My Greatest Duty

"After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel.” (Joseph Smith) 

I've been thinking about this quote lately. I've had some awesome opportunities (outside of this blog) recently to share what I believe. 

I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I KNOW it is true. That is why I want to share it with everyone I know (but sometimes fear gets in my way. But, that's another story.). 

And this is the main purpose of this blog. To invite others to come unto Christ. I might not be direct about that in my posts, but it is my hope that after reading my posts you will want to know more.

I saw a quote on Pinterest the other day that I really liked, 

 "

We do not draw people to Christ by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it."

  -Madeleine L’Engle 

I really like that.

I'm a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I love it.

If you want to know more, visit lds.org, Mormon.org, or ask me. 

The Tender Mercies of the Lord

I've been thinking about "tender mercies" a lot lately. I guess my heart and eyes have been opened to them more so as of late. Elder Bednar says, "the Lord’s tender mercies do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Faithfulness and obedience enable us to receive these important gifts and, frequently, the Lord’s timing helps us to recognize them." I know that is true.

Can't remember who said it, but someone also said, "The Lord is in the details of our lives." I've seen that.

I decided to buy a small journal and start writing down the "tender mercies" I experience. I look forward to looking back at them and remembering the Lord's hand in my life - especially on those particularly rough days.

Tithing

.... I have a real testimony of it. I've seen some tangible blessings in my life lately because of paying it. The Spirit has kind of whispered to me, "hey, by the way, this is because you pay your tithing!" The Lord never ceases to amaze me. We give Him what little we have (which isn't even ours to begin with) and He gives us so much back. It's not always the blessings we'd like or that we're hoping for, but He always pulls through!

We Seek After These Things

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul--We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

(Articles of Faith:13)

This is one of the Church's "articles of faith." I've been thinking about this and taking it to heart lately- specifically the last part of that.

There are so many good people in the world. There are so many good people in AND outside of the LDS Church. God fearing, loving, kind people who are striving to live good lives. I've always known this and accepted it, but recently my eyes have been more opened to it I guess you could say.

I like to read blogs. I've come across some blogs lately where the writer's views are so similar to mine and to the Church's. It is so refreshing. It's good to know there are so many of us Christians out there. While we may have some differences in opinions and beliefs, there is a lot we have in common.

I've also enjoyed reading books by Max Lucado and Joel Osteen.

I've also been listening to Christian radio stations such as "KLOVE" and "Air1." This has been nothing but good and inspiring for me. The music played on these stations is not produced by the Church, but it is "virtuous" and "lovely."

I still have a firm testimony of my beliefs and the Church I belong to and will never leave, but these things have only added to and enhanced my faith. I really do believe there is so much good in the world. And I know The Lord wants us to seek after it.

Tender Mercies

It is amazing how in the middle of a crazy, busy day at work a few kind words can impact me so very much. I've kind of said it before, but words are powerful. Maybe words mean so much to me because I studied communication in college (or, rather, I think I studied communication in college because words mean so much). But, anyway, words can do so much. 

In the middle of my hectic day, I received a nice text from someone. I was so touched. It was some kind words. You know what that means? Someone was thinking of me. Someone acted on a thought/prompting to say something to me. And to me, that’s a tender mercy. It is evidence to me that the Lord loves me. He works through His children here on earth. I hope that I can be a vessel for Him like so many others have been.

I’ve posted a lot about the Lord’s love lately. That’s because I’ve been feeling it in greater abundance in my life (and when I feel the Lord’s love I want to share it). And I think that’s because I’ve been working harder to recognize it than I have in the past several months. It’s like the scripture “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you.”

I can absolutely testify that it works. It really does. If we do our best to draw near unto Him by reading our scriptures and praying – specifically pouring out our hearts to God and letting Him know the burdens we feel, He WILL draw near unto us. There will still be bad, hard times. But, in between those hard times, we will find little gems – little tender mercies (aka little texts) – that come from the Lord to remind us He loves us. 

Weary Not

Just listening to this tonight. I think it is so beautiful!

Weary Not

If the way be full of trial, weary not;
If it's one of sore denial weary not;

If it now be one of weeping,

There will come a joyous greeting,

When the harvest we are reaping, weary not

CHORUS

Do not weary by the way

Whatever be thy lot

There awaits a brighter day

To all, to all who weary, weary not

If the way be one of sorrow, weary not;
Happier will be the morrow, weary not;

Here we suffer tribulation,

Here we must endure temptation,

But there'll come a great salvation, weary not;

If misfortunes overtake us, weary not;
Jesus will never forsake us, weary not;

He will leave us never, never,

From His love there's naught can sever,

Glory to the Lamb forever, weary not

(“If the Way be Full of Trial, Weary Not,” Deseret Sunday School Songs (1909), no. 158)