How can I develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?

A lot of my recent thoughts have been wrapped up in how can I come to know Jesus Christ better. I want a personal relationship with the Savior and I have learned a few things that have really helped me feel closer to Him.

For me, coming to know who Christ really is, has helped me understand the importance of His role as my personal Savior. I have developed a relationship with Him as I have come to know and understand Him, as I have studied his personality and character, and as I have tried to be like Him.

President J. Reuben Clark, Jr said,  “… I am quite a believer in studying the life of the Savior as an actual personality. That is not often done. Our students of the Bible and of the New Testament,seem to refrain from trying to build a biography of the Master. …“… try to go along with the Savior, live with him, let him be an actual man, half divine, of course, but nevertheless moving as a man moved in those days.” (Behold the Lamb of God, p. 8.)Once you have begun to understand Christ’s true attributes and personality, place these
characteristics into your life. When confronted by a circumstance, ask yourself, What would Jesus do? “Many of my decisions have been motivated by [this question],” Elder Marion G. Romney has testified, “Doing what I have thought He would have done has always brought satisfaction and joy.” (“Jesus Christ, Man’s Great Exemplar,” Speeches of the Year, 1967, p. 2.) 

Really coming to know who Christ is adds more depth in the question, "What would Jesus do?". I remember a night two summers ago I was sitting in the car with my friend, Mars. We had just come back from Institute (a midweek scripture study) and we read these scriptures, 

"12 And I, John, saw that he received not of the fullness at the first,
but received grace for grace;

13 And he received not of the fullness at first, but continued from
grace to grace, until he received a fullness;

14 And thus he was called the Son of God, because he received not of
the fullness at the first.

16 And I, John, bear record that he received a fullness of the glory of
the Father;

17 And he received all power, both in heaven and on earth, and the
glory of the Father was with him, for he dwelt in him." (D&C 93:12-14,16-17)
Before that moment I had not understood who Christ really was. I knew that Christ had lived a perfect life, and was the only perfect person that has every walked this Earth. But, what I did not understand is that He wasn't born perfect. Christ grew "grace by grace", or in other words little by little, He became perfect, by choosing every day to be perfect. As we read through Christ's life we find that He was faced with temptations, and situations where he could have chosen to act differently, but He never did. 

 One story that really exemplifies who Christ is found in John 18:10–11.  Christ had just suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane for the sins of all mankind, is then betrayed by one of his own disciples and is arrested. Peter, compelled by his loyalty to the Savior, cuts off the ear of Malchus a servant of the high priest. 

“And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.

“Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

“Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

“But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?” (Matthew 26:51–54).

In Luke’s account we read that the Savior healed the ear in front of both the Apostles who were with Him and the soldiers who came to arrest Him, again showing His power:

“And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

“And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him” (Luke 22:50–51).

I can't imagine how Christ must have felt, exhausted and pained from all that he felt in the garden, anguished from a betrayal from a friend, and anxious about the struggles to come. Yet, in the middle of all his pain he reached out to the servant and heals his ear.That is the  essence of Christ's character. He reaches  out when our natural man/instincts tells us to reach in and be focused in ourselves.

Really studying and focusing on who Christ is, has helped me feel a closeness that I lacked before. That knowledge has changed me, and made me love my Savior even more. Jesus Christ really does know us perfectly
because he knows what it feels like to face temptation and how to overcome weaknesses.

I found the following suggestions to be helpful in how we can daily strength our relationship with Christ. 

• 1. 1. 
     A Daily Resolve to Follow Christ’s Example. Commit yourself at the beginning of each day to emulate the Savior’s life.
     2 Timothy 1:8.
     What did Paul mean when he warned Timothy—and you—not to be “ashamed” of a testimony of Christ?
  2. 2. 
     An Organized Study Program. Devote at least twenty to thirty minutes daily to gospel study, especially a study of the scriptures.
     2 Timothy 3:14–16.
     Paul counsels that the scriptures can make you “wise unto salvation through faith.” How can you include faith in your scriptural study?
  3. 3.
     
