A Legacy of Faith.

 to remember the fallen
is not to remember how they fell
but to remember why and for what

to remember the fallen
is not only to remember their actions
but to remember the dream for which they fought

to remember the fallen
is not to remember how they fought
but to remember who they fought for

to remember the fallen
is to remember their reason
to remember their dreams
and to remember those they fought to save

to remember the fallen
we continue their fight
we carry their dreams
and we finish what they start 

-Analissa Range
  
Nephi, the son of Lehi was a courageous young man who went through a lot of trials in order to be obedient to the commandments of God.Whilst constantly having to defend himself against his brothers he wrote: 

"For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved.

Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world."

His brother, Jacob, didn't have an easy task either. In the midst of prideful people he boldly declared the standard of God and cried repentance unto them. He feared God more than he feared men. 

When Enos prayed to receive forgiveness, he described that his soul hungered. After receiving an answer from the Lord he desires to share that with his fellow beings. Abinadi died as a hero not knowing the impact he had on the church of God. King Benjamin held the first general conference, Alma, Amulek, Ammon and his brothers brought thousands to the knowledge of the Gospel. Don't even get me started on Captain Moroni. Samuel the Lamanite boldly prophesied the birth of our Saviour and was mocked for that. Nevertheless he continued telling the truth until he wasn't heard of anymore. Nephi prepared the church of God to receive the ressureccted Christ. Mormon abridged the scriptures for us! Ether gave us an incredible example of faith. And Moroni excelled in enduring to the end. 

All these Prophets left behind a legacy. A Legacy of faith, hope and excitement. What will we do with that? Let's remember them. Let's finish what they've started. Let's be part of that legacy!

#readthebookofmormon

#3 Charity

In life we all get confronted with situations where we know we are right and the other person is simply wrong. We all have experienced difficult people who appear to make our life harder and less enjoyable and to whom we'd just love to say: (insert words of condescension) 

Today I've been asked how I dealt with difficult people like that on my mission, how I could stand not just telling them what I really thought of them. The answer is Charity.

At the beginning of my mission I definitely wasn't full of charity, in fact the smallest things got me angry and upset and I simply couldn't understand how people could reject a message as beautiful and precious as ours. How could they not listen?  I was irritated by the fact that we learn that they're our spirit brothers and sisters who decided to come to this earth with us. And then it hit me. They are our brothers and sisters. And just because they are a little lost doesn't mean that we have the right to criticize or judge them. And once I realized that, my eyes have been opened and I caught a glimpse of how our Father in Heaven sees all of his children. And all of the sudden I didn't see them for the things they were doing wrong. I tried to see their potential. I gave them the benefit of a doubt. 

I always thought that charity meant to do something for someone else. To serve and care for others. To help those who are in need. But in that very moment, I learned that Charity indeed was the pure love of Christ. That while it meant all those things, it was a state of mind ( or heart). 

And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

                                                                                                                   -Moroni 7:45

Let's be honest. It is super hard to love everybody. It is hard not to get upset when someone actually upsets you. It's hard not to judge someone who obviously seems to be doing something wrong. But especially this Christmas Season, let us all try a little harder to love each other more. Let us all be a little bit nicer to each other. Let us help those, who are in need of our comfort. Let us be better people. Let us see people for who they are and not what they do. 

#howdoyoushowlove?

Families are forever.

“The [greatest] work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own home” - Harold B. Lee

Families. We all have some kind of family, wether it be our own blood-line, a certain social environment or some friends that you simply see as family. And each individual family, every home, is so unique. And crazy. We are so priviliged to live with people that we love. Sometimes they can be a pain in the backside, sometimes they just make you laugh till you can't breathe. Sometimes we love our family and somtimes we just wish them away.

Recently in a Primary Presentation a young boy discribed his home as a place where you fight and then make up again. As a congregation we giggled at this heartfelt comment, but thinking more about it, it really is so true and accurate. The home is the place where we learn how to live, how to love and how to progress. It's not always easy and most certainly not always pleasant but it's our home. It's where we feel comfortable.

Sometimes we have to overlook jealousy, comparison and competion. Sometimes we just need to kick off our shoes, sit on a sofa and laugh with each other.

My wiser older brother Peter once told me, that if our relationships at home aren't ok, our relationships outside won't be ok either. May we all work a little harder to love our family and to cherish the time we spend with them. 

#whatmakesyourfamilysospecial?
#Sundayisfamilyday

The Still Small Voice

"And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."
- Moroni 10:5

In a world constantly changing, this has been one of my greatest anchors.I feel so blessed to know, that we can know the truth of anything by the power of the Holy Ghost. Sometimes we don't know if it is us or the Spirit telling us something, but I do know, that when the Spirit touches us, and we listen, we can recognize him. This is a life long learning process and cannot be mastered by tomorrow, but as we practise every day to listen and act upon the still small voice of the Spirit, we will become more familiar with His way of reaching us.

