Trusting in The Lord and Learning to Forgive

Come unto Him by trusting in him and learning to forgive. He will give you rest.

This past week has been an interesting one for me. I feel as though every where I look or turn "forgiveness" is starting me right in the face. I felt as if I was trying to be told something; this is why I have chosen to talk about forgiveness today. After much prayer and thought I have decided that this is the topic I should address this lovely Sunday afternoon. Let me start with an experience I had just over a week ago. There is this person in my life who I have purposely tried to avoid for the past few years because I hurt them pretty bad and I was scared to make that mistake again. This person kept trying their hardest to come back into my life somehow, but I kept denying them the opportunity. About 10 days ago I let them in, sort of. I let them start following me on one of my social media accounts. I thought to myself: "what's the harm? They will only see what I'm up too, they don't have to talk to me, and if they do I won't listen to them." I was already following their account, so I thought it was only fair. I noticed it was their birthday and not thinking, I left I comment on their post simply saying Happy Birthday. They commented back, and we ended up having this "conversation" that led to us texting again. The whole time I was really concerned if I was doing the right thing, but at the same time I felt this comfort in my heart and this voice (The Holy Ghost) telling me this is what I needed to be doing. I thought of a scripture in the Book of Mormon* in Alma chapter 36 verse 3 and also verse 27. These verses in the Scriptures talked about trusting in God and that by doing so we will be supported in our trials and afflictions. I know that this is true, so I trusted him and let him lead me to do what he needed me to do. This person and I kept talking over a couple of days and I suddenly felt this urge that I needed to say sorry for what I had done. (Avoiding them) I told myself that this sort of thing needed to wait to be done in person so I wasn't going to do it. Again the urge came from the Holy Ghost that I needed to do it right now. I grabbed my phone and started typing out this long text asking them for forgiveness and telling them that I was going to do this in person as well, but for some reason I needed to ask for forgiveness right now too. I explained why I did what I did and I kept saying sorry, but it didn't feel good enough. After reading the text over and over feeling like it wasn't adequate, I just sent it. I waited nervously for a reply. When I read their reply, tears of joy came to my eyes. I felt so warm inside and I felt so overly blessed and lucky. This person told me they were willing to move forward from the past and be friends again. I suddenly knew that it wasn't going to be easy for me and I was going to have to learn a lot still, but I knew that I was supposed to be in this person's life for some reason unknown to me. Maybe it's not that they need me, maybe I need them, or maybe we need each other. Of this I am unsure, but I am positive we are supposed to be friends again and we are supposed to have this second chance to be in each other's lives. Was it easy? For me it certainly wasn't. Was it worth it? It was worth it all. Forgiveness is not an easy thing to ask for, and sometimes it is not an easy thing to grant forgiveness either. Can we do it? Yes we can. I want you to watch this video about Christ and forgiveness. Pay attention to the first line spoken in the video. (It's near the end) Christ and Forgiveness If Christ was willing to forgive those who killed him as he hung on the cross, how much easier is it for us to forgive someone who has wronged us? I don't know about you, but I think I can learn how to forgive if Christ could do that for me and still be forgiving. I know it's not easy. Asking for forgiveness is really scary and really hard sometimes and we may feel inadequate, like our apology isn't good enough, but maybe just like my friend, they will forgive you because they know you are truly sorry. To those who are unsure if they can forgive someone who wronged them: learn from the Savior. I know that when we are wronged it does hurt, and we don't want to say it's okay. I promise you that if you can learn to forgive you will be so much happier. (If you truly do give them forgiveness.) I am so thankful that my friend knew this and that even though they were hurt by me, they were willing to move forward. My friend not only forgave me, but he gave me another chance like the Savior does for all of us. I feel so fortunate to be blessed with this friend in my life. I encourage you all to become more like the Savior and learn to forgive as he so willing did then on the cross, and does for us everyday. I know it takes time, but it will pay off I promise. I also know that you will happier and so will everyone around you. (Keep in mind that people will still mess up and make mistakes, and we will have to learn to keep forgiving them just as our Savior will forgive us if we are truly sorry.) I know that this is true. I am so thankful that we can forgive others and we can be forgiven. This is one the greatest blessing we have been given. This way we can return to live with our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ again. I know the gospel is true.
In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen

Love,
Samantha

*The Book Of Mormon is the book that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints uses to teach from, hand in hand with the Bible. (We use the King James Version of the Bible). I know that this book is true; that with it hand in hand with the Bible we can learn so much and come back to Christ. These verses from Alma are as follows:
Verse 3: And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their ^atrust in God shall be supported in their ^btrials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be ^clifted up at the last day.

