Tuesday, November 8, 2011

The Happiest of Times

In the last chapters of Alma there are many wars and much destruction. One would think the people would be sad and discouraged. But they weren't. In fact it says, "there never was a happier time among the people." Why? I'm led to believe it is because they knew and lived the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It says they were faithful in keeping the commandments of God.
It is the same with our day. We have much that could drag us down. There are wars, rumors of wars, natural disasters, etc. But we have every reason to rejoice. We have the fullness of the gospel on the earth. We have a prophet of the Lord guiding us today. We have the scriptures in our homes. We know Heavenly Father loves us and is aware of our every need. We know through temple ordinances we can be sealed as families for all eternity. And much more.
So my question to you is what reason have you to rejoice? What for you, personally, brings you happiness? And when was the last time you gave thanks for that? Just look around and see all the blessings the Lord has given you. We have been given so much.
It amazes me every time I stop to think about it. What great blessings Heavenly Father has given us. And all because he loves us. My goal now is to do as President Monson directs and develop an attitude of gratitude. So that I can say that there never was a happier time.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

An Answered Prayer

A couple months ago I lost my great-grandmother's bracelet. It's not much. Just a simple silver chain with a heart pendant. But it meant a lot to me. As I searched the apartment, car, and all my belongings I prayed for help. My conversation with Heavenly Father was as follows, "Father I know it's not important in the grand scheme of things. I know it's not even something I need to be worrying about as a missionary. I should probably be worrying about those we're teaching and how I can help them come unto Thee. Please help me to find this bracelet. It means a lot to me. I know it's just a thing that I can't even take with me to the next life. Please help me to remember where I had it last. But if it's not Thy will that I find it please help me to let it go and be okay. Thy will be done." That's basically what was going through my mind.

Well, I didn't find it. I kept a look out for a number of days, but finally came to the realization that it was probably lost forever. Life went on but Heavenly Father didn't forget about my little prayer. One day I put a sweater on (because it finally got cold enough that I needed to wear a sweater) and found my bracelet in the pocket! You can't imagine my joy! I was so excited to find it. But it wasn't so much the fact of finding the bracelet again so that I could wear it, but more the fact that Heavenly Father answers all our prayers. He answered an insignificant prayer from a few months ago. And all because it was important to me and He loves me. It's as Elder J. Devn Cornish says, "Heavenly Father loves us so much that the things that are important to us become important to Him, just because He loves us."

I know Heavenly Father loves me and he loves you. He knows our names; he knows our needs and our wants. We are his children and as such we can become like him. May we trust in His love and in His plan. I am grateful to be a daughter of God.


See the following link to read Elder J. Devn Cornish's talk entitled, "The Privilege of Prayer."
http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-privilege-of-prayer?lang=eng