The Gospel Blesses Families

"Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities." 

- The Family: A Proclamation to the World (https://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation)

Since Thanksgiving is tomorrow and I've of course been thinking of all of the things that I'm grateful for, one thing has continued to come to the forefront of my mind. The Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Most all of the other blessings in my life, the many things that I am thankful for, stem from my knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, of His teachings and commandments.  I know that the gospel blesses our lives.  It provides us with happiness, success, strength and guidance.  I know that as we live it, we are significantly happier and healthier - physically, emotionally and spiritually.  I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is our Heavenly Father's plan for us to be happy and experience all of the many blessings that He is so anxious to bestow upon us.  Obedience to the gospel qualifies us for His blessings, His love, and eternal salvation.  It also is a way for us to show our love for Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.  I would be so ungrateful if I didn't take a moment and share what I know about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is something that I am so thankful for and I want everyone else to know it as well.
The gospel includes five simple things:  

    First is to develop faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement.  We do this as we pray, read the scriptures, and strive to be obedient.  

    Second is repentance.  Repenting means changing and improving our behavior, actions and attitude to be more in harmony with the Lord.  It includes a change of heart and a desire to do good and be good.  

    Third is making and keeping covenants.  A covenant is a promise between you and the Lord.  The first covenant any person must make is baptism in the correct way by the proper Priesthood authority.  Making that covenant qualifies a person to be worthy to return to the presence of God after this life.  Other covenants include partaking the Sacrament and promising to keep the commandments, as well as covenants made in the Temple where we promise to always do the will of Heavenly Father and live a life like Christ.  Covenant keeping allows us to receive some of life's sweetest blessings.  It is only through covenants made in the temple that families can be sealed for time and all eternity - meaning that even after death, they will never be separated, but live together in the presence of God.  This covenant gives me so much hope and happiness.

    Fourth is receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and following His promptings throughout your life.  After a person is baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, they are then given the gift of the Holy Ghost.  The Bible calls this "baptism of fire".  The Holy Ghost is Heavenly Father's gift to us to help us know right from wrong and live in accordance with the plan Heavenly Father has for us. The Holy Ghost is what helps us to know the truth.  The Holy Ghost is also called the Spirit and it is described many different ways - a still, small voice, a burning in the bosom, a gentle nudge, warm-fuzzies... I know it feels different for all of us and it's hard to put into words.  But I love a verse in the Bible that helps us to understand when we are feeling the Spirit.  In Galatians 5:22-23 it reads, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance..."  I feel it when I look into the faces of my nephews, open my scriptures to read, hug my mom, or share my testimony.  I felt it ever single day on my mission as I sought to help others live the gospel.  I also feel it when I'm lost, unsure of what to do, and I pray for help.  It's like a voice that speaks, without words, in a language you can perfectly understand.  A verse in the Book of Mormon tells us the importance of the Holy Ghost, "For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way (through baptism), and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto all things what ye should do."  Our very own little tour guide through life.  What a wonderful gift!

    Fifth is what we call enduring to the end.  To me, it simply means repeat steps 1-4.  Continue developing faith, continue to repent, keep on keeping your covenants and never stop following the Holy Ghost.  

   So there it is.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I know that it is the way, the path, the plan.  It's Heavenly Father's plan for our happiness.  His plan to help us return to live with Him again.  It's the path that we should take in this life.  It's the way to return to Heavenly Father.  It's the way that we receive greater blessings and experience happiness.  It is through living the Gospel that even when trials, troubles or tragedy strike, we have the strength to press on.  I know that living the gospel strengthens and blesses individuals and families.  And that the reverse is also true.  When we fail to apply the gospel in our lives or our families, they fall apart.  I've seen both cases first hand in my life.  And I've come to know that we all desperately need the gospel.  Because the blessings that come from gospel living are incredible and cannot be found any other way.  We cannot make it through life without them.  And because of what I feel and know, I want all people, especially those that I love and care about, to receive the gospel in their lives.  So I'm pleading with you... take the next step in living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Because I promise you, that as you do so, you will find greater strength and power in your life.  You will see the Lord's hand in every moment of your day.  Whatever your struggles or trials or problems, the gospel is the answer.  I know that it will help you and bless your life more than you can ever imagine.  So, will you try it?  Will you take the next step?  Will you live it?  I know you'll be so thankful that you did.

