- We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
- We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
- We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
- We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
- We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
- We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
- We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
- We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
- We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
- We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
- We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
- We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
- We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
What Do We Believe? The Thirteen Articles of Faith
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Special Witnesses of Christ
I know that my Redeemer lives, and I know that we live in a time of living prophets on this earth. In this last dispensation, we have the blessing of having the fullness of the gospel restored to this earth. I know that if we listen to their teachings, that the Lord will speak to us individually through them (D&C 1:37-38) and He will not allow them to lead us astray. I pray that as you watch this video the Spirit of their testifying witnesses will touch you.
I bear testimony of these things in the name of my Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Gifts & Talents
"For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby," (D&C 46:11-12)
"Let us review some of these less-conspicuous gifts: the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost." -Elder Marvin J. Ashton
Even on top of these characteristic gifts, there are spiritual gifts that we may have, as described in D&C 46.
In this life, so many people get caught up in what they can or cannot do. As a Mia Maid, we were sitting in class learning about talents. The instructor, my Mia Maid adviser, had each of us go around and list what we are talented at before we would go on to learn about the lesson on Talents. The girls went around and listed a few. When it got to me, I was able to prattle off several without having to think about it too hard. My Mia Maid adviser went last, and she hesitated. "I can't really think of anything I am talented at, I've never been particularly good at anything, unless walking to go visit people counts." As the lesson wore on, the Spirit touched us, and my teacher cried and smiled, and we left feeling strengthened. However, one thing bugged me. That my instructor, now a grandmother and a righteous, faithful member of the church, could even think she had no talents. I went home with a self-made homework assignment. The next week, I came up to her and handed her a piece of paper. On it was a list of talents I saw in her, as well as using the help of the quote by Marvin J. Ashton.
Four years later, I was discussing with a friend my seemingly endless list of talents and abilities. "List them for me," he requested, "even the ones I already know." As I began listing, I quickly reached 20 different talents. Satisfied that that must be all, I talked to my mom about it. She gave me a strange look, and said, "Just twenty? You have more than that. Let’s see, did you include..." The list was lengthened, and I went to the Relief Society General Broadcast trying to create my own list of talents. As I began writing, I hesitated on some of the talents my mom had listed for me. "Kindness is a characteristic trait, Mom." I pointed out. "Is that even considered a talent?" My mom looked at me. "Where do you think your characteristics come from?" A feeling of peace came over me as I acknowledged my Heavenly Father's hand in my own traits and qualities. After all, He is the Father of my Spirit, where all of my attributes really lie.
We sat down and were listening to the broadcast, when suddenly a thought struck me, and I began writing.
"Heavenly Father would not have blessed me with all of my talents if He didn't know I would use them to help others, and enlighten and lift them, and they have all been given me for specific reasons and purposes throughout my life as I serve and stay receptive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. These talents, attributes, and my temperament are amplified best as I allow myself to be an instrument in his hands."
I believe this to be true. We all have been blessed with divine gifts and talents, even going down to so simple as just attributes and characteristics that are divine and from God, our Father. Some have other gifts and talents, like the ability to listen, to cry, and spiritual gifts such as bearing a testimony or having the gift of tongues. Others have physical talents, such as athletics, musical abilities, or home keeping skills such as sewing or cooking. But all of these talents will best be amplified, in a manner that we can use them to bless the lives of others, as we live in accordance to the will of our Heavenly Father.
"Let us review some of these less-conspicuous gifts: the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost." -Elder Marvin J. Ashton
Even on top of these characteristic gifts, there are spiritual gifts that we may have, as described in D&C 46.
