uplifting and positive on your wall. Your words could change someones day or even life. What you put on social media is a representation of yourself. Sharing Goodness can start to become a part of who you are if you allow it to!

6. Leave a comment on others posts and pictures

 Facebook can be very time consuming and has many negative connotations attached as well, why not make your goal to use Facebook for a good cause. Use social media with a purpose, make your only goal and purpose for using it to build others. Be a people builder, especially on Facebook! 

7. Send a message

If a post someone wrote touched your heart and you don't want to comment, send them a message! I can't tell you how many messages I have received thanking me for what I posted, and it never gets old. The more I know I'm helping others - the more I am compelled to keep sharing the inspiration that I have to offer. Everyone likes a positive and uplifting message in their inbox.

Christ won't ever let you down

You know that feeling you get telling you you need to go up and bear your testimony? Well that's the feeling I got before I sat down to write this post. It's one of those posts where I'm going to be vulnerable, but I strongly feel someone out there needs this and will be able to relate to me. I have learned that the only way we can help others is when we share, so here it goes.

Today in Relief Society, Jenna gave an amazing lesson on the talk by Sister Esplin - The Sacrament - a renewal for the soul, found here. We talked about the sacrament, Jesus Christ, and his enabling power. So you can experience the lesson for yourself, do this exercise that Jenna had us do...

Grab a piece of paper and a pen - write down everything you thought about during the sacrament today.

Got it? Now look at that list and see if everything on there relates to Christ. How could your thoughts have been shifted differently?

Here my notes from this lesson because I feel they are important to share. I'll share my eye opening experience with you in a moment.

Notes...

- The spirit is a dimmer, not a light switch. You have to consistently be doing what Heavenly Father would have you do and then it will grow, but it is NOT an all or nothing type of thing. Sometimes you will feel the spirit more than other times. A testimony can go through several different levels of light, it's important to just hang on.

{For more read HERE.}

- One of Satan's favorite tools is to make us forget the progress we are making and to dwell only on our imperfections. The more he can make us forget that we really are progressing, the more we focus on what we aren't doing and it becomes harder to even try and move forward. Remember you are doing great - just keep going one step at a time. Then look back and see how far you have come.

- Your life is often like a wall of tiles. They are all straight and in line but you may have a few tiles here and there that are a tiny bit crooked, these tiles are so noticeable above all because they aren't perfect, but look at the rest of the wall - it's beautiful! Focus on the strengths and the good in your life and just embrace what you doing because you're on the right track. And the crooked tiles on your wall are more noticeable to you than any one else because you know exactly where they are and where to find them.

- Positive psychology - focus on all the good things! If you are having a horrible day then find one tiny good thing in that day - that is a tender mercy from Heavenly Father - write it down!


OKAY, so here's where I get real...

As others were sharing comments, an "ah-ha moment" hit me so strongly. 

Lately on this blog, I've shared how life is hard for me at the moment. In those moments, sometimes I just cry and feel broken. I have a small amount of depression but I've noticed it's not consistent in my life, only certain things in life trigger it. My mom battles depression and she has been on medication for several years, so I really truly understand depression and believe we are SO blessed to have modern medication, however I choose not to take any. I don't look down on medication at all, and if you take any I have so much respect for you, but honestly it's not the right fit for me. When I have those hard times it's a blessing to me. Those hard moments create a level of humility for me that I can't experience any other way. To get out of those moments, that's one of the things I feel the atonement is for, personally in my life. 

But here's the thing, the past few weeks when I have had these super hard moments, I felt stuck. About a week ago, I spent the entire day crying, reading my scriptures, and praying. I knew the atonement was there and I truly believed in Christ's enabling powers of the atonement but I didn't feel it. I was asking for strength to get through, I was asking to be carried by the grace of Jesus Christ. I was pouring my entire heart out and I felt no relief. I was weak and broken and I just kept thinking "What am I doing wrong?" I didn't understand where His light was in the moment I thought I needed it most. Well, today it clicked that Christ's enabling power isn't always "in the moment". Those moments I thought the pain would just go away after praying, those moments when I felt so sad and alone, I couldn't see him OR feel him, but He was there! Sometimes we have to look back and see it in a different perspective. I didn't feel okay in that moment, but I turned out okay.

