The impact

"A happy home is but an early Heaven"

For the 3rd part of this project I choose to focus on happiness. I choose to focus on this topic because I feel like too many times life happens without me enjoying it. My mom once told me "Life isn't just to be endured, but to be enjoyed." I seem to have forgotten that in the midst of raising 4 kids, so I felt I needed to focus on finding happiness in my life again.

Everyday I thought about and wrote down something that made me happy that day.

Some of the ways I found happiness in my life were:
my son wanting an extra hug and cuddle before bedtime;
driving my van after giving it a good clean out, and not seeing dust on the dash;
watching our bunny do "binkies" across the floor,
seeing the joy on our daughters face as she rode her bike by herself for the 1st time;
family prayer where we were all together and the spirit was present;
having more regular Family Home Evenings and having one of our children teaching us from the words of the apostles;
and having conversations about the gospel in our everyday lives and seeing how looking for the happiness in our lives is there when were following the commandments.

This summer we've stayed home, but had more family time as we've gone on adventures. We've picked raspberries while we hiked, hunted for fossils and played in a stream together. Spending more time as a family away from the distractions of the world has been an wonderful experience for me.

When the kids are struggling to remember what they like about each other I remind them that our family relationships can last forever and we need to remember to treat each other kindly. True happiness will come when as a family we're showing love and kindness to each other.

Pornography

1 “Pornographic or erotic stories and pictures are worse than filthy or polluted food. The body has defenses to rid itself of unwholesome food. With a few fatal exceptions, bad food will only make you sick but do no permanent harm. In contrast, a person who feasts upon filthy stories or pornographic or erotic pictures and literature records them in this marvelous retrieval system we call a brain. The brain won’t vomit back filth. Once recorded, it will always remain subject to recall, flashing its perverted images across your mind and drawing you away from the wholesome things in life.”

APRIL 2005 “Pornography” Dallin H. Oaks, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, General Conference

2 “Pornography, though billed by Satan as entertainment, is a deeply poisonous, deceptive snake that lies coiled up in magazines, the Internet, and the television. Pornography destroys self-esteem and weakens self-discipline. It is far more deadly to the spirit than the rattlesnake my father warned me not to pet.”

APRIL 2001 “You Can’t Pet a Rattlesnake” David E. Sorensen, Of the Presidency of the Seventy, General Conference

3 “Pornography is not some titillating feast for the eyes that gives a momentary rush of excitement. [Rather] it has the effect of damaging hearts and souls to their very depths, strangling the life out of relationships that should be sacred, hurting to the very core those you should love the most.”

GENERAL CONFERENCE  OCTOBER 2004 “A Tragic Evil among Us”, Gordon B. Hinckley President of the Church

4  ”Avoid the deadly poisons of pornography and narcotics. If these are in your life, beware! If allowed to continue, they can destroy you.”

APRIL 2009 General Conference, “Counsel to Young Men” , President Boyd K. Packer

President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

5 “Parents need to teach children to avoid any pornographic photographs or stories. Children and youth need to know from parents that pornography of any kind is a tool of the devil; and if anyone flirts with it, it has the power to addict, dull, and even destroy the human spirit.”

APRIL 1999, “Like a Flame Unquenchable”, M. Russell Ballard

6 “We as parents and leaders need to counsel with our children and youth on an ongoing basis, listening with love and understanding. They need to know the dangers of pornography and how it overtakes lives, causing loss of the Spirit, distorted feelings, deceit, damaged relationships, loss of self-control, and nearly total consumption of time, thought, and energy.”

APRIL 2014, “Protection from Pornography—a Christ-Focused Home”, By Linda S. Reeves

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/protection-from-pornography-a-christ-focused-home?lang=eng

7 “Satan has become a master at using the addictive power of pornography to limit individual capacity to be led by the Spirit. The onslaught of pornography in all of its vicious, corroding, destructive forms has caused great grief, suffering, heartache, and destroyed marriages. It is one of the most damning influences on earth. Whether it be through the printed page, movies, television, obscene lyrics, vulgarities on the telephone, or flickering personal computer screen, pornography is overpoweringly addictive and severely damaging. This potent tool of Lucifer degrades the mind and the heart and the soul of any who use it. All who are caught in its seductive, tantalizing web and remain so will become addicted to its immoral, destructive influence.”

OCTOBER 2009 “To Acquire Spiritual Guidance”, Richard G. Scott

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/to-acquire-spiritual-guidance?lang=eng&query=pornography

8 “In our day the dreadful influence of pornography is like unto a plague sweeping across the world, infecting one here and one there, relentlessly trying to invade every home, most frequently through the husband and father. The effect of this plague can be, unfortunately often is, spiritually fatal. Lucifer seeks to disrupt “the great plan of redemption,” “the great plan of happiness.”

OCTOBER 2010 “Cleansing the Inner Vessel”, Boyd K. Packer

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/cleansing-the-inner-vessel?lang=eng&query=pornography

9 “Pornography will always repel the Spirit of Christ and will interrupt the communications between our Heavenly Father and His children and disrupt the tender relationship between husband and wife.”

OCTOBER 2010 “Cleansing the Inner Vessel”, Boyd K. Packer

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/cleansing-the-inner-vessel?lang=eng&query=pornography

10 “The third obstacle to endurance mentioned by the Savior is “the lusts of other [things].” The plague of pornography is swirling about us as never before. Pornography brings a vicious wake of immorality, broken homes, and broken lives. Pornography will sap spiritual strength to endure. Pornography is much like quicksand. You can become so easily trapped and overcome as soon as you step into it that you do not realize the severe danger. Most likely you will need assistance to get out of the quicksand of pornography. But how much better it is never to step into it. I plead with you to be careful and cautious.”

