A Savior To All

I had always loved 3 Nephi 11. As a missionary I would always find ways to share this chapter of scripture with those we were teaching. A special spirit always came from reading those verses and learning of Jesus Christ. This week while talking more in depth about 3 Nephi 11 I was once again reminded of the powerful testimony these scriptures give of Jesus Christ.

Brother Griffen talked about the Jesus blessing everyone "one by one" and the significance of the savior being our personal savior. I thoroughly enjoyed the class and walked away feeling the spirit.

15 And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.

Later that night I was talking with my friends and one brought up how she hates that she is constantly feeling bad for her situation when its really not bad at all and there are people that have it much worse. While there may be truth in what she said, I immediately thought of how Jesus Christ is ALL of our savior. Not just the people who have it really bad off, or who have a really good life. He ultimately saves us all, in everyones personal needed way. Its a case by case situation. We all need the savior but we may all need him in different ways. I shared this with my friends and we had a very good talk about how the savior doesn't think we are any less deserving of his love because our lives aren't as terrible as those living in poverty or in war stricken areas.

He loves all of us.

Perspective

The past few days have been ones of growth. You learn so much about yourself in college. But I've learned that having a eternal perspective in mind helps. By eternal i mean looking at a larger image. Looking at the things in life that matter and try to not let the little things in life get you down. Making decisions with "eternal glasses" on helps me make better ones. It also helps keep me on track and holding onto that 'iron rod.' I read more about the Tree of Life in 1 Nephi Chapter 8 and Chapter 11 this last week and it was a good time to reflect where i was on the path. Was i holding to the rod or was i lagging behind??

This week i also went to the temple. The temple is a special place to me (as i am sure it is to most of you). It is where i can escape the world and focus on things that really matter. I went this morning and it was such a refreshing experience that i really needed. When i walk in i immediately feel a peace come over me. I am no longer worried about that Chinese exam i have on friday, or the reading that i need to do for my classes. I leave feeling ready for the weeks to come, spiritually feed, and with a different perspective. A better perspective. A eternal one.

Remember to think of a eternal perspective always, i promise it helps. 

Be grateful

This week I was reading in the Book of Mormon and I kept coming across scriptures that were reminding me to be grateful. Recently my prayers have consisted of me constantly asking for help, guidance, peace, happiness and answers. But hardly do I ever stop and thank him for helping me, giving me guidance, allowing me to feel peace, bringing me happiness and answering my prayers.

Nephi is a great example of a thankful person. Despite his more than difficult situation he was always thankful to the Lord. He never complained and he was always sure to immediately thank the Lord after a blessing had come to pass.
His dad Lehi was also an excellent example of someone who was always giving thanks to the Lord. I love 1 Nephi 5:9...

"9 And it came to pass that they did rejoice exceedingly, and did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto the Lord; and they gave thanks unto the God of Israel."

Nephi and his brothers had just returned from a long, dangerous trip to go and retrieve the plates from Laban. They were tired and I'm sure that his parents were VERY happy to see them arrive home safely. They could have easily just enjoyed each others company and celebrated but the first thing that Lehi does is give thanks to the Lord! It really shows where his thoughts and mind are- always directed to the Lord.

When we give more thanks I think that it was cause us to ask less for things because we will already see all the blessings that we have been given. I am grateful to the Book of Mormon for reminding me to always we grateful in all things.

His Yoke is Easy

Relying on the Lord is at times harder than we think. Sometimes we just get so caught up in the world and what is going on that we seem to be relying wholly on ourselves to accomplish what seems to be the impossible. Sometimes I find myself thinking "How am I ever going to get done everything that I need too?!" But then I realize that as long as I do my best, and my part, we can rely on the Savior to help with the rest. He is always there lending a hand to us that feel burdened down by the lists of "to-do's" and countless amounts of things to always remember.

I was comforted this week by a commonly quoted scripture... Matthew 11:28-30
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

I know that if we are willing to come unto christ we will find rest to our souls. Not necessarily saying that we will suddenly have nothing to do and be able to sleep, but our souls will find rest, which to me means that we will have peace. So despite how crazy life is we can have peace, because His yoke truly is easy and his burden truly is light.

Be Prepared

This last week i had the opportunity to stay with grandparents in Arizona for a few days and while there gained a lot of wisdom and advice from my grandpa. He's a very spiritual man and always has the best insights.
I was talking to him about the stresses of college and life and he opened up his scriptures to Doctrine and Covenants 38: 30 and read the very last part. Which reads:

"but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear."

He then went on to talk to me about how when we are prepared we can trust that the Lord will do his part and help us out. We must do our part and prepare, but after all is said and done we need not fear. Fear is a tool that Satan uses to make us feel like we aren't good enough and will never really become what we want to be. To consciously block out Satan's voice of fear is a hard thing to do, but we will be much better off when we do it, and the Holy Ghost will be there to help us out!