O WAK E UP! and do something more- keeping faith, hope and charity

Happy Mother's Day!

This morning I woke up, wondering how I could make today, Sunday, meaningful and uplifting . I'm in a phase right now where I'm trying to make myself more productive and other-oriented, but it's seriously a struggle. It's that time of the year where I feel like all you do is work in an office from 9-6 in front of a computer, have that "so what am I doing now?" feeling afterward, and you feel as though your capacity to serve the Lord is fairly pathetic and you barely get your visiting teaching done by the end of the month. That is how it has seemed to me from time to time, anyway. But after reflecting for a while, I realized I was having a bad attitude. Just because we may not have a unique opportunity in service or feel that life is all that glamorous doesn't mean that we should lose our desire to be positive and reach out to others.

Alma reminds of this by saying:

"And now my beloved brethren, I have said these things unto you that I might awaken you to a sense of your duty to God, that ye may walk blameless before him, that ye may walk after the holy order of God, after which ye have been received.

And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever ye do receive.

And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works."

If we do not maintain faith, hope and charity in our lives, than we will struggle to serve and fulfill our purposes here on earth. Even when we feel that we don't have a really specific purpose or that we are not able to do much, those without charity will have their talents taken away from them by the Lord (Ether 12: 35).

Remember that faith gives us the ability to trust in God's purposes.
Hope gives us the ability to press forward and to live life positively.
Charity gives us the ability to love everyone around us- and keep us looking outward.
All three work give us the ability to work as an instrument in God's hands.

If we have faith, hope, and charity, we will find joy in our daily lives, and the Father will prepare a place for us by His side.

My mother has exemplified this beautifully, and therefore she finds joy in her life because she is always serving the Lord. I'm going to watch her more carefully, and realize the important role model daily. What would the world be without mothers? We would all do better by being like them!

Start living it up and turn outward, look upward, and press forward! And I know that God will bless you. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Moral Courage

In our current time of moral confusion, degradation and passivity, it is time for us to stand up and have moral courage. But how do we do it, and what kind of a difference can we really make?
Here are some insights from general authorities that really have encouraged me:
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President Hinckley wisely said:

"Reformation of the world begins with reformation of self. It is a fundamental article of our faith that “we believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, [and] virtuous” (A of F 1:13).

We cannot hope to influence others in the direction of virtue unless we live lives of virtue. The example of our living will carry a greater influence than will all the preaching in which we might indulge. We cannot expect to lift others unless we stand on higher ground ourselves.

Respect for self is the beginning of virtue in men. That man who knows that he is a child of God, created in the image of a divine Father and gifted with a potential for the exercise of great and godlike virtues, will discipline himself against the sordid, lascivious elements to which all are exposed. Said Alma to his son Helaman, “Look to God and live” (Alma 37:47).

It is a matter of more than passing interest that the Lord, as He spoke to the multitude on the mount, included this marvelous declaration: “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8).

A wise man once said, “Make of yourself an honest man, and there will be one rascal fewer in the world.”

And it was Shakespeare who put into the mouth of one of his characters this persuasive injunction: “To thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.” 1

I should like to give to all men and women who may read these words a challenge to lift their thoughts above the filth, to discipline their acts into examples of virtue, to control their words so that they speak only that which is uplifting and leads to growth."

He continues by saying that we need to let our voice be heard.

'I am one who believes that we should earnestly and sincerely and positively express our convictions to those given the heavy responsibility of making and enforcing our laws. The sad fact is that the minority who call for greater liberalization, who peddle and devour pornography, who encourage and feed on licentious display make their voices heard until those in our legislatures may come to believe that what they say represents the will of the majority. We are not likely to get that which we do not speak up for.

Let our voices be heard. I hope they will not be shrill voices, but I hope we shall speak with such conviction that those to whom we speak shall know of the strength of our feeling and the sincerity of our effort. Remarkable consequences often flow from a well-written letter and a postage stamp. Remarkable results come of quiet conversation with those who carry heavy responsibilities.

Declared the Lord to this people:

“Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.

“Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind” (D&C 64:33–34).

