Lift Your Burden!

"I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances."

- Martha Washington

I thought of all who seem to be burdened down with something or another, each person with different problems and concerns. It saddens me to see them sorrowing or in so much pain. I know at times I too, am burdened down by the ways of this mortal existence. Having a belief in Jesus Christ and His gospel help me. I know that my constant is Jesus Christ, and that it is only through Him my burdens CAN be made light.

Elder Cook relates this experience:

 "...my briefcase was overloaded and my mind was preoccupied with the question “How can I possibly do this?” I left the office of the Seventy and entered the elevator of the Church Administration Building. As the elevator descended, my head was down and I stared blankly at the floor.

The door opened and someone entered, but I didn’t look up. As the door closed, I heard someone ask, “What are you looking at down there?” I recognized that voice—it was President Thomas S. Monson.

I quickly looked up and responded, “Oh, nothing.” (I’m sure that clever response inspired confidence in my abilities!)

But he had seen my subdued countenance and my heavy briefcase. He smiled and lovingly suggested, while pointing heavenward, “It is better to look up!” As we traveled down one more level, he cheerfully explained that he was on his way to the temple. When he bid me farewell, his parting glance spoke again to my heart, “Now, remember, it is better to look up."

 The Savior said:

 " Come unto me, all ye that labour and are 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." 

 The Savior is there for us, and He is willing to help us! My challenge to you is to trust in Him.  Come unto Him, and let Him ease your burden!

The Rising Generation

"..thou art but a youth."

We are faced with an ever changing flow of technology, music, entertainment, and media. The youth of today have the world at their fingertips and are faced with many challenges as they strive to do what is right in a world that is forcing the opposite. One of my favorite stories is in 1 Samuel Chapter 17. David vs. Goliath! David went to battle knowing it would be only through the power of the Lord that he could conquer Goliath and as he put his faith in the Lord, Goliath was delivered into his hands. Our youth may not need a sling and rock to face their enemies, but like David we can be made strong spiritually as we put our faith in the Lord. I know that the Lord will strengthen each of us as we do our part to obtain His spirit.

  
Ephesians 6:13

 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

7:00am Zoo Montana

12:00 pm Billings, MT Temple

This summer I had a great opportunity to get to know some youth in Billings Montana. Shortly after I arrived a group of young women had a "Temple Walk". Their journey started at the Billings Zoo, a short talk was given on how they should leave all distractions behind- cell phones, I-pod's, internet access, and focus on their trip together to the temple. The "zoo" symbolizing the world and the temple being their ultimate goal both that day and for the future. The temple is a house of holiness where we make sacred promises with God. Temples  The walk was about 8 miles, it was the middle of July and it was hot! There was not one word of complaint the entire journey, this was something they wanted to do!

As we walked they talked about their experiences of life at school and at home, I really love those girls! Each one of them has a test or trial of their own but they hold their head high because they know that they are daughters of God. We talked about how the Savior knows each one of us and has felt our pains, it is only through Him that we can receive a fullness of JOY.

The youth of the rising generation have a battle to fight. I love the theme for this year "Arise and Shine Forth" let us help our youth shine and rise above the rest as they strive to be obedient to our Father in Heaven, and keep His commandments. As we do we will feel happiness, and gratitude to our Father in Heaven for all the many blessings He has given us.

What can you do to strengthen your relationship with God? 





Arise: 2012 Mutual Theme Song  

  

                                                                    
                                                                        lds.org/youth




The feelings of my heart

 Yesterday, my companion and I had a great opportunity of going to a woman house to "rake apples" I had never heard raking apples before going to her home! Her trees were overgrown, and many apples had fallen to the ground already rotting and a busy dinner destination for hornets! We did not have time to change out of our skirts and nice shoes, but wanting to surprise her before she got home, we busily worked until the job was done. As we worked I thought about my life, I thought about the times in my life when I have enjoyed doing service and the times when I have not. I realized that even when the job has been sticky, muddy, hot, and difficult the reward has been sweet. That reward is the sweetness of serving your fellow neighbor; your brother or sister. I am so grateful for opportunity of service.

 José L. Alonso said, "Each day we have the opportunity to give help and service—doing the right thing at the right time, without delay. Think of the many people who have a difficult time obtaining a job or who are ill, who feel lonely, who even think that they have lost everything. What can you do to help? Imagine that a neighbor, caught out in the rain with his car broken down, calls you for assistance. What is the right thing to do for him? When is the right time to do it?"

The answer is ANYTIME!! I know that in my times of need, I have been so grateful for those who have come to my aide. It was not the most convenient time for them, but as they listened to the influence of the spirit and acted upon it, I was greatly blessed! My challenge to you is to serve someone today! I love you all!

Matthew Chapter 22: vs 36-39 The Savior is asked:

36: Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 

37: Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy  soul, and with all thy mind. 

38: This is the first and great commandment. 

39: And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  

Love Thy Neighbor!

A young couple, Lisa and John, moved into a new neighborhood. One morning while they were eating breakfast, Lisa looked out the window and watched her next-door neighbor hanging out her wash.

“That laundry’s not clean!” Lisa exclaimed. “Our neighbor doesn’t know how to get clothes clean!”

John looked on but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, Lisa would make the same comments.