OCTOBER 2004 “Press On”, Joseph B. Wirthlin

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2004/10/press-on?lang=eng&query=pornography

Personal Statement

Pornography has been the most difficult topic for me to research. Even though I am reading words from the prophets and apostles I can only read about it for so long before I have to walk away from it. The feelings I get from reading about the destructiveness of pornography filled me with such despair and disgust. A friend wore that said “Porn destroys love.” It is so true. Pornography takes away real feelings of love, attraction and fidelity. It brings with it secrecy, lust and short term satisfaction. The more I’ve read about this topic the more my eyes have been opened to how easily it is to get addicted to it and how destructive it can be, not just to the person addicted to it, but to their entire family. This has caused me to be even more watchful of what my children are looking at on social media and online and to have more conversations about what is appropriate and what is not appropriate and why these things can be so hurtful. Pornography has been called “the new drug” and I understand that and want to do all I can to safe guard my family against its evil forces.

Modesty

1 “For example, they need to understand that when they wear clothing that is too tight, too short, or too low cut, they not only can send the wrong message to young men with whom they associate, but they also perpetuate in their own minds the fallacy that a woman’s value is dependent solely upon her sensual appeal. This never has been nor will it ever be within the righteous definition of a faithful daughter of God.”

APRIL 2010 “Mothers and Daughters”, M. Russell Ballard, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

2 “Virtue encompasses modesty—in thought, language, dress, and demeanor. And modesty is the foundation stone of chastity. Just as one does not hike trails inhabited by rattlesnakes barefoot, similarly in today’s world it is essential to our very safety to be modest. When we are modest, we show others that we understand our relationship with our Father in Heaven as His daughters. We demonstrate that we love Him and that we will stand as a witness of Him in all things. Being modest lets others know that we “cherish virtue” (“Dearest Children, God Is Near You,” Hymns, no. 96). Modesty is not a matter of being “hip.” It is a matter of the heart and being holy. It is not about being fashionable. It is about being faithful. It is not about being cool. It is about being chaste and keeping covenants. It is not about being popular, but about being pure. Modesty has everything to do with keeping our footing securely on the path of chastity and virtue. It is clear that virtue is a requirement for exaltation.”

APRIL 2007 “Stay on the Path” Elaine S. Dalton, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency

3 “Modesty is more than a matter of avoiding revealing attire. It describes not only the altitude of hemlines and necklines but the attitude of our hearts. The word modesty means “measured.” It is related to moderate. It implies “decency, and propriety … in thought, language, dress, and behavior” (in Daniel H. Ludlow, ed., Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 5 vols. [1992], 2:932).”

OCTOBER 2005 “The Sanctity of the Body” Susan W. Tanner, Young Women General President

4 President N. Eldon Tanner once cautioned us with these words: “Modesty in dress is a quality of mind and heart, born of respect for oneself, one’s fellowmen, and the Creator of us all. Modesty reflects an attitude of humility, decency, and propriety. Consistent with these principles and guided by the Holy Spirit, let parents, teachers, and youth discuss the particulars of dress, grooming, and personal appearance, and with free agency accept responsibility and choose the right” (“Friend to Friend,” Friend, June 1971, 3).

OCTOBER 2008 “Let Him Do It with Simplicity” Elder L. Tom Perry, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

5 “Modesty is not a matter of being “hip.” It is a matter of the heart and being holy. It is not about being fashionable. It is about being faithful. It is not about being cool. It is about being chaste and keeping covenants. It is not about being popular, but about being pure. Modesty has everything to do with keeping our footing securely on the path of chastity and virtue. It is clear that virtue is a requirement for exaltation. Mormon helps us understand that both virtue and chastity are “most dear and precious above all things” (Moroni 9:9). We simply cannot afford to be casual or get too close to the edge. That is dangerous ground for any daughter of God to walk.”

APRIL 2007 “Stay on the Path” Elaine S. Dalton First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency General Conference

6 “Virtue encompasses modesty—in thought, language, dress, and demeanor. And modesty is the foundation stone of chastity. Just as one does not hike trails inhabited by rattlesnakes barefoot, similarly in today’s world it is essential to our very safety to be modest. When we are modest, we show others that we understand our relationship with our Father in Heaven as His daughters. We demonstrate that we love Him and that we will stand as a witness of Him in all things. Being modest lets others know that we “cherish virtue”.”

APRIL 2007 “Stay on the Path” Elaine S. Dalton First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency General Conference

7 “Modesty is more than a matter of avoiding revealing attire. It describes not only the altitude of hemlines and necklines but the attitude of our hearts. The word modesty means “measured.” It is related to moderate. It implies “decency, and propriety … in thought, language, dress, and behavior” (in Daniel H. Ludlow, ed., Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 5 vols. [1992], 2:932).”

OCTOBER 2005 General Conference, “The Sanctity of the Body” Susan W. Tanner, Young Women General President

8 “The kind of young woman who can be a terrific torchbearer has high standards all the time, not just in her prom dress, but every, ordinary day. There are so many of you who are like that, and I salute you tonight. You have made modesty your way of life. It is more than how you dress. It includes at least six things that I can think of: (1) your behavior is decent and modest, and yet you are very fun to be with; (2) your language is never crude but happy and interesting; (3) you are well groomed, and that is appealing; (4) you are focused on developing your talents and achieving your goals, not piercing and tattooing and flaunting your body; (5) you play sports with gusto but never lose control; (6) you don’t seem to care about what the latest pop star wears or does because you have a certain style of your own. In summary, you do not imitate the world’s standards because you know a higher standard. You know who you are, and that puts you at a real advantage. You know that you really are a daughter of Heavenly Father. You know that He knows you and that He loves you; you want to please Him and honor His love for you. You know that even if you make foolish mistakes, He will help you if you turn to Him.”

General conference APRIL 2002, “Hold High the Torch” Margaret D. Nadauld, Young Women General President

9 “The world places so much emphasis on physical attractiveness and would have you believe that you are to look like the elusive model on the cover of a magazine. The Lord would tell you that you are each uniquely beautiful. When you are virtuous, chaste, and morally clean, your inner beauty glows in your eyes and in your face. My grandfather used to say, “If you live close to God and His infinite grace—you won’t have to tell, it will show in your face.” 14  When you are worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost, you are confident and your inner beauty shines brightly.”

