Let Us Labor Diligently

Anything worthwhile requires much diligence. This is especially true for living the Gospel. It is not always easy to do the things we are asked, but there are many blessings in store for those who remain diligent.

 In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Mormon writes:

"And now, my beloved son, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God. " (Moroni 9:6)

 "We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become." -Elder Richard G. Scott

So, you want to be a better singer? Start singing. You want to be a better runner? Start running. Above all, if you want to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ, then start doing the things that He would have you do. Read your scriptures, say your prayers, attend church, keep the commandments, and most importantly, do what Christ would do "at all times and in all things, and in all places". (Mosiah 10:9)

Be diligent to the end.

Don't Look Back

It can be easy to dwell on our past. Everyone has one. We have all made mistakes in our lives and done things that we probably regret. Even after we have repented, we may still think about our sins and the guilt that is associated with them.

The beauty is, we don't have to.

The apostle Paul spoke in Phillipians 3:13-14, saying:

"...this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Everyday is really a new day for us all. Heavenly Father is always willing to give us another chance, as long as we are willing to repent and try again. We must wake up and keep our eye on the goal; getting back to our Father in Heaven. No real success ever came from dwelling on our past. We all need to stop looking behind, and just look up. 

It Will All Work Out

As the school year comes to a close, many people have exciting plans for their future. There are also many people who may just seem a little unsure of themselves. Maybe you're worried if you picked the right college, your friends are all moving away, or maybe you just feel stuck while others seem to have much more exciting plans for their future.

Remember--it will all work out.

If you trust in Heavenly Father, all your worries about friends, money, career plans, housing etc. Will all work out.

Heavenly Father has a much more exciting plan for you than you've ever dreamed of. Choose today to trust in Him and what He has in store for you and I promise you can find all the peace and fulfillment you're looking for.

Experiment Upon the Word

Gaining a testimony of anything requires faith. You may feel like you don't have sufficient faith, or maybe you feel like you don't have any faith at all. To those people who are struggling to gain a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, listen to the words Alma, a prophet from the Book of Mormon, teaches:

"And now as I said concerning faith--faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true."

"But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words." (Alma 32:21,27)

As Alma said, faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things. You may feel like the most cynical or disbelieving person, but I promise that if you will take Alma's promise to "experiment upon the word" and "exercise a particle of faith", you too can find the peace and happiness that only the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings. After all, Christ did not come to redeem just some of mankind--He came for you too.

"Faith is like a little seed, if planted it will grow"

Act Well Thy Part

Sometimes we may feel like we don't have an important part in life. We may see others going about with high leadership positions, gaining worldly fame, or just doing things that seem more important and influential.

In the latest General Conference, Elaine S. Dalton reminds us,

"Whate'er thou art, act well thy part"

We each have an important mission in life. Heavenly Father is so very aware of us and he places us all in different situations to learn, grow, and be a blessing to others. We may not feel that our part is important in the eyes of the world, but it is important to Him.

Elaine S. Dalton also states:

"As [children] of God we are each unique and different in our circumstances and experiences. And yet our part matters—because we matter."

I testify that Jesus Christ knows each of us individually and He knows the situations that we are all placed in. He has given us all talents, abilities, and strengths that are meant to be a blessing in our lives and in the lives of others. We are all meant to magnify our own potential as a child of God and truly "act well our part".

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do."

- Marianne Williamson

To read the entire talk by Elaine S. Dalton, former Young Women's General President, click here.

Rescue Me From Danger

Last year, my sister Natalie had open heart surgery as well as facing her own problems that come from being a teenager. She was interviewed by the mormonchannel.org series Enduring It Well about her experience and what she learned from it. Natalie has always been a great example to me of strength and faith during trials. Her message is uplifting and inspiring. Enjoy.

Natalie White-Rescue Me From Danger

Follow the Prophet

This weekend, we have the wonderful opportunity to hear from our Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, as well as the twelve apostles and other general authorities of the church. This event is called General Conference and is held twice a year.

Prophets are a crucial part to the Lord's church. When the Lord has something important to give to the church and the world as a whole, He tells us through His prophet.

"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7)

Unfortunately, many people are slow to hearken to a prophet's voice. They may dislike the counsel he gives, or lack a testimony that he truly is a prophet of God.

In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Samuel warned the people of rejecting the prophet.

"And now when ye talk, ye say: If our days had been in the days of our fathers of old, we would not have slain the prophets; we would not have stoned them, and cast them out.

"Behold ye are worse than they; for as the Lord liveth, if a prophet come among you and declareth unto you the word of the Lord, which testifieth of your sins and iniquities, ye are angry with him, and cast him out and seek all manner of ways to destroy him; yea, you will say that he is a false prophet, and that he is a sinner, and of the devil, because he testifieth that your deeds are evil.

"But behold, if a man shall come among you and shall say: Do this, and there is no iniquity; do that and ye shall not suffer; yea, he will say: Walk after the pride of your own hearts; yea, walk after the pride of your eyes, and do whatsoever your heart desireth--and if a man shall come among you and say this, ye will receive him, and say that he is a prophet." (Helaman 13:25-27)

I testify that Thomas S. Monson is a Prophet of the Lord. The words that he speaks and the revelation he receives are for all those on the earth--not just members of the church. Let us be grateful for the blessing of having prophets and for continued revelation from our Heavenly Father in our day.

To learn more about watching General Conference this weekend, click here.