A few weeks later Lisa was surprised to glance out her window and see a nice, clean wash hanging in her neighbor’s yard. She said to her husband, “Look, John—she’s finally learned how to wash correctly! I wonder how she did it.”

John replied, “Well, dear, I have the answer for you. You’ll be interested to know that I got up early this morning and washed our windows!”

 -President Thomas S. Monson :Charity Never Faileth, Oct. 2010

  https://lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/charity-never-faileth?lang=eng

I love this story! I know that as we all treat each other with kindness we will feel our Saviors love, and we will want to strive to become more like Him. We will feel love for those around us, it will make us happier in our day to day lives and we will feel peace. This life is the time for us to prepare to meet God, he loves each of us and wants us to return back to His presence. We aren't perfect, and we will make mistakes, but through our Savior we can repent and strive to become better everyday!

Matthew Chapter 25: 35-40

  For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

 

The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ

The Lord Jesus Christ by Heinrich Hofmann

The Book of Mormon is another witness that Jesus is the Christ. That He is the Savior of all mankind, and that it is through Him, that we may be freed from our guilt, repent from our sins and return to live with God.  

The Prophet Joseph Smith by Alven Gittins

It is a record translated by the prophet Joseph Smith, in the year 1830

Lehi discovers the Liahona by Arnold Friberg (See 1 Nephi 16)

It begins with a family in Jerusalem. Prophets at that time were testifying to the people that Jerusalem would be destroyed, if they did not repent. Lehi, one of these prophets,  prayed to know God's will and was commanded of the Lord to leave Jerusalem. 

Lehi and his people arrive in the promised land. By Arnold Friberg (See 1 Nephi 18)

Along with his family, Lehi left Jerusalem, and headed to the seashore. God commanded them to build a boat, and through His divine guidance they sailed across the ocean.

Alma baptizes in the Waters of Mormon By Arnold Friberg (See Mosiah Chapter 18)



Landing in the Americas, they began to establish a civilization, and kept a record of their dealings with God and their witnesses of  Jesus Christ. God spoke through his servants the prophets and they learned about and performed sacred ordinances such as baptism. 

Samuel the Lamanite prophesies By Arnold Friberg (See Helaman Chapter 16)


Prophets testified of Jesus Christ, that He would come and save them from their sins. God gave them the choice to accept or reject that message. When they rejected the message they would fall into unbelief and wickedness. Because of Gods love, He consistently provided the way for them to repent. 

Jesus Christ visits the Americas By John Scott (See 3 Nephi 11)

The crowning event in the Book of Mormon is when Jesus Christ, appeared to the people after His resurrection. 

Moroni Buries the Nephite record  By Tom Lovell (See Mormon Chapter 8)


Moroni, was the last prophet to write in their records, giving a profound testimony of the things that were written. We can read His promise in the Book of Mormon: 

Moroni Chapter 10: 3-5

 3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how ^amerciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ^bponder it in your ^chearts.

 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ^aask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not ^btrue; and if ye shall ask with a ^csincere heart, with ^dreal intent, having ^efaith in Christ, he will ^fmanifest the ^gtruthof it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may ^aknow the ^btruth of all things.

Read the Book of Mormon Online:

http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng

Our Foundation, Our Savior

In the story The Three Little Pigs, it describes three pigs who each build a home to protect themselves from their common enemy, the wolf. The first pig takes little time and effort into his home, piecing it out of straw. The second pig, however, takes a little more consideration into the matter. He carefully gathers sticks to build his home.  What I want you to consider is the last of the three little pigs, he being wisest of all, picking bricks to construct his home. This took more time than that of the others, and each day his friends encouraged him to leave his work to come play. We know that the wolf does come, visiting the first two homes he huffs and puffs easily blowing them down. Running to the aid of their friend the three little pigs find refuge in the carefully built brick home.

 In my life I have experienced times where it seems like I am the more foolish of the three pigs, taking little thought to what I do. Other times I have been the last pig, taking more consideration on the things that matter most. Living our lives in harmony with Jesus Christ and His teachings help build us a strong foundation. Doing what seems like the small things: prayer, scripture study, and church attendance are our building blocks to building our strong foundation.  So that when our enemy comes we will find strength through our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Helaman Chapter 5:12
" And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." 

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go..."

 Decision making is not my strong point.  I must admit that in a store I must pick up an item of clothing four or five times before deciding on whether or not to purchase it!  I am THAT girl that struggles to decide what to eat at the restauant, and more than a few times hesitated on what to wear in the morning.  Frustration may set in for the cashier or the waiter, but after a few moments discouragent has left and relief has set in.  Although these skills may be laking, there are some that need no hesitation.

I know that I am a child of God, that He loves me, and has a plan for me.  This plan involved each of us coming to Earth, I know that this was my choice.  There is a goal in life and that is to live with our Heavenly Father, even God and His son Jesus Christ once again.  How amazing is our God!  That He has given us the opportunity to come to Earth, obtain a body, provide a Savior for us, even Jesus Christ. That we may be able to repent from our sins and come back to live in His presence!  We make choices everyday, some that are good, some that our bad. Through our choices we gain experience, knowledge, and testimony of our Savior. As you experience life, and learn to trust God through your trials I know that you too will not hesitate to follow Him and His Son, Jesus Christ.

To learn more:

  http://lds.org/plan/earth-life?lang=eng