Just an Update

I've been rather busy and haven't had the time to write. And not just for this blog, but in my other writing as well. (My poor journal is in desperate need of an update) It's been a crazy month full of wonderful blessings, much learning, laughter, and smiles.

Yesterday I taught my first lesson in Relief Society. Prior to this the only lesson I ever taught was Valiant 8 once. The lesson can be found in the Teaching of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow. It was lesson 8, "Search Me, O God, And Know My Heart." The context of this lesson stems from a scripture in Pslam 139: 23-24:

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: ^atry me, and know my thoughts:

 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

I really struggled with this lesson. I just didn't know what I was supposed to teach and how to put it to words. When I inquired about the matter to Herby he recommended I reread it two more times until I got it. And, upon inspiration, I decided to go to the temple to read it.

Since I wasn't in Sunday dress I stayed on the temple grams that Saturday and read. I've never been to the temple grounds of the Mt. Timpanogos temple. I've been inside, and I've been around at night when it's closed, but up until that moment I never had the chance to walk around. It was beautiful though a bit chilly with more flowers than I anticipated.

Reading in the temple helped a lot more. I never reread. I usually understand things I read the first time around. Reading is something that comes easy to me, and understanding language and how writing works has always been easy. So why was this so hard?

I don't really know, but I managed to grasp it enough to make a lesson out of it. How did the lesson go? Quiet. Very quiet. That could be bad or that could be good. I don't know, but if I touched someone's heart then I've done my job. Even if it's only one person. I was nervous beyond belief and the silence didn't help, but I did it. Maybe it wasn't perfect, but I did it.

To clarify, yes I'll be posting more on the lesson in detail. This post is simply and update and to prove my writing isn't dead. I thought I'd say a few things here to kind of set it in stone.

We've been challenged in our mission prep class to finish the Book or Mormon in about three months. We have to read seven pages a day. I'm already behind but I want to do it. I started taking the Book of Mormon class at Institute because I need to be better about my knowledge of the Book of Mormon. If I were teaching about the Doctrine and Covenants or the Bible then this would be a breeze. I know them like the back of my hand, but I don't know the Book of Mormon nearly as well. And the Book of Mormon is what I'll be teaching people about.

As for what else has happened, I could go on forever. Especially on a spiritual level. My papers are almost done! I just need to get those wisdom teeth removed. To say I'm grateful is an understatement. I've been (im)patiently waiting to get them in. I just want it in and over with. The longer it takes the more excited I get. And the more it bothers me that I've been working on them since January. (yes, that long)

I know there isn't a lot of spiritual value in this, but well that's life. And I'm already anticipating what I'll write next. If you're reading this and disappointed I apologize. I'll get back on track with writing soon now that things are going back to normal.

God bless!

He is Risen

Recently we celebrated Easter, a day to remember the Savior and that he is risen. I think over the years I've paid more attention to new dresses, Easter eggs, and candy than I have the true message of Easter. Yet this year I decided to ponder more on the true meaning of Easter and what our Savior has done for us.

The atonement is the center of our religion. It really is. Without the atonement we cannot progress into the next life and return to our Heavenly Father. Because of our loving older brother we are able to do just that. It's a truly tender and beautiful thing. Do you ever stop to think about it? I know I don't nearly enough. The blessings of the atonement have been with us throughout our lives and will continue to bless us in this life and the next life.

The truth is we should recognize what the Savior has done for us every day. Not just one Sunday in the year. Maybe that's hard to hear and maybe we think that means watching emotional gut wrenching videos on the atonement and rereading in the scriptures every day about the Saviors trials in the garden of Gethsemane. But in reality we should honor and recognize that through our daily actions and prayer.

We have the wonderful opportunity to be forgiven for our sins. How amazing is that? Because of Christ we can be forgiven. Heavenly Father knows we're not perfect. Yet he still wants us to return to him and through our Redeemer we can do just that. Now sure, it's not always as simple as a prayer asking for forgiveness. There might be times when we need to go to our bishop or we need to apologize to others, but it's still a wonderful thing.

Russell M. Nelson once said, "I weep for joy when I contemplate the significance of it all. To be redeemed is to be atoned - received in the close embrace of God with an expression not only of His forgiveness, but of our oneness of heart and mind. What a privilege! And what a comfort to those of us with loved ones who have already passed from our family circle through the gateway we call death!"

We can be forgiven of our sins. Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to return to him. And our Savior also loves us and wants us to be forgiven. That's why he became the ultimate example and made it possible for us to be forgiven through the atonement. How amazing is it to know that though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool? Interestingly enough, the Hebrew translation of atonement kaphar means "to forgive" and "to cover." ¹ Coincidence? There's no such thing.

D&C 58:42 Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.

But the atonement does much more for us than that. One of the many names of Christ is the Comforter. The atonement can bring us comfort. Why? Because Christ has been in our shoes and he knows what we've been through. And guess what? He conquered it. Not only did he conquer taking upon himself our sins and trials but he also conquered death. And we can too.

Many of us are familiar with the story Footprints. In it a person is walking in the sand beside Christ, each footprint representing a moment in their life. Yet during their trials they find only one set of footprints. When they inquire about it to Christ he tells them he was carrying them through those trials.

I love that story and it's wonderful representation of Christ's love and the power of comfort in the atonement. You see the atonement isn't just about being forgiven of our sins. It's about being able to over come anything. Yes, anything through our Savior.

President Henry B. Eyring taught, "it will comfort us when we must wait in distress for the Savior's promised relief that He knows, from experience, how to heal and help us... And faith in that power will give us patience as we pray and work and wait for help. He could have know how to succor us simply by revelation, but He chose to learn by His own personal experience."²

Wow. Our Savior chose this. He chose to be able to relate to us and know our pain and struggles. This isn't a small thing. This is a tremendous act of love. Perhaps it is one of the biggest acts of love in the history of man. What are we doing in our daily lives to honor that?

I once read something that said, "Is the way your living worth Christ dying for?" It really got me thinking about how I live and if I'm doing enough to show my Heavenly Father and Savior that I want to return to them. Am I? Are we? This is in no way to bring us down. Oh no, because we're not expected to be perfect. We're just expected to try our best.

Do not doubt for one second that your Savior loves you and that you are alone. Not one second are you alone in this. Your Savior is always there for you; waiting for you, cheering you on, and wanting to help and guide you. Seek him out. Seek his atonement. Seek his love.

And we're only scratching the surface.

One thing I really love about our religion is how we recognize that he lives. Not that he died. And not that he lived. But that he lives. It was Paul who said, "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." Because of Christ we can all become perfected. Every single one of us. He didn't just do that for a few people. No, he did that for everyone. What a beautiful and wonderful atonement. What a beautiful and wonderful Savior we have.

The atonement is amazing. It really is. And I'm so thankful for the time I've had to reflect and learn from it, and from what it's done for me in my life. The atonement has healed me, comforted me, and even helped me to forgive others. I love my Savior and want to live a life worthy of returning to him and my Heavenly Father.

Tomorrow we have the opportunity to listen to General Conference. I can tell you personally that I've had prayers answered through General Conference and I would challenge everyone to pray to their Heavenly Father and ask a question. Take the opportunity. It works. And if you haven't, take the time to study and ponder on the atonement and what it has done in your life. I recommend reading the wonderful words of Henry B. Eyring regarding this Easter season.

What a wonderful holiday and what an amazing plan our Heavenly Father has for us. Never forget how much They love you. Remember the blessings of the atonement in your life. Remember our Savior.