Love One Another AS I Have Loved You..

AS I have loved you.

To start off my blog post today I want to share a video to "set the scene" for the rest of my post. Click here to watch a video to the popular hymn "Love One Another".

Recently in my life I have been trying to figure out what I can do to be a better sister, daughter, friend, niece, cousin, and peer. Something that I have been focusing on in my life is trying to see and love others the way Christ would. This has not been an easy task for me. One day I decided I was going to find out what love really meant. I didn't want to look it up in the dictionary, or just anywhere on the internet: rather I wanted to look it up on lds.org where I would see what the Latter Day Saint's definition of love was, because this is the kind of love I want to give to all those around me. I wanted to know how my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ view love; not the world.

As I was looking over suggested talks on lds.org, to help me with this challenge of mine, I stumbled across a talk entitled "The Meaning of Love" * given by Clark Swain in March of 1972 (a marriage professor at Montana State University). I liked his definition of love, where he states: 

"Real love is basically the same in all human relationships, whether between a grandfather and a grandmother, a newly married couple, or a mother and her child. It involves caring, respecting, responding, empathizing, having concern, giving, receiving, sharing, forgiving. Notice that these words we are using are verbs, and verbs denote action. Loving requires action." 

I really like how he makes sure we know that love is an action word. Love is something you have to do something about. Then I thought, "But how do I love everyone? How do I put my 'good intentions' to be a better me into action?" Then I stumbled across a talk given by Jeffery R Holland (quorum of the 12 apostles) in October 2003 entitled: "How Do I Love Thee?" ^ (Click Here to watch a highlight video of this talk)

How? I wondered while I read/watched this talk. Not when, where or why/why not: but how can I be a better sister, friend, daughter, etc. I wondered how because how is asking "in what manner, or what way, do I do this thing I am about to do?" Elder Holland gives us that answer. "Think the best of [others]... Assume the good and doubt the bad." True love for others means that I bear burdens with them, I believe in them, I hope for the best for them, and I endure trials with them. (1 Corinthians 13: 4-7)*^ This is how Christ loves us. This is HOW. He said unto us: "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you.." (John 13:34) So how should I, and you, be a better sister, brother, daughter, son, friend, etc? and love others? As He does. He wants us and needs us to see and love others as HE does. Not similar to the way he does, but AS He does. For if we can learn to love and see others as He does: we will never fail. We will help others realize their great individual worth, and we will be able to become more like Him. 

In closing I want to share my testimony that I know that these things are true. I know that if we can learn to see others as Heavenly Father and Christ see them, we will love them without doubt. And that by loving all, and doing our best to show that love: we will be a better us, and we will be closer to our Heavenly Father and He will be able to use each of us to be powerful tools in His hands. I know that He lives. I know that He loves you, He knows you, He is always there, and He hears you. I know He hears my prayers, for without Him hearing my prayers, my asking and begging for help to be more like Him; to see and love others as He does: I would never have found these talks, and I wouldn't be able to share this message with you. I KNOW He is listening, all you have to do is talk. He loves you. I know it's true. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, 

Amen 

Love, 

Samantha 

* "The Meaning of Love" By Clark Swain - Click here to read the whole talk

^ "How Do I Love Thee?" By Jeffery R. Holland - Click here to read the whole talk 

Both of these talks are amazing and I highly suggest reading them completely. :) 

*^ This reference is found in the King James version of the Holy Bible, which the LDS church uses along with the Book of Mormon. This is in the New Testament. 

1 Corinthians Chapter 13 verses 4-7: 

   

 "4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

Hope For Better Days to Come

It is worth it. 

I just wanted to share with y'all a short little post about hoping for better days to come. Sometimes we get so caught up in the ways of the world that we forget what is most important. When this happens the only way to get back to our Savior is by recognizing that we have done wrong and using His infinite atonement to repent and come back to Him. Sometimes we think this action is impossible. Sometimes we try and try and try but it seems that no matter how hard we try: we can't get anywhere. It is in these moments we hope. I want to share a video with you that gives me hope and helps me remember we must never stop trying because every effort we make is worth it and we can repent and come back to our Savior. Click here to watch the short video.

Elder Uchtdorf reminds us that "our prayers are heard and answered." We must remember that there is reason to rejoice, even when all is dark around us and our lives seem bleak; because of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Because He made it possible for us to return to Him. "Never give in, never surrender, never allow despair to overcome your spirit, for the love of the Son of God pierces all darkness, softens all sorrow, and gladdens every heart." -Elder Uchtdorf

I know that this is true. I know that even when it seems all hope is lost and you are completely alone: you are not lost, and you are not alone. The Savior is standing by your side, He loves you, He is watching over you, and He cares about you and wants you to feel of His love: so let Him in, let Him help, and follow His example. Hope is never lost. Better days are ahead. I know this is true.

In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen

Love,
Samantha

How Will You Answer The Lord?

Will you make The Lord proud?

Hello everyone! Today I wanted to share with you a thought about names and their importance. Think about your name. Why is it special? Why did your parents choose that name for you? Are you named after someone? What is the story behind your name? Do you know what your name means? Do you realize that your name is special?