General Conference APRIL 2010 “Remember Who You Are!”, Elaine S. Dalton, Young Women General President

10 “Modesty in dress and manner will assist in protecting against temptation. It may be difficult to find modest clothing, but it can be found with enough effort. I sometimes wish every girl had access to a sewing machine and training in how to use it. She could then make her own attractive clothing. I suppose this is an unrealistic wish. But I do not hesitate to say that you can be attractive without being immodest. You can be refreshing and buoyant and beautiful in your dress and in your behavior. Your appeal to others will come of your personality, which is the sum of your individual characteristics. Be happy. Wear a smile. Have fun. But draw some rigid parameters, a line in the sand, as it were, beyond which you will not go.”

APRIL 2004 General Conference “Stay on the High Road”, Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the Church

Personal Statement

I choose to learn more about modesty because it was something that I was struggling to understand completely. As I’ve learned about modesty my feelings about it have changed. My conviction to teach my children about modest and to live my life modestly have been strengthened. In the beginning I was frustrated reading about how modesty was directed at women and not at men. I expressed this to a friend and she told me she would rather hear about modesty, then have to sit through talks about pornography like her husband has to. This got my thinking about why modest is directed more toward women. I feel that there are some double standards in the world about what is modest for a women to wear and what is modest for a man to wear.

To me being modest doesn’t just mean making sure our bodies are covered, but to make sure that what we have on our bodies doesn’t draw unnecessary attention from others. It means wearing what is appropriate for the occasion and being comfortable in it. It means being grateful for the body I have been given and treating it respectfully. My feelings on modesty are still evolving and I know that will continue to evolve forever. I want to treat my body respectfully and to feel comfortable with who I am, and for me making sure I am wearing clothing that I feel comfortable in and cover me is very important to me.

Happiness

Enjoying swinging through the sprinkler.

1 “Whenever darkness fills our minds, we may know that we are not possessed of the Spirit of God. … When we are filled with the Spirit of God we are filled with joy, with peace, and with happiness, no matter what our circumstances may be; for it is a spirit of cheerfulness and of happiness. The Lord has given unto us the gift of the Holy Ghost. It is our privilege to have that Holy Ghost reign within us, so that from morning till night and from night till morning we shall have the joy, the light and the revelation thereof.”

OCTOBER 2010 “Serve with the Spirit” Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency

2“Happiness is the purpose of the gospel and the purpose of the redeeming Atonement for all men.”

OCTOBER 2005 “True Happiness: A Conscious Decision”

Benjamín De Hoyos,

3“We need to recognize that “wanting to” is the determining factor which leads us to lay hold upon the word of God and be happy. Perseverance in making correct decisions is what leads us to happiness. Happiness comes as a result of our obedience and our courage in always doing the will of God, even in the most difficult circumstances.”

OCTOBER 2005 “True Happiness: A Conscious Decision”

Benjamín De Hoyos, Of the First Quorum of the Seventy

4“Words such as reap, restored, and desire imply that happiness is a consequence, not a reward. We are restored to a state of happiness when we have chosen to live according to the plan of happiness. Our joy in God’s kingdom will be a natural extension of the happiness we cultivate in this life.”

APRIL 1986 “Happiness” Jack H. Goaslind

5“Striving for happiness is a long, hard journey with many challenges. It requires eternal vigilance to win the victory. You cannot succeed with sporadic little flashes of effort. Constant and valiant living is necessary. That is why patience and faith are so often associated in the scriptures. You must “withstand every temptation of the devil, with [your] faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Alma 37:33.) But remember, faith is not a magical formula. It requires that you make a deliberate decision to do good and then carry out your decision. Do it. Simply do it, and do it long enough that you experience success, no matter how hard it may seem. Your victory over self brings communion with God and results in happiness—lasting and eternal happiness.”

APRIL 1986 “Happiness” Jack H. Goaslind

6“We were created with the express purpose and potential of experiencing a fulness of joy.  Our birthright—and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth—is to seek and experience eternal happiness.”

OCTOBER 2008 “Happiness, Your Heritage”, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency

7“Mortality is a time of testing and trial, which means that there must be times when we feel pain and emotional discomfort. However, by patiently trusting in the eternal plan, we can experience daily happiness and have hope for “ever-after happiness.”

APRIL 2000 “Living Happily Ever After”, Coleen K. Menlove, Primary General President

8 “If we continue to trust in God and follow His commandments through the challenging times, even those times will bring us closer to the happiness we are seeking. The Savior said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

APRIL 2000 “Living Happily Ever After”, Coleen K. Menlove, Primary General President

9“All who seek full happiness can find it in the gospel of Jesus Christ, taught in His Church. Through Christ’s doctrine, we are taught that we can be part of the great plan of happiness that He has prepared for all of us, His sons and daughters. As we keep His commandments, we are blessed and come to know true happiness. We learn that happiness lies in doing small things that build us up, that increase our faith and testimony.”

10 “Happiness is much more than just fun. Fun is just a fleeting moment, but happiness is a lasting thing.

Many people in this world do not understand the difference between fun and happiness. Many try to find happiness having fun, but the two words have different meanings.

Fun is play, pleasure, gaiety, merriment, source of enjoyment, amusement, to behave playfully, playful, often a noisy activity, and teasing. Happiness is contentedness, joy, delight, and satisfaction.

I was taught, after becoming a member of the Church, that there is indeed a big difference between fun and happiness. I learned, even before my baptism, that the Lord has a plan of salvation for all His children. Through this plan, depending upon what we accomplish here on earth, we shall return to our Heavenly Father’s presence and live with Him forever in a state of eternal happiness.

Both fun and happiness are fine, but certainly happiness is the most worth seeking. Happiness can encompass fun as well, but fun alone will not assure us true happiness.”

