Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Many times we beat ourselves up for our sins and transgressions.  We don’t think that other people struggle with what we are going through.  There is only one who went through life without sin, and that was Christ.  We all have sins, and we all sin daily, that is why Christ came and died for us.

The one-time Atonement is found in the Bible is also found in Romans, “And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the Atonement” (Romans 5:11). We have Joy in Christ because we know that He died for us.  That we can ALL be cleaned from our sins. 

Christ was tempted in ALL things, so he can lead us through our temptations and all the bad feelings that come from living an addiction.

Elder Neil L. Andersen told a story about when he was growing up on his farm.  A bull had died and his dad woke him up so they could harvest the meet before it went bad.  Working quickly Elder Andersen and his dad skinned, cut, and harvested the meat.  He said that he would never forget the feeling of pulling his sticky and filthy clothes off him after they had finished.  Then he said he spent hours in the shower, trying to get clean.  He washed his hands, then his face, then his hair, then back to his hands.  He said he would never forget that feeling of cleanliness after.  All traces of the bull

, blood, and dirt were gone. 

This is likened to the Atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance.  We can be cleaned through and through because Christ died for us.  He can also help keep us clean if we use His Atonement and ask for strength to not fall into temptation.

We all fall, but we can all be lifted again by Him.      

One of the greatest blessings we have is the gift of the Holy Ghost.  The Holy Ghost is the third member of the godhead and he is sent to us to comfort and guide us.  If we are faithful and remember our covenants then we are promised to always have the spirit to be with us. 

Recently in General Conference of the Church Elder Rasband teaches us more about the Spirit:

He speaks to us through our feelings

We must act on the first prompting we are sent

If we do this and recognize the spirit more in our lives, then we will see him more in our lives.

The Holy Ghost binds us closer to the Lord.  When we understand how the spirit talks to us then we feel God’s love more, receive greater revelation, and the Lord will entrust us with more. 

The covenants we make at baptism are to always remember Him and keep His commandments.  When we do this, God will send us His spirit and we will be led. 

Doctrine and Covenants 8:2-3

“Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.  Now, behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground.”

We will feel it just as is promised in the scriptures and by Elder Rasband.  We must be worthy to have the spirit with us though.  We must remember Christ and keep the commandments.  

Our loving Heavenly Father helps us with tasks we are given.  The Lord does this through His grace.  Grace is defined as, "The grace of God helps us every day.  It strengthens us to do good works we could not do on our own.  The Lord promised that if we humble ourselves before Him and have faith in Him, His grace will help us overcome all our personal weaknesses".  The Lord doesn't do our tasks for us, or always tell us how to do it, but once we do our part He is willing to help us with the rest.  In the Book of Mormon we read about the Brother of Jared what he should do.  Instead of the Lord giving the Brother of Jared a candle, or a light bulb, He gave him an opportunity to grow and solve problems by himself.  In Ether 3:4, the Brother of Jared presents his solution to the Lord, "And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea." The Brother of Jared was able to call upon the the Lord for help and he was able to receive that since he did his part, he asked the Lord for guidance not for an answer.  

Nephi was asked by the Lord to build a ship, In 1Nephi 17 we read, "And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Thou shalt construct a ship, after the manner which I shall show thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters.  And I said: Lord, whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten, that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast show
n unto me? Ad it came to pass that the Lord told me whither I should go to find ore, that I might make tools.  And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make a bellows wherewith to blow the fire, of the skins of beasts; and after I had made a bellows, that I might have wherewith to blow the fire, I did smite two stones together that I might make fire." Nephi was given a job, not a very easy job, but the Lord provided him with a way to accomplish it.  He wasn't given all he needed, but he used his skills and brains to first do his part, then receive help from the Lord.  