God is Our Loving Heavenly Father

Many experiences this week have me reflecting on the basic and fundamental doctrine that God is our loving Heavenly Father.  I know without a doubt that He is our Father.  That He knows us and loves us.  And that knowledge sees me through everything.  Gives me strength on the hard days, and joy on the good days.  I know that we are His children and that everything He does is for our benefit.  Of course, the good things and the blessings are proof that He loves us.  But also, the challenges, struggles and trials, are one way in which He expresses His love for us.  How much He must love us to bless with opportunities to grow.  To let us experience the hard so that we can improve, become stronger and better.  His ultimate plan is for us to become like Him, and therefore, we must experience difficulty.  For our Father is perfect.  And we, as imperfect beings, must be refined and purified.  I cannot even fathom how much He must love us to allow us to go through that refining process, to become more than we are, more than we could be without His divine help.

My thoughts are stated perfectly in the popular LDS hymn, "I Am a Child of God".  It is simple yet powerful.  And I know it is true.  And these words, this testimony, means more to me each day.

I am a child of God,
And He has sent me here,
Has given me and earthly home
with parents kind and dear.

Heavenly Father has a perfect plan for each of us.  He sent us to earth to learn and to grow.  And He has given us so many blessings to help us along the way.

I am a child of God,
And so my needs are great;
Help me to understand His words
before it grows too late.

He is our Father.  Therefore He knows our needs and what is best for us.  He also wants to help understand His plan and His words.  Therefore He has blessed us with the gospel and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Through the teachings of the Savior Jesus Christ, we can find the help and strength for all of our needs and the understanding for all things.

I am a child of God,
Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do His will,
I'll live with Him once more.

Our Heavenly Father loves us SO much. More than we can ever imagine.  And He wants to bless our lives.  And such rich blessings are in store for us if we but obey.  Through our obedience is how we show Heavenly Father that we love Him.  Through our obedience, we do His will.  His will is for us to live His Gospel, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Living the gospel means that we must develop faith, exercise repentance and strive to improve ourselves each day, be baptized and keep covenants with God, receive the Holy Ghost and follow his promptings, and endure to the end or be obedient for the rest of our lives.  If we live the gospel, we qualify ourselves to live with our Heavenly Father again.

And the Chorus:
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do,
To live with Him someday.

I know that He leads us and guides us.  I know that Heavenly Father is ever aware of us and our needs.  That is truly always there right beside us.  Not just in the good times, but through all times.  Every step of the way.  And He is there helping us to the find the way.  Sometimes the road may seem dark, the path unsure, but He is there and He will teach us what we must do.  His Gospel is one of truth and light and leads us in the right way.  As we live it and obey it, we will be able to return to live with Him someday and that is the happiest knowledge we could ever have.

My hope and prayer is that we all understand that we truly are children of God.  That He loves us and cares for us and He wants to talk with us.  And we can talk to Him through prayer.  My challenge to everyone is to seek Heavenly Father in prayer.  If you are already praying, do it more fervently.  If you are not praying, start today.  Wherever you are at in life, just open your heart and talk to you Father.  He is waiting and He wants to hear from you.  I promise you that as you seek Him in prayer, you will find Him.  You will feel of His love and He will teach you all that you must do to live with Him again someday :)  just do it.  Just try it, please.  Pray to Him, just talk to Him.  I know He will listen and answer.  For He is our loving Heavenly Father.

Changed for the better :)

There's a song from the musical wicked that's been a recurring theme in my life this past month.  The words say, "I've heard it said, that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn.  And we are led to those who help us most to grow, if we let them, and we help them in return. Well I don't know if I believe that's true, but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you.... Because I knew you, I have been changed for good."  The only difference in how I feel from the words, is that I fully and completely believe that this is true.  I know that the Lord blesses us with those people who can help us progress along His eternal path and who can be the answers to our prayers.  And because of the people in my life, I have been changed for good and for the better.  Let me just tell you about some of those people in my life right now:

Jenalyn The Amazing and Beautiful Thiriot - She is a little angel and she blesses my life and answers my prayers every day.  She is a shining example of the Savior.  She lives in such a way as to provide all around her with a pattern to follow that points them to Christ.  She truly does, I believe, what He would do if He were here.  Says the things that He would say.  Touches lives the way that He would if He were personally here.  She is, in every sense of the word, a savior for those around her.  She saves me all the stinking time.  Saves me from the monotony of each day, stresses of school, frustrations of life...  There is one quote that always makes me think of Jen.  It's by an anonymous author who said, "Live in such a way that people who know you but don't know Christ will want to know Christ because they know you."  Jen lives in just such a way.  And I will even take it one step further.  Not only do people who know Jen want to know Christ because they knew her, they come to know Him better through her.  That is true in my own life.  I know that I know Christ better because I know Jen.  She has taught me so much about living a Christlike life and developing Christlike attributes.  What a blessing and an incredible example she is in my life.  I stinking love that girl!

