A Mighty Change of (more than just) Heart by Rachel Huffaker

“And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?” 1 Through the Atonement of Christ, we as humans in our fallen state can experience the phenomenon known as spiritual rebirth. People have described it as a burning with their bosoms, an “awaken[ing] out of a deep sleep. . . unto God”, and an ‘illumination by the light of the everlasting word”2 Whatever the feelings accompanying this change, the result is the same: an enlightenment to the truth of the gospel and a renewed sense of faith and fervor. However, the path to spiritual rebirth is not an easy one, nor one to be taken lightly.
As President Ezra Taft Benson stated, “repentance involves not just a change of actions, but a change of heart”3. Just because our actions change, it does not mean that we have “seen the light” or experienced a true change of heart like in Alma where “according to his faith there was a mighty change wrought in his heart. . .”4I have had numerous warnings by my parents to fix my attitude on certain things. Oftentimes, though, it is only my outward actions that change to appease my parents or escape punishment. However, in some ways, this is even worse than having an outward bad attitude. Holding negative feelings in my heart causes them to fester and make the bad attitude even worse internally, often with such byproducts as bitterness and resentment.
One such example of this was when I was in high school and I disliked my Sunday School teacher immensely. I would go to his class under the watchful eyes of my parents only to leave partway through and proceed to pursue my own interests. After my parents heard of my behavior, they told me that if I did not attend Sunday School, they would take my car away. Grudgingly, I stayed in the class, making sarcastic comments throughout, and rolled my eyes whenever any of my classmates gave a particular inane answer. This, too, was reported to my parents and I was told to behave in class OR ELSE (a parent’s favorite phrase, methinks). So I kept my mouth shut and sat silently, sullenly, resentfully through a class I hated. What I did not realize was that most of the problem lay inside me. As a result, I still cannot stand the sight or mention of this teacher.
After King Benjamin addressed his people, they all cried, “Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.”5 Unlike me around my parents and/or teachers, they felt no desire to continue in their wicked ways. They harbored no secret doubts or resentments; their hearts were full of only a desire to do good.
“And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?”6 If I were being asked this question, I am ashamed to say that I would have to reply, “No. I have not.” Changing my behavior is a titanic effort. Changing my mind is nigh-impossible. Changing my heart? Well, I would say it was impossible except that I have read the story of Alma the Younger. So, yes, there is hope for even me. I do not feel that my testimony would adequately sum up my feelings on the matter as it has been quite weak and underused as of late. So I will include a poem that I wrote instead.
A cage and bands of iron surround my crippled heart
The key to unlock the chest of my soul and the lock are far apart
My soul’s a secret garden and the walls are very high
My inner self’s chained to the ground when what it wants to do is fly
So Jesus, Savior, my one physician, heal my shriveled heart
Take what was once live and free and heal me.
The bands of iron melt away, search out the buried key
Release my soul, give it real air, please, my brother, heal me
Break down the walls with your love, break my chains with your grace
Restore sight to my blinded eyes so I may see your face.
And Jesus, Savior, my Redeemer, fix my broken soul
Take what once was beautiful and make me whole
Take every aspect of my life into a refiner’s fire
Fill my heart with so much love and my soul with deep desire
Let heaven open up my heart, I don’t even know where to start
Set my trapped life free and heal me
Help me Savior of my soul and heal me.

1- Alma 5:26
2- Alma 5:7
3- Ezra Taft Benson, “A Mighty Change of Heart,” Ensign, Oct 1989, 2
4- Alma 5:12
5- Mosiah 5:2
6-Alma 5:14

3 Easy Ways to Stay Firm by Kevin Allen

We live in a world full of temptation and sin waiting to grab a hold of us at any corner, at any time. The prophets have proclaimed that this generation lives in times far worse then any other generation that ever stepped foot on Earth. The Devil has become more powerful the ever before. How are we supposed to combat this horrible power? “Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually.” [1] There are many little tricks, along with faith in God, that can help combat that. Here are three things I have utilized to keep me on the straight and narrow.

The first thing that you can do when you are confronted with temptation is singing a happy song or a hymn. Isaiah proclaims, “Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.” [2] Singing a song is like taking a cloth and whipping the dust on the television to make the image clearer. A song will immediately dispel any dirtiness and bring in happiness. Whenever I feel a depressing or bad thought coming to my mind, I immediately begin to sing “Praise to the Man” of one of my other favorite songs and I am filled with happiness.

