Finding my peace

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27.)

This year has definitely been a year to learn this principle. It has been the hardest I've yet experienced and also the most beautiful. I've faced some of my most difficult trials and I'm still here and still loving.

Today in Relief Society, we talked about that horrible, dark, lonely place that you come to when you're at your whit's end, your darkest hour, the last straw. We've all been in that place. We've all felt that horrible despair that comes from being lost and feeling completely alone. That doesn't come from God though. Our Father loves us and we are his divine daughters and sons. We have unlimited potential for us to realize.

We compared ourselves to trees. Anyone who loves hiking Adam's Canyon like I do has noticed those trees leaning off the side of the path, being held up by the trees around them. These trees are weak and sickly and rely on the strength of others to lift them up. Just like these leaning trees, when we lack the inner strength to stand on our own, and depend on others to lift us, we become weak and cannot grow to our full potential.

When we allow Christ to be our foundation and put our trust and faith in him, his strength flows through us. We have the ability to stand strong and free because we know Who we Are, our Divine Origin, and have felt His continuing Love for us. Standing on my own, not skulking in the shadows, has been really difficult for me. I've let myself be convinced of my weakness and unworthiness; I've thought that I wasn't worthy of my Father's love or aid.

I truly know that peace and healing come through our Savior Jesus Christ and from our Heavenly Father. My goal is to build a personal relationship with my savior and elder brother. I know I can't be what God made me to be without His help, but with his help I can accomplish all my highest goals and become everything he has in store for me.

Priesthood Light

I am So thankful for the Priesthood in my life. We had a lesson in YW yesterday about the Priesthood, and it's influences in our lives. My teacher told us a story from a woman she knew who married outside of the church.She told her about how different it was, living in a home without the Priesthood power. She said it was empty. Her marriage and her husband just felt empty. Empty of power, empty of strength, empty of light.
My Sunday school teacher from when I was in primary feels like that. I used to love learning in his class. He was so passionate about what he taught. He loved the Lord, and he loved the gospel and you could Feel it. He used to bare his testimony periodically. You Knew the he knew.
Now he's inactive. He seems extinguished. He doesn't shine anymore. It's really sad.
I'm going to try to get him to come to church again. I called him Sunday morning to see if he would come. I think I'm going to keep that up. Eventually he'll get sick of me and either start coming, or yell at me to stop. I really hope he starts coming.

My Testimony

On Friday, I challenged my seminary class to share their testimonies with someone, so I guess I'd better take my own challenge. I really struggled when I was younger with knowing whether or not I had a testimony. I couldn't conciously accept what I already knew in my heart. I think I struggled because I didn't have any sense of self worth. I didn't see how there could be a God of Everything who could still love Me. For Myself. It took alot of time and a few Very patient friends, but now I can say I Know my Father in Heaven loves me. I know that he exists. I know that Joseph Smith was called by him to restore His true church upon the earth. I know that Christ is His son. He is my older brother, my supreme example, my role model, my Savior and King. He made it possible for me to attain celestial glory. He loves me So much that he was willing to bear my pains. I'm so Grateful to Him. I love my Savior with all my heart. I have a testimony of Gratitude. I didn't fully realize how thankful I am for some things and some people until Brother Read challenged us to say thank you to some specific people in our lives. I love writing thank you notes to people! Showing gratitude invites the spirit to be in your life. It opens you up to more blessings. I also know that the Lord hears and answers prayers. He has helped me through So much in my life. I'm grateful for the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I'm so haapy to be a member of God's true church. It has blessed my life in countless ways. And I'm thankful for my seminary teacher and class.