Hill Cumorah Pageant

My family participates in a yearly show put on by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called the Hill Cumorah Pageant. It portrays stories from The Book of Mormon and testifies of Jesus Christ. It is an incredible experience for me and my family.


One of the opportunities we enjoy at Pageant is to talk to the audience members before each show. Here the cast has a chance to bear testimony to the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon to the guests. If audience members want to know more, or have friends that might be interested, they get to give their information to the cast members. This gives people a chance to receive a copy of the Book of Mormon or even a visit from representatives of the Church. The Pageant has become a great missionary tool.

I'm grateful I had the opportunity to participate in the Pageant. On Opening Night as I stood on the stage during the Processional, I felt an assurance from the Spirit that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. It was a simple, but undeniable feeling in my heart. I pray that each may find this peace in their life as I have in mine. And I hope that you try to see the Hill Cumorah Pageant next year!

Emotional Roller Coasters

My life has been pretty crazy recently. You could call it an emotional roller coaster of sorts. Granted, it's been that way for a few months now, but I'm beginning to see it more clearly now. But I am able to truly testify that trials bring you closer to God, for which I am extremely grateful. I can also say that when I'm at the top of my roller coaster and happier than usual, I watch others go through trials around me and marvel how they go through life so happily. This strengthens me when my roller coaster of emotion takes a downturn.

From this I have also gained a greater appreciation for the things I can count on in my life. At church the lessons always seem to be the right thing for me to hear at the time. My institute class is so enriching, offering many new insights in the gospel. I have also found great new insights from the scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon; even though I've read them before, I still can find new things to apply to my life. Lastly, I am most grateful for the comfort the spirit has given me while I have gone through this roller coaster. The Lord is always there for me to turn to, and I am eternally indebted to Him. May I be able to help others through their roller coasters as He has helped me through mine.

Dreams Fulfilled, Trials Overcome

A week ago I got to attend General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. It has been a dream of mine to see the prophets and apostles in person and to hear them teach while seeing them. It was amazing to be able to fulfill this dream of mine and have a great experience.

At Conference they talked a lot about going through tribulation. We all have our own personal struggles, so I thought it was great to hear so much about it. They encouraged us to find joy in our trials, which can be hard to do. I think it's really important that we do so because otherwise we get discouraged and can't move forward. Trials are a time of growth; it's not so much how bad the trial you're going through is, but how you react to it that's important. We must have hope in a better world and be grateful for the blessings in our lives. We must not focus inward, but focus on helping others in their trials. There are several means to get you through your struggles, you just have to remember that all things are possible through Christ. He suffered not only for our sins, but also for our pains and sorrows. He knows what we are going through and knows how to succor His people. We must turn to Christ, laying our burden at His feet, and trust in Him that everything will be okay. I hope that we all will trust in the Lord and exercise faith in Him. With Him, all of our dreams can be fulfilled.

Sing and be Joyful

So I work as an early morning custodian. Believe it or not, I love my job. I enjoy getting work over with in the early morning and getting the chance to contemplate my life while I work and do seemingly menial tasks. Another thing I get the chance to do is sing. Yes, I sing at work. Usually I sing hymns, like "Be Still, My Soul," "Lead, Kindly Light," "How Great Thou Art," and "Because I Have been Given Much." Then one week I didn't sing at all. I had a lot of thinking to do and had been doing that instead. Then on Friday while I was vacuuming the hallway a professor stopped me and asked, "why haven't you been singing? I've been waiting!" I had not realized that people listened to my singing, but apparently they do. So I sang for the rest of that day at work and felt so much better. You never know what you do everyday that makes a difference in other people's lives.

Another example of this became evident in my ward. Every Sunday we can write love notes to each other. I was rereading the love notes given to me since last semester and noticed a common theme: a lot of people enjoyed and appreciated how happy and full of life I was. I never before realized what an effect it had on these other people. Some of the love notes I hadn't even remembered receiving. It means a great deal to me that people appreciate how I am and it encourages me to continue being that way. I would hope that all of us would do things to help others and to notice it when others do that for us. And sing like no ones listening, because even if there is someone listening, they'll love that you are expressing your feelings. May we all find joy in each other and in being the best we can be.