OCTOBER 2002, “Fun and Happiness”, Claudio R. M. Costa, Of the First Quorum of the Seventy

Personal Statement

I have always felt happiness is an important part of life, but after reading about it I learned more in-depth what happiness is and why it is so important. Jack H. Goaslind teaches that: “Striving for happiness is a long, hard journey with many challenges. It requires eternal vigilance to win the victory. You cannot succeed with sporadic little flashes of effort. Constant and valiant living is necessary.” And Claudio R. M. Costa teaches that “Fun is play, pleasure, gaiety, merriment, source of enjoyment, amusement, to behave playfully, playful, often a noisy activity, and teasing. Happiness is contentedness, joy, delight, and satisfaction.”

What I had thought happiness was, was the worldly view of happiness. I learned that the eternal view of happiness isn’t about being “happy” all the time. Its hard work to have real lasting happiness and many of the things in the world can bring us momentary happiness, but they don’t bring us lasting eternal happiness. “Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die,” would be the world’s reason for needing to be find happiness now because we never know when our life will be over. True happiness is being loved by our family, knowing that we are children of a loving Heavenly Father, having our family with us eternally, and knowing that we have done the best we can to live a righteous life. What I’ve learned about happiness is going to change the way I look at life. Happiness in our everyday life is important, but so is eternal happiness.

Atonement

1 “It is one thing to know that Jesus Christ came to earth to die for us—that is fundamental and foundational to the doctrine of Christ. But we also need to appreciate that the Lord desires, through His Atonement and by the power of the Holy Ghost, to live in us—not only to direct us but also to empower us.”

David A. Bednar, Liahona, Apr. 2012, 14; Ensign, Apr. 2012, 42

2 “There is no greater expression of love than the heroic Atonement performed by the Son of God. Were it not for the plan of our Heavenly Father, established before the world began, in a very real sense, all mankind—past, present, and future—would have been left without the hope of eternal progression.”

The Atonement and the Value of One Soul, M. Russell Ballard, General Conference April 2014

3 “At the heart of the English word atonement is the word one. If all mankind understood this, there would never be anyone with whom we would not be concerned, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, or social or economic standing. We would strive to emulate the Savior and would never be unkind, indifferent, disrespectful, or insensitive to others.”

The Atonement and the Value of One Soul, M. Russell Ballard, General Conference April 2014

4 “The things we do are the means, not the end we seek. What we do allows the Atonement of Jesus Christ to change us into what we must be. Our faith in Jesus Christ brings us to repentance and to keeping His commandments.”

APRIL 2006 “As a Child” Henry B. Eyring, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, General Conference

5 “Prophecies foretelling the life and mission of Jesus Christ promise us the deliverance that He will provide. His Atonement and Resurrection provide all of us an escape from physical death and, if we repent, an escape from spiritual death, bringing with it the blessings of eternal life. The promises of the Atonement and Resurrection, the promises of deliverance from physical and spiritual death, were declared by God to Moses when He said, “For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).”

APRIL 2012 ‘The Power of Deliverance” By Elder L. Tom Perry

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

6 “For some reason, we think the Atonement of Christ applies only at the end of mortal life to redemption from the Fall, from spiritual death. It is much more than that. It is an ever-present power to call upon in everyday life. When we are racked or harrowed up or tormented by guilt or burdened with grief, He can heal us. While we do not fully understand how the Atonement of Christ was made, we can experience “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding.”

APRIL 2001, “The Touch of the Master’s Hand”, Boyd K. Packer

7 “If Christ had not made His Atonement, the penalties for mistakes would be added one on the other. Life would be hopeless. But He willingly sacrificed in order that we may be redeemed. And He said, “Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.”

APRIL 2001, “The Touch of the Master’s Hand”, Boyd K. Packer

8 “The Atonement which can wash clean every stain no matter how difficult or how long or how many times repeated. The Atonement can put you free again to move forward, cleanly and worthily, to pursue that path that you have chosen in life.” April 2015, “The Plan of Happiness” By President Boyd K. Packer

9 “Our testimonies, like yours, have been written in our hearts as we have faced assorted soul-stretching challenges and adversities. Without an understanding of Heavenly Father’s perfect plan of happiness and the Savior’s Atonement as the central feature of that plan, these challenges could seem unfair. We all share in the trials of life together. But in faithful hearts is written, “All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”

OCTOBER 2012, “Is Faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ Written in Our Hearts?”

By Linda K. Burton

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/is-faith-in-the-atonement-of-jesus-christ-written-in-our-hearts?lang=eng&query=linda+k+burton

10 “Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, each of us can become clean and the burden of our rebellion will be lifted. Remember, repentance is not punishment. It is the hope-filled path to a more glorious future.”

OCTOBER 2013, “Personal Strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ”

By Elder Richard G. Scott

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/personal-strength-through-the-atonement-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng&query=richard+g+scott+2010

11 Extra Quote* “The Atonement, which can reclaim each one of us, bears no scars. That means that no matter what we have done or where we have been or how something happened, if we truly repent, He has promised that He would atone. And when He atoned, that settled that. There are so many of us who are thrashing around, as it were, with feelings of guilt, not knowing quite how to escape. You escape by accepting the Atonement of Christ, and all that was heartache can turn to beauty and love and eternity.”

April 2015, “The Plan of Happiness” By President Boyd K. Packer

*This is the 3^rd quote from Elder Perry’s talk. I loved it so much and wanted to include it. I made it an extra quote and it’s not one of my 10 quotes on the Atonement.

Personal Statement

I learned so much reading about the Atonement. I learned that it should be part of our everyday life. I learned that it was done for everyone who has ever, or will ever come to earth. I learned that it was done so that we will feel never alone because Christ has felt all of our pains, sorrows, grief and disappointments. Because He has felt all our pains, He knows what it feels like. He did it out of love for each of us. I’m in awe thinking about all the physical, emotional and spiritual pain I put him through with the choices I make in my life. I’m so thankful that my sins are not added upon each other, until I am so burdened down that life looks hopeless. Learning about faith through our trials and the Atonement went hand in hand with each other. I was able to see that because of Christ’s love for me He had felt all the pain in my life and that helps me keep my faith strong knowing that He is always there for me.