     

     Daily Prayer. No less than every morning and evening “enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father … in secret.” (Matthew 6:6.)
     2 Timothy 1:3.
     Paul’s counsel is by example. Why is it important that your prayers, like Paul’s, reveal a compassion toward others?
  4. 4. 
     Daily Service. The Savior’s paradox remains the key to spiritual happiness: As you lose your life in service to others, you shall actually find it (Matthew 10:39).
     2 Timothy 3:17 and Titus 3:8, 14.
     Paul stresses the need for “good works” but urges that they be fruitful. In what circumstances could service be “unfruitful”? How can secrecy and selflessness enhance our works?
  5. 5. 
     Fasting. On occasions of special importance and need, strengthen your “exercise” program with a meaningful fast.
• Then Comes Confirmation by the Spirit

  Finally and ultimately, knowledge of Christ will come through revelation (Matthew 16:16, 17). The whispering of the Spirit will give your soul the assurance that Jesus of Nazareth is indeed the Savior, and as you increasingly take upon yourself his example and become more spiritually attuned, such knowledge will deepen and grow more real. This is part of what the scriptures define as the “power of Godliness” (D&C 84:21), for such knowledge will give you spiritual power. Truly this conviction became the rock of Paul’s testimony and the reason that he successfully endured mortality’s trials and faced death with calm assurance.

I know with everything that I have and am, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Though hard to comprehend, I know he took upon himself the sins of everyone who has ever lived. I know that He knows us on an individual basis, He knows us by name. I know that emulating His example has brought more happiness in my life than anything else. I know that He is my advocate with my Heavenly Father. I know that only through Him is repentance possible. I know He lives, and nothing will ever take that knowledge from me because the Holy Spirit has confirmed it to me again, and again. Please take the time to get to know Him, and as you do, I promise you will be filled with happiness and strength not of your own to face the trials and temptations of life. 

Visit this website to know more about your Savior: http://jesuschrist.lds.org/following-jesus-christ?lang=eng

"I'm the captain of my soul."

*Typical conversation at Hermana Reed's house during High School*:

Me: Mom, can I go hang out with my friends?

My Mom: Have you finished all your homework and studied?

Me:....no...

My Mom: Well then you can't go out until you have done that.

Me: But mom!!!! We are going to watch this sweet movie and ALL my friends will be there!!

My Mom: Just finish your homework and then you can go.

Me: You're so unreasonable! None of my other friends have to do their homework first!

My Mom: I just want what is best for you. You'll come to realize how important your education is. 

*The night ends with me being super dramatic, storming off to my room, finishing my homeworking, and later going out with my friends.*

I learned so much from my parents through temper tantrums experiences like these. One thing in particular is that my mom is always right. Second, she was totally right when she said I'd come to realize how important education is.  Our Heavenly Father has each given us this life to learn and to gain knowledge and experiences that only we can learn. The Lord even tells us how important it is to learn when He says, "Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection." We can't take anything else with us, except what is in our minds. That's pretty important stuff.

A principle that is important to understand is that YOU are in charge of your education. No one else can obtain it for you. Elder Oaks stated, "Beyond increasing our occupational qualifications, we should desire to learn how to become more emotionally fulfilled, more skilled in our personal relationships, and better parents and citizens. There are few things more fulfilling and fun than learning something new. Great happiness, satisfaction, and financial rewards come from this. An education is not limited to formal study. Lifelong learning can increase our ability to appreciate and relish the workings and beauty of the world around us. This kind of learning goes well beyond books and a selective use of new technology, such as the Internet. It includes artistic endeavors. It also includes experiences with people and places: conversations with friends, visits to museums and concerts, and opportunities for service. We should expand ourselves and enjoy the journey." I couldn't agree more with Elder Oaks, I have noticed in my own life that as I have focused on my education, I am happier, I appreciate life more, and am more filled spiritually. (For more thoughts on that read this blog post). You are the captain of your soul. 

