...With Hymns of Praise

I have always loved music, but since I've been on my mission I have had an increase of love for the hymns.

The prophets have said that "The hymns invite the Spirit of the Lord, create a feeling of reverence, unify us as members, and provide a way for us to offer praises to the Lord...Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end."

Elder Oaks once said, and I agree, that "the singing of hymns is one of the best ways to put ourselves in tune with the Spirit of the Lord."

As my companion and I have been working, any time that we find we don't know what to do, or are distracted, we stop and sing a hymn. I've noticed what a strong impact a simple hymn can be. By singing hymns I have felt the spirit more than I would on an average day. I've been directed when I am confused. I have felt the Lord's love.

I testify that hymns bring the spirit. If you're ever feeling down, confused, or upset, stop and sing a hymn and I know that the Holy Ghost will touch your heart and bring feelings of hope, peace, and guidance. 

Read more about the power of hymns.

...With Puzzles

I've recently learned to love puzzles! I helped a woman finish one recently and it was fun to sit back and admire how well all the pieces fit together. I looked at all the little pieces that had given me trouble and chuckled to myself. After it was all done it made sense, yet some of those pieces were so challenging and didn't seem to fit anywhere!

The more I thought about those pieces the more I remembered the pieces of my life that don't seem to fit -- challenges that arise and trials I don't know why I went through.

We each can understand once we get to algebra why the basic 2+2 was an important thing to learn, and that concept applies with every lesson we learn. We get through trials and, later in life, realize just how important that particular challenge we had years ago prepared us for where we're at.

In essence we put together those puzzle pieces. But it's hard to see the full perspective with just one little piece. The Lord is able to see the whole image, put together, and knows what pieces to hand us.

We too can gain a glimpse of where and how the puzzle fits together as we turn to the scriptures. The Lord has given us the tools. He's given us the image on the box to look at for guidance. We can also pray and ask for the added guidance. Then someday we'll be able to lean back and say, "aw, so that's how that piece fits in..."

...With An Easter Message

I want all who look at this blog to know that I know my Savior, Jesus Christ lives! I know He knows and loves me. I know that He suffered for me that I can return to live with my Father in Heaven. Because of Christ's suffering I can find relief everyday. He has felt all my pain and joy. He suffered so that I might not suffer alone. He knows my trials, my weaknesses, my illnesses; He also knows my strengths, my talents, and the things that bring me joy.

I love Jesus Christ and will forever be grateful for His atoning love! What has Jesus Christ done for you?

...With The Risen Christ

...With Psalms of David

I was reflecting on what I based my blog off of. Read this Psalm and enjoy the beauty of it's message:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: 

for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: 

thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: 

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Psalm 23

...With Tablets

The other day I was doing a study of 2 Nephi 14 (Isaiah 3). I read about how as the world approaches the time that Christ will return to the earth the "daughters of Zion," or the woman of God, will be "haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go..." (Isaiah 3:16)

Then, as I continued to read, Isaiah talks of all the accessories and riches that woman will flaunt which the Lord will take away from them. I tried to imagine what each one was and reflect on my own use of jewelry and accessories. Then I came to one particular object that surprised me: "the tablets" (Isaiah 3:20)

The tablets. I could only think of one thing: the actual tablets we see so many people using today. I thought of how great of a tool it is, but yet, how excessive use could ruin our relationships, our opportunities, our very lives. Are we "mincing" as we go? Walking with "wanton eyes," tablet always in hand?

There are so many good things in life! Think of all the goodness of the reality of life we miss as we spend countless hours facebooking, twittering, or cutting ropes! Or as some of the other verses mention, obsessing over our "crisping pins" or our many "suits of apparel." (Isaiah 3:22) I hope we can each reflect on what we value and remember to be keeping the greatest commandment of putting God first.

...With Happiness

Do you want to be happy? Of course you do! And I found the secret equation for happiness! Are you ready to be happy?

Family + Commandments + Scriptures + Temples + Work + Priesthood = Happiness

How do I know this? And where is the proof? Take a look in the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 5:

1. Family. Nephi's older brothers don't really like him. In fact, they want to kill him. So what does Nephi do? He "flees into the wilderness" (verse 5) and the first thing he says he takes with him is his family (see v. 6). 

2. Keep the Commandments. Nephi tells of the first thing his family does as they settle in the wilderness: "...we did observe to keep the judgements, and the statutes, and the commandments of the Lord in all things..." (v. 10)

3. Study the Scriptures.  Another thing Nephi mentions bringing as he fled into the wilderness were the "plates of brass" (v. 12), or their current scriptures. Nephi and his family read and prayed about this record often. 

4. Temple Attendance. Once Nephi and his family settled down what was the first thing he speaks of building? Temples! "...after the manner of the temple of Solomon..." (v. 16) they built and worshiped in temples.

5. Work. Work fixes that which doesn't work anymore. Nephi taught his people that they needed to "labor with their hands" (v. 17) or to learn to work for themselves. A valuable trait we all need to learn.

6. Priesthood and Following the Prophet. The last thing Nephi mentions doing is ordaining his younger brothers to "be priests and teachers" (v. 26) so that the people would have the blessings of the priesthood to lead and direct them.

So how does this equal happiness? After describing the pattern that Nephi and his people live, he tells us of their standard of living. He says "And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness." (v. 27) If we follow this pattern, set by a prophet of God, we too will find that we are living "after the manner of happiness." Now go be happy!