Family

1 “Family prayer is the greatest deterrent to sin, and hence the most beneficent provider of joy and happiness. The old saying is yet true: “The family that prays together stays together.”

“Trust in the Lord” President Monson, General Conference October 1988 Second Counselor in the First Presidency

2 “Let us determine, whatever our circumstance, make of our houses happy homes. Let us open wide the windows of our hearts, that each family member may feel welcome and “at home.” Let us open also the doors of our very souls, that the dear Christ may enter. Remember His promise: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.” (Rev. 3:20.)”

“Trust in the Lord” President Monson, General Conference October 1988 Second Counselor in the First Presidency

3 “Our most important and powerful assignments are in the family. They are important because the family has the opportunity at the start of a child’s life to put feet firmly on the path home. Parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles are made more powerful guides and rescuers by the bonds of love that are the very nature of a family.”

APRIL 2010 “Help Them on Their Way Home” Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency

4 “Over the years I have frequently taught an important principle: the end of all activity in the Church is to see that a man and a woman with their children are happy at home, sealed together for time and for all eternity.”

April 2015 “The Plan of Happiness” By President Boyd K. Packer

5 “We should remember that our family relationships—even more than our Church callings—are the setting in which the most important part of that development can occur. The conversion we must achieve requires us to be a good husband and father or a good wife and mother. Being a successful Church leader is not enough. Exaltation is an eternal family experience, and it is our mortal family experiences that are best suited to prepare us for it.”

OCTOBER 2000, “The Challenge to Become” Dallin H. Oaks

6 “The home is to be God’s laboratory of love and service. There a husband is to love his wife, a wife is to love her husband, and parents and children are to love one another.

Throughout the world, the family is increasingly under attack. If families fail, many of our political, economic, and social systems will also fail. And if families fail, their glorious eternal potential cannot be realized.”

APRIL 2008, “Salvation and Exaltation” Elder Russell M. Nelson

7 “Do not try to control your children. Instead, listen to them, help them to learn the gospel, inspire them, and lead them toward eternal life. You are God’s agents in the care of children He has entrusted to you. Let His divine influence remain in your hearts as you teach and persuade.”

APRIL 2008, “Salvation and Exaltation” Elder Russell M. Nelson

8 “We call upon parents to devote their best efforts to the teaching and rearing of their children in gospel principles which will keep them close to the Church. The home is the basis of a righteous life, and no other instrumentality can take its place or fulfill its essential functions in carrying forward this God-given responsibility….No other work transcends that of righteous, intentional parenting!”

APRIL 2015, “The Sabbath Is a Delight”, By Elder Russell M. Nelson

9 “Through the restored gospel we learn there is an ideal family. It is a family composed of a righteous Melchizedek Priesthood bearer with a righteous wife sealed to him and children born in the covenant or sealed to them. With a mother in the home in an environment of love and service, the parents teach their children, through example and precept, the ways of the Lord and His truths. They fulfill their divinely appointed roles mentioned in the family proclamation. Their children mature by living teachings instilled from birth. They develop characteristics of obedience, integrity, love of God, and faith in His holy plan. In due course, each of those children seeks a companion with similar ideals and aspirations. They are sealed in the temple, bear children, and the eternal plan continues, with generation strengthening generation.”

APRIL 2001, “First Things First” Richard G. Scott

10 “Nothing is more important to the relationship between family members than open, honest communication. This is particularly true for parents trying to teach gospel principles and standards to their children. The ability to counsel with our youth—and perhaps more importantly, to really listen to their concerns—is the foundation upon which successful relationships are built. Often what we see in the eyes and what we feel in the heart will communicate far more than what we hear or say. A word to you children: Never be disrespectful to your parents. You must also learn to listen, especially to the counsel of your mom and dad and to the promptings of the Spirit. We need to watch for and capture the special teaching moments that constantly occur within our family relationships, and we need to resolve now to hold family home evening every Monday night.”

APRIL 1999, “Like a Flame Unquenchable”, M. Russell Ballard

11 “May I expand this counsel to make it a full family matter. We must be so careful in speaking to a child. What we say or don’t say, how we say it and when is so very, very important in shaping a child’s view of himself or herself. But it is even more important in shaping that child’s faith in us and their faith in God. Be constructive in your comments to a child—always. Never tell them, even in whimsy, that they are fat or dumb or lazy or homely. You would never do that maliciously, but they remember and may struggle for years trying to forget—and to forgive. And try not to compare your children, even if you think you are skillful at it. You may say most positively that “Susan is pretty and Sandra is bright,” but all Susan will remember is that she isn’t bright and Sandra that she isn’t pretty. Praise each child individually for what that child is, and help him or her escape our culture’s obsession with comparing, competing, and never feeling we are “enough.”

APRIL 2007,  “The Tongue of Angels” Jeffrey R. Holland

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/04/the-tongue-of-angels?lang=eng&query=charity

12 “Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results.”

OCTOBER 2009 “More Diligent and Concerned at Home”, David A. Bednar

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/more-diligent-and-concerned-at-home?lang=eng

Personal Statement

I found so much joy reading about families. I love my family and am so grateful that I was born into a family and that I have my own family. I also know that family life can be very stressful and hard sometimes, and I was reminded through my readings of the importance of family and why they are so important.

Elder Russell M. Nelson taught us: “Throughout the world, the family is increasingly under attack. If families fail, many of our political, economic, and social systems will also fail. And if families fail, their glorious eternal potential cannot be realized.” This is why Satan is trying so hard to ruin families. He knows their absolute importance to the Plan of Salvation and he will do any and everything he can to try to ruin that plan. We must stand strong against him and stand strong for families. We need to fight to keep our families strong and together.

