Because He Lives

Brothers and Sisters,
It is my favorite time of year! It's GENERAL CONFERENCE and EASTER this next weekend!!!! I am so excited to share with you a message of both of these today. I cannot imagine living in a world where these things did not exist. I'm going to start by sharing some things to help us prepare for Easter, and then I'll close with a video to help us prepare for Conference.

Easter: it truly is my favorite time of year. Why? Because of HIM. This is my favorite time because I know that HE lives. I know that although once dead, He truly rose on the third day, and that He still lives even today. I know, because of Him, that to every "dark Friday" comes a bright and glorious Sunday Morning. I want to share with you the message of Easter with a few videos.

First, I want to "introduce" Easter with this beautiful video: "His Sacred Name

The second I may have shared before, but it is one of my favorites so I will share it again. This video is by Elder Holland. I love this video so much because it explains, for me, the reason I love and cherish the Easter season so much! None Were With Him

And finally, I want to share this year's newest video for Easter: Because He Lives (click "watch" in the middle of the page)
This is a new site for the LDS church for Easter. If you scroll down, you will see a time line for the week of Easter, and I highly suggest reading over each day's events, and thinking about what took place each day this week.
Sunday (today)- He enters the city of Jerusalem.
Monday- Through an act of bravery, He cleans the temple.
Tuesday- He taught beautiful principles despite his enemies efforts to discredit Him.
Wednesday- He taught and prepared for tomorrow.
Thursday- He took upon Himself the pains, sorrow, and afflictions of every man woman and child in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Friday- He was crucified and buried in the tomb.
Saturday- He taught in the Spirit World.
Sunday- He was Resurrected.

As we prepare for Easter in one week, I want to challenge you to sincerely think about the events that took place during this week of Christ's life. Prepare yourself for Sunday morning so that you may feel His Atoning sacrifice for you more deeply in your life. Pray for His spirit to be with you, and really cherish His spirit and all He has done for you. Allow yourself time to study His life, and His sacrifice and love for You as you go about this week.

Now for Conference:
I love April Conference because it is always around Easter time, and this year we got lucky to have Conference on Easter Sunday! As this weekend approaches with Conference I want to remind you that Conference is a time for us to hear the Prophet's voice. It is a time for us to gather and learn together. A time for us to receive revelation from our Prophet and leaders in this dispensation. It is a time for us to feel (more deeply) our Father's love for us and for us to find answers to our prayers. To prepare for this great event, I would like to invite you to write down some questions you have in your life right now. If you don't know what to ask- ask yourself "what is stressing me out right now?" Ask Father in Heaven for help concerning this thing. General Conference is a time for you to hear from the Prophet who receives revelation on behalf of the whole church- including you. Write down your questions and pray to receive answers as you listen to the Prophet and leaders of the Church.
I want to close with a video called: Blessings of Conference

In closing I just want to testify that I know that conference is for our gain and benefit. It is a complicated thing to put forth and much effort and worry and preparation goes into this event every six months. If it wasn't important for us, Heavenly Father wouldn't have us do it. I know you can and will receive answers to your prayers and that we will be blessed and come closer to the Lord if we do our part in preparing. I know that Christ lives and that He loves each and every one of us and that because of His eternal and great sacrifice: we will NEVER be alone. I know the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints is the one and only true church on the earth today and that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father- because of Him. Because He Lives.
Of this I testify,
In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen

Love,
Samantha

A Short, Strong Message

He can and will heal you.

Dear readers,
Michael Jordan once said: "I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." Success doesn't come from being perfect. It comes from working hard. It comes from recognizing our mistakes, making them right if possible, and learning from them.

Today I want to share with you a message of the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. "The Atonement is the sacrifice Jesus Christ made to help us overcome sin, adversity, and death. Jesus’s atoning sacrifice took place in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross at Calvary. He paid the price for our sins, took upon Himself death, and was resurrected. The Atonement is the supreme expression of the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ."

As I was sitting in a meeting with my ward today, a poem was shared that touched my heart. As I went home to find the poem, I found a talk entitled: "The Touch of the Master's Hand" given by Elder Boyd K. Packer. I do not know how to express this sweet message in a better way other than to ask you to take the time to go and watch/listen to this fifteen minute talk. Although it is long- it is most definitely worth your time. Especially for those who are trying to figure out how to manage and endure a hard time in your life. Please, listen to this talk. I know it touched my heart and helped me greatly.

Please pay special attention to the poem read at the end. Click here to watch.

I say to all those who are struggling, who are lost, and who may feel worthless: Do not give up. You can do all things which The Lord has placed in your path. You are never too lost or out of reach for the Atonement of the Savior to reach even your deepest and darkest sins. You can be found, you can be healed, you can be cleansed- no matter how far "lost" you may be. The power of the Atonement is infinite. You are not worthless. For the worth of souls is very great in the sight of God and He loves you. You just keep enduring, keep trying, and remember: "the touch of the Master's hand" can and will heal you if you allow Him too.

I leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen

Love,
Samantha

How Do You...

Always remember Him by keeping His commandments 

This post is going to be short, but very important if we want to learn, repent and try harder to become like Him. I feel that the message I will share with the videos I have found will bless your life if you will truly open your heart and let the Spirit teach you. With that, I will start. 

Today I have two questions for you: 

1. How do you "Always remember Him (Christ)?" 

2. How do you show Him you "always remember Him?

Keep these questions in mind as you watch these two videos. 

1. Always Remember Him

2. Obedience to Commandments

Now think about the questions I asked at the beginning of this post. "How do you always remember Him?" and "How do you show Him you always remember Him?" 

I cannot tell you what the best way is for you to personally remember Him always, but I can testify that I know a way to help. Brothers and Sisters- choose the right and keep the commandments. The commandments are not there to "restrict" or make life harder. They are there to keep you safe and on the only path back to Heavenly Father. They are there to help you fulfil your divine roll in His plan, they are there to protect you, they are there are there because He loves you. 

I just want to bear testimony to you that I know that although it is not easy to keep the commandments all day every day, day after day, when the ways of the world frown down on you and your choice to be different, please remember this: I KNOW without a doubt of my mind and heart that the commandments are there because Heavenly Father is my Father, Jesus is my Elder Brother and they love me (and you) with every ounce in their bodies and they want to keep me (and you) safe, and that is why they have given me (and you) commandments. I know that in the end, it will all be worth it. I know this. And I hope and pray that as you choose to keep the commandments and remember Him every single day: you will come to know this too.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, 

Amen 

Love, 

Samantha 

Lessons I learned this week!

He will guide you home. Follow where He leads.

This week I wanted to share with you a lesson I learned in Seminary that really made me think and helped me to build my testimony! (Also, shout out to my seminary teachers because they are simply the greatest and are a such great examples and teach me so much every time I talk to them. They are so amazing! So kids- take advantage of seminary and institute cause it will seriously bless and change your life for the better!!!)

Okay, so the lesson I wanted to share is about Zion's Camp. So first let me explain what Zion's camp is. The time period is when the saints are being persecuted in Jackson County Missouri. (1833-1844) Joseph Smith and some of the other saints were in Kirkland Ohio. Joseph Smith had received revelation that he needed to gather worthy and willing saints to go forth with him back to Jackson county to help the saints living there. This was to be called "Zion's Camp."

Zion's camp faced many trials of faith, contention with others, changed plans, and of course: many miracles and testimony building experiences. Zion's camp was not what they expected it to be. Although some say Zion's camp was a failure, it did not fail God's plan for these people. (Some say it was a failure because they were originally going to "fight" those harming the saints, but in the end they didn't have too. The reason for this is because God told them "For behold, I do not require at their hands to fight the battles of Zion; for, as I said in a former commandment, even so will I fulfil—I will fight your battles." (Doctrine and Covenants section 105 verse 14.)

Anyway, I wanted to share with you this video about Zion's Camp. This video has some great lessons in it that are applicable to many, many situations. During the movie I want you to write down at least five things you learned. Really read between the lines and ask yourself how this movie is applicable to you today. (Really this movie isn't just about Zion's Camp, it's about how we can over come challenges and trials and learn from experiences we have. It's about how we can choose to do as The Lord asks us to do.) Click here to start watching!

Now that you have watched the video, I wanted to share with you some of the lessons I learned.
1. Follow the Prophet. He truly does know the way because He communicates with God on behalf of the whole church.
2. Don't complain- it doesn't make anything easier for anyone. In fact, if you can learn to smile during the trial it will make it easier for you to bear the burden and it will make it easier for you to learn what God has to teach you.
(Now some lines I loved from the movie)
3. "I will lead you there and back again and not a hair on your heads shall be harmed." God will keep us safe if we choose to follow Him.
4. "You will see the movings of The Lord all throughout this journey." Everyday- if you look for God's hand, you will find it.
5. "The Lord will protect us. Stand still and see the salvation of God." Sometimes we need to take a step back and recognize God as our Father. We need to "stand still" and follow Him- He will protect us.
6. "God is in this storm." This is why my blog is called 'Dance through your storms' because with God, we can dance and find joy in this journey because God brought us to this, and He will bring us through this. He is truly in the storms of life and He will protect and guide us home.
7. Wait for a little season, for God will fight your battles for you. Have patience. Do as He directs.
8. "Your work is not yet done." No matter how much we have done with our lives, we are never finished. Work hard and do as The Lord asks of you. You have a divine work and glory here on earth.
And my final thought:
9. Zion's camp was to build and test the testimony and faith of His people. The quorum of the twelve apostles was called after Zion's Camp came back to Ohio. The Lord was preparing His servants. He is preparing (you) for greater things to come. Have faith in Him and know that He is God.


