What Are You Doing With Your Talents?

What are you doing with your talents??

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Heavenly Father has blessed us each with many talents. Some of us can sing, some of us dance, some of us can cook, and some of us play the piano. Some of us has many talents, while others do not see their talents. We all have talents though. Some may just be more obvious than others. Some of us have the talent to listen, some of us the talent to teach, and even some the talent and gift of tongues. (This means you know how to speak many languages and it's not hard for you.) No matter what your talent is, you need to use it to serve the Lord. He blessed you with your talent and He needs you to use that talent to help His people. I want to share a video with you of a young boy who knew this principle of developing talents, and knew that The Lord needed him to use his talent to help the members of his ward. Click here to watch the short video.

I just wanted to bear my testimony that I know that we were all blessed with talents for a reason. We are given calling for a reason. Sometimes it's because you've got a talent that the ward is in need of, and sometimes it's because you've got the potential for a certain talent and the Lord needs to teach you and let you grow. No matter what it may be remember all callings are from God and that He knows what He's doing. Accept your calling, and trust Him. Use your talents for good! You will bless lives in ways you will never know. Don't give up. Follow Him. Don't hide your talents- share them and let them grow. Heavenly Father loves you!

In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen

Love,
Samantha

Using My Phone For Good

Use yours to do His work today!

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today I wanted to share with you a short video that I found a while ago. At first I thought: "Oh ya, I like the idea these young people have, maybe I'll try it sometime." But then I never did- that is, until this past week.
I study my scriptures every morning before I start my daily activities so that I can invite the spirit into my heart and mind to guide my actions and thoughts each day. This week, I decided that in addition to reading my scriptures, I would start listening to the General Conference talks as I got ready. At first, I felt a little awkward listening to talks instead of music in the morning, but I felt different. I was much happier and I felt peace. I felt as if I would be able to accomplish all the things God needed me to that day. I felt refreshed and ready. I never felt like this after listening to music. I felt great! I wanted to share it with everyone! My day ended up being great, so I did it again the next day. Although my day wasn't "perfect" that next day, I was much happier with the situation than I would have been had I not listened to the talk and studied my scriptures that morning. I decided I needed to share this great feeling and the great things I was learning in my mornings spent with the Savior.
I decided that I was going to start sharing my thoughts with my friend. As I pondered how to share these things without being awkward, my mind and thoughts were turned back to this video. Click here to watch "Texting Truth"
Just as the boys in the video decided to share their testimonies on their group text, I decided that I could very easily share my testimony using my phone. I decided that I would send my friend a text saying why I liked the scripture and quote from the talk I listened too, along with sharing the passages from both. As I nervously sent the message and waited for a reply, I felt instantly at peace. I knew I had simply shared my testimony and my beliefs, and that my friend would not be offended if he was a true friend. I knew that I had simply done what The Lord wanted and needed me to do.
As I got a text back from my friend, he said thank you and that he appreciated my efforts to share my testimony with him.
I also decided to share the talk I read on my Facebook page. I knew that if I simply shared a short testimony with the link to the talk, even if no one went and read the talk, that they would know where I stood, and that they would know where my priorities were and are.
As the week went on, I kept sharing my thoughts and testimony with him. I could feel my spirit being strengthen along with our friendship growing closer to God. Today, as I asked my friend what his thoughts were about me using my phone to share the gospel this was his reply: "The scriptures you shared were answers to my prayers. Answers to questions I was having. They were the things I feel  I needed to hear."
I just want to end saying that I know that even in the world we live in today, where there is pressure from every direction to do bad and use our technology for bad things, that there is good and we can do good: We must choose to seek the good and use the good things to brighten the lives of those we are around. I know that Heavenly Father will help us in our efforts to obey Him and share goodness with those we associate with. He will fill our mouths with the words that someone needs to hear. We will be able to be answers to prayers, and helps others with the questions and desires of their hearts to find the things Heavenly Father needs them to find. I know that while it may feel awkward at first, if we practice and learn how to simply share our testimony through a smile and quick "hello, how are you doing?" conversation; that it will eventually become a habit for us to share our testimonies always no matter where we may be, and Heavenly Father will be well pleased with us. We are His hands in the world today- we must use the resources we have be given to do His work. I know this is true, and I bear testimony that we can change lives for the better if we choose to use our technology for good. I challenge you to do good things with the technology you have. I know it will bless your life and change your life for the better.
Of this I testify, In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen

Love,
Samantha

I Choose To Follow The Prophet

Follow The Prophet 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Last week at conference something a little unusual happened. When we were asked to sustain our leaders (the prophet and apostles and others) there was a group at the conference center that stood up and shouted their opposing vote. I had never seen this happen before, and so it got me thinking: "Why do the people feel this way?" I know that the Prophet is chosen of God and that all His leaders are called by Him, so I felt a sting a pain and sorrow for them that they did not know this simple truth. As I went about my week, I found a video about following the prophet and wanted to share it with you.

First I want to share this: I am not perfect, and I will admit that following the prophet was not always easy for me. I used to think: "Oh that piece of council isn't for me" or "I am the exception to that." Oh how very wrong I was- I had to go through some great repentance to get my life back on track, all because I thought I didn't need to listen to or follow the prophet. No one is the exception- no one is perfect, so no one is exempt from the council he gives. However, because of those experiences, I can stand before you today and say without a doubt that I know that modern day revelation is true. I know the prophet is truly called of God and that he truly does know what he's talking about and we need to follow the council he gives us from God.

Now I wish to share with you this video about following the prophet, even when it's not easy and it may be unpopular. The video is called: Follow The Prophet

I just want to end with my testimony of the prophet. I want you to know that I know he is called of God. I know that God speaks to him and that modern revelation is in fact happening. I want you to know that even when following the prophet isn't "cool" or it may seem "popular" or even criticized by the world- it is the best choice you can make. Following him, and the council he gives us from God will truly bless your life. Heavenly Father will see your efforts to come unto Him and He will bless you for that. I know this is true with all my heart.
I leave this witness with you in the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen

Love,
Samantha

My Testimony

He Lives, and because He lives... I can overcome anything.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
On this beautiful Easter Sunday I do not wish to distract from the amazing Spirit of Easter and Conference. So today I wish to simply bear my testimony that I know He lives, and because He lives anything is possible. Because He lived and died for me, because He felt every pain, sorrow, affliction, worry, heartache, joy, happiness, He felt everything! So I never ever have to be alone! I know that we have a living prophet today, Prophet Thomas S. Monson, and I know that He receives modern day revelation on behalf of the whole Church. I know that Joseph Smith, although a young and uneducated boy, did in fact restore the truthfulness of the Gospel on the Earth today and that He did in fact translate the Book of Mormon. I know that the Book Of Mormon is the truest book in the world and that nothing will ever change that. I know without a shadow of a doubt, that the Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints is the one and only completely true Church in the whole world. This I know because He lives. Because He was resurrected for each of us to live again with Him someday. Oh how glorious that day will be when we can each kneel at His feet and cry "Savior, I have done all I could do. Please take me home to live with Thee again." And He will reply: "My child, well done. I love you." And with open arms He will embrace every one of us. He loves each of us no matter what. Because of Him we can be clean no matter how many times we mess up- His Atonement is infinite and eternal, and it will clean every stain and scar we have- no matter how great it may be. I know this is true. I want to leave you with this, in the Holy Sacred Name of Jesus Christ,
Amen

Love,
Samantha

Ps. General Conference has been absolutely amazing. If you haven't had the chance to listen to all the sessions, I highly recommend and encourage you to to go to lds.org and see what we were taught. It has been truly beautiful and inspiring.