I am vowing to work harder to keep my family strong through Family Home Evening, family prayer, learning the gospel, finding ways to be together away from the distractions of the world and to teach my children how incredibly important and needed family is.

Agency

Agency

1 “People have to believe that the danger is real to want to find safety. They have to fear the consequence of ignoring the peril. He made clear the hazards we face because we are free to choose between right and wrong and because we cannot avoid the consequence of those choices. He spoke directly and sharply because he knew what sorrow would come to those who might not hear and heed his warnings.”

APRIL 2006 “As a Child” Henry B. Eyring, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, General Conference

2 “We have been given agency, we have been given the blessings of the priesthood, and we have been given the Light of Christ and the Holy Ghost for a reason. That reason is our growth and happiness in this world and eternal life in the world to come. Today I ask, have we received that Spirit? Are we following on the strait and narrow path that leads to God and eternal life? Are we holding onto the iron rod, or are we going another way? I testify that how we choose to feel and think and act every day is the way we get on the path, and stay on it, until we reach our eternal destination.”

APRIL 2006 “To Act for Ourselves: The Gift and Blessings of Agency”, Robert D. Hales

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

3 “Agency was manifested in the Council in Heaven as we chose to follow our Heavenly Father’s plan and come to mortality for this probationary period. Agency allows us to be tested and tried to see whether or not we will endure to the end and return to our Heavenly Father with honor. Agency is the catalyst that leads us to express our inward spiritual desires in outward Christlike behavior. Agency permits us to make faithful, obedient choices that strengthen us so that we can lift and strengthen others. Agency used righteously allows light to dispel the darkness and enables us to live with joy and happiness in the present, look with faith to the future, even into the eternities, and not dwell on the things of the past. Our use of agency determines who we are and what we will be.”

APRIL 2006 “To Act for Ourselves: The Gift and Blessings of Agency”, Robert D. Hales

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

4 “Agency is the power to think, choose, and act for ourselves. It comes with endless opportunities, accompanied by responsibility and consequences. It is a blessing and a burden. Using this gift of agency wisely is critical today because never in the world’s history have God’s children been so blessed or so blatantly confronted with so many choices.”

OCTOBER 1999, “Agency—A Blessing and a Burden”, Sharon G. Larsen

5 “When we came into this world, we brought with us from our heavenly home this God-given gift and privilege which we call our agency. It gives us the right and power to make decisions and to choose. Agency is an eternal law. President Brigham Young, speaking of our agency, taught: “This is a law which has always existed from all eternity, and will continue to exist throughout all the eternities to come. Every intelligent being must have the power of choice.”

APRIL 2006, “The Gift of Agency”, Wolfgang H. Paul Of the Seventy

6 “Thus, our agency makes our life on this earth a test period. If we did not have this wonderful gift of agency, we would not be able to show our Father in Heaven whether we will do all that He commanded us.

In order for us to use our agency, we must have a knowledge of good and evil, we must have the freedom to make choices, and after we have exercised our agency, there must be consequences that follow our choices.

I have learned that as we obey our Heavenly Father’s commandments, our faith increases, we grow in wisdom and spiritual strength, and it becomes easier for us to make right choices.”

APRIL 2006, “The Gift of Agency”, Wolfgang H. Paul Of the Seventy

7 “Those who rely solely on themselves and follow only their own desires and self-inclinations are so limited when compared to those who follow God and tap into His insight, power, and gifts. It has been said that someone who is all wrapped up in himself or herself makes a very small package. Strong, proactive obedience is anything but weak or passive. It is the means by which we declare our faith in God and qualify ourselves to receive the powers of heaven. Obedience is a choice. It is a choice between our own limited knowledge and power and God’s unlimited wisdom and omnipotence. According to the lesson my grandfather gave to me, it is a choice to sense the spiritual bit in our mouths and follow the driver’s lead.”

APRIL 2014 “Obedience through Our Faithfulness” Elder L Tom Perry

8 “Why has your moral agency been given to you? Only to live a pleasurable life and to make choices to do the things you want to do? Or is there a more fundamental reason—to be able to make the choices that will lead you to fully implement your purpose for being here on earth and to establish priorities in your life that will assure the development and happiness the Lord wants you to receive.”

APRIL 2001, “First Things First” Richard G. Scott

9 “Trying to please others before pleasing God is inverting the first and second great commandments (see Matthew 22:37–39). It is forgetting which way we face. And yet, we have all made that mistake because of the fear of men. In Isaiah the Lord warns us, “Fear ye not the reproach of men” (Isaiah 51:7; see also 2 Nephi 8:7). In Lehi’s dream, this fear was triggered by the finger of scorn pointed from the great and spacious building, causing many to forget which way they faced and to leave the tree “ashamed” (see 1 Nephi 8:25–28).”

This peer pressure tries to change a person’s attitudes, if not behavior, by making one feel guilty for giving offense. We seek respectful coexistence with those who point fingers, but when this fear of men tempts us to condone sin, it becomes a “snare” according to the book of Proverbs (see Proverbs 29:25). The snare may be cleverly baited to appeal to our compassionate side to tolerate or even approve of something that has been condemned by God. For the weak of faith, it can be a major stumbling block.

OCTOBER 2014, “Which Way Do You Face?” By Elder Lynn G. Robbins

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/which-way-do-you-face?lang=eng&query=charity

10 “Through Adam and Eve’s partaking of the forbidden fruit, knowledge of good and evil was introduced into the world. Their choice made it possible for each of us to come to this earth to be tried and tested.1 We are blessed with agency, which is our ability to make decisions and to become accountable for those decisions. The Fall made possible in our lives feelings of both happiness and sadness. We are able to understand peace because we feel turmoil.”

OCTOBER 2014, “Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority”, By Elder Richard G. Scott

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/make-the-exercise-of-faith-your-first-priority?lang=eng

11  “As those around us make choices about how to respond to our beliefs, we must not forget that moral agency is an essential part of God’s plan for all His children. That eternal plan, presented to us in the premortal Council in Heaven, included the gift of agency.”