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall
all the king's horses and all the king's men
couldn't put Humpty together again
but, the Kind full of grace appeared at the spot
and put back the egg like the fall there'd been not.
On the shell not a crack and the egg looked like new.
But insides still scrambled Humpty asked what to do.
"Oh Master!" he said, "On the outside I'm well, but insides an omelet-i'm sorry i fell!"
"Is there something to do that could restore my yolk? 'cause I don't feel quite whole if my insides are broke."
"My child," said the King. "That's just what I do.  But not by myself-I also need you.
You must be sincere.  Your heart be contrite, just don't fall again, please, try with all your might."
"I won't," said the egg, "I'll try not to fall."

Then Humpty was whole-insides and all.

Living amongst single adults I learned the importance of not judging one another.  Everyone has their demons to fight.  After learning about my friends’ demons, it really struck me that we all go through hard trials.  Some might have little to no self-worth, others suffer from health issues, others have addictive behavior, and others have past demons that they need to overcome. 

There is a way that we can all overcome them.  There is someone out there to help.  That is our Savior Jesus Christ.  He felt everything for us.  He is the only one that can help us. 

While praying in the Garden of Gethsemane Christ knew what he was going to go through was going to be hard.  He didn’t fully understand how hard it would be.  He asked Peter, James, and John to sit with Him because He wanted the support, but they fell asleep.  Then Christ slowly walked into the Garden and He fell to His face.  Everything he was carrying on His shoulders was too much.  Starting the prayer Christ said slowly, “Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.”  Christ didn’t want this weight on Him, and saying nevertheless he turned the focus back to God.  He felt the weight of everything and He knew it was hard, but He wanted to do it for us.  He wanted us to succeed. 

Christ felt everything.  He felt, pains, guilt, shame, anxiety, depression, and so much more.  He felt sickness, temptations – Satan turned his full force on Christ this night – infirmities.  The last part of the Atonement was what truly was hardest for Christ to bear.  DC 88:106, “The Lamb of God hath overcome and trodden the wine-press alone, even the wine-press of the fierceness of the wrath of the Almighty God.”  Christ went to Hell and faced the isolation and wrath of God, for us.  He did this so that if we repent we can overcome it and we don’t have to face the pain that Christ felt. 

So even though we all have our afflictions and pains and guilt and sadness we can overcome it and be free, if we only repent and put our faith in God. 

We all have our demons and fears deep down inside, and we ALL have them.  We only need to repent and have faith in Christs so we can overcome them all.  He did this for us, so why not use it?   

When hearing the word repentance what are some of the first words that come to mind?  One can think, hope, love, care, and clean.  Pain, sadness, and sorrow also come to mind.  Repentance is something beautiful, but to get there one must go through sorrow.  It is possible to get to that beauty though and feel that hope, but we must go through the hard times first.

    

I love the story of Alma the Younger.  He was an unkind and faithless person, but through repentance he became one of the greatest prophets in the Book of Mormon.  Of his experience he says, “And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!”  The pain was transformed to great joy.  Pain can only become joy if we repent and do so with our hearts. 

Repentance is how we become more like God.  We are putting the natural man off and taking steps to become more like Him.  He knows that it isn’t always easy for us, so we are given the gift of repentance to continually better ourselves and become more like Him.  We must use the gift and use it as He instructs us. 

Claudio D. Zivic wrote about the importance of godly sorrow, as part of the repentance process, in October 2007 conference, “There is only one way to rid ourselves of this suffering.  It is by means of sincere repentance.  I learned that if I could present myself unto the Lord a broken heart and a contrite spirit, feeling godly sorrow for my sins, humbling myself, being repentant of my faults, He, through his miraculous atoning sacrifice, could erase those sins and remember them no more.  If we don’t experience the godly sorrow that results from our sins or unrighteous actions, it will be impossible for us to remain on the way of outstanding people” (After All We Can Do).

For the longest time, I knew that God loves me, I still know that, but feeling it is harder.  We all feel God’s love differently.  Some feel it through other people, some by noticing blessings, and others by getting answers to their prayers. 

A scripture found in 1Nephi proclaims God’s love for us, “I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things” (1Nephi 11:17).   We don’t have to understand everything, but we must remember that God does love us. How could watching your perfect son not be a manifestation of love for his other children.  When we know that God loves us we practice more faith in Him and we have Hope for the future and his plan for us. 

