Dance Shoes

One dance class.  One test worth 24% of my grade.  No dance shoes.  A prayer.  Normal heels being hard to dance in.  Ordering dance shoes to arrive just in time. Dance test Tuesday; shoes to arrive Monday...

Monday, checking mailbox but no dance shoes... Paper in mailbox: 'No residents at this address'.  Worry.  Looking online.  Shoes came, but forwarded.  Panic.  A phone call..  Shoes coming next Tuesday...  Test tonight.  Worry...a prayer...trust...  That night, test changed by teacher till the next Tuesday... Hooray!

Waiting for shoes.  Tuesday came...no shoes...  Leaving to visit my brother before he leaves for two years, then directly to dance class...  Still no shoes...another prayer.  Remembering: forgot paper in apartment...  Going back to car... Mail truck coming closer.  Shoes given.  Apology made.  Joy...relief...answered prayer!

Some say: coincidence...
But I know better: God is real and hears me.  I ask and trust.  His help comes.

Kimberly H.

To know more about prayer and trusting in God, please visit www.mormon.org/chat

By the Obedience of One

I recently read a passage of scripture from the New Testament that reads, “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous” (Romans 5:19).  Upon reading it, I reflected on the different examples in my life and their effect on my decision-making growing up.  Being the youngest in a large family enabled me to see firsthand the consequences between good and bad choices.  I realize how much more simple and wonderful my decisions were because of the righteous examples I had.  I've always wondered what I would have done had I not grown up with so many older siblings or had they made worse decisions instead of the ones they made.

I know that if we strive to make the right decisions and choices, we can personally benefit from those choices and we can show others the blessings of a righteous life by our example.  I know that as we choose to follow Jesus Christ and His Gospel, we will be following the ultimate example.  I encourage all to be the example even when the choice goes against the crowd because “by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”  By your obedience, others may follow and become obedient themselves just as I was through my life examples.

Please visit www.mormon.org/chat to learn more about the example of Jesus Christ.

Darren C.

Small and Simple Things

"..by small and simple things are great things brought to pass..." (Alma 37:6 in The Book of Mormon) I imagine this becomes evident to two parents as they raise a child together. I was able to see this very clearly as I earned a bachelors degree at a university. I have no doubt one would feel this in a struggle to lose weight or battle an illness. Many of us have moments in our lives when we remember to let the little events and milestones and improvements make us happy. Some days we can only be grateful that the sun is shining.

Thinking of these little things that change our lives fills my heart with emotion and gratitude for a living, loving God. I know there is one, and I know that he is a loving Heavenly Father. I know he sends us angels when we ask for them, and sometimes when we don't. He is there as parents struggle to raise a child in this world. He sees our small successes and applauds us. He shines the sun so we can remember Him even on our hard days. He loves us. Even though the things He does for us may seem little, and even though our efforts to make a difference in this world feel small to us, they are significant and they change the world for the better.

Chantelle S.

That which was lost...

I have been given great reason to rejoice.  In my family, our pets bring continual happiness to all of us.  We have (had) several animals throughout the years that have enriched our lives and have fulfilled the measure of their creation.  We currently have a cat who has quite a personality and is always enjoyable to be around.  A couple of weeks ago, he was behaving strangely and went missing.  Our family grew anxious for him as the days went by, and several of us, myself included, prayed for his safe return if be possible.  We eventually began to believe that he had passed away in the woods that surround our house; my mother was even beginning to prepare a family memorial meeting for him.  I began to pray for his return, somehow, even if he wouldn't be able to persist with us long after.

Eight days passed, and I returned home for Father's Day.  The first thing my sister said to me when she saw me was "We found Smokey!" (our missing cat).  She had heard him crying in the woods when she had called for him that night, as she had done for the past several nights, and was able to bring him home at 2am in the morning.  He seems to be stabilizing at this time.

Losing a pet, which we know is a part of life and not the end, is never fun and was something I was dreading we would have to go through again.  Had we never recovered him, we would never have had the closure that comes with interning a body.  His return is one of the closest experiences I have ever had to knowing what a resurrection would be like.

I have a testimony of the power of prayer and having faith in the Lord, and waiting upon Him, to return that which was lost, even that which I though would be insignificant to Him.  Once, when I had lost one of my journals, and I had prayed to find it, the exact location immediately popped into my mind and I immediately found it.  Another time, while tubing in the snow at night with my family, I lost one of my keys, which I could have replaced but wouldn't have liked to.  I offered a prayer to find it, told my family to keep an eye out for it, then made up my mind to enjoy my time with them, as I knew it would be almost futile scouring for it.  Later, one of them spotted it in the snow under the glow of the street lights!  More recently, while installing software for my undergraduate research group, I thought I had accidentally, irreversibly, deleted files that represented months of effort.  I prayed that, somehow, I would be able to recover them.  While scanning the output of my file-recovery software, I found out that, somehow, those files had actually been moved to an obscure folder and were perfectly intact!

I understand and accept that I may not be able to recover everything that I lose, even if I pray wholeheartedly for it, but I do know from past experiences that miracles have occurred, even in small and temporary matters, when I have prayed earnestly for help.  Why He withholds some blessings, I do not always know; nevertheless I trust in His judgement.

The little things in our lives that matter to us matter to God, because, as His children, our happiness and well-being matter to Him.  We read in Alma 34:24-26, "Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.  Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.  But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness."

If the safe return of the things that are important to us is important to our Heavenly Father, then how much more important is the save return of ourselves to Him?

"For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found."  "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 15:24, 19:10)

I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Drew H.

He is Risen!

I have heard it said that Easter is the most important day in the Christian world. Even greater than our Savior's birth is the day He rose again. With Easter and spring time we celebrate new life and new beginnings. Because our Savior died for us and rose again, we too shall rise again with new life. We experience fresh beginnings each time we turn to our merciful Redeemer for repentance of our sins and plead for strength to be better. We can experience daily growth as we make this an ongoing part of our lives. This daily transformation will bring us closer to our Savior and bring us his joy. In our journeys of life, may we find Christ in our hearts, in the scriptures, in service to others and becoming better. Christ no longer lies in the sepulchre; as the angel said: He is not here: for He is risen! Matthew 28:6

Knowledge

• As we acquire more knowledge, our perspective expands and our understanding deepens. Some things we learn change everything. There is an old proverb that embodies this principle well: "Give a man a fish and he will eat one day; teach a man to fish and he will eat the rest of his life." Although information is a public good, knowledge and information are consumed (applied) privately--it is our individual choice to absorb and apply the knowledge and information waiting at our fingertips. 

   

  My parents are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and therefore taught me from a very young age the commandments and gospel given to us through God's holy prophets. My parents frequently created opportunities for me to learn and gain knowledge for myself. They knew, and I knew, that the information and knowledge they shared with me would have no significance to me unless I sought after it myself, concluded that it is important for me, and chose to apply it. I have learned for myself that there is a loving God in Heaven. He cares about us and wants us to be happy. I know He lives and because of His Son, we too may have joy in this life and in the life to come. This knowledge has changed everything for me. It has set me free. I have perspective and understanding. I have motivation to live life to its fullest, to serve other people, and to improve myself daily. I am filled with gratitude that God cares so much for us as to give us opportunities to learn, grow, and one day return to live with Him. As my parents invited me, He invites all of us to come unto Him and gain knowledge of the truth for ourselves. 

   

  Learn of Him and deepen the knowledge that you already do have of Him. By doing so you will find joy and happiness. In the words of the Savior, "If ye continue in my word..." (if we study and apply His word) "...then ye are my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32).

   

  -- Thomas C.

Cast Your Net

I have found the scriptures to be a constant source of guidance and peace in my life.  While I was serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there were times that were very difficult for me and I was not sure how to keep moving forward.  During one of those difficult times I remember reading in the Bible the story of when Christ calls Simon Peter to be a fisher of men (Luke 5:3-10).  The scriptures say that Christ asked Simon to cast his net on the other side of the ship: “And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.  And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake” (Luke 5:5-6).  I felt that I had been toiling all night and that I had not been having any success.  The Lord was asking me to cast out my net one more time and I would see the blessings of His hands.  Many times in our lives we feel like we have been toiling all night and haven’t seen the fruits of our labor.  Frequently all we have to do is to try again; to cast our nets on the other side of the boat.  As we strive to obey and seek help from God, He will bless us with more than we can ever imagine. 