I just wanted to end with my testimony that I know that God knows what He's doing, and we must trust Him. All things are for our experience. (While some of our trials may be because of choices we have made, so we brought the trial to ourselves- if we choose to come back to Heavenly Father, we still gain experiences. Now I am not saying we need to make mistakes on purpose to gain experience, for God will give us the experience He needs us to have with the trials He has chosen for us.) Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us. He is there to bless and guide us and lead us safely back home to live with Him forever. I know these things are true.
In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen

Love,
Samantha

If The Savior Stood Beside You

He is always right beside you.

This week I have been thinking a lot about the lyrics to a popular primary song titled: "If The Savior Stood Beside Me." The lyrics to the song are as follows: 

Words and music by Sally DeFord

1. If the Savior stood beside me,

would I do the things I do?

Would I think of His commandments,

and try harder to be true?

Would I follow His example?

Would I live more righteously

if I could see the Savior standing nigh,

watching over me?

2. If the Savior stood beside me,

would I say the things I say?

Would my words be true and kind

if He was never far away?

Would I try to share the gospel?

Would I speak more rev’rently

if I could see the Savior standing nigh,

watching over me?

3. He is always near me,

though I do not see Him there,

And because He loves me dearly,

I am in His watchful care.

So I’ll be the kind of person

that I know I’d like to be

if I could see the Savior standing nigh,

watching over me.

The words to this song have always struck me. They are beautifully written in a way that every one can relate to them. "What if you really could see the Savior standing by you?" I ask myself this all the time. Would I be the young woman I am today? Would I say the things I say? Would I try harder to follow Him? Would I be nicer, smile more, and reach out more? Am I being the tool in His hands that He needs me to be? Would He be disappointed in me? These are questions I am always asking myself, because it's true. The Savior is always "standing" close by, watching over me. He sees all I do, He hears all I say. 

This past Wednesday night this song really hit me hard.  I had some extra time to do something not school related, so I decided to study the gospel. As I opened the New Era (a church magazine) I said a little prayer that I could be blessed with the spirit to find what I needed to find, and learn the things I was in need of learning that night. 

I wasn't super nice to my younger sister that night. She kept yelling for me to come into her room, but I was reading the New Era and didn't want to be bugged. Eventually, I went to see what she wanted because she wouldn't stop calling. As I grudgingly walked to her room to see what she inquired of me  I suddenly felt like singing this song. Ignoring the feeling, I burst into my sister's room and asked in a very irritated voice "What do you want now?" To say the least, I hurt her feelings. She was feeling lonely and just wanted someone to listen to her while she talked for a minute. Again this song came to mind. Humbled, I bowed my head. "I'm sorry." I said. Still hurt, she kept crying. I felt I needed to sing to her. "I am a child of God, and He has sent me here" I began singing as I stroked her hair. Although she was still trying to avoid me, I kept singing other primary songs she might know. Still thinking of this song, I knew I had to sing it next. "If the Savior stood beside me.." I sang to her. At that moment, she sat up from her pillows, and turned to lay her head in my lap. I kept singing. Toward the end she joined in with me. Together we sang. Suddenly the spirit was so strong. Even though I wasn't reading the New Era, I knew I had found and learned exactly what the Savior needed me to learn that night. 

As I went on with my week, I kept thinking of this experience and this song. As I walked through the halls, I would sing it in my mind, smiling at everyone I passed. I wanted to "be the kind of person that I know I'd like to be if I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me." Because I knew for a fact, that He was indeed watching over me, and walking by my side. 

Brothers and Sisters, I wanted to share with experience with you today because I feel we all too often forget this simple truth: That He is there watching over us and walking by our side. I think we all too often forget that we can do more. It's not that we are doing bad things, but are we doing all we could be doing? I dare say we aren't. (I know I'm not.) How then, can we do all we can to be led by the spirit to let the light we have be given shine forth that all may see our Father in Heaven? How then can we do all we were created to do? 

Well, I don't have all the answers, but I do know something that helps me; Remember who you are. You are a Child Of God. I know that each of us has a divine purpose and mission here in this life on earth. Only you can do what you were called to do. That's why you were chosen for this life- because you are strong enough to live it. 

Brothers and Sisters, I want to ask you to join with me in this challenge: Remember who you are. Remember your divine purpose and mission- You are a Child Of God, and you can do hard things. Remember the Savior is indeed standing by and watching over you. Try a little harder to be a little better each and every day. Smile at someone, take time to listen to someone in need. Comfort those who are lost. Invite the lonely to be with you. Never give up. Speak loving words. Remember He loves you dearly. 

Of this I testify of, in the name Of Jesus Christ,

Amen 

Love, 

Samantha 

*If you would like to hear "If The Savior Stood Beside Me" click here I am sorry it's a youtube video. But it's on the Mormon Tabernacle's page- so it's from a great source! I couldn't find one anywhere else. I hope this works for you.