A Prayerful Home

We prayed a lot in my home growing up. We had family prayers in the mornings before school, over our meals, and in the evenings before bed. I would often see my mom and dad praying individually, and we were each encouraged to pray on our own every day. We had family lessons about prayer and witnessed miracles wrought in our family because of faithful prayers.

I don’t know what I’d do without prayer. Because of the role prayer played in my childhood, I felt better prepared for creating my own life in my adulthood. Mormonism taught me key life skills, prayer being one of the most important. My home life in Mormonism helped me develop a real and intimate relationship with God, one that I wouldn’t know how to cultivate in any other way.

A Family-Centered Life

I spent much of my free time with my family, even as a teenager. I had a wonderful group of friends, and I saw them often, but when it came down to it, I usually preferred to spend a Friday night with my parents and siblings watching a movie and chowing down on popcorn. Many of you may think that’s weird, and you wouldn’t be the first. But here’s the thing: Mormonism taught me that my family relationships are for eternity. Because of that truth, those relationships have always been the most important to me.

I moved away to college in a separate state after I graduated from high school, and I missed my family greatly. The miraculous thing about this time in my life, however, is that even though I missed my family, I never felt socially handicapped by the ties I had to my parents and siblings. On the contrary, because I was so sure in the security of those relationships, I felt more confident in branching out on my own and making new friends.

I realize that not everyone has had a family life that is conducive to loving ties. What Mormonism has taught me about those circumstances is that Jesus Christ can heal any wound and repair any injustice. He can heal your heart and help you move on from hurt and pain. It’s because of our Savior that loving family relationships are possible in the first place. If you did not grow up in a happy family environment, that does not mean that Mormonism is not for you. In fact, you can find that elusive peace through The Church of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the one who makes it possible for you to build your own happy family for your children.

A Life Guided by the Holy Ghost

When I was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ when I was eight years old (the earliest age a person can choose to be baptized) I was also blessed with the gift of the Holy Ghost. Mormons believe that while the Holy Spirit can touch others’ hearts and be with them when on occasion, having the gift of the Holy Ghost is different and more profound. Having the gift of the Holy Ghost means that if you stay worthy and keep the promises you’ve made with God that you can have the Spirit with you all the time. That’s a big deal.

Because of the gift of the Holy Ghost, I’ve felt God guiding and directing my life, far more than I think I would have otherwise. The feeling of the Holy Ghost is sweet, gentle, and palpable. I have felt comfort when heartbroken and courage when scared. The bigger decisions in my life, while they have certainly been my own, have also been gently guided by the Holy Ghost, whose direction is one with Heavenly Father’s. I know if I live worthy to have the Holy Ghost with me that God will never allow me to direct my life in a way that is not for my good. I have had several experiences where what I wanted wasn’t what I needed, and I felt the soft promptings of the Holy Ghost leading me away from certain choices.

Because I’ve allowed the Holy Ghost to play an active role in my life, I don’t question or regret anything that’s happened. The only times I regret are the ones in which I failed to listen to the Spirit, making choices that weren’t what Heavenly Father wanted for me. And even in those situations, it was the Holy Ghost who led me to forgiveness and back to the right path for me.

Mormonism Has Helped Create Me

I wouldn’t be who I am right now without the influence of the doctrine of Jesus Christ. I know that this doctrine is taught in its fullness in Mormonism. All throughout my life I have had peace, strength, and security in my religious faith. Growing up in Mormonism changed everything for me in all the best ways. The Church of Jesus Christ has helped me learn how to ask questions with real intent and see others in the way the Lord sees them. I have realized more fully the power of Christ’s grace and understand the greatness that God has in store for my life.

If you are floundering in life and unsure about where to go or why you’re here, seek God. Talk to Mormon missionaries, because they can answer your questions. Just because you may not have grown up with Mormonism, that doesn’t mean that you can’t accept the gospel of Christ wherever you are right now. These blessings from The Church of Jesus Christ are available for anyone no matter their background or circumstance. I know that this gospel is true, and my life is evidence of that. Your life too can be proof of God’s infinite love and power.

All of this aside, I can also understand why, if you are single and don’t wish to be, Valentine’s Day can just feel like someone shoving in your face that you’re not good enough. This is a dangerous road to go down, but is also an understandable one. I would like to share a few thoughts about why you should not let yourself get discouraged.