Barbara D.

I Have Kept the Faith

"Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons
exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten."

As a daughter, I have always thought my dad was invincible. He could
cure any ailment. He loved me through all the pains, struggles, and
self-inflicted wounds this daughter brought to him. He stood with his
sword of truth, his shield of faith, and gathered me close, keeping me
safe and loved. As I grew, he let me stand beside him, teaching me how
to fight the dragons myself, how to enlist help from others, and his
greatest teaching - to pray to my Father in Heaven. He taught me to
pray to my Heavenly Father not only in help in beating the dragons but
to discern when a dragon in disguise was waiting for me.

I spoke with my brave dad today. My dad has been diagnosed with a
disease, a disease that will take him from me, first in mind and one
day in body. I love my dad, with all my heart. It's a love of a little
girl wishing to please her dad. It's a love of a rebellious teenager
who tested that love on many turns. And it's the love of a grown
daughter who at times is still this man's little girl. He has never
disappointed, never let me down, and always - even miles away - is
standing beside me, still waging the battle beside me against the
dragons in my life. There are dragons that some people have to face
that never came into my world because of my dad. There are dragons
that were weakened to the point of defeat before they even confronted
me. And there were dragons that were mine to battle, maybe even
invited into my life, that were fought and defeated because of this
man. How do I say I love you enough times? How do I show that love?
And how do I express to him that his teachings and fight on my behalf
matter, that they made the difference, and that I will continue this
fight all my life.

I don't know all the answers, but one way to show my dad all he is to
me is to continue the battle. And to share with my own how to sharpen
your sword, how to polish your shield, and how as a child and parent
you can win any battle. So I will continue. I will fight valiantly,
and I will love with all my heart, keeping me and mine safe as my dad
now battles a dragon I can't help much with.  A scripture has come to
mind that for me captures my dad in all the ways I love and admire
him. "I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have
kept the faith."

Kathi P.

Strength in Adversity

I have been blessed my whole life with the knowledge that my Heavenly Father and my Savior know me individually and love me.  There have been times however, that this has been made manifest to me and my testimony has grown because of it. These times are not great manifestations from heaven, but are small personal moments.  Many times it is something so small, but something I really need.

One time in particular that I felt my Savior’s love for me so strong was a couple of summers ago.  I was able to study abroad in Jerusalem for four months.  About a month before it was time to go home I started getting anxiety.  I did not know what it was (actually I’m still not sure if that’s what it was, but that’s the best way I can describe it).  This is something that was very new and different to me, because most of the time I do not stress about a lot.  However, I was stressed about a few decisions I knew I was going to have to make when I got home.  I did not vocalize these concerns to anyone, not even my parents.  Sometimes at night I would have a hard time breathing and I would just try to fall asleep to escape the constant wheels going in my head.  In my prayers I asked my Heavenly Father to give me feelings of peace and comfort.  One Saturday after church a group of us walked down to the Garden of Gethsemane.  I sat outside and pondered and read some scriptures.  Then a group of us went inside the church right next to the garden to sing.  There was a service going on so we sat quietly in the back waiting until it was over.  While I was sitting there I felt the most incredible feeling of peace come over me.  I almost didn’t want to move because I was scared I would lose it.  I knew right then that my Heavenly Father had heard my prayers and because of his great love for me he gave me those feelings of peace.  It might seem like such a small thing, but to me it was so huge and something I really needed at that time.  My earthly parents were far from me and I had not even vocalized my concerns to them, because I knew that there was nothing anyone could say to make me feel better, but my Heavenly Father and my Savior knew my thoughts and knew exactly how to comfort me.  That experience helped my testimony that my Heavenly Father and Savior really know me and are aware of my struggles grow so much.

I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love me and that no one knew how I was feeling, but that my savior did because he suffered in Gethsemane for not only my sins, but my weaknesses and my sorrows.  He was able to give me the comfort I needed when no one else could, because He had felt what I was feeling.  I know that we are sons and daughters or Heavenly Parents who love us so much and want to give us so many blessings, and when we turn to them in times of need they are there to comfort us and give us the strength we need to carry on.

Analise B.