Verse 27: And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has ^adeliveredme from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still ^bdeliver me.

"How Could You Cut Me Down?"

He sees in terms of Forever, we only see here and now. Trust him. 

Today I was shown a video* in church that touched my heart and I felt like I needed to share with you all. The video depicts a farmer cutting an overgrown bush back down to a healthy bush and how the bush seemed to "cry" as droplets of water formed where it had been cut. The video goes on to tell a story of the farmer and this thoughts about this bush "crying" and how it relates to us all. This video, along with other things this weekend gave me a new perspective on our Heavenly Father's love for each and every one of us. Sometimes we are faced with trials and adversity that we feel are unfair to us and our situations. Trials that "cut us down" from things we thought we wanted. Such as: getting a promotion that suddenly gets denied because of unseen events, loosing a loved one early in life, loosing a friend that you never thought would go away, etc. These are all unseen events that can change our lives dramatically. Sometimes in these trials we are angry with Heavenly Father, and blame Him for not looking out for us. However, even though we don't see it, he is watching out for us, and that trail might be opening up the future for an even better thing to come. We need to learn to trust Him and His timing because he can see the whole plan, and we only see here and now. Sometimes what we have planned for ourselves isn't what he has planned for us so he has to redirect our lives so that we can be the best that we can be. I know that it isn't easy going through these trials and even at my young age I have dealt with some of these things and I know that they hurt, it seems unfair, and you want to blame Him for not letting you have what you thought you wanted, and maybe worked so hard to get. I know that in my future I will be faced with many more of these trails and I will have to remember to take a step back and remember that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ do love me and that they see in terms of forever, and I can only see in terms of here and now. I need to remember that I need to trust them that they will lead and guide me to bigger and better things. I know that this isn't easy to do and that it takes a lot of practice to not get angry, but I do know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you. I know that they hurt when you hurt and they hate to see you have to hurt, but sometimes we have to hurt and feel pain so that we can grow and so that we can become better sons and daughters of Him, so that we can be more appreciative of our times of happiness and joy. I know that they love you, and they want you to be the best that you can be. Getting there isn't easy, but I know with all my heart that it will be worth it in the end. I personally believe that someday we will be able to look back on our hardships and we will be able to have gratitude for them because of the things we learned from each one, and the person they helped us become. I hope and pray that each one of you can choose to be happy and look for the good things in each trial and that you can learn the things that Heavenly Father needs you to learn from each trial and hardship. I know he loves you so much. Come unto him in all you do. You are never alone, and he desires to be there and help you. Let him in. I know these things are true. This is my testimony that I leave with you,
In the Name of Jesus Christ,
Amen

Love, Samantha

*Here is a link to the video: The Will Of God

I KNOW That He Lives.

He Lives!

I just wanted to share my testimony today that I KNOW, with no question that my Heavenly Father lives. I KNOW that his son, my elder brother, Jesus Christ lives too. I was having an especially hard weekend this week, and I felt so unimportant and lonely. I felt like I didn't matter, but then I had this feeling, a prompting from the Holy Ghost, to go listen to my David Osmond CD. I thought at first that this was a weird thing to do cause I hadn't done that in a long time, but the feeling wouldn't go away. I finally decided that I would just go and see what was on the CD. As I looked over its contents I realized that this was the CD that had one of my favorite church hymns on it. I quickly turned on my radio, put the CD in and skipped to my favorite one. I sat down and listened for a minute. Suddenly I stared crying. I suddenly felt warm and whole again. I suddenly felt loved and wanted. I suddenly heard my testimony in the song. "I know that my Redeemer lives."* I do know that He lives. The song goes on to tell of how I know He lives. "He lives to comfort me when faint, He lives to hear my soul's complaint." The song lists so many things/reasons of why I know He lives, and what He does for me. I was filled with motivation to keep pressing forward because I'm not done doing the work I was sent here to do. I was reminded that "every dark and lonely night, leads to a glorious day to come". I was reminded that I am not alone, and that He loves me, He feels my every pain, He knows me, and He's rooting for me. I know that He knows you too. I beg you brothers and sisters, to never give up. Don't quit. You are loved beyond measure. You are such a precious soul in the sight of the Lord. You are a creation beyond all creations. You are wonderful and amazing in every way. You are important. Don't stop now. You can do hard things. He is always right beside you, just reach out to him. I love you and this is my testimony, In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen

Love,
Samantha
* Click on the link to listen to: I Know That My Redeemer Lives: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S8m0LfdBI8

Here are the Lyrics to read while you listen: (Sorry about the weird background I don't know how to get rid of that.)