This is the essence of the matter—“the heart and a willing mind.” Speak to those who enact the regulations, the statutes, and the laws—those in government on local, state, and national levels and those who occupy positions of responsibility as administrators of our schools. Of course, there will be some who will slam the door, some who will scoff. Discouragement may come. It has always been thus. Edmund Burke, speaking on the floor of the House of Commons in 1783, declared concerning the advocate of an unpopular cause:

“He well knows what snares are spread about his path. … He is traduced and abused for his supposed motives. He will remember that obloquy is a necessary ingredient in the composition of all true glory: he will remember … that calumny and abuse are essential parts of triumph.”'
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Elder David H. Burton also gave some poignant words about virtue:

Brothers and sisters, we need not be a part of the virtue malaise that is penetrating and infecting society. If we follow the world in abandoning Christian-centered virtues, the consequences may be disastrous. Individual faith and fidelity, which have eternal consequences, will diminish. Family solidarity and spirituality will be adversely impacted. Religious influence in society will be lessened, and the rule of law will be challenged and perhaps even set aside. The seedbed for all that plagues the natural man will have been planted, to the sheer delight of Satan.

We need to stand tall and be firmly fixed in perpetuating Christlike virtues, even the “ity” virtues, in our everyday lives. Teaching virtuous traits begins in the home with parents who care and set the example. A good parental example encourages emulation; a poor example gives license to the children to disregard the parents’ teachings and even expand the poor example. A hypocritical example destroys credibility.

Now is the time for us to join in rescuing and preserving that which is “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.” As we allow virtue to garnish our thoughts unceasingly and we cultivate virtuous traits in our personal lives, our communities and institutions will be improved, our children and families will be strengthened, and faith and integrity will bless individual lives."

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This weekend I had the opportunity to have "moral courage" by co-hosting a 5k with the BYU Student Honor Association (as president of Students That Oppose Pornography). Our goal was to raise awareness about pornography addiction and to encourage people to commit to the Honor Code. The proceeds went toward an organization called "Fight the New Drug," which is a campaign that is reaching out to all youth and young adults to avoid pornography. This pandemic of moral degradation is far-reaching, and the brethren are talking about it more and more. While the FTND founders are focusing on the "science" of pornography use outcomes, I know that they have great moral integrity and courage. They are dedicating their lives to a cause that has reached much opposition, and will continue to be opposed.

So, in order to help them, we named the theme of the race "Commit to Virtue"- and over 162 runners showed up! Not only that, but Sister Ann Dibb and Sister Mary Cook of the General Young Women's Presidency also participated. I was so excited! All of these runners contributed to a good cause by donating their time and money during the craziest part of the semester. Advertising and awareness is extremely expensive, and so their efforts should at least make a little bit of a difference for FTND. The most encouraging thing to me, however, is that there are good people everywhere who really want to stand for what's right. One of Satan's greatest tactics in his war on purity is what I call the "group rationalization effect"- where evil makes friends with "tolerance" and individuals start to accept anything and everything in order to be apart of the group. Well, we can do the same for right- peer pressure to live like we KNOW we should- and to recognize that there is no such thing as moral relativism- that there is a very clear-cut difference between GOOD AND EVIL. Sister Dibb and Cook said some words, and stated that we can change the world with our actions- and that while standing for virtue is difficult, it ultimately makes us more "fit for the kingdom."
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So, have courage, integrity, humility, reason and purity in these matters- STAND FOR TRUTH AND RIGHTEOUESNESS! While doing so is difficult, we have been given guidance by our leaders. Elder President B. Eyring said some comforting words in this past March Ensign:

"One of the purposes of mortal life is to prove to God that we will keep His commandments when that takes courage. We passed that test in the spirit world. But a third of the hosts of heaven rebelled against the proposal that they be tested in a mortal existence where there was a risk that they would fail.

Before we were ever born, we new God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, personally. We could see Them and listen to Them as They taught and encouraged us....we must see the reality of who we are through the eyes of faith, while our bodies make us subject to carnal temptation and to physical weakness.

We have great helps to give us courage in this life. The greatest is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Spiritual gifts are another helps. We receive the Spirit of Christ at birth. That gives us the power to know when a choice before us would lead toward eternal life. The scriptures as a sure guide when we read them with the Holy Ghost as a companion. The Holy Ghost let us express thanks and ask for help in prayer with the clarity and confidence we once enjoyed with our Heavenly Father and which we will have when we return with Him. That communication with God helps us banish fear from our hearts and builds faith. The holy priesthood gives us courage in our service. In its ordinances we receive power to serve God's children, and to withstand the influence of evil. When He calls us to serve, we have this promise: "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up (D&C 84:88)."