Another trick that I utilize to combat evil is look at funny pictures from this site I found while enduring a stressful month during summer term this year. Whenever I get frustrated or sad, I would pull up a picture and laugh away my sorrow. Mosiah has learned the benefits of being happy. “…I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness.” [3] When I am happy, I am able to do my assignments with ease and retain information from them. Plus, who wants to be miserable all the time? Not me!

Finally, doing little acts of kindness when presented with hardship takes your mind off of the bad. Go out and look for any opportunity to help someone, whether it is saying a complement to everyone you walk by or helping someone with a problem. Service not only benefits the others but it also benefits God. “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” [4] Knowing that you are not only serving a friend, but also serving God is the ultimate double-whammy possible. To know that always brightens my day.

“Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction.” [5] We must be firm in our convictions and not let Satan’s attempts to knock us off the path succeed. By doing these little things, you can develop a stronger resistance and ward of evil. I know that Satan is out to get us, but if we do not give in to his ways, then we will be much happier.

Works Cited
[1] (Alma 57:27)
[2] (Isaiah 49:13)
[3] (Mosiah 2:41)
[4] (Mosiah 2:17)
[5] (Jacob 3:1)

Behold, A Mighty Change: By Marci Robison

A friend and I were having a phone conversation one night. I noticed that my friend was being uncharacteristically quiet. I asked if there was something that was bothering him. He insisted that there wasn't; however, there continued to be lengthy periods of silence. I told him that if he needed to and when he was ready, he could tell me what was going on, then I continued to carry on the conversation, with pauses every so often, in case there was something that he wanted to say. At length, he decided that he wanted to tell me something that I could sense was of great importance to him. I did my best to be supportive, without being pushy. It ended up being sort of an emotional subject, so it took a while for him to get it out and at the end, both of us were in tears. He had experienced some things in his past that he had felt like he had betrayed my trust, even though neither of us knew each other during the time that it happened. He told me later that he had been scared that when he divulged that information to me that I would be upset with him and that I wouldn't ever want to associate with him again. He said that he was pleasantly surprised that I did not pass judgment on him for the things that he had done in the past. I told him that as long as he had made it right with the people that he had wronged, with the Lord, and with himself, that it did not matter what I thought. I somehow knew that he had experienced a change of heart and that he had no desire in his heart to ever want to repeat those experiences.

Ezra Taft Benson said that in order to become true members of the church, there are some things that we need to do. One of the things that he mentioned is that we need to experience a change of heart, through the process of repentance. To repent, means to change what you are doing. If one only makes this change mentally, then the results may not be to everyone's liking. However, when one makes a change of heart, one appears to be more determined and one accomplishes a lot more than if he only mentally makes that change. "When we have undergone this mighty change, which is brought about only through faith in Jesus Christ and through the operation of the Spirit upon us, it is as though we have become a new person. Thus, the change is likened to a new birth. Thousands of you have experienced this change. You have forsaken lives of sin, sometimes deep and offensive sin, and through applying the blood of Christ in your lives, have become clean. You have no more disposition to return to your old ways. You are in reality a new person. This is what is meant by a change of heart."

In Mosiah chapter 5 verse 2, which is also mentioned in President Benson's talk, it says "...the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually." I interpret this to mean that we cannot fully undertake a change of heart without the Spirit of the Lord with us and without using the Atonement of Christ in our lives. The Atonement is an important step. In fact, it is probably the MOST important step. Without the Atonement, we cannot progress very much in this life, if at all. Without the Atonement, I do not know if there would be much purpose for this life. I strongly believe that we have been sent to this earth for a divine purpose and that in order to progress in this life, the Atonement is very essential.

The fifth chapter of Alma has several verses that include the phrase "change of heart" in one form or another. Things are often repeated so that we remember them. I think that this may be one of those times. Apparently having a change of heart is important enough to be mentioned in approximately five different verses in the same chapter of scripture. in verse seven, it says that they were in darkness and that they experienced a change of heart and that they were "... illuminated by the light of the everlasting word..." I think that a great metaphor for having a change of heart is a change from the blackest night to the brightest day. How much hope is there in that statement? There is light at the end of the tunnel!!! In verses twelve, thirteen and fourteen of the same chapter, it says the phrase "a mighty change" about three times. I feel that this gives an even greater emphasis on the word change to put mighty in front of it. It makes me think that you cannot "half-heartedly change" or try, fail, give-up. One needs a mighty change of heart in order for the full effect to take place. In the French language, the word change is changement. This word may also translate to modify and switch. When one has a change of heart, one is switching or modifying one's behavior.

