Happy in the Storm

"It is easy enough to be pleasant

When life flows by like a song,

But the man worth while is the one who will smile

When everything goes dead wrong." 

--Ella Wheeler Wilcox
 

The small poem above is a small excerpt from one of my favorite poems, called Worthwhile.  The entire poem is wonderful, but these first four lines went along perfectly with one the events that took place this past week. A group of friends and I did a somewhat strenuous hike on which we were hit by a terrifying and exciting storm. During the last 4 miles we plodded through mud, got pelted with hail, and ended up chilled to the bone.  Despite the gloomy circumstances, I was amazed with how happy everyone continued to be.  It would have been easy to feel sorry for ourselves--no doubt I complained more than anyone--but I never ceased to be astonished with everyone's unfailing, optimistic attitude.  While being drowned in rain, I was showered with the happy thoughts, comments, and compliments of those around me.  The phrase "mmm! I'm so warm!" was often heard throughout that long portion of the hike, simply to convince ourselves and others we weren't half as cold as we were.  I appreciated them so much.  If I had been hiking alone, I'm sure I would have given up.  I would have climbed a tree and held my frozen hands out to the lightning, begging it for that split second of warmth.  Honestly, I probably would have gone crazy enough to consider that;) Anyway, it shows a lot about a person--or a group of friends--when they can smile and continue to laugh and make jokes and pay compliments when we're soaked to the skin and in the middle of nowhere with no jackets and only a soggy box of crackers for comfort. 

Elder Holland said something quite similar to Ella Wilcox in his talk entitled Israel, Israel, God is Calling:

"It is easy to be righteous when things are calm and life is good and everything is going smoothly.  The test is when there is real trial or temptation.  When there is pressure and fatigue, anger and fear, or the possibility of real transgression.  Can we be faithful then?"

 After much experience and personal study, here are a few tips I've gained to help make it through life's storms:

1) Be prepared. Always have your spiritual rain-jacket and extra water.  Until the time comes, you won't realized how much you really do need it. 

2) Surround yourself with people who love you.  People who love each other, serve each other.  We need one another's strength.  Even if we do run short, our family and friends can give us aid.  They will give us aid through comfort, support and protection when we're most frightened and in need. 

3) Stay positive. Smile, even if you don't feel like..  It will help you and those around you.  It's amazing how much your attitude can turn a miserable situation into a happy memory.  You can make life good if you always treat it like it already is. 

4) Never give up. No matter what happens, it can never be bad enough to keep you from moving forward.  Don't let yourself climb the tree and ask for lightning like a hiker-gone-crazy.  Just when you feel like you can't go another step someone will be there to take your pack, tell you you're almost there, or give you what you need to carry on.  Our Heavenly Father will never leave us alone.  He's stronger than the lightning and more powerful than the storm.  Turn to Him and He will give you strength beyond your own.

Some will argue that a particular movie is rated PG-13 or R because of violence or “just one scene,” but that otherwise the film is excellent. What that means is that some excellent movies should not be viewed by those who are striving to live the standards outlined in For the Strength of Youth.
--William A. Schaefermeyer (Ensign article, "Can I Watch a Movie?" 1991)

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”-Mother Teresa

"[Your] body is .....something to be kept pure and holy. Do not be afraid of soiling its hands in honest labor. Do not be afraid of scars that may come in defending the truth or fighting for the right, but beware scars that spiritually disfigure, that come to you in activities you should not have undertaken, that befall you in places where you should not have gone. Beware the wounds of any battle in which you have been fighting on the wrong side."

 --Jeffery R. Holland ("Personal Purity", 1998)

Both Hands on the Temple

From the October 2003 Ensign Magazine:

“Touch not....unclean things. Too many Latter-day Saints today somehow believe they can stand with one hand touching the walls of the temple while the other hand fondles the unclean things of the world. We can’t do that. As Alma said, “Touch not their unclean things” (Alma 5:57). I plead with you, put both hands on the temple. Put your arms around the temple, and hang on for dear life to your family dream. If you don’t, the tigers will come at night and tear your dreams apart."

"Virgin Lips"

Ever get made fun of for being "VL"?  Ever get told you're the "only one"? Ever get those confused expressions and blank stares as you try to explain? You're not the only one who believes in saving your kisses.  The prophets are on your side!!!


Melvin J. Ballard(Quorum of the Twelve)

The sacredness of the kiss and affectionate relationships belong only to the engaged and married state, and ought not to be indulged in by those who are only seeking the thrill of the moment. (Conference Report, April 1929, 67)

Melvin J. Ballard (Quorum of the Twelve)

It has come to be a sort of custom among many young people (I regret to say even among us), that they feel at liberty to promiscuously engage in embracing and kissing each other when there is no thought of anything serious so far as engagement or marriage is concerned—only the thrill they get. I protest against it and say to you that there is danger in it, and that the fire will burn those who play with it. (Conference Report, April 1929, 67)

Spencer W. Kimball (President)
Even if timely courtship justifies the kiss it should be a clean, decent, sexless one like the kiss between mother and son, or father and daughter. (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, 281)

Spencer W. Kimball (President)

If our young people would avoid the pitfalls they would be firm in principle.... Kissing would be saved at least until [the] later hallowed courtship days when they could be free from sex and have holy meaning. (The Miracle of Forgiveness, 213)

James E. Faust (First Presidency)

We must wait for the proper season in life to use some sacred gifts; we must prepare for that season. I did not kiss my wife until we were engaged to be married.  (CES Fireside for Young Adults, 8 Sept. 2002)

"The righteous need not wear masks to hide their identity."