While sitting in the temple one day, I was searching for a scripture, and I accidentally came across a different one, Isaiah 49:15-16, “Can a woman forget her suckling child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet I will not forget thee.  Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; they walls are continually before me.”  After coming across this, I felt for a moment, Gods love for me.  Christ’s love for me. 

They can’t forget us, and they do love us.  Satan makes us forget that.  He died for us and God sent Him to do so.  To constantly remind us we should be grateful for all the blessings we do have.  We also should pray constantly to not forget.      

Matthew 14 tells an interesting story.  John the Baptist has died.  Apart from him being his cousin, Christ was upset because He then knew that His death was coming.  John prepared the way for Christ, so his death meant that Christ’s was upon him.  Christ, after finding out, only desired to be alone and pray to God.  On his way to the desert the people thronged him.  They were praying to be healed, Christ only wanted to be alone, but he healed their sick and helped them.  This is such a great example of service.  Christ helping others when his problems were so much bigger.  There are people that do this in the world today, Bishops, moms, dads, and some very service-oriented people. 

Christ is the perfect example in all things.  He was baptized, though He was perfect.  He knew that we needed an example to follow.  He was patient and caring to everyone who sought Him out, even those who wanted to harm Him. 

Since being here on the earth we are charged with a commandment, to be like Christ.  Heavenly Father knows that that feat is near impossible.  We are imperfect humans who make mistakes and are tempted almost every second of the day.  We strive to be like Christ, day by day.  Christ charged us, “Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.”

This is a day by day process, and one that will be completed in the next life.  That is why we have the Atonement though, it helps us, it gives us the opportunity to be perfected.

Patience with others, while they are trying to be more like Christ is also hard, but important.  Christ teaches us in 2 Nephi, “Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.”  We must endure with faith in Christ, and be like Him, but we must also love all men, in their troubles and sadness. 

   

Elder Packer gave a talk in November 1995, “The Brilliant Morning of Forgiveness”.  He recounts the story of the Donner Party.  A group of hikers that were trapped for weeks in below freezing temperatures.  They experienced things that should not be repeated or remembered, but impossible to forget.  John Breen, a 15-year-old member of the company states, “most of the incidents are gone from memory, but I can always see the camp near Johnson’s Ranch.”  Breen had forgotten all the horrid incidents from his ordeal, he forgot the cannibalism, loss of limbs, and frost bite.  The only thing he recalls from his experience is the sun rising on Johnson’s Ranch as it lights up the ground. 

Thinking about trials what is it that we remember? Is it the pain we felt, the hardships we faced, the people who hurt us, or the tears we shed? Rather, do we remember the lessons we learned, the power of the Atonement, or the strength we gained from going through them.  The scars we have are signs of a fighter, not something that should shame us.  Everyone goes through hard times and falls down, but everyone has the blessing of being carried by the Atonement. 

During times of trials sometimes we become selfish.  We want people to pity us because of what we are going through, and we want them to help.  During these times, though the two things that helps us the most are: service and prayers of gratitude.  God gives us trials because He trusts us, He knows that we can go through them.  We should thank Him for the opportunity to grow and learn.  We should also aspire to be selfless and help those around us, if we do so, God will bless us even more.

 Doctrine and Covenants 121: 7-9, “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.  Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands.  Thou art not yet as Job; thy friends do not contend against thee, neither charge thee with transgression, as they did Job.”

Trials and obstacles pass.  The never linger long.  God promises to lift us after.  Like John Breen of the Donner company we won’t remember our struggles for long, rather we remember the beauty after them.    

At the start of the Book of Mormon Nephi is given the Liahona to lead himself and his family to the Promised Land.  It worked due to their faith.  It led them directly where they needed to go.  They only had to have faith and follow exactly where it told them to go.  Alma 37:38-41, 

38 And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director—or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it.
 39 And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness.
 40 And it did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day.
 41 Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey;

In our lives today we have a Liahona to guide and direct us.  It’s not a curious ball with a spindle, rather it is a small blue book. 