In this life, so many people get caught up in what they can or cannot do. As a Mia Maid, we were sitting in class learning about talents. The instructor, my Mia Maid adviser, had each of us go around and list what we are talented at before we would go on to learn about the lesson on Talents. The girls went around and listed a few. When it got to me, I was able to prattle off several without having to think about it too hard. My Mia Maid adviser went last, and she hesitated. "I can't really think of anything I am talented at, I've never been particularly good at anything, unless walking to go visit people counts." As the lesson wore on, the Spirit touched us, and my teacher cried and smiled, and we left feeling strengthened. However, one thing bugged me. That my instructor, now a grandmother and a righteous, faithful member of the church, could even think she had no talents. I went home with a self-made homework assignment. The next week, I came up to her and handed her a piece of paper. On it was a list of talents I saw in her, as well as using the help of the quote by Marvin J. Ashton.
Four years later, I was discussing with a friend my seemingly endless list of talents and abilities. "List them for me," he requested, "even the ones I already know." As I began listing, I quickly reached 20 different talents. Satisfied that that must be all, I talked to my mom about it. She gave me a strange look, and said, "Just twenty? You have more than that. Let’s see, did you include..." The list was lengthened, and I went to the Relief Society General Broadcast trying to create my own list of talents. As I began writing, I hesitated on some of the talents my mom had listed for me. "Kindness is a characteristic trait, Mom." I pointed out. "Is that even considered a talent?" My mom looked at me. "Where do you think your characteristics come from?" A feeling of peace came over me as I acknowledged my Heavenly Father's hand in my own traits and qualities. After all, He is the Father of my Spirit, where all of my attributes really lie.
We sat down and were listening to the broadcast, when suddenly a thought struck me, and I began writing.
"Heavenly Father would not have blessed me with all of my talents if He didn't know I would use them to help others, and enlighten and lift them, and they have all been given me for specific reasons and purposes throughout my life as I serve and stay receptive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. These talents, attributes, and my temperament are amplified best as I allow myself to be an instrument in his hands."
I believe this to be true. We all have been blessed with divine gifts and talents, even going down to so simple as just attributes and characteristics that are divine and from God, our Father. Some have other gifts and talents, like the ability to listen, to cry, and spiritual gifts such as bearing a testimony or having the gift of tongues. Others have physical talents, such as athletics, musical abilities, or home keeping skills such as sewing or cooking. But all of these talents will best be amplified, in a manner that we can use them to bless the lives of others, as we live in accordance to the will of our Heavenly Father.
This isn’t to say that some gifts can’t be given to us with the sole purpose of blessing ourselves. One person mentioned having a gift that seemed negligible whether it actually blessed people other than just himself. He said that having it helped him feel Heavenly Father’s love for him. In D&C 18, it talks about the worth of souls being great in the sight of God. And that if we even bring one soul unto him, how great shall be our joy in His kingdom. I had a seminary teacher point out that the first soul we must bring unto him is ourselves. I think that is easily connected to service, and the point this person brought up. Sometimes we do need to, in ways, serve ourselves, and our Heavenly Father blesses us that we may have joy. I do not doubt that would include talents that we are blessed with on an individual basis.
Another friend of mine had this thought to add:
Dave Ramsey, the most well-known financial person in America, said that everything on this earth is given to us by God to manage, but none of it belongs to us. He was referring to the more physical things, such as money or possessions, but this same principle is extended to our gifts and talents. Each of us have been given individual talents, but they don't necessarily belong to us. We are just given them to manage for Him. In other words, God gave us these gifts so that we may use them for Him. He trusted us with each and every ability we have so that we can manage them in a righteous way and hopefully help others see the beauty of God through the gifts and talents He has bestowed upon us.
Connect this thought, then with the Parable of the Talents, found in ST Matthew 25, starting in verse 14. When all of the servants return to their master, he asks for his talents, and in turn blesses them with so much more when they return having used them well for his purposes. Now, I cannot say how that meeting in Heaven will go as far as talents are concerned, but I believe that the way we use our talents and amplify them, whether for our own use or for the use of others, will be of importance in both our mortal existence and throughout the eternities.