I know that even though we are not perfect, through the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can all be made perfect in Him. I know that Christ suffered for our sins and our pains. I know that because Jesus suffered for all of us that we are able to repent and return to live again with our Father in Heaven. I know that I am a child of a Heavenly Father who knows and who loves me. I know that we are all children of our Heavenly Father and He desires all of us to come unto Him. I know that my family can be together for eternity through faith and obedience of the covenants that we have made. I know that repentance is always a possibility and that Satan wants to make us think that when we make mistakes, that they are unforgivable and that there is no reason for us to change. I know that my Father in Heaven will love me despite the things that I do wrong. Even though He loves me, I also know that He desires that I continue to strive to keep his commandments and to repent so that I may progress in this life to try to be more like Him. Again, I know that I am a child of God, that we are all children of God and we all have divine potential to become as He is. Perhaps it is not attainable in this life, but I look forward to it in the world to come.




Sources:

Ezra Taft Benson, "A Mighty Change," Ensign, Oct 1989, 2

Alma 5:7
Alma 5:12
Alma 5:13
Alma 5:14
Mosiah 5:2

Picture:

http://cardiophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/heart-in-hands.jpg

Love Conquers All by: Ashley Wilson

Love is essential and the most fundamental virtue that someone can posses. Christ did everything through love. It is through the love we feel from him, that we are able to become better disciples of Christ and conquer everything that is thrown in our way.

We are able to show our love by serving others. As stated in Mosiah 4:15, “But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another.[1]” Service is one thing you can do to get rid of the stress you feel in your life. If you are serving others, you always get the feel-good feeling and are focusing on someone else instead of yourself. When I was in young women’s’, I’ll admit that I didn’t want to have to do service projects for mutual. They never sounded as fun as other things such as cooking or doing crafts, or anything of that sort. I shortly learned that service was the best way to gain an appreciation for the things I have. In the end it always made me feel so good to help someone else out. On the other end of service, I know it is always so nice when someone does something for me. It just takes a lot of pressure off and lets me know that someone really does care. I remember when I was having a really bad day and it seemed nothing was going right, right before I got home I remembered that I forgot to take all of my sheets out of the dryer and make my bed. I was so tired and really didn’t want to have one more thing to do before I could just go to bed. I got home, went in my room, and noticed that my sister had taken my sheets out of the dryer, made my bed, and had made me cookies. I know that it wasn’t even that big of a deal but it was just awesome that she would take the time out to do something for that like me. Little acts of service can make a world of difference to someone.

Love increases the power of unity. In Mosiah 18:21 it says, “And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.”[2] When you love others, there isn’t going to be any contention and you can be way more productive in the things you are trying to accomplish. I know that in high school when I played volleyball, you could always tell if there were girls on the team who were in a fight. Our team just didn’t mesh as well as it normally did. Once they would get over their differences, we would all be united and work with each other to perform the way we were expected to perform. Unity is also increased if you treat others the same way you would want to be treated. Mosiah 23:15 says “Thus did Alma teach his people, that every man should love his neighbor as himself, that there should be no contention among them [3].” Having love for yourself and your neighbors creates unity and understanding.

Love strengthens families. Families make up our society and in broken homes where no love is shown, multiple problems can come about. Loving our family members is essential because no matter what, they are our family and we will be with them for eternity. If you learn to love them at all times, it will make your life and theirs a whole lot easier. In Jacob 3:7, we learn “Behold, their husbands love their wives, and their wives love their husbands; and their husbands and their wives love their children…”[4] The end of this story shows that when they finally turned to each other and loved each other, they received the love of God for changing the way they were doing things. I am so lucky to have a really close family. They are all my best friends and I know they have my back through thick and thin. When I moved to Florida right after I graduated from high school, I would get so homesick because my family would always be out doing multiple things without me. It is such a privilege to have the family that I do and am so blessed. Having a love for everyone in your family truly does strengthen it.

