Blessings that Come from Living the Gospel

I've come to realize that as my life is more in harmony with the Gospel principles that I've become happier and I notice the blessings that come from it. I am in no way saying I'm perfect- I'm actually pretty far from it. But as I strive to keep the commandments, I see the blessings in my life.

I made it my goal to try and go to the temple weekly. So far I have, except for one week where my recommend was expired. That week was horrible! I found myself grumpy and being not really nice to anyone. It felt so good the next week when I was able to go to Snowflake temple. The Temple President came in and talked with my parents and I and I have never felt more blessed in my life!

So yesterday I got my wisdom teeth out. Such fun (insert sarcastic tone here). Tuesday however, I went to Mesa and did baptisms. I know I was blessed for going because my mouth doesn't hurt that much, I'm not swollen, and I can eat without much pain. Heavenly Father sure does spoil me.

As I've aligned my life to the gospel, which did include severing relationships, I am so much happier! It can be painful, but God's way is the right way. From here on out, I only plan on growing more in the gospel. I have a challenge for you! That's right, I'm getting crazy and switching things up. I want you to write down a list of what you can do to grow more in the gospel and pick one thing on that list and do it!

Love,
Janae

Heart to Heart

I need to be honest with you guys. This post will be messy, emotional, and downright truthful. I have been having one of those days where I just despise everything about myself. It was also one of those days where I hid in my room and cried for the majority of it. I want to change but I didn't know how. All of my friends support me, but then when I try to change they tease me for it. I know that they don't mean to hurt me, but I'm sensitive deep down. I hide it really well; almost too well, considering people think I'm mean.

So as I sat listening to hymns and bawling in my state of "why me," I realized I hadn't caught up on the blogs I read weekly. So I read my good friend, Ashley's, blog. Honestly, I bawled as I went through and read all of last year's and the year's before blogs. Every single one I needed. Her words gave me the strength to realize that I can change and to be okay with not knowing what the Lord wants me to do yet.

I'll be the first to admit that I have low self confidence. Many may not realize it, but I do. I am also really self conscious. I remember once upon a time, I was happy with who I was. Until a couple of my friends and Young Women leaders said some words that weren't kind, and suddenly I began to change, for worse. I didn't want to come off as a Molly Mormon or a know it all, so in church and seminary I would never answer. I wouldn't volunteer to do anything. I found if I hide, no one would make comments about me. I was afraid of failure, which may seem normal (and to some extent it is) but I wouldn't even think about trying new things, especially in front of people. I fell spiritually.

Church wasn't very helpful during this time, as I had Young Women leaders who weren't the greatest. Now I did have great leaders before and after them, but my Mia Maid years are years I like to forget. I would go home after mutual and sob my eyes out. I felt excluded. I felt hated. They weren't pretty years. I felt like church and mutual was prison more than paradise.

Thankfully, I had great Young Women leaders that got called after these years that helped picked up and fix some of what was destroyed by others and myself. I also got a job at a church bookstore which made me realize that it's okay to be knowledgable in the gospel. Now I enjoy reading gospel related books and learning. I still feel somewhat shunned for wanting to be a better member, but I am working on it.

That's my goal: become happy with myself. I want to get my individual worth back. And I hope that this post will inspire you to make a change in your life. We all have at least one thing that we aren't happy with that we can easily change, but don't. It could be because of fear, like mine. Or maybe lack of motivation. I know I also overthink way too much (just ask anyone). But do what will help you progress to be the better person that you want to be.

Now that I've bitten all my fingernails off out of stress and nerves while writing this, I hope you all strive to be a better person. Forget all of those who don't approve or like it. If your Heavenly Father approves, then do it. Don't let your peers or Satan stop you.

Love,
Janae

Don't Let Satan Get the Best of You

Lately, I've been feeling that Satan has been trying everything in his power to get me to be unhappy. I thought it was just because I was going to be sealed to my parents and then it would be over. I was sealed to them on Tuesday night, which was a happy day and occasion. However it is currently Friday morning, 12:07 to be exact, and I am still feeling miserable. How? I thought my trials would be over after I had gotten what Satan didn't want.

Unfortunately, our trials aren't over when a big event happens. In fact, our trials tend to blend one to another if we don't stop and step back and look at what it is going on in our lives from an eternal perspective. After I had a good cry, I realized this was what Satan wanted. So I decided to change my situation so Satan wouldn't get the best of me.

