Sunday 28 December 2014

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

Sunday 14 December 2014

#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?