A Laundry Basket Full of Todays

I just got done putting away my laundry.

This is finals week.

Although these two sentences may seem to be completely unrelated, I can assure you that there is something that ties them together. Time.  Because it is finals this week, the past few weeks have been extremely busy.  I have been writing papers and completing projects like a mad woman!  In all the end of the semester hype, I have neglected to do laundry for the past three weeks... which resulted in a mammoth pile of laundry to do tonight. Let me just say one thing about how I feel about doing laundry. I really really dislike it. Mostly because it takes me ages to put all of it away. If I just wasn't such a picky person I could cut the time it takes me put away all of my laundry in half... but I am... So it takes me FOREVER  to put things away  just the way I like them. Despite the chore taking up such a large chunk of my time, there is one good thing about putting away my clothes... it gives me time to think--my mind is able to just wander, and sometimes I come up with some thought provoking stuff. The following post is a result of mindlessly hanging up far too many shirts and folding far too many pairs of socks.

It all began when I thought about how many clothes I had to put away, and how much time it was taking. Then I realized that "one day" the chore of laundry will take much, much longer... and I will probably be doing it much more frequently than once every two to three weeks; when I have a family, I will be spending much more time on laundry. This realization lead me to think about how awesome this time in my life is.  Let me expound.

I have the awesome opportunity to go to college at a wonderful university. I have a great ward and I'm surrounded by awesome people who help me uphold my standards. I have great co-workers. Co-workers, who, are some of my best friends.  I'm grateful for all of these blessings... but this post is not about blessings, so let me try and explain why I'm listing them. I'm doing so because I've noticed the importance of having a good attitude towards life.  I could have very well said, "I write so many papers for school,  and I get so worn out. I have so many meetings for church I feel like I live there more than I do at my house. And as much as I love my job, it's never going to take me where I want to go in life." While all of these statements are true, they all reek of a bad attitude, and, if I were to say them, I'd be complaining. Complaining about my situation isn't going to make it any better... it will only make it worse because my attitude will worsen. As my attitude becomes worse, I will focus more on the bad and less on the good (It's very much a cyclical process). So... in context of folding laundry, my life is awesome. Why? Because I can do it the way that I like, and I know that it will get done the right way. Also, I only have me to do laundry for... so it really isn't so bad! So lesson number one? Have a good attitude about where you are in life right now. No matter where you are, I can guarantee that there are things to be grateful for. If you are having a hard time being grateful, then you best be changing your attitude... because it's hard to be grateful with a "baditude." :)

Lesson number two is closely tied with lesson number one. Lesson number two is to live for today. I, for one, know that I am guilty of the "holding out for tomorrow" syndrome. By this I mean that I think tomorrow will be better than today, and that I will be happier then than I will be now. I fall into this trap when I get caught up in wanting the results of my goals before doing the work to actually achieve those goals. I think the reason this is such a struggle for me is because I am such an impatient person.  But one thing I've learned about life, is that it will work out when it is right for it to, not necessarily when I want it to. If this is the case, then why should I prolong my happiness? Why should I put off being happy until I can reach the results of my goal? Why not find joy in the journey of obtaining that goal? This goal reminds me of one of my favorite quotes, it's from the Music Man. "You pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll find you are left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays."  Why not fill each day with happiness? That way, when you accomplish your goal, you have a life full of joyful moments to look back on! 

So how does one go about successfully accomplishing lesson number two? First, set goals. Whether they are long-term, or short-term... get a direction in life. You can accomplish just about anything if you set your mind to it and you're willing to work for it. There is nothing more satisfying than achieving your goals in life. But don't get so caught up in the quest that you forget to look around and enjoy the ride a little. Find a reason to laugh every day... no matter how difficult life may seem. I heard a very wise woman once say "when life gets difficult, the tough find humor." So no matter how easy or difficult your life may be, laugh a little more. Be silly. Do something crazy. Make the small moments count, because often times, they're the ones that really count. In short, live every day. It's invigorating. :)

What have I gleaned from my time spent doing laundry today? A reminder to keep my eyes open to the possibilities that are right under my nose. Life is what you make it, it always has been and it always will be. So make it great. Don't hold out for tomorrow for happiness... for surely tomorrow will be great, but why not make today wonderful as well?

He Will Not Fail Us

“His purposes fail not, neither are there any who can stay from his hand.” (D&C 76:3)  From this beautiful verse I gleaned so much about my relationship with my Savior.  First, he can be trusted, and so can his ways. His purposes are not going to fail. In a world where so many things are falling apart, his ways will not.  When so many people fail to keep their promises… he will continue to keep his. Second, none can stay from his hand. Without an understanding of our savior’s infinite love for each of us, this part of the verse could be seen as something to fear. But that is not the case. It is because I know my savior is loving and kind that this part is beautiful. Because I have an understanding of his love (albeit imperfect) I find an incredible amount of peace and comfort in this promise. There is no one who is exempt from his love, his power, the service he is willing to give: his atonement.

Jewels to God

One of the things that I know, with every fiber of my being, is that Heavenly Father lives.  Along with that knowledge, I have come to know that he revers his children in such a high and esteemed manner.  In D&C 60:4 He refers to his children as jewels. We are his jewels because have infinite worth. I find it interesting that the world seeks after money and riches, and Heavenly Father uses this metaphor to describe his children.  He wants us to know how much we are worth to him.

