In the World, But Not Of the World

What are some situations in which youth are tempted to compromise their testimonies or ignore them for the things of the world?

Peer pressure. This can cause major changes in attitude and acts if we are around the wrong kind of people. We should always try to surround ourselves with friends that keep the same standards as us. 

Modesty. I can honestly admit that I have been tempted to wear a tank top instead of a modest shirt at times. But I pride myself in my modesty, and if I wear immodest clothing, then I am lowering my standards and compromising for the world, which is the exact opposite way I want to go.

What suggestions could you offer to a fellow student that would help him or her feel the promptings of the Holy Ghost and respond to those promptings when faced with temptations of this kind?

Peer pressure--Surround yourself with friends who keep the same standards as you. Be willing to politely leave if the conversation or activity is offending the Holy Ghost. Dare to be the example for others to follow!

Modesty--Be proud of your modesty. The way you dress often reflects the way you act. Choose clothing that you would be comfortable wearing in front of Christ if He were standing there beside you. 

-JS

Repent and Forgive

God wants us to forgive. He wants to forgive us. The best way to do that is through repentance.

Suppose a young woman repeats a sin she has previously committed. She worries that the Lord will no longer forgive her. But He will!


Corrie Ten Boom shared a story in The Hiding Place of how she experienced the incredible results of forgiveness. A former soldier came to her after a sermon that she gave, and asked for her forgiveness. The image of him, before he had repented, struck her mind so harshly that she could not forgive. Finally, she prayed for God to help her with this. And He did. He gave her the feeling she needed to forsake her grudge and truly, sincerely forgive. And what a great blessing it was! Not only did she forgive him, but she forgave herself, enabling God to forgive them both. Incredible!

James E. Faust said, "The power to change is very real, and it is a great spiritual gift from God."

There is always a new chance to repent and try again! Why would the Lord provide a way for us to correct our mistakes and begin anew, just to tell us we can't? He knows we will make mistakes. He knows our individual weaknesses. But He also knows that we can repent, and He wants us to! No matter how many times we sin, or how serious the sin is, He will always forgive us if we sincerely repent and do our best.

-JS

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year I have found so many things to be grateful for! Each night during my personal prayer, I would find something new to thank Heavenly Father for. But the most important thing I thank Him for is everything that He does for me. I am so grateful for His love and support, His care, His guidance. I am thankful for Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ!

Happy Thanksgiving,
-JS

Meeting My Goal

This morning, I turned on the computer, preparing to do seminary. As I was waiting for it to warm up, I started to open up my email. But then I remembered a goal that I had set for myself at the beginning of the year. I would set aside all distractions, and close all windows that don't involve seminary, so that I would finish seminary with the Spirit. That very instant, I was conflicted with a choice. Check email, or do seminary? I knew the answer. Without much thought at all, I closed my email before I could be distracted by it. Then I opened up seminary and was able to complete two lessons. If I had chosen to check email before seminary, then I probably would have gotten involved in something else, and seminary would have been pushed aside. But because of my faithful decision, I was able to catch up, and I had plenty of time to spare! This has given me a great reminder of what my ultimate goal is--to return to Heavenly Father! When I learn to accomplish my small goals, I take one step closer to my biggest goal!

-JS

Stay On Track

This quote was in my inbox this morning. Great play on words, and a good message, too! :)

-JS

Speaking Plainly Through the Spirit

My sister and I do Online Seminary. The lesson today was supposed to be a live class done over webcams, but the teacher was unable to get on the website. So Mo and I were on the class with one other student (I'll call her Ashlinn). At first, we just chatted, talking about life. But when we found out that the teacher couldn't make it, we decided that we needed to have a seminary lesson still. Most youth at this time would have probably just gone back to bed. But we didn't. We started with our favorite scriptures, and then we share what we liked about them.

Ashlinn shared hers first. Ether 12:27, a scripture mastery. 

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

I shared mine next, 3 Nephi 12:14-16. 

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house; Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

One of Mo's favorites is 1 Nephi 7:12.

"Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful in him."

After that, we shared neat experiences we had this past week. All three of us spoke of "small and simple things". 

~Ashlinn shared how she accidentally deleted an answer that she had worked on for a scholarship. Faithfully, she tried to fix her problem, and was able to recover it. 

~I spoke about how I was saying my personal prayers when a name popped into my head, so I prayed for her. Then I found out later that she had been struggling. 

~Mo said that she had been trying to be more positive and look for the good things in everyone, and she was able to have a better attitude towards everyone. 

Finally, we discussed what we did this past week to fulfill the challenge we were given in our previous live class. (What can you do this week that shows love and support for your family?) All of us had similar experiences. Each person had striven to be kinder to their family, and have positive attitudes, and it helped a lot with strengthening love for each other.

We then had a closing prayer and concluded the lesson.

This was an incredible experience. Probably one of the most uplifting live classes I have ever experienced, because it was all done out of our own love for Heavenly Father. And right after I finished the lesson, another neat thing happened. My scriptures opened up to a page in the Book of Mormon, talking about the Spirit.

"Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also spake them unto prophets of old." (Jacob 4:13) 

This scripture applied to our live class! We did this lesson through the Spirit, and it spoke plainly, through our words to each other. What an amazing morning!

-JS

Personal Study By Faith

Keeping a daily habit of personal scripture study and prayer can be hard. But it doesn't have to be. I have found that as I study the scriptures, my faith is strengthened, and I receive protection from the adversary. How much harder would life be if we didn't have the Spirit?

My seminary lesson today said, "Scripture study isn’t just about the amount of time you do it. It’s about what happens to your mind and your heart while you open yourself to the voice of God in your life." When we put forth the effort to learn and grow, God blesses us with guidance and love. Our faith is increased, and we develop firm testimonies.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks stated, “Scripture reading puts us in tune with the Spirit of the Lord. . . . Because we believe that scripture reading can help us receive revelation, we are encouraged to read the scriptures again and again. By this means, we obtain access to what our Heavenly Father would have us know and do in our personal lives today. That is one reason Latter-day Saints believe in daily scripture study." I, too, believe in daily scripture study! It brings the Spirit, and helps me to have the strength to withstand temptation. No matter how many times I have read specific scriptures, I can always find new lessons to learn from them. For instance, the Book of Mormon. I have read it at least three times, but each time I find something that I either forgot, or something that applies well to my life during that time, or even simple words that touch my heart. When we open our hearts and ask God in faith, the Holy Ghost will help us understand gospel truths.

Again with seminary, "If you make efforts to learn by faith, you can know that your life will change because you will feel Heavenly Father near to you. He will help you understand not only the scriptures, but also the problems you have and what you need to do to prepare for a happy life." The Lord blesses me daily with trials to overcome, and gives me the love and strength I need to persevere. If we put in sincere effort to learn from the scriptures, we can gain testimonies of them and receive the spiritual strength we need to endure to the end.

So, study your scriptures. Pray daily. Develop a sincere relationship with your Father in Heaven. You will be blessed for your efforts! 

-JS