Dave Ramsey, the most well-known financial person in America, said that everything on this earth is given to us by God to manage, but none of it belongs to us. He was referring to the more physical things, such as money or possessions, but this same principle is extended to our gifts and talents. Each of us have been given individual talents, but they don't necessarily belong to us. We are just given them to manage for Him. In other words, God gave us these gifts so that we may use them for Him. He trusted us with each and every ability we have so that we can manage them in a righteous way and hopefully help others see the beauty of God through the gifts and talents He has bestowed upon us.
Connect this thought, then with the Parable of the Talents, found in ST Matthew 25, starting in verse 14. When all of the servants return to their master, he asks for his talents, and in turn blesses them with so much more when they return having used them well for his purposes. Now, I cannot say how that meeting in Heaven will go as far as talents are concerned, but I believe that the way we use our talents and amplify them, whether for our own use or for the use of others, will be of importance in both our mortal existence and throughout the eternities.
Friday, November 18, 2011
“Amen! (An Interrupted Prayer)” by Ted Gibbons.
“My dear Father in Heaven . . .
Yes?
Could we have a little quiet around here? I’m praying.
But you called me.
Called who? I didn’t call anybody. I’m praying. My Dear Father in Heaven . . .
There. You did it again.
Did what?
Called me. You said, “My dear Father in Heaven.”
Here I am. What’s on your mind?
Here I am. What’s on your mind?
But I didn’t mean anything by it. I was just, you know, saying my prayers for the night. I always say my prayers. I don’t feel good about going to sleep if I don’t.
Oh. All right. Go on.
Are you kidding?
You did want to talk to me, didn’t you?
Well . . . yes.
Here I am. Talk.
I’m thankful for my many blessings . . .
Excuse me again! How thankful?
What?
How thankful are you for your ‘many blessings’?
I’m . . . well . . . I don’t know. It’s just a part of the prayer. Mom always told me I should always express my thanks when I pray.
Oh. Well . . . you’re certainly welcome. Go ahead.
Go ahead?
With the prayer.
Oh. Yeah. Let’s see . . . bless the poor and the downtrodden, the unfortunate and the afflicted . . .
Do you really mean that?
Sure I mean it.
What are you doing about it?
Doing? What am I doing about it? Well . . . I’m praying about it. I just think that it would be nice if you got control of things down here. I don’t like to see people suffer.
Do I have control over you?
Sure. I go to church. I make donations sometimes. I even read the scriptures once in a while. I don’t . . .
That isn’t what I asked you. What about your temper? You don’t even have control of that, and your friends and family suffer. And then there’s the way you spend your money. And how about the kind of books you read? And the movies you see?
Well, Father, I think I’m as good as most of the people I see every Sunday at church.
And you are, but I thought you were praying for me to bless the afflicted. If that is going to happen, I’ll have to have help from the ones who are praying for it. Like you.
I understand. I guess I have a few hangups. Since you brought it up, I could probably mention some others.
So could I. Should we visit about them?
Oh . . . Let me get back to you on that. I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer than usual. Bless the honest in heart to come to thy Son and receive His blessings.
You mean people like Ralph?
Ralph?
Yes. The one you’ve taught your little brother, Joey, to call ‘Beer-belly Ralph.’ The man around the corner.
That Ralph? Ralph Swenson? You’ve got to be kidding. He hasn’t been sober since he was sixteen. And he hates organized religion.
Why?
I don’t know.
It couldn’t have anything to do with the names the neighborhood kids call him, could it?
OK. I get the message. I’ll tell Joey to cut it out.
By the way, have you had a look at his heart lately?
His heart?
I have. I’ve looked. And it’s one of those honest hearts you were just praying about.
Well, then, do something about it. Do you think I like having an atheist for a neighbor?
Aren’t you supposed to share the gospel? I thought I’d made that pretty clear.
That’s scary. I wouldn’t have any idea how to approach him.
Try a little tolerance and friendship. Try a little service. If you get desperate, try asking me for help.
Father, wait a minute. I know I’m not perfect. But I am here, doing my duty, keeping your commandment to pray, and all of a sudden, you’re here, reminding me of all my problems.
