Walking in the Light

Why is walking in the light so important? What difference does it make for me?

As each of us have chosen or will choose to be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost is evidence that we have chosen or will choose to walk in the light. President Eyring said this regarding choices, "You make choices every day and almost every hour that keep you walking in the light or moving away toward darkness." Let us keep our choices in walking light and not away into darkness.

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we know that we are given the gift of the Holy Ghost. President Eyring reminds us of the power the Holy Ghost has. " The Holy Ghost is a powerful source of light to recognize truth, to follow and love the Lord Jesus Christ, and to find our way back to God after this life." What a true blessing it is and a comfort to have the Holy Ghost as a source of light. It is so important that we keep ourselves worthy to have His constant companionship. There are many things that force the Holy Ghost out of our lives and Gossiping is one of them. When we gossip, as it is so common today and a brutal problem, we lose an extremely POWERFUL source of light. Life becomes harder but our hearts beat with pain because of the lost happiness. It is so important that we are baptized but also important that we remain worthy!

" The enemy of your soul knows you and your goodness. He knows that if he can turn you away from walking in the light, he can both capture you and stop you from helping others along the journey. He knows how good you are and your power to teach and influence hundreds of Heavenly Father's children in this life--and thousands over the generations that will follow your path. If he can get you to wander away from the light on your journey, he can do harm and bring misery to many." Do you see how important this is? If this quote by President Eyring doesn't strike you in some way please find a desire in your heart to understand and care. You WILL teach and influence hundreds!! You have power to do that and Satan knows you do! Thousands will follow your path! All of which are Heavenly Father's Children. BUT, if he can get you to wander from your light he will... and MANY others will fall and be miserable in return.

To go along with this topic i have two scriptures that are so near and dear to my heart that I would like to share. They are Matthew 5: 14,16 " Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.".. " Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." It is so important that we let our light shine because we ARE the light of the world. I am so grateful for this blessing in my life. I know that it is important that we continue to bless others with the light that is within us. Let us show to others our light. One more quote that i just love with all my heart by President Eyring to sum it all up :) " When you walk in the light, you will feel at that moment some of the warmth and the happiness that will finally be yours when you are welcomed home again with the hundreds and perhaps thousands of others whom you will bring with you, who have walked in the light because you did." I have a firm testimony in this particular principle. I know that if we try our very hardest to walk in the light we will in fact influence so many others! You can and will make a difference! Don't give up! Keep going and keep smiling! :)

Shantell

Our True Identity

I am so grateful for the beautiful message of this short film and I feel the need to share with others. President Dieter F. Utchdorf put if very simple but yet it is so powerful! I know without a doubt in my mind that this is so true! We are all Sons and Daughters of Our Heavenly Father and his love fore each one of us is Infinite! I am so blessed to have this comfort in my life and to know of this very truth. I am so grateful to know that He loves me that much and that my worth is unchangeable! To know that Christ loved me enough and loved His Father enough to die for me and for you. I hope and pray that as you watch this that you will gain motivation to keep going. I pray that you will have the desire in your heart to know for yourself who you really are. As you do you will find joy and happiness in this life and you will find purpose and meaning. Enjoy it! :)

Shantell

Optimism

"We have every reason to be optimistic in this world. Tragedy is around, yes. Problems everywhere, yes. … You can’t, you don’t, build out of pessimism or cynicism. You look with optimism, work with faith, and things happen." - President Gordan B. Hinckley

Ether 12:4- "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."