Heavenly Father wants to see if you will be righteous even in the dark. When that peace and relief isn't there, can you still move forward towards Christ? That's what matters!

An amazing girl shared a beautiful story that meant the world to me, when she was in the MTC, the spirit left her. She felt lost and broken and was going to go home. She wasn't doing anything wrong, she made a joke, "how rebellious can one really be in the MTC?" She was doing everything so perfectly right and yet she felt nothing! The spirit came back in her life after she proved that she was sticking it out and she kept doing what Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ would have her do. She didn't give up and she kept living righteously, that's when the sweet spirit shined through once again. It's always on God's time - trust Him!

I too have felt this, I thought I was doing everything beyond right. It was at a time when I was doing the best I ever had, I was making the greatest decisions and I was praying and reading the scriptures more than I had been and the spirit left. I didn't feel the spirit as I prayed and thoughts came into my mind wondering where He was, I kept moving forward and trying harder because I knew how great the sweet spirit felt and I thrive off of that feeling. The more I searched, the more I was tested, it didn't come when or how I expected. I remember the exact moment the spirit came back though and looking back, it wasn't anything I had done on my part that caused the spirit to leave. It was a test. Heavenly Father loves to test us, and the day is glorious when we pass the test.

Christ will not ever let you down. You won't always see Him or feel the strength the moment you expect it, but believe he is there. Have the faith to keep going and keep doing what it takes to be on the straight and narrow path and you will always be blessed and relieved in the perfect moment. Just remember, God's timing is different than ours!

Have you experienced that, where you couldn't see or feel the enabling power of the atonement but you kept moving forward? Or have you ever had a time when you were living righteously but the spirit left you? {I'd LOVE to hear your story - leave a comment!}

5 Ways to increase your gratitude

5 Ways to increase your gratitude

1. Pray

Get down on your knees and pray until you feel grateful and your heart is softened to a place Heavenly Father can heal your heart and remind you of all the incredible blessings He has blessed you with.

Sometimes when I'm in my car, I'll turn off the radio and make it a challenge to pray aloud (there is great power in prayers that have voice) ONLY thanking Heavenly Father without asking for anything in return. Once I start naming a few things I am grateful for, knowledge of my blessings come pouring to my mind and then I feel His love for me in abundance.

2. Keep a gratitude journal

Every night before you go to sleep, write down something you are grateful for. You can simply list one item in your journal a night or you can expand on the blessing. You will soon see everything you have been blessed with is far greater than you expected. When you are having a hard day, you can turn to this list and see how much you have to be grateful for.

I love writing down the tender mercies from my day. One way my faith has grown so much and I have come to know for myself how much Heavenly Father loves His children is watching for God's hand in my life. It's always there, always, and sometimes I make it a point to pray in the morning to have the ability to be aware of how God's hand is in my life. Heavenly Father knows exactly how to speak to you and He will send you a smile, a friend or whatever He sees you need, in His perfect time. Pray to see these tender mercies and then show Heavenly Father how much you love receiving them by writing them down and showing Him they are important and special to you.

3. Make a list of all the blessings that have come from your trials and heartbreaks

Trials come into our lives for a purpose. They are hard and challenging but they always bring blessings. This is what we call a beautiful heartbreak. Sometimes we think we know what we want but really Heavenly Father is the only one that knows what's best for us. Every trial you go through, there is a lesson to be learned, character to be gained, humility to be experienced, and faith to be built. 

Make a list of everything you have gone through that has been really difficult for you. Then start naming everything beautiful that came from it. This may be really hard to see so you may need to pray for some insight but I testify that trials are blessings!

4. Serve

When you stop focusing on yourself and what you don't have in your life, you are able to see life in a whole new perspective. The more you get to know the stories of others and you can serve them with your full heart, you will forget your own life and you will get caught up in helping solve the problems of others instead. You have so much to offer and blessings will become known unto you the instant you forget yourself and serve Heavenly Father instead. 