1. 1. I know that my Redeemer lives.
   What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
   He lives, he lives, who once was dead.
   He lives, my ever-living Head.
   He lives to bless me with his love.
   He lives to plead for me above.
   He lives my hungry soul to feed.
   He lives to bless in time of need.
2. 2. He lives to grant me rich supply.
   He lives to guide me with his eye.
   He lives to comfort me when faint.
   He lives to hear my soul's complaint.
   He lives to silence all my fears.
   He lives to wipe away my tears.
   He lives to calm my troubled heart.
   He lives all blessings to impart.
3. 3. He lives, my kind, wise heav'nly Friend.
   He lives and loves me to the end.
   He lives, and while he lives, I'll sing.
   He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
   He lives and grants me daily breath.
   He lives, and I shall conquer death.
   He lives my mansion to prepare.
   He lives to bring me safely there.
4. 4. He lives! All glory to his name!
   He lives, my Savior, still the same.
   Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
   "I know that my Redeemer lives!"
   He lives! All glory to his name!
   He lives, my Savior, still the same.
   Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
   "I know that my Redeemer lives!"

To Moms and Dads

Lately I have been sharing a lot about parents, and I'm not really sure why, but I feel as if this is what I need to be sharing right now. Today I will be sharing about moms and dads and their role in our lives. Even though I have already shared on this topic I wish to share some new things today. (If you can't tell I really love moms and dads; especially my own.) I have three different videos I would like to share today.

The first one is about Fathers and how their role as a father can lead them and help them understand how our Heavenly Father feels about us. It explains their role in helping us and being there to support and love us. It explains how important the role of an active caring father is in a child's life.
http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages#earthly-father-heavenly-father

The second video is for Mothers. This video tells mothers that the partnership they have with their Heavenly Father is one of the most sacred. That their special and sacred duty to have and raise children is such an eternal blessing. This video reminds mothers that what they are doing is the single most important thing for them to do. http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng#motherhood-an-eternal-partnership-with-god

This last video is for both Mother and Father. I feel like parents are always asking what they can do to be better parents. This video teaches our parents that the single most important thing they can do to raise their children (and be better parents) is to love each other completely and unconditionally. By showing your children that you both are deeply in love and care for each other shows us, especially when we are teens, what we should strive for and what we should look for in others. Loving each other is one of the best things you can do to teach us. We look up to your example, especially when we are dating, to see what we should be looking for. http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng#love-her-mother

I love these videos. I know that our parents are some of the most important people in our lives. I know that I look up to my parents, and I know that I love them with all my heart. I know that they have taught me so much and that they love me too. I know that I can look up to them for what I want to be looking for in men I date, and what kind of a relationship I want to have when it's time for me to have one. I know what kind of a person I need to be because my mother has taught me to be like her. I wouldn't have it any other way either. My mom is quite the amazing mom. Words cannot even describe all that she has done, still does, and will do in the future for me. My mom is my best friend. My dad had taught me what kind of a man I should be looking for, how men should treat women, how to respect others, etc. My dad always know how to give me advice (that girls can't) because it takes a guy's point of view to know sometimes. I know that my dad will always be there and he is my other best friend. My parents are my prime examples and I love them with all my heart. I know that it can be really hard to look up to your parents sometimes, and sometimes it's not "possible" for you to look up to them because you don't agree with their standards. That doesn't mean you can't look up to parents. I know of kids, my own friends, that look up to my parents because they can't look up to their own. That is okay too. There are parents you can look up too somewhere. And parents: please do your best to be the example you want to be for your kids. Be the parents you want your kids to be to your grand-kids, because they watch your example and they learn young. They will adapt to the way you do things and that is what kind of a family they will lead. I know I do things a certain way because that's the way my mom would do it. Teach your kids what you would have them do, not just by words, but by constant action.

I know that parents are lead and guided by our Heavenly Father to lead and guide us where we need to go. Don't give up parents, even if it's hard. You're doing the best thing you can do by being a parent. There is no greater call than for you to raise your children in the the eyes of the Lord. You can do it. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will lead and guide you in the right direction if you take the time to ask him, and take the time to listen to his answer. It will not always be easy, but your family is always worth it. I love this gospel, I know it's true. I love my family and wouldn't be who I am today if it wasn't for my parents. I love them very much.

In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen

Love,
Samantha

Short and Sweet

He is knocking at your door, there is no handle, you must let him in. 