Child, you called me. Remember? Keep on praying. I’m interested in the next part. You haven’t changed the order around, have you?
I don’t want to go on.
Why not?
I know what you’ll say.
Try me and see.
Please forgive me of all my sins, and help me to forgive others.
What about David?
See! I knew it! I knew you’d bring him up. Listen, Lord. He told lies about me and I lost my job – the best job I ever had. Everyone in that office thinks I crawled out from under a rock, and I didn’t do anything except choose other friends! Am I supposed to let him get away with that?
But your prayers. What about your prayers?
I didn’t mean that part about forgiving.
Well, at least you’re honest. I guess you enjoy carrying that load of bitterness around, don’t you?
No, I don’t. But I’ll feel better as soon as I get even.
Do you want to know a secret?
What secret?
You won’t feel better. You’ll feel worse. Listen to me. You forgive David, and I’ll forgive you.
Forgive me? For what?
For what? How much time do you have?
All right. Never mind. But, Lord . . . I don’t think I can forgive David.
Then I can’t forgive you.
Why not?
Because I hate to encourage hypocrisy.
Oh. All right. Please help me to control my actions and not yield to temptation.
Good. I’ll do just that. But you stop putting yourself in all those places where you can be tempted.
What do you mean by that?
Quit hanging around the magazine racks and spending so much time in front of the tube. That stuff is going to get to you sooner or later and you’ll find yourself involved in something terrible. When you do, don’t expect me to rescue you, either.
Rescue me? I don’t understand.
Think about it. You’ve done it lots of times. You put very little effort into our relationship until you find yourself in a crisis; then you come running. I know just how your dad feels.
My dad?
Your dad. The only time you talk to him is when you need something. As a matter of fact, it’s amazing how quickly the intensity of your prayers improves when you are in trouble. Do you remember some of those bargains you wanted to make with me?
Bargains? No . . . well, I don’t think . . . Oh yeah, like thet time I went to that show and met Mom’s friend on the street when I came out . . . Oh, brother!
Do you remember your prayer? I do. You said, “Oh, God, don’t let her tell my mother where I’ve been. I promise I’ll go to nothing but ‘G’-rated movies from now on.” She didn’t tell your mother, but you didn’t keep your promise, did you?
No, Father, I didn’t. I’m sorry.
So am I. Go on and finish your prayer.
No, wait. I want to ask you a question. Do you always listen to my prayers?
Every word. Every time.
Why haven’t you ever answered me before?
How many chances have you given me? There’s not enough time between your “Amen” and your head hitting the pillow for me to take a breath. How am I supposed to give you an answer?
You could, if you really wanted to.
No, I could if you really wanted me to. Child, I always want to.
Father, I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?
I already have. And thanks for letting me interrupt. I get lonely to talk to you sometimes. Good night. I love you.
Good night. And I love you, too.”
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Adversity
"Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days." - D&C 24:8
It seems no matter where we go in life, we can never escape the bumpy roads ahead. Just when things seem like everything is going perfectly and we let down our guard, we come across another storm. While caught in the storm, it is easy to let yourself become confused, to feel like you're not good enough, not strong enough, and that no one is there for you. Some even lose their grip on the iron rod during these trials, and let themselves be swept away by the mists of darkness (1Ne8:23, 1Ne12:17). Some, once off the straight and narrow path, feel like there is no way back, that they are lost, and that there is no hope for them anymore. This is not so.
Our Savior, Jesus Christ, has Atoned for our sins and and loves us. He has already paid the price; it is NEVER too late to return if we have lost the way. His arms are outstretched to us, and your price to him is beyond measure. He will never give up on you, He will never leave you alone, and He will always be there for you.
We are promised that we will not be given burdens heavier than we are capable of bearing. That doesn't mean we are incapable of losing our way. It just means that we have power over Satan, and that we have the ability to choose to give into the storm or hold on no matter what. Satan cannot MAKE us do anything. We are beloved children of God; we have the strength and power to overcome all things, great and small.