5. Get outside of your box

It can often be easy to get caught in our own comfort zone and we become confined by all we know. Do something different for a day... walk around a children's hospital, go downtown and take a look at all the homeless people, even something simple like reading a few heartbreaking stories will help you to realize how much you personally have and that there is so much more to life. You have been blessed so much and sometimes it just takes going to a new place or observing the life of another to see just how much you have!

          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Happy Thanksgiving, what an amazing holiday! A time to be with family, a time to enjoy all the yummy deliciousness (I think potatoes and pumpkin pie are my favorite), and a time to reflect over everything you are thankful for. 

I have been writing gratitude posts on my Facebook page all month long and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences for me. It was something I just felt I needed to do. Interestingly enough, you'd be surprised how many Facebook friends I've lost because of it. After I noticed this, I started to contemplate if I should keep going and I was guided by my inner voice to stay true to the commitment I had made to myself and to Heavenly Father. As each day goes by, I've been able to also reflect on the influence it has had on others. I have received a few messages because of these posts that have brought me to tears in the most inspiring way.

Every single day I write one of my grateful posts, I pray about what to say. I pray and then listen to know exactly what I should write. These posts aren't planned out and I'm learning more about life and more about gratitude because of these posts. These gratitude posts are made possible through Heavenly Father, after all it was Him that gave me everything I have to be grateful for.

Right now I'm taking a positive psychology class that is completely focused on gratitude and how being thankful has the power to change your happiness and well-being. This class is part of my minor that will allow me to coach and train others in the positive upbeat of life. It's been the greatest experience to be living proof that gratitude really can change your life. 

10 AMAZING talks on trials

Trials bring blessings when endured in faith! Here are my top 10 LDS talks on trials. This is a great list to refer to when you need a little pick me up. 

 I also want to testify that trials are just part of our journey and the more you embrace your trials and count them as the blessing, the greater your happiness will be!

10 talks to bring you peace during trials

1. More Than Conquerors through Him That Loved Us

By: Paul V. Johnson (Of the Seventy)

"Sometimes we want to have growth without challenges and to develop strength without any struggle. But growth cannot come by taking the easy way. We clearly understand that an athlete who resists rigorous training will never become a world-class athlete. We must be careful that we don’t resent the very things that help us put on the divine nature."

{Read it HERE}

2. Bread or Stones: Understanding the God We Pray to

By: S. Michael Wilcox  (Religion Instructor and Author)

"What we need to understand about our Father in Heaven is that He prefers to prepare us to face the storms of life, the contrary winds, rather than to still them. So if you are past your fourth watch and He has not come, don’t assume that He is not there, that He doesn't care, He doesn't listen, or that you are not worthy. Assume your ship is tight like a dish. You will not sink.  Somewhere in the past of your life, experiences have been placed by a wise and foresighted Father in Heaven to prepare you to face the very things that you are facing. As the lion and the bear came to David, before Goliath, to prepare him to face Goliath, so will lion-and-bear moments come in your lives before the Goliath moments come. Because if your ship was not tight like a dish and you have reached the fourth watch, He will come to you and still the storm. So if the storm is not still, we must assume our ship is tight like a dish." 

{Read it HERE}

3.  That We Might "Not Shrink" (D+C 19:18)

By: David A. Bednar (Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles)

"Many of the lessons we are to learn in mortality can only be received through the things we experience and sometimes suffer. And God expects and trusts us to face temporary mortal adversity with His help so we can learn what we need to learn and ultimately become what we are to become in eternity."



{Read it HERE}

4. I will Give Myself to Him

By: Russell T. Osguthorpe (Sunday School General President)

"So, we do all we can to give ourselves to Him—our heart, our will, our soul. The more we follow this path, the more the Lord will bless us with His love. And the more we feel His love, the more we know we are succeeding in giving our will to Him."

{Read it HERE}

5. Your Happily Ever After

By: Dieter F. Uchdorft (Second Counselor in the First Presidency)

"In stories, as in life, adversity teaches us things we cannot learn otherwise. Adversity helps to develop a depth of character that comes in no other way. Our loving Heavenly Father has set us in a world filled with challenges and trials so that we, through opposition, can learn wisdom, become stronger, and experience joy."