-QUENTIN L. COOK

SMILE.

"No amount of eye-shadow, lipstick or mascara can ever possibly compete with the natural attractiveness of a genuine smile.  It brightens the room.  It cheers others.  It communicates friendship, love, and optimism so much more than any cosmetic ever could." 

Girls: let's always let our smiles, not our makeup, define who we are! Never underestimate the power a smile can have on others.  And remember that every girl is beautiful.  My favorite quote is by David O. McKay who said 

"There is a beauty every girl has--a gift from God, as pure as the sunlight and as sacred as life.  It is a beauty all men love, a virtue that wins all men's souls.  That beauty is chastity.  A beautiful, modest, chaste woman is creation's masterpiece."

"A virtuous smile is truly beautiful as it radiates in a totally normal way.  This true beauty can't be painted on but is a gift of the Spirit. It is literally letting your light shine before men.  When virtue is combined with obedience to the Lord's laws of health and respect for the human body, young people truly become temples in which the Holy Ghost dwells, giving them a beautiful aura.  It is this beauty that is most becoming and enduring."

--Lynn G. Robbins

"Great battles can make great heroes, but heroes will make great battle. You will never have a better opportunity to be a greater hero in a more crucial battle than in the battle you will face today and in the immediate future. Be warned that some of the greatest battles you will face will be fought within the silent chambers of your own soul."  --Ezra Taft Benson

I heard this quote today and looked it up to find the talk, so I could post it here on the blog.  As I read the talk I got chills! I can't tell you how badly I wanted to post the entire thing!!! The above quote is just to get you excited--but the entire talk is so amazing and powerful!  Please read it!
It's called "In His Steps" from the year 1979 given at a BYU fireside.  Here is a link:
http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=89

Reverence Invites Revelation

"Music is of enormous importance in our worship services. I believe that those who choose, conduct, present, and accompany the music may influence the spirit of reverence in our meetings more than a speaker does. God bless them... An organist who has the sensitivity to quietly play prelude music from the hymnbook tempers our feelings and causes us to go over in our minds the lyrics which teach the peaceable things of the kingdom. If we will listen, they are teaching the gospel, for the hymns of the Restoration are, in fact, a course in doctrine!" -Boyd K. Packer

Courage to Stand

“Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval. Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die manfully, but also as a determination to live decently. A moral coward is one who is afraid to do what he thinks is right because others will disapprove or laugh. Remember that all men have their fears, but those who face their fears with dignity have courage as well.”
--President Thomas S. Monson

"Only reform and self restraint, institutional and individual, can finally rescue society! Only a sufficient number of sin-resistant souls can change the marketplace. As Church members we should be part of that sin-resistant counterculture." Elder Neal A. Maxwell

Be a Lighthouse

Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining.  --Anne Lamott
 

I happened to come across this quote today, and it really made me think! It’s a fascinating concept: that in order to save others or bring them towards the light, we don’t need to go find them, or come “down from the mount” to greet them.  We need only shine.  Like a lighthouse, we mustn’t leave our post! We need to always stand tall on the firm foundation of Christ atop the rocky mountain shore, and those fighting the storm will see our light.  Isn’t that a cool quote? 

"Reverence is profound respect and love. A reverent attitude toward God includes honoring Him, expressing gratitude to Him, and obeying His commandments...Reverent behavior includes prayer, scripture study, fasting, and payment of tithes and offerings. It includes having wholesome thoughts, wearing modest clothing, and using clean, wholesome language. The depth of a person's reverence is evident in his or her choice of music and other entertainment, in the way sacred subjects are spoken of, and in the way the person dresses and acts when attending church services and worshiping in the temple. Reverence also includes making righteous choices even when no one is watching. Reverence for the Lord leads to serving other people and treating them with kindness and respect."

“Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others...By and large, I have come to see that if we complain about life, it is because we are thinking only of ourselves.”
― Gordon B. Hinckley

Family Home Evening

Tomorrow is Monday, which means Family Home Evening! Do you ever wonder if it's really worth it?  Do you ever think that maybe it's okay to skip it every once in a while?  Well, just for a reminder, read over the promises made by the First Presidency in the year 1915 to those who hold weekly FHE:

“If the Saints obey this counsel, we promise that great blessings will result. Love at home and obedience to parents will increase. Faith will be developed in the hearts of the youth of Israel, and they will gain power to combat the evil influences and temptations which beset them.” (First Presidency, April 27, 1915, Improvement Era, vol. 18, p. 734.)

"When you are young, do not get involved in steady dating. When you reach an age where you think of marriage, then is the time to become so involved. But you boys who are in high school don’t need this, and neither do the girls." -Gordon B. Hinckley