I am a Child of God

This week was a special one. It was filled with family, General Conference, and a celebration of the resurrection of Christ.  As I was studying this week I learned that we need to not be taking the simple things for granted. There is so much knowledge and peace that can from the simple things that we are taught. Scripture study, prayer, and remembering our Savior at all times are all primary answers, but they are the best way for us to gain our testimonies and for us to know who we really are. In General Conference, I learned that we need to be removing the distractions from our lives and focus on the things that we have been counseled to do. The primary answers of reading scripture and saying or prayers are the easiest way for us to know who we are and to truly appreciate what we have been given. It is my hope that as we continue on the path of life that we can all remember that we are all children of God and to not take the little things for granted.

Families are central to the Lord's Plan

In my studies this week, I was reminded of the importance of the family. In every book of scripture that I have read, the family is mentioned and expected. I feel that one of the downfalls of this world is the lack of support for traditional families. Family roles have been blended, and the world no longer sees men and women as different. There is a lot of pressure for women to go out and have crazy amazing careers and those who don't want that, are looked down upon and criticized. Men who are family oriented are looked at as being "whipped" or no longer in control of their own lives. 

As the number of solid and complete families diminishes, so does the integrity and good will of man. Children are no longer being taught how to play with others or to accept those who are different than them. They aren't being taught what it is like to have two loving and supportive parents who take care of and provide for them. There are a lot of problems that can be solved if we were to focus on building up and supporting families rather then scrutinizing them for challenging the current ways of the world. 

Being Made Weak So We Made Be Made Strong

In the 2nd book of Corinthians chapter 12 verse 9 it mentions that we will be given weakness so that we can be made strong. This is a topic that I feel many people struggle with including myself. When bad things happen and our faith is tested, we often ask "why me?" As a result of personal experience, I have found that we are given challenges and bad things, so that we may come out the other side a stronger and better person. So instead of cursing God and asking "why me" ask, "what am I supposed to learn from this?" or "who am I supposed to come?"

A crisis of faith is often a subject of movies and television shows to show the progression of characters. It is also know as the hero cycle. The hero, or main character, is living it up. They are a perfect life where everything is good. Until, everything comes crashing down and they are humbled or shunned and have to leave their home. Then comes the quest to return home and show who they really are. We are all the heroes of our own story. When life gets us down and our perfect world has crumbled before us, remember, Simba ate bugs, Hercules was bullied, and even Iron Man once relied on a car battery to keep his heart from being sliced by the shrapnel that his company created. We are all on our own journey to finding who we are and who we are meant to be. 

Keeping to ourselves while being kind

In the 1st of Thessalonians, we are taught that we shouldn't worry about what those around us are doing with their lives. What we should be doing, is leading good and faithful lives of our own while being kind to our fellow man. This does have a catch though. If we know of someone who is causing harm to another living being, such as abusing an animal or child, then we need to speak up, but if your neighbor plays video games on Sunday when you don't, leave it be. Don't chastise your neighbor for practicing their agency.
We live in a world that is filled with hate and offense so much so that I feel that we need to strive and put in an insane amount of effort to just be nice to people and to mind our own business. Despite the popular belief of the political and social worlds, it is possible to keep to ourselves while being nice to others. 
Although I am a practicing member of the LDS church, I do not believe that I am better than anyone else and I definitely don't think that hating those who do not believe or live the way we do is appropriate. I can love and be kind to those who do not share the same values and lifestyle as I do.