{Read it HERE}

6. His grace is sufficent

By: Brad Wilcox (Sunday School General board)

"As dark as our trials, sins, and mistakes may appear, we can always have confidence in the grace of Jesus Christ. Do we earn a sunrise? No. Do we have to be worthy of a chance to begin again? No. We just have to accept these blessings and take advantage of them. As sure as each brand-new day, grace—the enabling power of Jesus Christ—is constant. Faithful pioneers knew they were not alone. The task ahead of them was never as great as the power behind them."

{Read it HERE}

7. Lessons from Liberty Jail

By: Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles)

"In our moments of pain and trial, I guess we would shudder to think it could be worse, but without the Atonement it not only could be worse, it would be worse. Only through our faith and repentance and obedience to the gospel that provided the sacred Atonement is it kept from being worse."

{Read it HERE}

8. Stepping-Stones and Stumbling Blocks

By: Steven E. Snow (Quorum of the Seventy)

"How do we turn adversity into a stepping-stone and not a stumbling block? How can we make a bad experience become a learning experience? Part of the answer lies in perspective. How we choose to lead our lives and how we make faith part of our lives ultimately helps us face the challenges that come to everyone in this earthly existence."

Read it HERE}

9. Mountains to Climb

By: Henry B. Eyring (First Counselor in the First Presidency)

"If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing. In all conditions, we can choose the right with the guidance of the Spirit. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ to shape and guide our lives if we choose it. And with prophets revealing to us our place in the plan of salvation, we can live with perfect hope and a feeling of peace. We never need to feel that we are alone or unloved in the Lord’s service because we never are. We can feel the love of God. The Savior has promised angels on our left and our right to bear us up. And He always keeps His word."

{Read it HERE}

10. Trial of your Faith

By: Elder Neil L. Andersen (Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles)

"These fiery trials are designed to make you stronger, but they have the potential to diminish or even destroy your trust in the Son of God and to weaken your resolve to keep your promises to Him. These trials are often camouflaged, making them difficult to identify. They take root in our weaknesses, our vulnerabilities, our sensitivities, or in those things that matter most to us. A real but manageable test for one can be a fiery trial for another.

How do you remain “steadfast and immovable” during a trial of faith? You immerse yourself in the very things that helped build your core of faith: you exercise faith in Christ, you pray, you ponder the scriptures, you repent, you keep the commandments, and you serve others."

{Read it HERE}

*Please note the callings listed were the positions held at the time the speeches were given. These callings may not be accurate the time this post is published.

*Photo above credited to LDS Church 

Inspiring others to finish personal progress - young women's - personal progress

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Deseret Book Young Women Personal Progress Book Paperback by LDS...
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Faith is the magic in your Happily Ever After

I was reading from the Book of Mormon today and came across Jacob 1:5.

For because of faith and great anxiety, it truly had been made manifest unto us concerning our people, what things should happen unto them.

And then it hit me.
It's our faith that determines how it all works out.
Faith dictates everything that will happen to you.

Then I read Jacob 2:8 and found this.

And it supposeth me that they have come up hither to hear the pleasing word of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul.

The word of God (meaning the scriptures) have the power to heal the wounded soul.
Yesterday was full of ups and downs for me. Not because my situation is changing,  it's been the same for the past two months but because I either let faith or fear into my heart. I poured out my heart to Heavenly Father yesterday. I thanked Him for all that was right in my life and I cried about everything that I didn't feel was fair. 

He heard me and He loved me anyways.

Have you ever prayed with your whole heart, starting your prayer out with what emotion you feel at that very moment? Have you ever shared everything with Him, the good and the bad leaving out nothing? If not, I dare you to try. I used to feel guilty for sharing my complaints, my weaknesses, my doubts, and everything that made me feel upset or saddened  But you know what, we all have them. It's human. And He already knows your heart.
He can't fix your heart if you don't let Him in. 

Come Unto Christ, think of the picture with no door knob that Christ is standing by. He is waiting for YOU to be the one that lets him in. It takes faith to believe that he is there and he will help you through your trials, but once you believe this it's like a fire that never ends. Believe, trust, and let your faith take you to your happily ever after!