The core of my self-worth comes from the sure knowledge that I am a child of God. I know that as His child, I have inherent value. This doesn’t mean that my life is always cheery and that I am always on cloud nine, but it does give me a great deal of comfort when things aren’t coming up roses, as it were. Knowing that I have value as a child of God is a constant reminder that, no matter how hard things may be, I still have something to offer the world.

There are people close to me who are struggling in this situation right now. They feel frustrated because they want to be married, and their best efforts are seemingly having no effect. This can produce thoughts of, “What’s wrong with me? Why can other people find love and I can’t? I must not have anything to offer, because no one wants me.” These thoughts have only one source: the adversary. There is no quicker way to attack someone than by hitting their self-esteem. Fortunately, the holy scriptures tell us that we are never alone and that we all have value.

“For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the Lord will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward” (Isaiah 52:12). God loves you and He is surrounding you. Rely on Him and He will not only protect you, but He will bear you up and ease your burdens.

God has told us that we exist with the purpose of having joy (2 Nephi 2:25). He wants us to be genuinely happy. If having a fulness of joy later means that you have to suffer a little loneliness now, isn’t it ultimately worth it? Things happen on the Lord’s timeline, not on ours. It is easy for us to get discouraged and to wish that we had things now that we just know would make us happy. Sometimes, though, the Lord knows that having what we think would make us happy now will actually not bring us as much joy as what He has planned for us later. It is never easy to say, “Thy will be done,” and to put our faith in the Lord that what He has planned for us will be even better than what we want now. However, I promise you that if you can truly humble yourself and say to Him, “This is what I want now, but if you have something better planned, I will do my best to be happy anyway and wait for your blessings,” that He will bless you more than you can even imagine.

If you carry on with your life trying to be a good person, reaching out to others in selflessness and love, then God will bless you. It is not easy to hear, “Be patient. All good things come to those who wait.” But have faith that God is there for you. Turn to Him and feel His love. Share that love with others. You have value. You have worth. You have a lot to offer the world.

This article was written by Doris White,  a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Additional Resources:

LDS Weddings

The Meaning of Life

Worship with Mormons

As a Mormon, or more properly known as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have a firm testimony that every person walking this earth is a child of God. Since God is literally the Heavenly King, we are literally princes and princesses that are awaiting all of the blessings that come from being heirs of this Divinely royal line (if we are faithful to His commandments). For some reason, the world teaches us that we can have fame, glory, and riches if we become self-centered, entirely concerned about “how am I going to succeed?” But these are blatant lies. The way to true happiness, glory, and eternal riches only comes from losing ourselves in the work of God–having the attitude of “how am I going to help others succeed?” To serve God doesn’t mean we have to go serve in some isolated mountain, reading scriptures all day, everyday. But we do have to be “anxiously engaged in a good cause” (Doctrine and Covenants 58:27), by serving and lifting others towards the light of Christ.

If you feel like you aren’t in a position to help others because you are not as Christ-like as you would like to be, remember that you can change. You can become all that you were created to be–heirs to the throne of God, through the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He suffered the Atonement (feeling the pains, sicknesses, temptations, and effects of sin) so that we can be made pure and clean.

I invite you to learn more about your divine mission–how you are meant to build the Kingdom of God. You can do so by meeting with Mormon missionaries. They can also teach you about how to use the power of the Atonement to become completely clean from the effects of sin. These missionaries are called and set apart, by the power of God, to be representatives of Jesus Christ to teach His holy word.

If you have felt inspired to do something about what you have read, don’t only think about doing it, but recall with me the words of a Mormon apostle, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, who has said, “somewhere between the hearing, the writing of a reminder on our smartphone, and the actual doing, our “do it” switch gets rotated to the “later” position… let’s make sure to set our “do it” switch always to the “now” position!” (“Your Potential, Your Privilege,” Ensign, May 2011). And always remember the words in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

This article was written by Ashley Bell, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Additional Resources:

How can I feel God’s love in my life?

Am I special?

