How to survive the world

In preparation for the messages that we will hear this General Conference, I would like to remind you of some things that President Russell M. Nelson said in his "Closing Remarks" of the October 2019 Conference. Near the end of his finalizing talk, he said to each of us, in order to guide us to this coming General Conference in April,
 
          "You may wish to begin your preparation by reading Joseph Smith's account of the
          First Vision as recorded in the Pearl of Great Price. Our course of study for the next
          year in Come Follow Me is the Book of Mormon. You may wish to ponder important
          questions such as, 'How would my life be different if my knowledge gained from the
          Book of Mormon were suddenly taken away?' or 'How have the events that followed
          the First Vision made a difference for me and my loved ones?' Also, with the Book of
          Mormon videos now becoming available, you may wish to incorporate them in your
          family study. Select your own questions. Design your own plan. Immerse yourself in
          the glorious light of the Restoration. As you do, general conference nest April will not
          only be memorable; it will be unforgettable."

I believe in all the words of our modern-day prophet. That they can both warn or bring comfort to those who need it and we all certainly should heed his words. Seeing where the world is now with the Coronavirus, we definitely do need something like this for our memories, because it will contain unforgettable messages of hope.



In following the Prophet's word, I will now make two lists describing the things which he depicted in his questions (you may take out your own lists and add to them if you wish) (at least I didn't wait until April 4-5 to make these...)

How would my life be different if my knowledge gained from the Book of Mormon were suddenly taken away?

-I would be confused about conflicting teachings and opinions about so many things

-I would not know about the Holy Ghost and His own possibility of a role in my life

-I would not have as clear an understanding  of my purpose here on earth

-Wouldn't understand that the Savior not only suffered for my sins, but He healed my pains and sorrows

-Would not know that we have prophets to lead us

-It is another testament of Jesus Christ. It's writers--Nephi, Jacob, Mormon, Moroni--and its translator, Joseph Smith were all eyewitnesses of the Lord 

-We would not have a record of Christ's ministry in America 

-No affirmation of the individual identity of Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ

-No knowledge of the necessity of the Fall of Adam and the wisdom of Eve; that all men might have joy

-Clarifies understanding of premortal existence

-Clarifies the Atonement of Jesus Christ

-Baptisms were performed before Christ's birth

-Nephi foresaw the discovery and colonization of America

How have the events that followed the First Vision made a difference for me and my loved ones?

-Show the importance of all prophets testifying of Christ

-It is valid to make an effort to share the gospel and Restoration with all, even those who aren't members of the church

-Makes me think of Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf's  April 2005 talk, "The Fruits of the First Vision" wherein he tells how his testimony of Joseph Smith and his witness helps strengthen his testimony of the Savior

-They are proof that God and the Savior still speak with His children

-Ask in Faith and your answer will come

-Testimony of the Three Witnesses; it has to be sound

-God loves all His children and has a Vision for each of us

-This is an important year, just as 1820 was

-Anywhere sound, good, and calm can be a place of revelation

-Even nature has a reaction to God, the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ

I hope that you enjoyed reading this, maybe were reminded somewhat of a truth found in another scripture, talk, or wherever, maybe even a journal entry (please tell me, I'm all ears! I want to know everything that I can and should know). I know this next General Conference will contain some special messages knowing this world as one where life gets harder every day, whether it be some virus or flu that they don't have a cure for yet, temptation's cunning snake-like voice only getting louder in your ears, or maybe though, the right side of your body is becoming more able any time more that you feel you must wait is all too long (BINGO!!). Or maybe it is all three...(BINGO!!--again) This reminds me of a poem by Emily Dickinson called "A narrow Fellow in the Grass". That poem reads,

          "A narrow Fellow in the Grass

          Occasionally rides-

          You have met him? Did you not

          His notice instant is-

          The Grass divides as with a Comb,

          A spotted Shaft is seen,

          And then it closes at your Feet

          And opens further on-

          He likes a Boggy Acre-

          A Floor too cool for Corn-

          But when a Boy and Barefoot

          I more than once at Noon

          Have passed I thought a Whip Lash

          Unbraiding in the Sun

          When stooping to secure it

          It wrinkled And was gone-

          Several of Nature's People

          I know, and they know me

          I feel for them a transport

          Of Cordiality

          But never met this Fellow

          Attended or alone

          Without a tiger Breathing

          And Zero at the Bone."

