Where Can I Turn For Peace?

I like to keep up with what's going on in the world by reading or watching the news. (I think part of it has to do with the fact that I studied Communications in college. In a few of my classes we were required to keep up with what was going on in the news.)

However, lately I've been really depressed by the news. It seems like there are so many horrible, horrible things going on in the world. It's true. And guess what? It's only going to get worse as we grow closer to the Second Coming. 

So, one might be looking for answers to all of this madness. While we don't won't always know why things happen, we can be assured that we are never alone. While there are still so many things going wrong in this world, there are still some things that are right. 

What keeps me going is my faith in and my knowledge of a loving Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ. We can only truly find peace by turning to our Savior. I really like the words of the following hymn:

Where can I turn for peace?
Where is my solace
When other sources cease to make me whole?
When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice,
I draw myself apart,
Searching my soul?

Where, when my aching grows,
Where, when I languish,
Where, in my need to know, where can I run?
Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?
Who, who can understand?
He, only One.

He answers privately,
Reaches my reaching
In my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend.
Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching.
Constant he is and kind,
Love without end.

Text: Emma Lou Thayne, b. 1924

Our Savior knows us and loves us perfectly. He has 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.”  (Matthew 11:28-30) 

Love Yourself

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, perhaps love is on your mind. Have you thought about how you should love yourself? You should. God loves you. You are His child.

Answering the Call

I recently saw this video and was very touched. As I've stated before, I served a mission. I too received a "call" as these people did. I didn't choose to go to Chicago (where I was called), but I definitely felt it was an inspired decision by my Church leaders to send me there. Young people- "Elders and Sisters" as we call them, serve for 18 to 24 months. They share the message of our Church full-time every day. It is completely voluntary, unpaid service (however, I feel that I have been "paid" in so many blessings).

What's Love Got to Do With it?

(I thought this post would be especially fitting with Valentine's Day coming up. :) )

Since most of my job consists of me working by myself at a computer, I can listen to music or talks during the day. I sometimes listen to talks given by LDS Church leaders to uplift and inspire me as I go throughout my work day.

One day this past week I listened to a talk given by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church. The talk is titled, "The Love of God." It is really powerful. I was touched. The following quote really struck me:

"Because love is the great commandment, it ought to be at the center of all and everything we do in our own family, in our Church callings, and in our livelihood. Love is the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is the bond that unites families, communities, and nations. Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. It is the source that overcomes divisiveness and hate. Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and our talk."

What struck me the most in that quote was the phrase, "Love is the power that initiates friendship." Personally, this applies to my life right now as I just moved to a new place and am trying to meet new people and make new friends.

This talk made me realize that sometimes I need to step back and see the bigger picture. It's easy to just go through out life without thinking about what we're doing, if that makes sense. But, I really think life in general would be a lot more fulfilling if we purposely went into things thinking about why we do what we do. Are we participating in that service project because we love the people we are serving? Do we think about the fact that maybe if we pray to have more love for someone that might help our relationship with that person? Is love part of our livelihood?

As he says, love should be at the center of everything we do.

So, what's love got to do with it (whatever "it" is, anyway)? Everything.

Hello!

Welcome to all who read this! I'm SO excited about this blog! I've been thinking about doing it for a little while, but haven't buckled down and done it. The idea has kept coming back and I feel like this is something worthwhile that I really need to do.

This is mostly just a place where I will post Gospel quotes, insights, scriptures I find inspiring, etc. I served a mission for the LDS Church where I had the opportunity to share those things every day 24/7. Ever since I've been home I've felt a void- as I am not able to share these things all day every day anymore. I feel like this blog will be a good outlet for that desire to share.

I learned something about myself while I was on my mission (well, I learned A LOT about myself while I was on my mission)... when I find something cool or interesting, I want to share it with everyone I know. And now I have a place to put it all. This is great!

So, this blog is open to all... check back often. I anticipate I will be posting a lot. I might post a quote or an insight from my scripture study, or even a video. You just never know! So come back!

If you are not a member of the LDS (Mormon) faith and find you have questions, please feel free to leave a comment or send me an e-mail. I definitely don't know all of the answers, but I'd love to help.

Here is a thought to leave you with until next time:
"We would do well to slow down a little, proceed at the optimum speed for our circumstances, focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf