December 26, 2010

I read Russell M. Nelson's talk from the last Priesthood session titled Be Thou an Example of the Believers. The talk is about missionary work and how both missionaries and members have a responsibility to take part in this work. I believe that one of the best ways to be a missionary is, like the title says, to be an example of the believers. "As followers of Jesus Christ, each of [us] can live in accord with His teachings. [We] can have a 'pure heart and clean hands,' [we] can have 'the image of God engraven upon [our] countenance[s].' [Our] good works will be evident to others. The light of the Lord can beam from [our] eyes. With that radiance, [we] had better prepare for questions." These are things I try to do, and I hope the way I live my life does make a difference in the lives of others. I want to always be prepared for any questions that may come to me as a result of how I live my life. I liked a piece of advice included in this talk. It says, "reach out to those you do not know and greet them warmly. Each day of your life, strive to enlarge your own circle of friendship." I really am grateful for my friends and I'm grateful to be a friend. In this ward, I have reached out to others more than I have ever before and it really has blessed my life and I hope it has blessed the lives of those I've become friends with too. I love relationships and the opportunity I have to make a difference in someone else's life. I believe we are all children of God and all in this life together. I hope that everyone I come in contact with will be able to feel the pure love of Christ coming through me as a result of how I live my life.

September 5, 2010

Today I read in 1 Kings chapters 11 & 12 in preparing for a lesson I gave in Primary. It is interesting to read the Old Testament because the language is difficult to understand. There is a lot of symbolism. But I can understand it and then recreate it into my own modern words to retell the story. Our lesson was on the influence of peer pressure and how it can be negative and positive. I am grateful for the friends I've had throughout my life that have been a positive influence on me for good.

July 21, 2010

The talk I read tonight was from the last Priesthood session by Thomas S. Monson called Preparation Brings Blessings. He basically went through the expected standards of the Church, found in the Strength of Youth pamphlet. The standards that I highlighted tonight had to do with friends, our language, what we put into our heads, and music.

I have definitely found this to be true: "When you share common values with your friends, you can strengthen and encourage each other." I have been blessed, I feel, throughout my life to be surrounded by friends who love God, love the gospel and are striving their best to live it. I know I have been greatly shaped and strengthened by the positive influence of my friends.

Language is also very important to me. I am consistently mindful of the words I use because I do believe that they "tell much about the image I choose to portray" and I want that image to be of a positive, faithful disciple of Christ.

I also have a strong testimony of the importance of seeing after anything "virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy." I really do try to fill my mind with that which is uplifting and inspiring because I know it does make an impression on me.

I really liked what he said about music. I have usually considered only the lyrics to be the deciding factor, but he points out that also the "tempo, beat and intensity can dull [our] spiritual sensitivity as well."

Most of all I liked the reminder that "happiness comes from living the way the Lord wants [me] to live and from service to God and others." I loved this quote: "Spiritual strength frequently comes through selfless service." That's the kind of service I want to give more and that I want to help my children experience throughout their youth. I am so grateful for the standards of the gospel. I feel they have helped me to become a beautiful, strong person with a lot to offer others.

July 19, 2010

Tonight I read the First Presidency message for this month by President Henry B. Eyring called Faithful Friends. It goes along with the same principles that I read and wrote about yesterday. Jesus Christ offers us the perfect example of how to be a friend to others. I want to be among those whom the Savior calls His friends. He is certainly on my list of friends. I think of my best friends being those that I share a common vision with. There are many more people who I call my friends however, and I think that's because for some reason we have been brought into each others' lives. We are connected through shared memories and share experiences. And I can never know when one of those many friends may be an answer to one of my prayers, or me to one of theirs. I think it's important to always treat each of Heavenly Father's children with love and respect.

I loved this part of President Eyring's message: "When we reach out to give succor and to lift a burden, He reaches with us. He will lead us to those in need. He will bless us to feel what they feel. As we persist in our efforts to serve them, we will more and more be given the gift of feeling His love for them." Being this kind of friend to others is part of what I covenanted with the Lord to do when I was baptized. As my testimony has grown and my faith and understanding increased, so has my desire to fully honor the covenants I have made. I have noticed the Lord's guidance in helping me to be a good friend to others. He helps me to see and feel things I didn't before... and I believe they are the things He sees and feels about that particular person. Being a friend fills me with the love of God and I love the feeling. I am so grateful for my friends.