Where is Your Focus?

My whole Sunday seemed top have a theme. In Sacrament meeting the thing that stood out the most was, "Do we see the world and people as they really are/how Christ sees them?" and n Relief Society our lesson was on "Centering our Lives on Christ". It was beautiful and the questions that were asked were inspiring and very thought provoking. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/the-joy-of-living-a-christ-centered-life?lang=eng Y'all need to check it out and ask yourselves these questions: Do I see people how Christ would see them? What have I given to center my life on Christ?
A story I found very profound was one the teacher gave before she opened up for discussion with questions:
She was Christmas shopping and the cashier asked her if she was finshed christmas shopping. She said no, she had only begun. The cashier told her that in his family they don't give gifts. It began when his family was struggling for money and couldn't afford gifts for his entire extedned family. They first objected to not sending gifts, but eventually everyone relented. As Christmas time came around, everyone enjoyed Christmas more, and there wasn't any feeling of competition at all. It was wonderful. He said they had a more Christ centered Christmnas than they had in a very long time.
I'll leave you with this question, how can you best center your life on Christ in this coming New Year?
I testify to you that as we serve Him and His children we will be blessed, guaranteed and we will be happier. It might seem like a sacrifice but He already gave the biggest sacrifice, I'm sure that we can give Him something. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

A Christmas Message

Never forget the reason for the season: A Savior is Born! christmas.mormon.org is a wonderful website with two videos about why we celebrate Christmas. We celebrate because we have been blessed with the opportunity to repent and try again, we celebrate because He knows how we feel and can help us, we celebrate because He allows us the opportunity to live with our Heavenly Father again. He celebrate because He lives again! I love my Savior and through Him I can do all things and He strengthens me. I testify that we can repent, we can be forgiven, we can overcome so much, because we have a Savior. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Living on the Edge

In the MTC I heard this quote, "Have you gone to the edge where miracles occur?" Let that sink in for a sec. Have you worked as hard as you can? Have you prayed and studied as much and as hard you can? Have you searched for opportunities as much as you can? Have you followed the commandments exactly without wavering? Have you repented every day without fail? If you want miracles, God is going to make you work for them. Our religion is one of faith and action. If we want God to do something for us, we need to act.

 The Lord only helps those that work and sometimes you're working to the edge, but it is where you reach the edge of the light that miracles occur. That's when random people pull you into their houses and tell you that they need to get to know Jesus better but don't know how. That's where in-active members that you visit teach come back to church. That's where random coworkers ask you for help because their daughter just died and they don't know if they'll see her again. God expects exact obedience and exact repentance. No more more no less. Life gets hectic, but that edge where miracles occur, that's where I want to be for the rest of my life.

I testify that diligence brings miracles. God will see your efforts and smile. His blessings will pur out upon you and you will not have enough room to receive them (Malachi 3:10). In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Returning Home to the Father

"And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!" (D&C 18:15-16) 

There is nothing better that when a child of God finds his or her way back to Him. Meeting with investigators who are earnestly seeking a way to grow closer to their Heavenly Father, and helping them come closer to Him through reading the scriptures, praying, going to church, being baptized, and then working towards the temple. There is nothing better on this earth because my mission might be only 18 months (17 now), but I will be a mother one day and I will help my children come to the gospel and I am always a member missionary. 

I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored on this earth through Joseph Smith and that we have a prophet on this earth today. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that My Savior died for me so that I may live again as he did. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

The Enormous Power of the Scriptures

I know and love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that God has established His church on earth and I am so grateful to share the gospel and the Book of Mormon which becomes more and more beautiful every time I read it. Speaking of which, check out Helaman 3:29-30

" 29 Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked—

 30 And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out."

There is truly power in the scriptures and studying them. Studying the scriptures will divide asunder the power of the devil over you. Isn't that amazing?! As we study the scriptures and grow and progress in the gospel we will sit with some of the greatest prophets and most righteous the world has ever known! I testify that this is true and through studying the word of God and applying it every day will bring you closer to God and will bless your life in ways you can't even imagine."