Education changes us. The more we know the more we can do. Elder Oaks puts it this way, "Our quest for truth should be as broad as our life’s activities and as deep as our circumstances permit. A learned Latter-day Saint should seek to understand the important religious, physical, social, and political problems of the day. The more knowledge we have of heavenly laws and earthly things, the greater influence we can exert for good on those around us and the safer we will be from scurrilous and evil influences that may confuse and destroy us." Being educated doesn't mean we have to attend a top-tier school or use big, fancy words. It also doesn't mean just wordly knowledge, but an education of things spiritual too. President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "You have a mandate from the Lord to educate your minds and your hearts and your hands. The Lord has said, “Teach ye diligently . . . of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms—that ye may be prepared in all things” (D&C 88:78–80)."

Heavenly Father wants us to have secular and spiritual knowledge because it determines who we will become. Education allows us become like He is. We are not alone in this journey, Elder Oaks states that,  "In our quest for truth, we need to seek the help of our loving Heavenly Father. His Spirit can direct and intensify our efforts to learn and magnify our ability to assimilate truth. This learning with the Spirit is not confined to classrooms or preparation for school examinations. It applies to everything we do in life and every place we do it—at home, at work, and at church." 

This is my little brother Chandler and I four years ago when I graduated from High School:

This is my little brother now, who graduated from High School this week:

Watching him go through school has taught me that we get better looking over time  as we place an emphasis on our education, we grow spiritually. As my brother has really grasped on to the importance of gaining personal knowledge, I have seen his spirituality increase and deepening love of things of real worth. 

I can't quite articulate how I feel about how important it is to be educated, because like many things it's just something I feel and understand through experience. I know Heavenly Father values the development of the mind because He talks about in His scriptures, and it is often mentioned by His servants, the Prophets.  With the Lord, “all things work together for [our] good” (Romans 8:28), and the education we receive in this life will determine our eternal and temporal happiness. I encourage everyone to read the talk that I quote so often by Elder Oaks, and to evaluate where you are at on your quest for truth, because you are the captain of your soul. 

Reasons to go to Church

Have you ever been asked by a missionary, a friend, or your home/visting teachers to go to church on Sunday? Have you ever thought, "I am just too tired to wake up and go on Sundays", "I'd rather spend time with friends, family, and clean the house", or "I really just don't think it matters if I go to church on Sunday."

Well, I am pretty sure you're not the only one that has felt that way. But if I am going to be honest... you're missing out. I am serious. I love Sunday's, it's my favorite day of the week. Let me tell you a few reasons why it's important we go. 

First, it's a commandment. When your home or visiting teachers, the missionaries, or a friend invites you to church, they don't ask you out of obligation or because they'll gain something. It's because our Heavenly Father has asked us to attend church. In the Bible we read, "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work. But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates." Or in other words, Sunday is not our day, it is a day dedicated to our Heavenly Father. In the creation of the world, The Lord rested from his labors on the 7th day, or the Sabbath. So we too must set Sunday apart as a day from our world labors and worship Him. So when someone invites you to church remember that your Heavenly Father has already invited you through His scriptures. 

Second, the Sabbath is the day where we can renew our baptismal covenants. Have you ever gone to a baptismal service and thought to yourself, "Man, I wish I could be baptized again!" Guess what? YOU CAN! Every single Sunday through the ordinance of the Sacrament. The Sacrament is a renewal of the promises and blessings we made at baptism.  Just as we would never neglect our physical needs of hunger or thirst, we can not neglect our spiritual nourishment. Partaking of the sacrament worthily strengthens us and gives us power to overcome temptation. When we don't go to church and partake of the sacrament weekly, we are denying ourselves blessings. We can not renew these covenants at home, these blessing only come by partaking of the sacrament. For more blessings of the sacrament read here (http://becomingthegoodandfaithfulservant.blogspot.com/2014/03/one-by-one-and-sacrament.html)