Trials, though hard, are able to be overcome and/or endured, and even if they seem to be too difficult for us to bear, it is because we must continually be strengthening ourselves. The way back to our Heavenly Father requires more than a passive endurance. There will be times that we will struggle, we will have to fight to continually work towards our end goal, the Celestial Kingdom. Trials are for our benefit and growth (D&C 122:5-7), for they strengthen us.
Many times, in the meantime, we cannot see the purpose that having trials gives us, and it can make going through them extremely difficult and frustrating for us as individuals. However, God is over all, and He knows what we are going through, and there is a purpose in all things. "For I, the Lord, have put forth my hand to exert the powers of heaven; ye cannot see it now, yet a little while and ye shall see it, and know that I am..." (D&C 84:119)
Many people mistake the message that we have the strength to get through all our burdens, and try to carry all of the hardship on their own shoulders. Heavenly Father has never intended for us to walk these roads alone, and it is His yolk, which when taken upon us, will make our burdens light and easier to bear. Angels attend us, on both sides of the veil.
"I have spoken here of heavenly help, of angels dispatched to bless us in time of need. But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind.
... My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. “[N]or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man [or woman or child] upon the face thereof to be saved.”(Moroni 7:36) On occasions, global or personal, we may feel we are distanced from God, shut out from heaven, lost, alone in dark and dreary places. Often enough that distress can be of our own making, but even then the Father of us all is watching and assisting. And always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal."
-Elder Jeffery R. Holland, The Ministry of Angels
"My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands." (D&C 121:7-9)
It seems no matter where we go in life, we can never escape the bumpy roads ahead. Just when things seem like everything is going perfectly and we let down our guard, we come across another storm. While caught in the storm, it is easy to let yourself become confused, to feel like you're not good enough, not strong enough, and that no one is there for you. Some even lose their grip on the iron rod during these trials, and let themselves be swept away by the mists of darkness (1Ne8:23, 1Ne12:17). Some, once off the straight and narrow path, feel like there is no way back, that they are lost, and that there is no hope for them anymore. This is not so.
Our Savior, Jesus Christ, has Atoned for our sins and and loves us. He has already paid the price; it is NEVER too late to return if we have lost the way. His arms are outstretched to us, and your price to him is beyond measure. He will never give up on you, He will never leave you alone, and He will always be there for you.
We are promised that we will not be given burdens heavier than we are capable of bearing. That doesn't mean we are incapable of losing our way. It just means that we have power over Satan, and that we have the ability to choose to give into the storm or hold on no matter what. Satan cannot MAKE us do anything. We are beloved children of God; we have the strength and power to overcome all things, great and small.
Trials, though hard, are able to be overcome and/or endured, and even if they seem to be too difficult for us to bear, it is because we must continually be strengthening ourselves. The way back to our Heavenly Father requires more than a passive endurance. There will be times that we will struggle, we will have to fight to continually work towards our end goal, the Celestial Kingdom. Trials are for our benefit and growth (D&C 122:5-7), for they strengthen us.
Many times, in the meantime, we cannot see the purpose that having trials gives us, and it can make going through them extremely difficult and frustrating for us as individuals. However, God is over all, and He knows what we are going through, and there is a purpose in all things. "For I, the Lord, have put forth my hand to exert the powers of heaven; ye cannot see it now, yet a little while and ye shall see it, and know that I am..." (D&C 84:119)
Many people mistake the message that we have the strength to get through all our burdens, and try to carry all of the hardship on their own shoulders. Heavenly Father has never intended for us to walk these roads alone, and it is His yolk, which when taken upon us, will make our burdens light and easier to bear. Angels attend us, on both sides of the veil.
"I have spoken here of heavenly help, of angels dispatched to bless us in time of need. But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind.
