Scott: What for?
Me: For me!
(...i really do need her)
Friday, June 25, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
THE ONE YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR
My seminary talk!
Well actually this is the talk I gave today in church. But it's almost exactly the talk I gave at graduation.
I wasn’t going to let the bishopric know when I was moving so they couldn’t ask me to speak but unfortunately, my mom spilled the beans. So I decided to cheat by modifying the talk I gave at seminary graduation.
The theme for this year’s graduation was Helaman 5:12
“And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.”
When looking for articles online I came across the Q&A section in the December 2007 New Era. I decided to use this article as my outline because by the end of seminary, students are getting ready to go off on their own. The Question is “How can I strengthen my testimony to make sure I stay strong in the gospel?”
Elder Wirthlin gave five answers which can help us all stay strong in the gospel.
First, have effective daily scripture study. For me, I have found that the best way to have meaningful scripture study is to not have a set goal of what to read in one sitting. This may sound backwards, but if I say to myself “I’m going to read 5 chapters tonight” then I hurry through the 5 chapters, not really paying attention to what I’m reading. And if I can’t get through 5 chapters in a night because I’m busy or something, I get discouraged and I fall behind in my reading schedule and eventually I give up. So instead of sitting down with the scriptures and telling myself how much to read or how long I’m going to read, I sit down and tell myself that I am going to read until I feel I have read something that can benefit me.
Second, make sure you are worthy to have the Spirit with you. I know for myself that life seems to go smoother when I have the Spirit with me. It’s not that I don’t have challenges or trials, but with a constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, these hardships are easier to get through. When you have the Spirit with you everything is different, when looking at people you pass everyday, instead of seeing strangers or acquaintances, you see Children of God. The Spirit tends to make you more optimistic, more caring to all you come across and more likely to make the correct choices.
Third, don’t overlook your sins, even the small ones. This can be as simple as apologizing to a family member for yelling at them. Small sins people tend to overlook are things like gossip and little white lies. One red flag I have come across is when people say “It’s not that bad,” because if it’s not that bad, then it’s not that good either. The things we watch, listen to and say can drive the Spirit away. All sins pull you away from the Lord’s Spirit, whether they be small or big. Try to be more aware of your thoughts, actions and habits each day. Changing little things can make a huge difference.
Fourth, take some time to evaluate your testimony. I don’t think I do this as often as I should, but writing this talk helped me because I got to write down my own testimony. Writing down your testimony is a great way to evaluate yourself and your beliefs. The last time I did this was before giving a Book of Mormon to a teacher and friend. I wrote down my testimony on the inside cover and I know it really helped remind me of everything I believe and made me realized where I can use a little work.
Do you go to church because you believe it, want to worship God and to learn more? Or do you go out of habit and because your friends are there? I’d like to think I go for the right reasons, and I’ve never thought about not going, but I’m about to be making my own decisions so I have been praying to make the right choices and stay active. If you’re not sure about your testimony, start with Christ, make him your foundation. He is a “sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build, they cannot fall.”
Finally, confirm to yourself what you know by sharing your beliefs with someone else. Write it in the cover of a Book of Mormon and give it to a friend, bear your testimony at church and to others. Make it a goal to have everyone around you know what you believe and don’t let your actions make anyone ever doubt what you stand for. Build a testimony that is strong and will keep you from straying even the teeniest bit. Sharing your testimony not only lets others know what you believe and helps strengthen them, but it helps your own testimony continue to grow stronger.
One thing that has helped me in my life is just remembering. When I was younger, before I went anywhere I was told “Remember who you are and what you represent!” Remembering who you are changes what you do. You are a child of God and you represent Him everywhere you go. You carry the name of Christ and are expected to live a certain way because of it.
I know that I am a chosen daughter of God and that every decision I make matters. I know that Christ lives and that through His atonement, I can be made perfect and worthy to be in God’s presence. I am thankful to my mother, for bringing an amazing father into my life and I’m also thankful for Doug for being the kind of father who deserves to be celebrated today. Until I was 12, Father’s Day was just another Sunday to me. I never had anyone who deserved to be thanked or even acknowledged as a father figure in my life. Then I got Doug. I know that he is in my life for a reason and he is who was meant to be my father on this Earth and for the rest of eternity. I know that this is the only true church and that we are a chosen generation. Just as Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us, I know that Satan has a plan as well. I hope that we all choose to follow God’s plan for us and stay strong in this gospel. I pray that we each continue down the right path, surround ourselves with the right people and make the right decisions.