But more than that,  we are also his jewels in the sense that we are his special treasure.  We have literally been bought and paid for--purchased--by the blood of his son.  Would God let his son sacrifice his life for the souls of those whom he did not consider of great worth? Certainly not. He allowed Christ to suffer such great pain and agony because he also loves us--and because we are of great worth to him-- we are his jewels.  God loves us.  He loves me. And I love him.  Why?  Because he loved me first. 

D&C 60:4 For I, the Lord, rule in the heavens above, and among the armies of the earth; and in the day when I shall make up my jewels all men shall know what it is that bespeakesth the power of God.

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

The Power Within Them

I wonder if we recognize the power that each of us has within us.  We are all children of our Heavenly Father--the divine being of the universe.  Think of that.  It's kind of a big deal.  As I think about what it means that I am a child of the greatest being in the universe, and that his power is in me, I realize that it is a huge responsibility to have that power.  Along with that responsibility comes great expectations.  The expectation is that we will use that power to do good--to help others, to edify, to build up those who are around us and the Lord's kingdom. But having that responsibility and expectation is also a huge blessing.  As we use that power for good, we ourselves are also uplifted and edified. Furthermore, it is by choosing to use the power that has been given to us righteously that helps us gain our eternal salvation.

I feel as though the Lord gave us the power to do good so that we can help those around us, as well as to help ourselves.  My amazing Doctrine and Covenants professor said something that really made me ponder this the other day. He said the point of this life is not to come to earth and merely keep the commandments.  We were already doing that in the pre-mortal existence.  The point of this life is to see what else we can do!  I loved that. And I agree completely. Keeping the commandments is a wonderful and noble cause, but there are so many other things that need to be done.  Why settle for being comfortable, and merely doing the things that we have already mastered?


D&C 58:28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

When I Don't Stand Alone

Virtue. By definition, it's a pattern of living that encompasses high moral standards.  It's much more than just chastity. It's much more than just doing what is right when it's easy or when others are watching you.  It's doing what is right all of the time. No matter the circumstances or the consequences. I've been thinking about virtue a lot lately.

As I've been thinking about virtue, and how I can become more virtuous, I have discovered something very interesting-- virtue attracts virtue.  Those who are willing to live a virtuous life seem to pull together.  It's the whole "light attracts light" notion.  While those who are not seeking to live a virtuous life, scorn those who are.  This latter truth is what I'd like to talk about first.

Sometimes, when I'm trying my hardest to do what is right, I feel like I get accosted for it... and quite frankly, it sucks.  It's difficult to know that those who you consider to be your friends do not support you in your quest to be a better person--it's even harder when you realize that they are mocking you for your decisions to live righteously. These times are hard, and it offers an excuse to shrink back into old, comfortable, easy habits--but that's not why I came to this life. I did not come here to be comfortable. I did not come here to please those think I'm trying too hard to be too good. I came here to please my God. 

I'd also like to talk a little about how light attracts light.  Sometimes, as I have been trying to do the right thing, I have felt completely and utterly alone. It seems like every time I am feeling alone in the fight for good, the Lord has a way of reminding me that there are others who are very much like me, close by my side, fighting for the same cause that I am.  Sometimes I get these impressions while I'm at devotional and I see the entire congregation singing, or I feel it after having a talk with a friend, or sometimes, I just see people do good things on campus that remind me that I am not alone.  I love that reassurance.  I love seeing a throng of good people trying to do their best. I love that they, like me, do not have to be perfect yet, only trying to be.  I love talking to my friends, because when we get to know those who surround us, we come to realize that the emotions we feel are much the same as those who surround us. Sometimes the experiences that bring us to feel those emotions are much different, but the emotions associated with those experiences are the same, and those similar emotions are what allows us to help create bonds with those who surround us.  And I love seeing people do good things.  The good acts of strangers have often inspired me to do a little better, and have given me hope that I am not alone in the cause.

I am so grateful that when I feel like I am standing alone, I am not. I know that I always have the Lord and my Heavenly Father on my side, but there are a ton of good people all around me too. 

Trials are My Biggest Blessing

I don't profess to know everything.  I am made aware on a daily basis just how much more there is for me to learn.  But one thing that I have learned for certain is that rather than asking for my trials to be removed from me, it's better to pray for strength to endure them, to pray to be able to learn the lessons that I need to from them, and to pray that I will be able to continue to be happy while I patiently wait for them to pass. My dearest friend once described it to me as "learning to ask the Lord to give me a stronger back to carry my load rather than lifting the load from me."

The prophet Joseph Smith did an excellent job illustrating the principle I speak of.  Rather than asking the Lord to remove his problems, he asked him how much longer he would need to endure them.  I feel as though the key to finding happiness in trials and in learning to endure trials well is to stop asking the Lord to remove our trials from us.  Trials are what lead us to grow, and growth is what brings us closer to our Savior.  We are brought closer to our Savior not only because we learn we can rely on him, but also because if we allow them to, we can learn Christ-like attributes from our trials: patience, love, empathy. I feel like that is the point of this life. To do a little better, to learn a little more from each trial, and to be happy through it all.