Music

Music can effect your mood and attitude, which thus effects your choices and actions. When I'm upset, I'll listen to hymns. I know how cliche can I be? I personally am the type of person who feels the Spirit most through music. The very first thing I do is turn on hymns. Sometimes it's instrumental so I can focus on the Spirit more. Other times it's Mormon Tabernacle Choir on full volume. As I listen to spiritual music, I feel Satan being pushed out of my spirit quite literally. I feel the yucky leave and be replaced with a peaceful, calm feeling.

Scripture Study

I find in times of conflict, I love reading about Christ's life. Whether I crack open 3rd Nephi or Matthew, I find the most comfort when I read Christ's direct teachings or about His life and sacrifice. Some days, I'll simply open to where I was reading last and dive in and read 5 chapters straight. I read until I feel the Spirit. Even after I feel the Spirit, I keep on reading. Some nights, I'll read until my eyes are burning and it's 3 am. I don't worry as much about when I should be going to bed or if I'm reading more chapters than my boyfriend or best friend. I just read. 

Conference Talks

If you're new here, you should learn one thing about me: I LOVE GENERAL CONFERENCE! For those of you seasoned readers, you know how much I love General Conference. I always make it a habit to have the latest conference edition Ensign downloaded on all my Gospel Library apps and that I have a physical copy on my nightstand. I am the type of girl who goes through a talk and highlights everything I like. Some talks end up being more yellow than white. If I'm going through something particularly hard, I'll research the topic and read past General Conference talks. The prophets always know what's up, even if it was from before I was born, they know. 

Prayer

I have a whole blog post on praying and it's power. I find when my mind is clouded and my heart is troubled, Heavenly Father is there to listen. I unload everything to Him. He knows my heart and my mind but He is anxious to hear from me, personally. He's waiting to hear from you. He can help you if you turn to Him. If you need peace, ask for it. I promise you will feel it in your life. 

Satan will attack you when you are spiritually weak and strong. When you are weak, he knows how to work into your thoughts and make you even weaker. But if you fight your battles on your knees and with the scriptures, you will win. The war against Satan is happening now. It's happening as you read this. You must decide if you want to arm yourself or be vulnerable. I know that he will lose, but will Satan win you over? I pray that he doesn't. I know this gospel to be true. I know that by doing the simplest of things, you can be spiritually protected and not let Satan get the best of you. 

Love,

Janae

Getting In Tune with the Spirit

I was scrolling through Pinterest trying to find inspiration for a blog post and I came across a great quote.

I absolutely love this! It then reminded me of my favorite conference talk from this past conference. "The Music of the Gospel" by Elder Wilford W. Andersen. Now this talk may be for parents and families but I decided to take it and apply it to the individual. For we all need the Holy Ghost! 

Elder Andersen first starts off with a story that I think we can all relate to. He tells of a doctor's encounter with a medicine man from the Navajo Nation. The medicine man ask him if he can dance to which the doctor said no. The man states he can teach him to dance, but he has to hear the music. How often is it that we are faced with someone, who asks us a gospel related question to which we cannot respond? Now there will always be things to learn, but we can change this situation to the medicine man asking, "Do you know the gospel?" That's a pretty deep and vague question all at the same time. We may respond that we do not know all of it, to which he would tell us "I can teach you, but you have to hear the Holy Ghost."

Oh how that changes the entire meaning! As Elder Andersen says, "The dance steps of the gospel are the things we do; the music of the gospel is the joyful spiritual feeling that comes from the Holy Ghost." We must practice the teachings of the gospel and then we will be able to hear the Holy Ghost.  We can't expect to have the Holy Ghost without living the principles of the gospel.

In order for us to teach the gospel, we have to "expand the curriculum beyond just the dance steps." The first step Elder Andersen says is that we have to live to be in tune with the Spirit. Makes sense. You can't be drunk and expect to hear the Holy Ghost. He does not shout rather He whispers quietly. 

The second step is to become an example to others. Once we know the dance steps, we must perform (Shay this reminds me of you). Living the gospel principles isn't something we just do at church or home. Christ wanted us "to be examples at all times, in all things, and in all places." I don't think Sunday Mormons was Christ's plan. 

Thirdly we must keep trying! Christ doesn't expect us to be perfect. I know that I am not perfect! We need to rely on the Atonement to help us to become better each day. Remember this is a gospel of multiple chances, not three strikes and you're out. Take each day as a challenge to do better than the last.

We must remember our trials are to make us stronger and help us come closer to Christ. If we live the principles of the gospel, we will be blessed and one of those blessings is the Holy Ghost. I know that I have be incredibly blessed by my Heavenly Father even when I do not deserve it. I try to live my life in a way that will be pleasing to Him and to be worthy of having the companionship of the Holy Ghost with me.