"When the days are gloomy, Sing some happy song; Meet the world's repining With a courage strong. Go with faith undaunted Thru the ills of life; Scatter smiles and sunshine O'er its toil and strife. Scatter sunshine all along your way. Cheer and bless and brighten Ev'ry passing day."- Scatter Sunshine... Hymn 230

I have a deep passion for the entire concept of optimism and what that really means. We are an optimistic people. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is full of optimism and light. Our prophet today, President Thomas S. Monson has counseled us to focus on being cheerful and finding happiness. He has asked us to live with optimism. We have every reason to feel optimistic about the world and about life. God did not set up this plan to fail. We will not fail. We must all look with optimism and work with faith. Optimism and Hope go hand in hand and are gained by faith and TRUST in God's plan. A plan of Happiness and Joy. Let us all live everyday with optimism singing songs of faith and happiness, Scattering smiles and light to the world! A dear friend of mine always has told me," Life should be lived with optimism... and a smile is a start!" The future is bright and the way is set! Start with a smile... find within your heart happiness and hope and faith and carry it out with optimism. You will be amazed at the difference that makes in your life! Keep smiling and look deeper. :)

Shantell

Persecution and Hard Suffering

After Joseph Smith had seen God the Father, and His Son Jesus Christ he had the desire to share with others. In JSH 1:22 he speaks of what he notices as he shares," ...my telling of the story had excited a great deal of prejudice against me among professors of religion, and was the cause of great persecution, which continued to increase.."
Joseph is just one of many who have faced brutal persecution for the things of God. There is something that has opened my eyes that I would really like to share with you and that is of 2 Timothy 3:12 " Yea, and all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." As long as we are on God's team and following in the footsteps of our Savior Jesus Christ we WILL suffer persecution. Bruce R. McConkie said this about persecution," Persecution is the heritage of the faithful."

As I have thought about this statement there are so many emotions that could be going through my head. Persecution is hard and its a rocky road and can bring you to the thought of anger, weakness, and frustration. For me as I realize that there isn't a way to get around it when you are on the Lord's Errand the only way to conquer is to fight through it. The Lord gives us weakness that it may become our strength and as we suffer for God we are blessed beyond comprehension.

My prayer is that we will continue to do what is right no matter the persecution we face. There are times when we will have to stand up for what is right and stand alone, but the Lord is on our side. We can make it. We have the strength and power to fight! To close I would like to share one of my absolute favorite scriptures with you. Its found in 1Peter 3:12" For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers..." & 14 " But and if ye suffer for righteous sake , happy are ye : and be not afraid of their terror neither be troubled" I know that we can all feel happiness even in times of persecution because the Lord's eyes are upon us and His ears are open to our prayers. Have a wonderful weekend! :)

Shantell

Joseph Smith History

Seminary has been the highlight of my experience at high school. I am especially excited for this year due to the fact that we are studying Doctrine and Covenants! It's so beautiful and special to me. Lately we have really been getting into our scriptures and finding what makes D&C unlike any others. Joseph Smith History has been so fascinating to me and I would like to share a bit from today's Lesson.

To start with... Think about these few questions. What annoys you? Are you annoying? Was Joseph Smith annoying?

Focusing solely on Was Joseph Smith annoying? I would answer directly with YES! In JSH 1:20 Joseph is telling his sweet mother of his experience in the sacred grove. He explains that he has learned that Presbyterianism is not true and he was forbidden to join any other church. The point in this verse is stated toward the end and it says, "..It seems as though the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom..." Joseph Smith was absolutely annoying! But to whom? Satan and his followers. Satan was very annoyed with Joseph because he was on the Lord's side. Joseph continues on to prove this by saying ".. else why should the powers of darkness combine against me? Why the opposition and persecution that arose against me, almost in my infancy?" Joseph was ultimately annoying to the adversary because he was destroying Satan's plan.

This all applies to us because we are all destroyers of Satan's very plan. We are annoying to the adversary when we do what's right and when we stand for what we know is right. We do not belong to Satan's team and by sticking with the Lord we are annoyers. I pray that we can all be annoyers and upset Satan by destroying what he works so hard for. We are all capable!

Shantell

Intention and Responsibility

To be quite honest I never planned to start a blog or be known as a blogger. Obviously something changed that for me or I wouldn't be here today. As a youth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I have the opportunity to attend seminary and expand my love and understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I would be very selfish not to share with others what comes to my heart and mind through the spirit. I feel as though I have so much I could share and would love to if it can make just a small difference in someone elses life. I feel with all that I have been blessed with that I have a responsibility to share with others. I am excited about this opportunity and I hope I can grow through it!

Shantell