** This original post was written as a response to D&C Section 57 as a homework assignment. But in Gospel Doctrine today, we read 1 Peter 1: 7-9 which I feel like illustrate the same point :) Awesome find! So I'll throw them down here :)

7) That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

8) Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

9) Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

I've loved thinking about how trials are good for us because they teach us Christ-like attributes, and that is why they are more precious to us than gold.  I also know that mastering those Christ-like attributes is what is going to lead us to eternal salvation. And that makes me totally stoked!  Trials aren't all bad.  They really are a blessing.  Life is better than we realize. :)

Ramblings on Coveting

D&C 56: 16-20

Thou shalt not covet. It's one of the ten commandments. If it was important enough to make it into one of the things that the Lord wanted his people to work on ever since the time of Moses, it's probably still pretty important now. One of the many problems with coveting is that it ruins relationships. The first relationship that it damages is that of ours with our Lord. When we covet, we are not recognizing what we do have, and thus we cannot have a thankful heart. Who, being thankful can look at what they have and want more? Who being truly grateful for what the Lord has blessed them with can lust after what another has? Covetousness puts a wedge in our relationship with our God because it is as if we are saying that what he has given us is not enough.

Another relationship that covetousness damages is that of the one who possesses the object or quality we are coveting. If we covet our neighbors clothes, their spouse, their home... if we are jealous of them in any manner, then we put our relationship with them in jeopardy. We will no longer be able to view them as people who have accomplished great things, but rather as competition; and competition never fosters a loving relationship.

The lord does not want us to look at what others have and be jealous. He wants us to recognize what we have and be happy with what he has given us. He knows what we need. He will make sure we have the things that are essential for our happiness and progression. It's important that we don't get caught up in all of the "stuff" of the world, and that we focus on what really matters most.

This is What Family is All About

Family is so much more than just those people you grow up with.

They're the ones who you can turn to when your life is turning inside out.

They're the ones who share your deepest sorrows and your greatest joys.

The ones who will sacrifice what they have to make it possible for your greatest dreams to come true.

I'm not delusional. I've been part of a family for a very long time now. And it's not all rainbows and butterflies.

Sometimes family drives you nuts.

You weep for them.

You wish like crazy they would make different decisions.

Sometimes family can be the source of your deepest anguish.

But they're yours. And there's something beautiful about that.

I'm so grateful for my family.

They're the best.

I KNOW That My Redeemer Lives

Last night, I gave my last spiritual thought at Ward Prayer. I gave the thought on the difference between believing in Christ and knowing Christ. I know without a doubt that I have a Savior who loves me. Who cares for me. I know that I have a Savior who carried out the Atonement for every sin, pain and sorrow that I would ever commit or feel. I know this. I don't just believe it. I am so grateful for that knowledge. That knowledge is what has lead me to stand up for Him, to live the standards of the gospel. I think of all that he has done for me and I cannot let that go to waste. I cannot let what others may think of me deter me from doing what I know to be true. I know that I have a redeemer because the Holy Ghost has left impressions on my heart that I cannot deny. I've felt the truthfulness of it, and I continue to feel the truthfulness of it everyday.

I know that anyone who wants to have this knowledge for themselves can come to have it. President Joseph Fielding Smith said that the knowledge of the redeemer is a gift of the spirit, and in D&C 46 vs 28 &30 it is promised that those who ask in the spirit will receive in the spirit. Ask for the knowledge. You'll receive it. It's true.

Prayers of a Stranger

Today I went to a Stake Relief Society Party. There was food, service projects, and uplifting messages. It was a grand time. But the take home message from today was that of the prayers of a stranger. Let me explain.

One of my dear friends was explaining how she has an interview for a new job this week. She then went on to say that if she gets this job, she will be able to go home for Christmas. I then heard a girl (who did not know my friend, or that I was listening to her talk) tell her friend that she would pray that my friend would get the new job so she would be able to go home for Christmas. This girl that I was now listening to went on to say that she knew how horrible it was to spend the holidays away from your family and so she was going to make sure to keep my friend in her prayers. The love that this stranger was willing to show for my friend warmed my heart. It is so easy to pray for the ones you know, but to pray for the ones you don't know is something else. The love that this wonderful sister showed my friend today is something I will never forget. It inspires me to do a little better--to offer a few more prayers for those whom I don't know. I'm so grateful for the wonderful sister who was willing to make my friends concerns hers, and for the wonderful example she gave to me.

Decisions

I must admit something about myself. I have a desire to make good decisions. Sometimes I fall short, but the intentions of my heart are usually good. I realize that some people struggle to have the desire to be good, but this is not my struggle--my struggle is making the right decision when I have no idea where my life is going. Sometimes, (like right now in particular) I feel like I have no idea which direction my life is going. This makes it extremely hard for me to make decisions that I feel comfortable with: decisions that could very well alter the course of my life. My hesitation to make these life altering decisions is not a derivative of lack of faith, or lack of knowledge of my Heavenly Father's plan for me. I know that he knows what is right for me.. I just do not know what he would have me do. At times like this, I find solace in knowing that as long as I'm living the way I should, and I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing, life will work out the way it's supposed to. As long as I'm doing things that edify, and are of God, then the decisions that I make will be the correct ones.

