One of the biggest things that has been weighing on my mind lately is some of the dumbest things I have done in my life. Its obviously not good to dwell on these - that's not what I have been doing. Instead, I have been dwelling on how the changes from those things to the things I am doing now have taken place. What on earth was it that happened to me that challenged me to decide to make a change? What was it? These are the things I've been wondering, as well as the question ---> Is change possible? Is it worth it?It is worth it. I want to tell a little bit of my story without going into details. Before I came out to Tennessee, I wasn't very good about applying the Gospel in my life - I even had a few challenges with it while being out here on my mission! There were certain aspects of the Gospel that, to me, didn't have much room or importance in my life. It affected a couple of people that were close to me, although it distorted my view of how things really were.
That's where repentance comes into play. I was sitting in my room and I was just sick of feeling like the things that were affecting me weren't really affecting me. I was lying to others, and worse - lying to myself. I decided I couldn't do that any longer, and I talked to someone very close to me about change. I talked to him for a few hours, and then he helped me talk to someone else about the changes that needed to take place. That was a representative of Jesus Christ.
In making this confession, I feel like I need to say (like Joseph Smith did in his history) that there isn't anyone who needs to think I participated in any big sin. However, my mistakes did affect a couple of my friends, who I tried to reconcile with, and who I will have to face in the future - but I can stand before them and tell them that I am sorry. I also can tell them, more importantly, that I have changed. What joy that will be - their choice may still be not to associate with me, but I can stand there with the satisfaction that I have changed for the better. I believe that change is so possible.
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Why is it that when we need change, we turn to the Savior? What does he have that is capable of causing this change within us that others do not?
In the Book of Mormon, Alma (a prophet of God) talks about the things the Savior did while he was on the Earth. This was a prophecy given a hundred years before Christ was even born. It means a lot to know that what the Savior did would go so far as to count for every single person involved, every situation, and every mistake and sin.
"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and aafflictions and btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
That's where repentance comes into play. I was sitting in my room and I was just sick of feeling like the things that were affecting me weren't really affecting me. I was lying to others, and worse - lying to myself. I decided I couldn't do that any longer, and I talked to someone very close to me about change. I talked to him for a few hours, and then he helped me talk to someone else about the changes that needed to take place. That was a representative of Jesus Christ.
In making this confession, I feel like I need to say (like Joseph Smith did in his history) that there isn't anyone who needs to think I participated in any big sin. However, my mistakes did affect a couple of my friends, who I tried to reconcile with, and who I will have to face in the future - but I can stand before them and tell them that I am sorry. I also can tell them, more importantly, that I have changed. What joy that will be - their choice may still be not to associate with me, but I can stand there with the satisfaction that I have changed for the better. I believe that change is so possible.
Why is it that when we need change, we turn to the Savior? What does he have that is capable of causing this change within us that others do not?
In the Book of Mormon, Alma (a prophet of God) talks about the things the Savior did while he was on the Earth. This was a prophecy given a hundred years before Christ was even born. It means a lot to know that what the Savior did would go so far as to count for every single person involved, every situation, and every mistake and sin.
"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and aafflictions and btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
"And he will take upon him adeath, that he may bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to csuccor his people according to their infirmities."
This scripture means so much to me. It should mean the same to you. Because he suffered those things - for us - we can change. He knows where we are, where we've been - and he knows how to put us where we need to be going. I have a FIRM testimony that we can change. We CAN change. No matter where we are in life! I urge you to turn to the Savior for help. He suffered so that we could know where to turn to.
I have a friend who is currently not sure where she is in life. I have been trying so hard to help her recently - but I know that the only way she will receive help is through the Savior Jesus Christ. We are truly on the path where only he can help us get to the end destination. Converse with Him - let Him help you. I promise that change is possible.
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I have a friend who is currently not sure where she is in life. I have been trying so hard to help her recently - but I know that the only way she will receive help is through the Savior Jesus Christ. We are truly on the path where only he can help us get to the end destination. Converse with Him - let Him help you. I promise that change is possible.