Read the full message by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf  titled “You Matter to Him”

Read the full message by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland titled “Sanctify Yourselves”

For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel.  Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

When I read this I thought, “ahah” they could have forgotten me!  But more importantly I learned that Jesus Christ could not forget me, nor can He forget you.  The holes on His hands that rose with Him when He was resurrected are eternal reminders of His love for us.

When my brother and his wife had a little girl, I went to the hospital to meet my new niece! My sister-in-law was exhausted and needed to sleep; I had the great opportunity to hold a new child who had just barely come into this world from the presence of our Father. As I held her in my arms, I looked at her face and felt the power that she held. I held her for nearly an hour before my sister woke up, but it seemed like only a few minutes. The whole time Heavenly Father allowed me to learn something about the rising generation, they are really special. The truth I learned from this experience was only magnified when I held my own precious child for the first time. Words will never be able to describe how close heaven felt that sacred night. President James E. Faust said, “My dear young sisters [and brothers], your future is bright. It can exceed your fondest dreams and expectations” (“Womanhood: The Highest Place of Honor,” Ensign, May 2000). And guess what?  That applies to you!

Not only did you inherit qualities from your earthly parents, but also you inherited qualities from a loving Heavenly Father. He wants you to have eternal life. The only way that we can have that great gift is if we accept it by living God’s commandments, and it is only made possible because of our Savior Jesus Christ—through His great gift of the Atonement. Our Father in Heaven sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to live a perfect life and then to suffer for mankind. What our Savior felt wasn’t just a collective amount of pain; He felt the pains for each of us individually. He took upon Himself  pains, sicknesses, temptations, and even death (see Alma 7:11).

So what does the Atonement mean to you? I hope it means that you understand that our elder Brother, Jesus Christ, knows you personally. He knows you better than your friends, your family, and even better than you know yourself. He knows your potential and the power that you have to change the world. And because He knows you, He knows what you need in order to return to live with our Father. Heavenly Father placed you on this earth at this specific time because you are needed. He really has saved the best for last. It is no coincidence that you are in the family you are in, it is no coincidence that you live where you live, and it is no coincidence that you are reading this article right now. In fact, I don’t believe there are such things as coincidences. Amongst all of the experiences that we have each and every day lay countless tender mercies from God. Elder David A. Bednar, speaks of tender mercies:

Through personal study, observation, pondering, and prayer, I believe I have come to better understand that the Lord’s tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ (“The Tender Mercies of the Lord,” Ensign, May 2005).

I invite you to learn more about what your role is as a child of God by prayerfully reading the  Mormon scriptures, Abraham 3 and Doctrine and Covenants 138, and asking God what He has in store for you to do—follow His promptings—now. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is indeed Christ’s church. I know, because I have prayed, fasted, studied, and lived its teachings. You can do the same—and I promise doing so will bring you joy and peace beyond anything you can even comprehend. This is truth.

This article was written by Ashley Bell, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Additional Resources:

Meet with Mormon missionaries

How did The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints begin?

The Lord Jesus Christ in Mormonism

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoen3eab868&feature=youtu.be

The world-wide Mormon Young Women organization is led by Elaine S. Dalton, president, Mary N. Cook, first counselor, and Ann M. Dibb, second counselor. Although they are headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, they visit local Church leaders and members everywhere, encouraging the young women of the Church of Jesus Christ to stand as “witnesses of God in all time and in all places.”

Elaine S. Dalton, General Young Women president

Elaine Schwartz Dalton was born (November 1, 1946) to Melvin L. and Emma Martin Schwartz in Ogden, Utah. She married Stephen E. Dalton Sept. 13, 1968, in the Salt Lake Mormon Temple. They are the parents of five sons and one daughter and the grandparents of 16 grandchildren.

She graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in English education with a secondary teaching certificate in1969, and was the executive secretary to Lambda Delta Sigma (LDS sorority).

Prior to her calling as the Young Women general president in 2008, Sister Dalton served as both first and second counselor to Susan W. Tanner from 2002 to 2008 in the Mormon Young Women General presidency. Previously, she served on the Young Women General Board for five years and has served in all the auxiliaries of the Church on both ward (local congregation) and stake (group of congregations) levels.

Sister Dalton’s counselors are Mary N. Cook and Ann M. Dibb.