The Book of Mormon is the keystone to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  It was prepared by the Lord to guide and direct us.  It tells us where to go as we are traveling in the wilderness, but to receive that guidance we must have faith and act on it. 

In verse 40 it states that after they had faith, and read the Liahona, they were able to see miracles.  If we are struggling in our lives we must read the scriptures and have faith in them, then God will show unto us miracles. 

Since having a testimony of the Book of Mormon is so important Satan attacks it a lot.  He doesn’t want us to know it is true so he confuses us and gives us doubts.  We must pray time and time again to gain that testimony.  We must read the scriptures every day and apply them into our lives.    

Their faith was strong

They knew of thy son

They waited long

His work wasn’t done

The children were blessed one by one

They were taught His doctrine

Christ forgot none

He forgave all their sins

Many were brought to the light

They stepped into the water

For they knew it to be right

All the sons and daughters

After years of forgetting

They knew the way

They went on teaching

His truth day by day

For they had seen Him

The only Begotten Son 

A testimony is always short of perfect.  We all struggle with one aspect that we want to better.  That is why we are here, to better ourselves and to learn.  Not only might we initially struggle with an aspect of the gospel, but Satan is forever attacking the testimony that we do have.

That is why faith is so important.  Having faith is different than knowing something is true.  We can have faith that Joseph Smith was a prophet, we have hope that he was.  It might take us longer to have that strong testimony and knowledge that he was a prophet called of God. 

Ether 12:27, “And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.” Faith is hope.  Logically we can’t hope for something if we know it to be true, so we practice and have faith when we don’t know if something is true.

I also compare love to faith and hope.  We have faith in Jesus Christ, so we have hope that our prayers will be answered and we do this all because we love Christ.  He knows that our knowledge isn’t perfect, and he knows that throughout our lives we will struggle and question.  Therefore, we push ourselves each day.  Therefore, we pray each day, so we don’t forget the things we do know.

DC 62:3 “Nevertheless, ye are blessed, for the testimony which ye have borne is recorded in heaven for the angels to look upon; and they rejoice over you, and your sins are forgiven you.” The simple testimonies that we share are recorded by the angels in heaven for us.  However weak or strong we think our testimony is, as long as we have that little seed, it can grow.      

I follow the path of Christ

Which brought me to this point

When I look back I see where I fell

But his grace makes me strong

I fall humbly to my knees

To ask for the strength to continue

I fall to be lifted up again

I am brought to a point to be tested

I must make a leap of faith

I look at the map that has brought me here

Unable to find faith, I hesitate

I can see the destination, but not the path

With faith I walk

And find a sure footing

Able to make it to my destination

I look back and see the path clearly

Through trials and fear I came through

All because

I followed the path of Christ 

As a young adult life is difficult.  We see it as the hardest times of our lives because we have never made decisions so impacting thus far.  The questions race through our heads, who to marry, what to study, where to study, what job to take, which internship will get us to our goals quicker, and what are our life goals. 

With so many uncertainties we don’t think it can get much worse.

Then we look at the particulars like, what skills am I good at? How can I find someone to marry? All in all, it is just HARD. Dating is hard, two very different people must find themselves on the same page, and something beautiful can be disrupted.  Tests are hard, we study but while sitting in front of the test we think, "Heck, I never learned this", not to mention one’s family could be struggling or one’s own health problems could be failing.  One could see life going really well in anyway only to see everything change in the blink of an eye, and then find oneself trying to make it good again.   The list just goes on and on.

Does someone understand? Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Can life, one day, look up?

I know that it can and it does and I also know that trials are to prepare us for what God has in store, so we need to face them with a smile.   

A story that really helps one look up is that of Job.  He had everything he could have dreamed of having.  Then it all was taken away from him, as fast as a tablecloth being ripped off a table.  He did not doubt.  He did not despair.  He stood by his testimony, “25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God” (Job 19:25-26). Job was then blessed more than he initially could have imagined.  God does not want to see us in despair, he doesn’t want us to worry more than we have too.  There are always blessings after an obstacle.