The ultimate love that was shown was through the Atonement. You can see that that took so much love for someone to go and do that for us. It just amazes me the sacrifices he made for me and every individual in this world. Mosiah 4:11 states “And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel[5].” No matter who you are, he loves you and shows it to us every day with the world and beautiful creations that he has given us. I love the song “I Stand All Amazed which states,”

1. I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.
[Chorus]Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for meEnough to die for me!Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
2. I marvel that he would descend from his throne divineTo rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,That he should extend his great love unto such as I,Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.
3. I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.[6]

To close I would just like to bear my testimony. I know this church is true and know that everything is really for our good. I know that love is one of the most powerful feelings that we will ever have. Love really does conquer all of our fears and allows us to truly become better disciples of Jesus Christ. I know this church is true and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet and that he truly did see our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know that our prayers are heard and answered and that he does know what’s best for us even though we might not see his plan at the time. I love this gospel and know that it has blessed me in too many ways to count. I say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Works Cited
[1] Mosiah 4:15
[2] Mosiah 18:21
[3] Mosiah 23:15
[4] Jacob 3:7
[5] Mosiah 4:11
[6] Hymn 193 “I Stand All Amazed”

A Change of Heart Changes Everything.

A Change of Heart Changes Everything

“The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mould men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature”[1]

“A change of heart” is a familiar phrase that we are all acquainted with, but what exactly does this profound phase mean? Do we all need to have it? How does it affect our lives? How does it take place? “ For behold, and also His blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned. But wo, wo unto him who knoweth that he rebelled against God! For Salvation cometh unto none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.”[2] Our Elder Brother, even our Lord Jesus Christ did for each of us, what none other can do. He atoned for each of our sins, pains, heartache, misery and melancholy. One may say that this great Atonement took place in the Garden of Gethsemane, but I would say that Christ’s entire life lead to this great sacrifice. Everything our Savior did, was in preparation for the Atonement. We, as children of a Loving Heavenly Father, can have a change of heart by applying the Atonement in our lives. We should diligently acknowledge the fact that we all sin, and thereafter repent of those things we do wrong, thereby forsaking them.

A change of heart, is not just repenting, but also becoming a better person. Amore Christlike person. It is not just being good, but also doing good. As Elder David A Bednar of the Quorum of the twelve Apostles said, “The gospel of Jesus Christ encompasses much more than avoiding, overcoming, and being cleansed from sin and the bad influences in our lives; it also essentially entails doing good, being good, and becoming better. Repenting of our sins and seeking forgiveness are spiritually necessary, and we must always do so. But remission of sin is not the only or even the ultimate purpose of the gospel. To have our hearts changed by the Holy Spirit such that 'we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually' (Mosiah 5:2), as did King Benjamin's people, is the covenant responsibility we have accepted. This mighty change is not simply the result of working harder or developing greater individual discipline. Rather, it is the consequence of a fundamental change in our desires, our motives, and our natures made possible through the Atonement of Christ the Lord. Our spiritual purpose is to overcome both sin and the desire to sin, both the taint and the tyranny of sin.”[3] When we help others and do good, our heart softens and we gain a greater appreciation towards our fellow brothers and sisters. We learn to understand that we all came from the same place and that we all have the same Eternal Father. He loves us all equally. We learn to acknowledge the plain truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that we are all truly brothers and sisters.

“ And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow-beings ye are only in the service of your God.” [4] King Benjamin is addressing his people and explaining to the m that when we serve those around us, we are actually serving our God. What greater blessing can we receive than by serving our Father whom art in Heaven? Before moving to the States, for four years before my senior year in high school, I was engaged in a vast degree of community service. I volunteered in a local doctor’s surgery, local hospital and in a clinic on a military base. I enjoyed serving in the surgery and hospital, but my greatest most profound learning experience came from the military base. I remember looking at there soldiers who go off to war, with the thought playing at the back of their mind that they might not return home to their families, that they might not live to see another day. I gained such a deep sense of appreciation toward them, and realized that they too are serving us. They fight for the people of their country. They risk their lives for a greater purpose. I loved helping these men and women because I felt as if I too played a role in this “greater purpose.”

“But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in Him, and serve Him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, He will, according to His own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.”[5] I know that we all have the ability to turn unto the Lord and have a “change of heart.” Our Savior, Jesus Christ suffered and died for each and every single one of us, His brothers and sisters, because He wants us to return to live with Him and our Heavenly Father for all eternity. We are not asked to die for our brothers and sisters, but on one’s own path towards perfection, a Christlike friend will help get many others onto that very same path. A good friend will leave you better than the way they found you, but a Christlike friend will be to you, what the Savior is to him and will never leave you. I know these things to be true. I love my Savior and my Eternal Father. They have blessed me in my life immensely. The Gospel is true, it is as simple as that. True Christian soldiers are more than weekend warriors. I humbly say these things in the name of my Loving Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.