Awesome Articles

As psychology undergrad and an aspiring social worker... I fell in love with this article. (Even if you aren't interested in working in either of those fields, it's a really good read :) )

As a self admitted perfectionist, and one who used to have a perfect GPA and still secretly wishes I had one... I fell in love with this article. Even though it is long, and is directed to BYU students, there is truth in it for students on all campuses. :)

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the BYU article:

"I believe that each of us has been foreordained to a specific mission. We have been preserved to come forth in this particular time of the world's history, and we will be held accountable to a loving Father in Heaven for how well we learn and fulfill the divine purpose whereunto we have been called. The purpose of education, then, is to assist us as we discover, prepare for, and freely fulfill our divinely ordained missions."

"As you seek to discover your divine mission, learn to grow where you are planted. In fact, learn to look for places where you can make a difference. Church service should not be postponed until life is easier. I don't know if it ever gets easier. If you don't learn to serve the Lord while you are in school, how will you answer that you learned all you should have while attending BYU? I once heard wonderful counsel about selecting a career. When a man was asked why he had chosen to become a minister, he replied, "I looked where the fighting was the heaviest and where the lines were the thinnest, and that's where I chose to go." Part of your opportunity to serve the kingdom of God depends more upon where you live than on the specific career you select. Seeking the comforts of an exclusive neighborhood may exclude you from significant opportunities to make a difference. Don't aspire to comforts, be they economic or religious. Don't stay here too long. The world needs you!

The Lord has told us that those who need to be commanded in all things are slothful servants. We should be anxiously engaged in good causes of our own free will and choice and "bring to pass much righteousness" (see D&C 58:26 27), even if it doesn't increase our GPA. We are to "seek learning, even by study and also by faith" (D&C 88:118), even if it isn't required on the final exam. We are to pursue everything that is "virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy" (Articles of Faith 1:13), even if we don't get credit for it.

In contrast, the thinking most useful for excelling in the game of school does not fit very well into the kingdom of God. For example, can you imagine someone seriously asking, "What's the least I can do to make it into the celestial kingdom?" Wouldn't it seem strange to try to think up strategies to help you compete better in the final judgment or to practice techniques for making a better impression at the judgment bar? This type of thinking may work well for schooling as a game, but it isn't celestial thinking--and these aren't celestial questions.

I've heard it said that education is the only area that Americans pay for and almost hope to be cheated--to be asked to do as little as possible for the credit. I'm afraid I was guilty. In the world's education one can get A's in theology without even believing in God, and one can receive top honors in the "Marriage and Family Living" course while contributing to a painful divorce or abusing family members. But an education for the Lord's errand requires a focused mind, a pure heart, and a life of integrity."

"I'm not completely comfortable with describing our effort at BYU as trying to combine the sacred with the secular. I would feel better describing it as an effort to learn the temporal in the context of the eternal. Spiritual experiences cannot be secular, but I know of no "secular" subject that cannot and should not be spiritual. Tell Abraham, for example, that astronomy is a secular subject. The Lord has told us that he never gives temporal commandments because all things are spiritual unto him--and I believe that they ought to be for us as well. The languages of Chinese or Finnish could certainly be considered secular subjects, but when we study them in the context of serving a mission--a proselyting mission or a life mission--they become unequivocally spiritual.

The sacred and the secular are not determined primarily by the subject matter but by the hearts and purposes of those engaged in the process. From this perspective, if we are not studying to prepare for our divine mission, even to study the most sacred texts will be a secular experience. (I fear that for me, too often my religion classes were almost as secular as my other classes because my heart was so enamored with the game of school.) Our challenge is to see the sacred nature of all truth and to pursue it in such a way that we fulfill the mission to which God has and will call us. I am not suggesting that all truth is of equal value or importance but that the way in which we pursue it, if done by the Spirit, will become part of our divine mission--part of our exaltation."

"Grades seemed to dominate my life. But whatever else grades can measure, they cannot measure what is most important. A GPA is not an average of that which matters most. Even with the most conscientious effort to be fair and equitable in how grades are given, they are often used to justify assigning people into a society divided into "ranks, according to their riches and their chances for learning" (3 Nephi 6:12). And whatever Christian justification might be given for grades, I do know that if we allow our learning to be primarily motivated and dominated by them, we will be serving the wrong master. If any of us were to die at the end of the semester, I doubt that Saint Peter would ask to see our transcripts. We might, however, be asked, "You've just had a semester at BYU (or two or 12). How well have you used your time, talents, and energy to prepare yourself to serve the Lord?"

"But, Brother Richards," some may say, "you aren't being realistic! Grades do matter. I have to play the game. Unless I focus on grades, I won't be able to keep my scholarship; I won't be admitted into the most prestigious graduate program; I may not get the best job." The reality is, however, that you are not on this earth to maintain a scholarship, enter prestigious graduate schools, or beat someone else in the marketplace. You have a much higher standard. You need to please the Lord God Omnipotent. I promise you that if you please him, with an eye single to his glory, your life will not be without great opportunities. The Lord doesn't want you to shortchange your educational preparations. Your scholarship won't be less if you consecrate these preparations to him as an offering. I doubt your GPA will even decrease when you seek to serve the real Master. And, as with Daniel of old, others will see your good works and because of them "glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). True accountability is to him to whom someday we must all give an accounting. No mortal standard, no matter how rigorous, is high enough."

