Happy Easter!

Attending a Mormon Church Service

Check out more "Mormons Made Simple" videos here.

How do I love thee?

My brother sent me an email this morning with a link to a short YouTube excerpt of an address by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: "How do I love thee?" As soon as I saw the title, a flood of memories came back to me. Second semester freshman year at BYU. Eighteen years old. Sitting with my roommate, Amber, in the Marriott Center. Frantically scribbling down as much of Elder Holland's message as I could... because he was giving that speech TO ME. FOR ME.

These words, in particular, pierced straight into my heart and soul:

"In a dating and courtship relationship, I would not have you spend five minutes with someone who belittles you, who is constantly critical of you, who is cruel at your expense and may even call it humor. Life is tough enough without having the person who is supposed to love you leading the assault on your self-esteem, your sense of dignity, your confidence, and your joy. In this person's care you deserve to feel physically safe and emotionally secure.

"Members of the First Presidency have taught that 'any form of physical or mental abuse to any woman is not worthy of any priesthood holder' and that no 'man who holds the priesthood of God [should] abuse his wife in any way, [or] demean or injure or take undue advantage of [any] woman'--and that includes friends, dates, sweethearts, and fiancées, to say nothing of wives (James E. Faust, "The Highest Place of Honor," Ensign, May 1988, 37, and Gordon B. Hinckley, "Reach Out in Love and Kindness," Ensign, November 1982, 77)."

Elder Holland's words changed the course and direction of my life. Within a few days, I had ended a pain-filled relationship, and the release and peace and freedom I felt were overwhelming. Elder Holland reminded me that I deserved better. That I was a beloved daughter of God, and He wanted me to be treated with respect and true Christ-like love. About a year and a half later, I married the most Christ-like man I'd ever known. And I give Elder Holland (through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) a large portion of the credit for putting my feet in that direction.

When I think back on that day in 2000, I often ponder how I will give my own daughters that same vision that Elder Holland gave to me. How can I help them to understand that they do not need to waste one moment with someone who disrespects them emotionally or physically? I guess it's my hope that I will be able to infuse that message into every fiber of their beings starting now. So that if ever a date or boyfriend belittles something they hold sacred, they won't waste a moment before they walk away from him forever. Because they will know at their very core that they can find someone better. That they deserve better. That's my hope.

I Love This!!!!

This is amazing. I am so grateful to know that the Lord is at the helm. He knows all things and knows what needs to happen. He will protect us as we follow His plan. He has a plan and we can rest assure that He will give us direction and hope as we press forward in each of our lives.
If you want to, you can read more about this
talk that Elder Neal A. Maxwell gave.

Reflections of Christ

It doesn't matter how many times I see these images. I just can't get enough of them. Enjoy!

You needed an uplift, right?

Life

Yesterday was a pretty hard day for me. ..Monte's car broke down, I found out that an old friend of mine passed away, and then that my Aunt has ovarian cancer that has spread to other organs. This whole summer has actually been kind of a nightmare for my extended family. Anyway, after I cried on and off about my friend, was numb about my Aunt, and was really stressed about the thought of trying to afford to get Monte's car fixed, or buy a newer one, I took a deep breathe. At that moment I realized that I could either choose to be in a foul, stressed out mood and make Monte in a foul, stressed out mood too- or I could calm down and look at the big picture. So, I opened up The Book Of Mormon to a few random pages and read a verse or two on each page. Then Monte gave me a hug, and I gave him a kiss, and I decided that I wasn't going to let myself worry about it. Things will happen that we will have no control over, we just have to deal with it with the most grace and dignity that we can muster.
I feel so blessed to be a member of the Church and know of "The Big Picture." I feel blessed to know of the Plan of Salvation. What a comfort that is. I feel blessed to know that the Lord will always look out for me, and bless me, if I am living worthily.
Times are going to be hard for everyone. We can either choose to keep our heads up with optimism, courage, and happiness, or trudge along and make ourselves and everyone around us miserable. I choose to be happy!