Have you ever experienced something real? Something so moving, whole, and perfect? I have. many a times. I refer to these moments as my Heavens. They don't have to be grand or over the top, in fact, most of them or small and simple. But they are moments that define our lives.
When I was in high school i was a part of the high school choir group. And every year for christmas we would go to the primary childrens hosptial to sing. One particular year, we had just come from Sister Daltons office, the young womens president, where she had expressed to us, that we sing with angels. As we stood there in the sacred halls of this hospital and sang the words from the beautiful christmas song " o holy night", there was no denying the power of truth that filled the bustling hallways, and the heavy hearts.
Another expereince I have had is this past November 25, it was my nineteenth birthday, thanksgiving, and I was in Moscow. At this particular moment, we had just piled onto a bus, or van if you will, to head over to some teacher apartments to celebrate the holiday. As i sat in the very back of that bus, and watched out the window as the rain fell against the black pavement, cuddling up to my jacket for my warmth, I couldn't help but feel that familiar feeling. The feeling of wholeness. of truth. of a moment that was so perfectly itself, it was drenched in serenity.
As i read through Elder Richard G. Scotts, " The transforming power of faith and character." These are the thoughts I couldn't get off of my mind. In his talk he states that "integrity is the bedrock of character. After thinking this over, and having these moments pan through my mind once again, I knew he was right.
As people we can not wish to become anything, unless we have the strength to remain honest.If our wish is to make great impact with those we come into contact with, to establish a harmonious relationship with our father in heaven, to become our callings, then we MUST forge integrity into our hearts, minds, and souls.
Because without intergrity, we become only a whisper, a might have been. We forfeit who we truly are, for something of far lesser value.
there is a quote from a book that goes like this, ""A fight is going on inside me," said an old man to his son. "It is a terrible fight between two wolves. One wolf is evil. He is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other wolf is good. he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you."
The son thought about it for a minute and then asked, "Which wolf will win?"
The old man replied simply, "The one you feed."
"Character can not be developed in ease & quite. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved."
When I was in high school i was a part of the high school choir group. And every year for christmas we would go to the primary childrens hosptial to sing. One particular year, we had just come from Sister Daltons office, the young womens president, where she had expressed to us, that we sing with angels. As we stood there in the sacred halls of this hospital and sang the words from the beautiful christmas song " o holy night", there was no denying the power of truth that filled the bustling hallways, and the heavy hearts.
Another expereince I have had is this past November 25, it was my nineteenth birthday, thanksgiving, and I was in Moscow. At this particular moment, we had just piled onto a bus, or van if you will, to head over to some teacher apartments to celebrate the holiday. As i sat in the very back of that bus, and watched out the window as the rain fell against the black pavement, cuddling up to my jacket for my warmth, I couldn't help but feel that familiar feeling. The feeling of wholeness. of truth. of a moment that was so perfectly itself, it was drenched in serenity.
As i read through Elder Richard G. Scotts, " The transforming power of faith and character." These are the thoughts I couldn't get off of my mind. In his talk he states that "integrity is the bedrock of character. After thinking this over, and having these moments pan through my mind once again, I knew he was right.
As people we can not wish to become anything, unless we have the strength to remain honest.If our wish is to make great impact with those we come into contact with, to establish a harmonious relationship with our father in heaven, to become our callings, then we MUST forge integrity into our hearts, minds, and souls.
Because without intergrity, we become only a whisper, a might have been. We forfeit who we truly are, for something of far lesser value.
there is a quote from a book that goes like this, ""A fight is going on inside me," said an old man to his son. "It is a terrible fight between two wolves. One wolf is evil. He is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other wolf is good. he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you."
The son thought about it for a minute and then asked, "Which wolf will win?"
The old man replied simply, "The one you feed."
We all fight the same battles within us, but the ones who come out strong, are the ones who "forge a character resistant to eroding influences of sin and transgression."
We must BECOME the character, the person, we wish to be. I graduated High school last May, and without having ever been out of the country, I set forth on an adventure of a life time.
That following August I packed my bags, and climbed aboard an eighteen hour flight to Moscow Russia. I was going to teach English, live with three girls I had never met before, and embrace a culture i really knew nothing about. My experience in Russia was incredible. Not only did I fall in love with the Country and the city of bustling Moscow, learn to love my students, especially Sergey and his long mullet, But I was also able to put a lot of my spare time towards studying the gospel, the language, myself, and the culture.
The thing that i learned that made the biggest impression on me at this time, was something I read in a book called " Seven habits for highly effective teens." In the book, the author talks about creating for yourself, a life motto. something that will inspire you to BECOME a better person.
After reading this, I took it very seriously. I wanted to establish a basis for my life. A main goal. So I picked up my scriptures and started studying, and praying, hoping something would jump out at me. and jump out at me it did. over and over and over again. The words "become your calling" rang in my heart so strongly. After studying and pondering this phrase for some time now, I have come to believe it is one of the most sacred things we can learn.