Works cited
1] President Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, November 1985. p.6
2] Mosiah 3:11-12
3] David A. Bednar, Clean Hands and a Pure Heart, Ensign, Nov. 2007, 81-82
4] Mosiah 2:17
5] Mosiah 7:33

The Importance of Soberness (Outisde of the Word of Wisdom) - Kurt Payne

To be sober, according to Elder Hamula of the Quorum of the Seventy, is to be earnest and serious in assessing your circumstances and careful and circumspect in weighing the consequences of your actions.1 It is analogous to the saying look before you leap, and measure twice and cut once. In German, the word for soberness is ernsthaftes, which comes from two words: “ernst,” meaning earnestness; and “haft,” which means to restrain or confine. Put together, you could define soberness as restraining earnestness. There are numerous references to this virtue throughout the standard works; most of them refer to commandments from the Lord, a concept that will be explored later. I think of soberness (not sobriety) as bridling your passions. However, I do not mean to say that soberness is equal to apathy: it’s nowhere close; rather it’s a middle ground. Too often people let their passions get a-hold of them, and they end up making disastrous decisions. Being sober is equivalent to being prudent, and doing what makes sense; while it isn’t always the best thing to do, nine times out of ten, it will lead you in the right direction.

Being sober will help us in making decisions. Having our heads clear of excess emotion is always a good idea, as we are able to respond to adverse situations with reason, rather than react with passion. Elder Hamula goes on in his address to state that soberness therefore yields good judgment, as well as measured conduct.1 This almost happened to me at the beginning of this last school year. I had the opportunity to buy a business from a BYU graduate for a large amount of money. All I could see was the fulfillment of my dream of owning a business, and dollar signs as I saw revenue roll in. However, luckily, I consulted my parents and my sister, and I prayed very hard about the decision, and I decided not to go through with it. In retrospect, having bought the business would have been a disaster, as I would have had no time to do anything with it, and it would have severely cut into my education. I am now sincerely grateful for prayer and for the slight bit of soberness that I had been blessed with at that time. I am usually good about keeping my passions and emotions in check, but sometimes…

There were many scripture figures who I admire who possessed this prized attribute. The most notable was Mormon. It states in the beginning of the Book of Mormon that Ammoron told Mormon that he was chosen by God because he was of a sober mind, and quick to observe.2 This declaration could not be used to describe many of the people of that time, most of whom were utterly wicked, and had forgotten God. Obviously, they weren’t a sober people, as they had forsaken the prudent choice, which would have been to pray for forgiveness in order to preserve not only their lives, but their civilization as well. Due to the fact that Mormon was sober, he was greatly blessed by God, and was chosen to keep the last of the sacred records, in addition to being made commander of the Nephite armies at the age of sixteen, and having seen Christ as a young adult. Surely having this attribute wouldn’t be adverse to our own spiritual well-being, even though our situation is much different to that of Mormon. Other figures who possessed sober minds were the first two sons of Alma, who accompanied him on his mission to reclaim the apostate Zoramites. In his addresses to them in Chapters 37 and 38, he tells his sons Shiblon and Helaman to continue to be sober, as they already had been righteous in attempting to fulfill their mission. Also, Alma tells his son Corianton to be sober, a trait he had hitherto not possessed, as evidenced by his iniquitous actions.3

The Lord commands us to be sober on multiple instances in the scriptures. One such instance occurs in the New Testament. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.4 Earlier in the same chapter, Paul speaks to specific groups to be sober, such as young men and women, and also to bishops who should teach to those in their stewardships to be sober as well. Another scripture is found in Peter. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.5 I believe that the Lord wants us to be sober for the reason stated before; so that we can make good decisions. I also think that he is trying to help us keep ourselves safe from sin. If we are thinking clearly, then we are much more likely to avoid making the wrong choices, at least intentionally.

In return for maintaining sober minds, The Lord promises us salvation when he comes again. Indeed, those who have sober minds will have the power to endure to the end, because along with soberness inherently comes such virtues as self-discipline and temperance. In fact, this rule generally tends to be true, that virtue attracts more virtue, and corruption breeds more corruption. Alma also speaks somewhat on this principle when speaking about the resurrection on Judgement Day. And if their works are evil they shall be restored unto them for evil. Therefore, all things shall be restored to their proper order, every thing to its natural frame—mortality raised to immortality, corruption to incorruption—raised to endless happiness to inherit the kingdom of God, or to endless misery to inherit the kingdom of the devil, the one on one hand, the other on the other.5 Other blessings for soberness include an increased ability to feel the Holy Ghost, as we will be able to hear his voice the more calm and “under control” we keep our emotions. I bear witness that as we garner and cultivate soberness, we will be blessed like those spoken of in the scriptures, and we will be able to have greater peace of mind, and we will be more in tune with God’s plan for us.

