Look on the Heart, that's where Beauty is.

Something just extremely bothered me as I was on my social networks yesterday. I saw multiple posts that said, "Sorry girls we would like you better if your stomach looked like this." Or "This is hot this is not." Etc. and this drove me absolutely up the wall. Whoever posted those pictures and statuses that classified a woman to be "beautiful" has no right. I just felt disgusted, we all, boys included, are bombarded by standards that the world has set for us. Then people wonder why so many young people develop abnormal eating habits or have no self esteem or are so obsessed with image because when we get online we see what we are "supposed" to look like, act like, and talk like. And someone is always trying to convince you that what you see in your reflection is never enough.

How horribly false! I don't think I have ever met an ugly person, but funny how sometimes the most pretty people can be so ugly on the inside? Beauty is a thing from the inside, and it radiates outwards when you smile, when you speak kindly, when you serve others. Beauty is a way you carry yourself, it's gracefulness, poise, virtue. Beauty is not defined by a flat tummy, thin thighs, or makeup. I think the most beautiful people I have met have always been kind in word and deed, their character shines outward and affects their physical appearance as well. Your character has more of an impact on your physical beauty than makeup or tummy trimming ever will because no makeup can imitate that glow that comes from true beautiful character.

If instead of always trying to change our exterior appearance, we should try to better our character and always try to be better than the day before. If we try to be more selfless, kind, charitable, virtuous I KNOW that you will feel more beautiful. You will have more confidence, and you will have that beautiful spirit about you that will outshine and out measure the world's definition of beauty. You are already beautiful, quit trying to change the way you were designed; instead work on being a better you.

~"...for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

I'm a Mormon!

For those of you who do not know or haven't assumed yet, I'm Mormon. I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I love this gospel, and I know it has contributed to the majority, if not the entirety, of my happiness in this life. I may not be the smartest girl you've ever met or will meet, but let me share with you something I do know: the gospel of Christ.

I know that after the apostasy that a young boy of the mere age of 14 had a question, "Which church should I join?" As he stumbled across the verse James 1:5 that reads, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraidth not; and it shall be given him." He then proceeded to take the action and ask The Lord in sincere faith which of all the sects should he join. I know and believe that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to the boy. I believe that through Joseph Smith The Lord was able to restore the fullness of his gospel to the earth once more. I know that Joseph Smith was given the divine authority to translate the Book of Mormon, and I know that there is no truer book than that. I know that the priesthood keys that Peter and the Apostles held in Christ's day have been restored on this earth now through The Lord and Joseph Smith. I know of that priesthood power and have witnessed the miracles and blessings that result from it. I have faith in the Savior; I know He died for me and because he suffered and sacrificed Himself, I can receive forgiveness for my sins, my faults and my short-comings. I know that His love is infinite and I am never alone. Jesus is the rock that I hold to and the peace that I feel. I know that when I was baptized age the age of 8, I took upon myself the name of Christ and promised to keep His commandments. I know that the Holy Ghost guides me and protects me and comforts me,and I know that as long as I live worthy of him he can be my constant companion. I know that Thomas S Monson is the true and living prophet today; he holds all the keys and authority that Peter did. I know that his counsel comes from God and that he is The Lord's mouthpiece. I know that the sacred ordinances and covenants that are performed in the temple are eternal, and that because my parents were sealed in the temple, I will be with my family forever. I know that this is the ultimate goal, to seal families together and to their exaltation. I know that we can all live with God again and that that is the real reason we were sent to this earth, to be tried, tested, and perfected. I know that we will be reunited with our love ones who have passed on because Christ has defeated death, and we will all receive a perfect body. I know that all of my prayers have been answered, not always in the way I intend but there is always an answer. I also know that Satan is real, and he is trying to take away our happiness because he will NEVER have it, he is cunning but God is omnipotent. I know that God will not suffer that I am tempted above my capability but I know that my strength needs to be tested in order for me to grow stronger. I know that God placed us here not to fail; He has given us all the equipment we need to return to Him. And He is waiting for that reunification, He's watching and cheering us on, He's listening to your pleadings and He wants to answer you, to bless you. I know with no doubt that this is the true Church, and I know that it has given me more happiness than I ever could have found or made for myself.

You see, I may not know everything about this gospel but I don't know everything about math either but doesn't mean it's not correct. I don't need to know everything yet, I am still learning and growing. But I have a strong belief and faith in the things I do not know, and one day I will know and I desire to know. But I leave you this testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

"I'm a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I love it."~ Sister Ann Dibb

You're Beautiful!

 This post is tailored more for us girls. Look at the world around us. Advertisements on screens, radios, billboards. Models posted up in every store, magazine, or tv. Makeup companies that spend millions of dollars to promote a product that will "make" you prettier, or so we have come to believe. Women all around us that we envy for different reasons... And mirrors that you sit in front of and pick out every insignificant exterior flaw your corrective eye can find.