Job also writes amidst his trials, Job 11:16 “Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away.” Rivers pass, they are constantly moving.  Imagine that we are in a canoe on a river, at times the water is tough, other times it is still, sometimes it seems calm but below the water is raging, and other times it moves swiftly along.  Rivers pass along though and they are constantly changing, so are our trials.  We won’t be troubled for long. 

If we forget the Savior, our Redeemer, during our trials we are going to be on that river completely alone.  No one at our sides to help us through. 

When life constantly gives us questions and trials and obstacles we must respond first by falling to our knees in humble prayer. 

My favorite hymn is, “Come, Come Ye saints,” it helps me remember that others have suffered worse than I, but they kept a smile and faith to move mountains.

 Come, come, ye saints, no toil nor labor fear;
But with joy wend your way.
Though hard to you this journey may appear,
Grace shall be as your day.
Tis better far for us to strive
Our useless cares from us to drive;
Do this, and joy your hearts will swell -
All is well! All is well!

Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard?
'Tis not so; all is right.
Why should we think to earn a great reward
If we now shun the fight?
Gird up your loins; fresh courage take.
Our God will never us forsake;
And soon we'll have this tale to tell-
All is well! All is well!

We'll find the place which God for us prepared,
Far away, in the West,
Where none shall come to hurt or make afraid;
There the saints, will be blessed.
We'll make the air, with music ring,
Shout praises to our God and King;
Above the rest these words we'll tell -
All is well! All is well!

And should we die before our journey's through,
Happy day! All is well!
We then are free from toil and sorrow, too;
With the just we shall dwell!
But if our lives are spared again
To see the Saints their rest obtain,
Oh, how we'll make this chorus swell-
All is well! All is well!

I walked patiently down the road

I felt free from all loads

I was calm and ready

The road was long and steady

Then another destination came to view

An idea I never knew

The road was not straight

At the end I saw two gates

It started to break and fall

I didn’t know who to call

It broke suddenly in two ways

I looked one way then drew my gaze

I looked the other and took a step

Then caught my breath

Two decisions

Two gates

One way

I knew all I could do was pray

I knelt down

My cry the only sound

I felt the peace I sought

It was one I never fought

Then I took my step

And entered the gate

Knowing just where to go.

              In the Bible, we read many times about Christ being a silversmith, what does that mean though? How is Christ our silversmith? A few ladies after reading the Bible decided to look into that.  One went to talk to a silversmith.  He taught her that silver is a precious metal.  It can only be in the refiners fire for a short amount of time, otherwise it will be ruined.  He watches the silver very closely so it is pulled out at the opportune moment.  She then asked him, “at what time do you know the silver is ready?”  He responded, “When I see my own reflection.”

              We might be in the refiners fire for what feels like forever, but God know we are there and how long we can handle it.  He takes us out when we are ready and we have learned what we needed too. 

              Fire is connotated to be something negative, destructive, and something which we all wish to avoid.  In the gospel, however, fire is God’s presence.  We feel warm and happy and we enjoy being in it, then when we don’t we feel the lack of spirit in our lives.  As humans, we wish to avoid that refiners fire with every fiber of our being.  We don’t want trials, we enjoy comfort, but without the fire we can’t be in God’s presence and we can’t grow. 

Alma 34:41 “But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions.”   

We are all taught while growing up the importance of having faith.  With faith, we can move mountains.  With faith, we can be healed.  Faith can do anything if we push ourselves.  Then there is the question that everyone of us has thought about and debated, but why should we exercise faith if it is contrary to God’s will and plan?

