No ordinary people

"There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal." (C. S. Lewis). "For behold, it is my work and my glory -- to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39)

My favorite part of my western civilizations class (and ironically my world civilizations class, haha I have the same professor so it's like a rerun of last semester) is the part of the Greek section where we discuss humanism. Humanism is the idea that every person is capable of logic. It is the most hopeful view of the world up until that point in time. In psychology, humanism is the idea that everyone has potential to do good and make their own choices. It is the only hopeful psychology viewpoint in the main ones discussed.

Every individual is important. I believe that God lovingly created each an every one of us, and each of us has the potential to do great things, in this life and the next. When we meet someone we never meet just a "someone", we meet a spiritual brother or sister who God has a plan for. He knows, loves, and watches over all of us. When we remember this, it is always easier for us to love those around us. We are meant to become like Him, so we must love and be kind. 

I bare to you my testimony that I know that God loves me and that when we love others we feel closer to Him. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

We can be the leaven

"We are to live in the world but not be of the world. We must live in the world because, as Jesus taught in a parable, His kingdom is “like leaven,” whose function is to raise the whole mass by its influence (see Luke 13:21; Matthew 13:33; see also 1 Corinthians 5:6–8). His followers cannot do that if they associate only with those who share their beliefs and practices. But the Savior also taught that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments (see John 14:15)."

(Loving Others and Living with Differences, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/loving-others-and-living-with-differences?lang=eng)

I have made a lot of bread recently (artisan bread if you must know, recipe is at the bottom) and I have noticed a couple of things: This recipe only calls for half a teaspoon of yeast (leaven) and has the dough rise for 8-12 hours. 

How many of us have had to stand alone because of our values and morals? But also how many of us have seen our blessings multiply from maintaining those values and morals? I have been the only (or one of the only) Mormon(s) in school for most of my life, but because I had such strong faith in my values my other Christian friends found it was easier to stick to theirs when they are around me. We can be that half a teaspoon that helps raise the whole loaf. 

Whenever my bread is rising I am always moving it to a warmer spot and checking on it (much to the frustration of my mom). I imagine Christ is the same with us. As long as we are doing our best to do as He did, He will keep moving us to a warmer place for us to grow. 

I bear my testimony that I know that as we try to be like Christ, not only will we be able to do so, we will also help others around, and Christ will look after us. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

http://www.frugallivingnw.com/amazing-no-knead-bread-step-by-step-recipe/

I am my brother's brother

"I may not be my brother’s keeper, I am my brother’s brother, and 'because I have been given much, I too must give.' " Jeffrey R. Holland

This is taken from a talk about service and caring for the less fortunate, but when I first read this quote it brought me back to something I was thinking about a while ago, "why do I want to serve a mission?" And automatically this thought came to mind, "The happiness I have I can't keep to myself. I want to share it with those I love, and I genuinely love my friends." The happiness I get from the gospel, knowing my Savior, and His plan for me brings me to want to share it. I love my friends. I love YOU. I testify that this happiness can be YOURS. :) in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.