Explain, Share, Testify

How can you make your life experiences better?

1. Remember why you are doing what you are doing
2. Ask yourself how you can help yourself and others
3. Reach out to others and be an example

"Explaining will help you understand the principles of the gospel. If you can explain a concept clearly, you have learned it well.

Sharing will help you and others see the connection between what you are learning from the scriptures and your own life today.

Testifying invites the Spirit so that your testimony can be strengthened and so that others can gain a testimony too."

I love the quote shared by Spencer W. Kimball about sharing our light with others. 

"Where we carry the lantern to light the path of others, we light our own way." 

This is a powerful reminder to be courageous and share our light with others. Each day, there may be something that someone you know (or a stranger) needs to hear. And what better way to learn it than by examples of others? As we do our part in life to explain, share, and testify, we will be filled with the Spirit and not only light the path for others, but also light our own way. We will be led on the path that we need to go, and the Spirit will guide us in the footsteps of Christ. 

~JS

We Are All Enlisted

We Are All Enlisted, Hymn #250

Verse 3
"Fighting for a kingdom, and the world is our foe;
Happy are we! Happy are we!
Glad to join the army, we will sing as we go;
We shall gain the vict'ry by and by.
Dangers may gather--why should we fear?
Jesus, our Leader, ever is near.
He will protect us, comfort, and cheer.
We're joyfully, joyfully marching to our home.

We are all enlisted till the conflict is o'er;
Happy are we! Happy are we!
Soldiers in the army there's a bright crown in store;
We shall win and wear it by and by."

Every day, the world grows darker. There are many who seek to destroy the Church and pull us down, using mockery, criticism, lies, and belittling. Not only are people working hard to destroy our faith, but there are those we cannot see--the adversary--who pry, push, shove, and seek to ruin us little by little.
But we can make a difference! We can resist the evil and the world around us. The world can at times be our biggest foe. We want to be like others, to fit in, to feel included. There are many things that we want; worldly things that bring nothing but temporary feelings of happiness. At times like this we must dare to stand alone, to be "peculiar," to be our true selves! (There's a great video about this by Thomas S. Monson-- https://www.lds.org/youth/video/dare-to-stand-alone?lang=eng)

So what is our responsibility? 
Jude, Christ's half-brother, gave us the answer.
"Beloved... [I] exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." Jude 1:3 (emphasis added)

We, as Latter-Day Saints, need to "earnestly contend for the faith." Think back to Joseph's First Vision. This was an incredible event in history. But there is one part of this event that is often skimmed over briefly, because it can be pretty scary and hard to comprehend. It is the time right before Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph. Also, keep in mind that this was Joseph's first attempt to pray aloud.

"After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction." Joseph Smith--History 1:15 (emphasis added)

This must have been a terrifying experience for Joseph. But there is more; he had the strength to continue praying--pleading--with God to deliver him from the sudden darkness and despair that overtook him. His tongue was bound, but his heart was not. Finally, when he was nearly to the point of giving up, he was saved from his terror, and was rescued by the Light.
The adversary preys upon our weaknesses. But we can make our weaknesses become strengths through Christ and His Light. We need to "unbind our tongues" and become Lights in the time of trial.

What can we do?
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said,
"From every [person], young and old, ...I ask for a stronger and more devoted voice, a voice not only against evil and him who is the personification of it, but a voice for good, a voice for the gospel, a voice for God. ...Unbind your tongues and watch your words work wonders in the lives of those 'who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it.'"

Here are some examples I got from seminary:
1. Our example of living the gospel is one important way to contend for the faith.
2. Our Christ-like compassion for others can soften hearts and bless lives.
3. As members of the Church we are to cry repentance to the world by boldly standing up for gospel principles.

In conclusion, Jude said,
"But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." Jude 1:20-25

May you ever have the strength to defeat the adversary and continue in the Light of the Savior!
-JS

Poem

I'd Rather See a Sermon 

by Edgar A. Guest

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear;
And the best of all preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn to do it if you'll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do;
For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

-JS