When we serve in the kingdom and stand for righteousness, chances are that we will suffer opposition from the "faster of all lies." But Joseph Smith was given the following counsel in his greatest time of suffering:

"And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up thy way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know though, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than He? (D&C 122:7-8)."

Elder Eyring concludes by saying: "God has given us more than enough help to banish fear and give us courage, whatever we may face in life. As we reach out for His help, He can lift us toward that eternal life we week.
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Be true to what you know is right- and remember that there are plenty of people behind you. Let us have our voices be heard-and we will be supported by Heavenly Father in every action to preserve virtue.

JOY!

I can't describe it, but the scriptures can.
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As I was thus racked with torment...I remembered also to have heard...concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.

Now as my mind caught hold upon this though, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death[!]

And now, behold, when I thought this I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.

AND OH, WHAT JOY, AND WHAT MARVELOUS LIGHT I DID BEHOLD; YEA, MY SOUL WAS FILLED WITH JOY AS WAS EXCEEDING AS WAS MY PAIN!

Alma 36:17-20
I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I trust;

The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.

In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice... and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.

He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay.

The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
Ps. 18: 1-2, 4-6, 16-18, 20.

"Blessed be the name of our God; let us sing to his praise, yea, let us give thanks to his holy name, for he doth work righteousness forever.

My heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.

...I do not boast in my own strength nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God! Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things;

[We] are brought to sing redeeming love, and thus because of the power of his word which is in us, therefore, have we not great reason to rejoice?

Therefore let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord. yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? yea who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold I say unto I cannot say the smallest part of what I feel!

Alma 26: 8, 10-13, 16

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures evermore.

And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord: it shall rejoice in his salvation.

Ps. 16:11; 34: 9.
How is it done? The Savior said:

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and our heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart. and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Matthew 11: 28-30

"...your sorrow shall be turned into joy. In the world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full. My spirit... shall fill your soul with joy. "

John 16:20; D&C 101:36; D&C 11:13
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For the promise is that if we draw near unto Him, He will draw near unto us. When we seek Him, we WILL find him. (D&C 88: 63).

The light of Christ- a beacon in hard times

Earthquake. A scary story we've heard before.

7.0- must be bad.

Haiti- the worst of all possible locations.

The numbers- An estimated 2 million are homeless- 72,000 confirmed dead. How many more there will be- we don't really know- it could get up to 200,000. 3 million are directly affected... the rest of us feel it too.

The facts- Haiti was considered the 2nd poorest country in the world overall before the quake. Limited resources (little infrastructure, raw materials, little technology, few waste management systems and health care), political corruption, extreme poverty and hunger, disease, homelessness, orphaned children, gang violence and much more are common stories for this country. The worst hit area was Port-au-Prince, the country's capital and center of any type of stability or development. The UN peacekeeping quarters, the royal family's palace, the Roman Catholic church headquarters and most homes and downtown- absolutely decimated. Everyone is scrambling for their families

How do you comprehend such an atrocity?

Sometimes, you just can't.
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The good news?

THERE'S HOPE.

How? Where? In Who?

Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World.
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Jesus Christ is the Light and the Life of the World. He created this world through the direction of the Father, and He atoned for all of the sins, pains, fears, disappointments and worries of all mankind. Jesus Christ has suffered for every Haitian- and all of us.

When we look at all of the pain, suffering and destruction over the past two weeks, it makes me wonder in awe at how Christ completed that great task. How could a man do all this? A man could not. It was an infinite sacrifice- because He loved us, and loves us today.

The goodness of Christ has not only been manifested in that great act of love, but also in each one of us who acts upon the light of Christ. Since I can't go to Haiti and my donation is small (especially compared to the 57 million that accrued in the Hope for Haiti telethon... which I think is great), I decided to do a personal fast for Haiti. I thought it would be a good idea to have a small group of friends do it with me. I posted it as a Facebook event, and I thought about 30 of my friends would join me. To my great surprise (and maybe it shouldn't have been) over 760 people joined with me in the fast. I didn't know most of them- and they were of the LDS and other Christian faiths (and it's possible that people of other religions participated too.) This shows that the light of Christ is given unto every man, and that we can do the works of Christ in a united, righteous effort. I LOVE HOW GOOD PEOPLE ARE! The world has rallied around the people in Haiti.

