A Little Different

So today this blog post is going to be a little different. I dont have anything specific I want to talk about, a talk I to dissect, or analogy to show. I simply have a desire to share how grateful I am for the restored gospel in my life.

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to attend the General Women's Metting of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. During the meeting, leaders of various womens organizations of the church spoke to all women around the globe ages 8 and older. I was also privlegded to hear President Uchtdorf's address as well. Almost as soon as the meeting began the holy ghost filled my heart and testified of the truthfulness of the speakers messages.

Questions and worries I had for a long tome were answered. I received direction and learned things at such a personal level I couldn't help but shed a tear or two ( or three or four, c'mon let's be real here. ) Most of all I was filled with an all consuming love for my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ. I love them more than words can say. I know now for a certainty that Heavenly Father loves me unconditionally and that His Son, Jesus Christ, my Elder Brother loves me so much He died for me. Their love for me does not depend on how good I am or how well I do in the veiw of the world. Despite my weaknesses and failures, Heavenly Father will continue to love me.

But right now, I am a missionary. I am striving to walk where Christ walked. (See John 15:1-7; 1 John 2:6 ) Therefore I have received a witness that Heavenly Father loves you. Right now. Today. Always. And He is waiting for you with open arms. Sometimes in the world it feels like we are not enough and we aren't worth anything.
THAT IS NOT TRUE.
We have so many things that say it isn't.

• We have a living Prophet named Thomas S. Monson who relays information directly from Heavenly Father, Himself, to us today. We have the opportunity to hear him speak to us this weekend.
• We have the scriptures: the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Together they contain all of the teachings of Christ and can give us peace and solace in this chaotic world
• We have the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Through His sacrafice and suffereing all of us habve the ability to start over again and again. The ability to change and grow. The ability to receive healing and comfort. Because of Him, we have everything.

All these things are due to a 14 year old boy who wanted to know the truth. He was the first prophet in these latter days and I am so very grateful to him. He was a righteous man who did what Christ commanded him to do. Christ was able to work through him and restore the fulness of His gospel in these days. His name is Joseph Smith.

This is a shorter post. But I have included links to many different things. Scriptures, videos and broadcasts. I encourage whoever might read this to read/watch these things. I know they can help you, whatever your problem may be. If you have questions you can reach me on facebook - Hermana Emily White.

Happily Ever After

This is my favorite thing about having a modern day prophet: 

They speak to us using modern day things.

They use things in this world to help us understand eternal doctrines. It's awesome.

The example I want to talk about is one that is near and dear to my heart. Stories in books are quite literally one my most favorite things on this earth. Before I was a missionary, I always had my nose in a book and even now as I am a missionary, I am constantly reading the scriptures and treasuring the stories and doctrines found inside. So a few years ago, when President Uchtdorf of the First Presidency, gave a talk titled "Happily Ever After," it spoke to me on a very personal level.

In his talk, President Uchtdorf likens fairytales to our life here on earth. Each of us are the Prince or Princess, Hero or Heroine of our own life story. What happens in all of the fairytales? There are challenges or obstacle to overcome. The same hold true for us in our own lives. Each of us face problems, difficulties and journeys that don't seem to end. However, life is a journey. It's hard sometimes. Yet, in the stories it's no different. All of the heroes or heroines faced heartache, loss, and fear. I love what President Uchtdorf says in his talk though.

"It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life’s story will develop."

That quote reminds me of a scripture in the Book of Mormon. In Alma 17:11 it says, " ...Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls."

In that particular verse Heavenly Father is speaking to 4 Nephite brothers named Ammon, Aaron, Omner and Himni. They are about to embark on a long journey to be missionaries to a the Lamanites. The Lamanites were a group of people who were, in fact, distantly related to the Nephites but were their enemies now. The Lamanites were known for hating the Nephites and constantly trying to start a war between the 2 nations. And those 4 brothers were about to go on a mission in the Lamanite land. A climatic part of the story right? Just before that verse, the brothers had prayed and verse 11 was their answer. 

Ammon and his brothers went on to have one of the most successful missions ever recorded in scripture. They served for over 10 years and had brought THOUSANDS into the gospel. That is thousands more people who were friends and not enemies. However, just like in fairytales, Ammon, Aaron, Omner and Himni all experienced their trials before their success. Ammon was nearly killed, and Aaron, Omner and Himni were all thrown into jail and were awating a execution because the Lamanites didn't want to listen.

So how did they experience success? How did they get their "Happily Ever After?"

They stayed true to what was right. It's rather well known that we should listen to our parents. God is literally our Father in Heaven. He is our Father. The brothers knew that. They stayed true to what was right and good and true. They listened to Heavenly Father. "Be patient in long-suffering and afflictions." They did that. The brothers in jail didnt bemoan their situtation but rather kept the Lord in their thougths and did what they could from a jail cell. Ammon came and helped free them.

If we stay true to what is right, to God's commandments, to the values and standards that Heavenly Father gave us, if we follow the example that Jesus Christ gave us, we can have our own "Happily Ever After."

We are the royal sons and daughters of a loving Father and King.

Our own stories are happening right now. Happily ever after is not something that exists only in fairytales or on the pages of long forgotten books! We have it! Each time we face a challenge, it is a dragon placed in our path to discourage us, to make us forget that we are the children of a king. Maybe, we have lost our way a bit. Maybe, we dont remember which way the arrow on the road pointed. I know that we can find our path again because Jesus Christ walked the path long ago so that in those times when fear and doubt would overwhelm us, He could reach out and lead us safely by the hand. He knows the specific challenges we would face and knows exactly how to help us defeat our dragons.