In D&C 23:2 it says " Make known thy calling unto the church, and also before the world, and thy heart shall be opened to preach the truth from henceforth and forever." Each of us has a divine purpose, and calling. Each of us MUST work hard to establish our character so that we can not only understand for ourselves, but help teach the world, of the glory of god. Though our purposes' on this earth are all unique, and created just for our lives, together we share separate callings. Callings established before us the day we were born. Preisthood, and womenhood.
That following August I packed my bags, and climbed aboard an eighteen hour flight to Moscow Russia. I was going to teach English, live with three girls I had never met before, and embrace a culture i really knew nothing about. My experience in Russia was incredible. Not only did I fall in love with the Country and the city of bustling Moscow, learn to love my students, especially Sergey and his long mullet, But I was also able to put a lot of my spare time towards studying the gospel, the language, myself, and the culture.
The thing that i learned that made the biggest impression on me at this time, was something I read in a book called " Seven habits for highly effective teens." In the book, the author talks about creating for yourself, a life motto. something that will inspire you to BECOME a better person.
After reading this, I took it very seriously. I wanted to establish a basis for my life. A main goal. So I picked up my scriptures and started studying, and praying, hoping something would jump out at me. and jump out at me it did. over and over and over again. The words "become your calling" rang in my heart so strongly. After studying and pondering this phrase for some time now, I have come to believe it is one of the most sacred things we can learn.
In D&C 23:2 it says " Make known thy calling unto the church, and also before the world, and thy heart shall be opened to preach the truth from henceforth and forever." Each of us has a divine purpose, and calling. Each of us MUST work hard to establish our character so that we can not only understand for ourselves, but help teach the world, of the glory of god. Though our purposes' on this earth are all unique, and created just for our lives, together we share separate callings. Callings established before us the day we were born. Preisthood, and womenhood.
In President Uchdorfs talk "Your potential, your privilege" he says to the men of the church, "We all know that the preisthood is much more than just a name or title. the Prophet Joseph taught that "the priesthood is an everlasting principle, and existed with God from eterenity.. to eternity. Without beginning of days or ends of years"
It holds "even the key of the knowledge of God." In fact trhough the priesthood the very power of godlines is manifest!"
Uchdorf than states that the men must become the elect of God. You are sanctified by the spirit unto the renewing of your bodies. and can ultimately recieve all that hte father hath." the preisthood is a gift to the world. The prophets could not emphasize enough the importance of creating yourself a character worthy of the power of the priesthood.
It holds "even the key of the knowledge of God." In fact trhough the priesthood the very power of godlines is manifest!"
Uchdorf than states that the men must become the elect of God. You are sanctified by the spirit unto the renewing of your bodies. and can ultimately recieve all that hte father hath." the preisthood is a gift to the world. The prophets could not emphasize enough the importance of creating yourself a character worthy of the power of the priesthood.
and to the women, we too have a sacred calling. The blessing and holy privlidged of motherhood has been laid at our feet. we get to cherish the profound incredible experience, of bearing and raising Gods children. We must be sure to establish our characters, our foundations, and enrich our faith before we become mothers, so that we may be able to draw from our strength, and our personal testimony and witness of christ, to raise children to become the same. To share with them, the pure love of christ.
Each and everyone of us has a purpose to fulfill, we are all apart of Gods great design, but as Elder Scott says throughout his talk, we cannot do or become these things, unless we live everyday by the teachings of our lord and saviour Jesus Christ.
"we become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day." However, this is no easy task.
Helen Keller once said,
Such character is not developed in moments of great challenge or temptation. that is when it is intended to be used. if our goal is to become strong men and women, ones who resemble our saviour, and his love. Ones who constantly strive to make the right choice, then our journey, our battle has to begin now. Not when things get rough. Character is woven patiently from threads of applied principle, doctrine, and obedience.
We must take responsibility toward becoming. we cannot blame other things for our lack of continualy enhancing our character. A sterling character is converted into worthless ashes when eroded by deceit or transgression. we must be honest with ourselves. We must strive to be like the honest moments i previously described. whole, peaceful, and true. We have the great priviledge, if we live worthily, to become one of those "moments" for someone else. so we must strive to be filled with intergrity, humility, obediance, sensitivity to the spirit, courage, patients, and service.
But how do we secure our feet, for when the winds start to blow? We make Jesus Christ and his teachings the center of our lives. Not only does our character depend on his perfection, but so does our happiness on earth, and our eternal salvation. Trusting in the Lord gives peace, comfort, and assurance. It generates the conviction that as His teachings are consistently obeyed, life will be beautiful, the future will be secure, and there will be capacity to overcome the challenges that cross our path.
Our struggles are defining our character. But we get to choose which wolf to feed. Have faith brothers and sisters, for I know God is on your side. In the name of...