3: One final reason it's essential to come to church is because there are those that need you, yes you, your personal testimony. In Alma we read, "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors. And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed." We have a part to play in helping others prepare to meet our maker. President Spencer W. Kimball taught, "God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom. The people of the Church need each other’s strength, support, and leadership in a community of believers as an enclave of disciples. In the Doctrine and Covenants we read about how important it is to “… succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.” (D&C 81:5.) So often, our acts of service consist of simple encouragement or of giving mundane help with mundane tasks, but what glorious consequences can flow from mundane acts and from small but deliberate deeds! …"  During my final year at college I was called to be the Gospel Essentials teacher, I was passing through a time where I really struggled to make it to my Sunday services. When I received the call I felt completely inadequate and didn't feel like I had sufficient gospel knowledge to be a teacher. Over and over again at the end of each class I would feel that I didn't articulate well enough or that the Spirit wasn't present. Yet, almost every week I would find notes from the same person underneath my door that said my lesson were exactly what they needed. I felt needed and knew for whatever reason Heavenly Father knew that someone needed my testimony. And I know that's how it is for you, there are people waiting for your comments in class, your testimony during sacrament, your smile, or friendship. 
 
 When our priorities are in place we are happier and have more spiritual power. When we put the Lord first, everything else works out. I promise as we make the commitment to come to church every week we will be happier, more blessed, and be on the path to return to Our Father in Heaven. I have felt the emptiness that comes when we don't put our Lord first, I have seen the decay of my life as I haven't reguarly attended church. No other activity is worth it. No homework assignment, nap, clean house, or time spent with friends will feed you spiritually like attending church can. Sunday will come weekly but it is up to us to decide if we will be there to keep commandments, receive a remission of our sins, and help others.

The Path to Perfection

In the Book of Mormon it says, " Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect." (3 Nephi 12:48) Or in the Bible, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."(Matthew 5:48) If you are like me do you just think "Uhhh perfect? It's taken me so long to make the habit of studying the scriptures every day and sometimes I want to freak out at people who cut me off while I am driving. How on Earth can I be perfect?" If you don't struggle with these things, please teach me how, because I fall short every day. As I have been studying to figure out how I can be perfect like the Savior I have found it's important to define what perfection is. First, we need to acknowledge that the fullest kind of perfection, or Christ-like perfection is not attainable in this mortal experience. But, we can start on the path to perfection. President Joseph F. Smith explained this:

“We do not look for absolute perfection in man. Mortal man is not capable of being absolutely perfect. Nevertheless, it is given to us to be as perfect in the sphere in which we are called to be and to act, as it is for the Father in heaven to be pure and righteous in the more exalted sphere in which he acts. We will find in the scriptures the words of the Savior himself to his disciples, in which he required that they should be perfect, even as their Father in heaven is perfect; that they should be righteous, even as he is righteous. I do not expect that we can be as perfect as Christ, that we can be as righteous as God. But I believe that we can strive for that perfection with the intelligence that we possess, and the knowledge that we have of the principles of life and salvation.” (Gospel Doctrine,p. 132.)

This is not saying that we can have a defeatist attitude and say "Well I can't be perfect, so what's the use in trying?". No, not trying is not an option. But, accepting the fact that you will make mistakes, try harder, and can repent is the mindset you must have on the path to perfection. We must also keep in mind that the only person we can compare ourselves to is our Savior, Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father sent Christ to be our perfect example, and has given us the pattern to follow. I read recently this great insight, " That while it is the Lord’s pattern to give us righteous examples to emulate and follow, it is Satan’s counterfeit to tempt us to compare ourselves with them in order to determine our worth or success." So, learn from the Savior's example, and don't compare yourselves to others.

Heavenly Father expects a lot of us because He knows what we are capable of. It is a commandment to strive for perfection. Ponder this question, "Do you think the Lord would excuse you if in mortality you did not climb as high on the ladder of perfection as it is possible for you to do?"  Elder Joseph Fielding Smith said: 

“It is our duty to be better today than we were yesterday, and better tomorrow than we are today. Why? Because we are on that road, if we are keeping the commandments of the Lord, we are on that road to perfection, and that can only come through obedience and the desire in our hearts to overcome the world.” (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:18–19.)

So how can we start today on the road to perfection? First, we need to identify what is keeping us from perfection, perhaps it is a certain commandment we are struggling with.