I promise, that the Holy Ghost is part of the Godhead. I know that his cofirmations are sacred and valid. Ask and ye shall receive. God will not leave you alone.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 
-John 14:26

#2 Hope

While I was serving a mission in England, one of the questions the people on the streets asked me is how I can believe in a God, if there is so much rubbish going on in the world. A lot of them were convinced that talking about God was a waste of time and efforts, that society is never going to change. That the world is just going to get worse. At the beginning of my Mission I thought, they were right. That it doesn't matter what I do. It won't change anything. I cannot make a difference. And then I started to hope. And everything changed.

 "Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."
                                                                                                                            -Ether 12:4
 

Some people think that you are gullable because you try to see the good in people. I try to see the good things in life. I try to make the best of every situation. I hope, with surety, for a better world. And I strive to make it a better place. Because I know, that there is a God. That he has a greater plan for us. I know that he cares for each and everyone of us. I know that he loves all of us. He wants all of us to have a relationship with him. Those that are lost and those that are found.

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."
                                                                                                                        -1 Peter 3:15

 In closing I want to say, that hope is a Superpower. Hope is our shield against fear and despair.

"Fear does not work as long as there is hope."
                                                                      -President Snow, The Hunger Games 

#whatdoyouhopefor?

The Story of YOUR Life.

Today I was asked which time in history I would've liked to have witnessed which lead me to seriously reflect upon history and the reason of why we have it. I picked the time of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and I would've loved to be a person who heard those good news for the first time. Can you imagine that excitement it must have brought to the nations?  After years of darkness, the heavens opened again and zur priesthood was restored back to earth. After years of searching for the truth and for revelation,  the light was switched back on.

What difference do we make in church history? What are we contributing to the hastening of the work of salvation? I want to make a difference in the world. It doesn't have to be spectacular like the restoration of the gospel. There are so many things that are great about this world. Let's make sure the generations of the future will remember our time.

We can make a difference. Our story matters. 

#whatsyourstory? 

Mid-Week Evaluation

Sunday was great, Monday was good, Tuesday was alright, Wednesday was bearable .... wait what? Sometimes I feel like after the spiritual feast on Sunday I can conquer the upcoming week, but when I get to Wednesday Morning I already feel discouraged or unmotivated. How come? Well those of us who fast frequently know, how used our body is to food. And even though we eat until we need to open our belt on a Sunday, we know that we have to eat the next few days. Just like that, we also need to make sure that we continue to feed ourselves spiritually. My mother is the greatest. And sometimes, especially when life was rough, I came home from school to find a freshly home cooked superfeast that made my day. How would we feel spiritually, if we would feast upon the words of Christ daily? How would our thoughts, desires and actions change if we were to start our day learning from the Saviour? Would it make us better people? Would it help us to make better decisions? Would it help us to not just get through the week but to enjoy every moment of it?

Elder Richard G. Scott said: "Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high."

#feastuponthewordsofchrist

#1 Endure

Today I have learned, that enduring doesn't mean to wait till the end of a problem, but to joyfully keep going until we are ready to recognize the solution. Sometimes we get so worried about finding a way to make it through dificult times, that we forget, that it is a learning experience. And sometimes, the answer is so close, that we can amolst touch it, and all we need is a little push. In my case though, I just have to endure joyfully.
One of my favourite parts of enduring is going to Church to learn from the people there. I have often found, that the Lord answers our prayers through others. And I feel so inspired after listening to other people's testimonies. For example today, we had our Relief Society President share a spiritual thought with us and she chose to speak about prayer. I felt the Spirit so strong and just wanted to make my prayers more meaningful. She was an answer to my question on how I can build a stronger spiritual foundation. It starts with the simple things.
So the overall feeling I have from today is that I CAN DO IT. And if I think I can do it, YOU CAN DO IT!


 #howdoyouenduretotheend?

WHO is that girl?

Hello everyone,and welcome welcome to the crazy diary of a returned missionary! This has been on my mind for a while. I've been dying to express myself and by so doing helping others with my testimony of Jesus Christ.

My Name is Clara, I'm 21 years old and from the place where the hills are alive. I am also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also known as Mormons. Check out my profile on http://www.mormon.org.uk/me/BGN0/Clara if you'd like to know what that is! :)

I've recently returned from my mission in Manchester, England where I had the greatest 18months of my life. I'd love to share with you a little bit of my insights on being a returned missionary and a diciple of Christ in progress.
“And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God…”