Well I did a little research, and found out that my name means: Listener, Heard by God, God speaks to, name of God. Why does this matter to me? Because I love my name. My name is important to me, and this tells me what my name is. My name is a Hebrew name, and it tells me that I am a listener of God. Which helps me know what I should be doing and what kind of life I should be living.

Another name we should know about is our last name. Our last name is the name we carry with us for the rest of our lives. (Even if we change our last name when we get married.) Our last name helps us to find out where we came from and helps us to know where we are going, and what kind of legacy we want to leave. Our names our important.

The name we should be most concerned about is the name of Christ. When we are baptized, we take His name upon us by becoming a member of His church. When we are baptized, it is sort of like another "last name". Why? Because we are then known as "His". We take His name, and anything we do, we do to His name also. Our life will be "attached" to His name.

Mervyn B. Arnold (from the quorum of the seventy) gave a talk entitled: "What have you done with my name?"* He shared this short story:
"When President George Albert Smith was young, his deceased grandfather George A. Smith appeared to him in a dream and asked, “I would like to know what you have done with my name.” President Smith responded, “I have never done anything with your name of which you need be ashamed.”"

Someday we will be face to face with Christ, and He will ask us that same question: "What have you done with my name?" How will you answer? Will you be ashamed? Or will you make Our Savior proud of you and what you did to live up to His name and make His name a good thing in your life? "Someday each one of us will have to account to our Savior, Jesus Christ, for what we have done with His name." -Mervyn B. Arnold

Someday each of us will be faced with this question, and we will have to answer it truthfully. I know that none of us are perfect and that is why we need to use the atonement to repent so that our sins can be washed away through His atoning blood and we can be clean once more. I know that if we choose to live the life Christ would want us to live, and we use the great gift of the atonement, that we will be blessed and we will be full of joy when we can answer that question with an honest: "I have done nothing with your name of which you need be ashamed." So I leave you with this question:

How will you answer The Lord?

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Love,
Samantha
*"What have you done with my name" is a great talk. Click here to watch, listen, or read the whole talk.

The Importance of Unplugging and Looking Up

Is it time to unplug??

Today I want to talk you about the importance of unplugging from technology and actually being present, not just physically but mentally and emotionally as well. We live in a world where technology is very readily present and easily accessed. This can be either good or bad. Technology can be useful and bless our lives if we use it correctly and not too much. Technology becomes a problem when we are "connected" too often to it, or we use it inappropriately. Today I want to focus on why we need to "unplug", "disconnect" and "be present".

First, I want to talk about what it means to really be present in a situation. A lot of people, and not just teenagers anymore, are too focused on what their "friends" are saying on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. Too focused on social media to the point that they aren't "really there." Sure they are there physically: but not mentally or emotionally. They are too busy looking down at a light on a screen that is always within their reach. Unplugging and being there means to give someone your attention; your full attention. (Click here to see a short video)

When we are constantly connected to social media, internet, video games, etc. we miss out on a lot of opportunities and relationships. The relationship that gets effected first and most easily is our relationship with our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. I read once that "Technology isn't bad until it interferes with our relationship with others: especially our relationship with God." -unknown  Elder David A. Bednar (Quorum of the 12 Apostles) gave a talk entitled: "Things as They Really Are". At the end he asks two important questions that will help us to determine if we are unplugging or if we are just being distracted. Click here to watch a video clip about this talk. -If you want to read this whole talk, there is a link under the video!-

I want you to really think about these questions:
1. Does the use invite or impede the Holy Ghost?
2. Does it enlarge or restrict your capacity to live, love, and serve?
(and a question of my own)
3. Do you recognize easily when the time is appropriate to walk away from or turn off your "distraction" so that you can strengthen your relationship with others?

Asking ourselves these questions will help us to unplug and be present so that we don't miss out on sacred opportunities to strengthen relationships with others and our Father In Heaven.

One last thing I want to share with you. "Look Up" is a song found on the LDS youth music page. I really like this song because it helps me remember that I need to not only unplug, but I need to "look up" so that I can take advantage of the opportunities in my path that will lead me to serve others and to see my Heavenly Father's hand in my life more easily. Click here to listen to "Look Up".

I just want to add my testimony to today's blog post, that I know that "looking up" isn't easy. I know that we live in a time where it is really hard to take a step back and "unplug" so we can really be there for others. However, no matter how hard it may be, I know it is possible. I know that if we do unplug we will be blessed and we will be much, much happier. I know that we will be able to see the many blessings and different opportunities our Heavenly Father has blessed us with and we will be able to take advantage of the precious time we have here to serve others with a happier heart and be a blessing to them. If we can learn that our social media and technology isn't the key to having lots of friends and being happy, if we can learn to put it down and be present, if we can learn that we don't need to answer a text, tweet, etc. right away, if we can learn what's most important: we will be blessed and we will be the instrument and tool in the Lord's hands that He needs us to be. I know I still need to learn how to master this, and I know that I fail at this quite often: but that doesn't mean I am giving up! Every day is a new day and we can try again, and I know we will blessed for our efforts and some day we will be able to master it. Never give up. I know the Lord loves you and He knows you individually and He will help you get to where you need to be. I testify that this is true,

In the Name of Jesus Christ,
Amen

Love,
Samantha