I Write What I Know

D&C 35: 8

“For I am God, and mine arm is not shortened; and I will show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name.”

“For I am God.” Is there anything more reassuring or more powerful? Think of it. If we know who God is, all He has done, and know of his infinite power, then we can automatically find peace in his ability to succor his people. Knowledge of God and our relationship with Him brings peace and reassurance to the soul.

In Isaiah 59:1 it gives some further enlightenment on what the phrase “mine arm is not shortened” means. When the Lord says his arm is not shortened, it means that there is nothing that is outside of his reach—there is absolutely nothing that the Lord cannot do.

A knowledge of God, our relationship with him, as well as the magnitude of his power allows us, as his children, to receive the blessings he has promised us. The Lord will indeed show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all of those who believe on his name. He will provide a way for those who are doing their best to obtain the guidance and revelation they need to withstand the trials and temptations that are in this life.

How do I know this? How can I make such claims? Because I’ve seen it in my life. I write so often about how much strength there is in coming closer to God, about how after you learn of Him and your relationship with Him, He will perform miracles in your life… I write about this because I write what I know from experience to be true. The miracles that have been made evident in my life have not been what the world would consider extravagant, but they have been miraculous: miraculous in the sense that they were what I needed. God has given me hope, joy, strength, and the courage to keep fighting. There is nothing that God’s arm cannot conquer, for He is God.

Going Through the Motions

Breathing. I do it all of the time, but unless I'm running I rarely consciously think about doing it. I just... do it. In and out, in and out--I go through the motions every day of my life. While the ability to focus my attention on other tasks and continue to breathe is a phenomena that I'm grateful for, there are some areas of my life that would be especially lacking if this concept overflowed into them.

One area that deserves all of my attention is relationships. I feel that it is important that I make sure that I never find myself guilty of going through the motions of being in a relationship. Doing so is unfair to both the other person as well as to myself. I need to make sure that when I tell someone that I love them, I am expressing it sincerely, and for the right reasons. There's no sense in me telling someone I love them if I don't sincerely mean it: simply pronouncing or declaring love does not establish or maintain love. I am not saying that I am going to stop telling those whom I love that I love them, rather, I am going to try and make certain that I am doing more than just saying words to them, I want them to be able to feel that I love them.

The notion of merely going through the motions in relationships is one that saddens me. Perhaps it saddens me so much because I have gone through the motions--and it was emotionless and joyless. From others' perceptions, my life was wonderful, but that was not the case. What I have learned from that experience is to love with all of my heart, all of the time. Why not experience the joy that there is to be had in actually bonding, connecting, and loving others? Love is not derived from holding hands or giving gifts; rather, it is gained by giving of one's self. It is acquired by learning to fulfill the needs of others. To feel rather than to simply exist.

Happiness :)

I was created in the image of God. This is true not only in the sense that my body was crated after the image of my creator’s—it is also true because I was created to have the same character as God. My God is cheerful, lively, and good natured. How do I know this? I know this because when I have his spirit, I too am cheerful, lively, and good-natured.

As I have come to invite the spirit of the Lord in my life, I have noticed that I have become genuinely happy. That is not to say that I have not ceased to have trials, sorrow, or grief—because I have continued to have all of them—but my spirit has been buoyed up, I have been able to find reasons to laugh, and I have found peace. This lightened load has increased my capacity to endure trials, and remain optimistic.

Being optimistic does not mean that you have to have a perm-a-grin on your face all of the time. God himself feels sorrow, and I was created in his image: I was made to feel. It brings me great comfort to know there is nothing wrong with me if I have a sad day, a sad week, or even a sad month as long as I’m remaining optimistic; I can have a sad day as long as I’m having a good life. Despite all of life’s difficulties, there is nothing temporal that can cancel out the joys that eternity has to offer: the joys that the gospel has to offer.

The gospel has brought such great joy into my life, joy and happiness beyond description. I don’t have all the logical answers, but I have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I have a knowledge of my Heavenly Father. I know that I am a Daughter of God. And I am happy. And that’s enough.

Daughters of Zion

"It is precisely because the Daughters of Zion are so uncommon that the adversary will not leave them alone."

The more often I have thought about the role of women in the church, the more I have come to realize how important it is that the daughters of the Lord come to know who they are. The daughters of Zion are, in fact, uncommon. We are uncommon because we believe in the family unit: we yearn to be mothers, to have children, to nurture. This undoubtedly sets us apart from many of our sisters in the world... we are unique, uncommon... and it is not a bad thing. We were meant to be a peculiar people--to set an example--surely the women of the church are no different in this manner than the men.