We never feel good enough. You're too tall, you're too short, you're too skinny, you're too fat. Your teeth aren't perfect, your hair is too frizzy. The list is endless. And these voices are thrown at us at every angle, why? Because Satan, the devil, wants you to feel as if you are worth nothing. As if there is no hope or that you aren't good enough. He wants you to feel this way; think about it, if you don't have confidence in yourself how much easier is it for him to break you down when you're already crumbling internally? BUT how completely false his message is!

God didn't create ugly. See every sunset, flower, river and mountain, do you not agree that they are all beautiful? Well they all were molded by the same hands that created you. He created us all and sees us all for that beauty He gave us. Stop pointing out flaws about your waist or how your nose crinkles when you laugh or if you have a crooked smile. God doesn't have a single mold he created us from. You don't have to be 5'7" size 1 pants, tan, and blonde to feel God's abounding love for you.

Our Father in Heaven sent his Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us so that we may live again. So that we can be forgiven. So that we can lean on His strength. So that we can be happy. You are worth more than you know, more than I can comprehend, but we must all be something special for Christ to suffer as he did for us.

What makes a woman beautiful anyways? Is it her hair? Is it her clothing? No. It's the way she carries herself. The way she cares for others. Her courage. Her cheerful disposition. That's true beauty.

It is my prayer that when you look in your mirror you see a beautiful daughter of God, whose potential is limitless and holds more power and influence then she knows. Let us lift one another up. Show others how beautiful they are and ignore those who'll try and tear you down.
~"He hath made every thing beautiful in his time..." Ecclesiastes 3:11

Refining Fire.

I have so many ideas of what to write and share, so it was hard to decide which topic to chose from as they all bounced around my mind. Nonetheless, I chose one.

As I was sitting in my unair-conditioned home in the middle of July I thought to myself, 'Why?! Why does the AC have to be dysfunctional now? It's ridiculously hot and I'm going to melt away. Why?...' The house was disgustingly hot, and no matter how many icy showers you take, they are never satisfying; in fact, I don't know if any of you have been in a room that is 90 degrees, but it's not comfortable and makes you sweat... a lot.

Fortunately, I was able to escape this uncomfortable heat. I was shown my "pavilion".

Now your thinking, please what is the point to this story. Let me tell you. In seminary we have had multiple lessons covering the topic trials. But how pertinent those lessons truly are! Life is full of bumps in the road; they test our limits, they test our strength, but most of all they shape us to our potential. How is that! You may wonder, well here's an object lesson I remember:

A piece of wood generally is useless correct? It, however, has potential to become a desk, a couch, a dresser, etc. Do you know how it becomes these end results? The wood must be cut and sized. It must  be sanded and finished. In some cases it must be heated and bent, even carved and decorated! Through all the rough and the hard work, a mere stump can be created into a beautiful table. WE are very much like that wood; we begin life with potential and as we progress we through the "bending," "cutting," "heating," and "sanding" reach our ultimate potential. We through the rough molding phases and trials become beautiful masterpieces. The fire may be uncomfortable but it is refining you, perfecting you.

Much to my case The Lord provided me an escape from the "heat." That doesn't mean that our trials are taken away He just provides us with rest, a "pavilion" to stay beneath. As we face our trials do not think that you must suffer; in fact, turn to The Lord, seek him out and you will find comfort from the storms. I think that that is the refining part of trials: our dependence on The Lord. As we grow closer to The Lord, He will help mold you to your potential and be with you through the fire. I offer you this message of hope.
      ~"...when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Job 23:10

Click the link for a great video:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xdN8rfwW3SI

Choices.

Making decisions are hard. Whether it be between a good thing and bad thing or a good thing and better thing, choices never are easy. One of the tools I have been taught to use, however, that makes deciding much simpler is: prayer. I have had to make many decisions thus far in my life, and I've come to recognize and appreciate the feeling that accompanies counseling with God; it brings peace and comfort knowing that He would never lead me astray. Not all decisions are made in the time I have been on my knees; I know the more I prayed the more open my heart was to HEAR what The Lord wanted me to do or had in store for me as I stood off my knees; as I (and you) patiently wait and search for an answer the more confident I felt in my choice, typically. I actually have a quick example of prayers being answered to share!

I had recently moved and I finished my school year out at my old high school. I told my parents there was no way I'd ever transfer, nope never going to do it. That summer I was sitting up at my church's girls camp reading my scriptures and pondering my life so far. I had an impression to transfer schools. I dismissed it quickly but that thought kept pressing itself to the forefront of my mind. Later on in the summer, I continued to search this impression out and felt that I needed to pray about it. I prayed countless days,  fasted one Sunday, and had my father give me a priesthood blessing (I'll delve into that topic another time). Through this seeking, I found my answer and I never could've foreseen the blessings that unfolded with this answer and decision I made. He knows more than I do; He knew which choice was BEST for ME. The Lord has blessed me extremely by allowing me to grow as I had to work to find my answer, and the blessing of the choice He helped me make.

I know that God hears our prayers. I know that as we petition The Lord, He will unlock doors and open windows of clarity to aid in making even the toughest of life's decisions. As you listen to His will and follow what He prompts you to do, I know that you will be blessed beyond measure.
             
 "--If ye will not harden your hearts, and ASK me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you."
~1 Nephi 15:11