Love,

Janae 

Pornography

Yes I'm going to attempt to talk about this touchy subject. Why? Because there are way too many youth that I know that struggle with it. I'm not calling anyone out-it's not my place. But I will speak my own opinions about the subject. If you do struggle with this or any other sexual sin, please go speak with your bishop or branch president immediately. It's easier to receive help now, than put it off until right before something important like temple marriage or a mission.

First off, prophets and apostles warn about the dangers of it. That's a no duh. It's addicting, much like drugs or alcohol, it warps your brain. That's why it's so important to stay clear of everything that could even lead to it. Remember the venus fly trap looks like a normal harmless plant before it kills it's dinner. 

Secondly, I believe that since this is such a taboo topic no one takes the time to what pornography and sexual sins include. I have heard many stories from many of my friends that have stated that if someone had explained before hand that what they were doing was wrong, they wouldn't have gone there. The world will teach your kids what you don't (that goes for adults and teens). So many youth go to the internet to find answers to their questions, which is just like when the fly rests on a venus fly trap. They don't realize it but then it starts the downward spiral. Also having good communication between parent and child is key. Many of said friends above told me that if they could trust going to their parents with their questions, they would have. But they didn't. As taboo as it is, it needs to be discussed in the walls within your home.

I know most of my audience are teenagers, so to you I offer some advice. If you already have an addiction, go to your bishop. Just do it. It will be so worth it in the end. If you don't struggle with it but have a question, do go to your parents or leaders. They will give you answers that won't lead to a porn addiction. Of course the best advice I can give, is to stay away from all of that. But I know you go to movies and that you go to high school and there's filth everywhere. Even if you aren't friends with people who discuss it, you'll still hear it in the halls (mostly from obnoxious boys who are yelling). Curiosity killed the cat by leading it slowly to it's death. Ignore these the best you can.

Here's what the For the Strength of Youth says about all this fun stuff:

Do not allow the media, your peers, or others to persuade you that sexual intimacy before marriage is acceptable. It is not. In God’s sight, sexual sins are extremely serious.

Avoid situations that invite increased temptation, such as late-night or overnight activities away from home or activities where there is a lack of adult supervision. Do not participate in discussions or any media that arouse sexual feelings. Do not participate in any type of pornography. The Spirit can help you know when you are at risk and give you the strength to remove yourself from the situation. Have faith in and be obedient to the righteous counsel of your parents and leaders.
Wow it's like the prophets know what's up or something. Sorry my sarcasm is a little strong there. But on a serious note, follow their advice. I encourage you all to read the For the Strength of Youth on this matter.

Lastly, I want you to all know, I'm not blaming this on parents or kids. It's all Satan's fault. And if he can find one tiny crevice in the wall, he will slip in and work his way up throughout the whole structure and cause it to collapse without warning. We as members can all work together to prevent and stop the war against porn. For more info on the war against porn check out fightthenewdrug.org for ways to become a fighter.

Don't worry merry sunshines, next week will be a happier, more spiritual post. I felt the need to get this out of my system as it has been on my mind for the past couple of weeks. Stay classy fam.

Love,
Janae

Go & Do/Scripture Studying

I think one of life's hardest lessons is learning to trust the Lord. We know that He knows everything, but trusting in Him and His timing is hard. I'll admit, I'm not the world's most patient person, so trusting in the Lord's timing is especially hard for me. So waiting to receive an answer to my mission prayer was hard. One week I would feel like maybe He didn't want me to go and that's why I hadn't gotten an answer while the next week I would feel that it was a No Duh type of answer. I wanted to pull out my hair and scream WHY CAN'T YOU ANSWER ME??

Yelling and pulling out my hair wasn't considered a healthy reaction to the situation so I turned to the scriptures and of course, the General Authorities. Several scriptures helped me through this time and I knew they were the answer that I least wanted to hear: Be patient and wait; I'll tell you soon enough. 

1st Nephi 4:6- And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do. 

1st Nephi 9:6- But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen.

These two have made it into my top ten of favorite scriptures (maybe a future post?). Heavenly Father knows everything. We had to be willing and patient to wait and look for His hand in our lives. I had to be patient in waiting for my answer to whether or not I should go on a mission. In fact, the answer came when I least expected it. But it took three months of praying, fasting, studying scriptures, and pondering to get my answer. I knew I had to be steadfast in doing those things so I would be in the right environment to receive my answer. In all honesty, I learned more about patience than I did receiving answers to prayers. 