     Promises are found again and again in the scriptures talking about how faith can save us and lead us and guide us, “Now ye see that this is the true faith of God; yea, ye see that God will support, and keep, and preserve us, so long as we are faithful unto him, and unto our faith, and our religion; and never will the Lord suffer that we shall be destroyed except we should fall into transgression and deny our faith” (Alma 44:4).  Clearly, we are being taught that if we have faith and we stay faithful unto God then we will be saved and blessed.  On the contrary, we are not always given what we exactly want. Faith is a tricky subject because it is so simple to have faith, but it is so hard to have the right faith.  One can have faith in a living God, but also believe that man knows all and what man wants, man should get.  The other faith is that God’s plan is the right plan and we pray that we follow it.      

     My grandma, for a while, was suffering from cancer.  She had to be released from her mission after only a couple of months.  She suffered each day.  She had faith that all would be well, she had faith in God.  She had faith in His plan.  God loves us so he created a plan for us.  We don’t quite understand that plan, nor can we see all that He sees.  Written in the Doctrine and Covenants we read, “Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass.  Thy days are known and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever” (D&C 122:9).  Here God tells us that He knows our days.  He has a plan for us that is so precise we can’t comprehend it.  We shouldn’t be scared with what the world may do with us because He promises to be with us forever and ever.  Even though my grandma wanted to live longer, she wanted to see us all married and grown up, she had faith that God’s plan was right and that is what she needed to follow.  She channeled her faith in God, rather than praying contrary to His will.  It was hard for my grandpa to watch though, his heart wanted to pray for her well-being, but his mind knew that it was her time to go.     

            One scripture that has really helped me learn more about God’s will, “Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks; Waiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded with this seal and testament—the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted.  Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name’s glory, saith the Lord” (D&C 98: 1-3).  Here the Lord promises us that He hears our prayers and that they will be granted.  They will be granted in His way and if we are faithful to our covenants.  God always listens to us and keeps His promises, but He answers our prayers in an even better way then we could imagine.  Therefore, if we exercise faith in Him, then we don’t have to worry about what we think we want.  It is so eloquently put into words by Elder Schmutz in the October 2016 General Conference, “As part of our Heavenly Father’s plan, He allowed sorrow to be woven into our mortal experience. While it seems that painful trials fall unevenly on us, we can be assured that to one degree or another, we all suffer and struggle” (God Shall Wipe Away all Tears, Elder Schmutz).  

We must remember God’s plan always.  It is the map of our existence, although bad stuff happens to every one of us there is a purpose.  There are reasons.  We may pray and pray and we may feel that God isn’t answering, but He is just holding something greater in store for us.  The best is always yet to come, God answers our prayers in his time and in His way and the blessings are more beautiful than we could imagine, so we don’t have the ability to pray for it because we can't quite understand it.   

Amidst the hardships of this life joy is hard to find.  On a daily basis news channels show political unrest, natural disasters, war, and many other incidents that make viewers cringe.  We are implored by living day prophets to find joy, but how can we when sadness is surrounding us?

Three things can undoubtedly bring us joy:
Jesus Christ
Obedience to His commandments
Yielding ourselves to Him in all things.

Christ is what brings the world joy and light. Speaking in Doctrine and Covenants He says, "Wherefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full" (D&C 101:36).

The world can give us temporary joy.  We can have good times with friends, feel at peace while reading a book, or enjoy a sunset, but the things the earth gives us do not last.  They are not eternal.  We can find eternal joy in Jesus Christ.  We must be obedient to His commandments and trust in Him, then if we yield ourselves, or give ourselves completely to Him, then will we find that eternal joy.