Our divine nature to create and nurture leaves the women of the church as a great threat to Satan... and that is why he works so hard on us. I feel like this is amplified within the LDS church. There is a stereotype of the perfect LDS woman: she has a vegetable garden, cans the products from her garden, keeps an immaculately clean home, produces children who always behave well in sacrament meeting, and is perfectly well kept at all times. This stereotype exists within our church, and far too many women believe that if they cannot meet this "cookie-cutter-mormon woman" they are somehow failing-- somehow less of a woman than her neighbor. This is a lie. Satan works so hard to convince the daughters of Zion that they are not enough. But this is not how the Lord wants his daughters to view themselves. A daughter of Zion needs to "lay aside the things of the world, and seek for the things of a better"--the things that actually matter.

Afflictions

D&C 24: 7-8

7: For thou shalt devote all thy service in Zion; and in this thou shalt have strength.

8: 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.

"Be patient." "Endure." "Everyone has afflictions." I have heard all of these phrases many times in my life... and admittedly, I myself have passed them on as words of advice or solace when a friend or loved one is struggling. I feel like this is good advice, but perhaps there is something more we could remind our friend, or ourselves when we are struggling. Perhaps we could share the truth that is found in the end of verse eight--the reality that Lord is with us. How amazing is that? The Lord is literally with us to lift us up and help us bear our afflictions "even unto the end of our days." Our ability to be patient and endure our afflictions is not something we can do alone. We are were not meant to suffer them alone. I was not meant to suffer alone.

Another incredible thing is that before the Lord even informed us about the trials that we would have, he gave us a solution to the problem. In verse seven we are counseled to give service, and then we are promised strength as a blessing for giving service. Here is yet another evidence that Heavenly Father is so incredibly kind and loving. He provides a solution to our problem before he even informs us about the problem that we will be faced with. Furthermore, He promises to remain by our side while we are encountering those afflictions and problems. Could there be a more perfect father? I cannot imagine one.

Voice of The Lord

D&C 21: 5-6
5. For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.
6. For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his names's glory.

I think about how often we seek to hear the voice of the Lord, how often we seek to get answers to specific questions. Whom to marry, which career to choose, or how to influence a certain family member or friend that seems to be struggling. But what about the things that we don't realize we need answers to? How do we seek an answer to a problem for which we are currently ignorant to? Are we to wait until the problems are upon us and then suppose the Lord will produce new doctrine or revelation that will aide us in our situation? While there are situations where personal revelation are necessary, many times the Lord has already provided answers to our questions--well in advance to our seeking for them--he does this through the voice of his Prophets.
Living prophets are one of the greatest blessings I can imagine. Not only because it testifies of God's love for his children, but because by obedience to their counsel and command we can obtain eternal glory. With this knowledge, who then are we to question any of the brethren's teachings? Can we limit what God wants us to tell us about any subject? No. Is it going to be easy to accept everything that the brethren council us to do? Probably not. But that is not the point. The point is to choose to be obedient to the Lord's commandment. If we choose to sustain the brethren, as prophets, seers, and revelators, then we should choose to accept the doctrine that they teach as well. This conscious choice to be obedient on our part will bring us great blessings.

Prayer

Misery loves company, and because of his choices, Satan is miserable. He will do anything in his power to bring us down to his level; he will do anything to ensure that we do not succeed. Satan works so hard to get us down. But we cannot let him win. Even passive lethargicism is a feeling that we need to be weary of. Life is beautiful. It was meant to be embraced. There will be times when it will be hard to see the silver lining in the storm cloud, there will be times when falling into a pessimistic attitude will be much easier than choosing to be optimistic, but we must not fall for Satan's traps. When we are at our lowest, we are more susceptible to his tactics. I am under no delusion that we can outsmart Satan: he is very good at what he does. But this does not mean he is an unbeatable foe. When those difficult times come, the times where we are at our very lowest, the times when we are struggling the most, pray. There is power in prayer. Satan cannot be our master if we choose to give our will to another.

Reality of Maturity and Happiness

"To the immature, other people are not real."

We all experience the same emotions: we all know joy, sorrow, and loneliness. Even though we come to learn these emotions through differing circumstances and situations, we are united in that we, as people—as humans—have all felt them. We can relate to each other. I feel as if many of us are better at relating to those we know, but the true test of one’s maturity and character is how they treat those they don't know. Once we can learn to acknowledge that the stranger sitting next to us is as real as we are—that they are as human as us—I believe we become more mature beings, coming closer to our divine potential.

"The kind of people we are cannot be separated from how we interpret the world around us." This quote, along with the entire section about how to obtain happiness is incredible. Life is difficult, this is a fact. It is also true that often times, it is fraught with illness, affliction, grief, and pain. But that does not necessitate that it be devoid of happiness. Warner put it beautifully when he said that life "is more like a decision than a condition." It is far too easy to fall a victim of circumstance and allow ourselves to justify a bad attitude. We must remember that Happiness is an attitude, not a diagnosis. Unlike the trials you are faced with, which you often have little control over, you do have complete control over your attitude. If we choose to be happy, then we will see or interpret the world in a much more positive light. I am not suggesting that we become ignorant to that which is bad in the world, but rather, to take notice of what is good, and choose to dwell on that. Life is what we choose to make it.