I would also like to remind, that there is always hope. No matter how much that snake seems to blend in with the grass, or how appealing some temptations may seem, there is always another, a better way to go. That is why I invite each of you to watch, listen, or read to the April 2020 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, being broadcast April 4-5 in separate sessions because there will be a message for each one of us in it, I can feel it. After all, how memorable and unforgettable can it be? Very. (That's all I can detail it right now...) You don't want to miss it.  

What's on your travel bucket list?

On February 20, I flew to Mexico City. It was an early flight so I stayed up late the night before, in order to increase the likelihood that I would fall asleep during the flight because...flights are the worst! I was knocking on wood that morning, because luckily, up to the night before, I was assigned to sit on a seat all by myself, and not next to my parents. Yikes!! Airplane stress was activated full steam1 Not to mention, it was also a seat that was next to a window, and I'm talking about my first flight out of the country, where I haven't the slightest idea to expect air bumps. Fortunately though, when we re-checked the tickets we were all sitting next to each other, so I earned the privilege of sitting on an aisle seat. Unfortunately, though, we were sitting somewhere that was closer to the back of the plane, than the front so it got more of a kick, kind of like a bus (if you have not yet experienced the horrors of airplane travel). That night, once the plane ride was finally over, we had the opportunity to eat dinner with Will, and his fiancee, Jesus. The meal was delicious, I wished my stomach was larger, once I completed it. Once we were done with our dinner with our family, and soon-to-be family, we went to our hotel. Oh my gosh. Hotel rooms in Mexico are AMAZING! I felt like I was staying at an Embassy Suites.

 

My next day in Mexico I found it to be really exciting. That day, I decided to step into the shoes of the tourist that I really was. (Piece of advice, if you happen to do this yourself in the location of a country that you don't know the language of that well, I suggest you don't...) Anyway, on our next day in Mexico, we decided to go downtown (at least that is where I think that we were by my best guess off of the all-adult environment). Someone random on the street ushered us all, my parents and I, into a restaurant that he said existed and that he worked at, though all we could see directly was a beauty shop. We still followed, because what else were we going to do? After finding our way to the second floor of this beauty shop building, we found ourselves in a restaurant. (Finally being semi-able to see why this man had to usher us in.) The food was good, though I admit that this restaurant specialized in seafood...not my favorite by flavor or smell. Anyway, when this man was leading us out though, the doors were shut (not used to this in my extensive day-long research; in Mexico, the doors seem to always be open). The first strike, I thought the man had to be kidnapping us Americans, that don't speak Spanish that well. Luckily though, he wasn't. There was a hole in the door that he was leading us through (how shady does that sound? Trust me, it isn't.). The reason that the door was shut was that there were protestors (apparently this happens every day, according to Will, who ran into us ironically a few minutes later while scaring my Mother in the process).  We had to all walk around a bit until it looked like it was over. My blood and brain felt buzzed by the time this was over. 

The next day, I continued my trip/tour to Mexico. Today, we went to the pyramids with Will and Jesus (it was planned this time, and none of us jumped). Let me tell you, having them as guides, as much better Spanish speakers than any of us (Will knows both English and Spanish, and while Jesus only currently is fluent in one of those languages, my uncle serves as a great translator of everything). Apparently, if we went on a bus, we would have a limited time to see everything, (we definitely didn't want that) according to Will. I loved looking at things that used to be so long ago and gives me a bright perspective of the future. We were looking at the temples of both the Sun and the Moon Gods and of Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent deity of the ancient Mesoamerican culture. Looking at him somewhat reminded me of the scripture 3 Nephi 11: 12-

"And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension to heaven." (3 Nephi 11: 12)

The scriptures tell of magnificent stories and truths that everyone in the world needs, at least I know I do. What if there are parallels between these two stories that we don't realize? Mesoamerican mythology may be just that, but in a winged deity that doesn't make complete sense flying like an eagle and Christ returning again after leaving and doing His work in heaven could be the same thing, we just don't know it. I, for one, however, do know that Christ did die for us all, redeeming us of our sins in the process. Making it possible and worth it to apologize and try again, no matter how hard that may seem to us at times (like if almost everyone is speaking and fluent in a language that let's say...you aren't the best at and you only took a few classes in high school).