Works Cited
1. James J. Hamula, “Winning the War against Evil,” Liahona, Nov 2008, 50–53
2. Mormon 1:2
3. Alma 42:31
4. Titus 2:11,12
5. 1 Peter 4:7
6. Alma 41:4

Living Earnestly and with Sincerity - Chelsey Porter

Living earnestly and with sincerity is exactly the way the Lord wants us to live, by living an earnest and sincere life we set an example for those around us and can bring others to the fullness of the gospel, “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17). By serving and helping others to come to the gospel we are serving our Lord and how great is his joy when we are doing his work and striving to be like him. Also by living an earnest and sincere life we are open to receive the promptings of the spirit and be closer with our Heavenly Father. When our lives are centered on the Lord and his teachings making the right decisions and living according to his will, will be very easy for us and set us up for success. Success is what the Lord wants for us and always gives us a plan to achieve success. Living earnestly and with sincerity we are standing for truth and righteousness in a sober way.

To achieve a life of truth and soberness we must hold strong to the iron rod and follow the path to the tree of life. President Gordon B. Hinckley has said,” The course of our lives is seldom determined by great, life altering decisions. Our direction is often by small, day to day choices that chart the track on which we run. This is the substance of our lives … making choices”. I really like this quote because it makes me feel like if I am trying my hardest and making an effort the Lord is happy with me. He doesn’t expect us to be perfect. If we are making small decisions that conform to his will then we are just preparing ourselves for the bigger decisions and we will be able to make those decisions with ease because we have been building up towards them. By simple means are great things brought to pass.

Two words that go right along with truth and soberness are steadfast and immovable. “There, I would that ye be steadfast and immovable in, always abounding in “good works , that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all” (Mosiah 5:15). A person who is steadfast and immovable is solid, firm, resolute, firmly secured, and incapable of being diverted from a primary purpose or mission. If we plant our roots deep in the gospel it makes it much harder for the adversary to uproot us. When you stand steadfast and immovable the Lord is on your side and with the Lord on your side you will not fail. There are many examples in the scriptures of people who were steadfast and immovable; one such example is the 2000 Stripling Warriors. They were all young men who were exceedingly valiant and courageous. They were also “men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted. Yea, they were men of truth and soberness” (Alma 53:20–21). If we stand steadfast and immovable we will be able to stand up against the adversary and make the right decisions that please the Lord. (David A. Bednar, “Steadfast and Immovable, Always Abounding in Good Works”, New Era January 2008)

Personally living a life of truth and soberness is very important to me because I can remember times when I have strayed from the path and was lost in the dark, and needed the help that comes along with living a life of truth and soberness. “Courage is required to think right, choose right, and do right, for such a course will rarely, if ever, be the easiest to follow”, (President Thomas S. Monson). It is never easy to make the right decision but we still have to do it. And it will pay off, the reason it’s so hard is because the rewards are so great. The Lord has promised us if we follow the commandments then great will be our rewards. It is not worth it to make wrong decisions and try to fix the mess later. It may be hard in the moment to do what is right but how blessed will you be when you do make the right decision.

I know that living a life of truth and righteousness is essential for future generations. We need to be living a life of truth and righteousness to continue on the faith. We need to set an example that our posterity can look back on. I know that I look back to many previous prophets and examples in my life for guidance. Joseph Smith set a perfect example that everyone of our religion can look up to. When I think about passing on knowledge and lifestyle I think of the hymn “True to the Faith”. The chorus is the part that I remember the most. “True to the faith that our parents have cherished, true to the truth for which martyrs have perished, To God’s command, Soul, heart, and hand, Faithful and true we will ever stand”. Whenever we are struggling with our own faith or with living a life of truth and soberness we can always look to our parents for guidance or to previous prophet and teachings. There are so many resources and example of those who have come before us that we can learn from. We can follow their example of truth and soberness. I pray that I will always have the faith, courage, and obedience to make good choices and live a life of truth and soberness. I know that if I do these things the Lord will bless me beyond my comprehension.

Works Cited

Mosiah 2:17
Gordon B. Hinckley – Quote
Mosiah 5:15
Alma 53:20-21
David A. Bednar, “Steadfast and Immovable, Abounding in Good Works”, New Era January 2008
President Thomas S. Monson – Quote
“True to the Faith” LDS Hymn Book #254