She is a runner and enjoys hiking and spending time with her family. Reading is a favorite pastime—especially the scriptures, and she loves the Lord. Her life’s motto has been, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3: 5-6).
Sister Dalton spoke of her love and respect for the young women of the Church of Jesus Christ during the general Young Women’s meeting in March 2012.

There is no more influential group standing for truth and righteousness in all the world than the young women and the women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I see your nobility and know of your divine identity and destiny.

She explained that the prophet, Joseph F. Smith taught the women of his time that “It is not for you to be led by the [young] women of the world; it is for you to lead the [young] women of the world, in everything that is purifying to the children of men.”

These words ring true today,” Sister Dalton said. “As daughters of God, you were born to lead. In the world in which we live, your ability to lead will require guidance and constant companionship of the Holy Ghost who will tell you all things what ye should do as you recognize and rely on His guidance and promptings. And since the Holy Ghost does not dwell in unclean temples, each of us will need to take inventory of our habits and our hearts. All of us will need to change something to repent.

Don’t lose sight of your goals. Don’t let the thick fog of moral pollution and the detracting voices of the world keep you from reaching your goals, living the standards, enjoying the companionship of the Holy Ghost, and being worthy to enter holy temples. Retain the vision of the temple the Savior’s holy house ever in your hearts and minds.

Mary N. Cook, First Counselor, Young Women Presidency

Sister Mary Nielson Cook was born June 8, 1951, in Midvale, Utah, to Kenneth N. and Fern S. Nielsen. Prior to her call as first counselor in the Young Women general presidency, she served as second counselor in the presidency and as a member of the Young Women general board.

Professionally, Sister Cook was a special education teacher and administrator and an elementary school principal. She received bachelors and masters degrees in speech pathology and audiology and an EdS degree from Brigham Young University.

On July 16, 1988, she married Richard E. Cook, whose first wife had died in 1984. The couple served as full-time missionaries in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where Sister Cook utilized her background in education to help the community. During that time, Elder Cook was called to preside over the first mission in the country.

Elder Cook was sustained to the Second Quorum of the Seventy in 1997 and assigned to serve in the Asia Area presidency in Hong Kong. Through their travels, the couple met and grew to love Church members in Mongolia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and numerous other countries. Elder Cook currently serves as the finance director of the LDS Church’s Perpetual Education Fund.

Sister Cook is the stepmother to four children and 17 step-grandchildren.

During the April 2012 general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she asked adults to set a clear example for young women to follow.

If we have one hand on the rod and one hand in the world, we put our children and youth in danger of losing their way on the path. If our example is confusing, then in Jacob’s words, we lose “the confidence of [our] children, because of [our] bad examples” (Jacob 2:35). Parents, grandparents and leaders, your message must be clear. Clarity can only result from having both hands on the rod and from living by the truths found in the scriptures and the words of latter-day prophets. You may not be raising a prophet as Lucy was, but you are certainly raising tomorrow’s leaders, and your actions are just as tangibly linked to their faith.

Ann M. Dibb, Second Counselor, Young Women Presidency

Ann Monson Dibb, the second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, was born to Thomas S. Monson and Frances Johnson Monson, June 30, 1954, and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. She earned her bachelor’s degree at BYU in elementary education. She is married to Roger Dibb, and they are the parents of one daughter and three sons.

Sister Dibb, a full-time homemaker, has served in each of the LDS Church auxiliaries. She enjoys reading, music, and walking. She was called to be the second counselor to Elaine S. Dalton in the general presidency of the Young Women organization in April 2008.

During her address at the Young Women’s general meeting in March 2012, she asked the young sisters what they thought of when they heard the word arise.

Personally, I think of you—the noble youth of the Church,” she said. “I picture you diligently arising from your beds each morning for early morning seminary. I see you faithfully arising from your knees after finishing your daily prayers. I think of you courageously arising to share your testimony and defend your standards. I am inspired by your commitment to the gospel and your good examples. Many of you have already accepted this invitation to arise and shine forth, and your light encourages others to do the same.

You are beloved daughters of Heavenly Father. He knows you and He loves you. He invites you to arise, and shine forth, and He promises that as you do, He will sustain and bless you.

Additional Resources:

For the Strength of Youth

Celebrating 100 Years of Young Women Camp

The Book of Mormon (Another Testament of Jesus Christ)