President Harold B. Lee taught:

 “The most important of all the commandments of God is that one that you’re having the most difficulty keeping today. If it’s one of dishonesty, if it’s one of unchastity, if it’s one of falsifying, not telling the truth, today is the day for you to work on that until you’ve been able to conquer that weakness. Then you start on the next one that’s most difficult for you to keep.” (Church News, 5 May 1973, p. 3.)

So, take some time to think of a few of your weaknesses. Make a list of your weakness and put them in order of priority. Then we have been counseled to, "Each morning review your list, particularly noting the problem you want to work on that day. Then pray to the Lord, entreating him for power and promising him you will do all you can. That night report to him on your success or failure. As you find yourself improving (and you will), pray for forgiveness and additional strength. Keep constantly in mind the joy and love your Heavenly Father is feeling toward you because of your efforts. Remember also that your weaknesses can become your strengths; indeed, as each is overcome, it can be a rung of power leading upward to God and your eternal home. Examine Ether 12:27. What is the purpose of weakness? What does the Lord intend to do with your weaknesses if you let him? Will you let him? If you do, you will find the power of heaven opened to you and you will receive greater joy and peace and a closer relationship with your Savior than most people ever know."

Heavenly Father doesn't expect more than we are capable of doing. The path of perfection is real and you can start today. I started my own list this week and I have already seen more strength to resist temptation as I have tried to be perfect in keeping my promises to the Lord. As we report back to our Father of our day and our struggles and success, I promise you will be filled with more of a desire to keep your promises, covenants, and the commandments. Christ has already felt what it is like to fail, to makes mistakes, and to disappoint. He knows exactly how to help you, so stay close to Him and just keep trying. President Uchtdorf puts it this way,
"Our destiny is not determined by the number of times we stumble but by the number of times we rise up, dust ourselves off, and move forward." 

Will you start your path to perfection today?

Truth is Truth

Cue prideful Hermana Reed

I remember several times in college compartmentalizing the things I learned. During Sunday School the doctrine I learned went to one place, and what I learned in Comparative Politics went to another. It didn't seem possible to me that I could group all of those teaching into the same category. We live in a world where the rulings of the Supreme Court are valued more than the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Last year I watched a Young Single Adult broadcast by President Uchtdorf profoundly moved as he explained what is truth. At the time I was living in Washington DC (Crystal City if we are going to get technical), I had ended a summer internship on Capitol Hill and just barely finished working for a campaign. I'll admit, I thought I was pretty cool. I had always dreamed of working in politics and living in the Nation's Capitol, and I had finally actualized that dream. Needless to say, I had let myself become prideful and very absorbed in the things of the world. Often I would hear things in my work environment that would contradict my religious views, and I would compartmentalize these truths. just like I had at school. As time went on I saw myself really struggling with some of the things that contradicted my other beliefs, and was in a serious personal debate. On occasions I felt like I agreed with these worldly stances, and I struggled to understand how I could hold both things to be true, but not in the same category. I sometimes felt embarrassed that the only way I could explain a belief was because God had commanded us to do so. To those around me God wasn't a valid source of evidence.  It was amidst all this personal confusion that I heard this devotional. President Uchtdorf says, "There is indeed such a thing as absolute truth—unassailable, unchangeable truth.

This truth is different from belief. It is different from hope. Absolute truth is not dependent upon public opinion or popularity. Polls cannot sway it. Not even the inexhaustible authority of celebrity endorsement can change it. Yes, our world is full of confusion. But eventually all of our questions will be answered. All of our doubts will be replaced by certainty. And that is because there is one source of truth that is complete, correct, and incorruptible. That source is our infinitely wise and all-knowing Heavenly Father. He knows truth as it was, as it is, and as it yet will be.¹⁴ “He comprehendeth all things, … and he is above all things, … and all things are by him, and of him.”¹⁵