Well today my message is just going to be a short video clip that I like. I am not feeling the best, and looking at a computer for a long time only makes it worse, so: Short and Sweet today! :) I hope this message touches your heart none the less! In this video I chose to share today I think it helps remind us that we don't know what's going on in other's lives and sometimes we need to take a step back and let Heavenly Father And Jesus Christ guide our actions so that we can be of help in the way They need us to be, not the way we think we need to be. The invitation is there, Christ is knocking, but only YOU can let him in for yourself. No one else can do that for you, except yourself. He isn't going to push himself in, he will wait until you open the door. Brothers and Sisters, I beg with you: Open the door. He loves you and wants nothing more than to be with you, to lead and guide you back home, and be with you forever. Let him in. I know this is true, in the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen

Love, Samantha

http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=3019287996001

Family and Friendships

This is my family and I love them so much!

Lately I have been thinking a lot about parents and their role in my life, other than being my parents. Of course my parents play the parent role in my life, but what else do they do for me other than being parents? I know that most teens think that their parents are always out to get them, that they can't talk to them, that their parents don't understand, etc. but not my parents. I don't feel like that about my parents. Recently my eyes have been opened to the wonderful friendship that can occur within a family. I have known my whole life that I can talk to my parents, but I never did cause I was too scared. However since I started talking to my parents and just talking to them as if they were my best friends our relationship grew from just being parents to daughter, to being best friends who are also my parents. This weekend was such an eye opener as well because my parents had 10 million other things to be doing but they gave up their weekends to help my sister and I have an amazing weekend just because it was important to them to help us to have a good time and do something fun. They even took all their time to help clean everything up from our crazy mess. Then it was important for them to be involved. They weren't just physically there, but they were emotionally there too. My parents are really my best friends. I can talk to my parents about anything and everything and just being able to do that makes such a world of difference to me. I want to encourage every one of you to at least try and build a friendship with your parents. To try and get past that "my parents don't know who I am" stage. The truth of the matter is that life is hard and you cannot do it alone. Your parents really do care and I can almost guarantee that if you try to be a friend and be there for your parents as well, life can change. And it can change for the better. Once you can be friends with your family members, especially your parents, life is different and you look at things differently. I know that Heavenly Father chose out our parents for us for a specific reason. I know that our parents can do amazing things, and if you don't believe me: give it a shot. At first it's not easy. I know it takes work and you have to learn to slowly understand your parents on a different level. Don't look at them as people in the way, or people who just boss you around all the time, rather, look at them as people who need help, people who need a friend too. I know that without my parents I wouldn't be me. I know that I would be completely lost if it wasn't for them. And parents: as a teen I know it's hard to talk to my parents sometimes so when your kids start to talk to you, no matter how busy you are: stop and listen. Because nothing is more important than the relationship you have with your kids. If you wait for what you think is a better time to talk, they won't want to talk anymore. When your kids are out a date for example, stay up and wait for them because after the date they will talk about it, but if you wait for morning: they won't talk anymore. Give us space and let us come to you. I know that developing a friendship with family members can be a big challenge and hardship sometimes, but they will love you mo matter what and they are the best kind of friends you could ever ask for. I believe that by developing these relationships in our families will strengthen our families and it will make us happier and stronger. My parents are my best friends. Are yours? I challenge you to try and develop that relationship with them. I know that the spirit will be in our homes more abundantly if we can accomplish this and it will make Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ so happy and they will be proud of us and our success in our family life. I know this is true, In the name of Jesus Christ,

Amen



Love,

Samantha

Remember Who You Are

Today I just wanted to share a few videos that I thought you all might enjoy, and that may help bring you some spiritual uplift that you may need if you feel the same way I feel about going back to school tomorrow. These videos helped bring me peace and comfort and reminded me that it will all be okay if we focus our lives on the gospel. I know it isn't easy, and I know we get down and have hard times, but I know we do not have to face them alone. We can face them hand in hand with our Savior. As you watch these videos, remember that you are a child of God, he knows you, your struggles and hardships and he loves you more than anything. You are his son or daughter and he will never give up on, so don't give up on him. I know this church is true with all my heart. I know that Jesus Christ lives, and so does his father, our Father in Heaven and they love us so much. You are never alone. Don't give up. Give your burden to the Lord and you will receive blessing and help, and everything will be okay. I know this is true, I know it, and I absolutely love it.
In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen

Love,
Samantha
Here are the video links:

http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages#lessons-i-learned-as-a-boy

https://www.lds.org/youth/video/sanctify-yourselves?lang=eng (This one is very personal to me, because I have a close friend who suffered an experience much like this one. I KNOW that without the priesthood he would not be who he is today and his life would have changed much more that day at football, and the weeks to follow in the hospital. I know the power of the priesthood is very real.)

http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages#none-were-with-him (This one is one of my all time favorites. It was given the week of Easter, but it most definitely still applies. Instead of looking to Easter, look to this new year and remember you are never alone.)