... My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. “[N]or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man [or woman or child] upon the face thereof to be saved.”(Moroni 7:36) On occasions, global or personal, we may feel we are distanced from God, shut out from heaven, lost, alone in dark and dreary places. Often enough that distress can be of our own making, but even then the Father of us all is watching and assisting. And always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal."
-Elder Jeffery R. Holland, The Ministry of Angels
"My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands." (D&C 121:7-9)
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Remember Your Worth
Everyone goes through rocky periods of times in their life that makes them doubt their self worth, that makes them question their value. Question, even, their own Divinity.
In D&C 18:10, it states "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." In many instances, it is easy to brush it aside and say, "Yes, but I have no value." If that were true, it would say, "Remember that the worth of everyone's soul except yours is great in the sight of God." For direct revelation from God is not wrong, and as that verse is direct revelation, it is a Truth. Your soul is of great worth.
Too often we forget that we are not human beings having spiritual experiences, but Spiritual Beings having a human experience.
Feeling worthless is not a feeling given to us by our Heavenly Father. He is Perfect, and all He makes is perfect, and He made you. Therefore, you are of great value. If you are having feelings of inadequacy or feeling worthless, remember that feeling does not come from God.
Rather, it comes from Satan. If he can convince you that you are of no value, then he'll be taking out one of his biggest opponents: a righteous, chosen Child of God.
Do not forget of your own divine nature and individual worth. You have more power than you accredit yourself to. After all,
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
-Marianne Williamson
In D&C 18:10, it states "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." In many instances, it is easy to brush it aside and say, "Yes, but I have no value." If that were true, it would say, "Remember that the worth of everyone's soul except yours is great in the sight of God." For direct revelation from God is not wrong, and as that verse is direct revelation, it is a Truth. Your soul is of great worth.
Too often we forget that we are not human beings having spiritual experiences, but Spiritual Beings having a human experience.
Feeling worthless is not a feeling given to us by our Heavenly Father. He is Perfect, and all He makes is perfect, and He made you. Therefore, you are of great value. If you are having feelings of inadequacy or feeling worthless, remember that feeling does not come from God.
Rather, it comes from Satan. If he can convince you that you are of no value, then he'll be taking out one of his biggest opponents: a righteous, chosen Child of God.
Do not forget of your own divine nature and individual worth. You have more power than you accredit yourself to. After all,
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
-Marianne Williamson
Monday, November 14, 2011
A Thought On Friendship
This life is built around friendship.
As children, our family becomes our best friends. We grow older, branch out and make new friends, and eventually marry our best friend. And why shouldn't it be built around friendship? The Savior Himself has often called Himself our friend, and it is usually through others that our prayers are answered and our needs are met. And yet we demean the value of friendship, not serving when we ought, not giving when we can, not using talents for others as we should. Often, we even become friends with those who may try to break down our standards. They are not "friends." To call someone a friend is to give them a title that the Savior has given us to even use for Himself. A true friend will honor your standards, answer prayers, and guide, direct, and comfort you. While we can help others and be friends with those who do not share the same standards as us, we must not allow ourselves to be pulled down by those that call us friend. A friend is an angel, on either side of the veil, that cares for you and respects and honors you. Never take such a friend for granted, and continually strive to be such a friend yourself.
As children, our family becomes our best friends. We grow older, branch out and make new friends, and eventually marry our best friend. And why shouldn't it be built around friendship? The Savior Himself has often called Himself our friend, and it is usually through others that our prayers are answered and our needs are met. And yet we demean the value of friendship, not serving when we ought, not giving when we can, not using talents for others as we should. Often, we even become friends with those who may try to break down our standards. They are not "friends." To call someone a friend is to give them a title that the Savior has given us to even use for Himself. A true friend will honor your standards, answer prayers, and guide, direct, and comfort you. While we can help others and be friends with those who do not share the same standards as us, we must not allow ourselves to be pulled down by those that call us friend. A friend is an angel, on either side of the veil, that cares for you and respects and honors you. Never take such a friend for granted, and continually strive to be such a friend yourself.
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