When I heard those words I felt like Heavenly Father had sent President Uchtdorf to deliver that message just to me. I knew that there was no such thing as moral relativism, and no division of truth. Elder Dallin H. Oaks describes it as "The philosophy of moral relativism, which holds that each person is free to choose for him or herself what is right and wrong." Stronger than ever before I realized no truth supersedes God's commandments and His gospel. It didn't matter that some of my belief's were not the majorities beliefs, or that I could seem uncool, out of date, or judgmental. I knew right then that God was the source of all truth. During this most recent General Conference, an apostle of the Lord, Elder Russell M. Nelson shares the following experience, "I had such a test decades ago when one of my medical faculty colleagues chastised me for failing to separate my professional knowledge from my religious convictions. He demanded that I not combine the two."  Sound familar? The world sees our secular and religious knowledge, or truth in two different categories, when in reality there really is just knowledge and truth. Elder Nelson continues, "How could I do that? Truth is truth! It is not divisible, and any part of it cannot be set aside.Whether truth emerges from a scientific laboratory or through revelation, all truth emanates from God. All truth is part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet I was being asked to hide my faith. I did not comply with my colleague’s request. I let my faith show!In all professional endeavors, rigorous standards of accuracy are required. Scholars cherish their freedom of expression. But full freedom cannot be experienced if part of one’s knowledge is ruled “out-of-bounds” by edicts of men. Spiritual truth cannot be ignored—especially divine commandments. Keeping divine commandments brings blessings, every time! Breaking divine commandments brings a loss of blessings, every time!"

I pray that each and every one of us will see God's commandments and doctrine for what it is, truth. President Uchtdorf counseled,

"We seek for truth wherever we may find it. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that “Mormonism is truth. … The first and fundamental principle of our holy religion is, that we believe that we have a right to embrace all, and every item of truth, without limitation or … being … prohibited by the creeds or superstitious notions of men.”²⁰

As I have sought for truth everywhere and only placed it in one category, I have become happier, more confident, and more sure that God lives. Truth is truth, and God is the author of it. The blessing of accepting and living God's truth is eternal. So accept God's truth wherever it is found, and watch it bless and change your life for the better.

Treat people as they are

My thoughts have been wrapped up in how treating people, affects who they become. I have met too many people who have been told that they consistently are "not good enough", "not capable enough" or that they "should just give up." And because they hear this so often, they internalize it, and do just what they've been told. But, what if these people had been told that they are good enough, that the can do hard things, that they can try again, or had just been treated with a little kindness? I am willing to believe that these people would have been more successful, happier, acted differently, and reached their potential.

I think this is why Heavenly Father is eager to tell us that we are His children. Think about that for a second.You are a child of God. A child of the most powerful and perfect being that has ever existed, and that will exist. President Uchtdorf said, "God Himself said we are the reason He created the universe! His work and glory—the purpose for this magnificent universe—is to save and exalt mankind. In other words, the vast expanse of eternity, the glories and mysteries of infinite space and time are all built for the benefit of ordinary mortals like you and me. Our Heavenly Father created the universe that we might reach our potential as His sons and daughters." Knowing our heritage, we too know that we can become like our Heavenly Father. "For we are also his offspring. (Acts 17:28)" We are good enough, and have potential like we have never imagined. Every single person needs to know that, that they are more than what they can see in themselves right now.


Now, we know that "God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34)." He doesn't love me, or you anymore than he loves your next door neighbor, or the person sitting next to you on the bus. He loves us all equally and perfectly. Meaning we too need to treat others the way they are meant to be treated, as children of our Heavenly Father. Joseph B. Wirthlin, an apostle of the Lord, has asked us to develop the virtue of kindness. He said, "When we are filled with kindness, we are not judgmental. The Savior taught, “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.” ⁴ He also taught that “with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” ⁵

“But,” you ask, “what if people are rude?”

Love them.

“If they are obnoxious?”

Love them.

“But what if they offend? Surely I must do something then?”

Love them.

“Wayward?”

The answer is the same. Be kind. Love them.

Why? In the scriptures Jude taught, “And of some have compassion, making a difference.” ⁶

Who can tell what far-reaching impact we can have if we are only kind?

 I have over and over again in my own life seen the impact of kindness. When I have felt that I am not good enough or have expressed discouragement, I have been encouraged with kind words of my parents and friends. Often, it was simple encouragement like "you can do hard things", or "just keep trying." That kindness went a long way for me and I know it is the same with others. May we resolve to be a little kinder, love a little deeper, and treat others as we are, children of our Heavenly Father.