The Gospel of Christ is a source of JOY

The Gospel of Jesus Christ has brought me so much joy in my life. Whenever I feel I am going through a hard time, I remember that Heavenly Father has a plan for me. If I had to do it all alone, I would be lost. Sometimes life just doesn't make sense, but my testimony of the Plan of Salvation gives me hope. I know that my Savior, Jesus Christ, suffered and died for me. I know that he knows me and what I am going through more than anyone else. I love the scripture John 14:18, where He says: "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come unto you." I know that He is always there to embrace us with His love, if we only let Him in.

I also love Alma 26:12 in the Book of Mormon where Alma says: "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my own 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; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise His name forever."  I know that without the Lord, I am nothing, but with Him I can do all things. I know that every success I have had in my life has been due to the hand of the Lord in my Life.

I am so grateful for this Gospel. It makes me so happy. I know that there is no greater source of Joy than the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that through the Atonement I can improve myself each day! He does not expect us to be perfect all at once, just that we turn to Him for help each day, so that we can grow closer to Him and become better disciples.

Whitney K.

God is real, and He is Good

            The walls were a faded blue, with peeling paint and mold creeping up the corners. The air was heavy and stale, and I coughed as I walked through a cloud of cigarette smoke. I asked “Aveti copii fara mame?” (Do you have any children without mothers?) The nurse I had directed the question to looked at me scornfully, but jutted her head to the side, motioning toward a room at the end of the long hallway. My steps echoed with pain and frustration as I walked, and my mind attempted to comprehend the reality of the situation. I entered the room and moved toward the first crib in sight. I peered over the rusty, paint-chipped bars and my heart stopped. Inside laid a little baby with eyes that reflected the sorrow of his life. His frail body was so thin that his transparent skin stretched over the bones, and he was too weak to even cry. He was sweaty and soiled, and as he struggled to breathe I gently picked him up to change him.
            I sank to my knees with this sick little boy wrapped in my arms and sobbed uncontrollably until I thought my heart would die from despair. I asked God why He would let one of his beloved children suffer in this way? How was it fair that this baby was starving from lack of proper nutrition? Why wasn’t there medicine to help heal this baby from his illness? Then as if God had heard my pleas for understanding, I could feel some of the sorrow lifted from my spirit. God answered and told me “This baby is here so that you could come to Romania and serve him, and learn through his trials.” I was humbled and as I tried to absorb the moment, the Lord automatically blessed me with comfort, and I could feel the infinite love He has for his children encircle us. The darkened room seemed to fill with light, and I knew in that moment that God is always mindful.
             In mortality we are blessed with trials that will test our faith in God and His plan. There will be times when following the path of discipleship is too much to bear because no man is exempt from sorrow or pain in this life. But I know that we are not left comfortless, and if our hearts are willing, we will be guided by our Father in Heaven. He will bless us with understanding, lift our burdens and give us hope for the future. God loves us unconditionally and regardless the circumstance of our lives. Never think that you are too far from the reach of God’s merciful hand, and know that because God lives, you are never alone.

-Cynthia S.

Excellence

Men cannot really long rest content with mediocrity once they see excellence is within their reach. –Thomas S. Monson

One of the greatest gifts of the gospel is the blessing that comes with understanding who we really are and where we come from. We are children of God, the most powerful being. What is He if not Excellence? As His sons and daughters, we have an innate worth and potential that comes from being a child of Deity. I think more often than not, we see so much less of ourselves than Heavenly Father does. We accept mediocrity where He knows what we are truly capable of. When we accept Him into our lives, and apply this gospel He has prepared for us, our own vision of ourselves begins to expand. Then, as we accept that we have more potential than we ever imagined, our old habits and expectations are no longer satisfactory. We begin to see what He has seen all along, and we want to make the changes and be the people Heavenly Father means for us to be. 

This doesn’t have to be a huge thing. It can start with something as simple as a change in attitude. I have found in my life that the minute I begin think about who I really am, my divine heritage, I automatically want to be better, and act more like a daughter of God should. It’s a simple thing really, to accept who we are meant to be, but can make all the difference in how we live up to our potentials. For each of us, excellence is within our grasp, we just have to reach out for it.

Betsy Z. 