Grace of God

Whenever I get down, one thing that can always help lift my spirits is when I remember the grace of God. We are so sinful, but He is still willing to forgive us if we come unto Him and repent. What love He must have for His children to bestow us this blessing of which we don't deserve.

One instance of when God was merciful is when He appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith in the spring of 1820. Joseph Smith had a question: he wanted to know which of all the churches was right. As he studied the Bible, he found a verse that led him to decide to ask of God which of all the churches was right. When he betook himself to prayer, God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph. I reread the account of this First Vision recently and I was overcome with tears as the Spirit bore witness to me how merciful God was to restore His church for His children. How blessed we are to have the true gospel again in the earth. It is evidence that God is merciful indeed.

I have been several times to the Sacred Grove where Joseph prayed and saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. There is a great spirit and peace present there. But this is not how I know that The First Vision happened. I have come to know that Joseph is a prophet and restored the true gospel by studying the scriptures, living the gospel, and praying to know. Anyone can come to the same knowledge if they sincerely seek for it with pure intent and faith. I would encourage any to do so who have not already. Indeed, I would challenge them too.

So whenever you get down try to remember the grace of God and how merciful He is to His children. I testify that He loves you and wants the best for you. If you come to Him you will find peace in this life and great rewards in the world to come. Please remember the grace of God.

You Get What You Ask For

My life was going really well. I was so happy that nothing seemed to go wrong. I concluded my life was going too well and that I needed a trial. And a trial I got.

It wasn't the trial I would've hoped for. But I guess that's what makes it a trial. It is honestly one of the hardest things that could be asked of me right now. I did not expect it to happen.

However, it is at this time that I consider the blessings in my life. I have so many. When I consider all the great things I have going for me, I really have nothing to complain about. And when I seriously think about it, my trial is really a blessing. It is an opportunity for me to learn and grow and to build a great friendship. This so-called trial is really the best thing for me.

So I hope we all can remember to be grateful for what we do have amidst our trials. We should dwell on our many blessings and not our shortcomings or the tests we're enduring. We should do as President Monson counseled, "Find someone who is having a hard time, . . .and do something for them." When we look outward instead of inward we'll find true happiness and our trials will seem but a small moment. May we all keep an eternal perspective and find joy in serving others despite whatever difficulty we may be going through. And remember: if you ask for a trial, you'll get more than you bargained for.

I Once Was Lost . . .

So it's winter. And in winter you wear coats. And when you go inside you take your coats off and carry them around. At least that's what you're supposed to do. Then one fateful Wednesday I successfully managed to lose my coat in the library. I immediately realized (well, not immediately, but very soon afterward) and tried to inquire after it at the Lost and Found. I was unsuccessful in these attempts. I only relate this tale because I went back to the Lost and Found today and they had it there - someone dropped it off yesterday. I was really happy to say the least.

We all get lost at some point or another on the road of life. The important thing is not how many times or to what degree that we get lost, but that we always make it back to the path. I'm grateful for those people that help others to come back - just as I'm grateful for the person who returned my coat to Lost and Found. Without it I'd be cold and miserable. We're promised we'll be happier if we continue striving to remain on the right path. I hope everyone is making an effort at doing this. We could all benefit from being found.

Laugh

I want to start this off by saying that there are a lot of things I love about my life: my family, my religion, my God, my friends, my opportunities, and my blessings.

Life has its challenges. As a college student, I face a lot of stress right now with balancing school, work, and a social life. However, I try to find joy in the journey, as rough as it may be. And honestly, my life is not that rough. I think I have it pretty easy compared to others. But maybe I should be careful with what I say, I might sound like I'm asking for trials and before I know it I'll have them heaped upon me! Still, I like to handle whatever life throws at me by just laughing. Obviously it's not appropriate at all times, but there are those times when it's best to forget your embarrassment and just learn to laugh at yourself.

For example, one finds that it can be very embarrassing when you do something klutzy, silly, or just plain dumb. I had an experience recently where I managed to get food all over my sweater without even noticing. Not even my friend's jump to get napkins for us gave me a clue. When I finally noticed, several minutes later, I literally started laughing at myself. These giggles continued unabated as I pronounced, "I love life!" and commenced wiping myself off. It was truly humiliating, I assure you, but I attempted to make light of the situation and not stress out about it. I think we could all be happier trying to find joy in the little things, even in the mistakes we make.