Just the day before December last year, 2016,  I remember feeling down. I felt that no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't receive answers to my prayers.  I felt lonely, sad, and on the brink of giving up.  My family was talking about the importance of being faithful in the church's December activity of Light the World.  My phone kept buzzing with messages of them talking about what they were going to do and everyone agreeing to do their very best.  I sat on my bed and watched the video.  The spirit was so strong.  I truly felt that if I did Light the World everyday, faithfully, and with a prayer in my heart then God would bless my efforts.  I knelt on my bed and prayed with my heart telling Heavenly Father my plan and my willingness to do it and the testimony I felt.
The next day it began.  That day and everyday after that I can honestly say that I faithfully served someone.  My acts of service ranged from showing someone how to get to a bus, doing my roommates dishes, driving someone to the airport, going to the temple, or calling my parents.  It changed me personally.  I saw service as something to do with a smile and that it is important to do it daily.
A week before Christmas President Eyring spoke in my home ward.  He stated, "I testify that God knows the prayers in your hearts.  I know that He listens and answers them.  I also know that if we go about our day in the spirit of service that we will see our blessings and know those answers." To me that was a testimony to what I had already felt.  I knew that what I was doing was right.  I knew that God was going to answer me.
Throughout the month of December I started seeing the answer to my prayer, but it wasn't quite confirmed until January and as the world gets hard I have to remember that it was an answer to my prayer and that everything will work out, with continued faithfulness.
I know that God answers our prayers.  I know that He will always listen to us.  I also know that we must always do our part, we can't just pray to be healthy without working out.
Matthew 21:22
"And all things, whatsoever, ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."  
Take a leap of faith.  Keep a prayer in your hearts.  Do your part, and all things shall work for your good.  God wants to help us, but He also wants to hear us.  Imagine a child who never says a word to his father.  Everyday they walk by each other never saying hello, but every night the father leaves a present for the child.  It doesn't quite work that way. Talk to our Father and let Him know what troubles us, or what we need help with, and what we are thankful for.

         One thing that I really began to understand more while on my mission is best explained through a story, and it is one that we are all familiar with. 

         Once there were three little pigs.  The three pigs were brothers and were building their houses together.  The youngest pig, not that smart, built his out of hay.  The middle brother, slightly smarter, built his house out of sticks.  He had a firmer foundation than his brother, but it still wasn’t strong enough.  The third brother, the oldest, wisest, and most caring out of the three built a house of bricks.  Big enough to house his brothers, and strong enough too.  As the young story goes, the wolf came.  A big ravenous wolf.  He attacked that of the younger pig’s house.  Feeling scared, he ran to his older brother’s house.  The wolf followed them.  He attacked the older brother’s house too.  Neither of them had a strong enough foundation.  The two young pigs ran to the house of their older brother.  He was prepared for them.  The wolf came and was unable to destroy the oldest brother’s house.  He had a strong foundation.  The oldest pig is compared to Christ.  He is our foundation, he has a place prepared for us so when we need it, we can run to Him.  Through his sacrifice can we return to live with our Father in Heaven again.  Christ’s Atonement is everything, we can’t continue on without it.  We are dependent on the Atonement for our salvation.

                 Words from a well-loved hymn remind me of this beautiful sacrifice, “Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed, For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.  I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by my righteous, upheld by my righteous, Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.”  No matter what state we are currently in, despair, sadness, anger, happiness, contention or any other, God is by our sides.  He will give us aid, it is His promise.  He will lift us up and carry us on and strengthen us while we are down.  We need only ask.  “And whoso recieveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before thy face.  I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up” (DC 84:88). 

                 So when we feel we are at the end.  When we can only feel despair and sadness we must remember Christ.  We must remember what he did for us so we don’t have to stay in that depressed state.  God doesn’t want us to be upset.  He gave us life and a beautiful place to live it in.  As thanks we must call on the power of the Atonement and look at everyday as the best one. 

In a book entitled, “Try giving Yourself Away,”  David Dunn  writes, “Like most people, I was brought to look upon life as a process of getting.  The idea of giving myself away, came to me quite by accident.” The author then explains  how he found a painting and sent it to a friend in need.  He then writes, “It was thus I made the important discovery that anything which makes one glow with pleasure is beyond money calculation, in this humdrum world where there is altogether too much grubbing and too little glowing.” 

Just like the piano, baseball, and riding a bike one needs to exercise charity in order to make it become a part of one’s daily life.  A great example to me of every day charity to me is my late grandpa, Karl Davis.  I went to my grandma’s house to talk with her about my grandpa.  She pulled out a very large filing box filled to the top with letters from neighbors, ward members, missionaries, and countless other people.  Dozens and dozens of letters shared stories of and expressed gratitude for my grandpa’s quiet service.  One letter written by a member of his singles ward wrote, “I don’t think you would ever find a more devoted and dedicated bishop.  What he gave to us all was selfless sacrifice.” 

