Bad Days

Even in the service of the Lord, we are not immune from bad days. My companion and I are recovering from a bout of the flu. It hasn't been a fun experience.

When we face trials, it's easy to think, "I'm trying to do what is right. Why is this happening to me?" It's easy to get caught in the trap of self-pity. If we indulge those feelings long enough, it starts to become easier to blame God for our misfortunes.

Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail - by Liz Lemon Swindle

 
The fact is all of us face sorrow and pain throughout life. Good deeds do not eliminate bad situations. In fact, some of the most Christlike people I know seem to face more afflictions than others.

The Prophet Joseph Smith, for example, faced hardships all his life. He was tarred and feathered. Several of his children died in their infancy. As a child his leg was veritably torn apart in a painful operation necessary because of an infection he had contracted. He spent months in the cold, inhumane setting of Liberty Jail, where he wondered aloud how long God would stay His hand of mercy from the saints and justice from their persecutors. Our Father in Heaven's response contains meaning for us all:

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. (Doctrine and Covenants 121:7-8)

When we approach challenges with humility and patience rather than anger and bitterness, we allow ourselves to learn the things God wants us to learn from those challenges. Our own obstinate pride cannot vaporize our hardships, but a positive attitude can make them easier to bear. If we rely on the Lord, He will help us through anything.

Next time you're having a bad day, don't ask "Why me?" Instead, ask "What can I learn?"

Scripture Saturday — 2 Timothy 1:7

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)

Be at peace; God is watching over you

It's easy to feel fearful about the future. There are wars all over the world. Economies are suffering. Natural disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity. Many are strangling in the webs of addiction. Families are being torn apart by the devil. Dishonesty and immorality prevail in many governments.

We all feel apprehension about these events, especially when they affect us personally. But because we have a loving Heavenly Father, we needn't feel fear about the future. As long as we are doing our best to keep the commandments and follow Him, He will watch over us. This doesn't mean we will always be kept from sickness or sorrow, but we will be kept from the consequences that afflict those who sin.

We all sin. Repentance is the power by which we obtain forgiveness for sins. God blesses us with 'power', 'love' and 'a sound mind'. These godly attributes enable us to overcome temptation and serve others. When we exercise these attributes, we discover joy.

The House of the Lord

Throughout the world you can find temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—beautiful, sacred buildings where important work is performed and unrestrained peace can be felt. In temples, we can feel the spirit in a way it can't be felt anywhere else.

I've been through temples in Manti and Provo, Utah; Las Vegas, Nevada; Mesa, Arizona; and Nashville, Tennessee. Each of these temples, though unique in design, are the same in purpose. All of them are beautiful. Below are more pictures of beautiful temples throughout the world.

Learn more about temples by visiting these links:

• http://mormon.org/faq/use-of-temples/
• http://mormon.org/faq/purpose-of-temples/
• http://lds.org/church/temples?lang=eng



Cardston Alberta Temple

Bogota Colombia Temple



Cebu City Philippines Temple



Colonia Juarez Chihuahua Mexico Temple



Guayaquil Ecuador Temple



Helsinki Finland Temple

Houston Texas Temple

Kyiv Ukraine Temple



London England Temple

Manti Utah Temple



Oakland California Temple



St. George Utah Temple

San Diego California Temple



Redlands California Temple



Panama City Panama Temple

The Hague Netherlands Temple



Vernal Utah Temple



Mesa Arizona Temple



Cochabamba Bolivia Temple

Meditation

In an increasingly busy world, it's important that we take time to enjoy simple things in life. We should take time to ponder spiritual things. We should take time to pray and read the scriptures. And we ought to take time to listen to uplifting music, marvel at art and architecture, bask in the beauty of nature, and read good literature.

'We are entitled to spend some time with ourselves in introspection.'

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008) said—

Our lives become extremely busy. We run from one thing to another. We wear ourselves out in thoughtless pursuit of goals which are highly ephemeral. We are entitled to spend some time with ourselves in introspection, in development. I remember my dear father when he was about the age that I am now. He lived in a home where there was a rock wall on the grounds. It was a low wall, and when the weather was warm, he would go and sit on his wall. It seemed to me he sat there for hours, thinking, meditating, pondering things that he would say and write, for he was a very gifted speaker and writer. He read much, even into his very old age. He never ceased growing. Life was for him a great adventure in thinking.

We are meant to find joy in our journey, not just the desired destination of eternal life. We are meant to love and live life richly. Happiness comes when we learn to find joy in simple things. As we make learning and serving our priorities, our lives—over time—will become deeply rewarding.

"I Choose to Be Pure"

In a world full of temptation, some youth engage in sexual immorality because they fail to comprehend the lasting consequences resulting from their behavior. Fortunately, many youth choose to remain sexually pure because they want to keep God's commandments and understand the blessings that come from doing so.

In the following video, Gladys, Claire, Omer, Conner, Pratima and Eric talk about their decision to remain sexually pure. Elaine S. Dalton, general president of the young women organization in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, explains why sexual purity is so important—

Virtue is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards. It encompasses chastity and moral purity. Virtue includes modesty—in thought, language, dress, and demeanor. Virtue provides an anchor on the path leading to our Heavenly Father’s presence. The paths of virtue lead to happiness in this life and in the life to come. The paths of virtue lead to strong families. The paths of virtue contain the foundation stones for the blessings of eternity. They lead to the temple. No wonder Joseph Smith said, "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."