Balancing Desires

The home is crumbling. The family is crumbling. The basic unit of eternity is being attacked from all angles. Confusion of gender roles and supposed stereotypes has inflicted an internal struggle for those who seek to desire both career as well as family success. The struggle between our desires to be successful in the academic or business world and our desires to be successful in the home are constantly competing... how do we satiate these seemingly opposing desires? We turn to the temple.

Protection from the increasing wickedness can be found there. The strength that one receives from regularly attending the temple will act as a shield against the lies the adversary would have members of the church believe. The temple offers a place where members can leave the things of the world and focus on what truly matters: eternal principles and knowledge. This knowledge along with promptings of the Holy Ghost will help us find a way to balance all of the righteous desires of our hearts. As we attend the temple regularly, and seek to make it a part of ourselves, the spirit of the temple will be with us not only while we are inside of those hallowed walls, it will always accompany us. As we seek to carry the spirit of the temple with us, the good and great things we will accomplish in this life will not only be within the walls of our homes... it, like all light, will spread into every aspect of our lives.

Education and Women

"I am feminist." As of late, I find myself saying this with more frequency and more pride than ever before. Why am I feminist? Because I understand what being feminist really is. It has nothing to do with the stereotypical, bra-burning, man-hating female who is running rampant in the streets. Rather, being feminist is being a proponent of feminism.

What, then, is Feminism? My Women's Studies professor always described it as women taking control of their own destiny. The longer I have thought about that definition, the more I have come to love it. Why do I love it? Because it helps even out the playing field that society has created; being born a woman does not make you a victim of an unfortunate circumstance. Women can be informed. Women can be educated. Women can be opinionated. Women have options. The notion that women are capable of creating whatever future they want for themselves is a feminist belief--a belief that I personally find empowering.

Why is a feministic attitude so empowering? Because if embraced, it negates every derogatory thought, statement, joke, ect. that has ever been said about a woman. Women are strong: although there is a biological difference that puts us at a slight disadvantage to men, emotionally and mentally we have the same capacities that they do. The statistic that boys are better at math than girls are... is a lie. If there is any quantifiable, notable difference in the ability to compute math problems between boys and girls it has been derived from social conditioning rather than from an actual biological difference. But I digress... my point is this, women are capable of doing anything they set their mind to--including becoming educated.

There is no reason that women cannot become as educated as men, and in my opinion, women should be as educated as their male counterparts. There are many benefits to women being educated, but the most over-arching theme that I've seen is that education can improve a woman's quality of life--that is not to say that a woman cannot have a great life if she is not educated; however, if she is educated, the potential for her quality of life is increased. If you educate about her potential, her value, her worth I believe that you will, in fact, change her life. If you want to decrease teen pregnancy as well as the amount of women who are being domestically abused, educate them. Far too many women do not understand that they have the right to say no: that they deserve to be treated as an equal, and that they are not here on earth merely for the enjoyment of man. If you teach women that they are worth something, that they have options other than remaining in meaningless, demeaning, subservient roles, the world would change. Do I have statistical evidence to back up these claims? Presently, No. But give me a few years, a MSW and I think you'd be surprised what I'll be able to show you.

Faith to Move Mountains

"As I think about faith, this principle of power, I am obliged to believe that it is an intelligent force. Of what kind, I do not know. But it is superior to and overrules all other forces of which we know... We have had this great power given unto us, this power of faith. What are we doing about it? Can you, can we, do the things that the Savior did? Yes. They have been done by the members of the Church who had the faith and the righteousness so to do. Think of what is within your power if you but live the Gospel, if you but live so that you may invoke the power which is within you." -President J. Rebuen Clark Jr. (In Conference Report, Apr. 1960, p.21)

How many forces and principles do we know? We know of gravity and inertia, as well as the conservation of mass and energy. But let us not forget the principle of faith. . Faith is not only a principle, it is a power: a power with which miraculous things can occur.

We read in the scriptures about ancient prophets who were able to perform miracles and command the elements, and change the face of the earth… all because they had enough faith. I feel as though many of us will not be called to defy the physical forces of science and move mountains from one hemisphere to another... but many will be faced with huge spiritual mountains that need to be conquered. When life's inevitable trials and tribulations come upon us, how do we overcome them? How do we become victorious? We establish a principle to which man's teaching alone cannot compare: Faith.

But how do we establish such faith? How do we harness the power that is within us? We work. As simple as it sounds, that is what must be done. Great blessings and power do not come to those who simply wish for them. If we desire to have the kind of faith that our Savior does, we must be willing to pray sincerely daily, have daily scripture study, serve others, and attend the temple regularly. This notion of daily diligence allows us to live in a manner so we can "invoke the power that is within us."

The power within us is real. Our capacity to overcome the trials and mountains in life is real. If we work for the power that is within us. If we magnify our potential. If we have faith.

Humanity and the Lies We Tell Ourselves

Humanity. What does it mean to treat someone humanely? Warner claims that our own humanity is intimately tied with our ability to perceive or sense others needs and feelings. Warner also states that “to recognize another individual as a person, even if we don’t see a face or hear a voice, is to know that we should treat him or her differently from the way we would treat a mannequin or a statue.” A statue doesn’t mind if you take advantage of it or if you ignore it for days. The difference between a statue and a person is a person has feelings. A person has needs. But how can we know how to fulfill these needs? One must find in them a willingness to act upon the impressions that they receive; one must learn to act.