My grandma then showed me another box that was filled to the top with letters to grandpa from missionaries.  Over 40 years ago he started a mission preparation class in the Bountiful Central Stake.  It was so successful that the Church asked him to help them develop a missionary preparation course that was then used throughout the Church.  He loved others and he loved missionary work, because he understood the blessings that come to both the missionaries themselves and to those they serve.   Grandpa’s love of others and of missionary work was so well known that when he died, clients of his made donations to the Church’s missionary department in his name. 

Elder Holland was my mom’s home teacher when she was young and a good friend of her family.  Elder Holland said about my grandfather, “I think it’s arguable that Karl Davis did more to touch more lives—I really believe this, I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t—I think it could be argued that Karl Davis did more to touch more lives in a constructive and in a noble and wonderful way, members and non-members, young-and especially young-with the elderly, than any other man or woman in this room.”  Elder Holland also said, “Karl put more people through missionary preparation course than any man in history.”   

In 1 Corinthians 13:4 we read, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.”  My grandpa never asked for recognition, he never flaunted his good works.  He did it because loved others.  He did it because he knew that to whom much is given, much is required.  Moroni states, “But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.” Long after my grandpa’s death, my family is still hearing new stories about my grandpa’s life and his good deeds.  It has always been a personal goal of mine to live my life as my grandpa had lived his, someone who is compassionate, devoted and always looking to help others. 

Walking down an unmarked way

Lots of roads marked by sun rays

I go down one and feel unright

I hesitate at one without a light

Standing in the middle of a crossroad

I get confused and feel heavy under the load

I turn one way and another

I am lost and begin to shudder

About to give up I see

Someone running up to me

Panting he calls out

“We need you too,” he shouts

“Thank you for rescuing me,” I say.

Unforgotten, I go down the lit and marked way 

The question is always buzzing like a bee in our heads, “Does God care for us?”  Sometimes we pray our hearts out and we hope that he listens.  We do the right thing every day and hope it’s good enough.  We suffer and cry and yell out asking for a respite from this world.   

We are not alone.

The scriptures are full of examples of prophets who worried and cried, Joseph Smith, Nephi, Alma, and Amulek, to just name a few.  A revelation given to Joseph Smith in Doctrine and Covenants states, “1 Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks;

 2 Waiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded with this seal and testament—the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted.

 3 Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name’s glory, saith the Lord.”

God does listen and he does always hear our prayers.  We just have to continually give thanks, ask for strength, and do our best. 

Found in the Pearl of Great Price, Moses is talking with God.  Now this is an interesting story for many reasons.  Moses sees God, and then just after, Satan appears to him.  Moses tries in vain three times to cast him out.  Only when he called on Christ’s power could he be cast out.  This is a good example for a few reasons, we are nothing without God, but with him we can do everything. 

Later on in the chapter the Lord states His purpose, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of all men (Moses 1:39).  If God didn’t care about us or hear us then why would he fight for our eternal life, our eternal life with Him?

God cares, but do we?

Cathedrals were built all across the world, grand ones dot cities upon cities in Europe.  They are built with tall spires and bell towers for a reason, not only to show off the wealth of the church they represent, but to lead your eyes up to God.  When looking at a tower one looks all the way up and they are eventually pointed heavenward.  Do we care to continue to look up to God? Do we still feel the need too in our lives?

He is our Heavenly Father, and He wants us to learn.  When training a young child how to talk one doesn’t just give him the answer, but the child fights through it and attempts to speak and makes mistakes.  Our Heavenly Father wants us to fight through it, to make mistakes, and to learn.

 He will help us. If we let Him.  He is always by us, if we ask Him.  He will forever and always be our loving Heavenly Father, no matter what we do.