APRIL 2015, “Preserving Agency, Protecting Religious Freedom” By Elder Robert D. Hales

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/preserving-agency-protecting-religious-freedom?lang=eng

12 “Agency is essential to the plan of happiness. It allows for the love, sacrifice, personal growth, and experience necessary for our eternal progression. This agency also allows for all the pain and suffering we experience in mortality, even when caused by things we do not understand and the devastating evil choices of others.”

APRIL 2013 “Personal Peace: The Reward of Righteousness” Elder Quentin L. Cook

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/personal-peace-the-reward-of-righteousness?lang=eng

Personal Statement

Agency is being personally responsible for how one acts and feels. As a mom I’ve talked to my kids many times about how no one else can make them feel or act a certain way. They don’t get to choose what another person does or says, but they do get to choose how to react and feel about it. Agency is so important in our lives because it can stop us from blaming others for things that happen in our lives, and instead take responsibility for what we can do. We first used our agency when we choose to follow Heavenly Father and come to earth. While we’re here on earth we should use our agency to do good and right things. When we do good and right things we show Heavenly Father our gratitude for the gift of agency that He gave us. Being able to choose for ourselves is such an amazing blessing and we should do all we can to live righteously so that we can continue to have the use of our agency throughout all eternity.

Charity

1 “True charity is love in action.”

 Thomas S. Monson, “Charity Never Faileth” General Conference, October 2010, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/charity-never-faileth ?lang=eng&query=charity+is+the+pure+love+of+christ

2 “In a hundred small ways, all of you wear the mantle of charity. Life is perfect for none of us. Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life. May we recognize that each one is doing her best to deal with the challenges which come her way, and may we strive to do our best to help out. .”

Thomas S. Monson, “Charity Never Faileth” General Conference, October 2010, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/charity-never-faileth ?lang=eng&query=charity+is+the+pure+love+of+christ

3 “The reason charity never fails and the reason charity is greater than even the most significant acts of goodness he cited is that charity, “the pure love of Christ” (Moro. 7:47), is not an act but a condition or state of being. Charity is attained through a succession of acts that result in a conversion. Charity is something one becomes. Thus, as Moroni declared, “except men shall have charity they cannot inherit” the place prepared for them in the mansions of the Father (Ether 12:34; emphasis added).”

OCTOBER 2000, “The Challenge to Become” Dallin H. Oaks

4 “Elder Marvin J. Ashton beautifully observed: “Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.”

OCTOBER 2003, ‘Choosing Charity: That Good Part”, Bonnie D. Parkin, Relief Society General President

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/10/choosing-charity-that-good-part?lang=eng&query=charity

5 “Charity is our love for the Lord, shown through our acts of service, patience, compassion, and understanding for one another. … Charity is also the Lord’s love for us, shown through His acts of service, patience, compassion, and understanding.”

OCTOBER 2003, ‘Choosing Charity: That Good Part”, Bonnie D. Parkin, Relief Society General President

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/10/choosing-charity-that-good-part?lang=eng&query=charity

6 “From her we learn that charity, though often quantified as the action, is actually the state of the heart that prompts us to love one another. She offered water. It was in the offering that charity was manifest.”

OCTOBER 1996, “Strengthened in Charity”, Elaine L. Jack

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1996/10/strengthened-in-charity?lang=eng&query=charity

7 “Faith, hope, and charity complement each other, and as one increases, the others grow as well. Hope comes of faith, for without faith, there is no hope.  In like manner faith comes of hope, for faith is “the substance of things hoped for.”  

Hope is critical to both faith and charity. When disobedience, disappointment, and procrastination erode faith, hope is there to uphold our faith. When frustration and impatience challenge charity, hope braces our resolve and urges us to care for our fellowmen even without expectation of reward. The brighter our hope, the greater our faith. The stronger our hope, the purer our charity.

The things we hope for lead us to faith, while the things we hope in lead us to charity. The three qualities—faith, hope, and charity —working together, grounded on the truth and light of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, lead us to abound in good works. “

OCTOBER 2008, “The Infinite Power of Hope”, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/the-infinite-power-of-hope?lang=eng&query=charity

8 “This society is composed of women whose feelings of charity spring from hearts changed by qualifying for and by keeping covenants offered only in the Lord’s true Church. Their feelings of charity come from Him through His Atonement. Their acts of charity are guided by His example—and come out of gratitude for His infinite gift of mercy—and by the Holy Spirit, which He sends to accompany His servants on their missions of mercy. Because of that, they have done and are able to do uncommon things for others and to find joy even when their own unmet needs are great.”

OCTOBER 2009, “The Enduring Legacy of Relief Society” ,Henry B. Eyring

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/the-enduring-legacy-of-relief-society?lang=eng&query=charity

9 “What is charity? How do we obtain charity?

The prophet Mormon defines charity as “the pure love of Christ,” while Paul teaches that “charity … is the bond of perfectness,” and Nephi reminds us that “the Lord God hath given a commandment that all men should have charity, which charity is love.”   

In reviewing Paul’s previous description of charity, we learn that charity is not a single act or something we give away but a state of being, a state of the heart, kind feelings that engender loving actions.

Mormon also teaches that charity is bestowed upon the Lord’s true disciples and that charity purifies those who have it.  In addition, we learn that charity is a divine gift which we must seek and pray for. We need to have charity in our hearts in order to inherit the celestial kingdom. “

OCTOBER 2011, “Charity Never Faileth” Silvia H. Allred

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/charity-never-faileth?lang=eng&query=charity

10 “When we have charity, we are willing to serve and help others when it is inconvenient and with no thought of recognition or reciprocation. We don’t wait to be assigned to help, because it becomes our very nature. As we choose to be kind, caring, generous, patient, accepting, forgiving, inclusive, and selfless, we discover we are abounding in charity.

