Real Life Connections

I was reading an article from the Ensign, a monthly magazine published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the words I read really touched my heart and made me think. Elder F. Burton Howard said, "we must take care to connect the events of the Sacred Grove with real life and with present circumstances, or the result will be that the great truths of the Restoration will become something we just talk about and not live."

Elder Howard is referring to the experience that Joseph Smith had in a grove of trees on his parents farm in upstate New York in the Spring of 1820. Joseph Smith entered that grove of trees in order to pray to God for an answer to the questions that he had on his mind. He had read in James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." He had faith that this scriptural promise would be fulfilled, and it was (for further details of this experience read Joseph Smith History).

I want to take a few minutes and share some of the ways that I have connected the events in the Sacred Grove to my life and my present circumstances.

One thing I learn from the experience is that the words of scriptures are powerful. I have been told that we should pray to God when we have questions and concerns and we should read the scriptures when we want to hear His answers. I take comfort in knowing that there are others who have done this and had success with that method of receiving guidance and direction. I too have turned to the scriptures many times in my life when I have needed guidance and comfort. I have found peace and perspective. I have been given answers to my concerns as well as assurance that the choices I have made and the path I am following is a good one and productive in my life.

Another thing I learn is that prayers are answered. I do not always pray as often or as sincerely as I should. When I do take the time to confide in my Heavenly Father I am amazed at how things can be put in perspective and I can forget my woes and feel peace. I have often felt strengthened as I share my burden and seek guidance. Those feelings and experiences I have are real. They are a part of me. They are harder for me to brush aside or forget than the experiences of others that I just hear about or read about.

Perhaps less happy of a lesson, but something I have learned and found to be true in my life nevertheless, things are not always easy or smooth or go the way we want them to. This is true even if we follow that which we believe to be right. There are bumps in our path. There are those who seek to distract us. There are moments when we feel all alone. However, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. This means to me that I should keep pressing forward, even when - or perhaps especially when, things seem too hard and all hope seems to flee.

A little bit later in the article, he went on to say, "The wear and tear of daily living often over shadow the things we know, and we fail to heed." I hope that I can notice when the wear and tear of daily living are overshadowing the things I think are important and choose to direct my attention to things of greater worth.

Letting the Light In

I was sitting on my bed with my back to my window wrapped in a blanket reading my scriptures this morning. After reading for a couple minutes I realized that I was having trouble seeing the pages and had to strain my eyes to read the words. A slight movement allowed some light that was streaming through my window, but blocked by my body, to fall on the pages. I realized I was unnecessarily making things difficult for myself. There was no reason my back needed to be to the window, so I moved and allowed the light to fall unobstructed on my scriptures making it easier for me to read.

It dawned on me that there are probably many times in my life that I figuratively do this. I know the light is right there behind me, but I don't make the effort to allow it to guide me and make my life easier. The Savior Jesus Christ told us "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12). He also said basically the same thing in a slightly different way: "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness." (John 12:46). I know that learning of the Savior and trying to be more like him has blessed my life in countless ways. I hope I can continue to come unto the light of the world and be able to share the light, truth, knowledge and joy that it brings into my life with those around me.

Choose to Be Happy

I was recently given some great council from my father. He told me to choose to be happy; to continue with my my cheerful attitude and behaviors.

Happiness is something I value and strive for. I try to always have a smile on my face and to remember that I have so much to be grateful for - even when things do not seem to be going my way. One of the movies that I love is Pollyanna. It tells the story of a young girl who recently lost her father who was a minister. He had taught her to play "the glad game" where one seeks to find the good in a situation, no matter how dire it appears. Quoting her father she says "with 826 "happy texts" in the Bible, God must have wanted people to be happy"

I agree, God must want us to be happy. I did a quick search for the phrase "be of good cheer" and found 13 results in the scriptures. I love that command - be of good cheer. I try to do that. I believe that for the most part, we find what we are looking for. So, I choose to look for the good. I choose to be happy. I choose to smile, to laugh.

In the words of Martina McBride:

Oh watch me go
I'm a happy girl
And I've come to know
That the world won't change
Just 'cause I complain
Let the axis twirl
I'm a happy girl

Happy Girl by Martina McBride