"For Whom the Lord Loveth He Chasteneth."

This week I yet again have found myself asking "why is life so hard", "why do bad things happen to good people", and "why we have to pass through trials"? I don't think I have found the perfect answer, but I do want to share some things that have comforted and strengthened me. 

My former,sweet companion, Hermana Smith, always said, "Trials are compliments." When she first started saying that I was like, what the heck does that even mean? Then I read the scripture found in Hebrews 12, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth."

Elder D. Todd Christofferson has explained three different reasons for why we are chastened, "(1) to persuade us to repent, (2) to refine and sanctify us, and (3) at times to redirect our course in life to what God knows is a better path."

1: I have seen in my life when I am handed a big trial, that I have literally no one else to turn to but my Heavenly Father. These trials have strengthened my relationship with my Father in Heaven because I am finally humble enough to turn my will into His, and acknowledge the need for His help. I wish I wasn't as prideful or stubborn to need a trial to humble me, but I am grateful for the experiences that have strengthened my relationship with my Heavenly Father.  Elder Christofferson also said, "In addition to stimulating our repentance, the very experience of enduring chastening can refine us and prepare us for greater spiritual privileges. Said the Lord, “My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom.”" (D&C 136:31).


2: Our Heavenly Father has give us this Earthly experience to learn, grow, and experience mortality. And in at least in my own life I have seen personal growth stimulated from trials and difficulties. Robert D. Hales has said, "Tests and trials are given to all of us. These mortal challenges allow us and our Heavenly Father to see whether we will exercise our agency to follow His Son. He already knows, and we have the opportunity to learn, that no matter how difficult our circumstance, “all these things shall [be for our] experience, and . . . for [our] good” (D&C 122:7)." I love the way that James E. Faust  puts it,  

"Into every life there come the painful, despairing days of adversity and buffeting. There seems to be a full measure of anguish, sorrow, and often heartbreak for everyone, including those who earnestly seek to do right and be faithful. The thorns that prick, that stick in the flesh, that hurt, often change lives which seem robbed of significance and hope. This change comes about through a refining process which often seems cruel and hard. In this way the soul can become like soft clay in the hands of the Master in building lives of faith, usefulness, beauty, and strength. For some, the refiner’s fire causes a loss of belief and faith in God, but those with eternal perspective understand that such refining is part of the perfection process."

Through our trials, we can grow closer to Heavenly Father, learn to rely on the Savior, and we have the opportunity to be molded and shaped into the person God wants us to be. 

3: The last reason is to redirect us back to the path of our Heavenly Father. In the speech "The 4th Missionary", Lawrence E. Corbridge has said, "Every Challenge you face, every hard thing you confront, every bad thing that happens to you, every unfairness, every conflict, every sadness, tragedy, every disappointment and heartache, every temptation, and every opposition happens for one purpose only: TO GIVE YOU OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND BY APPLYING IN YOUR LIFE THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS. As you do so you are changed to become more like Him."

I know that our Heavenly Father loves us and doesn't give us trials because He wants to punish us; He is always giving us opportunities to grow and become more like Him and His son, Jesus Christ. James E. Faust reminds us that we are never alone through our trials. "The Divine Shepherd has a message of hope, strength, and deliverance for all. If there were no night, we would not appreciate the day, nor could we see the stars and the vastness of the heavens. We must partake of the bitter with the sweet. There is a divine purpose in the adversities we encounter every day. They prepare, they purge, they purify, and thus they bless.

When we pluck the roses, we find we often cannot avoid the thorns which spring from the same stem."

When I am passing through a trial, I remind myself of a question that Christ asked Peter, "Will ye also go away?". One may think that a trial will be easier without the gospel, without a belief in God. But, I testify that, that is exactly why we have the gospel is to get us through hard times. Christ will never leave our side, and our Father in Heaven will always answer our prayers.  Trials truly are compliments, because the Lord is giving us an opportunity to grow, and to become more like Him and His Son. I hope that we may all be able to answer as did Peter, "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life."