Well actually this is the talk I gave today in church. But it's almost exactly the talk I gave at graduation.
I wasn’t going to let the bishopric know when I was moving so they couldn’t ask me to speak but unfortunately, my mom spilled the beans. So I decided to cheat by modifying the talk I gave at seminary graduation.
The theme for this year’s graduation was Helaman 5:12
“And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.”
When looking for articles online I came across the Q&A section in the December 2007 New Era. I decided to use this article as my outline because by the end of seminary, students are getting ready to go off on their own. The Question is “How can I strengthen my testimony to make sure I stay strong in the gospel?”
Elder Wirthlin gave five answers which can help us all stay strong in the gospel.
First, have effective daily scripture study. For me, I have found that the best way to have meaningful scripture study is to not have a set goal of what to read in one sitting. This may sound backwards, but if I say to myself “I’m going to read 5 chapters tonight” then I hurry through the 5 chapters, not really paying attention to what I’m reading. And if I can’t get through 5 chapters in a night because I’m busy or something, I get discouraged and I fall behind in my reading schedule and eventually I give up. So instead of sitting down with the scriptures and telling myself how much to read or how long I’m going to read, I sit down and tell myself that I am going to read until I feel I have read something that can benefit me.
Second, make sure you are worthy to have the Spirit with you. I know for myself that life seems to go smoother when I have the Spirit with me. It’s not that I don’t have challenges or trials, but with a constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, these hardships are easier to get through. When you have the Spirit with you everything is different, when looking at people you pass everyday, instead of seeing strangers or acquaintances, you see Children of God. The Spirit tends to make you more optimistic, more caring to all you come across and more likely to make the correct choices.
Third, don’t overlook your sins, even the small ones. This can be as simple as apologizing to a family member for yelling at them. Small sins people tend to overlook are things like gossip and little white lies. One red flag I have come across is when people say “It’s not that bad,” because if it’s not that bad, then it’s not that good either. The things we watch, listen to and say can drive the Spirit away. All sins pull you away from the Lord’s Spirit, whether they be small or big. Try to be more aware of your thoughts, actions and habits each day. Changing little things can make a huge difference.
Fourth, take some time to evaluate your testimony. I don’t think I do this as often as I should, but writing this talk helped me because I got to write down my own testimony. Writing down your testimony is a great way to evaluate yourself and your beliefs. The last time I did this was before giving a Book of Mormon to a teacher and friend. I wrote down my testimony on the inside cover and I know it really helped remind me of everything I believe and made me realized where I can use a little work.
Do you go to church because you believe it, want to worship God and to learn more? Or do you go out of habit and because your friends are there? I’d like to think I go for the right reasons, and I’ve never thought about not going, but I’m about to be making my own decisions so I have been praying to make the right choices and stay active. If you’re not sure about your testimony, start with Christ, make him your foundation. He is a “sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build, they cannot fall.”
Finally, confirm to yourself what you know by sharing your beliefs with someone else. Write it in the cover of a Book of Mormon and give it to a friend, bear your testimony at church and to others. Make it a goal to have everyone around you know what you believe and don’t let your actions make anyone ever doubt what you stand for. Build a testimony that is strong and will keep you from straying even the teeniest bit. Sharing your testimony not only lets others know what you believe and helps strengthen them, but it helps your own testimony continue to grow stronger.
One thing that has helped me in my life is just remembering. When I was younger, before I went anywhere I was told “Remember who you are and what you represent!” Remembering who you are changes what you do. You are a child of God and you represent Him everywhere you go. You carry the name of Christ and are expected to live a certain way because of it.
I know that I am a chosen daughter of God and that every decision I make matters. I know that Christ lives and that through His atonement, I can be made perfect and worthy to be in God’s presence. I am thankful to my mother, for bringing an amazing father into my life and I’m also thankful for Doug for being the kind of father who deserves to be celebrated today. Until I was 12, Father’s Day was just another Sunday to me. I never had anyone who deserved to be thanked or even acknowledged as a father figure in my life. Then I got Doug. I know that he is in my life for a reason and he is who was meant to be my father on this Earth and for the rest of eternity. I know that this is the only true church and that we are a chosen generation. Just as Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us, I know that Satan has a plan as well. I hope that we all choose to follow God’s plan for us and stay strong in this gospel. I pray that we each continue down the right path, surround ourselves with the right people and make the right decisions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)