Truly, God must be smiling upon us now.

There is always hope.

The divinity of the Book of Mormon

So, I guess I'm a good example of self-fulfilled prophecy. I haven't been good about keeping this blog at all. However, today I read Mormon, Chapter 8; and I couldn't get it's powerful message out of my mind. The Book of Mormon was prophesied by Moroni to come in a day such as today:

28 Yea, it shall come in a day when the power of God shall be ^adenied, and ^bchurches become defiled and be ^clifted up in the pride of their hearts; yea, even in a day when leaders of churches and teachers shall rise in the pride of their hearts, even to the envying of them who belong to their churches.

29 Yea, it shall come in a day when ^athere shall be heard of fires, and tempests, and ^bvapors of smoke in foreign lands;

30 And there shall also be heard of ^awars, rumors of wars, and earthquakes in divers places.

31 Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be great ^apollutions upon the face of the earth; there shall be ^bmurders, and robbing, and lying, and deceivings, and whoredoms, and all manner of abominations; when there shall be many who will say, Do this, or do that, and it ^cmattereth not, for the Lord will ^duphold such at the last day. But wo unto such, for they are in the ^egall of bitterness and in the ^fbonds of iniquity.

Although the pure word of God would come in such a time, it would break forth as a light:

"yea, it shall be brought out of the earth, and it shall shine forth out of darkness, and come unto the knowledge of the people; and it shall be done by the power of God."

I know that it was brought about by the power of God. Joseph Smith was called of God to bring forth the word of God, to share it to his fellow brethren and sisters so that they would repent and come unto Christ. I know this is true. The Book of Mormon brings us closer to God because it teaches us the commandments and principles of Christ. As Nephi explained:

"26 And we ^atalk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we ^bprophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our ^cchildren may know to what source they may look for a ^dremission of their sins."

As you dwell upon the message of Christ during this holiday season, remember His words and the truth they speak to our hearts when we are willing to receive them. Give a gift to Christ this year by becoming more like Him.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

To view a video about the promises and divinity of the Book of Momon, look at these links:

(Elder Christensen)-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9cVyTbX1kM

(Elder Holland)-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_ac3tWeV3I

Why I'm starting this blog

Hey, all! This is your friend Stephanie, writing. I woke up one Sunday morning thinking about how I could share my testimony more often- and decided to start this blog. I know I'm not the greatest writer in the world, and I hope you know that I don't think that I have a greater capacity to share the gospel than others. I simply want to share what I know. I don't have a black name tag, or a missionary "status" of any kind, but I decided to pick the title of this blog from one of my favorite scriptures- Alma 29:1. This is where Alma, a prophet of the Book of Mormon, wishes to declare the message of the gospel to all people. I'm going join Alma in sharing my testimony, and you can feel free to comment and share your testimony too.

I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored on the earth for the salvation of God's children. The purpose of His mission, His message and His life, which He gave up for all of us, was to bring us back to our Heavenly Father. He has called his servant, Thomas S. Monson, the living prophet today, to relay to us the purposes for His kingdom on earth. He called Joseph Smith, Jr. the first prophet of this dispensation, to bring forth the gospel in a marvelous way, and through the translation of the Book of Mormon. This book comes from God! And how do I really know that this is true? Alma says it best- "they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lrd God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me." I also know these things to be true because I have done my best to live the principles of the gospel every day of my life, and they have brought me so much happiness! I am far from perfect, but I know that living the way of Jesus Christ is the only way to go! I promise that if you do your best to live the commandments, you will know that they are of God. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I hope this is a place where you can also feel free to share your testimony. Testimonies aren't only strengthened on Fast Sunday, but through the small and simple things that happen throughout our lives everyday. So feel free to share at any time. If, for any reason, any comments appear to be unkind, contentious or inappropriate, I'll delete them immediately (you never know who will show up and try to make things difficult). The gospel is true!