always an adventure with this girl :)

My Fantastic Roommates - from patience to laughter, they teach me SO much.  Sometimes I think He's crazy, but really, I have to admit that Heavenly Father knew just exactly what He was doing sticking the 6 of us together in this little apartment.  I've learned a lot about learning to compromise and not judging others.  Heavenly Father has brought these 5 girls into my life to teach me that every day, everyone is fighting their own battles, but we don't have to fight alone.  We have so much that we can offer to others to help them, ease their burdens, fight their battles alongside them.  From a smile, to a sweet note, or from a cleaned kitchen, to a late night chat... when we take time to be kind to others, that kindness comes back to us ten-fold.  When we put the needs of others above our own, we are often surprised to see that others are doing the same for us.  I've seen miracles happen in our apartment with my roommates and I know that they will continue to happen according to our faith and diligence.

Mr. Ty Wonderful Gregson - a friend that I've needed more than even I realized.  He's been the answer to so many of my prayers and has helped me through so much.  He's taught me more about hope and endurance in the last two weeks than I would have ever learned in a lifetime.  He's been there so much for me the last couple weeks and I can't even say how thankful I am for him and his friendship.  He teaches me how to smile even when life's situations threaten to make you a sour puss.  He helps me see that there's something to learn from everyone and everything.  He's taught me that the Lord is ever aware of us and our desires and He truly does want to bless our lives.  I really hope that our relationship keeps progressing, but no matter what happens, I know I've for sure become a better person because of Ty.  For which I will be forever grateful.  I know that Heavenly Father sent Ty into my life to help me to learn and to grow.  And I will be grateful for whatever I get.  Ty is amazing.  I never want to lose him as a friend and that inspires me to do all I possibly can to be the kind of friend that deserves a friend like him. That's another thing Heavenly Father has taught me through Ty.  Become the kind of person that you hope to attract, whether as a friend or future spouse.  The idea of 'Be the change you wish to see in the world'.  Be the kind of person that you want to be friends with.

typical Ty grin that I love

My incredible sister and her adorable family - I honestly am blown away every single day about how blessed I am to have Kassie and Jared in my life.  I don't know what I did to be blessed with such an amazing sister, but I would do it a zillion times over again without hesitation if it meant having a sister even half as amazing as Kas is.  And then add to the mix her adorable family.  Aiden and Bracksen - despite being under two years old - have taught me more about life than I ever imagined.  Kas, Jare, Aiden and Bracks remind me daily to maintain eternal perspective.  Remind me to look past the here and now, to not get caught up in the monotonous routine of every day, but to really look and see that there is something more, a much bigger picture to look forward to.  They remind me to not give up hope, to just continue being a good girl, continue loving life, and wait for promised blessings to be fulfilled.  I am amazed by the faith that they have and live by and it inspires me apply more faith in my own life.

aren't they stinking adorable!?!

My Loyal and Loving Grandparents - forever my biggest fans and favorite people.  They are such a great support to me and also a source of strength.  They are always there when I need them, even when I don't realize that I need them.  They cheer me up and give me the perfect advice.  They help me more than they will ever know.  They've taught me a lot about how to live a life with purpose and meaning.  Their example is one that I cherish and admire so much.  I am so grateful for them and for the constant that they are in my life.

I LOVE them!

My Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ - My song and salvation.  My friend and exemplar.  My Master and teacher.  My constant and rock.  The Hope of Israel.  The Light and the Life of the World.  The Good Shepherd.  I've learned more about Him and the person He is and His character because of the people in my life.  He is the ultimate reason that each day I am changing for the better.  It is through Him that we can grow the most.  I know that my Savior lives.  I know that He knows us and loves us, individually and personally.  I know that His Atonement is real and that we can access His power through obedience and striving to become like Him.  I know that it is through that Atonement that we are changed for the better and changed for good.  Let us follow Him and allow Him change us that we may become more like Him. "...that when He shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may purified even as He is pure..." (Moroni 7:48).