Relief Society provides countless ways to serve others. One of the most important ways to practice charity is through visiting teaching. Through effective visiting teaching we have many opportunities to love, minister, and serve others. Expressing charity, or love, purifies and sanctifies our souls, helping us become more like the Savior.”

OCTOBER 2011, “Charity Never Faileth” Silvia H. Allred

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/charity-never-faileth?lang=eng&query=charity

Personal Statement

Bonnie D. Parkin summarized charity so beautifully: “Charity is our love for the Lord, shown through our acts of service, patience, compassion, and understanding for one another. … Charity is also the Lord’s love for us, shown through His acts of service, patience, compassion, and understanding.”

I used to think that Charity was something that only some people can be, but in learning about it I realized that everyone can have charity. Charity isn’t some mysterious thing we do, it’s who we become through our actions here on earth. Charity is the little things we do to show our love for others. It’s giving help, offering love and genuinely caring about those around us. It’s bringing dinner to a family with a new baby, visiting a sick friend in the hospital, giving outgrown clothes to a family, giving an encouraging word or a smile given away. Charity is a way of life. It’s being the Lord’s hand here on earth.

Faith through our trials

1 “To exercise faith is to trust that the Lord knows what He is doing with you and that He can accomplish it for your eternal good even though you cannot understand how He can possibly do it. We are like infants in our understanding of eternal matters and their impact on us here in mortality. Yet at times we act as if we knew it all. When you pass through trials for His purposes, as you trust Him, exercise faith in Him, He will help you. That support will generally come step by step, a portion at a time. While you are passing through each phase, the pain and difficulty that comes from being enlarged will continue. If all matters were immediately resolved at your first petition, you could not grow. Your Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son love you perfectly. They would not require you to experience a moment more of difficulty than is absolutely needed for your personal benefit or for that of those you love. ”

(“Trust in the Lord,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 17). Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

2 “Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more (see Prov. 3:11–12). He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain.”

(“Trust in the Lord,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 17). Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

3 “In our lives we will have temptations; we will have trials and challenges. As we go to the temple, as we remember the covenants we make there, we will be better able to overcome those temptations and to bear our trials. In the temple we can find peace.”

“Blessing of the Temple.” President Monson, April 2015 General Conference.

4 “Although His time is not always our time, we can be sure that the Lord keeps His promises. For any of you who now feel that He is hard to reach, I testify that the day will come that we all will see Him face to face. Just as there is nothing now to obscure His view of us, there will be nothing to obscure our view of Him. We will all stand before Him, in person.”

“Where Is the Pavilion?”, By President Henry B. Eyring, October 2012 General Conference

5 “If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing. In all conditions, we can choose the right with the guidance of the Spirit. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ to shape and guide our lives if we choose it. And with prophets revealing to us our place in the plan of salvation, we can live with perfect hope and a feeling of peace. We never need to feel that we are alone or unloved in the Lord’s service because we never are. We can feel the love of God. The Savior has promised angels on our left and our right to bear us up. And He always keeps His word.”

“Mountains to Climb”, By President Henry B. Eyring, April 2012 General Conference

6 “I have seen faith and courage come from a testimony that it is true that we are being prepared for eternal life. The Lord will rescue His faithful disciples. And the disciple who accepts a trial as an invitation to grow and therefore qualify for eternal life can find peace in the midst of the struggle.”

APRIL 2009, “Adversity” President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency General Conference

7 “It is clear that for us to have that gift and to be given that trust, we must be transformed through making righteous choices where that is hard to do. We are prepared for so great a trust by passing through trying and testing experiences in mortality. That education can come only as we are subject to trials while serving God and others for Him. In this education we experience misery and happiness, sickness and health, the sadness from sin and the joy of forgiveness. That forgiveness can come only through the infinite Atonement of the Savior, which He worked out through pain we could not bear and which we can only faintly comprehend.

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. The Book of Mormon gives us the certain assurance of His power to comfort. And faith in that power will give us patience as we pray and work and wait for help.”

APRIL 2009, “Adversity” President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency General Conference

8 “The burdens His faithful servants must carry in life are made lighter by His Atonement. The burden of sin can be taken away, but the trials of mortal life for good people can still be heavy burdens.”

April 2015, “The Comforter”, By President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency

9 “It was the witness of the Spirit of the coming Atonement which saw Job through the tests life is intended to include for all of us. That is part of the great plan of happiness the Father gave us. He allowed His Son to provide, by His atoning sacrifice, the hope that comforts us no matter how hard the way home to Him may be.”

April 2015, “The Comforter”, By President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency

10 “Elder Boyd K. Packer explained: “It was meant to be that life would be a challenge. To suffer some anxiety, some depression, some disappointment, even some failure is normal. Teach our members that if they have a good, miserable day once in a while, or several in a row, to stand steady and face them. Things will straighten out. There is great purpose in our struggle in life” (“That All May Be Edified” [1982], 94).”

APRIL 2000 “Living Happily Ever After”, Coleen K. Menlove, Primary General President

11 “That’s where the faith comes in. … Our commitment is supposed to be a test, it’s supposed to be hard, it’s supposed to be impractical in the terms of this world.”

APRIL 2015, “The Parable of the Sower”,  Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Personal Statement

I choose to learn about faith through our trials because my faith was shaken to the core after multiple trials came I felt that I had been abandoned. What I’ve learned through my study of this topic is that everyone has trials in this life. I am no exception. I am not loved any less or forgotten. Just like everyone else I am going through a testing phase to see if I’ll stand strong in the midst of my trials. I’ve learned that I need to cling to the knowledge I have of my Heavenly Father. I need to read my scriptures, pray, look for the good and express gratitude for the blessings I have in my life, which can help me to keep my faith strong.

My favorite quote I found is my Richard G Scott. “Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more. He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain.”

I like this quote so much because it reminds me that when trials come my way that it’s because the Lord sees that I’m ready to grow, and just like the growing pains I experienced as a child, I’m being stretched and lengthened and it’s not comfortable, but it’s worth it.