The next day, we all understood some people's patterns in taking a big, another country is your destination journey like this. I was so tired and my leg was sore from all the walking up pyramids and such from the day before. I took a nap in the afternoon (and mind, I don't do that often). We also all needed that rest I think, since this legitimately was the last day of our journey and our flight was set for a very early time, so we needed to sleep sometime, after a long, nearly restless, crazy exciting, I can't wait for the next one trip. It was hot (you should see how red my arms are); It was confusing (I got the chance to brush up on my Spanish in the store, telling the cashier what my Mom said in Spanish); it was exciting (I love to visit new places and destinations of history). All in all, I LOVED IT!!!! I will definitely take another exciting trip like this one (no matter how tired I may look in the picture below). Maybe somewhere where one of my favorite authors lived or currently does live. So, tell me reader, what's on your travel bucket list? Any suggestions?

"Once a year, go someplace you've never been before." -Dalai Lama 

Get Over It

Hi! I just noticed that there may be some misinterpretations about my last blog post, and blog post, life, and such. Whether you happen to be in a strange mood, or whether or not you are just fine (heck, that might even be a lie) this little post/entry for my thoughts is for you

I understand. If anyone understands, I do. (And I only lie to myself on occasion....which really sucks because I do that clearly knowing the truth.) It's okay. It happens to everybody. Everybody feels bad sometimes. I know that I do. No one is ever alone. Honestly. Ask anyone...well maybe not anyone. It is not my wish to be too assuming. (How's this: It happens to everyone whether they know it or not.) Get over your emotions, no matter how negative or positive they maybe, because you do not stand alone.

There is more than one example (more than a billion at my guess, but I'll try to dial it down for this post...If you want them all, look at every journal that I've ever had, whether or not they are full of fictional or true stories (I had to be inspired by something or someone)) of this type of person throughout history or in the time everyone has dealt with simply being (I'll get to that later). How does that make you feel? Well, I hope. I personally am always comforted by the thought that I am not alone. (But what do I know, besides everything? Gosh, I feel good today!)

                                      

Now, I don't mean to be completely negative typing out my emotions and thoughts (okay...maybe a little ;-)). Let me give you a few simple examples of looking on the bright side even when you have absolutely no reason to (can you guess what I am going to type next?). Anne Frank's stepsister recently came to my town to speak on her experiences with the Holocaust, along with the rest of her family's. They had every reason to give up, they had to shut themselves up in a wall, hiding from Nazi Germany. Not knowing who they could trust. I enjoyed reading about this in my newspaper, but I must claim that I didn't honestly get the chance to go to this event, it just got me thinking. (And, truthfully, appreciating my trials...though all trials are fit to the person. Another argument...Read on!) Anne Frank didn't survive, but I like to think that she was smiling until her last day, despite what was occurring in her life, saying things like the above quote says, "Sympathy, love, fortune...we all have these qualities but still tend not to use them!" That is true. Those qualities are of those you actually have to try to use before you actually are able to use them.

If your thoughts on that are "I don't know Anne Frank...What if her experiences were awfully different from mine?" I am not arguing with you there (though I will argue if you dare to say that your experiences were harder, giving her, along with with her family all respect). I even have trouble keeping this bright perspective constantly and getting over it....My own family and friends help me realize that I (along with everyone) (I am sooooo humble) am worth it, no matter what I may feel. One of them recently said to me "Nobody should feel ashamed of themselves. Everybody deserves to be proud of who they are ." That is so true. I would like to highlight one thing he said, Nobody should feel ashamed. Everybody deserves to be proud of who they are. No one is weird (unless everyone is ;-)). Everyone is special, or different, or spectacular.



Lastly, I would like to quote scripture, which highlights our Savior, who has truly gone over all of it. "Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him--Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified; Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life," (D&C 45:3-5) I think that pretty much sums things up, but to highlight it again. You matter. Everyone matters. Everyone is worth enough that the life of the Savior was sacrificed for them. Thank goodness!