Some people have asked me how I do it. How am I so spiritual and how do I have all these cool experiences? The answer is easy. I know you all know it. I read and pray everyday. Scripture study and daily prayers are the keys to getting yourself into a spiritual mindset. I often study in my room, with MoTab playing (I'm a musical person, so I learn best when there's music involved). I create an environment where the Spirit can come and reside and teach me. I approach studying with an open heart and mind with a willingness to learn. 

Then I study. Pretty simple. I start reading and I have my scripture markers handy because I like to mark everything I like, even if it means my scriptures end up looking like a coloring book. If I really love a scripture, I'll go find a nice picture of flowers or something nature and put it as the background to it. I like to have them on hand. I'm not saying this is the sure fire way of getting a good study session and feeling the Spirit- this is just what works for me. 

Maybe take the cookie cutter mold for studying and apply it to how you learn best. Maybe you're a visual learner- go get some pictures of the stories you read. Maybe you're auditory; listening to the scriptures is great (as long as you don't fall asleep). So many times we are told to just read our scriptures, but we are never told that we can adjust our study methods to best feel the Spirit and learn the most. The whole point of studying your scriptures is to learn from them. So do what you need to do so you can learn best. 

Sorry that this post was all over the place. That's what happens when I get the urge to write and it just comes out spilling all over the place with no real organization. I hope you all have a fantastic week. Remember your Heavenly Father loves you very much! 

Love,

Janae 

Is a Mission Right for Me?

Missions. It seems that since the age change, everyone and their sister have been getting their calls (haha appreciate my lame joke please). You may be in the whirlwind that has seem to capture many youth as to whether they should serve or not. Mind you, this applies to girls and boys. I, myself have been in that same whirlwind. I'm here to offer some help. Of course you will need to consult with Heavenly Father and listen to the prompting of the Spirit, but maybe you were in a place with no answers like I was. Well buckle up children, and let me shed some light.

One of the first things to do before even praying and fasting to decide whether or not to serve, is to realize that you don't have to be perfect to go on a mission. What? Crazy I know. The Lord doesn't want perfect people. He wants imperfect people that He can help mold and shape, through trials, into someone greater. Ask any RM. They will tell you that they have grown so much because of their mission.

Now that we got that misconception out of the way, lets get down to business to defeat Satan! Yes that little bugger will probably try every excuse in the book to get you to not even consider a mission. Worthiness, spirituality, maybe even financial, he will use all of theses as excuses for you to not go. Trust in the Lord and come to accept that if He wants you to serve, He will make it happen.

Many of you may be thinking, "Well this still doesn't help me." Let us clarify some more. D&C 4:3- "If ye have the desire, ye are called to the work." The Lord says that if you want to serve, He will take you and let you serve. However, He may have greater things planned for you. This is where it gets tough. My bestie/sister Dev told me to just make up my mind and say I'll go. That way I only have to get approval from the Lord instead of directions. He did put us on earth to make decisions of our own (agency).

That's what I personally did. I said, "Okay Heavenly Father. I'm gonna go on a mission." Now granted I have a year before I can even report. But I did it nevertheless. My answer took about 3 months to get. I prayed for an answer nightly and fasted for it. Nothing. Then one night I was walking to my room to go to bed and it hit me. "You're going to go on a mission." I was excited. I had finally got my answer!

You may have to wait months to get an answer. You may get one right away. The Lord knows what He's doing. While waiting for an answer, do your part. Read your scriptures everyday and say your prayers. It may seem small and simple but that's how you show the Lord your willingness. Another thing I did, was I read mission books. 10 Questions to Answer While Preparing for a Mission and 30 Ways to Love Your Mission are my favorites. These are more for anyone and everyone preparing or debating. Girls, Do Not Attempt in Heels and Sisters: A Modern Girl's Guide to Serving a Mission are my top two favorite ones. Even if you don't end up going, you have still learned.

If you are one of the ones debating between marriage and a mission, Dev has more words of wisdom for you. "Preparing for a mission also prepares you for marriage." I couldn't agree more. Now I am neither married, nor an RM, but I do not doubt the truth in her words. No matter how young you are, you are never too young to start preparing for a mission. Even if you do not end up going, you will be spiritually stronger (and that's not a bad thing).

I testify that if you earnestly want to serve and prepare to serve, the Lord will put your efforts to good use. He loves you and wants each of His children to hear the gospel. "Look unto me in every thought. Doubt not, fear not." He will guide you through the promptings of the Holy Ghost. And lastly, a quote to sum it all up.

He will always help you. In all of your decisions, and in everything, He wants the best for you. Until next week my dears.

Love,
Janae