We must learn to look outside yourself and search for the opportunity to fulfill those needs. We know what you should do to help someone. We receive thoughts and impressions that we should go visit a friend at work, say a kind thing to a stranger, or write a note to an old friend. But what keeps us from actually doing them? Selfishness. Selfishness, in large part, is the belief that our situation is more difficult or more important that those who surround you. We often justify our tendency to put our needs and desires above others, but that does not make it right. We must fight the urge to get so caught up in our own lives that we forget to look around us—that we forget to treat those around us as people, as individuals who have feelings and emotions, and who experience life just as we do. When we can learn to stop justifying our mistreatment of others, we will become more humane.

The Work

D&C 4:3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to do the work.

"It is not necessary for you to be called to go into the mission field in order to proclaim the truth. Being on the man who lives next door by inspiring confidence in him. By inspiring confidence in him, by inspiring love in him for you because of your righteousness, and your missionary work has already begun." -Elder George Albert Smith (In Conference Report, Oct. 1916, pp. 50-51.)

Desire. What an interesting word. A desire of the heart is more than just a mere wish—it is a sincere longing. I feel as though the desires of one’s heart and their willingness to act upon their intentions often go hand in hand. A lie that circulates in the church is that the only work to be done is that of formally called missionaries. However, if one simply has the desire to serve the Lord, then there is work for you... and you can be a missionary of sorts. A missionary doesn’t have to be preaching the doctrine of the church all of the time. That is not to say that a disciple of Christ should turn down opportunities to share the gospel… but some of the work that needs to be done requires more than just preaching. There are far too many members who come to church feeling lonely. There are far too many members of our community that feel alienated from their “Mormon neighbors” because of their religion. How do we bridge these gaps? How do we soothe these troubled souls? We reach out to them. We love them. We share with them the love of their Heavenly Father. Not only by informing them of it, but by showing them love. We instill in them the confidence they need to feel like they are no longer an outcast: neither in the place they call home, nor in the place they come to worship. Is full-time missionary service important? Undoubtedly. But that is not the only work to be done. Anyone who has the desire love, to care, to share any small truth of the gospel has been called. The work is not only informing people about the gospel, it is helping them along the way.

True Love

So I'm currently in a Doctrine and Covenants class, and I have to write a paper every class period about something that I learned.... I have a feeling that I will love these assignments :) it's almost like not even doing homework at all! Here's the one from today :)

Doctrine and Covenants 1:17
"Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments;"

Natural disasters, physical ailments, guilt, sin, wickedness in various forms, these problems—calamities if you will—are filling the earth like efy kids fill the Creamery on ninth on a hot summer’s night. Simply put, the world today has a lot of issues. I’ve heard a lot of pessimistic views expressed recently about the state of the earth, and there seems to always be a follow up question of how a loving Heavenly Father could send the children to such a fallen place. A place where the aforementioned calamities cause so much pain and suffering. Suffering which, in large part has been brought on by the very children who have been blessed to inhabit the earth.

Heavenly Father loves His children. He knew before the trials and calamities even started the pain and sorrow it would bring to those who fell captive to the ways of the world. He knows all things. He knew that there would be those who chose to corrupt the world which had been given as a gift to the children of men. So what did He do? Did he send the children that He loves and cares about so much to fend for themselves? No. He called a prophet so that He could lead his church by revelation. He gave us commandments. Commandments that if one chooses to follow will not become a hindrance to our social acceptance, but an aide to our eternal progression.

One of the many beauties of this gospel is that it teaches that we have a loving Heavenly Father.He is real. He has not sent us here to suffer alone. He, with his infinite knowledge, has prepared ways to keep us safe and happy… the only thing that we have to do is to choose to follow what He has asked.

Truth

I’ve been assigned to read “Bonds that make us Free” by C. Terry Warner for my Psychology of Gender class this semester… and I can already tell that I’m going to love it. The first treasure that I found was in the preface. Here, the author warned the reader of the danger of taking any advice at face value and accepting it as truth. There is wisdom in finding out for one’s self what truth is. Truth is subjective to each individual… and as such, there is no better authority on what is right for you, than yourself. That is not to say that you cannot learn from those who are experts in a certain field or from your spiritual leaders… just don’t follow anyone blindly. You have a mind. You have been given the gift of discernment and judgment. Use it. Test the things that are being presented to you—think them over carefully, and if you determine them to be truthful, embrace them; if you find them to be untrue, discard and avoid them.

Warner has more than just advice for accepting truth in relation to theories or doctrine... he also illustrates the importance of finding truth about the relationships you are in—and being honest with yourself about what is really occurring. It is hard to admit to yourself when you are mistreating someone. It is hard to admit that you are in the wrong. But that does not mean it is not the truth. It does not matter how educated or experienced you are if you are hurting the ones you love by mistreating them. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect. There are no extenuating circumstances that denote otherwise. It breaks my heart that often times the ones that we hurt the most are the ones that are closest to us: the ones we should be the most sensitive and kind to are sometimes the recipients of the vilest cruelty. When opposing opinions or difficult situations present themselves, loved ones become viewed as enemies. This is something that must be avoided.