Consistent Obedience

"At times the wisdom of God appears as being foolish or just too difficult, but one of the greatest and most valuable lessons we can learn in mortality is that when God speaks and a man obeys, that man will always be right."
-Thomas S. Monson

Obedience is what makes my life happy. It doesn't always immediately put a smile on my face. Sometimes I am very happy while being obedient to God's laws, and at other times it is the most difficult thing I could be asked to do. But I have learned that sooner or later the consequence of keeping His commandments always comes. Consistent obedience leads to a consistent stream of blessings. Hard times still come but they always go as well.

Obedience really is such a small thing. The best part about it is that it is something that we are 100% in control of. Sometimes it is very difficult, but I am certain that God always provides the means to allow us to obey.

The last part about obedience that makes me happy is that it gives us a definitive answer to the question that Christ asked Peter: "do you love me?" Christ defined love as, "if ye love me, keep my commandments." It provides the means for us to indisputably prove our loyalty and love to our Savior. Someday, when He asks me that question, I hope to already have kept the commandments and say "look at the sheep and how well they are fed."
 - Spencer Y.

We Are Meant to Shine

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 does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
- Marianne Williamson

The Good News

The Gospel of Christ is the good news, that we have the ability to be helped by the Grace of God to over come temptations and trials currently and throughout all eternity. Comfort through the uncomfortable. Peace in times of war. And triumph through the darkness of doubts, fears and sin. On a daily basis Scripture Study, Prayer and an enthusiastic Attitude of Gratitude are the keys to access the Spirit of Peace. This turns my focus from inward to outward and shapes my pride to become humility. May we all strive to become more willing to obey, and by so doing be more worthy of the Spirit of Peace which is Joy.
- Nathan G.

Blessings of the Gospel

How has the gospel of Jesus Christ blessed your life?

God created man so that we could have joy. As I search for happiness in different parts of the world, I have definitely found it more consistently in the gospel of our Savior than anywhere else. While other experiences might bring me temporary gladness, even lasting memories, the strongest and most enduring joy I have ever found comes from living a Christ-centered life. He is, of course, the perfect example of charitable service as He selflessly reached out to everyone around him. There is indescribable warmth that comes from hiding a candy bar for my roommate in her room, or helping a stranger carry an awkward load to their car; to me, this is living the gospel of Christ.

John 14: 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

As the world around me searches for peace and happiness in the work place, the media, and social endeavors, I find lasting peace in knowing that my Savior lives, and that by living his gospel I never need to fear. I know that remembering the gospel of Christ-that we are always working to improve and grow closer to God-carries me through the darker times of my life. It helps me to forgive myself for totaling my parents’ car they let me borrow. It helps me forgive others who have hurt me. It clears the guilt that comes after making a mistake. It gives me strength to change. It gives me peace that I can float while the world around me seems to sink. I know that as we reach out to others, sharing the gospel of Christ, we can help others to float as well. 

-Chantelle S.

An Answer to Prayers

In a recent church meeting, we talked about personal revelation.  We can receive personal revelations through feelings, thoughts, the actions of another person, and in other ways if we're ready for them and seeking them.

A short while ago, my father was driving with a trailer on a long-term business trip.  While filling up at a gas station, a man came up to him and pointed out that one of the trailer's tires was about to fall off.  Had he not pointed the danger out, the tire would've slipped off, the trailer and it's valuable, fragile contents would have been damaged, and my dad would've had a very bad start in a job my family has become dependent upon.

My family and I knew that that man and his good-will were answers to our prayers.  This experience has served to build my testimony that God hears and answers our prayers, and that we can be tools in His hands in carrying out His work.

- Drew H.

Keeping the Christmas Spirit

The Christmas break is coming to a close, and I'm excited for classes to start back up again.  Looking back, the best memories I have of the 2013-2014 Christmas break are the moments I had having fun with my family and visiting relatives.  Sure, the decorations are coming down and we're going back to our normal jobs and routines, but I wish to recall a few of President Monson's words:

Often we assume that [the people around us] must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. … We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us.

The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and of generosity and of goodness... [it] is something I hope all of us would have within our hearts and within our lives, not only at this particular season but also throughout the years...  When we keep the spirit of Christmas, we keep the Spirit of Christ, for the Christmas spirit is the Christ Spirit...  There is no better time than now... for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus Christ.

 - Drew H.